This blog will guide you in analyzing the cost of hiring iOS-based application services. Clutch and Good Firm estimate that, depending on average time and hourly rate, developing an iPhone app can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $75,000. However, this average cost for developing an iOS app only applies to simple or medium-sized apps; complicated apps like social media or eCommerce can cost more than $150,000.
The reason we state the price up front is to make clear how much of your budget you will need to set aside for the development of an iOS app. Without knowing the whole cost breakdown of developing an iOS app and the variables influencing your development budget, this information is pointless.
Key Factors Responsible for Increasing iOS App Development Cost
You cannot determine the final price unless you know the various metrics and elements that affect the cost of developing an iOS app. These are a few of the variables that will determine how much developing an iOS app will cost.
Complexity of the App
Make sure you comprehend the complexity of the app idea you are aiming for when estimating the cost of iPhone app development. Your iOS app will take more hours to develop if you wish to include more complex features and functionalities. Your budget for iOS app development may be impacted because it will also require extra resources and knowledgeable iOS developers. The cost of creating an iPhone app can increase dramatically when you include AI, Blockchain, IoT, or AR/VR. The cost of developing an iOS app is broken down here according to the app’s complexity.
| Category | Average Cost (USD) | Average Hours |
|---|---|---|
|
Starter Apps |
$12000 - $27000 |
200-500 |
|
Elementary Apps |
$27000 - $75000 |
500 - 1500 |
|
Advanced Apps |
$75000 - $200000 |
1500 - 4000 |
|
Enterprise Apps |
$200000+ |
4000+ |
Technology Stack
UI/UX Design Needs
Apple places a lot of focus on design, which is one of the most crucial aspects of creating iPhone apps. Apple wants people to enjoy using their phones, and they take pride in being one of the top phone makers. The first step for entrepreneurs looking to compete in the market is developing aesthetically pleasing applications. Because of this, the majority of brands allocate between 20% and 35% of their overall budget to iOS app design.
| Design Element | Average Cost (USD) | Average Duration (hours) |
|---|---|---|
|
Low-fidelity wireframes |
$5000 |
40 |
|
High-Fidelity mockup |
$10000 |
80 |
|
Filtered UI design with animations |
$15000 |
120 |
|
Custom icon design |
$2000 |
40 |
Time Taken for App Development
The most important factor in determining the cost of developing an iPhone app is the length of time required for app development on the iOS platform. The total number of app development hours multiplied by the hourly rate is the formula used to determine the cost of developing an iPhone app. Because of this, you should make sure that the functionality, style, and other aspects of the app you want to develop fit inside your budget.
Because it helps reduce costs, the majority of iOS development companies adopt an agile technique while creating apps. Depending on the length of the project, you can reduce the cost of developing an iOS app by hiring a specialized iPhone app developer and combining agile with a time and material engagement model. Instead of paying set fees, this approach simply charges you for the time and resources you use on your project. The steps involved in developing an iOS app are shown in this table. Additionally, we have included the approximate cost and time required to develop an iPhone app depending on the following,
Platform Compatibility
You may save a lot of money on iPhone app development by making an app that functions on a variety of devices, models, and versions. Regarding expense, platform compatibility will enable you to reach a wider audience with less upkeep and updates.
App Store Fees & Hidden Charges
What about hidden fees? The aforementioned are some of the typical fees and costs associated with creating an iOS app. As a top iOS app development business, we frequently hear from clients discussing less expensive development, but this isn’t always a precise estimate. One of them is the cost of deploying your iOS app to the Apple App Store. It costs about $99 and is a required fee.
Third-party service integration must also be considered when calculating iPhone app development costs. We know that most development organizations don’t discuss this, but we support openness.
Ongoing Maintenance
Security patches, maintenance, and updates are crucial. They will assist you in keeping your app up to date and making sure it functions properly. Apple dislikes apps that are slow or contain bugs, and they may be removed from the app store. Additionally, customers can access new features and protect their data with appropriate upkeep.
Development Team Location & Structure
Finally, the development team is the most significant factor influencing the cost of developing an iPhone app. You can recruit a team in-house, work with a freelancer, or contract an agency to create a mobile application. Large companies can benefit from having a house staff, but startups and small enterprises cannot afford the overhead. Additionally, hiring a freelancer is the most economical choice, but it will take longer, and there is no assurance of the caliber of the work.
For this reason, most companies concerned about the price of developing an iPhone application employ agencies to handle their iOS app development project. They retain the industry standard while charging a cheaper hourly fee for developing iOS apps. Saving money with this approach is possible, but be sure to deal with skilled iOS developers who have worked on apps similar to yours. The following represents the hourly rate for developing iOS apps in various regions that are available for outsourcing:
Strategies in Optimizing iOS App Development Costs
Well-Planned Strategy That Defines Scope
Use user research techniques, such as surveys, to collect feedback and set objectives to ensure that your iOS app meets your users’ needs. After that, you may list features that users will find helpful and decide how to display them. The typical cost of developing an iPhone app can be reduced with all of this. The development process will be expedited once you have a clear understanding. Additionally, it will prevent delays and minimize last-minute modifications, both of which can impact the budget.
Feature Prioritizing
Determine the bare minimum of features and capabilities required to assist your users. Then, begin with an MVP to gather input on how it benefited end users. Use this feedback to improve the app and add new features or functionalities that are essential. By constructing only the required features, you can avoid incurring extra expenses. Then, you can update the app to see the feedback and make changes.
Using Open-Source Solutions
Finding a sizable open-source library for the currently present features could greatly simplify the process of creating custom iOS apps. To prevent long-term structural problems, look for trustworthy resources with vibrant communities for routine upkeep.
It’s also crucial to carefully consider quality control and open licensing to ensure that your app solution lasts long. Developers may focus their efforts on creating superior user experiences that set them apart in competitive marketplaces by using verified, reusable codebases whenever feasible. This will assist you in reducing the costs associated with developing iOS apps.
Agile Development Methodology
As previously said, Agile is ideal for companies seeking to reduce app development expenses. They can take advantage of agile development models like Scrum and Kanban. Agile will support iOS developers in remaining adaptable and swiftly meeting unforeseen needs. To do this, divide the app development into a two-week spring session. Developers will show you the work for comments and provide you with regular updates on development.
Outsourcing
One popular way to save money is to work with an iOS app development business, but it requires more preparation. Finding the correct agency is the first step; look into their experience and prior work. Then, evaluate them to ensure their communication styles align with your culture.
Despite geographical differences, set up explicit management procedures and confidentiality agreements to create successful, long-lasting partnerships. Reliable collaborations can produce exceptional outcomes that adhere to timelines and budgets. When they outsource, most firms can save up to 40% on the cost of developing iPhone apps.
Conclusion
More than 1.8 million iOS apps are anticipated to be available in the Apple App Store by the end of the year 2025 due to the growing demand for these apps. Apple users are more devoted and spend more money on app purchases than Android users, who have access to over 8 million apps. To assist you in setting your budget, we have included comprehensive information on a number of elements that affect the total cost of iOS development. In order to keep you from going over budget, we have also discussed a number of techniques to save costs during the development process.
