How Much Does App Development Cost in 2025? A Breakdown

March 28, 2025

App Development Cost in 2025: How to Build an App Without Breaking the Bank

In 2025, the cost of building an app can vary wildly, but it doesn’t have to drain your budget. Whether you're launching a client-facing tool or an internal system, understanding app development cost is critical. This guide explores what impacts the cost, why traditional routes are so expensive, and how no-code tools like Noloco offer a smarter, more affordable path.

What Determines the Cost of Building an App?

App development expenses are influenced by multiple variables. Whether you're building a mobile, web, or internal business app, understanding these factors is essential to planning a realistic budget and timeline:

1. Complexity of Features

  • Basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) apps are cheaper to build.
  • Apps that require real-time features (e.g., messaging, live tracking), custom user roles, analytics dashboards, or AI-powered functionality (like predictive inputs or chatbots) significantly increase both development time and cost.
  • Advanced functionality, such as offline support, multi-language capability, or biometric login (e.g., Face ID, Touch ID) also adds layers of complexity.

2. Platform

  • Native iOS and Android apps typically require two separate codebases, effectively doubling development and maintenance costs.
  • Cross-platform frameworks like Flutter or React Native can cut costs by allowing developers to write once and deploy everywhere.
  • Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are growing in popularity due to their lower cost and ease of deployment via browsers.

3. Design Requirements

  • Custom UI/UX design can consume 15–25% of the entire project budget depending on how user-centric the app must be.
  • Apps requiring interactive animations, data visualizations, or adaptive layouts for different device sizes will add significant costs.
  • Accessibility compliance (e.g., WCAG standards) is a growing necessity in public apps, especially in regulated industries.

4. Development Time

  • The more complex the app, the more man-hours are required. A simple MVP might take 3 months, while a full-featured SaaS platform could take 9–12 months.
  • Developer rates vary widely: offshore teams may charge $40–60/hour, while US/UK-based developers often charge $100–150/hour or more.
  • Time-intensive components like integrations, user testing, and security hardening can extend timelines significantly.

5. Backend Infrastructure

  • Apps requiring user accounts, dynamic content, real-time updates, or data processing must have a well-architected backend (e.g., databases, APIs, authentication layers).
  • Self-hosted servers may reduce monthly costs but increase setup complexity; serverless or BaaS (Backend-as-a-Service) options can simplify scaling and reduce upfront effort.
  • Security and compliance, particularly for apps dealing with personal or financial data, can also increase backend requirements and costs.

6. Data Source Integrations

  • Integrating with third-party systems like CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot), ERPs, analytics platforms, or marketing tools like Mailchimp increases development complexity.
  • Data syncing, transformation logic, and maintaining API stability can add ongoing support costs.
  • Some platforms (like Noloco) offer built-in integrations to reduce the need for custom connectors and minimize maintenance.

The True Cost of Hiring Developers for Internal Tools

SMBs often think about app development as something outward-facing—like customer-facing apps or marketplaces. But the real productivity gains lie in building internal tools like CRMs, client portals, back-office platforms, and team intranets.

Hiring developers for these internal solutions adds significant cost layers. According to talent.com, the average salary for an app developer is $116,882/year:

Cost Element Estimated Range (USD)
Full-time Developer $100,000 – $150,000/year
Freelance/Agency Rate $80 – $150/hour
Project Time (avg. 6 months) $50,000 – $250,000+

Beyond the financial outlay, there's a cost in control and agility:

  • Long timelines: Internal tools are often given lower priority on development roadmaps.
  • Communication friction: Translating operational needs to developers takes time.
  • Ongoing dependency: Even small changes require dev intervention.

That’s why many forward-thinking teams are turning to no-code platforms like Noloco’s app builder, which allow operations and IT managers to build powerful, scalable apps without writing a single line of code or hiring a developer.

Unlike traditional development, Noloco empowers non-technical users to create sophisticated applications through an intuitive point-and-click interface, pre-built templates, and integrated data tools. You no longer have to wait in line for development resources or spend tens of thousands on external agencies. Instead, your operations team can go from idea to app in a matter of hours or days.

Noloco offers everything small and mid-sized businesses need to support growth and digital transformation:

  • Create team intranet apps to centralize knowledge and improve cross-functional collaboration
  • Develop client portals that scale with your business and offer secure, personalized access for each customer
  • Build flexible CRMs with built-in logic, smart permissions, and seamless integrations with tools like Airtable, Google Sheets, and SQL databases
  • Automate workflows using AI-powered triggers and actions to reduce manual effort and speed up execution
  • Launch internal tools like back-office apps and project trackers that evolve with your needs
  • Deploy mobile-ready apps instantly: every Noloco app works great on phones

For SMBs especially, no-code levels the playing field. It enables internal teams to launch apps tailored to their processes without having to rely on costly external development or pre-packaged software that doesn’t quite fit. Noloco helps you save money, speed up delivery, and stay in control.

Custom Development vs. No-Code: Which Is Smarter for Business Apps?

When evaluating how best to build a business application, it's important to understand the real differences between traditional custom development and modern no-code platforms. Each path offers its own strengths, but for most SMBs in 2025, no-code presents a much more attractive mix of speed, affordability, and control.

Here's a deeper dive into each approach:

Traditional Custom Development

This is the conventional way to build software. You hire a team of developers (either in-house or via an agency) who write code from scratch based on your specifications.

Pros:

  • Fully customized solutions tailored to exact needs
  • Suitable for extremely niche or complex workflows
  • Greater flexibility for bespoke UI or animations

Cons:

  • Requires a significant upfront investment—often six figures
  • Long development timelines (months or even years)
  • Heavy dependency on developers for even minor changes
  • Slower iteration and feedback loops
  • Ongoing maintenance and support costs

No-Code Platforms

No-code platforms like Noloco allow business teams to build apps through visual interfaces without needing to write any code. They are designed to be user-friendly for non-developers while offering deep functionality.

Pros:

  • Rapid development cycles—apps can be launched in days, not months
  • Lower overall costs with simple, transparent pricing models
  • Empowerment of internal teams (Ops, IT, PMs) to build and iterate
  • Built-in features like workflows, permissions, forms, charts, and integrations
  • Easily customizable templates that accelerate deployment

Cons:

  • Some limitations with highly custom UI/UX or complex algorithms (although platforms like Noloco are increasingly addressing these with extensibility options)

Here’s a comparison to illustrate the difference:

Feature/Factor Traditional Development No-Code with Noloco
Time to Launch 3–12 months 3–14 days
Cost $50,000+ upfront Starting from a few hundred/month
Team Required Developers, PMs, Designers One internal team member (Ops, IT, or Analyst)
Iteration Speed Slow (requires dev backlog) Fast (DIY updates anytime)
Customization High (with enough budget and time) High (especially for internal tools and workflows)
Built-in Security & Roles Requires manual implementation Native permissions editor included
Workflow Automation Requires scripting or third-party tools Built-in AI-powered workflows
Maintenance & Updates Ongoing developer involvement required Handled through a centralized, user-friendly dashboard
Mobile App Availability Requires separate development for iOS/Android Every app is a mobile-ready PWA

More and more businesses are turning to no-code and low-code solutions because traditional development models are often too slow, expensive, and rigid for the demands of modern operations. Internal tools in particular benefit from the speed and flexibility these platforms offer, allowing teams to launch secure, data-driven apps without lengthy development cycles or extensive coding expertise. In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies need tools that can adapt quickly to change, connect seamlessly with their existing systems, and empower teams to build and iterate with minimal friction.

Noloco is built for this exact purpose. With Noloco, SMBs can rapidly launch a back-office app, client portal, or custom CRM that meets business needs right out of the box—without having to rely on external developers or long project cycles. That’s the power of no-code in 2025.

App Development Cost Breakdown

Here's a rough breakdown of a traditional app development budget, along with real-world cost estimates based on an average mid-complexity business app costing around $150,000:

Category % of Budget Estimated Cost (USD) Notes
Planning & Scoping 10–15% $15,000 – $22,500 Product strategy, wireframes, stakeholder alignment
Design 15–20% $22,500 – $30,000 UI/UX design, branding, and interaction modeling
Development 40–50% $60,000 – $75,000 Core logic, APIs, database structure, and interfaces
Testing & QA 10–15% $15,000 – $22,500 Manual and automated testing, bug tracking
Infrastructure & Hosting 5–10% $7,500 – $15,000 Server setup, cloud services, storage and backups
Maintenance 10–20% annually $15,000 – $30,000/year Ongoing support, updates, bug fixes, new features

These figures are conservative app pricing estimates for 2025. For more complex apps, especially those with advanced integrations or real-time features, costs can climb significantly higher. And these don't include costs related to project management, compliance, or user training.

💡 Pro tip: If your primary use case is internal—such as a CRM, back-office app, or client portal—many of these costs can be reduced or even eliminated by using a no-code platform like Noloco.

Noloco includes:

This makes it possible for SMBs to launch business-critical apps for a fraction of the cost and in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional development.

Start building your first app with Noloco, no code required.

Hidden Costs in Traditional App Development

Beyond upfront development, many businesses overlook hidden costs that can emerge after an app is deployed. These are not always apparent during planning phases but can significantly impact the overall budget and long-term sustainability of a custom-built app. Failing to account for these expenses can lead to budget overruns, delayed improvements, and operational inefficiencies.

1. Developer Retainers

Once an app is live, it often requires ongoing support to handle bug fixes, new feature requests, and compatibility updates. Companies commonly sign monthly retainers with development teams or freelancers to provide this post-launch maintenance. These retainers can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000/month depending on the complexity of the app and service level agreement. Over time, this adds tens of thousands to the app’s total cost.

2. Infrastructure Scaling

Even a modest increase in app usage can drive up cloud costs—especially if the app was not optimized for scale. Idle services, excessive API calls, or underutilized databases can all add to infrastructure expenses. Businesses might also need to upgrade storage, bandwidth, or server plans to accommodate growth, which can increase annual operational costs by thousands of dollars.

3. Shadow IT Risk

When IT teams are backlogged or the app doesn’t evolve quickly enough, departments may resort to creating their own spreadsheets, tools, or workarounds. This phenomenon, known as shadow IT, introduces serious risks such as inconsistent data, security vulnerabilities, and loss of governance. It also increases complexity and reduces visibility across the organization.

4. Integration Overhead

Modern businesses rely on multiple tools across teams—marketing platforms, CRMs, ERPs, analytics systems, and more. Connecting your app to these tools through custom APIs can be costly to build and maintain. Changes to any third-party system may require updates to the integration, and the more integrations you have, the more complex and expensive it becomes to manage them.

5. Training and Documentation

Every new hire or app administrator needs to be onboarded to understand how the system works. If the app lacks clear documentation or has a steep learning curve, onboarding becomes time-consuming and costly. This is especially problematic for small businesses with high staff turnover or evolving roles, as training time translates directly into lost productivity.

Noloco sidesteps many of these pitfalls with a modern no-code approach:

  • Built-in integrations for popular tools like Airtable, Google Sheets, and SQL eliminate the need for custom code
  • Granular permissions make it easy to control data access and reduce the risks associated with shadow IT
  • In-app onboarding tools and knowledge pages simplify training and reduce documentation overhead
  • A wide selection of pre-built templates helps teams launch quickly with best practices already in place

By addressing these hidden costs up front, Noloco empowers SMBs to build apps that are not only faster and cheaper to launch—but also easier and more sustainable to maintain.

How No-Code Development Reduces Costs Without Compromising Quality

No-code doesn't mean no power.

Platforms like Noloco are transforming how businesses build apps by offering a comprehensive, integrated environment where users can design, manage, secure, and automate their applications entirely without code. Rather than requiring multiple tools or technical specialists, Noloco brings everything into a single, unified platform that is accessible to operations teams, IT staff, and even non-technical users.

Businesses can structure and manage their data directly within the platform, eliminating the need for external database services or complex backend configurations. Users can also design clean, functional interfaces using drag-and-drop builders—no HTML, CSS, or JavaScript required. This allows internal tools and client-facing apps to be built faster, with layouts that reflect real-world workflows.

Access control is another essential consideration, especially for apps that involve sensitive data or multiple stakeholder groups. Noloco allows admins to set up detailed user roles and permissions, ensuring the right people see the right information, whether that’s clients logging into a portal or employees using a back-office dashboard.

Lastly, business processes often involve repetitive tasks like status updates, reminders, or approvals. Noloco includes built-in workflow automation to help streamline these tasks, reducing errors and freeing up time for more strategic work.

By combining visual design tools, native data management, automation, and secure access controls, Noloco gives SMBs the power to launch robust applications quickly and affordably—without ever needing to rely on traditional development cycles or outsourced engineering teams.

Here’s how no-code wins on cost and value:

✅ Lower Upfront Cost

No-code platforms charge affordable monthly fees instead of one-time high development charges. You’re only paying for what you use.

✅ Faster to Build

Noloco customers build production-ready apps in days or weeks, not months. This drastically reduces the cost of delays and missed opportunities.

✅ Internal Ownership

Empower operations teams, analysts, or IT managers to build and maintain internal tools, freeing your development team or avoiding hiring altogether.

✅ Native Security & Permissions

With Noloco’s permission editor, you can set granular access rules for different teams or clients, avoiding costly security audits or compliance fixes later on.

✅ Built-in AI & Automation

Use AI-powered workflows to streamline repetitive tasks—no need for custom-coded scripts or third-party automation tools.

✅ Templates and Pre-Built Modules

With Noloco’s template library, SMBs can launch CRMs, portals, and back-office apps with minimal configuration. Templates cut both cost and time significantly.

These ready-made solutions are ideal for businesses that want to move fast without sacrificing quality. Instead of starting from scratch, teams can use proven layouts and pre-configured workflows that have already been optimized for real-world use cases. This ensures best practices are built in from the beginning, reducing trial-and-error and improving outcomes. Whether you're building a customer portal or a project tracker, Noloco's templates offer a reliable starting point that saves resources while still allowing for extensive customization as your needs evolve.

✅ Mobile-first by Default

Noloco apps are automatically optimized for mobile and can be installed as PWAs, perfect for field teams, clients, or on-the-go staff.

Conclusion: What’s the Best Approach for Your Business?

If you're an SMB evaluating the cost of building an app in 2025, here's the takeaway:

  • If you need a highly unique, public-facing app with specific UI or gaming functionality, custom development might still be your path—but it’ll cost you. These projects often require highly specialized design, animation, or real-time features that no-code platforms may not fully support out of the box. Be prepared for long development timelines, significant investments, and ongoing maintenance contracts.
  • If you're looking to optimize internal workflows, streamline operations, or improve client access, no-code is the smarter, faster, and more affordable route. Internal apps don't typically require flashy interfaces or intricate animations; they need security, flexibility, and rapid deployment. This is where no-code platforms like Noloco shine.

Before making a decision, consider your app’s primary users, core functionality, desired time to launch, and long-term maintenance needs. SMBs with lean teams and high demands for adaptability will benefit immensely from no-code solutions.

With Noloco, you can:

  • Build and iterate without writing code, enabling faster innovation
  • Centralize your data and manage access securely through intuitive permission settings
  • Launch client portals, back-office apps, or team intranets in record time using ready-made templates
  • Scale your app across teams or clients without expanding your IT headcount
  • Future-proof your operations with built-in AI workflows, data automation, and integration capabilities
  • Ensure smooth access to your apps on any device, without requiring costly native development

The path to building powerful business apps in 2025 isn’t just about what’s possible, it’s about what’s practical. No-code offers the agility SMBs need to compete in an enterprise-dominated world, without compromising on power or professionalism.

FAQs about App Development Cost

How much does it cost to develop an app in 2025?

In 2025, the cost of making an app can range from $40,000 to over $300,000 depending on complexity, platform, and region. Using no-code platforms like Noloco, the cost can be reduced to a few hundred dollars a month for internal tools and client portals. For smaller teams, Noloco even has a plan starting at $39/month. 

What is the cost difference between traditional and no-code app development?

Traditional development can be 10–20x more expensive than no-code. Where a custom CRM may cost $100K+, a Noloco-built CRM or back-office app could be up and running for a fraction of that, often within days.

How can SMBs reduce application development costs?

SMBs can reduce app development costs in 2025 by adopting smarter, more flexible approaches. These methods help eliminate the need for expensive custom coding, empower internal teams, and streamline operations to save both time and money.

  • Use no-code platforms: Platforms like Noloco allow teams to build fully functional apps without writing code or hiring developers.
  • Build internal tools in-house: Empower your operations or IT staff to design apps tailored to your workflows, cutting outsourcing expenses.
  • Replace SaaS tool sprawl: Consolidate multiple apps (e.g., CRM, project management, client portals) into one unified platform to avoid redundant subscriptions.
  • Automate repetitive processes: Save on labor and reduce errors with built-in AI-powered workflows.
  • Manage everything in one secure space: Noloco centralizes your forms, permissions, and data into a single, secure interface—eliminating the complexity and cost of managing multiple disconnected systems.

By leveraging Noloco for SMBs, companies gain the power to innovate faster, reduce overhead, and create business apps that scale—without breaking the bank.

What are the hidden costs of app development?

Unexpected costs of app development include a variety of ongoing, indirect, or overlooked expenses that can significantly inflate your total investment beyond the initial quote. These are the types of costs that often catch businesses off guard and should be planned for from the start:

  • Maintenance and support contracts: Even after the app is launched, businesses often need to retain developers for ongoing maintenance, bug fixes, and updates. These contracts can cost thousands per month and are rarely factored into the initial budget.
  • Infrastructure scaling costs: As user numbers grow, so do hosting and cloud infrastructure expenses. Without scalable architecture or usage monitoring, costs can balloon unexpectedly.
  • Data integration and syncing: Integrating with other systems—like CRMs, ERPs, or marketing tools—may require custom APIs or middleware, which adds to development and long-term support costs.
  • Shadow IT and governance risk: If departments create their own tools outside IT oversight due to app delays, it can lead to compliance issues, security vulnerabilities, and duplicated efforts.
  • Developer dependency for updates and fixes: With custom code, even small changes require a developer’s time. This creates long turnaround times and limits agility, especially for fast-growing teams.

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