In 2025, users expect apps to look sleek, load instantly, and delight them with thoughtful details. All that polish comes at a price, but how much should you realistically budget for app design?
In this article, we’ll discuss app design costs in 2025, explore the key drivers behind price tags, share typical budget ranges, walk through each phase of the design process in detail, and offer practical tips to keep your project on time and on budget.
1. Why Understanding App Design Costs Matters
When founders ask, “How much does it cost to design an app in 2025?” they’re really asking, “What should I expect to spend to get a top-notch user experience?”
Under-budgeting can mean rushed designs, frustrated users, and surprise bills. Over-budgeting ties up capital that could fuel growth elsewhere. Your design budget is an investment, and when you know where your dollars go, you get a better return.
2. Factors Affecting App Design Cost
Several factors combine to determine your total app design cost. Let’s break them down:
1. App Complexity
i) Feature Set
- Authentication & User Profiles: Basic sign-in vs. advanced social login, multi-factor authentication.
- Transactional Flows: Shopping carts, payment gateways, in-app purchases add extra screens and security considerations.
- Advanced Features: AR filters, geolocation maps, chatbots, AI-powered recommendations—each feature can double or triple design hours.
ii) Number of Screens
- A handful of core screens (e.g., Home, Profile, Settings) keeps complexity low.
- Mid-range projects often feature 10–25 screens (feeds, detail pages, custom forms).
- Large-scale apps easily exceed 30 screens, with workflows, dashboards, and nested menus.
iii) Custom Animations & Microinteractions
- Animated loading states, swipe-to-like, pull-to-refresh: delightful but time-intensive.
- We’ve found that each custom animation can add 4–8 design hours, depending on complexity.
2. Platform & Technology
i) Native vs. Cross-Platform
- Native iOS & Android: High performance and platform consistency, but separate design files and redlines for each OS.
- Cross-Platform (Flutter, React Native): One design system for both platforms—saves up to 30% on duplicate work, but may need platform-specific tweaks.
ii) Device Compatibility
- Smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables: each new form factor demands responsive layouts and unique navigation patterns.
3. Team & Location
i) Freelancer
- Rate: $20–$80/hr depending on experience and region.
- Best for: Small MVPs, quick screen updates, or one-off design tasks.
ii) Agency
- Rate: $50–$150/hr or flat subscription packages (e.g., full app redesign for $3,600).
- Best for: End-to-end design services, including user research, prototyping, and high-fidelity UI.
iii) In-House Team
- Salary: $80K-$120K+ per year plus benefits.
- Best for: Companies with ongoing design needs, frequent updates, and rapid iteration cycles.
iv) Geographic Variance
- North America & Western Europe: Premium rates ($100–$200/hr).
- Eastern Europe & Latin America: Mid-range ($40–$100/hr).
- Southeast Asia & India: Budget-friendly ($20–$60/hr).
4. Ongoing Maintenance
i) Annual Refresh Budget
- Plan for 15–25% of your initial design spend each year to handle OS updates, user-driven tweaks, and visual refreshes.
ii) Support Items
- Bug fixes, performance tweaks, and small feature additions are often billed at the same hourly rates as initial design.
3. App Design Cost Ranges in 2025
Below are ballpark figures based on real-world projects completed by design teams as of May 2025. Use them to sanity-check your budget.
| Complexity | Features & Screens | Cost Range (USD) |
| Simple | 4–7 screens, basic flows (login, info pages, simple form) | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Mid | 10–25 screens, custom UI components, moderate animations | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Complex | 25+ screens, advanced integrations (AR, APIs, custom widgets) | $15,000 + |
4. What’s Typically Included in App Design Costs
App designing is a layered process with many moving parts. Understanding what’s included in the cost of designing an app can help you budget smarter and avoid any surprises down the road. Here’s what’s usually part of a standard design project in 2025:
1. Discovery & Research
Before any sketches or screens, there’s groundwork. Designers dig into your market, your users, and your business goals. This phase might include:
- Competitive analysis
- User interviews or surveys
- Personas
- Defining user flows
This phase ensures the app isn’t just nice-looking… it’s designed with purpose.
2. Wireframing
Think of this as the blueprint stage. Wireframes are low-fidelity, black-and-white layouts that map out structure and functionality before adding the visual layer.
3. Visual Design / UI Design
Once the structure is clear, it’s time to make it beautiful. UI (User Interface) design involves:
- Choosing colors, fonts, and style direction
- Designing each screen in high fidelity
- Creating a design system or reusable components (especially for larger projects)
4. Prototyping
Many design teams will also create clickable prototypes….interactive mockups that show how the app will feel when used. This is great for stakeholder reviews and early-stage testing.
5. Handoff to Development
At the end of the design phase, assets are handed over to the development team. This includes:
- Organized design files (usually in tools like Figma)
- Style guides or design systems
- Notes and annotations for interactions, transitions, or spacing
Sometimes this also includes back-and-forth with the dev team to clarify how things should work.
6. Revisions
Most designers or agencies will include a certain number of revision rounds in the cost, typically 1-3 rounds per milestone or phase.
What’s Not Usually Included
Not everything falls under design costs. Some things that are often excluded (or offered at an additional rate) include:
- App development
- Branding or logo design
- Motion/animation
- Copywriting or UX writing
- Ongoing design updates post-launch
Understanding what is and isn’t covered helps avoid scope creep and ensures you get the most out of your investment.
6. Why Choose Hapy Design?
If you’re building an app and want great design without bloated pricing, unclear timelines, or endless back-and-forth, Hapy Design might be exactly what you’re looking for.
We’re a subscription-based design partner built for founders and product teams who need reliable, high-quality design support. No hourly rates. No complicated proposals. Just one flat monthly fee and consistent, thoughtful design work.
Here’s what makes us different:
Unlimited Requests
Send in as many design tasks as you need. We’ll work through them one at a time, always with speed and clarity.
Flat Monthly Pricing
You’ll always know what you’re paying each month. No surprises, no add-ons. One clear rate that covers everything from mobile screens to landing pages and even pitch decks.
Product-First Approach
We don’t just make things look good. We care about usability, flow, and business impact. That means we think through how your users interact with your product, and design accordingly.
Fast, Clear Iterations
Need a change? Just let us know. We move quickly, communicate clearly, and keep things moving without getting stuck in long review cycles.
Conclusion
App design costs in 2025 can range widely, from a few thousand dollars for basic projects to over $15,000 for complex builds. What you pay depends on scope, timeline, team, and the quality you’re aiming for.
If you’re looking for reliable, high-quality design, Hapy Design offers a flat monthly rate and unlimited requests —perfect for founders and product teams who want great design, fast.