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In today’s digital technological hub, lives are more dependent on phones and apps than on physical appearances in stores.
What do we do if we need something for ourselves? We simply open the phones, tap the required app, and within seconds, we order what we need.
Isn’t it the most relaxing work to do? Yes, it is. No discrimination, no long parking wait, just a click, and the product is at home.
This can all be done when more brands transform themselves into e-commerce platforms to meet the needs of their customers.
In a recent study, e-commerce sales reached around $1.29 trillion in the U.S, setting a new peak in the e-commerce market.
Now comes the central question: approximately how much will it cost to build an e-commerce app?
The answer to this question is that building a basic e-commerce app will cost approximately $15,000 to $200,000.
However, this is going to be your investment, which will definitely pay you back in ways you would never imagine.
In this blog, we will discuss a realistic estimated breakdown of all types of costs, pricing models with their corresponding business types, and hidden fees that must be watched out for to save your budget from blowing out of order.
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An e-commerce app is a digital marketplace that refers to commercial activities, including the buying and selling of products and services, on an online platform.
The e-commerce app is the first mobile shopping hub that brings online shopping to your doorstep, from browsing products to adding them to make a seamless purchasing experience for customers.
Amazon, Walmart, Target, and many other e-commerce industry leaders are shining because of the convenience they have built for their customers.
This app offers numerous features, including inventory management, a seamless payment process, strong customer relationships, and more.
Adding on, integrated marketing and online e-commerce platforms support businesses, mainly startups, that can run their operations smoothly and efficiently.
The cost of developing an e-commerce app can vary widely depending on its complexity, features, functionalities, and so on. However, as a general rule of thumb, the cost of e-commerce apps starts from $1,000 to $180,000 or more, based on your app needs.
This table is a rough estimate and predicted timeline of the apps based on their complexity.
| App Category | Estimated Cost | Predicted Timeline |
| Basic App | $10,000 to $50,000 | 3-6 months |
| Mid-range App | $50,000 to $100,000 | 6-9 months |
| Complex App | $100,000 to $500,000 | 9-18 months |
It’s important to note that these are just estimates, and the actual cost of your e-commerce app may vary depending on your specific requirements.
To get a more accurate estimate, it is always best to consult with a development team before you begin development. In that regard, you can connect with our leading app development company as well.
Important: Do note that the above costs may vary depending on factors like development team’s location, geography and demography, technology and so on.
Bonus Read: Check our recent blog on how much it costs to develop an Android app in 2025.
While considering building a low-budget e-commerce app, with a limited budget of around $1,000 to $10,000, you have to work with either freelancers or small development teams with no experience.
While this approach may help you in real-time, it can cause significant trouble for future growth and app quality.
Let’s see some pros and cons of choosing to work with a low-budget app.
| PROS | CONS |
| Best for startups and entrepreneurs | Provides basic user experience and creates outdated navigation. |
| Need to launch a minimum viable product (MVP) | Enables compromises on performance concerns. |
| Requires early user feedback to refine the app. | Limited maintenance and security updates. |
As a business owner, if you are looking for long-term growth, need more specific brand differentiation, advanced and innovative features, or seamless integrations, a low-budget app may not be an excellent fit for your needs.
Investing in a high-end or expensive e-commerce app starts around $90,000, which might come up with amazing features and great integrations; however, there is always a downside to investing in an expensive e-commerce app.
Let’s discuss three main drawbacks a business owner must know before investing in an expensive e-commerce app.
Many app development companies charge a high cost for the app, but use all-ready-to-go templates with no customization at all. This approach leads to limited flexibility, a common outcome, and minimal revenue.
Many companies only focus on features that sometimes turn out to be unnecessary, for instance, multiple layers of design, overdoing integrations, and more. Paying for optional technologies will only strain your budget; nothing else.
Sometimes high-level projects have a longer development timeline, which can delay your market launch. Not only that, but it also causes late deliveries and negatively impacts market value, creating a bad impression.
The table below outlines the factors affecting the cost of eCommerce app development, along with a generic prediction of the completion timeline.
It must be noted that the information shared below is tentative.
| Factors | Cost | Timeline | Achievements |
| Research and Analysis | $2,000 – $15,000 | 2 – 4 weeks |
|
| UI/UX Design | $15,000 – $80,000 | 3 – 6 weeks |
|
| Development | $20,000 – $150,000+ | 12 – 20 weeks |
|
| Testing | $5,000 – $30,000 | 3 – 6 weeks |
|
| Post-release App Support and Maintenance | ~15-30% of initial development cost per year | Ongoing |
|
Let’s discover the top factors affecting the cost of eCommerce app development one-by-one.
The corporate or business research phase, commonly referred to as the discovery phase, holds significant importance in virtually every custom eCommerce app development project.
Whether your focus is on determining the iOS app development cost for eCommerce or finding a top-notch eCommerce mobile app development company, a thorough initial project analysis is paramount.
During this phase, all involved teams receive comprehensive briefings on the project scope, agree on the technologies to be employed, and establish definitive guidelines.
The following factors underscore the critical nature of this phase:
UI design dictates how users interact with your app, while UX encompasses the entire visual and experiential journey on the platform. UI/UX design helps in various ways; For instance,
A well-crafted UI/UX ensures a seamless onboarding experience, making it easy for users to get started with your app. This initial interaction sets the stage for a positive and engaging experience.
Prioritizing user-friendly design enhances the overall interaction. A thoughtfully designed UI improves navigation, making it intuitive and reducing any potential user frustrations.
A captivating product design doesn’t just wow users; it simplifies the entire app experience. Investing in an aesthetically pleasing design not only keeps users engaged but also streamlines their journey, positively impacting user satisfaction and usage patterns.
Another significant factor that impacts the cost of eCommerce app development is the type of app you desire to create for your business.
Typically, native and hybrid app development are most commonly used worldwide.
Native apps are built to serve only a single platform, which means they can be run on Android or iOS and for both. Thus, increasing costs and resources.
Hybrid/Cross-platform apps can support multiple devices and operating systems using only a single codebase.
Quality Assurance experts then test the eCommerce mobile application to ensure the final product, before public release, is entirely glitch-free.
The app undergoes multiple testing environments, including regression, load, and smoke testing, as well as several other steps.
Testing is carried out simultaneously with each production phase as well as final testing; none of the steps are skippable.
Maintenance is a crucial factor that influences the cost of eCommerce app development. While the initial development phase focuses on creating a functional and appealing app, ongoing maintenance is essential to ensure its continued success.
Regular updates, bug fixes, and performance enhancements are integral aspects of app maintenance and Support.
The cost of maintenance encompasses not only the technical aspects but also considerations for improving user experience and expanding features.
Choosing an e-commerce app 80% depends on which model you are going for, and selecting the right pricing model not only saves money but also helps in future-proofing your app.
Below is a breakdown of the three main pricing models of 2025 you must know.
| Models | Best For | Pros | Cons |
| Fixed Price | Small projects, simple MVPs, or one-time apps. | Friendly budget with a simple contract and a feasible timeline. | No flexibility for changes. |
| Time and Material T&M | Businesses with continuous updates. | User feedback interface with future-proofing. | More costly compared to others. |
| Milestone | Complex apps with multiple requirements. | Balance the line between prediction and flexibility. | It involves delays and requires deep planning. |
Yes, locations do impact the cost of e-commerce apps. When it comes to developing something, it requires multiple elements, such as a proper team, developer rates, and more.
And in 2025, locations will have a significant impact not only on cost but also on communication speed and scalability changes.
Here is a detailed table of the cost of developers and what you get in return for paying them:
| Location | Estimated Cost | What You Get |
| U.S, Canada, North America | $85 to $160/hour | Seamless expertise, AI-driven commerce, and easy-to-go collaboration. |
| Western Europe (UK, Germany, France) | $65 to $125/hour | Businesses that need innovation and lower-cost work. |
| Eastern Europe (Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia) | $35 to $75/hour | Startups & SMBs seeking high quality at moderate costs. |
| Asia ( India, Vietnam, Indonesia) | $20 to $55/hour | Startups risk ideas with a limited budget. |
| Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia) | $40 to $75/hour | U.S.-based owners who need lower-cost developers. |
Disclaimer: If you need a cost-friendly and experienced developer partner, consider those who bring long-term flexibility and real technical expertise for your future growth. Trango Tech, can you get the right developer on board without any limitations on location.
E-commerce mobile app development cost (in total) = Development time x Cost per hour
Please note that the provided cost is subject to variation based on the specific features and functionalities desired in the eCommerce mobile app, the proficiency level of the development team, and the frequency of updates necessary according to the development platform.
Provide an intuitive and visually appealing interface that simplifies the shopping journey, encouraging user engagement.
Implement a robust payment system, ensuring the security and confidentiality of users’ financial transactions.
Enhance user experience with sophisticated search options and filters, enabling customers to locate desired products easily.
Offer personalized user accounts, empowering customers with customized profiles, order history, and tailored product recommendations.
Ensure accuracy and prevent overselling with a real-time inventory management system, fostering reliability and customer satisfaction.
In conclusion, the cost of developing an e-commerce app is a nuanced interplay of various factors.
From the complexity of features to the choice of technology and the intricacies of design, each element contributes to the overall expense.
Businesses need to approach app development companies with a clear understanding of their goals, audience, and desired functionalities.
Navigating this financial landscape requires strategic decision-making, such as prioritizing features, considering pre-built platforms, and selecting a development team that aligns with both budgetary constraints and project requirements.
By embracing these insights and anticipating potential challenges, businesses can embark on their e-commerce app development journey with a well-informed approach.
Whether interested in knowing about e-commerce app development cost in 2025 or any other mobile application, key features to consider that also directly impact pricing are:
The cost of developing an app, be it for Android or iOS, would depend on several factors, including the number of features, functions, differences in technology stack for development on both platforms, etc.
Still, for a better understanding, refer to the table below:
| Type of App | Estimated Cost |
| Native apps (Android & iOS) | $40,000 to $150,000+ per platform |
| Cross-platform apps | $25,000 to $80,000 |
| Hybrid Apps | $20,000 to $100,000 |
| Web Apps | $5,000 to $500,000+ |
An e-commerce app with basic/must-have essential features such as customer login, filter-rich search function, push notifications, product catalog, reviews and ratings, shopping cart, e-payment channels, and order tracking can cost you anywhere between $40,000-$60,000
The accurate time to develop an eCommerce app depends on your business goals and product requirements.
It may take around 3-and-4 months. However, adding details and functions may extend the development timeline by approximately 7 months.
To find the right ecommerce app development partner company is a tricky and often chaotic process.
You need to conduct extensive research and consider factors such as your technology stack, budget, target market, and more.
Here are a few questions you should ask:
For payment options, consider the following details:
By determining the answer to these queries, you can find the right eCommerce app development team for your business.
There are instances where you might have to pay extra, such as changes to the initial design and introducing new features to the app. Still, you can avoid additional costs through Product Discovery, which itself covers the following aspects:
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Mariam Amin is an Electronics Engineering graduate and a passionate content marketer specializing in tech and SaaS. At Trango Tech, a leading mobile app development company, she creates easy-to-understand content on mobile app development, using her technical background to support practical digital strategies. Outside of work, Mariam enjoys exploring new food trends, staying active, and relaxing with documentaries or movies.
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