With a user base exceeding 310 million as of 2023, the United States boasts one of the world’s largest smartphone markets.
So, investing in mobile app development is the most significant opportunity for today’s business owners, whether startups or entrepreneurs.
There are two platforms for mobile app development: Android & iOS.
Consider iOS app development to take your business forward and upward. In June 2023, the Apple App Store launched approx. 36 thousand mobile apps. Apple generated $383.2 billion in revenue in 2023; 52% came from iPhone sales.
When planning your budget, it’s crucial to factor in the iOS app development cost. In a nutshell, the estimated cost to build an iOS app typically falls within the range of $15,000 to $450,000.
If you choose to outsource your mobile app development to a company in the United States, equivalent services in other regions may vary between $10,000 and $200,000.
In this blog, we will explore a quick answer to the exact cost of building an iPhone app:
iOS Mobile App Development Cost
Offering a precise cost without project details poses difficulties. Nonetheless, for a rough estimate, iOS app development costs fall between $10,000 and $250,000, potentially higher.
The final cost hinges on the app’s complexity, design specifications, required features, integrations, and ongoing maintenance demands. It’s crucial to recognize that this estimate is subject to considerable variation depending on various factors in iPhone app development.
Factors Influencing the Cost to Develop an iOS Mobile App
Factor #1 – Complexity of the App
As the size of your iOS app expands, the iPhone app development time and cost naturally escalate. Various methodologies and processes come into play for selecting the features and functionalities. So, it’s advisable to begin by validating the app idea and its features before embarking on the development journey.
In addition, a comprehensive market research effort is essential, encompassing competitor analysis with a specific emphasis on factors such as the devices preferred by users, features they find valuable, and elements that may result an optimal user experience. A comprehensive analysis can be carried out by studying analogous apps that are relevant to the proposed concept.
Here’s the estimated cost of iOS app development based on the app complexity levels:
|
iOS App Size |
Average Development Time |
Average Development Costs |
|
Small app |
2-4 months |
$8,000-25,000 |
|
Medium app |
4-8 months |
$25,000-50,000 |
|
Complex app |
8+ months |
$50,000+ |
Factor #2 – iOS App Category
With the multitude of iOS mobile app types available today, the cost associated with each app is significantly influenced by its specific category. Every category introduces distinctive functionalities, target demographics, security needs, and other factors to be taken into account.
Here is a cost breakdown of iPhone app development based on its category:
|
iOS App Categories |
Average Development Time |
Average Development Cost |
|
Gaming App |
4-20 months |
$30,000-250,000 |
|
Business App |
2-10 months |
$5,000-150,000 |
|
Education App |
2-12 months |
$10,000-80,000 |
|
Entertainment App |
3-15 months |
$15,000-100,000 |
|
Travel App |
2-8 months |
$5,000-50,000 |
|
Shopping App |
3-8 months |
$5,000-50,000 |
|
Social Networking App |
5-8 months |
$10,000-60,000 |
|
Health and Fitness App |
1-15 months |
$10,000-250,000 |
|
Medical App |
2-6 months |
$30,000-90,000 |
Factor #3 – iOS App Design
Considering the question “what is the cost of iPhone app development?” necessitates including the app’s design process and animation, which stand as prominent factors. Different designs, animations, and illustrations result in fluctuating costs for the identical app.
In addition, it’s worth noting that compelling app designs enhance engagement and play a crucial role in boosting conversion rates.
|
App Process |
Average Development Time |
Average Development Cost |
|
App design research |
Based on niche and available resource |
$100-$350
|
|
UX design |
Simple- 10-14 hrs Medium- 50-60 hrs Complex- 150+ hrs |
$2000-$8000
|
|
UI design |
Simple – 14-20 hrs Medium- 80-90 hrs Complex- 100+ hrs |
$10,000-$40,000
|
|
Branding |
Logos, icons and social media |
$5,000-$20,000 |
|
Animations and illustrations |
Based on level of animations |
$1000-$20,000
|
Factor #4 – iOS App Development Team Size
The cost of iOS app development is heavily contingent on your choice of developer – whether you opt for a freelance iPhone app developer or engage the services of a skilled iOS app development company.
Here’s your breakdown of iOS app development cost based on team size:
|
Development Team |
Estimate Cost / hr |
|
iOS app developer |
$20-$100 |
|
UI/UX designer |
$15- $50 |
|
Scrum master |
$50-$150 |
|
Project manager |
$12-$40 |
|
QA engineer |
$30-$70 |
|
Business analyst |
$60-$150 |
Factor #5 – Development Team Location
The geographical location significantly influences the cost of iPhone app development. For example, the pricing for app development in India varies from that of a company specializing in iPhone app development in the US.
Services across the globe vary significantly in quality and cost, with the most notable distinctions arising when comparing the Western and Eastern regions.
Here’s a cost breakdown of iOS app development based on the company:
|
Region |
App Development Costs |
|
India |
$20-40/hr |
|
United States |
$80-170/hr |
|
Ukraine |
$30-100/hr |
|
Australia |
$80-200/hr |
|
Russia |
$60-150/hr |
Factor #6 – Native vs. Cross-Platform
Two iOS app development methods are Cross Platform and Native iOS app development. Both approaches have their limitations and scopes.
The Cross-platform iPhone app development budget is usually lower. It allows your app to be launched on the Apple App Store. But, this cost comes with performance challenges, slow code performance and limited user experience.
Native iOS app development costs are significantly higher. But they come with higher security, low maintenance, and improved scalability.
-
Native iOS App Cost – $100,000
-
Cross-Platform App Cost – $15,000-$20,000+
Factor #7 – API Integrations
Third-party API integrations are systems incorporated by iOS developers into their software, enabling external users to access or manipulate it.
Here are some widely utilized third-party API integrations, along with a breakdown of their costs, for your iOS app development services:
Payment APIs Integration
-
Payment API Costs: $2500 – $5000
-
Hours: 50+
|
Payment Gateways |
Transactional Charges |
Monthly Charges |
Currency Conversion Fees |
|
PayPal |
2.9% + $0.30/transaction |
No fees $30 for PayPal payments pro package |
0.4% to 3.3% |
|
Stripe |
2.9% + $0.30/transaction |
None |
2% |
|
Authorize.net |
2.9% + $0.30/transaction |
$25 |
n/a |
|
Braintree |
2.9% + $0.30/transaction(no fees for the first $5000 processed) |
None |
2% |
|
Apple Pay |
1% + $0.25-$10 for instant transfer |
None |
n/a |
Third-Party API Integrations:
|
API Integration |
Key Features |
Average Costs |
|
Google Maps |
Navigation or Geolocation Access |
$200 |
|
Facebook APIs |
Authentication or Authorizing |
$200 |
|
Skyscanner API |
Get flight search, ticket prices and live quotes for travelling |
$100 |
|
Movie Database API |
To access movie titles, IMDB ratings, runtime, release date |
$600 |
|
Booking API |
To access accommodation queries, prices |
$800 |
Factor #8 – iOS App Testing Types
Repeatedly testing the app is crucial to any mobile app development process. It involves thorough examinations of various aspects such as performance, security, and more.
These tests are imperative to ensure that your iOS app is fully operational and complies with the guidelines and rules set by the Apple App Store, facilitating its publication on the App Store.
|
Types of Tests |
Average App Testing Time |
Average App Testing Costs |
|
UX Testing |
10-60 Hrs |
$200-$1500 |
|
Functional Testing |
50-200 Hrs |
$700-$3000 |
|
Performance Testing |
10-30 Hrs |
$150-$500 |
|
Security Testing |
50-120 Hrs |
$800-$2000 |
|
Platform and Device Testing |
10-20 Hrs |
$100-$200 |
Hidden iPhone App Development Costs You Should Know About!
While the mentioned cost factors are evident and likely to capture your attention, it’s essential to acknowledge that some concealed criteria in iPhone app development might escape notice. Fret not, as we have compiled a list of these criteria below to ensure you notice all crucial details during iOS app development.
|
Hidden Costs to Develop an iOS App |
Average Costs/Year |
|
Monitoring and Maintenance |
$4000-$12000 Annually |
|
iOS Updates |
$1000 |
|
CDN |
$150 |
|
Data Storage |
$500 |
|
App developer account cost |
$99 |
Calculator to Determine iOS App Development Cost
The cost of developing a mobile app for Android or iOS is calculated based on the number of hours required for development multiplied by the billable hours of the resources involved.
The iPhone app development cost calculator formula
UI/UX Design Hours + Platform Wise App Development Hours + Backend Server Hours x Hour Rate of Developers
Upon surveying each include element, it becomes evident that numerous factors contribute to the cumulative cost of your iOS app development.
Key criteria such as the necessary tech stack, the geographical location of your development team, UI/UX design, the complexity level of the iOS app, app type, and various other considerations collectively shape the overall cost of mobile application development.
The Final Thought!
While you may have a rough idea of the cost, breaking down the expenses for YOUR specific iOS application is essential. A professional iOS application development service is delivered by an iOS developer or a dedicated team familiar with the platform.
The cost of iOS development encompasses a blend of technical and creative skills. iOS developers meticulously attend to every detail to ensure you get the maximum value for the app development cost.
With various iOS app development companies in the market, choosing the right one, such as VLink, is crucial for creating a well-crafted and fully functional application. When you hire skilled and enthusiastic iOS App Developers, you ensure the successful realization of your project.
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