Ecommerce app development cost is one of the biggest questions for businesses aiming to go digital. With online shopping booming and 72% of consumers preferring apps over websites for their purchases, it’s no surprise that eCommerce apps are vital for success.
But here’s the catch: without understanding the true costs, many businesses overspend or compromise on quality. This leads to missed opportunities in a market where every second counts. Having said that, online sales are growing in both number and value. In 2024, global ecommerce sales are expected to go over $7 trillion.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this blog, we’ll provide a detailed guide to the ecommerce app development cost so you can plan smartly and build an app that drives growth without breaking the bank. Let us dive in!
So, how much does it cost to develop an ecommerce app? As per industry insights, the ecommerce mobile app development cost for a basic app costs $15,000 to $25,000. A more advanced app starts at $30,000, and an advanced ecommerce app can cost $40,000 or more.
Cost of Developing an Ecommerce App
A basic app with essential functions like displaying products, processing payments, and letting customers add items to a cart has Ecommerce App Development Cost between $15,000 and $25,000. A mid-level app with features like customer accounts, order tracking, and shipping carrier integration costs around $30,000 or more. An advanced app with capabilities like AI product recommendations, augmented reality, and advanced analytics starts at $40,000 or more.
For a more accurate estimate, lets break down the ecommerce mobile app development cost below:
1) App Complexity
Below is a breakdown of Ecommerce mobile app development cost depending on complexity:
Basic Ecommerce App (Estimated Cost: $15,000 – $25,000)
A basic ecommerce app provides essential functionalities such as:
- Product catalog display
- Shopping cart
- Payment processing
- Basic user accounts
This type of app typically takes about 8-10 weeks to develop, requiring approximately 320-400 hours of billable time. It’s an excellent option for startups or small businesses entering the ecommerce market.
Mid-Level Ecommerce App (Estimated Cost: $30,000 – $50,000)
Mid-level apps cater to businesses looking to expand features and improve user experience. They often include:
- Customer accounts and profiles
- Order tracking and notifications
- Integration with multiple shipping carriers
- Advanced search and filtering options
These apps may take up to 12 weeks to develop and require additional quality assurance hours to ensure smooth functionality across various devices.
Advanced Ecommerce App (Estimated Cost: $40,000 – $100,000+)
Advanced ecommerce apps are built for businesses aiming for a competitive edge with unique features like:
- AI-driven product recommendations
- Augmented Reality (AR) for product previews
- Advanced analytics dashboards for business insights
- Integration with multiple third-party services
Such projects are complex, often requiring more than 16 weeks of development and a larger team to handle scalability and testing.
2) App Features
The number and type of features directly impact the development cost. Basic features like product listings, payment processing, and a shopping cart are cost-effective to implement. However, advanced features such as:
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Personalized product recommendations (powered by AI)
- Augmented Reality (AR) for virtual try-ons
- Multi-language support
…can significantly increase the cost. For example, adding AR functionality can raise the development budget by $10,000 or more. You should prioritize features based your target audience’s needs and allocate resources accordingly. Also here is a quick rundown of features with their ecommerce mobile app development cost to help you:
| Feature Category |
Feature |
Estimated Cost (Lower) |
Estimated Cost (Upper) |
| Essential |
Product Browsing and Search |
$5,000 |
$15,000 |
| Essential |
Product Details |
$3,000 |
$8,000 |
| Essential |
Shopping Cart |
$2,000 |
$6,000 |
| Essential |
Checkout Process |
$4,000 |
$12,000 |
| Essential |
User Accounts |
$3,000 |
$9,000 |
| Essential |
Payment Gateways |
$2,000 |
$6,000 |
| Additional |
Push Notifications |
$2,000 |
$6,000 |
| Additional |
Wishlist |
$1,500 |
$4,500 |
| Additional |
Product Reviews and Ratings |
$2,000 |
$6,000 |
| Additional |
Social Media Integration |
$2,000 |
$6,000 |
| Additional |
Loyalty Programs |
$3,000 |
$9,000 |
| Additional |
Augmented Reality (AR) |
$5,000 |
$15,000 |
| Additional |
Live Chat Support |
$2,000 |
$6,000 |
| Advanced |
Personalized Recommendations |
$5,000 |
$15,000 |
| Advanced |
Voice Search |
$3,000 |
$9,000 |
| Advanced |
Geolocation-Based Services |
$3,000 |
$9,000 |
| Advanced |
Inventory Management |
$4,000 |
$12,000 |
| Advanced |
Analytics and Reporting |
$3,000 |
$9,000 |
3. Choice of Platform
The platform you choose—iOS, Android, or both—affects the Ecommerce App Development Cost. iOS apps tend to be less expensive because Apple’s ecosystem is more standardized. Android apps, on the other hand, require additional resources to ensure compatibility across a wide variety of devices.
| Type of Ecommerce App |
Average Development Cost |
| Native apps (Android & iOS) |
$50,000 to $100,000 |
| Cross-platform apps |
$25,000 to $60,000 |
| Web apps |
$15,000 to $50,000 |
| Hybrid apps |
$10,000 to $150,000 |
4. Development Time
Time is money when it comes to app development. The average time to build an ecommerce app ranges from 8 to 16 weeks. The number of hours required for design, coding, and testing depends on the app’s complexity.
Development rates vary significantly by region:
- North America: $100 – $150/hour
- Eastern Europe: $40 – $70/hour
- Asia: $20 – $50/hour
For a standard app taking 320 billable hours, the cost can range between $6,400 and $48,000 depending on the developer’s location.
5. Payment Gateway Integration
Secure payment gateways are non-negotiable for any ecommerce app. Integration costs vary based on the service provider. Popular options like PayPal, Stripe, and Square charge setup fees between $500 and $5,000, alongside ongoing transaction fees. Adding multiple payment methods, including mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, can increase costs but enhances customer convenience, potentially boosting sales.
If you decide to build for both platforms, the development cost doubles. For instance, creating a cross-platform app using Flutter or React Native can save time but might add to the initial development cost due to the complexity of integration.
6. Backend Infrastructure
A robust backend ensures smooth app performance. It supports user accounts, transaction records, and data synchronization. Backend infrastructure involves costs related to Hosting services (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud), Databases (e.g., MongoDB, Firebase) and API integration. On average, hosting services cost $1,000-$3,000 per month, depending on app usage and storage needs. Skimping on backend infrastructure can lead to app crashes and poor customer reviews.
7. App Design and User Experience (UX)
First impressions matter in ecommerce. A sleek, intuitive design is important to design an app that users love. Custom designs that match your brand are more expensive than ready-made templates. Creating a high-quality user experience and user interface costs between $5,000 and $20,000. Spending on a user-friendly design can increase engagement and conversion rates, making it a valuable investment.
8. Location of Development Team
The geographical location of your development team plays a significant role in the Ecommerce App Development Cost. Hiring developers in the US or Western Europe is more expensive than outsourcing to teams in Eastern Europe or Asia. However, cheaper rates may come with challenges like time zone differences and communication gaps.
For example:
- US developers charge $100-$150/hour.
- Eastern European developers charge $40-$70/hour.
- Asian developers charge $20-$50/hour.
- TechnBrains developers: $99/per day.
9. Maintenance and Updates
Development doesn’t stop at launch. Regular updates, bug fixes, and adapting to OS changes like iOS and Android. Maintenance costs are typically 15%-20% of the app’s initial development cost per year. App maintenance costs about $2,000 to $2,500 each month at the beginning. This helps keep the app running smoothly and performing well throughout the year.
Comparing Popular Ecommerce Platforms
Choosing the right ecommerce platform is an important decision for any online store. The platform you pick will affect your store’s features, costs, scalability, and ease of use. Here’s a simple comparison of some of the most popular options:
Shopify
Shopify is known for being beginner-friendly. It’s easy to set up and manage, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses. The platform offers built-in tools for product management, payment processing, and marketing, along with access to an extensive app store for added functionality.
The only setback, Shopify charges transaction fees on each sale unless you use Shopify Payments. Customization options are also more limited compared to other platforms. Ecommerce mobile app development cost plans start at $29/month for Basic Shopify and go up to $299/month for Advanced Shopify.
Magento
Magento is a powerful and highly customizable platform, ideal for large-scale and complex online stores. Being open-source, it offers flexibility for developers to tailor it to specific business needs. The open-source version is free, but hosting and maintenance are additional expenses. For cloud-based Magento Commerce, pricing varies based on your needs.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce integrates seamlessly with WordPress, making it a popular choice for those familiar with the platform. It’s free to use and offers flexibility with numerous plugins and themes. However, it requires hosting, domain costs, and technical skills to manage. Free to download, but hosting and maintenance costs will depend on your chosen provider. Security and regular updates are also necessary to keep your store running smoothly.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a robust platform suitable for businesses looking for advanced features like built-in SEO tools, abandoned cart recovery, and advanced product filtering. The Ecommerce mobile app development cost starts at $29.95/month for the Standard plan, with enterprise-level pricing available for larger businesses. It’s scalable and can handle high-traffic stores, but it comes at a higher price point and offers less flexibility compared to Magento.
How to Save Money on Ecommerce App Development Costs
Creating an ecommerce app doesn’t have to be expensive. By using smart strategies, you can lower the Ecommerce App Development Cost without sacrificing quality. Here are some practical ways to save money while making sure your app performs well:
Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
MVP app development is the catalyst for slashing ecommerce mobile app development cost by a margin. What MVP does is that it focuses on delivering just the core features of your app, such as product browsing, shopping cart functionality, and payment processing. This approach not only reduces the Ecommerce App Development Cost but also allows you to test your idea in the market before committing to full-scale development. Win- Win right? Once your MVP is successful, you can gradually add features like personalized recommendations, advanced analytics, or AR integration as your budget grows.
Use Open-Source Tools and Frameworks
You can get your app built on open-source tools like Magento or WooCommerce for backend functionality. These tools offer powerful ecommerce features without the high costs associated with custom development. While these solutions may require some customization, they are a cost-effective foundation for most ecommerce apps. Be sure to allocate a budget for security enhancements and updates to avoid vulnerabilities. We will also be going down the comparison of different ecommerce platforms in the next section.
Prioritize Features Based on User Needs
This one is really important if you don’t want hefty Ecommerce App Development Cost. Avoid adding every feature you can think of to your app. Instead, focus on features that directly impact user experience and conversion rates. The best way to do it is to conduct surveys or analyze competitor apps to identify the must-have functionalities. In this way you will be prioritizing features, helping you allocate your budget more efficiently and avoid unnecessary development expenses.
Choose Cross-Platform Development
Building separate apps for iOS and Android can be expensive. With cross-platform development, developers write one codebase that works for both systems. This means you don’t need separate teams for iOS and Android, cutting overall development costs by 30-40%. These frameworks can handle most ecommerce app features, such as shopping carts, user accounts, and payment gateways.
Make sure the framework you pick supports your app’s growth and specific needs. Cross-platform apps may need small tweaks for each platform, but the savings in time and resources usually make this worth it.
Plan for Scalability from the Beginning
Thinking about scalability early can help you manage your ecommerce mobile app development cost in the future. Using scalable cloud hosting solutions like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure allows you to add resources as your app needs more. For example, if your app becomes very popular during a holiday season, scalable infrastructure ensures it can handle the extra traffic without crashing.
Scalability also means creating a modular app structure, making it easier to add new features without changing the entire codebase. While investing in scalable solutions might cost a bit more upfront, it will save you a lot in future updates, helping your app stay cost-effective and competitive.
The ROI of Ecommerce App Development
Investing in ecommerce app development can deliver a strong return on investment (ROI) by significantly boosting sales and enhancing customer engagement. With more than 72.9% of retail sales expected to come from mobile ecommerce by 2024, having a dedicated app ensures that your business remains competitive in digital-first market.
An ecommerce app can increase customer loyalty through features like personalized shopping experiences, push notifications for promotions, and easy checkout processes. These elements not only drive repeat purchases but also improve customer retention rates. Statistics show that apps convert at 3x the rate of mobile websites, meaning more revenue for your business.
Moreover, businesses with ecommerce apps can reduce operational costs by automating tasks such as inventory management and order processing. While the initial Ecommerce App Development Cost might range from $15,000 to $60,000 or more, the long-term benefits can outweigh the expense. For example, with a ecommerce app, your business can increase revenue by as much as 30% within the first year of launch. (If you get an app built by a 5 star rated firm – you know who)
Investing in an ecommerce app isn’t just about technology; it’s about creating a platform for sustainable growth and higher profits. The ROI from developing a dedicated app can set your business apart and drive success in today’s competitive landscape.
Wrapping it Up
Understanding the ecommerce app development cost is essential before starting a project. This ensures businesses make informed decisions without overspending or compromising on quality. The Ecommerce App Development Cost in 2025 can range from basic apps costing $15,000 to advanced solutions exceeding $40,000, the cost varies based on features, platform, and complexity. Factors like app design, payment gateway integration, and backend infrastructure significantly impact expenses.
Investing in an ecommerce app offers immense benefits, such as increased sales, improved customer engagement, and reduced operational costs. With mobile ecommerce expected to drive over 72.9% of retail sales by 2024, having a dedicated app is not just an option but a necessity.
