Imagine that you have a great idea for a mobile app that could take your business to the next level, but you have one big question: how much will it cost? If you're a business owner or startup founder, making a budget for an app can feel like walking through a minefield. We are an IT studio in Gilbert, Arizona called BYBOWU. We have helped businesses in Mesa and Scottsdale build apps with React Native, Next.js, and Laravel without spending a lot of money. Let's look at the things that affect the price—complexity, platform, features, and design—and give you real-world price ranges. Then we'll help you get a clear estimate of how much an app will cost in 2025.
Why the Cost of Apps Matters in 2025
Let's be honest: making a mobile app costs a lot of money, and getting it wrong can hurt. Businesses want to know how much it costs to make an app because 56% of web traffic comes from mobile devices (Statista, 2024) and searches for "mobile app cost 2025" are on the rise. A clear budget makes sure you get a good app that brings in leads, keeps users engaged, and makes money without any extra costs.
What does this mean? If you own a business in Chandler or are starting a business anywhere in the country, knowing how much it costs to make an app can help you plan ahead so you can beat competitors like Arizona Florist, who use digital tools to take over local markets.
Important Things That Affect the Cost of Mobile Apps
The price of app development isn't the same for everyone; it depends on a number of things. Knowing these things will help you make better budgets and avoid surprises. Here's what makes it expensive to make an app in 2025:
1. How complicated is the app? Simple, medium, or complex?
The most expensive thing about your app is how complicated it is. A basic app, like a Mesa florist's informational app, could cost between $20,000 and $40,000. A booking system for a Scottsdale salon is an example of a medium-complexity app that costs between $40,000 and $80,000. An e-commerce platform with real-time tracking for a Chandler store can cost between $80,000 and $150,000 or more.
Features, integrations, and backend needs all affect how complex something is. We helped a Gilbert café make a simple loyalty app for $25,000. This led to a 20% increase in repeat orders and a top spot for "how much does an app cost."
2. Do you want iOS, Android, or both?
Costs depend on whether you choose to make apps for iOS, Android, or both. Native apps (one platform) are more expensive because they have different codebases. It can cost between $30,000 and $60,000 to make a simple app. We used React Native to make an app for a Tempe store, and it saved us 30% (about $20,000 to $50,000) because we could use the same code on different platforms.
Cross-platform apps are great for new businesses that want to reach both iOS and Android users quickly and cheaply.
3. Features: What can your app do?
Push notifications, in-app purchases, and AI chatbots are some features that cost more but make people use the app more. Basic features, such as user profiles, can cost between $5,000 and $10,000. More advanced features, such as real-time GPS, can cost between $20,000 and $40,000. A startup in Scottsdale spent $60,000 on an app that has a payment gateway and a loyalty program. The app brought in 25% more sales.
We focus on features that help you reach your goals, so your app gives you value without going over budget.
4. Design: Finding a balance between how things look and how well they work
Google says that 53% of users leave apps with bad UX, so a beautiful, easy-to-use design is a must. Basic designs cost between $5,000 and $15,000, but custom, animated designs for more complex apps can cost between $20,000 and $40,000. We made an app for a Mesa store that was optimized for "mobile app cost 2025." It cost $10,000 and got 15% more people to use it.
We use programs like Figma to make designs that are simple to use and look good so that people will keep coming back.
5. Upkeep and Changes
Apps need regular maintenance to stay useful, like fixing bugs, updating the operating system, and adding new features. The cost of annual maintenance is usually 15–20% of the cost of the initial development, which is between $5,000 and $30,000. We kept the Gilbert app competitive by updating it every year for $8,000, which kept it at the top of the "cost to build an app" list.
Regular maintenance keeps your app fast, safe, and easy to use.
Cost Breakdown: What You Should Expect in 2025
Here is a quick look at the price ranges for making apps based on how hard they are:
| Type of App | Cost Range | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
| Easy App | $20,000 – $40,000 | User profiles, a simple UI, and notifications |
| Medium App | $40,000 – $80,000 | Payments, API integrations, and a custom user interface |
Depending on the platform and features, these ranges change. Our portfolio shows how we've made apps for Arizona businesses of all sizes, from simple to complex.
Getting Over Common Cost Worries
Concern: It costs too much
The prices for apps can seem high, but our pricing plans use React Native to build apps for multiple platforms at a low cost. We saved a Chandler startup 30% by making a hybrid app that brought in $50,000 in sales.
Concern: Costs That Aren't Clear
Unexpected costs are the worst. We give clear estimates of how much an app will cost up front, including design, development, and maintenance. Our clear process made sure that a Tempe store's app stayed within their $40,000 budget.
Worry: Will It Be Worth It?
Are you worried about ROI? We focus on features that have a big effect, like push notifications or e-commerce integrations. For example, a Scottsdale app that did this increased conversions by 20%. Our data-driven method makes sure your app is useful.
Why You Should Choose BYBOWU to Make Your App
We are more than just developers at our Gilbert, AZ-based IT studio. We are your growth partners. We make sure your app is powerful and cheap by using React Native for cross-platform apps, Next.js for fast web integrations, and Laravel for strong backends. Our team knows the markets in Mesa and Scottsdale, so we can help businesses like florists and retailers get more customers with customized solutions.
We make sure your app fits with your vision by putting people first. Check out our portfolio to find out how we've changed businesses with apps that don't cost a lot.
Get an Honest Estimate of How Much Your App Will Cost
A mobile app can change your business in 2025, but only if you can afford it. BYBOWU's clear app cost estimates help you plan for "mobile app cost 2025" and local searches like "Gilbert app development pricing" by giving you information about the features and complexity of the app. To get a clear estimate of how much your app will cost, email us at [email protected] to talk about your project.
Get in touch today and let's make an app that makes money and gets people involved!
