Dallas is emerging as a technology powerhouse of the Southern United States. With a growing pool of talent and competitive business ecosystem, many startups are choosing the city to get started with and so, it is no surprise that the demand for mobile app development services in Dallas is continuously rising.
The global app market stands at a huge USD 330.61 billion and is expected to reach USD 1103.48 by the end of 2034, its high-time you invest into the right development partner and grab that competitive edge.
If you’re also a startup founder, business owner or an entrepreneur considering getting a mobile app developed, the first question that might pop-up in your mind is: ‘how much does mobile app development cost in Dallas?’
Well, you need not to stress because this guide explains everything in detail around the cost of developing a mobile app in Dallas in 2025. From hourly rates of development and the costing breakdown of each development stage to the hidden costs that tag along and tips on smart budgeting, it has it all.
Average Mobile App Development Cost in Dallas (2025 Updated)
In 2025, the cost of mobile app development in Dallas depends on multiple factors, ranging in between $20,000 and $250,000. The key factors include the level of complexity of the app, features you’d want to integrate, and the development partner you work with.
Here’s an estimated breakdown of the app costs based on their level of complexity i.e. whether your app is a basic one with limited features and functionality, moderate with more features and complex with advanced integrations, etc.
| Mobile App Type |
Estimated Cost in Dallas |
|
Simple App
|
$20,000 – $40,000 |
|
Moderate App
|
$40,000 – $120,000
|
| Complex App |
$120,000 – $250,000
|
Though Dallas falls among the major cities such as New York and San Francisco, the app development cost here is a lot affordable without any compromise on quality.
Mobile App Development Cost Breakdown by Stages
Understanding how the total cost of app development in Dallas is distributed across the different stages can help you plan the budget strategically. Here’s a typical breakdown of the cost based on development workflow in Dallas.
| Mobile App Development Stage |
Estimated Cost |
|
Discovery and Planning
|
$2,000 – $10,000
|
|
UI/UX Design
|
$3,000 – $15,000
|
|
Development
|
$10,000 – $150,000
|
|
Testing & QA
|
$3,000 – $20,000
|
|
Deployment
|
$1,000 – $5,000
|
|
Maintenance & Updates
|
$15-20% annually
|
Mobile App Development Cost in Dallas by Platform & Technology
The platform and technology you choose when building a mobile application majorly impacts the development cost. Here’s an app development cost breakdown in Dallas based on the type of application you want:
- Native apps (Android or IOS) though bring along a better performance, they require higher development costs.
- Cross-Platform apps such as React Native or Flutter are cost-effective and save development time at the same time.
- Web apps and PWAs are the cheapest, however, they offer less functionality.
For example, a native ecommerce mobile app with secure payment systems and real-time inventory integrated could cost around $100,000 or more in Dallas while a cross-platform version of a similar idea can be built within $60,000 to $90,000.
Hourly Rates of Mobile App Development in Dallas vs. Other Regions
There are many options available to get your mobile app ideas transformed into reality other than hiring a local company. They might include, hiring a freelance app developer, onboarding remote development team from an offshore company, and so on. Most of these options come at hourly rates, described as follows –
| Location |
Hourly Rates ($) |
|
Dallas
|
75-150
|
|
San Francisco/ NYC
|
150-250
|
|
Austin
|
90-170
|
|
Offshore (e.g. India)
|
25-60
|
While the options offshore seem appealing and budget-friendly, businesses in Dallas often prefer partnering with a local mobile app development company over them because of IP protection laws, time zone alignment, and cultural understanding, etc.
Factors That Influence Mobile App Development Cost in Dallas
As mentioned above, there are multiple factors influencing and shaping the cost of app development – especially in a technology hub as of Dallas. They key factors amongst all include –
Feature Set and Functionality – the more features your app would require such as augmented reality, GPS integration, and real-time messaging, the higher it costs. Each additional feature or functionality you need requires additional design, coding and testing time; increasing the cost simultaneously.
While simple apps as of a calculator would cost low, complexed, feature-rich applications like a delivery or ride-sharing platform often cost heavy.
Custom UI/UX Design – while template designs save money, custom-made UI/UX designs are always in demand by businesses that have bigger goals. Custom designs, unlike templates, can help better engage and retain the audience and enhance your ROI.
However, an intuitive, clean, and well-strategized app design that caters to the choice of your audience would always cost higher than usual, eventually influencing the overall cost of development.
Backend Infrastructure and Complexity – if your mobile app requires a dynamic backend like user management, cloud databases, server logic or content moderation tools – it can certainly increase your development cost and time.
Building an adequate backend architecture is crucial for apps that require storing and retrieving data, handling logins or syncing across devices and so, it might sound costly but is worth all the investment.
Security Needs & Compliance – apps that deal with sensitive data, especially in the sectors like finance, healthcare or education – need to maintain strict compliance with data privacy and security standards.
Implementing secure data storage, end-to-end encryption and user authentication features certainly adds to both the cost and time of development.
Third-Party Integrations – some app ideas require integration with third-party APIs such as, maps, payment gateways, CRMS, and social media logins, etc. This might sound small but adds majorly to the time and effort required by the developers.
Therefore, if your app needs third-party integrations, it can add to the total cost of development without a doubt.
Development Timeline and Team Size – if you’ve a tighter development timeline, the cost is likely to get higher than usual. Similarly, stretching development more than usual can also increase the cost given the prolonged requirement of management and coordination.
How Does the App Development Cost Scales with Complexity
The cost of development majorly depends on the complexity of the app, described as follows –
| Complexity Level |
Example |
Cost Range |
|
Simple
|
Bill Splitter, Calculator |
$20k – $40k
|
|
Medium
|
Chat App, Fitness Tracker |
$50k – $100k
|
|
Complex
|
Marketplace app, Doordash-like |
$120k – $250k
|
7 Hidden Mobile App Development Costs You Should Know When Hiring in Dallas
Even after thoughtful planning and budgeting, businesses are caught off guard by some expenses that continue to emerge during the project lifecycle. However, you can always keep in mind these 7 hidden costs of app development when budgeting to avoid any sudden expenses that might delay or negatively impact your project once executed.
Project Management Tools and Resources – efficient traction of the development phases and collaboration are crucial to successful development. Project management tools such as Slack, Jira, Trello, and Confluence offer great solutions for easy management and collaboration, however, most of them come with a subscription fee.
In addition to that, hiring or even allocating a dedicated project manager for app development comes with a cost, which comes under the overall cost of app development.
Legal and Licensing Fees – It is often integral for the apps to comply with the industry/federal laws and regulations, requiring you to onboard a legal advisor or counsel.
Whether it is about creating a user agreement, drafting privacy policies or making sure the app complies with legal laws like HIPPA, GDPR or COPPA, legal services can charge for each of the services accordingly, indirectly adding to the overall cost of app development.
App Store Registration – to get your app published or registered, you’ll have to register as a developer on the platform. Apple charges an annual fee of $99 for individual accounts and $299 for enterprises while Google Play charges a one-time fee of $25. Though these are small amounts, they must be accounted for when accumulating the total cost of development.
Cloud Infrastructure Costs – hosting the backend, database and media content for your app usually involves an ongoing cost. Popular services such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud charge on the basis of your storage, CPU, and bandwidth, etc. For apps that deal with heavy traffic, the cost can add-up quickly, indirectly contributing to the overall development cost.
Ongoing Maintenance – app maintenance and updates post launch are crucial for a long-term, successful performance. It can include a variety of actions such as, server monitoring, bug fixing, performance improvements, third-party API updates and OS updates, etc.
The cost of app maintenance is usually around 15% to 20% of the initial development budget annually, therefore, it must be included into the total budget of app development you plan.
Launch & Marketing Campaigns – marketing is significant, no matter how great of an app you build and launch – it cannot reach the audience unless you market. Pre-launch and post-launch marketing activities such as, email marketing, landing pages, beta testers, paid ads, influencer partnerships, and app store optimization are all equally important to build the right hype around your product and they certainly cost you some bucks, ranging between $5,000 to $ 50,000 – depending on how big you’re going.
Analytical Tools – customers are the king in the latest business landscape, making user interaction a key factor to help with your future app updates and improvements. The better you’ll know your audience, the more you’d be able to optimize the app as per their requirements.
Knowing your audience requires subscribing to analytical tools which would cost you some money, ranging from 0$ to multiple thousand dollars a year, depending on the features you avail.
Now that you know about these hidden costs, you must always talk to your development partners in Dallas when closing the deal so that no surprises hit you middle-way.
What Would It Cost To Build Top Apps in Dallas?
If you want to build a top-tier app like Instagram, Duolingo or Uber, etc. that can gather major popularity and user engagement, partnering with TechnBrains can certainly get you there. However, the cost might be higher than usual, you can check out the rough estimates below –
| App Type |
Cost in Dallas |
|
Uber (Clone)
|
$150k – $250k
|
|
Duolingo-Style
|
$70k $130k
|
|
Instagram (MVP)
|
$80k – $120k
|
Ready To Build Your App? Get a Free Quote Now
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Final Thoughts: Is Dallas The Right Choice for Your App Development Project?
Dallas brings together talent, affordability and opportunity in a manner very few cities can. With a potentially growing technology scene and access to pool of development professionals, it surely is the premium place to get started with your app development journey.
Now that you’ve gone through a detailed app development cost breakdown in Dallas, it’s about time you get in touch with the TechnBrains, the top-tier mobile app development company and get ready to see your idea turning into a viable reality very soon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to hire a mobile app developer in Dallas?
The hourly rates developers in Dallas usually charge ranges in between $75 and $150, depending on the skillset and experience they bring to the table and the complexity of the app you want.
Is App Development cheaper in Dallas when compared to other big cities such as San Francisco or New York?
Yes, Dallas is a technology hub that manages to offer cost-effective app development services while maintaining the quality in comparison to other major cities in the US.
How long does it take to develop a mobile app in Dallas?
An average timeline for mobile app development ranges between three to six months, depending on the complexity, features, and design of the app. The availability of resources and budget also impacts the development timeline.
Should I choose a freelancer or an app development company in Dallas?
Freelancers are sure to be cost-effective and good for short-term projects, it is ideal to partner with a local app development company in Dallas if your goal is to scale business with a tailored mobile application that carries exceptional design and functionality.
It is mainly because app development companies have extended teams including strategists, designers, developers, testers, and even marketers – offering full-scale assistance from basic ideation to the final launch and post-launch maintenance of your app.
On the contrary, working with a freelancer would require you to handle most phases yourself or hire more resources – making it all complicated and even costly at times.
Can I build a quality app in Dallas within budget?
Yes, you can certainly build a quality mobile app in Dallas while not crossing your budget. The key is to start with an MVP, choosing a cost-platform development framework, and working for an experienced development company.
