Did you know that over 80% of app ideas never get built? Not because they aren’t brilliant, but because most people don’t know where to start — or how much it truly costs to bring an app idea to life.
If you’ve ever had that spark — that “this could change everything” idea — you’ve probably paused and asked yourself the same question: How much will it cost to hire someone to make my app?
It’s an honest question. And yet, the internet is full of confusing answers. Some say $5,000. Others throw out $100,000 or more. The truth is, both can be correct. The cost of making an app isn’t just about numbers; it’s about what you want to build, who you hire, and how you want it to feel.
Let’s strip away the mystery and talk plainly about what it really costs to hire someone to make an app — and how to make smart, confident decisions as you bring your idea to life.
The Reality: There’s No Universal Price Tag
Imagine walking up to an architect and asking, “How much does it cost to build a house?” Without explaining how many rooms you want, what materials you prefer, or where you plan to build, it would be impossible to answer.
Building an app works the same way.
A simple to-do list app that helps people track daily goals will cost far less than a social networking platform with real-time messaging, payment integration, and AI-powered features. The price isn’t random; it reflects the scale, complexity, and craftsmanship of what you want to create.
But beyond the technical scope, there’s another key factor: who you hire to make it.
Who You Hire Matters — A Lot
When you set out to build an app, there are three major ways you can get it done: hiring a freelancer, hiring an agency, or building an in-house team. Each has a different cost structure, advantage, and risk.
Freelancers are often the most affordable route. They can build small apps or prototypes for as little as $1,000 to $10,000. If you’re experimenting or just testing an idea, a freelancer can help you move quickly without major overhead. However, the tradeoff is often consistency. Freelancers work independently, and since they handle multiple clients, timelines can stretch, and quality control can vary.
Hiring an app development agency, like Appfur, offers a much more structured and reliable approach. Agencies bring together a team — designers, developers, quality testers, and project managers — all working in sync. You don’t just pay for code; you pay for coordination, expertise, and assurance that your vision will be executed professionally.
Agency pricing typically starts around $10,000 and can climb up to $150,000 or more, depending on the project’s scale. The reason for that range is simple — agencies handle the full journey, from concept design to launch and post-launch support. For business owners and startups serious about quality and long-term success, this is often the most cost-effective route in the long run.
The final option is hiring an in-house developer or team. This is ideal for companies that plan to manage multiple apps or need constant updates. The cost, however, is significant. A skilled developer in the US or UK can cost between $80,000 and $200,000 per year in salary alone. Add equipment, software, and management costs, and it quickly becomes a major investment.
At Appfur, we’ve found that most startups and entrepreneurs prefer the balance of hiring an external development team. It’s faster, leaner, and far more affordable than building an in-house department — while still offering the expertise of a full-scale tech team.
The Kind of App You Want to Build Changes Everything
The type of app you want to build plays a huge role in determining cost.
A simple app like a note-taking tool, timer, or basic calculator could be built for as little as a few thousand dollars. It’s mostly front-end design, with limited backend development.
An e-commerce app, such as an online store or grocery delivery platform, is more involved. You’ll need product listings, cart functionality, secure payments, user accounts, and order tracking. Apps like these typically range between $10,000 and $50,000, depending on complexity and design standards.
Now, consider a social networking app — one that allows people to sign up, post updates, message one another, or even go live. That kind of project can easily climb past $50,000 because of the heavy backend work, server integration, and data handling.
And if you’re dreaming of a fintech app — something that manages money, transactions, or investments — expect even more. Fintech apps require extra layers of security, compliance, and encryption. The investment often ranges between $30,000 and $150,000, depending on your goals.
The point is simple: as your app grows in ambition, the cost grows too. And that’s okay — because it means you’re building something meaningful.
Location Matters More Than You Think
Another often-overlooked factor is where your developer is based. The same app can cost three different prices depending on geography.
In the United States, developers are among the highest paid in the world. Building a robust mobile app in New York or San Francisco can easily exceed $100,000. In the United Kingdom, the same app might cost around $50,000 to $80,000, depending on the agency.
But if you work with a trusted global team — like Appfur, based in Nigeria with international reach — you can often cut those costs nearly in half without sacrificing quality. Our clients from the US and UK regularly share that they received world-class apps at 40–60% less than what they were initially quoted by local agencies.
The world is now borderless when it comes to talent. What truly matters is not where your developer sits, but how well they communicate, manage timelines, and deliver quality.
Understanding the Process (and Why It Affects the Cost)
When you hire someone to make an app, you’re not just paying for a finished product. You’re paying for a structured process — a journey from idea to launch.
Here’s what that journey typically looks like:
1. Research and Strategy
This is where your app’s purpose, users, and features are defined. The team helps you refine your idea, study the market, and determine the key problem your app will solve. This phase takes one to two weeks on average.
2. UI/UX Design
Your app’s first impression matters. In this phase, designers craft every screen, color, button, and transition. It’s where your idea begins to feel real. Depending on complexity, this can take two to four weeks.
3. Development
This is the coding phase — where your design turns into a working app. Developers handle the front-end (what users see) and back-end (what powers the app). It’s usually the longest stage, lasting anywhere from four to twelve weeks.
4. Testing and Quality Assurance
No one likes buggy apps. This phase ensures everything runs smoothly, loads fast, and works across devices. Testing can take one to two weeks, depending on the app’s size.
5. Launch and Maintenance
Once everything checks out, your app is deployed to the App Store or Google Play. But the work doesn’t stop there. Regular updates, bug fixes, and feature improvements follow. Maintenance is an ongoing investment — usually around 15 to 20 percent of your initial app cost per year.
Each stage requires specialized skills — and that’s what you’re paying for when you hire professionals. It’s not just coding. It’s design, testing, planning, and ensuring that everything works seamlessly together.
The Smart Way to Budget
If you’re building your first app, the smartest approach is to start small and scale fast. You don’t have to build the entire dream version right away. Instead, begin with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) — the simplest, leanest version that still delivers your core value.
For example, if you want to build a ride-hailing app, you don’t need all the advanced features like live driver tracking or automated surge pricing in the first version. Start with a basic version that allows users to request rides, make payments, and leave feedback. Once users start engaging, you can gradually add new features based on real-world feedback.
This phased approach saves you money, accelerates your time-to-market, and reduces the risk of building features nobody ends up using.
At Appfur, we encourage this MVP-first strategy for startups and entrepreneurs. Our MVP projects often start around $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the required features. It’s a strategic way to test the waters, validate your concept, and even attract investors before committing to a full-scale build.
Don’t Forget the Hidden Costs
When calculating your app development budget, it’s easy to focus only on the initial build. But there are hidden or ongoing costs that can catch you off guard if you don’t plan for them early.
For instance, both Apple and Google require developer accounts for publishing your app — $99 per year for Apple and a one-time $25 fee for Google Play.
You’ll also need backend servers or cloud hosting to store and manage user data. If your app includes media uploads, payments, or complex interactions, these hosting costs can add up to a few hundred dollars per month.
Marketing is another major consideration. Building an app is one thing; getting users to download it is another. Whether through social media ads, influencer partnerships, or app store optimization, you’ll need a marketing plan and a dedicated budget to grow your user base.
Maintenance costs are also important. Technology evolves quickly, and operating systems update often. You’ll need ongoing support to fix bugs, update frameworks, and keep your app running smoothly. As mentioned earlier, this typically costs about 15–20% of your initial build per year.
Being aware of these hidden costs allows you to plan properly — and ensures you don’t run out of funds just when your app starts gaining traction.
Making Sense of the Numbers
So after all that, what’s the answer? How much does it cost to hire someone to make an app?
The truth is, it depends on what you’re building, where you’re building it, and who’s building it. But to give you a realistic range:
- A simple MVP or prototype can cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
- A medium-complex app with multiple features may range from $15,000 to $50,000.
- A full-scale, high-performance app could range anywhere between $50,000 and $150,000 or more.
Those numbers might seem large at first, but when you think about what’s included — research, design, development, testing, and post-launch support — it makes sense.
When you partner with a reliable team like Appfur, you’re not just paying for coding hours. You’re paying for experience, communication, and craftsmanship. Every decision, from design layout to data structure, is made with the user in mind. That’s what separates a functional app from one that people fall in love with.
The Real Question: What’s the Value of Your Idea?
Here’s something to think about: when you ask, “How much does it cost to make an app?” you’re focusing on the price. But maybe the better question is, “How much is my idea worth if it’s built right?”
An app isn’t just a product — it’s a potential business. It can connect thousands of people, solve a real problem, or generate consistent revenue. When you invest in building it properly, you’re creating something that could outlive trends and scale into a real brand.
At Appfur, we’ve seen countless examples of this transformation. Clients who started with simple ideas — a delivery app, a booking platform, a digital savings tool — are now running full-fledged businesses because they took that first step and partnered with the right team.
The cost of building an app is not an expense; it’s an investment into something bigger than yourself — an opportunity to turn your vision into impact.
Final Thoughts: Building Smart, Not Just Fast
If you’re reading this, chances are you already have an idea that excites you. The question now isn’t whether it’s possible — it’s how to bring it to life the right way.
Hiring someone to make your app can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over a hundred thousand. But what truly matters is finding the right balance between budget, quality, and trust.
Don’t just hire a coder. Hire a team that listens, understands your goals, and builds with purpose. That’s where the magic happens.
And that’s exactly what we do at Appfur.
We help dreamers, startups, and businesses turn ideas into beautifully built, performance-driven apps — without breaking the bank. Transparent pricing. Weekly progress updates. World-class design and development.
So, if you’re ready to take that next step, visit appfur.com. Let’s talk about your idea, your goals, and your future app.
Because the real cost of making an app isn’t the money you spend — it’s the opportunity you miss by never building it.
If you found this post valuable and you're serious about turning your app idea into a real product, let’s take the next step together. At Appfur, we specialize in transforming early-stage concepts into fully functional, user-focused applications.
We’re offering a free 30-minute strategy session to help you:
- Validate your app idea with an expert
- Identify the fastest, most cost-effective path to launch
- Get a clear, actionable plan tailored to your goals
No hard pitches. No fluff. Just real value.
Click the link below to schedule your free call — spots are limited each week.
