How Much Does App Development Cost in 2025? A Complete Breakdown

5 min readMay 19, 2025

For those wondering “how much does app development cost?”, Acropolium has compiled a complete cost breakdown with factors impacting the price.

Mobile apps aren’t just “nice to have” anymore. They’ve become essential tools for engaging users, streamlining operations, and growing revenue. On average, smartphone users interact with 10 apps per day and 30 different apps each month.

Whether it’s a customer-facing app or an internal tool, developing one comes with real costs. And the cost of building an application varies based on different factors.

It depends on complexity, platform, team structure, and long-term plans for support and scalability. With Acropolium’s 20+ years of web and mobile app development, we’ll break it all down and show you how to reduce unnecessary spending while keeping quality intact.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Mobile Application Today?

There’s no average price to develop an app. Prices range from $30,000 for a basic MVP to well over $350,000 for a feature-rich, enterprise-grade product. Here’s what you can expect based on complexity:

This estimate doesn’t include ongoing maintenance, updates, or infrastructure costs, which you should budget for from day one.

What Impacts App Development Costs: App Development Cost Breakdown

The average app development cost varies based on different factors, such as application type, platform choice, and the number of features required.

App Type & Industry Requirements

Not all apps are created equal. A simple food delivery app will cost far less than a secure healthcare platform that must meet HIPAA compliance. Security standards, user expectations, and backend complexity drive these differences.

Here’s a quick reference guide by app category:

App Type

Platform Choice

Are you building for iOS, Android, or both? Developing for a single platform costs less upfront, but limits your audience. When deciding between major development platforms, keep in mind that Android commands 71.88% of the global market share, compared to iOS at 27.65%.

Custom mobile app development pricing might be more beneficial for cross-platform development, as it’s often more cost-efficient and faster to launch. However, it may not support every advanced native feature.

Feature Set & Integrations

App features are the main cost drivers. The more complex the functionality, the more time and money you’ll spend on design, development, and testing.

Basic. Login system, simple UI, limited screens
Medium. Payment integration, push notifications, backend APIs
Advanced. Video streaming, real-time tracking, AI, AR/VR, blockchain

Application development costs are also higher when it comes to custom integrations with third-party tools or legacy enterprise systems.

Region of Development

Developer rates vary significantly by region. Choosing where your team is based will affect your overall budget:

High rates don’t guarantee high quality. Many companies save money by outsourcing to skilled teams in Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia, provided they thoroughly vet the vendor.

Outsourcing vs. In-House: A Critical Choice

Hiring an in-house development team means committing to long-term overhead: recruitment, salaries, benefits, equipment, and office space. Unless you plan to continuously develop and maintain multiple apps, it may not be cost-effective.

By contrast, outsourcing to a vetted software development company gives you access to experienced engineers, project managers, and QA testers. It also shortens your time to market.

However, not all vendors operate in the same manner. Apart from checking how much mobile app development costs at their agency, remember: transparency in pricing, clear contracts, and proven delivery history are non-negotiable.

Don’t Forget About Hidden Costs

Development is just the beginning. Once your app is live, you’ll need to account for:

Maintenance and bug fixes
OS and device updates
Security patches and compliance changes
Cloud infrastructure or hosting fees
User support
Marketing and app store optimization

What You Get from Custom App Development

While the cost of building an application with custom functionality may be higher than off-the-shelf tools, the long-term value is often far greater. You’re not just buying code but investing in a strategic asset. But there’s more:

Tailored functionality. Your app fits your exact workflow, with no bloated features and workarounds.
Built-in scalability. Add features as your business grows without needing a rebuild.
Better security. Get enterprise-grade protection that meets your industry’s regulatory requirements.
System integration. Link seamlessly with your CRM, ERP, or analytics tools.
Ownership. You control the product, data, and roadmap.
No licensing fees. Avoid monthly per-user charges that add up fast.

9 Ways to Reduce Custom Application Development Cost

While there are many ways to reduce application development costs, nothing works better than partnering with a certified vendor who prioritizes your budget and objectives.

Want to stay on budget without cutting corners? These best practices can help:

1. Start with Discovery

Define your goals, user personas, core features, and technical requirements. Avoid vague specifications that lead to scope creep and delays.

2. Build an MVP First

Focus on the minimum viable product. Get to market fast, gather feedback, and iterate. Don’t over-engineer from the start.

3. Use Cross-Platform Tools

Frameworks like Flutter and React Native reduce development time with the help of a single codebase for both iOS and Android.

4. Go Low-Code Where Practical

For internal tools or simple user-facing apps, consider low-code platforms. They significantly cut dev time and cost, especially for prototyping.

5. Reuse Components

Avoid reinventing the wheel. Use pre-built UI libraries, backend templates, and APIs where applicable.

6. Optimize Your Design

A clean, user-friendly interface reduces developer workload and testing time.

7. Test Early and Often

Fixing bugs late in the process is expensive. Continuous QA during development keeps costs down and quality high.

8. Choose the Right Development Partner

Work with a company that offers flexible engagement models, clear pricing, and solid technical expertise. Ask for detailed estimates and references.

9. Plan for Growth

Design your architecture with scaling in mind. A well-structured backend can prevent future rebuilds and reduce long-term costs.

Final Words

App development in 2025 is a serious business investment. The cost of building an application can vary wildly. Nevertheless, with proper planning, expert guidance, and the right tech choices, you can avoid overspending and still launch a product that drives results.

Acropolium is here to help you navigate those decisions, from feature scoping to platform selection to scaling, and keep your budget under control. Let’s talk about what you need and how we can build it without breaking the bank — all within a transparent, subscription-based cooperation model.