Dubai is the vibrant tech hub of the Middle East and is evolving rapidly to become the world’s number one tech hub, surpassing other countries.
Additionally, Dubai has one of the highest smartphone penetration rates because of its tech-savvy population, who depend upon various apps in everyday life. Altogether, this has brought an excellent opportunity for the businesses in Dubai to invest in app development, especially iOS apps.
You can also step into this massive business potential with iOS app development in the UAE. However, you should know how much it costs to develop an iOS app in Dubai.
We have made your work easy with this guide to iOS app development cost in Dubai.
Explore this blog till the end for complete information.
The Cost to Develop an iOS App and Its Calculation Formula
The estimated cost to develop an iOS app in Dubai ranges from $30,000 to $250,000 and more, which is based on different crucial app development factors. Different types of iOS apps will be there; they can be basic apps with minimal features and functionality.
Lastly come the advanced apps, which use advanced technologies, unique features, and functionalities. One of the primary factors that decides the cost of iOS app development is the estimated time of the app development.
So you know the average cost of iOS app development in Dubai. We will now proceed further and help you with the budgeting of the iOS app development cost in Dubai. To estimate the budget, it follows a particular formula used for calculating the cost of iOS app development.
The formula:
Hourly rate x Total Development time = Total iOS App Development Cost
For example, if the developer’s hourly rate is $50 and the total development time is 400 hours, then the iOS app development cost will be $20,000.
This formula will help you determine the rough expense of the app. However, there are several crucial factors of an app that determine app development cost, which we have mentioned earlier. It includes complexity, app types, features, development team, and more.
The good news is that we are going to briefly discuss these factors next. So, hold tight!
Factors Influencing iOS App Development Cost, along with the Cost Breakdown
Each of the iOS app development factors decides its development cost. So, we provide you with the iOS mobile app development cost breakdown associated with the factors.
We have shared the complete list below.
1] iOS App Complexity
The app complexity is one of the crucial aspects that has a direct impact on the iOS app development cost in Dubai. Earlier, we said that the prime factor that decides the cost of iOS app development is time, and the app complexity decides how much time it will take to create an app.
If you decide to develop a fully functional and well-featured iOS app using the most advanced technologies, then it will take more development time and resources.
So, the more time it takes, the cost will gradually increase. On the other hand, if you create a smaller app by optimizing and balancing its features & functionality, it will take less time and hence it cuts short the expenses.
Tabular checklist of different iOS app sizes and their estimated development cost:
| iOS App Complexity | Estimated Development Time | Estimated Development Cost |
| Low-Complex App | 4 to 6 months | $20,000 to $50,000 |
| Intermediate Complex App | 6 to 9 months | $50,000 to $100,000 |
| Highly Complex App | 10+ months | $100,000 to $250,000+ |
2] Types of iOS App Features
The complexity of iOS mobile app features is another major influential factor that decides the iOS application development cost in Dubai. Again, the integration process of iOS app features takes time, which determines the development cost.
If you are developing a basic iOS app, then it will include minimal features, focusing only on the essential features it will cost less. Furthermore, if you decide to develop a fully functional app with trending features that attract users automatically, it may take longer than expected.
Additionally, to develop such an advanced iOS app, you need to invest in smart technologies and advanced iOS mobile app security, which increases the overall development cost automatically.
Different iOS apps feature complexity and their average cost:
| App Feature Complexity | Feature Integration | Average Cost |
| Basic features | User authentication- login/ registration, profile management, easily navigable & user-friendly interface, etc. | $20,000 to $50,000
|
| Advanced features | AR(augmented reality) integration, AI-powered personalization, advanced analytics, robust security measures, etc. | $50,000 to $250,000+ |
3] iOS App Design
The iOS mobile app design is another major factor that influences the overall development cost in Dubai. An excellent UI/UX design of the app matters a lot since it offers the best experience of the app to its users.
To design an effective and unique iOS app, you need to fulfill its complex requirements, which include a smooth user interface, custom animation, and highly attractive graphics.
This will need to give app developers additional time and resources to do their work with precision, which determines the iOS app development cost in the Middle East. This doesn’t end here; a great iOS app design must be compatible with multiple screen sizes and resolutions to work seamlessly on various iOS devices.
Moreover, if you design your app in alignment with Apple’s design guidelines, this can increase the iOS app development cost in the UAE.
Table showing the cost breakdown of the iOS app development as per different phases of design:
| iOS App Design Process | Cost Breakdown |
| App design research | $500 to $1,000 |
| UX design | $5,000 to $40,000 |
| UI design | $40,000 to $70,000 |
| Branding | $9,000 to $25,000 |
| Animation & illustration | $2,000 to $30,000 |
4] Categories of iOS Apps
There are different categories of iOS apps, and each comes with its unique features, requirements for user experience, and complex functionalities. These differences among different iOS app categories play a huge role in determining the iOS application development cost.
There are iOS apps like gaming or eCommerce that come with advanced features, which may cost more to develop since they are complex to design, develop, and test. On the other hand, there are iOS apps with minimal features and simpler functionality that can cost you much less to develop.
Table showing you different categories of iOS app and their cost breakdown:
| Categories of iOS apps | Average Development Time | Average Development Cost |
| Gaming app | 4-20 months | $30,000 – $250,000 |
| Business app | 2-10 months | $20,000 – $150,000 |
| Education app | 2-12 months | $20,000 – $75,000 |
| Entertainment app | 3-15 months | $25,000 – $120,000 |
| Travel app | 2-8 months | $20,000 – $80,000 |
| Shopping app | 3-8 months | $30,000 – $80,000 |
| Social networking app | 5-8 months | $20,000 -$100,000 |
| Health and fitness app | 1-15 months | $20,000 – $200,000 |
| Fintech app | 4-12 months | $40,000 – $250,000 |
5] iOS App Developers’ Hiring Model
The hiring model of the iOS App Development Company in Dubai significantly affects the development cost app. There are multiple hiring models to hire a team of app developers, including in-house developers, freelancers, and outsourcing the development task to offshore companies.
To decide which hiring model will work best for you, a critical analysis of the project complexity, budget, timeline, and specialized skills is needed. In the end, you can understand the cost of hiring an iOS app developer in Dubai through this analysis.
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In-house Developers
Hiring an in-house iOS app developer in UAE offers control and direct communication for those who desire to develop an iOS app.
However, this is an expensive option among the other hiring models, because you have to offer salaries, benefits, and overhead. This model is best for long-term projects or those who need continuous support.
Table showing the in-house iOS app development cost in UAE.
| Project Complexity | Salary Range |
| Simple | $100,000 per annum |
| Complex | $200,000 per annum |
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Freelancers
If you choose to hire freelancers, then it will be a flexible and cost-effective hiring model. If you require small projects or a specific task for a shorter time period, then it is an ideal option for you.
Freelance iOS developers charge on an hourly basis, which also depends on the project; however, quality control and reliability can be challenging aspects.
Here is the table showing the freelance iOS app development cost per hour.
| Project Complexity | Hourly Rate Range |
| Simple | $20 – $50 |
| Complex | $35 – $80 |
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Outsource to Offshore Development Companies
If you wish to develop an iOS app without spending huge bucks on labor costs, then outsourcing to an offshore development company is a clever option.
The offshore iOS app companies offer you access to diverse talents who offer a quality product and charge you a balanced cost. One challenge of this model is establishing clear communication.
Table showing the cost of outsourcing iOS app development to offshore companies.
| Project Complexity | Hourly Rate Range |
| Simple | $30 – $60 |
| Complex | $60 – $120 |
6] Development Location
The location of the app development team is another major factor that decides the mobile app development cost in Dubai. Different regions come with different labor costs and talented individuals.
For example, the development team located in European countries or North American regions can cost more. On the other hand, the development team located in India and the Middle East can cost you lower in comparison.
So, before you hire mobile app developers to create an iOS app, it is important to research the cost of development. Further, the closeness of the team with the client matters since it can allow you to form better collaboration, but a local team can cost you more.
On the other hand, hiring an offshore development team can cost less; however, forming good communication can be a challenge.
Table showing the iOS application development cost as per different regions:
| Region | Cost Per Hour (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $80 – $150 | High-end due to expertise and demand |
| UAE | $30 – $100 | Varies with firm reputation and skill level |
| Australia | $70 – $120 | Competitive, especially in major cities |
| Asia | $20 – $60 | Most cost-effective, wide talent pool |
| Western Europe | $70 – $100 | High-quality and costly |
| Eastern Europe | $40 – $80 | Great balance of cost and quality |
Hidden Costs Associated with iOS App Development
You just read about a few of the factors that play a big part in deciding the cost to develop an iOS app in Dubai. However, do you know these factors are not the ultimate list?
Some hidden criteria decide the iOS app development cost in Dubai, which may escape your sight every time. We are going to disclose the iOS app development hidden cost, and you must be all ears about it.
We have created a table below for your better understanding and so that you don’t miss any details at the time of iOS app development.
| Hidden cost factors | Average Cost Per Year |
| Data storage | $500 |
| CDN | $150 |
| App developer account cost | $99/year |
| Annual iOS updates | $1,000 |
| Monitor and maintenance | $4,000 – $10,000 |
Key Tips to Reduce the iOS App Development Cost in UAE
You now know everything that you need to know to gauge the iOS application development cost in Dubai. After knowing the cost to develop an iOS app in Dubai, if you find it a little challenging to start the development process, then this section can help you a lot.
We will discuss here how to develop a mobile App in Dubai without burning your pocket.
Here is the list of key tips that help you reduce the iOS app development cost.
♦ Minimal Viable Product Development
Minimal Viable Product or MVP is the primary version of any iOS app, which is designed with minimal features and basic technology for the testing of the target audience.
This helps developers evaluate audience reactions and the success of the app. This method is an effective method of iOS app development by cutting down the extra development cost.
♦ Optimal App Testing
Ensure to carry out an optimal level of thorough app testing since you are creating an app with the MVP method. Launching the app without proper testing of the app in a hurry can bring issues to the app.
Revising the app development process and making remakes can increase the overall cost of the iOS app development.
♦ Outsourcing the Development Task
As we said earlier, creating your iOS app with an offshore development company can be more cost-effective than an onshore development company.
Delegating app development work to offshore companies is called outsourcing. Thus, prioritizing outsourcing can be the best tip to reduce the iOS app development cost in Dubai.
Benefits of Investing in iOS App Development in Dubai?
So, you now have a detailed knowledge of the development cost of iOS apps in Dubai. However, the real question lies here: why should the business of the UAE invest in mobile app development?
To answer this question, we have listed the benefits of investing in iOS app development.
➢ Gain Higher App Revenue
In the UAE, iOS apps are covering 14.18% of the market share, which clearly indicates that people are gradually turning towards iOS apps.
When more people are using iOS apps, investing in iOS app development will help businesses have higher revenue. Additionally, iOS app users tend to spend more on in-app purchases and subscriptions.
➢ High Data Security
While building iOS apps, developers ensure to maintain data security and authorization to offer high data security to the iOS app users.
Every iOS app offers its users a centralized administration that is capable of controlling all connected iOS devices. The iOS app has features like App Tracking Transparency, which supports better data protection.
➢ Quality Compliance
The Apple store also plays a vital role in the development of iOS apps in Dubai. Apple Store is not like other app download platforms; every iOS app goes through a strict app scanning process before publishing the app.
This criterion is followed because it ensures maintaining the quality compliance of the iOS apps to offer a stellar user experience.
➢ Reach a Tech-Savvy Audience
iOS apps offer the opportunity to reach the tech-savvy population of Dubai. People who prioritize quality and reliability will choose to use Apple products and, hence, will use iOS apps.
Today, Apple users are gradually increasing and are willing to pay for a premium experience. This offers an excellent opportunity for iOS app development companies to invest in next-gen apps.
How Does Nimble AppGenie Help in iOS App Development?
Are you in search of an iOS mobile app development company in Dubai that offers budget-friendly services to its customers?
Well, your search ends here, as Nimble AppGenie is one of the popular app development companies in Dubai that offers proper cost estimation of iOS app development to their clients.
We give full attention to our client’s requirements for iOS app development and also enquire about their budget for the same. The skilled team of developers at Nimble AppGenie, the popular mobile app startup in Dubai guides the clients with project evaluation, preparing prototypes, and others.
Moreover, the experienced developers are skilled enough to work on different iOS mobile app ideas from every industry.
Conclusion
So, this was the full guide on the iOS app development cost in Dubai, which has done justice with a detailed discussion around it.
By now, you have got to know that developing an iOS app is more than just hiring a developer. It requires strategic research and planning, which helps you to decide the correct developer hiring model that is not heavy on your pocket.
So now that you have complete knowledge of the iOS app development cost in Dubai, start your app development journey with the right budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long Does It take to make an iOS app?
We have helped you prepare a budget for you to build an iOS app. Talking about the time to develop a less complex app, it will take 4 to 6 months, for an intermediate complex app, it will take 6 to 9 months, and for a highly complex app, it will take more than 10 months.
How Much Does it Cost to Publish an iOS app?
There are several app stores where you can publish your app, and it is not free of cost. Different app stores have different price ranges.
The cost to publish an OS app on the App Store is costlier than publishing an Android app on Google Play. To publish the iOS app, Apple charges you $99 annually.
What affects iOS mobile application cost?
There are several factors that affect the cost of iOS app development. First of all, the time taken to develop an iOS app is the main factor that decides iOS mobile app development. Further, factors like app complexity, features, design, developer experience, and location affect iOS app development costs.
Is it profitable to make an iPhone app?
Yes, investing in developing an iPhone app is a profitable move. It can be estimated that your iOS app can generate an average revenue of $2.9M annually with an estimated gross margin of 22%. You can expect to get a return on the initial investment within 9 months or maybe less.
