iOS App Development Cost: Estimate, Factors & Benefits

Hardik Thakker

Founder & CEO

Published On: Sep 04, 2025

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 around the world. If you look at the stats over the internet, iOS app users have spent $90-$105 billion on in-app purchases, and this amount is expected to reach the massive milestone of $170-$200 billion by 2030. This exponential hike in in-app purchase capacity has boosted the market of custom iOS app development and has forced businesses to constantly search for professional iOS application development services.

Data Source: Sensor Tower 

With data strongly suggesting that the spending potential of iOS app users is more than that of Android App 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 halt their plans is the cost of iPhone app development.   

Many businesses believe that the cost of iOS app development is more than Android app development, but that’s not true every time. The cost of app development depends on many factors, and it’s possible to own a business iOS app without breaking your bank account. In this blog, we will discuss all the aspects of custom iOS app development, talk about iOS app development cost, and why you must invest in custom iOS app development in 2026.  

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 of iOS app development and discussing the different aspects of how an iOS app can be developed within the budget, let’s understand why your business must have an AI-powered iOS application in the coming years.    

The digital landscape is revolutionizing very fast, and with the arrival of Artificial Intelligence, it has gone crazy. An iOS app makes your business stay ahead of the curve. It makes your business available around the clock and at the tip of the finger. Investing in custom iOS app development is not just a smart move but also has become essential for businesses with a goal to stand out from the crowd, grow exponentially, and generate higher revenue.   

However, we have collected the top 5 reasons why you must consider custom iOS app development asap, and they are:    

Premium Customer Base with High Monetization Capacity:  You will find it all over the internet that the purchasing power of iOS (iPhone and iPad) app users is much higher than that of Android app users. So, when you invest in iOS app development services or custom app development, you can rest assured about the ROI in the next 6-12 months.    

• According to the statistics, the spending on the App Store reached an estimated $124 billion in 2024. It captured approximately 68% of all mobile spending. On the other hand, Android OS lagged with around $58 billion.    
• On average, an iPhone user spends $138 every year, whereas an Android user spends just $72 every year. The purchasing power of iOS users is almost double that of Android app users.    
• iOS app users are always ready to pay for quality services and experience; thus, an in-app purchase is the best solution they choose.

Lucrative Monetization Models:  It’s not only the case that the purchasing potential of iOS users in more than Android users, but there are smart revenue strategies in place such as:  

• iOS users (iPhone and iPad) users are 50% more likely to make in-app purchases than Android users and that’s why, iOS apps have more subscriptions and premium models.   
• These enterprise-grade subscriptions models, premium tiers, and in-app purchases ensure recurring revenue for the businesses and App Store.   

Benefiting from iOS-Driven Market Growth: The in-app purchase (IAP) is rapidly growing, and iOS users are dominating this landscape.   

• In 2023, the volume of the global in-app purchase market was around $192.2 billion, with iOS users leading with nearly $93.7 billion.   
• According to Grand View Research, the in-app purchase market is expected to grow to $449.9 billion by 2030 – with the compound annual growth rate of 12.9%.   
• Custom iOS app development places your business on the list of elite businesses and allows you to increase your revenue each year.   

Secure, Consistent, & Efficient Mobile OS: Compared to its archrival Android, iOS is looked upon as a more secure, reliable, and consistent mobile operating system. These are the reasons why Custom iOS app development is the first choice of top businesses in terms of revenue generation and targeting a premium customer base. It also guarantees:    

• Consistent performance on different iOS devices – making it easy to release new updates. 
• A loyal and premium brand ecosystem that has trust, security, and high purchasing power.  
• Higher user retention ratio with higher ratings and repeat purchases.  

Higher Engagement Ratio:  iOS apps are more engaging; thus, the engagement ratio is higher.   

• The app engagement can be increased from 50% to 300% with the help of push notifications and personalized onboarding.    
• iOS apps see 15–20% higher 30-day retention rates compared to Android counterparts.   
• Ultimately, investing in personalized experiences pays off through stronger user loyalty, retention, and conversions. 

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.  

So, let’s break down the iOS application development cost for your business.    

1. App Type & Complexity: The cost of building an iOS app that is simple (like a company profile) without any complex features or payment integration is very low. Comparatively, the cost of developing an iOS app with complex features (like an eCommerce app) is very high. It’s simple: the more complex the workflow, the higher the cost.    
2. UI/UX & Customization: People using iPhone and iPad are known for expecting intuitive, sleek, and visually appealing designs. It is the reason why iOS apps require advanced animations, unique elements, and personalized user journeys. All these factors in turn increase the cost of iOS application development.    
3. Features & Functionalities: The iOS application development cost increases if your application requires best features such as in-app purchase (IAP), push notifications, AI-driven recommendations, or geolocation tracking. These features require a lot of time and effort; thus, the development cost rises high. Moreover, third-party API integration can also affect the cost of iOS app development.  
4. iOS App Development Company: There are thousands of iOS app development companies, and all of them have different development costs. Experienced development companies with a strong portfolio charge more, whereas companies with comparatively less experience charge less. The quality and performance of an iOS app may differ based on the type of iOS application development services you choose.    
5. Development Team Model: Whether you hire dedicated iOS app developers, work with freelancers, or partner with an iOS app development company, the iOS app development cost will vary in all scenarios. To strike a balance between affordability and quality, most of the global businesses often prefer outsourcing.    
6. Backend Infrastructure & Database Needs: The overall development cost of an iOS app increases if the app requires heavy data processing, secure cloud integration, or real-time sync with servicers.  
7. Maintenance & Support: Periodic maintenance and support services are important for the optimum performance of your iOS app. These services help in regular updates, bug fixes, adapting to new OS versions, app upgrading, and more.    
8. Compliance, Security & Scalability Requirements: If your iOS app deals with sensitive data (like healthcare, banking, or enterprise apps), then compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS is compulsory. Due to these compliance and security requirements, the overall iOS app development cost increases.

Estimated Cost Breakdown of iOS App Development 

***This table gives businesses a ballpark view while showing how each factor adds to the total cost. 

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

Now that we have understood the factors affecting the cost of iOS app development and the approximate iOS application development cost, it’s time to have a look at the top 10 industries with the highest engagement from iOS users. Based on the data and numbers available on the web, we will try to figure out which industry is generating the maximum ROI from iOS users (both iPad and iPhone).  

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 

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Best iOS Application Development Services  

According to a report published by Apple, in 2024, the App Store generated nearly $1.3 trillion in billings and sales worldwide. The App Store recorded 813 million weekly visitors worldwide. This report also notes that, over the last five years (from 2020 to 2025), economic activities on the App Store have more than doubled.    

This data, released by Apple, clearly indicates the potential of an iOS app for your business. No matter what the size of your business, whatever the budget, or whatever the industry types, there’s an enormous opportunity you can unlock just with the help of an iOS application.    

But how can you develop an iOS app for your business?? There are many ways to own a business iOS app – DIY iOS app development, contact a top-rated iOS app development company, or hire iOS app development services nearby.    

Professional iOS application development services are one of the most preferred methods of building an iOS app for your business. These services are affordable, scalable, professional, and guarantee on-time delivery of the product. Custom iOS app development companies like Albiorix Technology are trendsetters in this domain with hundreds of iOS apps designed, developed & delivered every year.    

If you look at our project portfolio, you will see different types of iOS apps developed from scratch – eCommerce iOS apps, Education iOS apps, Healthcare iOS apps, Travel iOS apps, FinTech iOS apps, and more.    

Let’s understand why Albiorix Technology is the best for iOS app development services:    

1. Affordability: The iOS app development cost totally depends on the type of app you want for your business. But we ensure that the cost doesn’t come between you and your dream of owning a quality iOS app for your business. As a top iOS app development company, we focus on delivering high-quality apps at competitive rates without compromising on performance and user experience.    
2. Personalized iOS Solutions: Following the thumb-rule that no two businesses are the same, our every iOS app is unique in terms of features, functionalities, and designs. We design and develop mobile apps as per your business workflows and challenges. Our team of iOS app developers take time to understand your industry, your audience, and your goals to offer a highly personalized iOS solution.    
3. Expert iOS Developers: Our strength lies in our people. Being among the best iOS app development companies, we have highly skilled iOS developers. The latter holds expertise on all the latest tools and technologies to develop an iOS app for any business. The team of expert iOS app developers have years of hands-on experience in building scalable, secure, and optimized iOS apps for iPhone and iPads.     
4. Timely Delivery: We ensure that your app is released on time – without compromising on quality and features. And for this, we follow the agile development method and a well-defined process that allows us to design and develop an app within the committed timeline. We make sure your product reaches the market on schedule – whether it’s MVPs or an enterprise app- so that you can stay ahead of the competition.   
5. Our Portfolio: Our portfolio is the collection of some of the most loved and landmark iOS apps for iPhone and iPad. It is our visiting card that advocates for our work and expertise in the space of custom iOS app development. In the last ten years, we have successfully built and launched iOS apps for businesses across healthcare, finance, retail, travel, and other industries.    
6. Support & Maintenance Services: Our relationship doesn’t end at launch. Once the app is live, we are ready with our professional support and maintenance services to make sure your app is running smoothly – without any hiccups. We periodically perform security checks, app upgrades, OS version updates, add new features, fix bugs, and more.    
7. AI-Driven iOS Apps: Artificial Intelligence has penetrated every industry; thus, it has become necessary that we integrate it into our iOS solutions. AI-driven iOS apps help businesses streamline business operations, automate certain tasks, provide smart customer support, provide predictive analysis, and much more. In short, an iOS app with AI capabilities keeps your business ahead of the curve. 

Hire Dedicated iOS App Developer 

If the volume/size of your iOS app is not that big, then you can also consider hiring a dedicated iOS app developer from Albiorix Technology. Depending on the size and need of your project, you will have the flexibility to hire a developer on an hourly basis, project basis, or on a fixed price model. You are also free to add or remove the developers as per the task requirements to meet the deadlines or to speed up the development process.   

In our team, we have iOS (iPhone) app developers with years of experience in building apps for different domains and verticals. To hire a dedicated iOS app developer, you can share your details using the contact us form or call us at (+91) 991-308-8360.

You can also DM us on LinkedIn, and we will get back to you at the earliest.