Staying competitive in any market requires businesses to be where their audience and competitors are. And as we all know, it’s a mobile era, and having a mobile app is necessary for every business, be it healthcare, finance, manufacturing, logistics, etc.
But multiple platforms like the web, Android, iOS, and more make mobile app development look like an out-of-league investment for many enterprises. That’s where Google’s Flutter swoops in like a superhero, promising beautiful, high-performance apps that work across iOS, Android, and more, all from one codebase.
Flutter app development translates to faster development, lower costs, and satisfied users on all platforms.
So then, how much does Flutter app development cost? As a pioneer Flutter development company, helping businesses leverage this framework since its inception, we have Well, that depends on your app’s complexity. For example, a simple to-do list app might take a few thousand dollars. Fancy social media app with bells and whistles? More like tens of thousands.
But even then, Flutter usually beats the cost of building separate apps for each platform.
This article explains what you’ll pay for the Flutter app development cost so you can decide if it fits your budget and goals. Flutter might just be the key to unlocking your digital success without the financial nightmare!
But Let’s Know Flutter First,
Launched by Google in 2015, Flutter is an open-source, cross-platform mobile app development platform. This cross-platform framework is for businesses looking to develop native-looking iOS and Android apps from a single codebase.
Besides, Flutter’s advanced widgets and tools allow you to create attractive apps for both iOS and Android platforms. Moreover, Flutter uses Dart, a general-purpose programming language that compliments its features like hot reload. Consequently, Dart accelerates the Flutter development cycle, ensuring the high performance of the app.
So, if you have been planning for Flutter App Development and are wondering about the cost of Flutter mobile application development, you will have to understand a few factors.
Multiple factors affect the Cost of making a Flutter App, and the cost of Flutter app maintenance also depends on it. Moreover, an in-depth analysis of cost-affecting factors will also help you make better decisions about hiring Flutter developers.
Factors Affecting the Flutter App Development Cost
The reason why the Flutter app development cost can range as low as $10000 to as high as $100k or more is a set of factors. These factors are nothing else but choices made by you or as per your business requirements. So, let us understand each vital factor and how your choices impact overall cost.
The Complexity of App
You can evaluate the complexity of your Flutter app based on five basic characteristics, including
- Deployment Architecture Model
- Admin Panel Development
- Third-Party Integration
- Use of the Device’s In-Built Features
- Integration with the Enterprise.
Assessing whether it’s a low, medium, or highly complex app is critical as the complexity is a key factor. The more complex app development, the more it costs.
| App Complexity | Key Characteristics | Average Development Cost |
| Low Complexity | – Basic UI components – No admin panel or simple admin panel – Minimal third-party integrations – Limited use of device’s in-built features – No enterprise integration | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Medium Complexity | – Custom UI/UX design – Custom admin panel development – Multiple third-party integrations – Moderate use of the device’s in-built features – Basic enterprise integration | $25,000 – $40,000 |
| High Complexity | – Highly customized UI/UX with complex animations – Advanced admin panel with analytics – Extensive third-party integrations – Advanced use of device’s in-built features – Comprehensive enterprise integration | $40,000 – $70,000+ |
Device-specific Functionality
Every mobile device comes with its own set of device features, including a camera, calendar, face/irish recognition, fingerprint scanner, etc. So, if you choose to leverage such platform-specific functionalities, it will add up to the ultimate cost. The more features you select, the higher the cost, as it requires more time and effort to integrate such features.
Impact of Device-Specific Functionality on Flutter App Development Cost
| Feature | Description | Additional Cost Impact |
| Camera Access | Integrating camera functionality for capturing photos or videos. | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Calendar Integration | Syncing with the device’s calendar for event management and reminders. | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Biometric Authentication | Implementing fingerprint, face, or iris recognition for secure authentication. | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| GPS and Geolocation | Utilizing the device’s GPS for location tracking and services. | $2,000 – $3,500 |
| Accelerometer and Gyroscope | Accessing motion sensor data for fitness apps, games, or other applications. | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Push Notifications | Sending notifications directly to the user’s device. | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| NFC (Near Field Communication) | Enabling NFC for contactless payments or data exchange. | $2,500 – $5,000 |
Application Category
The estimates of the cost to make a Flutter App vary according to the category of the app you are developing. All apps are different from each other when it comes to their features or functionalities. Some may have basic functionalities, while others may have complex ones.
For example, a buy now pay later application development cost will vary compared to the Trading app development cost. Even though both apps belong to the Fintech market, the development cost may dramatically differ.
Read Also: How to Hire Flutter Developers?
Design of Application
App designing is a comprehensive process of shaping your app, balancing your brand guidelines, and maintaining your target audience’s preferences in the spotlight. However, building iOS and Android apps using Flutter reduces the design cost by a fraction, as you don’t have to design them separately.
Nevertheless, wireframing, prototyping, and refinements in the design phase play a crucial role in estimating the ultimate cost. Again, how intricate you want your app design to be can be a catalyst.
| Design Phase | Description | Estimated Cost Impact |
| Ideation | Brainstorming and defining app goals, scope, and functionalities. | Minimal direct cost |
| Sketching/WireframiNg | Creating rough sketches or wireframes to outline the app’s visual structure and flow. | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Design Mockups | Developing high-fidelity designs that incorporate visual identity (colors, typography, etc.). | $2,500 – $7,000 |
| Prototyping | Building interactive prototypes to simulate user experience and app functionality. | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| User Testing | Conducting tests with real users to gather feedback on usability and design. | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Final Design Refinement | Refine the design based on user feedback and finalize the UI/UX before development. | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Handoff to Development | Preparing and transferring final designs and specifications to the development team. | Minimal |
Do you want an app with offline functionality, third-party integrations, and custom functionalities, like complex features? Or just necessary features and functionality? This is how your decision about app functionality defines its design complexity and can affect the ultimate cost.
Maintenance of the App
The development of the app never comes to an end. You cannot just leave your app after its deployment. You will need to maintain it and update it regularly to provide your users with the best out of using it.
Moreover, this can be done by updating it to meet the demands of your users and attract new users. Hence, the cost of Flutter app maintenance is undeniable, whether you like it or not. Basically, the Flutter app focuses on three points when it comes to maintenance. The main three points are as follows:
App updates at regular intervals: Its cost depends on the developer who knows when an update is required.
Changes in design: Timely changes in your app design help attract new users and do not make your app look outdated in front of your competition.
Fixing app bugs: Who does not like a bug-free app? So, it is recommended to keep detecting bugs and fix them occasionally for the app to function smoothly.
Location of your Agency
Flutter outsourcing is a trend in the current app development landscape. That’s where the location comes into play. Since there are Flutter development agencies worldwide, where you outsource or hire Flutter developers impacts the development cost.
Different geographical locations have different costs, and it impacts the Flutter mobile application development cost without a doubt. For example, rates of Flutter app development are much higher in the USA agency than in any Asian agency.
A very simple formula approach to calculate the Flutter mobile application development cost is to calculate the number of hours an app development company takes and multiply it by billable hours. Mathematically, it can be stated as:
UI/UX design hours + hours taken to develop Flutter app + Backend server * rate of app developers per hour.
Advantages of Flutter Mobile App Development
Flutter’s unique blend of flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are the biggest reasons why businesses are increasingly turning to Flutter. Some even convert their existing app to Flutter using its advanced solution.
But that’s not all. Here are some compelling reasons why Flutter is becoming the primary choice for companies looking for mobile app development.
One code, everywhere: Flutter builds multiple apps, including Android and iOS apps, with one codebase, saving time and money with a native-like feel. The proof of this is Alibaba’s Xianyu app, which has reached 50 million users across devices this way.
Rapid Development: Flutter’s hot reload shows changes instantly, meaning faster development and quicker launches. Just ask the developers of the Hamilton Musical app!
Budget-friendly: One code, fewer costs! Businesses save by building for both iOS and Android without double the work. Google Ads saw this benefit firsthand.
Top performance, no compromise: Don’t let cross-platform means slow. Flutter apps feel native on both iOS and Android, keeping you competitive.
Eye-catching designs: Flutter lets you build unique and beautiful UIs that attract users. For example, Reflectly’s AI journal app saw a surge in user retention after its redesign of Flutter.
Always improving: Backed by Google, Flutter has a passionate community that is constantly adding features and updates. Businesses get peace of mind knowing their app stays secure and modern.
Value-added Features Of Flutter
Besides cross-platform functionality, Flutter offers advanced features, appearing as the ideal framework for various business development needs.
- Widgets galore: Get fancy and interactive UI with Flutter’s expanded widget library. No need for extra resources, meaning lower design costs.
- Changes in a flash: See code updates instantly with improved hot reload. This means faster development and quicker app launches.
- Plug and play features: Connect to hardware, services, and more with easy API integration. Build complex features, skip custom coding, and save money.
- Test once, test right: One codebase means less testing across platforms. Save time and reduce your testing budget.
- MVP magic: Launch your minimum viable product fast with Flutter’s efficiency. Get user feedback quickly with minimal investment.
- Google’s got your back: Enjoy continuous updates, vast documentation, and a strong community. Your app is future-proof and reliable.
- Native speed, no native cost: Get smooth and responsive apps without breaking the bank. Flutter delivers top-tier performance despite being cross-platform.
Calculating The Average Flutter App Development Cost
After exhaustive research on different apps and statistics, we have selected three most-talked application types to take as examples. Let’s take a $50/hour rate to calculate the cost, as it is the average development rate globally. Given that software development rates start from $25 and go up to $200+ in some countries.
Flutter App Development Cost For Buy Now Pay Later Apps
Features:
- User registration and login
- Credit check and approval
- Product Catalog
- Payment Scheduling
- Push notifications for payment reminders
- Integration with payment gateways
- User dashboard for tracking purchases and payments
- Admin panel for managing users and products
Approx development time: 600 – 800 hours
Average Cost ($50/h): $30,000 – $40,000
Flutter App Development Cost For Insurance Apps
Features:
- User registration and profile management
- Policy browsing and purchase
- Document upload and management
- Claim filing and status tracking
- Chat support
- Push notifications for policy renewals and claim updates
- Integration with various databases for policy and customer management
- Payment gateway integration for premium payments
Approx development time: 700 – 900 hours
Average Cost ($50/h): $35,000 – $45,000
Flutter App Development Cost For Healthcare Apps
Features:
- User registration and medical profile management
- Appointment booking with doctors
- Chat and video consultation features
- Prescription management
- Health tracking and analytics
- Integration with wearable devices
- Push notifications for appointment reminders and medication intake
- Secure storage and sharing of medical records
Approx development time: 800 – 1000 hours
Average Cost ($50/h): $40,000 – $50,000
Note: The above-mentioned costs are for basic applications with features you can see in the table. (If you are convinced already, then hire Flutter developers from here:) and if you are not, please keep continuing)
Special Note
Flutter is growing, and those who opt for this marvelous cross-platform SDK grow with it. So now it’s up to you when you start delegating your success to Flutter. As a pioneer Flutter app development company, Kody Technolab Ltd has helped tons of enterprises solve their business problems and bring their ideas to life using Flutter.
If you have a startup app idea or want to migrate to your Flutter, connect with our veteran Flutter developers. You can discuss your project, ask questions, and get the right solution from us.
