How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Mobile App in India in 2025?

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, mobile apps are an essential part of any business strategy. As 2025 draws near, India continues to stand as a major hub for mobile app development, owing to its thriving tech ecosystem and skilled workforce. Whether you’re looking to build an on-demand app, an e-commerce platform, or a niche mobile solution, understanding the cost of mobile app development in India is crucial.

In this blog, we’ll explore what factors influence the cost of mobile app development in India in 2025, with a special focus on the cost to develop on-demand e-commerce apps in general.

1. Factors Influencing Mobile App Development Costs in India

The cost to develop a mobile app in India can vary significantly depending on several factors:

App Complexity

• Simple Apps: Apps with basic functionality, such as a contact page or a news feed, usually cost less to develop.
• Medium Complexity Apps: These might include more features like authentication, data storage, and APIs.
• Complex Apps: Apps with multiple integrations, advanced features like real-time communication, and a complex backend (such as an on-demand delivery system or e-commerce platform) can be costlier.

App Type

• On-demand Apps: These apps, such as ride-sharing, food delivery, or home services, are typically more expensive to develop due to their intricate real-time tracking and payment integrations.
• E-commerce Apps: Whether for a small online store or a large multi-vendor marketplace, e-commerce apps often require advanced features such as user authentication, payment gateways, order tracking, and product management systems.

Platform (Android vs. iOS)

• Building an app for both Android and iOS will increase the cost, as developers will need to create two separate versions. However, cross-platform development tools like Flutter and React Native can help reduce costs by allowing developers to write a single codebase for both platforms.

Location and Developer Expertise

• The expertise of your development team and their location within India can also affect pricing. Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune may have higher development costs due to the concentration of top-tier tech talent. On the other hand, smaller cities may offer more competitive rates, though the overall quality should always be considered.

2. How Much Does It Cost to Develop On-Demand E-commerce Apps in India?

When you think of an on-demand e-commerce app, you're probably envisioning apps like Uber, Swiggy, or Amazon. These apps allow users to browse, purchase, and track products or services in real-time. Developing such apps requires a combination of sophisticated features, real-time tracking, payment gateways, user authentication, push notifications, and more.

The cost to develop an on-demand e-commerce app in India typically ranges from ₹10 lakhs to ₹50 lakhs ($12,000 to $60,000) or more. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in this price:

• App Design: Developing an intuitive, attractive design is crucial. This includes the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design.
• Backend Development: You’ll need a robust backend to manage data, user accounts, payments, orders, and inventory.
• Third-party Integrations: Payment gateways (like Razorpay, Stripe, PayPal), GPS for delivery tracking, and social media integrations can increase the overall cost.
• Admin Panel: A web-based admin panel to manage orders, users, products, and other vital aspects.
• Real-Time Features: Real-time order tracking, notifications, and communication features tend to increase costs.

These on-demand apps often require continuous maintenance and updates, so developers may charge additional fees for post-launch support and updates.

3. How Much Does It Cost to Develop E-commerce Apps in India?

The cost to develop e-commerce app can vary based on the scale of the project, whether it's a small online store or a large, multi-vendor marketplace. For a basic e-commerce app with functionalities such as product listings, a shopping cart, order processing, and basic admin features, the costs typically range from ₹5 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs ($6,000 to $18,000).

However, if you need advanced features, such as:

• Multi-vendor support (for apps like Amazon or eBay)
• Product recommendations powered by AI
• Advanced search filters and sorting options
• Real-time stock updates
• User reviews and ratings
• Integration with ERP and CRM systems

The cost to develop e-commerce apps can rise to ₹20 lakhs to ₹50 lakhs ($24,000 to $60,000) or more, depending on the specific features required.

4. Additional Costs to Consider

In addition to the core development costs, there are several additional expenses that you should factor in when budgeting for your mobile app development:

Maintenance & Updates

After the launch, ongoing maintenance is required to fix bugs, ensure compatibility with new OS updates, and add new features. This is typically 15% to 20% of the initial development cost per year.

App Marketing and Promotion

Building a great app is only half the battle. You’ll also need to invest in marketing and user acquisition strategies to promote your app and drive downloads. This includes SEO, social media campaigns, paid ads, and influencer marketing.

App Store Fees

To launch your app on Google Play or Apple’s App Store, you’ll need to pay store fees. Google Play charges a one-time fee of $25, while Apple charges $99 per year.

5. Conclusion: Budgeting for Your Mobile App Development

The cost of developing a mobile app in India in 2025 depends on various factors, including the type of app, complexity, features, and the development team’s expertise. If you’re developing an on-demand e-commerce app, you can expect a higher cost due to the advanced features required. However, India remains one of the most cost-effective countries for mobile app development, with prices significantly lower than in Western countries.

If you’re looking to build a custom e-commerce app or a feature-rich on-demand platform, India offers a large pool of talented developers who can deliver quality apps at competitive rates. Keep in mind that the right development team will not only build your app but also help you navigate the complexities of the digital market to ensure its success.

By understanding the costs and investing wisely in development and marketing, you can bring your app idea to life and tap into the growing digital economy in 2025.