The design of an app matters a lot as it determines how it will be used and how thoroughly the users engage with the app. There needs to be a design strategy in place because the design impacts a user’s experience (UX) and use of the app as a whole. People tend to trust an application and use it more often if it is easy to use, looks good, and has great aesthetics.
In this competitive world, understanding the mobile app design price is crucial. This article analyzes mobile application design costs and answers the crucial question – how much does it cost to design an app? Every business, whether a budding or a fully grown company, must educate themselves with this knowledge.
1. What affects the cost of designing an app?

Various factors influence the budget, from platform-specific design standards to unique feature requirements. When considering how much it costs to design an app, these elements play a crucial role in shaping the overall expenses.
1.1. Platform (iOS vs. Android)
Design expenses vary according to the platform. iOS apps adhere to Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, which strongly emphasize clear and easy navigation. On the other hand, Android apps work with Material Design, which centers around grids and touch screens. Many of these requirements tend to be contradictory, so designers are forced to seek unique design solutions.
Consequently, this implies that designers will have to produce unique supporting materials for each platform, thus raising the cost of designing the mobile application.
1.2. App type and complexity
Apps can be categorized as basic, medium, or complex.
- Basic apps typically have fewer than 10 screens and minimal features. They might include standard icons and limited animations.
- Medium apps can have 10 to 25 screens with interactive elements. They may require custom layouts and enhanced graphics.
- Complex apps often feature 25+ screens, advanced functions like real-time data updates, and intricate animations.
Each additional screen or feature adds design hours. More complexity means a higher app design cost.
1.3. App design features and functionality

Extra design elements can drive up costs. Custom animations, unique illustrations, and interactive features require specialized skills. For example, integrating smooth transitions or designing a dynamic, interactive map takes extra time.
These enhancements improve the UX/UI design for mobile apps and increase the cost of designing an app.
1.4. Hiring agency vs. Freelancer
Your choice of talent affects pricing.
- Design agencies offer a full team—project managers, designers, and UX experts. They provide a comprehensive approach and often deliver consistent quality, but they come with higher design agency fees for mobile app design.
- Freelancers might charge less and offer flexible schedules. However, they may have limited resources and less backup for larger projects.
Deciding between an agency or a freelancer can significantly influence your overall mobile app design price.
1.5. Location and experience
Where your designer is based matters; designers in major cities or high-cost regions charge more. Also, a designer with a proven track record and specialized skills will have higher fees. Their expertise can justify a higher cost to design an app because they bring advanced techniques and creative insights.
1.6. App maintenance and updates
Design is not a one-time expense. Apps require regular updates to stay current and bug-free. Adding new features or refreshing the design can lead to additional costs. Over time, the cost to redesign an app may grow as you adapt to user feedback and changing market trends. Ongoing maintenance is key to keeping your app competitive and engaging.
2. Cost breakdown for designing different types of apps

2.1. Basic app design costs
For simple apps, design costs are usually low. The cost to design an app for basic apps typically ranges from $$1,000 – $$5,000. These apps have minimal features and few screens. Examples include simple utility apps or informational apps.
This price covers essential UX/UI design for mobile apps and keeps the mobile app design price affordable.
2.2. Medium-level app design costs
For apps with moderate complexity, expect a higher price tag. The app design cost for medium-level apps often falls between $$5,000 – $$20,000. These apps feature more screens and enhanced functionality. Examples include e-commerce apps and social networking apps. More detailed layouts and custom graphics add to the overall price.
2.3. High-end, complex app design costs
High-end apps require advanced design work. Designating these apps can range from $20,000 to over $100,000. Complex apps include advanced interactions, animations, and many screens. Examples are immersive games, augmented reality apps, and on-demand service apps. These projects involve extensive custom design, which drives up the mobile app design price.
The cost estimates of the design of an application regarding a startup and mature business suggest that complexity, functionality, and design features determine how much is paid. Whether you are asking, how much does it cost to design an app? Or how much do professional app designers charge for mobile apps, the sums differ greatly for each case.
3. How much does it cost to redesign an app?

Redesigning an app can often be more expensive than building one from scratch. Here’s why and what to expect:
3.1. Factors affecting mobile app development prices
- Existing code integration:
- Working with legacy code means you must adapt and sometimes rewrite parts of the app.
- This extra work can raise the mobile app design price.
- User feedback implementation:
- Real user feedback often leads to significant changes in the design.
- Adjusting the design based on this input adds to the cost of redesigning an app.
- Data migration:
- Migrating existing data to a new design can be complex and time-consuming.
- Ensuring data integrity during the transition is crucial and may increase expenses.
- Maintaining platform consistency:
- The redesign must still comply with platform-specific guidelines (iOS vs. Android).
- Tailoring the design to each platform may add extra layers of work.
- Feature expansion:
- Sometimes, a redesign is an opportunity to add new features.
- More features mean more screens and interactions, impacting the overall app redesign cost.
- Project management and coordination:
- Redesign projects often require extra planning and coordination.
- Managing these changes effectively can also contribute to higher costs.
3.2. Average redesign cost range:
- Basic redesign:
- Cost typically ranges from $2,000 to $10,000.
- This level usually involves minor updates and adjustments.
- Moderate redesign:
- Expect to pay between $10,000 and $50,000.
- This range covers substantial changes, multiple screens, and enhanced features.
- High-end, complex redesign:
- The expenses can rise above $50,000 for detailed projects.
- These include deep modifications, implementation of new systems, and sophisticated features.
As stated previously, thoroughly estimating an app’s design, as well as redesigning its framework, is not an easy task. Each undertaking is different in certain aspects. Contours, intricacy, and particular specifications greatly impact the total cost.
4. Best-designed mobile apps and their design costs

4.1. Examples of award-winning mobile app designs
Apps with stellar interfaces tend to get attention, and Airbnb is one such company. The app has a clean interface and is very easy to use. The use of bold visuals along with custom illustrations can captivate users’ attention. Such applications can cost anywhere from $20,000 – over 100,000.
Uber offers an exceptionally easy-to-use app interface. The simplified icons and overall layout set the standard for mobile app design. This goal of easing the application’s usability is one reason why Uber has been successful.

Spotify stands out with dynamic graphics and smooth animations. The creative use of color and motion enhances the overall user experience. The mobile app design price for projects with similar innovation can be significant.

4.2. What makes these apps stand out?
These award-winning apps excel due to the smooth user experience (UX) design. Instant visual appeal attracts users. Combining a well-structured layout, simple-to-use navigation, and good animations enhances user interactions. A high-grade design investment results in an app that looks good and functions perfectly.
Identifying the costs of app design services is central to this exercise. It can be seen from these examples that spending more on design will improve user engagement and overall return on investment.
5. How to save on app design costs

Saving on your mobile app design price is possible without sacrificing quality. Here are some practical tips:
- Use pre-built design templates:
- Pre-built templates provide a solid starting point.
- They help shorten the design process and lower costs.
- Customize these templates to match your brand without starting from scratch.
- This strategy can reduce the overall cost of designing an app while ensuring a professional look.
- Prioritize essential features:
- Focus on what users truly need.
- List core features that drive value and cut out extras.
- By limiting the scope, you reduce design time and app development pricing.
- This approach ensures you get the best UX/UI design for mobile apps without unnecessary expenses.
- Clearly define project scope:
- Outline your app’s requirements early on.
- A clear scope prevents scope creep and avoids unexpected costs.
- Document features, screen flows, and design elements from the start.
- This careful planning helps control how much it cost to design an app and keeps the project manageable.
- Choose the right talent:
- Consider whether a freelancer or a design agency is a better fit.
- Freelancers can be cost-effective for smaller projects.
- Agencies may offer a comprehensive package that includes project management.
- Balancing expertise with your budget is key to managing the app design cost.
- Leverage agile and iterative design:
- Use agile methodologies to test designs quickly.
- Iterate based on user feedback, which saves money in the long run.
- This approach minimizes costly revisions and ensures the design meets user needs efficiently.
If you use these strategies and tools, you can manage how much it costs to design an app about quality. With good planning, a smart prioritization of required features, and inexpensive design software, the mobile app design cost can be lowered.
These steps guarantee that, even with limited resources, you provide an interactive and easy-to-use application that accomplishes the objectives of your business.
6. Conclusion
In summary, numerous factors shape how much does it cost to design an app. The crux is the selection of a platform and the level of complexity an app necessitates in terms of design features. Whether working with an agency or freelancer is another prominent factor; it is also very important to plan and budget for expenses. The right design approach alone can be extremely cost and time-efficient.
Quality UX/UI investment enhances the efficacy of mobile apps. Comprehensive planning allows design to capture and retain users’ attention effortlessly.