iOS App Development Cost: A better Guide With Pricing

By the time we publish this blog on iOS app development cost, the iPhone 17 would have been released, and people might be queuing outside the Apple store overnight to buy it. The craze for the iPhone is real. With more than 1.56 billion iPhone users around the globe, iPhones are considered the premium smartphones globally.   

This loyal base of 1.56 billion iPhone users across the world has created a productive opportunity for businesses everywhere. If you look at the stats, iOS app users have spent $90–$105 billion on in-app purchases, and this amount is expected to reach $170–$200 billion by 2030. This exponential hike in spending power has boosted the market for custom iOS app development and forced businesses to constantly search for professional iPhone app development services.

Data Source: Sensor Tower 

With data showing that iOS app users’ spending potential surpasses Android users globally, every business is in a race to own an iOS mobile app that is unique, scalable, AI-powered, and robust. But the question that makes them hesitate is — what’s the real cost to develop an iOS app? 

Many businesses assume that the cost of iPhone app development is higher than Android, but that’s not always true. The average iOS app development cost depends on multiple factors, and it’s absolutely possible to build a business app without overspending. In this blog, we’ll explore everything about the cost to make an iOS app, what influences it, and how you can get an accurate iOS app development quote for your project.  

So, let’s get started with why you must invest in Custom iOS app development in 2026 and ahead for business success.  

Why You Must Invest in Custom iOS App Development?

Before evaluating the cost to build an iOS app, let’s understand why your business needs an AI-powered iOS application.   

The digital landscape is changing rapidly. With AI at the forefront, having a strong presence on iOS ensures your business stays ahead. Investing in custom iPhone app development is not just a trend — it’s a smart move that ensures long-term growth and higher ROI.

Here are the top five reasons why investing in native iOS app development makes sense for your business:

1. Premium Customer Base with High Monetization Capacity

The purchasing power of iPhone and iPad users is much higher than Android users. When you invest in iPhone app development, you tap into a premium audience that values quality and experience.

According to statistics, spending on the App Store reached $124 billion in 2024 — about 68% of global mobile spending. On average, an iPhone user spends $138 annually compared to $72 by Android users.

So, when you calculate the cost to create an app for iPhone, you should also factor in the potential revenue from high-paying users.

2. Lucrative Monetization Models

iOS users are 50% more likely to make in-app purchases than Android users, making iPhone app development ideal for subscription and premium-based business models.

These models — such as enterprise-grade subscriptions and tiered pricing — ensure recurring revenue. When analyzing the cost to develop iPhone app, remember you’re investing in an ecosystem where users are ready to pay for quality.

3. Benefiting from iOS-Driven Market Growth

In 2023, the global in-app purchase market hit $192.2 billion, with iOS users leading at nearly $93.7 billion. Custom and native iOS app development allows your business to leverage this market expansion effectively.

As per Grand View Research, the market will grow to $449.9 billion by 2030, which makes the cost of iOS app development a worthwhile long-term investment.

4. Secure, Consistent & Efficient Mobile OS

Compared to Android, iOS offers superior security and performance. This is one major reason iPhone app developers and enterprises prefer native iPhone app development for mission-critical applications.

An iOS app guarantees consistent performance across devices, higher retention rates, and stronger brand trust — all vital factors that justify the cost to build an iPhone app.

5. Higher Engagement Ratio

iOS apps deliver higher engagement and retention rates. Personalised on-boarding and push notifications can increase engagement by 50–300%. When planning your iPhone app design cost, consider investing in personalization and intuitive UX — these are key to long-term success.

From the perspective of an industry veteran at a reputable iOS app development company, investing in custom iOS app development means you are not just developing a mobile application for your business, but you are aligning with a lucrative and evolving ecosystem that is driven by premium users and rewarding monetization capability.  

These benefits are not limited to any industry type, business size or budget allocated. Every industry – be it Healthcare, Finance, Education, or Travel could benefit from custom iOS app development.    

What are the Main Factors that Affect the Cost of Custom iOS App Development?

Now, as you have five solid reasons to go for custom iOS application development in 2026, it’s time to get back on the main topic of the blog, and that’s the cost of an iOS app development.    

The iOS app development cost primarily depends on many different factors. These factors are business type, features required, the iOS app development company you partner with, the development model, and much more. All these factors play an important role in concluding the overall development cost of an app.  

Now that you know the benefits, let’s break down the main factors that influence the cost to develop an iOS app:

1. App Type & Complexity: The cost to make an iPhone app depends on its complexity. Simple apps (like profiles or utility apps) are cheaper, while complex ones (like marketplaces or fintech apps) are more expensive.
   
2. UI/UX & Customization: iOS users expect sleek, polished interfaces. Investing in advanced design elements impacts your iPhone app development price.
   
3. Features & Functionalities: Advanced features such as AI, geolocation, and payment gateways increase your iOS app development price.
   
4. Development Partner: Experienced developers charge more. Hiring a reputed company can impact your custom iOS app development cost, but it ensures quality and scalability.
   
5. Development Model: Whether you hire freelancers or a company, the cost of iOS app development will vary.
   
6. Backend Infrastructure: Heavy data processing, real-time sync, or cloud integration add to your iPhone app development costs.
   
7. Maintenance: The ongoing cost to publish app on iOS, updates, and maintenance (15–20% of development cost annually) also matter.
   
8. Compliance: Apps dealing with finance or healthcare data must meet strict standards like HIPAA or GDPR — adding to the native iOS app development cost.

Estimated Cost Breakdown of iOS App Development

These numbers reflect the average cost to develop an iPhone app globally. For India-based companies, the iOS app development cost in India can be 40–60% lower due to affordable rates and skilled developers.

Top 10 Industries with the Highest Engagement from iOS Users (iPhone and iPad)

The industries seeing the best ROI from iOS apps include Gaming, eCommerce, Social Networking, and Finance. Businesses in these niches often see quick returns despite the cost to make an Apple app being slightly higher upfront.

Please note: As the official numbers of iPhone/iPad users per industry are not released, the revenue figures serve as a close proxy. The higher spending in the above table indicates more user engagement within each sector.  

Data Source: SQ Magazine & Electro IQ 

The Cost to Publish an iOS App

Once your app is ready, you’ll need to factor in the Apple Developer Program subscription cost 2025, which is $99 per year. This is the cost to publish app on iOS officially on the App Store.

Best iOS Application Development Services

According to Apple, the App Store generated nearly $1.3 trillion in 2024. This clearly highlights the benefits of iOS app development for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re planning iPad app development, iPhone web app development, or Android and iPhone app development together, the opportunity is immense.

At Albiorix Technology, we offer professional custom iOS app development services that balance cost, quality, and scalability. Whether you need iPad app development quote, custom iPad app development cost, or a detailed iPhone app development quote, we can provide transparent pricing tailored to your needs.

Why Albiorix Technology?

• Affordable iOS App Development: We ensure competitive iPhone app development costs without compromising quality.
  
• Personalized Solutions: Every project has unique iPhone app design cost considerations — we tailor them to your goals.
  
• Expert Developers: Our iPhone app developers specialize in native iPhone app development with AI integrations.
  
• Timely Delivery: Whether it’s a small iPad utility app or a large enterprise iOS app, we deliver on time.
  
• Support & Maintenance: We handle post-launch updates, ensuring your iOS app development costs remain optimized.

Hire Dedicated iOS App Developer

If your project scope is small, you can hire dedicated iOS developers to reduce the cost to develop an iPhone app. Albiorix offers flexible engagement models — hourly, project-based, or fixed-price — to fit your budget.

Our experienced iPhone app developers and iPad app developers build scalable, feature-rich apps across domains — healthcare, finance, retail, and more.

Conclusion

So, how much does an iOS app cost? The answer depends on your app’s type, features, and goals. Typically, the cost to develop an iOS app ranges between $25,000 and $150,000, but with the right partner, it can be optimized for maximum ROI.

Whether you’re exploring the cost to make an Apple app, how much does it cost to develop an iPhone app, or the benefits of iOS app development, remember — you’re investing in a premium, loyal, and profitable user base.Ready to discuss your project? Request your iOS app development quote from Albiorix Technology today!