Thinking About Building an iOS App in 2025? We will talk about numbers and facts!
Choosing iOS as your mobile platform is not just a decision of technology; it is really a business strategy. Investing in an app for iOS where brand loyalty, ecosystem, and reputation above all speak for Apple is an excellent decision!
But when the decision is done to make iPhone application, the next question is important:
“What is the real cost to develop an iOS app in 2025?”
You see, to make an iOS app, the cost could be roughly anywhere between $50,000 to $700,000. The fact is that iOS app development depends on many factors-from the function and complexity of the app of your choice of developer to even post-launch support.
There is no denying that the market is saturated with apps, and with contradictory information found everywhere on the Internet, it has been very easy to get lost in misinformation. Without any doubt, iPhone apps create an overall new world of opportunities! Many businesses are still investing in this venture!
This blog will cut through the mess and discuss the costs to develop iOS app! You will see the breakdown of everything that truly matters relevant to the cost of creating an iPhone app- with figures, real-life examples, and different types of costs. This will definitely include some of the hidden factors that result in bigger costs!
Whether you are an entrepreneur, startup founder, or product owner, this detailed guide will help you in better planning, smarter budgeting, and hiring the right iOS development team!
So, let’s see what is yet to come as you plan to create an app for iPhone!
Formula To Calculate iOS App Development Cost
There is a basic and a simple formula for building an iphone application:
iOS App Development Cost = UI/UX Design Hours + App Platform + (Hourly Developer Rate × Total Development Time)
The upcoming headings will discuss all the above variables so that one could easily understand where the money goes and how to spend more wisely while creating iphone apps! The goal is to provide the user with a crystal estimate of the cost of developing apps to transform their iOS app idea into a realistic idea!
iOS App Development Cost Breakdown: Key Factors
1. App Complexity (Features)
App complexity is defined by the number and complexity of features. A simple app may include login and navigation, whereas an advanced app may allow possible real-time chat capabilities, AI features, or AR/VR features. More complexity = more development time for making an app for iphone!
| App Complexity | Time Required | Average Cost |
| Basic | 2-4 months | $10,000 – $50,000 |
| Mid-level | 4-8 months | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Complex | 8+ months | $100,000+ |
2. App Size
When understanding the size of any app, screens, user roles, and functionalities come into account. Small apps are created easily, developing between 5 and 10 screens, while large apps may need more than 30 screens, which require extensive backend coordination and logic! The iOS app development cost according to the app size is as follows:
| iOS App Size | Time Required | Average Cost |
| Small | 2-4 months | $10,000 – $50,000 |
| Medium | 4-8 months | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Complex | 8+ months | $100,000_ |
3. App Categories
Different types of apps such as eCommerce, social networking websites, and FinTech have various characteristics. For example, the healthcare app has compliance laws concerning the data but on the other hand, a marketplace app might just have the need for two systems i.e. user and vendor systems to manage. So, the app development cost differs accordingly such as:
| Categories | Key Features | Average 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 |
4. App Design
User experience and brand image are basic elements of design. Basic templates are affordable to create an app for iPhone, while custom UI/UX design featuring animations, micro-interactions, and prototyping are likely to increase costs.
| Design Process | Costs |
| App Design Research | $100-500 |
| UX Design | $2000-10,000 |
| UI Design | $10,000 – 40,000 |
| Branding | $5,000 – 20,000 |
| Animation & Illustration | $1000 – 25,000 |
5. API Integration on iOS App
Firstly, integrating APIs is a significantly expensive aspect of app development for the iPhone. The complexity and requirement of APIs, along with customization, will contribute to the costs. An advanced API or multiple API usage can enhance the involvement of costs during development. Furthermore, the documentation and support of an API are other aspects that have been added to the cost.
| Payment Gateways | Transactional Charges | Monthly Charges |
| Paypal | 2.9%+$0.30/transaction | No fee $30 for PayPal |
| Stripe | 2.9%+$0.30/transaction | None |
| Authorize.net | 2.9%+$0.30/transaction | $25 |
| Braintree | 2.9%+$0.30/transaction (no fees for the first $5000 processed) | None |
| Apple Pay | 1%+$0.25-10 for instant transaction | None |
Payment Gateway Integration is also considered a designing-feature important to iOS applications. The costs will vary depending on the factors such as choice of provider, number of transactions, and security needs. All kinds of customization required by payment processes and the external standards that need to meet, like PCI DSS, add to the costs. Extra costs are added for support and maintenance to build an iPhone app.
External services such as social media sign-ins or mapping tools are integrated into apps through third-party integrations. The price of integration varies with the complexity of the integration process, customization of services, etc. Licensing costs, usage costs, or maintenance support can also account for extra expenses to build an iPhone app. Hence, careful planning and good services can provide flexibility in handling integration costs to make an app for iPhone.
| Third-party Integration | Key Features | Average Integration Costs |
| Paypal | Navigation or Geolocation Access | $200 |
| Stripe | Authentication & Authorization | $200 |
| Authorize.net | Offer flight search, ticket costs and live quotes for travelling | $100 |
| Braintree | To access IMDB rating, runtime, release date, awards, etc | $600 |
| Apple Pay | To access facilities, costs, and accommodation queries | $800 |
6. Hiring Model
Freelancing is cheaper for iPhone app building but has more risk in terms of quality and timeframes. Development companies and agencies follow a structured process which may lead to higher cost. Hiring in-house is, however, a better decision for building an iphone application!
| Hiring Model | Salary Range | Project Complexity |
| In-House | $100,000/annum | Simple |
| Developers | $120,000/annum | Complex |
| Hiring Model | Salary Range | Project Complexity |
| Freelancers | $24-$79 | Simple |
| $20-120 | Complex |
| Hiring Model | Salary Range | Project Complexity |
| Offshore | $45 | Simple |
| Development | $79 | Complex |
7. Development Location
The cost of hiring a developer varies from one place to another. North America and Western Europe always charge the most per hour. But the rest of the world, especially the Eastern parts of Europe, India, and Southeast Asia, are hosted to outsource as they save a lot. For the USA, it is different in terms of cost of creating an iPhone application.
| Region | Cost Per Hour |
| India | $20-40 |
| United States of America | $80-170 |
| Ukraine | $30-100 |
| Australia | $80-200 |
8. App Testing
Detailed testing looks for all product aspects: function, security, and user experience. This includes manual testing, and possibly some automation in addition to manual testing for more complex apps. QA prevents failures that would otherwise occur after going live. App testing is a crucial aspect for ios application development cost!
| Region | Average App Testing Time | Costs |
| UX Testing | 10-60 Hrs | $200-1500 |
| Functional Testing | 50-200 Hrs | $700-3000 |
| Performance Testing | 10-30 Hrs | $150-500 |
| Security Testing | 50-20 Hrs | $800-200 |
| Platform & Device Testing | 10-20 Hrs | $100-200 |
9. Team Size
Finding the right balance is crucial to successful iOS app development price. More people may pay high costs due to the resources needed for coordination. Smaller teams may be cost-effective, but they will slow down the pace of development; on the other hand, it may speed up the process but will be more expensive!
| Position | Hourly Rate |
| iOS Developer | $20-100 |
| UI.UX Developer | $15-50 |
| Scrum Master | $50-150 |
| QA Engineer | $12-40 |
| Business Analyst | $30-70 |
| Project Manager | $60-180 |
Comparative Cost Table of iOS App Development Team Sizes
The table for the comparison provides an analysis of estimated iOS application development cost, based on the iOS app development team size.
Small Team (2-4 members)
| Average Hourly Rate | Typical Roles | Estimated Cost |
| $80-120 per hour |
|
$20,000-40,000 for a small sized app |
Small teams are for simple applications with basic features and functions. They are capable of handling core development work, designing the interface of the app, and project management. iOS application development cost for a small team is the least as compared to medium team and large team.
Medium Team (5-10 members)
| Average Hourly Rate | Typical Roles | Estimated Cost |
| $100-150 per hour |
|
$40,000-100,000 for a small sized app |
A medium-sized team suits a more complex app needs. They can cater to backend integration, advanced UI/UX design, and additional features. This team size also allows for flexible work patterns and faster timelines. For a medium team, iPhone app development price is around $100-150 per hour!
Large Team (10+ members)
| Average Hourly Rate | Typical Roles | Estimated Cost |
| $150-250 per hour |
|
$100,000-250,000 for a small sized app |
A large development team is apt for large projects with extensive features and functions. The experts can foresee challenges regarding complex backend integration, server architecture, advanced animations, and scalability. Whereas a large project team gives due attention to various aspects of project execution, ensuring a faster time to market. It is a fact that for a large team, iPhone app development price is the costliest!
10. App Scale
-
Small Scale
Usually, a basic iOS application has a limited number of screens and it basically serves one or two functionalities. Designing an iphone app on a small scale is not very difficult. It is ideal for startups or individuals to validate their app idea with minimal investment.
| Planning and Designing | Development | Testing and Deployment |
| Wireframing and Prototyping:
$500-$1000 |
Front-end development:
$2000-5000 |
QA and testing:
$500-1000 |
| UI & UX Design:
$1000-3000 |
Back-end development:
$2000-5000 |
App Store submission:
$100-300 |
-
Medium Scale
Medium-scale iOS apps offer features beyond the basic ones and in many cases need to be integrated with other external API or service provider tools. These cater to medium-budget businesses or startups that want a superior quality feature-rich application. Developing an app for iPhone for medium scale is usually ideal for many businesses depending on various factors!
| Planning and Designing | Development | Testing and Deployment |
| Wireframing and Prototyping:
$1000-2000 |
Front-end development:
$5000-10000 |
QA and testing:
$1000-2000 |
| UI & UX Design:
$1000-3000 |
Back-end development:
$2000-5000 App Integration $1000-3000 |
App Store submission:
$100-300 |
-
Large Scale
Mostly, large iPhone apps are highly complex and feature-demanding, and they need a high level of backend infrastructure and integration with many APIs. Hence, such apps are suitable for well-established companies aspiring to fulfill complete user experience. The cost of creating an iPhone app on a large scale is usually very expensive and opted by large enterprises!
| Planning and Designing | Development | Testing and Deployment |
| Wireframing and Prototyping:
$2000-5000 |
Front-end development:
$10000-20000 |
QA and testing:
$2000-5000 |
| UI & UX Design:
$5000-10000 |
Back-end development:
$10000-20000 App Integration $3000-7000 |
App Store submission:
$100-300 |
iOS Application Development Costing in Stages
Stage 1: Ideation
Wherever your vision becomes a reality: we discuss the idea, perform competitive analysis, and ponder improving on the concept. Costs between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on complexity and depth of research.
Step 2: Scaling the iOS App
So what are we really talking about: basic app? medium product? or feature-rich monster? Everything about scale-team size, development hours, etc will be determined in this step. It ranges from the costs from $10,000 to $300,000, depending on features and expectations that the user base has.
Step 3: Designing the iOS App
The design offers intuitive and seamless user experiences. The UX/UX designer fosters engaging journeys that are simple and entertaining to navigate. From $5,000 to $25,000, it depends on the number of screens involved and animation.
Step 4: Testing and Management
No bugs, no crashes. Continuous testing promises smooth functioning across various devices. Maintenance ensures that the application stays up-to-date post-launch. Cost: $5,000 – $15,000+ annually for post-launch support.
Step 5: Location
Pick the developers according to your budget. Generally, the USA and Canada shall have the highest rates. Eastern Europeans or Indians will prove to be much cheaper. Rates will vary from $25-$250/hr depending on the region relevant to iphone app development cost!
Additional Expenditures to Account for
First and foremost, besides core development and feature implementation, there are several costs that fall into your iOS app budget. These may be recurring costs or one-time expenses that developers sometimes forget. However, if they don’t become part of your plan, the total investment cost may also increase!
Payment Gateway Fees
Integrating a payment gateway is a must if your app offers in-app purchases or online payments. Providers, such as Stripe, PayPal, or Apple Pay, charge transaction fees varying from 2.5% to 3.5% or subscription. These fees pile up over time, and must be considered in your business model.
Basic iOS App With Standard Payment Gateway Integration
For a basic iOS app with standard payment gateway integration, expect costs in the $1000-$5000 range. This estimate covers the integration of a commonly used payment gateway provider, basic customization to incorporate your app’s identity, and standard security feature set.
Complex iOS Application With Advanced Payment Gateway Integ
To improve usability or security, you may need to add third-party solutions such as analytics tools (for instance, Firebase, Mixpanel), fraud detection systems, cloud storage, or customer service tools. These services are generally charged monthly or by usage basis and can add anywhere from $50 to more than $500 per month, depending on the scale.
ration
Significantly higher costs can arise for advanced integration cases applying to more complex iOS applications. These cases generally lie in the range of $5000-$20,000 or up. This estimate involves very specialized payment gateway integration, heavy customization, strict security regimens, and exhaustive testing.
2. Maintenance & Updates
The application has to be built first and not launched. It has to be maintained regularly for bug fixing, compatibility with iOS and new feature roll-outs. Ongoing maintenance can incur costs roughly equal to 15-20 percent of the initial development cost every year, depending on the complexity of your app and the user base.
3. Third-Party Services and Subscriptions
To improve usability or security, you may need to add third-party solutions such as analytics tools (for instance, Firebase, Mixpanel), fraud detection systems, cloud storage, or customer service tools. These services are generally charged monthly or by usage basis and can add anywhere from $50 to more than $500 per month, depending on the scale.
4. App Store Fees
You must pay $99 per year for a developer account to publish your app on the App Store. This includes a commission for every in-app purchase or subscription by Apple, which ranges from 15% to 30% for high-revenue-generating apps.
5. Marketing & User Acquisition
Once the app is up and running, it needs a promotional push. Such costs may include app store optimization (ASO), paid ads, influencer partnerships, and PR campaigns. Depending on what your target is, this can be anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $50,000 or more, especially in competitive markets.
The Hidden Costs
Some costs are very easy to spot, but what about those tiny expenses that pop up from nowhere as you strive to reach the end? You have a few such not-so-popular costs-third-party integration, data storage costs, app store fee charges, post-launch updates, etc., piling up quietly. That is why we share this hidden stuff so that nothing goes unnoticed as you bring life into your iOS app!
Now that you know about all the expenses-from the obvious ones to the surprises-you are well prepared to continue with your iOS app design journey. But before you move ahead, it would be interesting to ponder over this: where does iOS stand against Android in terms of development costs? If you’re looking at a wider app strategy, this small comparison could work wonders for giving you a clearer perspective.
| Hidden Cost Factors | Average Cost/Year |
| Data Storage | $500 |
| CDN | $150 |
| App developer account cost | $99 |
| Annual iOS updates | $1000 |
| Monitoring and maintenance | $4000-12000 |
How Does NGS Solutions Help You to Achieve Impactful iOS Applications?
At NGS Solutions, we do not develop cookie-cutter apps, because not two businesses are alike. Thanks to hands-on experience in iOS app development for a couple of years, we know how to take your idea and make it into a well-performing app loved by users. A startup may be testing the waters or an enterprise scaling out its operations; every solution is catered uniquely to the goals and budgets of the client.
Our methodology is simple, strategic, and results-oriented for iOS app development!
This is the way we eliminate guesswork from iOS app development and help you launch with confidence:
1. Discovery & Strategy Session
We begin from scratch: one-on-one consultation where our clients can work alongside us; talk about the vision. Our team closely co-creates the goals with the client, the audience, and must-have features—the foundation of a product meeting business outcomes!
2. In-Depth Project Analysis
Next, the experts analyze the project scope, project feature list, and technical necessities. The complexity of the application, its category, and the expected functionality were analyzed in reference to make projections on the tech stack, development timeline, and required human resources.
3. Estimates of Cost and Planning of Prototypes
Following our research, we provide an estimate of cost that is clear and without surprises, including the breaking down by where each dollar goes. Along with this, we outline a preliminary app architecture and wireframe concept to bring your idea into form before writing a single line of code.
4. Final Proposal
When you have approved the blueprint, we send you a final proposal that comprises everything: the timeline, prices, deliverables and support. Thus, both parties will be on the same page, ready to kick off development fully aware and confident.
NGS Solutions is not just developing apps; we create digital experiences that are engineered to scale, perform, and engage. So, whether you are looking to get an estimate for the cost of iOS app development or are all set to move ahead full steam, we are right here to help you at every step of the way!
Strategies To Reduce Average iOS App Development Costs
Cost-cutting does not mean quality-cutting. Intelligent strategies can go a long way in keeping your iOS app well within budget and of high-end quality. Here’s how smart companies do it:
1. MVP Development
Start from scratch. Build only the minimum features to quickly and cheaply validate your idea. The MVP avoids wasting tons of money on a project that might-or might not-really interest the users. It allows you to slowly develop it based on real feedback.
2. Ensure Proper App Testing
It is much less expensive to fix bugs if they are found early. You should take necessary steps to prevent bugs by automating testing where possible, testing throughout the development cycle, and conducting real-device testing to avoid any performance headaches on the client side.
3. Outsource iOS Development
An in-house team will quickly eat through your budget. On the other hand, outsourcing to a trusted offshore or nearshore partner offers you the possibility to hire qualified developers without costing you the arm and the leg. Definitely does not mean you have to sacrifice quality!
Why App Development in iOS is Better in Contrast to Android?
You have to take the very big decision of which platform for a mobile app while planning for launching one. Android has its specialties but iOS does have a fine combination of profitability, performance, and premium user experience. So, here are the reasons which suggest that iOS could be smarter money investment:
1. App Revenues Are High
Willing to gain maximum return from your investment? Go to iOS, because that is where the money lies. In addition to the 58.1% U.S. market share, Apple gives direct access to the highest spending users. They also spend more on average per app and take higher in-app purchases. With many paid apps and a loyal premium audience, iOS converts downloads into dollars better.
2. Built-in Enterprise-Grade Security
Security is not a feature, but a requirement. With iOS, a tightly controlled ecosystem has been established with coherent management tools and solid device-level security. Everything from permissions for apps to encryption and even data handling is safer in an Apple environment when it comes to enterprise applications.
3. Quality Standards for Premium Apps
When you think about an Apple application, think about a very strict examination for the app before it is accepted. Top-quality benchmarks must therefore be passed by iOS apps before their release, guaranteeing that end users enjoy a very polished and reliable experience. For brands, this means stronger credibility and better reviews.
4. A Tech-Savvy, Loyal User Base
iOS users are early adopters, active, interested, and willing to pay for rewarding experiences. Their sense of innovation and continuity makes them a perfect audience for apps ready to challenge conventions or offer premium features.
5. Lesser Device Fragmentation
Operating on the contrary to Android’s massive device ecosystem, the iOS applications only work on a small number of devices like iPhones and iPads. This makes the process of developing, testing, and optimizing much simpler. Less fragmentation leads to faster deployments and lesser performance concerns.
To put it together:-iOS is for business!
What’s an iOS app for your business? A treasure trove but many stop due to the heavy expenses! The cost of creating an iOS app is a combination of technological expertise and creative skills. Our iOS developers focus on every little detail to ensure that the app you get is worth your money and the highest quality. Many iOS app development companies are out there; it’s best to pick the right one – NGS Solution without any doubt!
If you want a well-designed working app or even an iPhone game, hire a credible company like NGS Solution. We have a team of skilled iOS developers who have passion for their work! Our developers will ensure that the app adheres to industry standards, meets your business needs, and helps you in quickening your business growth.
Create your personalized iOS app with NGS Solutions!
Thinking of how to make application for iphone? Let’s connect to convert your concept into an efficient iOS app!
Feel free to contact NGS Solutions today for your first consultation!
FAQs
1. What is the total cost to develop an application?
The total cost for developing an iOS application is anywhere between $15,000 and $300,000, depending on the complexity of the app, the features, the design, team location, and how large the app is. A simple application with very few features may cost around $15,000-$40,000, while advanced applications may cost quite above $150,000, such as social networking or on-demand apps.
2. What is the duration to build the app by yourself?
An app built solely by your effort would take anywhere from three months to one year, pending on your experience and the complexity of the app itself. Generally, a simple project would probably take about three to six months with its basic features, while a more complex one requires back-end integration and typically takes about a year and over.
3. Is making an iPhone app profitable?
Yes, it certainly is. iPhone users are generally more willing to spend money on apps, in-app purchases, and subscriptions. Given that the App Store generates somewhere in excess of $85 billion a year, this business certainly shows promise for profitability, especially if the app is high quality and has an effective monetization strategy.
4. What are the basis for estimating mobile application costs?
Usually, the app is deemed to be costing the total number of development hours multiplied by the hourly rate of the developers.
Formula:
App Cost = Total Development Hours × Hourly Rate
Also, it shall include design, backend infrastructure, testing, and post-launch maintenance.
5. What are the Cost Factors of iOS App Development?
Core factors include:
- Application complexity & functionalities
- Quality of UI/UX design
- External platform integrations (API, databases)
- Location & size of development team
- Security and compliance requirements
- Future support & updating services
6. Can I make any change/addition in the iOS app after the app is developed?
Yes, you can—and you should usually do that! Live updates are done mostly to improve the application’s performance and fix bugs along with introducing customer valuable, user-derived features. Just be sure that your codebase is scalable and that ongoing maintenance is planned!
7. How To Monetize My iOS Application?
There are monetization methods such as:
- Paid application download
- In-app purchases
- Subscription models
- Freemium with premium upgrades
- In-app advertisements
- Affiliate marketing or partnerships
