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Before deciding to build an iOS application, one of your first questions is, "How much will it cost to develop my iOS application?" This does not matter if you have the most brilliant startup idea or are considering expanding into digital space as an existing business, you want to understand the budget line that app development will come with for your project. Simple as it sounds, there are other things involved since the cost depends on the complexity of an application, its features, and the certified building team you hire.
This article will give you an overview of how much developing an iOS application costs. You will learn what it takes to build a top-notch iOS app without breaking the bank using everything from added features to through technological stack used to develop making a huge impact on cost. Let us get going by covering some of the most critical aspects that play into the cost of a successful application.
Factors That Affect iOS App Development Cost
Complexity of iOS App
iOS development involves various complexities according to the iOS apps you need, and, consequently, determines their cost. Generally speaking, the more advanced functionalities you have, the cost of development goes high.
Here is how app complexity breaks down
1. Basic Apps
These apps are straightforward, with minimal features. They require less development time and fewer resources, making them the most affordable option.
2. Moderately Complex Apps
Applications that fall into this category include authentication of users, a database for storing information, push notifications for updates, and in-app purchase features. These apps require more development effort and slightly higher costs.
3. Highly Complex Apps
Such applications are rich in features and, at times, include real-time data processing, custom animations, third-party integrations, and even AI or machine learning. They require huge resources and expertise, making them costlier.
| App Complexity | Estimated Development Cost | Development Timeframe |
| Basic App | $10,000 - $30,000 | 3 - 4 months |
| Moderate App | $30,000 - $80,000 | 4 - 8 months |
| Complex App | $80,000 - $250,000 | 8 - 12+ months |
iOS App Category
The category of your iOS app plays a major role in determining its development cost. Each category has unique requirements, features, and complexities that directly affect the resources, time, and expertise needed for development. Here is how different app categories impact costs.
The price of iOS application development depends on the chosen app category and its additional specifications. Pick a category that best fulfills your business objectives while considering your budget and expectations.
| App Category | Average Development Cost | Average Development Time |
| E-Commerce App | $20,000 - $90,000 | 3 - 7 months |
| Social Media App | $30,000 - $100,000 | 4 - 8 months |
| Game Mobile App | $20,000 - $250,000 | 4 - 12+ months |
| On-Demand App | $50,000 - $150,000 | 4 - 9 months |
| Education App | $20,000 - $80,000 | 3 - 10 months |
| Health & Fitness App | $30,000 - $120,000 | 2 - 14 months |
| Utilities App | $10,000 - $25,000 | 1 - 4 months |
| Entertainment App | $40,000 - $130,000 | 3 - 15 months |
UI/UX Design
Visualizing and using apps is very much dependent on UI and UX. A top-notch UI/UX design weaves in a great experience for the end-user and makes or breaks in deciding an app's success. However, the price structure of development will incur a heavy burden based on smooth design since it involves greater complexity and customizations.
As the UI/UX is sophisticated in terms of having rich graphics and style, increasing costs would follow. Plan your budget accordingly if you wish for your app to stand out with advanced interactions and aesthetics.
| Design Complexity | Features | Estimated Cost |
| Simple Design | Basic design with minimal elements, straightforward layout, and minimal interaction | $5000 - $15000 |
| Moderate Design | Attractive design with simple animations, interactive elements, and polished interfaces | $15,000 - $40,000 |
| Complex Design | High-end design with custom animations, 3D elements, and intricate transitions | $40,000 - $80,000 |
Tech Stack
Different technologies vary in the time required for development, skills needed, and associated costs for maintenance. Hence the choice of the proper technology stack can have a very strong impact on the final cost of developing an iOS app.
The technological stack besides influencing the price of development also influences app performance and scalability. Because sometimes, it can be much cheaper to save development time and incur high licensing costs than developing integrated solutions by themselves.
Definitely, depending on the application requirements, costs, or your future aspirations, you should determine the right technology stack. Here is how the tech stack affects the cost of developing your iOS app.
| Tech Stack Type | Tech Stack | Estimated Development Cost |
| UI/UX | SwiftUI, UIKit | $8,000 - $60,000 |
| Backend Infrastructure | Backend Development - Node.js, Ruby on Rails, Python, Java, PHP Databases - MySQL, MongoDB, Firebase Cloud Platforms - AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) | $10,000 - $90,000 |
| Third-Party Integrations | GraphQL, RESTful API | $5000 - $25,000 |
Development Team Size
The size of your development team also significantly influences the overall cost. More team members mean more hours and responsibilities, which can drive up expenses.
Here is how team size impacts the cost of iOS app development.
| Team Size | Team Members | Estimated Cost Per Hour | Estimated Total Cost |
| Small Team | 1 Project Manager, 2 Developers, 1 Designer, 1 QA | $30 - $60 | $30,000 - $60,000 |
| Medium Team | 1 Business Analyst, 1 Project Manager, 3 Developers, 2 Designers, 2 QA | $60 - $100 | $60,000 - $100,000 |
| Large Team | 1 Business Analyst, 1 Project Manager, 5+ Developers, 3+ Designers, 2+ QA, 1 Security Specialist | $100 - $250 | $1,00,000 - $2,50,000 |
Small Team: Suitable for small applications or startups with a limited budget. Lower cost but may require compromises on functionality.
Medium Team: Suitable for apps with moderate complexity. This balance allows faster development while keeping costs reasonable.
Large Team: Best for large-scale, complex apps. This setup provides the highest quality, but it is the most expensive.
| Team Role | Average Development Cost |
| Business Analyst | $40 - $70 |
| Project Manager | $50 - $100 |
| UI/UX Designer | $40 - $80 |
| iOS App Developer | $50 - $120 |
| QA Engineer | $30 - $70 |
| Security Specialist | $60 - $150 |
Development Team Location
Where your development team is based can make a big difference in costs. Hourly rates vary widely depending on the region, and factors like time zone differences and team experience also come into play. Here is how different regions affect the cost.
| Location | Average Hourly Rate | Advantages |
| India | $15 - $50 | Low cost, large talent pool, good quality |
| Australia | $80 - $150 | High-quality work, good communication |
| Ukraine | $25 - $75 | A balance between affordability and expertise |
| United States | $100 - $250 | Best for high-budget projects, top-quality work, smooth communication |
| Russia | $30 - $70 | Middle ground with affordable rates and skilled developers |
Location affects not only the cost but also how smoothly the development process goes, especially when it comes to communication, deadlines, and post-launch support. Be sure to weigh the cost savings with potential challenges in managing teams in different time zones.
App Store Maintenance
Once you have your iOS application developed and live on the App Store, the work does not end there. Continuous maintenance should be conducted to smoothen the app's functioning, repair bug issues, update features, and comply with new iOS versions. App store maintenance can add to the overall cost of the app development process.
| Maintenance Activity | Estimated Cost |
| App updates and bug fixes | $2000 - $10,000 |
| Server and backend maintenance | $1500 - $7000 |
| App store optimization | $500 - $3000 |
| Security updates | $1000 - $5000 |
Marketing and Launch
Once your iOS app is designed, the other important step will be launching and marketing it well. Launching and marketing will be very crucial to ensure that your app will reach its target audience and have downloads. This phase adds to the overall cost of your mobile app development process.
| Type | Approximate Cost |
| Basic marketing and launch | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Comprehensive marketing and launch | $10,000 - $30,000 |
How Appticz Can Help You?
Understanding the cost of developing an iOS application is usually overwhelming, but breaking it down to these very simple key factors like the complexity of your app, UI/UX design, its technology stack, team size, and marketing makes the better preparation and takes the right decision for the success of your app. Costs depend on these factors, and knowing what drives those costs will give you the best value for your money.
At Appticz, we do understand that everyone has different needs and also different problems from business to business. Being an iOS app development company, the focus here lies in providing value for money that meets your required needs. Whichever kind of app you would like, an easy app or a more elaborate, feature-packed one, there will certainly be something waiting to take over and make sure you have a finely developed app also optimized for great success in markets.
With our expertise in app design, development, and marketing, your app will certainly meet your business goals and surpass expectations in an extremely competitive market of iOS apps. Let us be your business partner in creating a successful idea into reality at the right price and with optimal results.
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