How much does it cost to design an app?

App design and app development are two completely separate factors that tie in hand and hand with each other. So it’s important for anyone looking to create an app to understand the importance of both. We have written a piece on developing an app, but for this blog, we’ll be focusing on the design side.

Now, imagine stepping into a beautifully designed store, where everything is thoughtfully placed to create an enjoyable shopping experience. That's exactly what great app design does for your users. It's not just about making things look pretty—although that’s a big part of it—it’s about creating an intuitive, seamless journey that keeps users engaged and coming back for more.

App design sets the stage for user experience (UX) and user interface (UI), dictating how your app feels and functions from the first click. A well-designed app doesn't just serve its purpose efficiently; it delights, excites, and leaves a lasting impression.

In this day and age users are bombarded with options, and stellar design can be the differentiator that sets your app apart from the competition, turning casual users into loyal advocates. So, when you’re considering the cost of designing an app, remember: investing in top-notch design is investing in the success and longevity of your app.

App design isn't just about picking pretty colours and cool fonts—it's the blueprint for how your app looks, feels, and functions. The scope of app design encompasses everything from initial wireframes and user flows to the final polished interface, ensuring every element works together to create an engaging and intuitive user experience.

In simple terms, scope defines the full range of tasks, deliverables, and features that the design process will cover, making sure everyone knows what to expect and aiming to keep surprises to a minimum.

What's the difference between design and development?

To further understand what app design is, it’s important to understand how it’s different from app development, and how it’s also a key link in the chain of the app creation process.

Think of app design as crafting the perfect blueprint for your dream home—it’s all about the look, feel, and user experience. App development, on the other hand, is the construction phase where those blueprints come to life through coding and technical wizardry.

While design focuses on aesthetics and usability, development ensures functionality and performance, making sure the app not only looks good but works seamlessly too. Which is why one simply can’t work without the other.

Types of apps

The type of app you're envisioning plays a huge role in determining the cost. A simple app might feature basic functionality and a few screens, while a medium app involves more intricate features and interactions, and a complex app is packed with advanced capabilities, custom animations, and comprehensive user flows—all of which significantly impact the design budget.

UI/UX requirements

UI/UX requirements are critical in shaping how your app looks and feels, directly influencing user satisfaction and engagement. These requirements can range from straightforward, intuitive navigation and clean layouts to more sophisticated, interactive elements and custom animations, all of which significantly impact the overall design cost.

User research and persona development

User research and persona development are essential steps in crafting an app that truly resonates with its target audience, ensuring the design aligns with user needs and behaviours. While these processes involve in-depth analysis and creative strategy, they can significantly influence design costs by providing a solid foundation for making informed design decisions that enhance user engagement.

Low-fidelity vs high-fidelity wireframes

Low-fidelity wireframes are your app’s rough sketches, offering a basic layout and flow to map out functionality without getting bogged down in details. On the other hand, high-fidelity wireframes are detailed and interactive, resembling the final design more closely, which requires more time and expertise but provides a clearer picture of the end product.

Image source: TheDesignerShip

Interactive prototypes

Interactive prototypes are like the dress rehearsal for your app design, allowing you to test and refine user interactions before the final build. While they provide invaluable insights into how users will experience your app, creating these dynamic models involves extra time and resources, but ensures a smoother path to a polished final product.

Branding and aesthetics

Branding and aesthetics play a crucial role in the process, as they define your app's visual identity and emotional appeal, influencing user perception and engagement. Investing in a strong, cohesive design that aligns with your brand can elevate your app's market presence, but could also lead to higher design costs due to the need for custom graphics, typography, and overall visual strategy.

Iconography and imagery

Iconography and imagery are essential in crafting a visually appealing and intuitive app, as they help convey information quickly and enhance the overall user experience. Custom icons and high-quality images can significantly elevate your app’s design, but they also add to the cost due to the need for unique, well-designed elements that align with your brand’s identity.

Spending that bit extra on factors such as this can be the difference in your user's remembering and recognising your brand, so it is a decision that should be carefully considered.

User testing sessions

User testing sessions are where your app design truly gets put to the test, offering invaluable insights into how real users interact with your app and where improvements are needed. These sessions are crucial for refining the user experience, but they do require more time and resources to conduct, analyse, and implement feedback effectively.

Feedback and iteration cycles

Feedback and iteration cycles are the secret sauce for perfecting your app design, involving continuous rounds of user feedback and design tweaks to ensure everything works seamlessly. While these iterative adjustments are crucial for creating a polished final product, they also contribute to the design budget due to the ongoing adjustments and refinements needed.

Custom animations and transitions

Custom animations and transitions add a layer of sophistication and delight to your app, enhancing the user experience by making interactions feel smooth and engaging. Designing these eye-catching elements does require extra time and expertise, which is another factor that adds to the cost, but it can be something that sets you apart from your competitors.

Integration with device features

Integrating your app with native device features like cameras, GPS, and sensors can create a richer, more functional user experience tailored to your business needs. However, this added complexity can drive up costs, as it requires meticulous planning and specialised expertise to seamlessly incorporate these features.

Differences between iOS and Android design guidelines

A factor that isn’t often thought of is the need to design for both iOS and Android platforms. Designing for iOS and Android means navigating distinct guidelines tailored to each platform’s unique user experience and design principles.

iOS emphasises a clean, minimalistic approach with a focus on clarity and depth, while Android embraces a more flexible, material design with a focus on intuitive motion and grid-based layouts, making it essential to factor in these differences to achieve a polished, platform-appropriate design.

Designing for multiple devices like phones and tablets means creating adaptable layouts that look great and function seamlessly across various screen sizes and orientations. This versatility not only enhances the user experience but also increases the design complexity and cost, as each device requires tailored adjustments to ensure a consistent and polished appearance.

Considering accessibility

When designing an app, considering accessibility is crucial, not only for reaching a wider audience but also for ensuring an inclusive user experience. Incorporating features like voice commands, screen readers, and adjustable text, colour and button sizes might seem like extra steps, but the extra time for considerations can impact design costs to making your app accessible to everyone.

If you'd like to learn more about the importance of accessibility and how to learn about new ways to make apps more inclusive, check out our guide on designing accessible apps.

Imagery and fonts – The visual MVPs

Let’s talk visuals – because a picture’s worth a thousand words, but a great stock photo or a custom font might cost a bit more. Whether it’s high-quality stock imagery or bespoke illustrations, these elements add flair and personality to your app.

And don’t forget about font licenses – yes, even typography comes with a price tag. These costs can vary depending on whether you go for free resources, like Google Fonts, or premium options that offer that extra polish. Either way, investing in top-notch visuals ensures your app doesn’t just look good but feels on brand from the moment users tap in.

As with any project, there’s always going to be additional hidden costs that aren’t as obvious but can’t be completed without, such as costs associated with design tools and software. Subscriptions to platforms like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma are integral to the design process and while these tools provide powerful capabilities, they come with recurring fees that can add up over time.

Beyond software subscriptions, licensing fees for design assets such as stock images, icons, and fonts can significantly influence the cost of designing an app. High-quality assets often require purchasing licences to ensure they’re legally used in your app, which can vary widely depending on the type and extent of usage.

Other factors to consider are the possibility of changes in project requirements. This can have a considerable impact on the cost of designing an app. Whether it’s a shift in design direction, additional features, or new functionality, each adjustment requires time and resources to implement.

These changes can lead to additional design iterations, user testing, and revisions, all of which contribute to the overall cost. Effective communication and a clear understanding of project requirements from the start can help mitigate these impacts, but flexibility is key to accommodating evolving needs without breaking the bank.

• Efficient planning and clear requirements - Efficient planning and clear requirements are key to reducing design costs, as they prevent unnecessary revisions and ensure that your design team can deliver precisely what you need without costly back-and-forth adjustments.
• Using design systems and pre-made UI kits - Leveraging design systems and pre-made UI kits can help keep your costs down by providing reusable components and templates that streamline the design process and ensure consistency across your app.
• Regular communication and feedback loops - Maintaining regular communication and establishing feedback loops throughout the design process helps to catch issues early, minimising costly revisions and ensuring that the final design aligns perfectly with your vision.

Designing an app is an investment that goes beyond just aesthetics—it's about crafting a seamless user experience that captures attention and keeps users engaged. The cost of app design is influenced by the various factors we’ve discussed above, but ultimately it boils down to what your project requires and what you would like to prioritise. Understanding these factors can help you better anticipate costs and make informed decisions.

Remember, while it might seem tempting to skimp on design, it's worth noting that a well-crafted app design can set your product apart in a crowded market, making it more memorable and engaging for users. Investing in a thoughtful, high-quality design is a strategic move that pays off in user satisfaction and long-term success.

By planning efficiently, utilising design systems, and maintaining open communication with the design team, you can manage costs effectively while still achieving a standout app design.

When starting an app project, keep these tips in mind, and you'll be on your way to creating an app that not only looks great but also performs flawlessly across all devices and platforms.

We’d love to discuss your app idea and its goals so we can give you an idea of the actual price.