Mobile App Design Cost in 2026: A Complete Pricing Breakdown

Mobile phones have become an important part of our lives. It is not a device to call one another, but more than that. We use mobile apps in our everyday lives. Every company, small or big, has their own app. Because most people love to use phones to complete various types of work. Hence, designing mobile apps has become a necessity for every company or even a start-up. But here comes the question of mobile app design cost. 

The cost starts from US $1500 at the basic level and goes to over US $30000 for a complex or advanced level of design. It is very important to understand the cost thoroughly. It affects the overall budget and can impact the ROI.  

If you know how much a mobile app design can cost beforehand, you are less likely to run into problems with the budget, have the project delayed or come across unforeseen expenses. In this blog, we will understand how the cost is distributed. 

Market Stats Revealing the Importance of Mobile Apps

• The value of the global mobile application market was $330 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $1252 trillion by 2035 with a CAGR of 14-15% 
• More than 80% mobile users access mobile apps daily for their work and other activities.  
• Almost 60% of the mobile apps come with AI features to make the app more useful. 

What is Mobile App Design?

Mobile App Design is the creation of the look, feel, and function of mobile applications. Naturally, mobile apps differ widely in their use, accessibility, engagement, and the overall user experience. UI and UX of the app grab the attention of the users and keep them engaged for longer. Companies that invest more money in the UX design are witnessing a 75% increase in sales. 

What does a Mobile App Design Consist of? 

To figure out the cost of mobile app design, people should understand that it is not about only selecting colours and decorating screens. It is a whole process. With the emphasis on the look, it is also responsible for how easily people can use it. 

User Interface (UI) Design: UI design corresponds to the visual appearance of an application. When creating the interface design, designers focus editorial work on the various details such as color schemes, typography, button layouts, icon designs, and screen settings. 

User Experience (UX) Design: UX design refers to the functionality of the application. It is one of the aspects that ensures users can always find their way around the application with no issue. UX designers decide the steps of how a user gives their input to the application, the type of menus, and the sequence of the screens. 

Wireframing and Prototyping: Wireframes give a draft of the different sections and buttons on the page. Prototypes are interactive designs that demonstrate the app's working. These two stages are crucial for testing a concept before it is developed fully.  

Design systems and branding: A design system makes sure that the interface maintains the same look even after a number of UI changes. It determines the colors, fonts, and buttons that will be used across the app. 

Platform-Specific Design: For Android and iOS platforms, a single design can not work efficiently, so apps need different designs for Android and iOS. Therefore, users are able to use the app effortlessly and without any contradictions.

What are the Key Factors That Affect the Mobile App Design Costs?

Check out all the main reasons that determine the charges companies providing mobile app development services ask from businesses.

App complexity 

All apps are not the same and work differently. Simple apps that use login screens, notification settings, and have a basic dashboard do not require high investment. But complex apps that use real-time data, AI functions and protected payment systems cost much more than simple apps. If you increase the features, the cost will increase according to that. The designers advise businesses not to spend more money just add unusable features. 

Number of screens

Every page of an app is called a screen. So if the number of screens increases, the cost of app design increases according to the app design cost per screen. One app with 10 screens will be cheaper than an app with 50 screens. If an app has tons of screens, then designers will need more time. Hence, it will raise the overall design cost. 

Custom Design vs Ready-Made Design

The developers or the app designers have ready-made templates that they can reuse to design your app. It costs less because they don't have to work extra. They're cheaper, faster, but definitely less original. Custom mobile app design costs more because they are created specifically for your app, but they give your app a unique and professional look.

Animations and Small Movements

Animations are small changes in position. For instance, the button color changes when you click it, or it changes size when you put your finger on the icon. These kinds of functions make the app attractive, and the users love to interact with it. This requires the app designers to work more, so the cost goes high because it requires more time and effort. 

Platform Choice

The coast also depends on the platform you are designing the app for. Is it for Android or iOS? See, the thing is, iOS app design cost is cheaper than apps running on android platform. Most companies want their app to run on both platforms. In this case, the prices are definitely going to be higher because the design of each platform works differently. 

Mobile App Design Cost Breakdown Based on Complexity Level  

If we talk about the cost distribution of mobile app designing according to the app complexity, then the data will be different on every level. At the base level, the prices will be at their lowest. This price proportionally increases when you go ahead with medium-level and complex or enterprise-level apps. Here is the breakdown: 

Cost Breakdown by App Design Stage 

Mobile app design is not a one-step process. It comprises several major phases, and each phase requires certain amounts of time, energy, and money. As a mobile app development agency, MSM Coretech is providing a very simple explanation of each phase with normal price ranges according to worldwide data.

Research and Discovery Phase 

This is the initial stage where designers do some brainstorming and research. In this phase, they try to understand the idea of the app, users' mentality, competition in the field and the problem the app will solve. Cost in this phase ranges from $2000 to $8000, depending on the complexity level of the app. 

Wireframing and user journey mapping 

wireframes means blueprints of how the app is going to look. Where the buttons will be seen. Before the visual design, this step helps the designers to plan the structure of the app, and its typical cost is $3000 to $15000.

UI Design and visual styling 

This step means the designers have reached the final look of the app. The buttons, fonts, icons and other visual elements are decided. It's time to make the app attractive. Mobile app UI design cost​ starts from $5000 for a basic level of UI design and goes over $15000.

Prototyping and Usability Testing

Prototypes are essentially the app's clickable versions. So, you get to visually see and even test how it feels before any coding work is done. Also, designers run tests with actual users to uncover any potential issues at an early stage. Typical cost ranges from $3,000 - $10,000 for creating usable prototypes and user testing.

Design Revisions and Final Handoff 

After feedback from you and usability tests, designers make the necessary adjustments to the screens. When everything is done, they pass on all the materials (like images, fonts, buttons, and specs) to the developers to ensure a smooth start to the coding process. Typical cost: $1,000 - $5000+ based on the number of revision rounds and project complexity. 

Mobile App Design Cost by Region 

The geographical location of the design team also impacts the overall cost. In some countries, the labour is cheap. It means you will have to pay less than in countries where the salaries are higher. 

Cost Charged by In-House Designer vs Freelancers vs Design Agencies 

The cost varies according to the team you are using. Most businesses use the services od inhouse designers, or contact a design agency like MSM Coretech to get a perfect solution. 

Final Thoughts: Deciding on the Right Budget for Your App Design

The cost of designing a mobile app varies depending on the complexity of the app, the number of screens, the platforms, and the level of design quality. Planning your budget ahead of time can help you avoid unexpected costs. Begin with the basics, focusing on the features that are most important and a clean design. Put in more that the app is for large audiences, or it is handling payments or sensitive data. Smart investing in design at the beginning of the process could save a lot of money in the mobile app design, with higher user satisfaction.

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The Author

Jitendra Pal

Jitendra is a passionate tech enthusiast who finds the evolving era of technology both fascinating and inspiring. With a natural knack for problem-solving, he enjoys exploring innovations that shape how we live and work. When he’s not immersed in decoding the latest tech trends, Jitendra can often be found performing stand-up comedy, adding humor to everyday moments. Some say his love for gadgets runs so deep that even tech ideas seem to get tangled in his curly hair!