The first question every client asks us at Codezion Softwares is: “How much will my app cost?”
It is a fair question. You have a business idea, and you need a budget. But asking “How much for an app?” is a lot like asking “How much for a house?” A small flat in Jagatpura costs very differently from a villa in Civil Lines.
The cost depends entirely on what you want to build.
In this guide, we are moving past the vague “it depends” answers. We are giving you real numbers, 2025 market rates, and a transparent look at what drives the price up (and how to keep it down). Whether you are a startup founder in Jaipur or an international client looking to outsource to India, this guide is for you.
The Quick Answer (2025 Cost Cheatsheet)
If you are in a rush, here is the ballpark estimate for developing a mobile app in India right now. These figures include design, development, and testing.
| App Complexity | Timeline | Cost Estimate (INR) | Cost Estimate (USD) |
| Simple App (MVP) | 1 – 3 Months | ₹1.5 Lakh – ₹5 Lakh | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Medium App | 4 – 6 Months | ₹5 Lakh – ₹15 Lakh | $6,000 – $18,000 |
| Complex / Enterprise | 9+ Months | ₹15 Lakh – ₹50 Lakh+ | $18,000 – $60,000+ |
Note: These are average market rates. For a custom quote based on your specific idea, contact the Codezion team.
4 Major Factors That Influence App Development Cost
Why does one app cost ₹2 Lakh and another ₹20 Lakh? It usually comes down to these four pillars.
1. The Platform (Android vs. iOS vs. Hybrid)
This is your first big decision.
- Native Android (Kotlin/Java): India is an Android-first market. If your target audience is the general public in Jaipur or tier-2 cities, you need Android.
- Native iOS (Swift): If you are targeting the premium segment or the US/UK market, iOS is non-negotiable.
- Hybrid / Cross-Platform (Flutter/React Native):(Recommended)
- The Cost Saver: Technologies like Flutter allow us to write code once and run it on both Android and iOS.
- Impact: This can reduce your development cost by 30-40% compared to building two separate native apps. At Codezion, we specialize in high-performance Flutter apps that feel native.
2. App Complexity & Features
This is where the meter really runs.
- Basic Features (Low Cost): Login, Profile, Feed, Basic Search.
- Advanced Features (Medium Cost): Payment Gateway integration (Razorpay/Stripe), Push Notifications, Chat, Google Maps Integration.
- Premium Features (High Cost): AI/ML integration, Real-time video streaming, AR/VR features, detailed Analytics dashboards.
3. UI/UX Design
Never underestimate the power of design. A “functional” app is cheap. An “addictive” app costs more.
- Template Design: Using pre-made UI kits is faster and cheaper but your app will look like thousands of others.
- Custom Design: Creating a unique brand identity, smooth animations, and a user journey tailored to your customers (like Zomato or Cred) requires expert designers. This raises the cost but significantly increases your success rate.
4. Location of the Developer
This is the biggest “hack” for maximizing your ROI.
- US/UK Agencies: Charge $100 – $150 per hour.
- Bangalore/Gurgaon Agencies: Charge $40 – $70 per hour.
- Jaipur Agencies (Codezion): We offer the same tech stack and code quality as the metro hubs but at a more competitive rate ($20 – $40 per hour) due to lower operational overheads in Rajasthan.
Detailed Cost Breakdown by App Type
To give you a clearer picture, let’s break down costs by industry.
1. E-Commerce App (Like Amazon/Myntra Clone)
- Key Features: Product catalog, search filters, cart, payment gateway, order tracking, admin panel for inventory.
- Estimated Cost: ₹4 Lakh – ₹12 Lakh
- Why: Requires a robust backend to handle thousands of products and secure payments.
2. On-Demand Service App (Like Urban Company/Uber)
- Key Features: User app, Driver/Partner app, Admin panel (3 separate interfaces), real-time GPS tracking, reviews.
- Estimated Cost: ₹6 Lakh – ₹18 Lakh
- Why: You are essentially building three apps in one. Real-time GPS logic is complex to code and test.
3. Social Networking App (Like Instagram/LinkedIn)
- Key Features: Infinite scroll feed, likes/comments, chat, story uploads, friend algorithms.
- Estimated Cost: ₹8 Lakh – ₹25 Lakh+
- Why: These apps require massive backend servers to handle data. As your user base grows, your server costs grow.
4. Real Estate / Directory App
- Key Features: Listings, map view, contact forms, lead management system (CRM).
- Estimated Cost: ₹3 Lakh – ₹8 Lakh
- Why: These are generally data-heavy but logic-light, making them more affordable to build.
The Hidden Costs No One Tells You About
When budgeting, you must look beyond the development invoice. A successful app is a living product, not a one-time purchase.
- App Store Fees:
- Apple App Store: $99/year (approx ₹8,300).
- Google Play Store: $25 one-time fee (approx ₹2,100).
- Server & Hosting Costs:
- For a new app with <1000 users: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 per month (AWS, DigitalOcean, or Firebase).
- Maintenance (AMC):
- Just like a car, apps need servicing. iOS updates, Android policy changes, and security patches happen every year. Budget 15-20% of the total development cost per year for maintenance.
- Third-Party APIs:
- SMS Gateways (OTP), Email services, or advanced Maps APIs often have monthly usage fees.
Why Codezion Softwares? (The Jaipur Advantage)
You have options. You could hire a freelancer, a big Bangalore firm, or us. Here is why businesses in Jaipur (and global clients) choose Codezion:
- Transparency: We don’t hide costs. We give you a detailed Scope of Work (SOW) so you know exactly what every rupee is buying.
- Hybrid Expertise: We are masters of Flutter and React Native. We save you money by building one robust codebase that works everywhere.
- Post-Launch Support: We don’t just deliver the code and disappear. We act as your technical partners, helping you scale as your user base grows.
- Local Presence: If you are in Jaipur, come visit our office in Raja Park. There is immense value in sitting across the table from your project manager and sketching out ideas on a whiteboard.
Our Process: How We Estimate Your Cost
When you contact us, we don’t just guess a number. We follow a 3-step process:
- Discovery Call: We discuss your business goals. Who is the user? What is the main problem the app solves?
- Feature Listing: We list every single screen and button (User Stories).
- Effort Estimation: Our tech leads calculate the hours required for Design, Frontend, Backend, and QA. We multiply this by our hourly rate to give you a Fixed Price Quote.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I build an app for ₹50,000?
A: Technically, yes. But it will likely be a “hybrid wrapper” (a website turned into an app) or a template with zero customization. It won’t offer a good user experience. For a custom business app, the starting range is usually ₹1.5 Lakh.
Q: How long does it take to build an app?
A: A standard MVP (Minimum Viable Product) takes 8 to 12 weeks. Complex enterprise apps can take 6 to 9 months.
Q: Do I own the code?
A: Yes. At Codezion, once the project is fully paid for, you own 100% of the source code and IP (Intellectual Property).
Ready to Build Your App?
Don’t let budget uncertainty stop your idea. The best way to get an accurate cost is to talk to an expert.
At Codezion Softwares, we offer a FREE 30-minute consultation.