A new study has shown that Android remains the leading mobile operating system in the world, which took up more than 70% of the global mobile OS market in 2024. Once you decide to develop and launch your own Android app, the question of cost inevitably arises. The average price of Android app development​ depends on how complex the app is to produce, which sector it will be placed in, and what function it will serve.

In this article, we will break down the custom Android app development cost, explain the hidden costs of developing an Android application, and include advice on how to avoid them. If you plan to launch your Android app shortly, bear with us.

Factors Influencing Android App Development Cost 2025

Whenever you inquire how much Android app development cost, you must consider many factors that constitute the price. How much does it cost to develop an Android app? Find the development process steps and how they impact the price below.

Android App Development Complexity

The first factor that impacts the overall Android app development cost is the complexity of the features you want to implement. It appears logical that applications with minimal functionality and without additional features are significantly lower in price: essential apps with minimum user interactions and simple design won’t cost you much to produce.

There is also the middle ground: an Android app with moderate features like real-time data synchronization, advanced animations, or push notifications integration; the cost of such apps is gradually increased compared to the most basic variants. Finally, applications with more elaborate functions, like augmented reality, will likely cost the most.

Android App Design Requirements

The next stage to consider about the Android app development cost is design. According to recent research, the design stage of a mobile app costs companies 20-25%, and it focuses on UI/UX design. The design cost is primarily based on the complexity of the UI/UX of your application. As a rule, simple designs with basic interfaces tend to cost less. On the contrary, complex products require a higher budget. It is possible to reduce the design cost using pre-made templates, but custom designs require more resources.

Type of Android App and Purpose

The type of Android app you want to build is what you must determine during the discovery stage; as the same study posits, the discovery stage costs around 10-15% of the overall price on average. Depending on the type of app you want to build, the cost breakdown can also be different:

• Simple Apps: Basic functionality like information display or calculators costs less.
• E-commerce Apps: Require payment integration, product listings, and user management — raising development costs.
• On-demand Service Apps: These include real-time tracking, scheduling, and notifications, increasing complexity.
• Social Media Apps: Advanced features such as chats, media sharing, and networking add to the cost.
• Gaming Apps: Costly due to graphics, physics engines, AR/VR elements, and other dynamic features.

In the discovery stage, classify your future app into one of the existing categories. From there, you can start planning the budget, including design, development, testing, and maintenance intricacies. Keep the pricing of a particular niche in mind, and know that, for example, building a complex Android-based mobile game will be way more costly than developing an online shopping app with no extra features.

Android App Development Platform and Tech Stack

When calculating the Android app development cost, you must also consider the development platform and the technologies used to create the app. Building a native app will provide more optimization but appear more costly than cross-platform tools, which are built to save costs.

Besides, consider the cost of including third-party services and custom APIs if you add payment windows, maps, social media logins, and other extra functions. Finally, Android apps need a lot of data storage and cloud services, and this part of the tech stack will also increase development costs.

Android App Development Cost and Timeline Breakdown

The first significant expense in the timeline of Android app development is the hourly rates of the specialists involved in the project. The rates depend on the geographical location of the developers: for instance, US developers charge more per hour compared to workers from Eastern Europe or India. Then, depending on the app’s complexity, the breakdown is approximately as follows:

•  Essential Apps: 2–3 months, lower cost
• Moderate Complexity Apps: 4–6 months, mid-range cost
• Complex Apps: 9+ months, significantly higher cost

After the app is fully developed, deployed, and on the market, the budget extends to mandatory operations such as regular maintenance and updates (support, bug detection, and fixes) and QA and compatibility testing across devices.

Android App Development Cost Breakdown

Consider design, development, and testing costs when preparing the Android app development cost estimate​. These three significant factors conclude the general budget, which is later expanded by additional expenses.

Android App Design Costs

Your app’s UI/UX design is the first factor you must consider. Creating a user-friendly and appealing interface can cost around $1,000–$10,000. Besides, if you use tools like Adobe XD or Figma to draft and visualize your app structure beforehand, expect to pay between $500 and $3,000. It all boils down to your app’s authenticity and which custom design features you want to add, if any.

Android App Development Cost

While developing an Android app, be ready for certain expenses at every process step. The cost of Android app development is a multitude of factors that constitute the overall picture. In the table below, you can see the exact breakdown:

Android App Testing Costs

After your app is fully designed and developed, you must conduct QA testing and other checks to ensure the application works as planned and meets its initial purpose. The budget you need to allocate to the testing of your ready-made Android app must include the following obligatory checks:

• Manual Testing: Ensures app functionality across devices.
• Automated Testing: Advanced tools for faster bug detection.
• Device Compatibility Testing: Android runs on multiple devices (phones, tablets), adding complexity.

The testing process usually constitutes 15-20% of the development budget. For example, if development costs $20,000, testing may cost $3,000–$4,000.

Android App Dev: Cost & Timeline Breakdown

When developing an Android app, the budget is primarily impacted by the time spent on each process component. To illustrate what we are discussing, we have devised a table with approximate cost ranges at every development stage and the average timeline spent on it. 

If you decide to create your cost calculator for an Android app, these are the main stages of the development and app launching process that you must include.

Android App Development Cost: Hidden Charges

When inquiring about the cost of developing an Android app, consider both the obvious and the covered costs. The most common hidden expense is the regular maintenance of your Android application after it’s already on the market. In addition, you will have to pay extra to market and advertise your app if you want to boost downloads. Let’s take a closer look at how these hidden charges can impact your overall budget.

Android App Maintenance and Updates

Expect to pay around 15-20% of the yearly budget to maintain and update your Android app. This is to detect and fix bugs, prepare and launch updates, and ensure the compatibility of your app with new Android versions. This process is mandatory as it helps your application stay relevant and competitive among users.

Android App Marketing and Launch

An integral part of any Android app launch is placing it on the market and advertising it later. Of course, your strategy is the main factor influencing the marketing price. You can expect to pay around $1,000 to $20,000+ for the campaign. Pre-launch campaigns and other measures you will take to promote your application will also influence the price.

Strategic Options for Android App Development 2025

The cost of Android app development is additionally impacted by how you handpick and build your custom team of developers. The expenses will likely fluctuate depending on whether it is an in-house team, freelancers, or outsourced specialists. Find out more about each option in our detailed breakdown below.

In-House Android App Development

When you decide to build an in-house tech team, you should be ready to face an increased Android app development cost. The reason is simple: even though they demonstrate better knowledge of your company and its procedures with time, in-house workers require higher wage rates, and they must be paid even when they are not working specifically on your Android app project. Is there a cheaper alternative? You can resort to hiring freelancers or contacting an outstaffing agency.

Freelance Android App Developers

Employing freelance workers for your project can positively impact the Android app development cost estimate. At the same time, freelancers might impede either the speed of development or the quality of the final product, especially if you are working with a particular expert for the first time. As a rule, freelancers have other projects besides yours that they are currently working on, and juggling several development jobs simultaneously can harm the quality of your Android app. Therefore, even though the Android app development cost can be potentially reduced by working with freelancers, you should weigh all the pros and cons before making such a decision.

Android App Development Agencies

Another possible alternative to save on the cost of Android mobile app development is finding a reliable outstaffing partner. A dedicated Android development agency, such as A-listware, can provide you with a fully equipped team of developers who will specifically work on your project. With over 10 years of continuous work in the tech sector, we have sufficient experience collaborating with companies striving to build and release their own Android app. Employing a team with the help of an outstaffing agency can significantly decrease the average cost of Android app development because you will only pay for the contributions that the experts will bring into your project, not a dime more.

How to Cut Android Mobile App Development Costs?

Some effective practices can help you reduce the cost of Android mobile app development. These practices are commonly used by seasoned businesses, tech teams, and individual developers. Use the recommendations below to reduce your project’s custom Android app development cost.

1. Create a Product Requirement Document

To better predict the estimated Android mobile app development cost, consider drafting a product requirement document before you start building the app itself. Include factors such as the type of your future app, its design’s peculiarities, functions, and the extra features you plan to add. With a clear picture, you can commence the development process with sufficient funds and not lose all your budget midway to the final product.

2. Prioritize features carefully

For starters, detect the key features that directly solve the primary problem for your users or deliver the most value for the final product. Try not to overload the app with unnecessary or complex functionalities in the first phase, as they can significantly increase development time and costs and, in the end, might even turn out unnecessary for the app’s quality and performance. You can also use a prioritization technique, such as the Kano Model or RICE Scoring, for better decision-making in the first round of development.

3. Build an MVP

Another way to cut back on the cost of Android app development is to build an MVP for your startup. This approach lets you test the market and see what users think of your app for further improvements. If you avoid spending too much upfront, you can improve your app according to real-world insights, reducing the risk of wasted development efforts on the features your users don’t need.

4. Choosing offshore Android app development

Offshore development means outsourcing developers from countries with lower hourly rates, such as Eastern Europe, South Asia, or Latin America. This can lower the costs of creating your own Android application by up to 50–60% without compromising quality if you choose a reliable partner.

5. Resorting to an App Development Company

If you opt for outstaffing your Android developers instead of looking for talents by yourself, choosing a time-tested and trustworthy app development company is a must. Prioritize the years spent in the field, the number of potential candidates that can work on your project, and the time it takes for the company to provide you with a tailor-made team of Android developers. For instance, A-listware, with over 10 years of experience giving outstaffing solutions, has a database of over 100k candidates to compile your Android developer team. Despite this, it takes us 2 to 4 weeks to build a team based on your preferences.

Why do Companies Prefer Building Apps on the Android Platform?

Companies prefer building apps on the Android platform because it offers a flexible, cost-effective, and widely accessible environment for app development. With a massive global user base and an open-source foundation, Android allows developers to reach a broader user base with less costly projects.

1. Easier App Acceptance Process

Android has a more developer-friendly app submission and approval process than other platforms. The Google Play Store focuses on guidelines and security tests, which makes it faster and easier for developers to publish their apps. This accelerates time-to-market, especially for businesses looking for a quick launch.

2. Economical Google Play Store Publishing Fee

The cost of publishing an app on the Google Play Store is significantly lower than other platforms. With a one-time registration fee of $25, businesses can publish unlimited apps, making it a budget-friendly option for companies that want to release multiple apps while saving their budget.

3. Access to a broader user pool

Android dominates the global mobile market with over 70% market share, especially in emerging economies like Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This vast number of customers lets businesses target more users based on their country, devices, and price segments.

4. Technology Adoption

Android consistently integrates the latest technologies, which allows developers to create innovative and future-ready applications. Thanks to its open-source nature, developers can use the latest tools to improve the app’s user experience.

5. Android Monetization Support

Android provides robust monetization opportunities through multiple models, including in-app purchases and ads. Google’s integration with tools like AdMob helps businesses profit from their apps efficiently while catering to a large, global audience.

How to Select the Best Option for Android App Development

A-listware works with several cross-platform frameworks for Android app building and launch. Below is a short breakdown of our tech stack:

• React Native: React Native from Facebook delivers near-native performance on iOS and Android. It uses JavaScript and allows for code sharing between different platforms.
• Flutter: Written in Dart, Flutter allows developers to build apps for both iOS and Android. Its hot-reloading feature enables real-time interface updates, and the widget library simplifies the creation of custom UI.
• Ionic: Has a collection of pre-built UI components and works well with Angular, making it an easy transition for developers who want to create mobile applications.
• Xamarin: Xamarin by Microsoft enables developers to achieve native performance for iOS and Android using C#. It supports sharing code with other platforms, reducing development efforts. Xamarin also includes a vast library of pre-built UI components.

As you decide to cooperate with A-listware for custom Android app development, a flexible team outsourced explicitly for your project will work either with the framework of your choice or pick the most suitable one, depending on your app type and requirements.

How can A-listware help you with Android app development?

Building the budget for your Android mobile app becomes easier when you have a trusted team of experts handling your project. With the outsourcing solution from A-listware, your project will become easier and faster than you think. We will evaluate your app concept and assemble a team of skilled professionals to work on your Android app from A to Z.

Reach out to us today with your project details—whether a rough idea or a detailed plan—and we’ll consult with you on every step, including a transparent breakdown of development costs.

Manage Android App Development Cost

How much does Android app development cost? With A-listware, the cost estimation for a project of any complexity will be as clear as day. Once we receive your project description and key requirements, we will build a team of dedicated professionals based on your needs. We will consider your budget along with a cost estimate template and deal with all the expenses, including employee wages, on your behalf so you can concentrate on running your business in the meantime.

FAQ

How much does it cost to make an Android app?

Many factors influence the price of building your own Android app. As a rule, no single exemplary estimate exists for all projects. If you want to know for sure, calculate the average costs of the design, development, and launch fees for your Android app.

Is it profitable to make an Android app?

Creating an Android app can be highly profitable because of its many users and different monetization methods, such as in-app purchases, ads, and subscriptions.

How long does it take to build an app?

The time to build an app varies based on the difficulty: simple apps can take 2–3 months, medium-complexity apps may take 4-6 months, while feature-rich or complex apps can take 6-12+ months for development and testing.