App Design Cost in 2025: A Complete Pricing Breakdown
Mobile apps thrive on delivering captivating and intuitive user experiences. But how much does it cost to create the magic behind the screen?
The answer is not a specific figure. The cost to design an app varies A LOT: from a modest $5,000 to a staggering $30,000 per project. In some cases, it can go beyond $100,000. You read that right, the price range may vary depending on app complexities.
Understanding the key drivers behind this cost variation is crucial for budgeting and planning your next mobile app project. Check out this article to understand all the major factors that influence the cost of mobile app design in 2025. But first, let us explore why the app design rate in 2025 can be so high, and why it is often justified.
That five-figure app price tag in the intro might have caused a minor jaw-dropping moment. But here’s the shocker: for many startups, that is just the starting point.
Mobile phones are no longer just communication devices; they are practically extensions of ourselves. Think about it: 96.3% of global internet users accessed the web via mobile phones in Q4 2023, compared to just 62.2% on laptops or desktops.
Average Cost of Mobile App Design in 2025
Companies are recognizing the power and profitability of ‘mobile app first’ user outreach strategies. Well-designed mobile apps can boost operational agility, fuel revenue growth, amplify brand exposure, and help businesses nurture loyal customer bases.
So, how much does it cost to create an app like that? Let’s break down all the costs, not just the design. In most cases, the mobile app development and design process consists of these five stages:
- Pre-Development
First comes the pre-development phase. Here, a cross-functional team conducts in-depth research and planning to define the app’s scope and functionality. This crucial step typically costs between $10,000 and $15,000 over 2-4 weeks for an average project.
For complex apps with intricate functionalities across multiple platforms, pre-development costs can climb to $50,000 or more.
- UX/UI Design
Next, the UX/UI design stage brings your app’s visual identity to life. On average, this phase costs around $5,000 for designing up to 20 screens. However, the cost is directly impacted by the number of screens and the complexity of the interface. Custom design elements will further raise the design budget. More on that later.
- App Development
The app development stage transforms your design into a functional reality. Here, feature complexity is a major cost driver. Basic functionalities like logins and push notifications are more affordable than advanced features like CMS integrations or video streaming.
- App Testing and Deployment
Following development comes the Testing and Deployment phase, ensuring a seamless user experience before launch. Costs here vary based on the testing scope and chosen deployment method.
- Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Finally, ongoing support and maintenance are essential for your app’s long-term success. Bug fixes, design updates, and feature enhancements will all contribute to ongoing support costs.
The table below provides a detailed cost and timeline breakdown for various app categories. Remember, these are estimates, and your specific needs can influence the final cost.
| App Category | Cost to Design(Approx.) | Development Time (Months) | Total Development Cost (Approx.) | Examples |
| Basic App | $4,000 – $7,200 | 1 | $15,000 – $30,000 | Calculators, Camera, Clock |
| Data-Driven App | $4,000 – $7,200+ | 1-1.5 | $20,000 – $40,000+ | Calendar, Weather, Stocks |
| Authentication App | $8,000 – $12,000+ | 3-6 | $60,000 – $120,000+ | McDonald’s Loyalty App, Google Drive |
| Social Networking App | $8,000 – $36,000+ | 3-6 up to 9+ | $100,000 – $500,000+ | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn |
| E-Commerce App | $8,000 – $36,000+ | 3-6 up to 9+ | $100,000 – $500,000+ | Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, ASOS |
| On-demand App (Basic, Per Platform) | $8,400 – $12,000+ | 5-7+ | $70,000 – $150,000+ | Uber, UberEATS, Postmates |
| Marketplace App (Multilevel Web Platform) | From $36,000+ | 9+ | From $300,000+ | TripAdvisor, Booking.com |
| IoT & Hardware App | $8,000 – $12,000+ | 3-6 | $70,000 – $150,000+ | Beacons, Amazon Dash Buttons, WeMo, DirectTV, |
| Education App | From $8,000 – $12,000+ | From 3-6 | $70,000 – $150,000+ | DuoLingo, Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy |
| Healthcare App | From $8,000 – $12,000+ | From 3-6 | $70,000 – $150,000+ | Calm, MyFitnessPal, Headspace, Human Anatomy Atlas, EMT: Pocket Prep |
| Video-Streaming App | From $8,000 – $12,000+ | From 3-6 | $70,000 – $150,000+ | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu |
The table above provides a general range of design costs based on complexity and estimated design hours. Remember, this is a starting point, and the final cost can vary depending on your project’s specifics which we will discuss later.
Is it worth it to invest so much in app dev, let alone app design given the fact that there are so many ongoing costs? Absolutely. While the upfront investment in mobile app development and design, might seem substantial, the ongoing costs pale in comparison to the potential return:
- Nearly 87% of smartphone users actively engage with apps, with many opening apps multiple times a day. Consumers increasingly make purchases through mobile devices, making a strong app presence critical for a seamless customer journey and ultimately, your bottom line.
- Mobile apps empower businesses to build brand loyalty, connect with customers on a deeper level, offer value-added services, and highly personalized marketing efforts. They also facilitate smoother customer interactions and empower brands to tap into niche markets.
However, here is the catch – a large number of apps are abandoned after download, mainly due to poor user experience. In 2019, 25% of all the apps downloaded worldwide were used only once after download. Over 16% of apps with 1-10 million downloads in the App Store and Play Store are abandoned apps: no one uses them, ever.
6% of all apps with 100+ million downloads are like that and they generate no returns. In other words: it does not matter how many downloads your app has. If it is not constantly engaging users, it is at risk of getting deleted from both the App Store and the Play Store. This is why investing in exceptional UI/UX design upfront is so crucial.
The future success of your app is hugely influenced by its design, and its design involves more than just how it looks. Your app’s usability, engagement, and intuitiveness are all part of its design. So, it is essential to prioritize design from the start and work with professionals who can get all the variables right at the right cost. Let’s explore these variables in detail.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Mobile App Design
Several key elements influence the overall cost to design an app, each playing a key role in determining the final cost:
1. Platforms (iOS, Android, or Both)
The number of platforms your app targets will significantly impact design costs. While iOS design might appear simpler due to a more uniform device ecosystem, Android presents a whole different challenge. Android devices come in various shapes/sizes, requiring designers to adapt to multiple screen resolutions and layouts. It increases design complexity and cost compared to iOS’ more standardized approach.
Plus, Android apps need to adhere to Google’s Material Design guidelines, which involve specific design patterns and components. While this ensures a consistent user experience, it adds another layer of design effort and cost.
It does not necessarily mean iOS design is always cheaper. High-resolution iPad screens require additional design work compared to standard iPhones. Ultimately, your platform choice (iOS, Android, or both) will directly influence the overall design cost:
| Platforms | Pros | Cons | Estimated Cost (US) |
| Single Platform (iOS or Android) | Streamlined design processPotentially lower cost | Limits initial user reach | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Dual Platform (iOS & Android) | Broader user reach | More complex design processPotentially higher cost | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Multi-Platform (iOS, Android, Web) | Widest user reachConsistent brand experience | Most complex design processesHighest potential cost | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| Cross-Platform (Single Codebase for Multiple Platforms) | Potentially faster development timeReduced maintenance costs | May have limitations in design flexibility and native features | $15,000 – $25,000 |
Even within a single platform (e.g., Android), there can be significant device variations in screen sizes and resolutions. This can impact the design workload, especially for single-platform projects. The number of screens, features, and custom UI elements in your app will also influence the design cost.
2. App UI/UX Design Complexity
More complex apps will generally require a higher design investment. Here’s a breakdown of the design complexity levels:
- Low-Complexity: These apps typically have a basic design with standard UI components and minimal visual elements. Think of simple to-do list apps or basic note-taking applications.
- Medium-Complexity: Apps in this category offer a more visually appealing design with standard UI components featuring some variations and basic interactive elements.
- High-Complexity: Extensive use of custom UI components, complex layouts with multiple layers, and a heavy focus on advanced design elements.
- Very High Complexity: Apps in this category push the boundaries of mobile design with highly customized UI elements, non-standard layouts, and cutting-edge features.
Here is a breakdown of mobile app design costs based on complexity levels, with examples for each category:
| App Design Complexity | Estimated Cost (US) | Example |
| Low | $5,000 – $10,000 | Simple calculator app: Performs basic arithmetic operationsClean, minimalistic interface with few screens |
| Medium | $10,000 – $20,000 | Weather forecast app: Displays current weather and multi-day forecastsIncludes location search, weather icons, and basic animations |
| High | $20,000 – $35,000 | E-commerce app: Allows browsing, searching, and purchasing productsIncludes shopping cart, checkout process, and user accounts |
| Very High | $35,000+ | Augmented reality interior design app: Lets users visualize furniture in their space using ARIncludes 3D models, custom UI for placing objects, and advanced AR features |
The key factors or ‘complexities’ that influence these design costs include:
- Number of Screens and User Flows: The more screens your app requires and the more complex the user flow is, the more complex and costly the design will be. Simplicity is one of the main principles of mobile app design. So, keeping your screen count low and the user flow simple is good for both usability and budget.
- Features: The number of features you include, such as in-app purchases or social media integration, directly impacts the design complexity and cost. Prioritize essential features to keep costs down.
- UI Elements and Animations: The complexity of user interface elements and animations can significantly increase design costs.
- Custom Illustrations or 3D Models: If your app requires custom illustrations or 3D models, this will add to the design cost.
- Integration with External APIs or Services: Integrating with external APIs or services can increase design complexity and cost.
- Responsive Design: Ensuring your app looks great on multiple platforms and devices requires additional design effort and can increase costs.
In addition to these technical factors, your design costs will also depend on the type of design you request:
- Moodboards: These visual roadmaps help establish the app’s look and feel. The more mood boards you request, the higher the cost.
- Trends: Want your app to feature new mobile app design trends? Then, expect to pay a premium for the latest and greatest design elements.
- UI Mockups: Samples/mockups define the app’s layout and flow. The more samples you request, the higher the cost.
- Final UI Mockups: Polishing the final user interface, multiple times, ensures a professional look but adds to design costs. The more testing and refining you request, the higher the cost.
- Animations: Adding personality and interactivity can significantly increase design costs due to the additional time and effort required.
By understanding these subtler factors, you can allocate resources more effectively.
3. Type of Team and Level of Experience
You can either set up your in-house team, team up with an agency or hire a freelancer. With an in-house design team, you get total control over the design process. But, building and maintaining an in-house team can be expensive. That is why hiring a reliable agency that provides high-quality mobile app design services is the most preferred option for businesses.
The option comes with access to a wider pool of experienced designers with specialized expertise. The cost might be higher than freelancers, but the best agencies usually handle the entire design process which is a huge blessing for small businesses.
Freelancers offer the most cost-effective option initially. But finding a reliable freelancer with the right skills is way harder than teaming up with a reputable agency. The following table provides a detailed cost breakdown by design complexity and team structure.
| Complexity | In-House Team | Design Agency | Freelancer |
| Simple | $50,000+ | $30,000+ | $20,000+ |
| Moderate | $100,000+ | $60,000+ | $40,000+ |
| Complex | $150,000+ | $100,000+ | $70,000+ |
Whether you build an in-house team or work with an agency, understanding the experience level and hourly rates of mobile app designers is crucial for accurately estimating your design costs. Here’s a breakdown of their hourly rates in 2024:
| Expertise Level | Price Per Hour (US) |
| Junior Designer | $30 – $50 |
| Mid-Level Designer | $50 – $80 |
| Senior Designer | $80 – $120 |
| Lead Designer | $120+ |
4. Team Location
The cost of mobile app design can vary significantly depending on the geographical location of your design team. This table provides a simplified overview of average design costs across different regions:
| Location | Average Cost Per Project (US$) | Description |
| United States (US) | $48,000 | High design expertise and innovation come at a premium due to a competitive market and highly skilled professionals. |
| United Kingdom (UK) | $40,000 | Offers a good balance between quality design services and cost-effectiveness compared to the US. |
| Australia | $36,000 | Provides a blend of skilled designers and cost efficiency, making it attractive for high-quality work at reasonable prices. |
| Western Europe | $28,000 | Offers quality design at a moderate cost, delivering good value for your investment. |
| Eastern Europe | $12,000 | Boasts competitive rates for skilled design professionals, making it a budget-friendly option. |
| India | $6,000 | Stands out as a hub for cost-effective design talent, offering access to skilled designers at a fraction of the cost compared to other regions. |
These figures represent averages and can vary depending on project complexity, designer experience, and specific agencies or freelancers within each region. The ideal location for your design team will depend on your budget, project needs, and desired level of expertise.
How to Reduce App Design Costs?
Keeping design costs in check can be a challenge, especially for startups and small businesses. Here are some mobile app design best practices you should follow to optimize your design budget in 2025:
- Prioritize a clean interface with a limited color palette and clear navigation. Focus on core functionalities and avoid unnecessary features that inflate costs.
- Use free and low-cost design tools like Figma or pre-built templates from marketplaces like Envato Elements to jumpstart your design process for free.
- Before a full build, develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to validate your app concept and gather user feedback. This iterative approach prevents costly rework and ensures that your design efforts always target the most valuable features.
- Explore outsourcing design to regions with lower labor costs, like Eastern Europe or Asia. Thorough vetting of agencies or freelancers ensures expertise and brand alignment.
More importantly, gather user insights through in-app surveys, testing platforms, and app store reviews. This feedback loop will help you identify potential design flaws and optimize the user experience, saving a long list of costs in the long run.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide helps you sharpen up your budget planning skills. Budgeting for app design can be challenging, but working with the right UI/UX Design Agency makes all the difference.
At Design Studio, we understand the importance of delivering exceptional user experiences while keeping costs in check. To achieve this balance, we streamline the process using design systems and automation—minimizing time, maximizing efficiency, and ensuring your app delivers an outstanding user experience without overspending.
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