02/05/2025
Over the years, the cost of creating an app has evolved significantly. Factors such as design complexity, the features to be implemented, and the chosen platform directly influence how much it costs to develop an app. In 2025, the technological landscape has changed radically, driven by innovation and the growing expectations of users. This has led to a reevaluation of what it means to build a mobile application and, above all, how much it costs to bring it to life.
But what has changed in app development in 2025 that could impact its cost? This year, the incorporation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented reality, along with increased demands in data security and accessibility, have added new variables to the process. Furthermore, the growing demand for personalized user experiences has raised the bar in UI/UX design, making the investment in developing an app more strategic than ever before.
These advances lead us to the big question: in a world where technology moves at breakneck speed, how much does it cost to create an app in 2025? Throughout this article, we will analyze in detail the factors that determine its cost, how current trends are redefining app development, and most importantly, how to optimize your investment to achieve the best possible outcome.
As we delve into mobile app development in 2025, it is important to understand that the cost of creating an app is not a fixed number, but rather the result of multiple interconnected factors. Each app is unique, and its development involves a series of decisions that determine how much it costs to develop an app. From the initial idea to the launch and maintenance, each phase of the process has implications on the final budget.
In this section, we will explore the most relevant factors that affect the cost of developing an app, providing a detailed guide for those looking to better understand this process and optimize their investment.
The elements that influence the cost of developing a mobile application can be grouped into several categories:
Throughout this article, we will analyze each of these factors in detail, explaining how they influence the price of developing an app and offering strategies to optimize the investment without compromising the final product’s quality.
In app development, one of the first and most important decisions to make is the choice between native, web, or hybrid applications. This decision will affect the performance, the user experience, and the accessibility of the application, as well as the cost and the complexity of development. Let us look at how each option impacts the budget and the development process.
Native applications are developed specifically for an operating system, such as Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android, using the development platforms and programming languages recommended by the manufacturers of these operating systems (Swift and Objective-C for iOS, Kotlin and Java for Android). These applications can take full advantage of the device’s hardware capabilities, offering an optimal user experience, fast response times, and deep integration with the device ecosystem.
Impact on Cost:
Developing a native app is usually more expensive than the other options, since it requires the creation of separate versions for each desired platform. This implies duplicating efforts in terms of design, development, and maintenance. However, for projects seeking the highest quality, performance, and use of the device’s specific features, the investment may be justified.
Hybrid applications combine elements of native and web applications. They are built using web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) and then wrapped in a native container, allowing them to access device features and be distributed through app stores. Popular frameworks for hybrid development include React Native, Ionic, Flutter, and Xamarin.
Impact on Cost:
The development of hybrid apps offers a balance between cost, performance, and access to device features. Although the cost may be higher than that of a pure web application, due to the need to adapt the interface for different platforms and sometimes work on device-specific integrations, it is still generally lower than the development of multiple native applications. Hybrid applications are an ideal intermediate solution for projects seeking good performance across multiple platforms without the high cost of native development.
Web applications are web pages optimized for use on mobile devices through a browser. They are developed using web programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Unlike native applications, these types of applications cannot be published in app stores (App Store and Play Store) and can only be accessed via a URL and a web browser. On the other hand, this characteristic allows applications to be accessible from any device with an internet connection.
Impact on Cost:
The development of web apps can be significantly more economical than that of native applications, mainly because a single codebase is written that works on multiple platforms and devices. Although they may be more limited in terms of access to specific hardware features and performance compared to native apps, web applications represent a cost-effective option for projects with limited budgets or those that do not require deep integration with the device.
The choice between native, web, and hybrid applications should be based on a careful consideration of the project’s objectives, the target audience, the desired features, and, of course, the budget. Each type of application has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, performance, and the ability to offer a rich and functional user experience. By understanding how each option affects these aspects, companies can make informed decisions that maximize the value of their investment in creating an app.
If there is not enough budget available to hire a specialized company for application development, there is the alternative of app builders. These no-code development platforms allow users to create an app without programming knowledge, using visual interfaces with prebuilt modules. Tools such as Esri and Scoreapps offer quick and accessible solutions for small businesses or entrepreneurs seeking a mobile presence without a large initial investment.
However, these options have important limitations in terms of customization, scalability, and advanced functionalities. As they are based on predesigned templates, the ability to adapt the application to specific needs is limited, which can be an obstacle for companies that require a more sophisticated solution or custom integrations. Furthermore, many no-code platforms rely on third-party services for hosting and maintenance, which may generate technical restrictions and hidden long-term costs. For this reason, although app builders may be a viable alternative for simple projects, they do not replace professional app development when quality, flexibility, and future growth are the goal.
The complexity of a mobile application is a determining factor in its development cost. This complexity is reflected both in the functionalities the app offers and in its integration with third-party services and the use of device-specific hardware. Understanding the relationship between an app’s complexity and its associated cost is essential for effectively planning and budgeting the development process.
Basic functionalities: Applications with basic functionalities typically include standard features such as registration forms, user profiles, task lists, or news feeds. These apps require less development and testing time, as they rely on well-established functions and programming structures, which reduces the project’s total cost. They are ideal for companies looking to launch a minimum viable product (MVP) to test an idea in the market.
Advanced functionalities: On the other hand, applications that incorporate advanced functionalities — such as real-time content personalization, payment processing, integration of AI-based chatbots, or complex back-end features — demand greater investment in both time and resources. These features require detailed planning, specialized development, and an extended testing period to ensure proper operation, which increases the project cost.
Integration with third-party services is another factor that can increase an app’s complexity and cost. Modern applications often require integration with external systems for functions such as data analytics, payment processing, maps, social networks, and marketing tools.
Each of these integrations must be properly configured and maintained, which can involve additional development and testing costs to ensure that the integration works smoothly and securely.
Leveraging the device’s hardware capabilities, such as GPS, the camera, the accelerometer, or biometric sensors, can also influence the cost of developing an application. The use of these features requires native access to the hardware, meaning that the applications must be developed with special consideration for these integrations, increasing the complexity and the time required for development and testing.
The implementation of advanced functionalities, third-party integrations, and intensive use of device hardware are aspects that can transform a simple application into a highly complex and sophisticated mobile solution. While basic functionalities may be suitable for applications intended to fulfill specific and straightforward tasks, advanced functionalities are essential for apps aiming to offer a rich, interactive, and personalized user experience.
In summary, the complexity of a mobile application is a component that directly affects its development cost. Careful planning and a clear definition of the project’s objectives and requirements are essential to effectively manage the costs associated with app complexity, ensuring that the final product meets user expectations and remains within the established budget.
Accessibility in a mobile application is a consideration that ensures all users, including those with disabilities, can use it effectively. This inclusive approach ensures that the app can reach the entire market, complying with required legal obligations, while also reinforcing a brand’s commitment to equal access to technology.
What is meant by app accessibility?
Accessibility in the context of mobile applications refers to the ability of the app to be used by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. This includes individuals with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. An accessible app takes these diverse needs into account through the design and development of interfaces and features that can be easily used by everyone, ensuring no one is left out.
Legal obligation for accessible design
Regarding the legal obligation for accessible design, there are notable differences between European and U.S. regulations:
An accessible mobile application incorporates several key features designed to facilitate use by all users. Some of these features include:
Accessibility should be considered from the initial stages of app design, ensuring that technology serves a broader purpose of inclusion and accessibility for all. The integration of these features adds an extra layer to the app development process, which also increases the final cost.
User interface (UI) design and user experience (UX) are critical components in mobile app development, playing a fundamental role in user retention. An intuitive and visually appealing design enhances user satisfaction, while also encouraging greater interaction and loyalty toward the application. In this context, it is important to understand how the level of design customization can impact the overall cost of creating an app.
A well-thought-out UI/UX design makes the application easy to use and visually attractive, which is essential for capturing and retaining the user’s attention. User experience encompasses every aspect of the end user’s interaction with the company, its services, and its products. Therefore, an effective UI/UX strategy should focus on the app’s aesthetics as well as its functionality, usability, and accessibility.
Today’s users have high expectations and low tolerance for poor user experiences. Complicated navigation, slow load times, and poorly arranged interface elements can quickly lead to user frustration and, ultimately, app uninstallation. On the other hand, an app that offers a smooth, consistent, and enriching experience is more likely to foster an active and engaged user base.
The level of customization in an app’s design has a direct impact on development cost. Below are some key points:
Ultimately, while a custom and high-quality UI/UX design may increase the development cost of a mobile application, it also plays an essential role in creating a satisfying user experience that can lead to higher user retention and loyalty. The key lies in finding the right balance between the level of customization and the available budget, ensuring that the investment in design contributes effectively to the app’s long-term success.
The choice of platform for creating an app is a strategic decision that has implications both in terms of cost and market reach. In 2025, the two main platforms in the mobile app market are iOS and Android, each with its own set of guidelines, development tools, and user base. In addition, the cross-platform development option (third-generation hybrid apps) offers an alternative that seeks to combine the best of both worlds. Let us analyze how these options affect development cost and market reach.
iOS
Developing an application for iOS generally involves using Swift or Objective-C as programming languages. The primary development tool is Xcode. iOS applications tend to have a higher development cost due to the need to comply with Apple’s strict design and performance guidelines. However, Apple’s closed ecosystem can facilitate development and testing by limiting the variety of devices and operating system versions.
Android
On the other hand, Android development typically uses Kotlin or Java, with Android Studio as the main integrated development environment (IDE). Developing for Android can be more challenging and expensive due to market fragmentation, with a wide variety of devices, screen sizes, and OS versions. This diversity requires more exhaustive testing and adjustments to ensure compatibility and a consistent user experience across all devices.
Cross-platform
Cross-platform development tools, such as React Native, Ionic, Flutter, or Xamarin, allow developers to write a single codebase that works on both iOS and Android. This approach can significantly reduce development and maintenance costs, as it eliminates the need to build and manage two separate codebases. However, cross-platform applications may not offer the same level of optimization or access to operating system-specific features as native applications.
iOS
iOS applications have access to the Apple device user market, which is characterized by a higher purchasing power and a greater willingness to spend on apps. This can be especially relevant for paid apps or those with in-app purchases.
Android
With the largest global market share, developing for Android allows access to a broader and more diverse user base. This is particularly advantageous for apps aiming for maximum market penetration or targeting regions where Android dominates the smartphone market.
Choosing cross-platform development maximizes market reach by making the app available to both iOS and Android users. Although there may be trade-offs in terms of performance and use of platform-specific features, this option is ideal for apps seeking rapid adoption and presence on all mobile devices.
The decision of which platform(s) to choose for creating an app should be based on an assessment of the target audience, project goals, budget, and development timeline. While single-platform development may be suitable for apps with a well-defined target market, cross-platform development offers a more inclusive solution, ensuring the app is accessible to the largest possible number of users.
Development personnel costs represent the main variable in the total cost of creating an app. These costs vary considerably depending on the geographic region and the experience of the development team. Understanding how these factors influence the final cost is essential for the effective planning and budgeting of any mobile app development project.
The geographic location of the development team has a direct impact on the hourly development cost, reflecting differences in cost of living, demand for tech talent, and the overall economic conditions of each region. Below is an overview of how these costs can vary:
Beyond geography, the experience and specialization of the development team play a fundamental role not only in the cost, but also in the success and scalability of a mobile application project. An experienced team can develop and launch high-quality applications faster, while also providing valuable strategic insights, identifying potential problems before they become major obstacles, and offering innovative solutions.
Investing in a highly experienced team, although it may increase the initial hourly cost, often results in long-term savings. This is due to a lower need for expensive corrections and shorter development time, ultimately increasing the project’s chances of success. Beyond these savings, the team’s experience in industry-specific regulations—especially in sensitive sectors such as health and wellness—is invaluable. It ensures the application complies with legal and security standards from the outset, while also providing an exceptional user experience.
A development team with extensive experience means fewer errors in the final product and a better user experience. Cutting corners on development costs often results in low-quality products, full of bugs, poor usability, and little or no scalability. Scalability, or the ability of an application to grow and adapt to greater demands without losing quality or performance, is essential to ensure the longevity and continued success of an app. A good technical architecture, designed by experienced developers, is the key to achieving this goal.
At GooApps, many clients come to us after relying on less experienced teams for the initial development of their apps, only to find that their products lack a solid foundation and scalable architecture, requiring the apps to be rebuilt from scratch. This scenario underscores the importance of making the right choice from the beginning, avoiding the false savings that come with choosing lower-cost but lower-quality solutions.
Accessibility is another highly relevant aspect when creating an app—one that many companies may be tempted to overlook in order to reduce costs. However, beyond being an ethical imperative, the implementation of accessibility features is a legal requirement in the European market. An experienced team understands the importance of integrating these features from the beginning of development, ensuring that the application is accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities.
When considering development personnel costs, it is important to balance initial costs with the long-term value that an experienced team can bring to the project. Choosing the right region and development team must be aligned with the project’s objectives, available budget, and quality expectations. This ensures that the investment in mobile app development meets current accessibility and regulatory standards, and positions the product for long-term success and scalability.
Watch out! We must not forget to consider the costs after the app’s development, such as the following:
Once an application has been developed and launched, the next challenge is ensuring it reaches its target audience and achieves the highest possible number of active users. Effective dissemination and promotion of the app are essential for this purpose, covering strategies ranging from digital communication to successful publishing in app stores. At GooApps, we understand the importance of these phases and offer a set of services designed to maximize the reach and visibility of our clients’ applications.
At GooApps, we focus on a comprehensive communication and promotion strategy that includes the dissemination of success stories through our own channels, such as the GooApps website blog and our LinkedIn page. These platforms allow us to highlight the features and benefits of the applications we develop, as well as to share success stories and testimonials that can inspire potential users and clients.
In addition to using our internal media, promotion through external media plays a key role in the dissemination strategy. The selection of channels and tactics is customized for each project, ensuring that the message effectively reaches the application’s target audience.
At GooApps, we manage the app publishing process in the app stores on behalf of our clients, ensuring that the application complies with all the technical and content guidelines of the iOS and Android platforms and that it is also optimized to stand out from the competition. This includes the creation of compelling descriptions, selection of relevant keywords to improve search visibility, and the use of high-quality images and videos that showcase the app in action.
App Store Optimization (ASO) is an integral part of our publishing strategy, designed to increase the visibility of the app within the app stores and to improve conversion rates from views to downloads. This optimization is carried out through careful analysis of market trends, user preferences, and competitor strategies.
Launching an application, in addition to the potential costs associated with app store registration, may also involve other additional costs, such as security certificate acquisition, and potentially, legal fees to ensure compliance with privacy and data protection regulations. At GooApps, we advise our clients on how to ensure compliance with these and other relevant regulations. Our advisory services range from the implementation of appropriate privacy policies, to the adoption of data collection and storage practices that respect users’ rights. This guidance is essential to avoid legal penalties and to ensure the app maintains a positive reputation among users. These initial expenses are crucial for a successful market entry.
To ensure your app reaches its target audience and generates downloads, it is essential to invest in a well-planned and executed marketing strategy. This may include paid advertising, content marketing, public relations, app store optimization (ASO), and more. The costs associated with these marketing activities can vary widely, but allocating an adequate budget is essential for building visibility and traction in a highly competitive market.
As a reference, if the app is aimed at businesses (B2B), best practices suggest investing an amount in marketing equivalent to that invested in app development. In the case of apps focused on end users (B2C), it is recommended to invest double the amount spent on app development in marketing.
In this context, GooApps partners with AppsFlyer, a leading platform in marketing measurement and analytics for mobile applications. With a robust suite of integrated tools, AppsFlyer enables the maximization of marketing campaign impact, providing key insights for user acquisition and retention, as well as for continuous product improvement. Key AppsFlyer services include:
Collaboration with AppsFlyer ensures that the applications developed with GooApps reach their full potential in a competitive market, generating value for both companies and users.
Mobile app maintenance is an important aspect that ensures optimal performance over time, adapting to technological changes and user needs. At GooApps, we understand the importance of providing comprehensive maintenance, covering both corrective and preventive aspects, ensuring that the app remains relevant over time and delivers the best possible user experience. Basic maintenance starts at 10 hours per month, which can increase depending on the number of app users. This maintenance can be classified into three main categories:
Preventive maintenance:
Corrective maintenance:
Adjustments:
Implementing these three types of maintenance ensures the operational continuity of the application, as well as its constant evolution in response to market demands and user expectations. At GooApps, our commitment is to provide continuous and adaptive support to ensure that the apps we develop meet current standards and are ready to meet future demands, maintaining their relevance and effectiveness over time.
To learn more about app maintenance costs, you can consult our article How much does it cost to maintain an app in 2025.
Mobile applications that require a database, backend processing, or data storage need servers to operate. Costs can vary depending on the provider (for example, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure), the scale of the required resources, and the specific configuration (dedicated vs. shared servers, on-premise vs. cloud). It is essential to estimate expected traffic and storage needs to choose a hosting package that balances cost and performance.
Depending on the amount of stored data and traffic, storage costs typically range from €100 to €500 per month in most cases.
We expect our app to be a success, right? So we will surely need new expansions, to incorporate new features, and to make general improvements to the app that we will implement in different versions. These updates are usually delivered through packs of 60, 120, or 250 hours.
After a detailed analysis of the factors that influence the cost of creating an app, let us now explore what that cost would be depending on the complexity of the application and the features included.
The price of an app can vary greatly, and in general it ranges between €30,000 and €120,000, or more. As with the creation of any other product, developing an app requires resources and various professional profiles. The main variables that define these resources in development are time and the experience of the professionals involved. As Benjamin Franklin once said: “Time is money!”, a phrase that applies perfectly in this case.
There are many factors that influence the price (time) of developing an app. As you might imagine, the more features and complexity the app has, the higher the cost:
Would you like to know what we mean by a Basic App, a Medium App, a Complex App, and a Custom App? Want to know where these prices come from? Then keep reading.
As we have already mentioned, the main variable that determines how much it costs to create an app is the time it takes to develop it. Let us now talk about the correlation between time, features, and the complexity of mobile app development.
Functionalities and factors such as technical architecture, integrations with other systems, APIs, or the volume of screens and buttons, as well as the logic required for each of them, will determine the development time.
More complex developments may require very customized programming, as well as the possibility of integrating IoT devices, wearables, or implementing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, or augmented reality.
Standard functionalities, on the other hand, are much easier to implement.
As we have already pointed out, the cost of creating an app starts at €30,000 and can exceed €120,000, depending on its complexity or the time required to develop it.
The answer to how much it costs to create an app can vary greatly depending on its features. As you browse the internet, you will find many calculators offering widely varying estimates in exchange for your contact information. In reality, the most reliable way to calculate the cost is to contact a development team directly.
We have talked about the complexity level of developing an app. The smaller and simpler an app is, the less time it takes to develop. Seems obvious, right?
How many features do you want to implement in the app? How many screens, buttons, functions should it have? How complex is the logic of the app going to be?
The complexity level of creating an app will depend on the features and integrations you choose, and on how the app will be developed.
A basic application, meaning an informative app with static content that does not require connection with external platforms or content management, would involve approximately 350 hours of work. It may include 2 basic features, 3 or 4 screens, simple functions, and no data storage.
An app of this type could include the following main features:
The typical development time for a basic app is around 45 days (phases 1 and 2).
Why does an electric bike cost more than a regular one?
The same thing happens when we develop an app. The more features and characteristics we add, the more the development time increases, and therefore, the cost.
If we want to include dynamic content, enable content management through a connection to a back office or content management system and support personalization, it would require a total of 600 to 900 hours of work.
This type of application could include all the features of a basic app, plus the following:
The more characteristics we want to add to the app, the greater the development complexity, and therefore the final cost.
The typical development time for a medium app is around 90 days (phases 1 and 2).
When the features of a medium app are not enough, we can move to complex cases, where we continue adding features and characteristics such as connection with IoT or wearable devices, offline work support, and integration with external APIs. These types of apps can require 900 to 1,500 hours of work.
A complex app could include the features of a basic and a medium app, in addition to:
The typical development time for a complex app is around 120 days (phases 1 and 2).
If you want to include the most cutting-edge technologies, such as integration with custom algorithms or AI services, as well as traceability features through blockchain services, then we move into the realm of a custom app. This type of app requires more than 1,500 hours of dedicated work.
A Custom App can include all the previous functionalities, plus:
The typical development time for a custom app is more than 120 days (phases 1 and 2).
To wrap up, can we conclude that in app development you get what you pay for? Absolutely! But finding a realistic development price range that fits your budget will be a critical aspect.
Remember that when we develop an app, at some point we expect to obtain a return on investment. To maximize ROI, the app must be well-conceived, perfectly designed, and must include professional maintenance. And all of this at a reasonable cost that you can afford.
In this article, we aimed to give you guidance on how much it costs to create a custom app. It is true that prices can vary greatly depending on each case, and it is important that you understand the factors that influence design and development costs.
We recommend that you take all the time you need to analyze your real needs, carefully choose the provider you will work with, and clearly define your goals and expectations.
Once you have these points defined, do not hesitate to schedule a meeting to work with a mobile app development team that can help you design and execute your project.
Complete the form and GooApps® will help you find the best solution for your organization. We will contact you very soon!
+34 656 828 020
Schedule an online meeting 
