iOS App Development Cost in 2025
iOS app development costs $15,000–$80,000+ depending on features, backend complexity, and Apple framework integrations. Here's the breakdown.
TL;DR
Cost ranges at a glance
Simple iOS App
$12,000 – $30,000
5–8 weeks
SwiftUI interface with 5–10 screens
Basic auth and user accounts
REST API integration with backend
App Store submission
Full-Featured iOS App
$30,000 – $75,000
8–16 weeks
Complete SwiftUI app with complex navigation
Push notifications with APNs
Deep link routing
Offline support
Complex iOS App
$75,000 – $150,000+
16–30 weeks
All features above plus Apple-specific integrations
Apple Wallet passes
HealthKit or ARKit integration
Siri Shortcuts or Widgets
These are ranges, not quotes. A real estimate requires understanding your specific scope. Get a specific estimate →
Variables
What drives the cost
| Factor | Lower cost | Higher cost | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple framework integrations | None — pure app UI | HealthKit, ARKit, CoreML, Wallet | high |
| Backend complexity | Simple REST API | Real-time sync, complex business logic | high |
| Offline support | Online-only | Offline-first with conflict resolution | medium |
| App extensions | Main app only | Widgets, Watch, App Clips, Siri | medium |
| UI complexity | Standard iOS components | Custom animations, Metal, complex gestures | medium |
Increases cost
What adds to the budget
- Apple framework integration (HealthKit, ARKit) requires deep platform knowledge
- Push notification infrastructure (rich notifications, notification service extensions)
- Apple Wallet pass generation and management
- Complex custom animations beyond SwiftUI's defaults
- iPad-specific layout adaptations alongside iPhone
Reduces cost
How to manage the budget
- Standard SwiftUI components over custom UI — the standard iOS design language exists for a reason
- Online-only MVP first — defer offline sync until you know users need it
- One platform (iPhone) before iPad or Apple Watch
- Use existing backend infrastructure (Supabase, Firebase) rather than building a custom backend
Plan ahead
Hidden costs to budget for
- Apple Developer Program: $99/year — required to submit to the App Store
- Push notification backend (APN certificate management and delivery)
- App Store Connect management time — updates, reviews, metadata
- iOS version compatibility testing as new iOS versions release annually
- Ongoing maintenance: average 15–20% of development cost per year
Perspective
The real cost of going cheap
App Store rejection is the hidden cost of a rushed iOS build. Apple reviews apps for HIG compliance, privacy policy presence, and technical stability. An agency that hasn't shipped to the App Store before will often miss these requirements — costing you weeks of rework during the review cycle. Experience with the App Store review process is part of what you're paying for.
FAQ
Common questions
How long does App Store review take?+
Typically 24–72 hours for new submissions. Rejections add 1–2 weeks for fixes and resubmission. I build apps to avoid rejections — but App Store review is outside anyone's control.
SwiftUI or UIKit — does it affect cost?+
SwiftUI for new apps is faster to develop (lower cost). UIKit is only needed for legacy app maintenance or specific UI components not yet supported by SwiftUI.
Next step
Ready to get a real number?
Tell me what you're building — in one paragraph. I'll come back with a realistic range and honest advice on where I'd focus the budget.