India is a go-for place for developing apps right now. Many new IT companies are developing apps, and everyone is using smartphones from calling to buy a property. Everything is possible via a mobile app nowadays. Whether you want to make your first app, or you just want to know how much it costs to build one, this Blog will help you understand app development cost in industry in and outs.
As an App development company in India where we have developed amazing apps for our client with the help of our expert app developers in India. Here we are going to talk about how much it costs to build apps for Android and iPhone. While we will also talk about Flutter and React Native, two popular ways to make apps for both Android and iPhone at the same time. As well as we will share how much different types of apps can cost, like simple apps, shopping apps, finance apps, and health apps. Plus, we will talk about extra costs that people sometimes forget about, and why it is important to think about all the costs, not just the first price.
What Affects the Cost of Making an App in India?
Before we talk about prices, let’s see what can make the price go up or down.
1. What Kind of App Are You Making?
Is your app basic with minimal features? Or is it a big app that brings a lot of people together, like a shopping app? The more features your app has, the more it will cost.
2. Which Platform Will You Use? Android, iPhone, Flutter, or React Native?
App Developers in India create applications that are compatible with Android phones only, or with iPhones only, or with both simultaneously according to the requirement. To have an app that works on both Android and iPhone, it may be more expensive. But if you are using Flutter or React Native, you can create one app that works on both phones, which will help you save your money and time.
3. Who Will Make Your App and Where?
In India, there are numerous experts residing in large cities such as Ahemdabhad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, and even smaller cities. You may hire a freelance app developer or an entire dedicated team of Developers with specific skills, such as .NET developers, as per the need of your project goal.
4. How Big Is Your Project and How Fast Do You Want It?
If you want fast delivery of your app, you might require 2-3 developers or a dedicated app developer to work simultaneously, which can be a bit costly. At the same time large projects with various features are also more time-consuming and costly. To clarify what you want you can make a roadmap of your successful app development journey, or simply take a consultation from the companies like us to figure out your needs and cost.
How Much Do Different Apps Cost in 2025?
So for your better understanding, here we’ve provided cost ranges for different app types in India that appear to be generally reasonable based on the market research for 2025. It’s important to remember that these are just estimates, and the actual cost of developing an app can vary significantly depending on a multitude of factors.
Let’s break down your categories and see how they align with recent data:
Simple App (Minimum Viable Product or MVP)
This is a basic app with only the main features to test ideas.
- For Android or iPhone: ₹5 to ₹12 lakhs
- For Flutter or React Native: ₹4 to ₹9 lakhs
Many startups choose Flutter because it saves money and speeds up making the app.
Includes things like sign-up, easy design, and basic back-end.
Shopping or Marketplace Apps
These apps let people buy and sell things.
- Android/iPhone apps: ₹20 to ₹50 lakhs
- Flutter/React Native apps: ₹15 to ₹35 lakhs
These have more features like multiple sellers, payments, tracking, and reviews.
Finance Apps
Finance apps need to be very secure and follow rules, so they cost more.
- Android/iPhone apps: ₹25 to ₹60 lakhs
- Flutter/React Native apps: ₹20 to ₹45 lakhs
They need lots of security checks and testing.
Health or Telemedicine Apps
These apps help doctors and patients connect easily.
- Android/iPhone apps: ₹18 to ₹45 lakhs
- Flutter/React Native apps: ₹15 to ₹30 lakhs
They need extra security and sometimes connect with medical devices.
Watch Out for Hidden Costs in App Development
When a company or developer gives you a quote to build an app, it usually only covers the basic coding and design. But that’s just the intel phase. Developing and running an app is like owning a car. The purchase is the first thing, but maintaining a car is more about fuel, servicing, and repairs keep adding up every month. Let’s look at the hidden costs people often forget about.
. Cloud and servers
Apps require servers to provide data, users, notifications, and logic. Bills increase with users and data. AWS, Google Cloud, and Firebase are charged on a per-use basis. This is a continuing expense throughout the build and post launch.
. Testing and QA
You must have good tests on devices and OS versions. Price varies with features and platforms. Budget approximately 15 to 20 percent of the total budget. High security or complex apps may be more. Most Indian projects charge 50,000 to 1,50,000 rupees per standard QA cycle
. Marketing and ASO
Good apps require discovery SO includes title, keywords, descriptions, and screenshots. Marketing introduces ads, social, and occasionally creators. ASO services in India can cost 10,000 to 15,000 rupees a month. Bigger campaigns can target lakhs.
. Maintenance, updates and fixes
Phones and operating systems evolve. You need to fix security and performance. Annual maintenance is usually 15 to 25 percent of initial cost. Other teams experience up to 40 percent in the first year. Simple applications can cost 20,000 to 40,000 rupees a month. Complex applications can consume 70,000 to 1,00,000 a month.
. Third party services
External providers are frequently used in payments, maps, analytics, and notifications. The payment gateways in India usually charge 2 to 3% of the transaction. Others like Razorpay charge a 2 percent platform fee and additional fees on some card types. Usage costs are added to the analytics and maps APIs as you scale.
. App store charges
Google Play has a one-time fee of 25 dollars or 2,000 rupees. Apple is charging 99 dollars annually which is approximately 8,000 rupees.
. Mid project changes
Scope creep during construction increases time and cost. Develop a clear scope early and communicate frequently to eliminate surprises.
By considering these extra expenses in the planning and budgeting stages, companies can make a more accurate financial estimate of app development and prevent the occurrence of unforeseen costs that may come up during the project lifecycle and even after the project is completed. Transparency and proactive management of these costs is also important through open communication with the selected development team.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) — The Full Picture
Do not focus on the initial price. Consider all expenses in the long run, such as hosting, marketing, maintenance, and improvements.
As an example, an app that costs 30 lakhs to develop may require 8-12 lakhs annually to maintain it in good shape and secure.
How to Save Money When Making an App
Creating an app is cool, but the truth is that it is also expensive. The most exciting thing is, you can reduce expenses without compromising on quality when you plan wisely. It is like constructing a house, the design, the materials and the people you employ determine whether you will overspend or save. Here are some ways to keep the costs down and still have a good app.
- Select the Appropriate Technology: Do not use very fancy features, use Flutter or React Native to save money.
- Hire Experienced Developers: Experienced developers are faster and do not make mistakes.
- Design Your App to Scale: Design the app in a way that it can support more users in the future without incurring significant additional expenses.
- Plan Well: Do not keep changing your mind when developing the app; it can increase the cost.
- Hire Dedicated Developers in India: This will help you manage the cost and quality.
These strategies can help businesses to control the cost of app development, allocate resources efficiently, and maximize the chances of creating a successful and sustainable application.
Summary
In 2025, the price of developing an app in India may differ significantly depending on the requirements. A basic app with simple features may be low-cost, whereas a complex one with AI, real-time data, or integrations may be expensive. The total cost will vary depending on the nature of the app, the platform you select (Android, iOS, or cross-platform), and other unseen costs such as security, scalability, and maintenance.
The most intelligent approach to cost management is to plan well and collaborate with a reputable IT firm that is knowledgeable in technology and business objectives. Selecting the right partner will not only keep you within budget but also will ensure that your app is built on the right foundation to grow in the future. As an example, you can hire .NET developers in India to make a difference in case your app requires robust backend systems, secure APIs, or enterprise-level scalability. Experienced developers save you time, minimize errors, and provide a more seamless product.
At Rushkar Technology, we are experts in taking businesses through this process. Whether it is choosing the appropriate tech stack or developing custom mobile applications that fit your specific requirements, our team ensures that your investment is worthwhile. We can assist you in developing apps that are secure, scalable, and user-friendly whether you are a startup or an established business.
If you are looking to develop your app in 2025 and want to maintain costs and quality, contact Rushkar Technology today. Hire .NET developer or a dedicated mobile team with us, and make the first step towards the successful app based on your idea.
Get in touch with Rushkar Technology today and we can begin developing your app the right way.
Questions People Ask
Q1: What is the cost of a basic Android application?
Typically 5-12 lakhs.
Q2: Is Flutter cost-effective over developing individual apps?
Yes, it is cheaper since you write code once and it works on both Android and iPhone.
Q3 Why are finance apps more expensive?
They have additional rules and security checks that are more expensive.
Q4: How much do I need to save annually to maintain my app?
Approximately 15 to 25 percent of the cost of production at the beginning.
Q5: What extra costs do people forget?
Testing, servers, marketing, and fees for using other services.
