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Breaking down iOS app development costs in 2025

Gids

iOS

IT-uitbesteding

Mobiel

UI/UX ontwerp

I doubt anyone will be surprised when I say that consumers continue to rely on their smartphones for shopping, communication, entertainment, and much more. Having spent years in this field, I can say that building a user-friendly and reliable iOS app is one of the best ways to meet these needs. In a mobile-first world, with 2.2 billion active Apple devices worldwide, embracing the iOS ecosystem offers vast opportunities to reach an engaged and affluent user base.

Here’s the deal: developing an app isn’t easy (stating the obvious, I know)! Suppose you’re a startup wizard with a brilliant mobile app idea, or a business owner trying to boost your online reach, or someone looking to innovate the problem with a tech-first approach. In any case, the journey is full of bumps and brain teasers. To succeed, you’ll need a firm understanding of iOS development costs before planning your next big move. Which begs the question: how much does it cost to make an iOS app?

Well, the answer isn’t cut and dry (sorry). My experience has taught me this; costs vary wildly depending on key factors, such as the app’s complexity, the desired features, and whether you’re hiring local US talent or outsourcing development.

On one hand, you could hire developers on-site at a premium price tag but retain more control over the project, the quality and the communication. On the other hand, uitbesteding can be much more affordable than building an in-house team.

In 2023, the global business process outsourcing market was valued at $280.64 billion and is expected to increase 9.6% annually between 2024 and 2030. Companies across all industries are beginning to adopt outsourcing strategies. Even leading tech giants like Google, Facebook, and IBM outsource specific IT business functions. This trend is fueled by affordability, access to international talent, quicker time-to-market, and demand for specialized skills.

In this article, I’ll break down the typical costs associated with iPhone / iPad / macOS app development, the factors that influence those costs, and some hidden fees you should keep in mind. So, how much does it cost to develop an iOS app? All the details are below.

Key takeaways

iOS app development costs vary greatly depending on app complexity, features, and development location.
The app’s size, features, complexity, industry, and design requirements all influence the development costs. More complex apps with custom designs, advanced functionalities, or third-party API integrations will be pricier.
Development costs differ by region.
Hidden costs, including App Store fees and ongoing maintenance, should be accounted for in budget planning to avoid surprises once the app is launched.

Calculating iOS app development costs

When estimating the cost of iOS app development, it’s important to understand the range of factors involved. A basic calculation formula might look like this: App development cost = (Hourly rate × Timeline) × Project complexity. This formula gives you an initial understanding of how the cost could unfold.

The hourly rate depends on several things:

Whether it’s an in-house team,a freelance developer, or an app development company.
The skill and experience of developers and designers influence hourly rates.
Both front-end and back-end requirements impact costs.
Rates differ for hourly, part-time, or full-time contracts.
Freelance marketplaces and development agencies charge varying fees, often based on talent quality and the level of customer support provided.
Geographical location significantly affects hourly rates due to regional cost differences.

The timeline for iOS app development generally depends on the complexity of the project, with simple apps taking fewer hours and complex ones requiring significantly more. There are also some additional factors to take into account:

Advanced features like real-time chat, AI, or AR/VR take more time.
Custom designs with animations take longer than standard layouts.
Thorough testing and incorporating feedback extend the timeline.
A larger team can speed up development but adds coordination overhead.
Delays in feedback or decision-making can push the delivery timeframe.
Integration with external services/APIs can cause delays.

The iOS app development project complexity is determined by multiple factors:

Apps can range from simple to mid-tier to highly complex, each requiring different levels of effort and expertise.
Basic features like login, media, and utility functions, or advanced features such as admin tools and specialized integrations, affect the project's scope.
When custom designs and a strong focus on UI and UX are involved, the development process becomes more sophisticated.
The development becomes more intricate when the app involves custom designs and interactive UI elements like drawing tools and tables (drag-and-drop).
The app's complexity also depends on the need to integrate device features such as location, biometrics, camera, NFC/BLE, LiDAR, and secure data storage.
If the app requires real-time data exchange with other platforms (Android/Web), managing its behavior in background and foreground states makes it more complex.
Support for additional platforms like iPad and macOS can also increase complexity.
Adding AR/VR functionality and AI/ML integration for on-device computation requires optimization and adds to the app's complexity.
Ongoing updates, bug fixes, and feature improvements contribute to overall complexity.

How much does it cost to develop an app for your business?

Factors that affect Apple app development costs

How much does it cost to make an app on the App store? The cost depends on a range of factors, each of which contributes uniquely to the overall expense. After covering the general aspects earlier, I’ve prepared a detailed breakdown below to give you a clearer perspective.

Complexiteit van app

The features and functionalities you choose for your app can have a huge impact on the price. Development of a basic app with features like user authentication and simple database interactions will cost less compared to a custom iOS app development that can cover features like real-time chat, advanced animations, or integrations with third-party services.

Eenvoudige apps

Simple apps focus on one primary function, such as calculators, timers, or essential note-taking tools. They are straightforward, featuring a few screens with basic navigation, no server integration, and no external databases — data is stored locally on the device instead of in the cloud.

Because of their simplicity, these apps require minimal programming, testing, and maintenance, making them the most affordable and quickest to develop. Ongoing maintenance is also minimal, further reducing costs.

Medium-complexity apps

Medium-complexity apps introduce more features and functionality, such as fitness trackers, eCommerce platforms with shopping carts, or social media apps with basic user interactions.

These apps often include:

Back-end systems for managing user accounts, data storage, or synchronization.
Integrations with third-party services like payment gateways, analytics, or APIs.
Pushmeldingen en in-app aankopen.
Thoughtfully designed UI/UX to support more complex workflows.

While medium-complexity apps require a higher initial investment, they’re built with scalability in mind, allowing them to handle increased user activity and data growth over time.

Highly complex apps

Highly complex apps are designed for advanced functionalities and enterprise-level requirements. Examples include stock trading platforms, real-time messaging systems, or applications powered by AR/VR technologies.

These apps often involve:

Real-time data processing, such as live trading updates or instant fitness feedback.
Custom backend systems for handling sophisticated algorithms or AI capabilities.
Rock-solid security measures to safeguard sensitive user information.

Developing these apps requires senior-level expertise in backend architecture, database management, and advanced UI/UX design. Features like real-time updates depend on low-latency servers, cloud infrastructure, and robust system architecture — all of which increase development costs.

Eenvoudige apps

Basic user interface and navigation
Designed to perform one core function or specific task
No need for advanced programming skills

300-600

Medium-complexity apps

Engaging interface designed to facilitate multi-step processes.
Richer functionality with integrations (e.g., payment gateways, APIs)
Requires intermediate-level expertise for API integration and backend services

500-1200

Highly complex apps

Sophisticated and dynamic interfaces enabling complex user interactions
Handles complex business logic, real-time updates, or AI-driven functionality
Requires senior-level expertise in system architecture, security, and compliance

1000-2500

iOS app design and UI

Clutch revealed that according to 50% of consumers, website design plays a vital role in shaping a business’s brand, making it clear that companies should prioritize it. The top visual elements that appeal to consumers are photos/images (40%), color (39%), and videos (21%), which businesses should consider for their designs.

A well-designed UI/UX can greatly affect the overall user experience and app success. Here is the proof: a real case from the real world. Our client, a renowned ski resort in Italy, came to us with an outdated mobile app, causing user dissatisfaction due to poor design, crashes, and a complicated flow.

Innowise revamped the app with a comprehensive UI/UX redesign, upgraded user flows, and optimized business logic for faster performance. We also added Apple Watch support, integrated new features like a gallery and stories, and conducted thorough testing to ensure stability.

The result is genuinely fantastic! A 90% reduction in app crashes and 30,000 new users within just two weeks post-launch, significantly boosting user engagement and satisfaction.

That’s why it’s a big deal to create an iOS app with a user-friendly, mobile-optimized, and consistent design, but it also adds to the cost of iOS app development. Custom designs tailored to your app can be more expensive than template-based designs.

Design research User research, competitive analysis, journey mapping 20-80

Branding Logo design, color palette, typography, visual style 60-240

UI/UX ontwerp Wireframes, prototypes, interaction design, usability testing 80-320

Animation and illustration Custom illustrations, motion graphics, onboarding animations 60-140

The cost of designing an app on iOS, along with its UI, largely depends on the level of intricacy, the available functionalities, and the designer’s skill set. These estimates are, however, subject to change depending on the number of hours the designs are modified, the deadlines of the project, and extra features.

Desired API integrations

APIs are more than just data connectors — they are strategic assets:

They support the growing API economy, enabling businesses to monetize data.
APIs simplify access to organizational data across multiple applications, reducing redundant code.
Robust APIs with strong safeguards can prevent data theft and malicious activity.

Integrating third-party APIs like payment gateways, geolocation services, or social media can add both functionality and cost.

Small/Simple API

Weather API (e.g., OpenWeatherMap)
Currency Exchange API (e.g., ExchangeRatesAPI)
Quotes API

60-80

Medium complexity API

Payment Gateway API (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
Social Media API (e.g., Twitter API, Instagram API)
Map and Navigation API (e.g., Google Maps API, Mapbox)

100-240

Enterprise/Complex API

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) API (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
Healthcare API (e.g., HL7 FHIR API)
Machine Learning/AI API (e.g., OpenAI)

160-640

App developer fees

Costs can vary widely depending on the region where the developers are located. While high-cost regions may offer quicker turnaround times and easier communication, lower-cost regions can deliver similar quality with proper vetting and management, often at a fraction of the cost.

"Quality development doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. We handpick skilled developers who meet both your project needs and budget expectations, delivering exceptional results without compromise. Hire our experts today and experience the difference."

Valery Vasilevich

Head of iOS development

Partner with our experts and stay within your budget.

Hidden and post-development iOS app costs

It’s easy to think that budgeting purely for the app development is enough, but during the process it becomes abundantly clear there are a swathe of extra costs many don’t consider at the planning stage. These unforeseen expenses can substantially raise the total project budget and include costs for publishing, support, updates, and other aspects that are often underestimated or overlooked. Below, I’ve covered some factors that may increase your initially planned iPhone app development project budget.

App Store fees
App onderhoud en updates
CDN
Periodic iOS updates

The annual fee for maintaining an Apple Developer account is $99. This fee is required to submit apps to the App Store, access developer tools, and participate in various Apple services, including TestFlight for app testing and access to beta software. This fee is the standard for individual and corporate accounts.

Apple charges a 30% fee on all apps and in-app purchases. Apple's official website outlines the 15% commission for developers earning less than $1 million annually. For subscriptions that last more than one year, Apple reduces its commission from 30% to 15% for subsequent years. Some apps, like those that offer physical goods or services (e.g., Uber, Netflix), may not be subject to the same fees for certain transactions.

After launching your app, there are maintenance costs for updates and bug fixes. Plan to allocate an additional 15-20% of the initial development cost annually on maintaining your app. But don't take it like this as an obligatory sum you should pay extra. These percentages are just rough estimates. The actual maintenance costs can vary significantly based on how often updates are needed, the app's complexity, and the level of ongoing support required.

If your app uses a lot of data, such as images or videos, a CDN to deliver the content may be necessary to provide fast and stable performance. This may require regular costs to set up and maintain CDN services. On average, for small and medium apps, the cost of using a CDN can range from $20 to $200 per month. This depends on the amount of data, traffic, and level of service you require.

Regular updates involve time and resources from developers, designers, and testers. This process can lead to ongoing costs based on the complexity and frequency of updates. Each update requires a resubmission to the App Store, which doesn't incur extra charges but still involves administrative effort and compliance with App Store guidelines.

Testing updates across different iOS versions and devices can be time-consuming, especially for apps with large user bases. Depending on the app's scale, the cost of regular updates can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year.

To avoid unexpected expenses in iOS mobile app development, consider potential hidden costs in advance and plan more carefully. This is where Innowise can help.

Cost of iOS app development with Innowise

Outsourcing through Innowise allows companies to hire iOS developers without the hassle of managing an internal team. You only pay for the specific skills and hours needed, which results in significant cost savings compared to expanding your in-house workforce.

How much does it cost to make an app with Innowise? We define the total cost of iPhone app development, along with iPad and macOS app expenses, by considering multiple factors. Here are some of them.

The type of app

The type of app you want to build directly impacts the features, technologies, and development time. Healthcare apps must comply with HIPAA regulations and include features like telemedicine or patient monitoring.

The size of your target user base

The size of your target user base affects the app’s architecture, server requirements, and scalability. Bigger user bases may require extra features like content delivery networks (CDNs) or advanced security features.

Monetization strategy

Monetization strategy influences the development features and app design. A subscription model may require user account management, recurring billing, and content-gating features.

The estimated budget for ERP implementation

The estimated budget for ERP implementation helps determine the scope of the project and the resources required. In contrast to MVP, a complete app version involves developing all planned features, which is typically more resource-intensive and expensive.

We offer a convenient calculator that allows you to estimate the approximate cost of developing an iOS app based on the specific factors mentioned earlier. After you fill in your project details, you will be provided with a tailored calculation that helps you understand the potential investment required.

This information can be a great starting point for efficiently budgeting and planning your iOS development project. No matter whether iPhone app development cost, iPad, or macOS app expenses, we assess each category individually, guaranteeing they align perfectly with your budget and business goals.

Interested in a one-on-one session on cost estimation?

Inpakken

How much does it cost to make an iOS app in 2025? Well, it depends. A simple app with basic features? More affordable. A complex app with custom designs, API integrations, and advanced functionality? That’s a bigger investment. Developer rates vary by location, and don’t forget hidden costs — App Store fees, updates, and maintenance all add up. If you’re looking for a ballpark figure (or a detailed estimate), Innowise can help break it down for you.

FAQs on iPhone app development costs

We calculate the Apple app development cost by considering the hourly rate of developers, the complexity and features of your app, the industry, and any additional API integrations. On average, the cost to create an app for iPhone ranges from relatively low for basic apps to significantly higher for large, complex applications with advanced features.

Apple charges a one-time $99 annual fee for an individual or company developer account. After paying this fee, you can launch and promote your apps on the App Store.

Yes, iOS apps can be highly profitable if they provide real value, engage users effectively, and implement well-planned monetization strategies. Success often depends on factors such as market demand, user retention, and the ability to solve a specific problem or elevate convenience.

iOS app development costs are commonly higher than Android app development costs. The reasons are Apple's stricter guidelines, design expectations, and the need for higher-quality hardware and testing standards.

Evgenij Shapovalov Head of Mobile at Innowise

Datum: 20 jan 2025

Evgenij Shapovalov Head of Mobile at Innowise

Datum: 3 feb 2025

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