How Much Does It Cost to Design a Mobile App in 2025? All Factors Revealed

What Factors Affect Mobile App Design Cost?

At Giraffe Software, we hear plenty of innovative app ideas from startup founders and enterprise leaders worldwide. One of their first questions is, “What will it cost to design my app?”

Even with years of experience, providing an exact estimate without diving into specifics is impossible. The cost of designing a mobile app depends on multiple factors, each contributing to the overall price. Let’s take a closer look at the variables that shape these design costs. Be ready to answer some questions.

Which platforms are you targeting?

The choice of platform significantly affects app design and development costs. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between design and development when discussing platform considerations.

In development, platforms are usually divided into:

• Native apps (built separately for iOS or Android).
• Web apps (accessible via browsers).
• Cross-platform solutions (using frameworks like Flutter or React Native).

When focusing on design, the division is simpler:

• Mobile platforms (encompassing Android and iOS).
• Web platforms (optimized for browsers).

Android and iOS design guidelines are often considered as one platform for design purposes as they share enough overlapping design principles (e.g., touch gestures, navigation patterns, and so on).

However, Android designs may incur higher costs due to the need for compatibility across a wider range of devices, screen sizes, and resolutions compared to iOS.

As a general rule, designing the UX/UI for a single platform (mobile or web) typically takes half the time required for the front-end development of the same platform. For example, if the front-end development for a mobile app takes 200 hours, the UX/UI design usually takes around 100 hours.

Integration with third-party services

The primary cost driver is time—integrating third-party services requires additional development hours to ensure smooth communication with external APIs, secure data handling, and proper functionality.

Testing is also essential to confirm the integrations work across all devices and user scenarios, especially for more complex features like payments or maps.

Moreover, after launch, third-party services may update their APIs, change pricing models, or add new features, requiring ongoing maintenance.

While some services offer free tiers, many charge based on usage or advanced features, affecting the overall cost. Let’s look at which integrations with third-party services will influence your bottom line the most in more detail:

• Payment processing: Integrating with Stripe or PayPal allows users to make purchases within the app. These services typically charge transaction fees, but the development cost will also include the time needed to integrate and ensure secure payment processing.
• Social media integration: Allowing users to log in with Facebook, Google, or Twitter can improve the user experience, but this requires configuring APIs and dealing with privacy concerns. Integration costs vary depending on the platforms you want to connect with, and developers may need to account for updates or changes to social media APIs.
• Mapping services: Integrating with APIs like Google Maps or Mapbox can add significant costs if your app requires location-based services. For instance, Google Maps charges based on usage, so heavy usage or adding complex features like real-time traffic or routes can increase the overall cost.
• Analytics: Integrating services like Google Analytics or Firebase Analytics to track user behavior helps optimize app performance. The setup is relatively simple but can add to the development cost, depending on the level of data tracking and reporting required.
• Push notifications: Services like Firebase Cloud Messaging or OneSignal are commonly used for push notifications. Though many services offer free tiers, the cost increases with the volume of messages sent and advanced features like segmentation or targeting.

So, as you can see, the complexity of these integrations and the third-party services used can indeed impact the overall development cost.

The cooperation model you pick

When designing an app, your choice of cooperation model—freelance, in-house team, or staff augmentation—directly impacts costs and outcomes. Here’s how each option stacks up.

Freelance

Freelancers work independently, focusing solely on development while you manage the project direction. This can be the most affordable route, avoiding agency fees or employee benefits.

However, relying on one person carries risks. Delays may arise if they get busy or lack the required skills. Security concerns and communication gaps can also be an issue. Robust reporting and regular check-ins are critical to keeping the project on track.

In-house

In-house teams are fully dedicated to your app, aligning with your business goals, and ready to quickly fix issues or add features. Their direct involvement ensures a deep understanding of your vision.

But building a team takes time and money. Salaries, equipment, and benefits add to costs, and employee turnover can disrupt progress. If a team member leaves, finding and training a replacement takes time, potentially delaying your project.

Staff augmentation

Staff augmentation offers flexibility, letting you hire experts on hourly, daily, or monthly contracts. For long-term projects, dedicated team members provide consistent support. Agencies backing augmented staff often have backup experts to cover absences, minimizing disruptions.

Once your app is live, you can scale the team down to just a few specialists for maintenance. While agencies charge more than freelancers, they’re often more affordable than maintaining an in-house team. Outsourcing to regions with lower rates but high-quality talent further reduces costs.

Team location

Where your app design team is based directly affects project costs. Regional differences in labor rates, work processes, and cultural factors all play a part in determining both price and quality.

Finding the right balance between quality, speed, and affordability involves more than just choosing the cheapest option. Expertise, communication skills, and the risk of delays or mismanagement are just as important as the hourly rate. Let’s break down the impact of location on costs and outcomes:

Note: Data reflects averages compiled from multiple sources, including Indeed, Glassdoor, and industry reports. Actual figures may vary depending on the designer’s experience, technologies used, or niche requirements.

South Asia

Eastern and Central Europe

Latin America

Other Regions at a Glance

• USA/Canada: Exceptional quality but very high rates, with hourly costs reaching up to $130-150.
• Western Europe: High standards of quality at slightly lower rates than the US, ranging from $60-110 per hour.
• Australia: Competitive expertise with rates of around $110-140 per hour, but higher living costs can make overall project expenses steep.

Real Costs by Location

Here’s a snapshot of estimated costs for an average-complexity app design project requiring approximately 290 hours of work:

Stages of the Design Process Affecting the App’s Cost

Understanding how each phase of the design process affects your budget can help you plan more effectively. Here’s a breakdown of the main stages and their impact on the overall cost of designing your app:

1. Research and strategy

The first phase sets the foundation for the app’s design by defining user needs, business goals, and the competitive landscape. It helps identify target audiences and essential features, ensuring the design aligns with user expectations and business objectives.

• Time: 30–50 hours

Investing time in research prevents costly revisions later by providing a clear direction for the design.

2. UX design (user experience design)

UX design focuses on how the app functions and how users interact. It includes defining user flows, wireframes, and interactions that guide users through the app smoothly. A well-designed UX is at the core of your app’s most vital aspect—user satisfaction.

• Time: 60–100 hours

A well-executed UX design can lower the risk of needing changes after launch and improve user retention.

3. UI design (user interface design)

UI design concerns the app’s visual elements, such as colors, typography, buttons, and icons. It ensures the app is visually appealing and easy to navigate.

• Time: 50-80 hours

Investing in quality UI design enhances the user experience and contributes to overall satisfaction.

4. Prototyping

Prototyping involves creating an interactive model of the app to test functionality. It allows stakeholders to explore the app’s features and helps the team identify and address potential issues before development.

• Time: 60-120 hours

Prototypes are important for refining the design and ensuring the app works across different devices.

5. Testing and quality assurance (QA)

Testing ensures that the app performs as intended. It includes usability and functional testing to catch design flaws and make necessary adjustments. The more thorough the testing, the higher the costs.

• Time: 40-80 hours

Testing guarantees the design works properly on various platforms and reduces the need for post-launch fixes.

Hidden App Design & Development Costs

Several factors outside the core design process can influence the overall cost of app development. While these elements may not always be immediately apparent, they can significantly affect your project's timeline and budget. Here are some key considerations:

Real-World App Cost Breakdowns

Estimating the development costs for apps like Uber, Instagram, TikTok, or Spotify is challenging, as detailed financial data is rarely disclosed. However, expert analyses and industry estimates offer approximate figures for creating similar applications.

Here’s an overview:

Spotify

The company raised $2.1 billion in funding prior to going public in 2018.

Uber

Uber raised over $25 billion across multiple funding rounds, including SoftBank, Toyota, and Sequoia Capital investments.

Instagram

Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion, funding its growth.

TikTok

TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, has raised over $9.4 billion, with investments from SoftBank and others.

Tinder

As part of the Match Group, Tinder's development is funded through revenues rather than venture capital.

Slack

Slack raised over $1.4 billion in funding before its acquisition by Salesforce for $27.7 billion in 2021.

Netflix

Netflix funded its expansion with a mix of revenue and debt financing, investing in content production rather than app development.

Pricing by App Type

As mentioned above, the cost of designing and developing an app depends on factors like its type, complexity, and features. To provide a clearer picture, we've compiled a table showing the estimated costs and development hours for different types of apps. These figures are based on available data and our research.

Tips to Keep Your Mobile App Design Costs Realistic

Creating a mobile app doesn't have to break the bank. You can trim design costs by applying a few smart strategies without sacrificing quality or usability.

1. Start with a clear plan

Planning your app’s design upfront can save a lot of back-and-forth later. Begin by answering a few straightforward questions:

• Which platforms will your app run on? Will it be for iOS, Android, or both?
• How many user types do you have? Apps with multiple user groups (e.g., buyers and sellers, drivers and riders) require distinct designs.
• Does your app need admin support? Think about dashboards or tools for managing users.
• Is it a simple MVP or a fully featured product? An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is quicker and cheaper to design, and advanced features can increase time and cost.

Additionally, assess the practical aspects of the design:

• Can you use ready-made templates, or do you need custom visuals?
• Is your brand identity established enough to be incorporated into the design?
• Have you outlined user interactions to prevent confusion down the road?

These early decisions avoid costly revisions and keep your project on track.

2. Prioritize features in an MVP

An MVP focuses on only the necessary features for the initial release, helping keep costs manageable while you:

• Test early: Identify core issues and fix them before adding complex features.
• Validate usability: Confirm the design works for real users before expanding.
• Minimize risks: Address technical and design gaps upfront at a lower cost.
• Attract investors: A functional MVP with demonstrated potential can help you secure funding.

This phased approach accelerates time to market while keeping initial costs low. Plus, adding features later is easier once you have user insights and a clearer picture of what’s working.

3. Choose the right team

A skilled and experienced design team can save you money in the long run by getting things right the first time. Look for a portfolio that matches your vision and ask for client references. Clear communication and shared goals with your team make the process more efficient.

4. Opt for cross-platform design

If your app needs to work on multiple platforms, consider cross-platform design to save time and resources. Using one codebase for both iOS and Android:

• Speeds up feature releases.
• Simplifies bug fixes.
• Reduces development time by reusing code.

Cross-platform tools like Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin offer a nearly native experience; just consider the limitations regarding device-specific features.

5. Look for open-source resources

Open-source design elements like icons, fonts, and templates can significantly reduce costs. Popular resources include:

• Icons: Font Awesome, Material Icons, Feather Icons.
• Fonts: Google Fonts.
• Design Templates: Templated.co, Canva.

Ensure these resources match your app’s branding and meet licensing requirements before using them.

6. Consider offshore or nearshore staff augmentation

Outsourcing design work to teams in other regions can deliver high-quality results at competitive rates. At Giraffe Software, we’ve found that tech talent from Eastern and Central Europe can cut employee costs by up to 38% and contractor expenses by nearly 50%, with savings reaching 52% for certain roles.

Experienced contractors with strong English skills offer flexibility and cost savings for short-term or part-time projects. However, hiring dedicated staff may be more beneficial for longer-term projects.

Giraffe Software’s Expertise in App Development & Design

Giraffe Software is a trusted mobile app design and development partner with a strong reputation built on years of experience and a highly skilled team. Here's why we're the right fit for your app development needs:

• A Skilled Team: 80% of our developers are mid-level or senior professionals, ensuring high-quality design and innovative solutions for your app.
• 8+ Years of Experience: We have successfully completed over 120 projects, delivering results across multiple industries.
• Faster Time to Market: Our efficient development process reduces time to market by up to 30%, ensuring you get your app faster without sacrificing quality.
• Full Ownership: We take responsibility for every aspect of your project, aiming for impactful, measurable results.
• Expanding Expertise: With over 70 specialists, we provide the right talent to meet your app's specific needs.

To see our work in action, take a look at our case studies. One project we’d like to highlight is our work with ARTOUI, a German art curating company, for which we designed a mobile app to support their e-commerce platform.

Initially, they had a bug-ridden MVP from another team, which failed to meet their expectations. We took over the project and delivered a high-quality solution at 58% lower costs than local market rates.

Our Solution:

• Team Formation: In just two weeks, we assembled a team of five experts, including two developers, one architect, one project manager, and one QA.
• Code Fixing & MVP Development: We corrected issues with the existing code and designed the MVP in just five months, enabling ARTOUI to secure the funding for further development.
• Mobile App Launch: Delivered a top-tier mobile app with features such as artist and buyer accounts, integrated payment gateways, and a curated artwork gallery.
• UI/UX: Focused on creating user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces for each user type, ensuring seamless navigation and engagement.
• Cost Savings: The app was developed at a 58% lower cost than hiring local developers.
• Investment Secured: The successful MVP allowed the client to secure additional funding to continue developing the platform.