Flutter App Development Cost in 2024: Everything You Need to Know

• Mobile
• February 22, 2024

by Parth Pandya

Planning to build your dream Flutter app? Ever wondered what it truly costs to develop a top-notch Flutter app in 2024? Dive into our latest blog for a comprehensive breakdown, from initial design to post-launch updates with factors that influence the Flutter app development cost and help you with your budget planning.

Flutter is an open-source cross-platform UI software development kit created by Google in 2017 that’s getting popular among developers and businesses. With around 46% of developers using Flutter worldwide for cross-platform app development, there’s no doubt about its demand in the market.

Since then, businesses that want to develop cross-platform apps are reaping the benefits of using Flutter in app development.

But, do you know how much it costs to develop an app using Flutter? Roughly, you can consider the cost of Flutter app development in the range of $20,000 – $1,00,000 or more.

However, there are various factors associated with the cost of app development projects, which you should consider to plan your budget.

Speaking of which, we have curated this guide just for you to get a glimpse of how this cost estimation works for the Flutter app development project.

Flutter App Development Cost Breakdown

When you approach a mobile app development company like MindInventory, you might have done your initial research. However, to stay clear with your budget and app development requirements, you may have a vision of the app you want to develop. The thing is, that’s not sufficient.

You have to dig deeper beyond the features and functionalities of the app, which asks for going through factors influencing the cost of Flutter app development. Some of the integral ones influencing cost of the app development include:

• App Complexity: Define the kind of app you want to develop with Flutter. It could be a simple note-taking app, a mid-complexity level eCommerce app, or a complex app like an IoT-enabled (telematics-based) logistics app.
• Design Requirements: Your requirement for custom logos, icons, brand-specific designs, animations, and interactive elements can affect the cost estimation.
• Backend development: Be it simple server interactions, data storage, and retrieval or complex server logic, data processing, real-time features, or cloud integration – the backend has its impact on the cost.
• Third-Party Integrations: You may want to integrate services like payment gateways, social media, maps, etc.
• Features and Functionality: Whether implementing simple app features like push notifications, account creation, etc., or complex features like personalization, AI-chatbot, etc., all have their price tag as per implementation complexity.
• App Testing: Your choice for the basic to extensive app testing selection has an impact on the cost of Flutter app development.
• App Deployment: As you’re developing your app using Flutter, you’ll have one codebase for both iOS and Android OS-supported devices. This also asks for deploying apps to both platforms, and the OS-respective app store will be having its fees for the app publishing.

These are the main factors behind the overall cost of developing apps using Flutter. Don’t worry! You’ll come across an in-depth cost analysis in the latter part of this blog.

Key Factors Affecting the Cost of Flutter App Development

When calculating cost for your Flutter app development project, you have to consider various app key factors, which are as follows:

1. Complexity of the App Concept

Likewise, to other app development parameters, Flutter app development can also be categorized into three complexity levels: basic, medium complex, and high complexity apps.

Flutter app development cost as per app complexity is as follows:

• Basic/simple Flutter App: $10,000 – $55,000
• Mid-complexity Flutter App: $60,000 – $1,10,000
• Highly complex Flutter App: $1,20,000 – $2,00,000+

If we talk about, how these are categorized, then below are the features that can be considered for such:

2. Requirement for Flutter App Discovery and Strategy

It is the essential segment in the app development process that asks for tons of effort and time. In the app discovery and strategy phase, you have to take into account many things, such as:

• Requirement gathering by interviewing stakeholders and doing user needs analysis
• In-depth competitor and industry market analysis
• Technical and economical feasibility study
• Defining project scope with feature list and user stories
• Initial ideation about the app to check how it looks with rough wireframing
• Technology stack selection
• Risk assessment
• Project planning with milestone and resource allocation
• Requirement and project plan documentation

So, if you’re considering all the above pointers, then yes, you can expect the cost of Flutter app discovery and strategy from $5,000 to $25,000 and more. The more detail-oriented you want to go with app discovery, research, and strategy, the more time will be taken, and so will the cost associated.

3. Flutter App Design Requirements

Flutter indeed offers a great capability of developing apps with stunning looking and functional app UI and UX. But to do so, you do have to take in app design considerations, which include color scheme, iconography, layout, brand identity, navigation, and much more that lead to better app user experience.

You can estimate the overall cost of app design somewhere in between $7,500 – $25,000 or more, with inclusions like:

4. No. of Flutter App Features and Functionalities To be Included

The complexity of the app is decided by considering no. of features and functionalities and their implementation complexity. The more basic features you try to include in your app, the less costly the final Flutter app development cost will be. And with increasing complexity, the cost will be impacted.

Of course, the Flutter app with AR/VR features, AI/ML capabilities, and more can cost more than basic features like account creation, profile setup, feed, etc.

5. Flutter App Quality Assurance

Now, which app QA and testing approach you’re using takes the command over the cost of Flutter app development. This also depends on the complexity of the app you’re testing.

If we consider the overall estimation, then:

• Simple App Testing Cost:  $2,000 – $5,000
• Medium Complexity App Testing Cost: $5,000 – $10,000
• Highly Complex App Testing Cost: $10,000+

In the case of considering separate different types of testing, then:

• Manual Testing: $20 – $50 per hour
• QA Automation Testing: $50 – $100 per hour

If planning to use both manual and automation app testing practices, you can expect costs by considering 40 hours of manual testing and 20 hours of automation testing timings in the range of $2,000 – $5,000 and more.

Flutter App Development Cost Estimation Based On Engagement Model You Choose

When opting for the Flutter app development company, you generally have two choices, either choose a Fixed Cost Model or a Dedicated Hiring one.

• Fixed cost is often considered in the case of clear requirements and scoped projects
• Dedicated hiring/staff augmentation is considered when there are varying scoped projects.

However, nowadays, businesses often prefer to go with dedicated hiring as they get access to remote talents working as a part of their team without any strings attached apart from getting paid for the hours spent.

So, if you’re considering that for your Flutter app development project, you can expect the following price chart for each hour spent on yours:

• North America: $50-$120/hour
• Latin America: $20-$50/hour
• Western & Northern Europe: $30-$70/hour
• Middle East: $40-70/hour
• Africa: $25-$40/hour
• South, Central & Eastern Europe: $30-$60/hour
• Eastern Asia: $20-$60/hour
• Southeast Asia: $20-$50/hour
• Oceania/Australia: $40-$70/hour

These are just the average regional costs you can expect, but you do want to know about the hourly hiring cost for each skill to be working on your project:

• Project Manager: $40 – $150+
• Business Analyst: $25 – $100+
• Software Architect: $25 – $150+
• UI/UX Designer: $25 – $100+
• Flutter App Developer: $25 – $150+
• Backend Developer: $30 – $100+
• QA Engineer: $20 – $100+

No matter who you hire and the engagement model you choose, the time spent on your Flutter app development can significantly impact the cost, which is highly dependent on the skills you hire.

Flutter App Development Cost Estimation: Add-Ons Services

The above-mentioned factors you’ll definitely consider for your Flutter app development project’s cost estimation, but you can’t miss out on the following additional factors, which you may need in the long run or ongoing basis:

1. Ongoing App Maintenance and Support

It’s important to keep your app updated to be performing robustly and up-to-date as per the latest industry and technology trends. This keeps your app relevant to the ongoing market situation with what users find convincing.

During this, you may need to fix app bugs, improve app performance, add new features or remove old/outdated/ineffective ones, harden the security of the endpoints, and comply with ongoing regulation updates.

It is quite a variable factor, which may cost someone less or another one more. However, it’s always recommended to allocate 15-20% of your initial Flutter app development cost for the app maintenance and support work, which could cost around in the range of $2,000 – $5,000+ per month.

You can also save up on this cost by opting for MindInventory’s Flexible Hourly Bucket Model, in which you can purchase a bucket of hours from us and utilize it whenever you need Flutter App maintenance support from us.

2. Third-party API Integrations

With many features and functionalities, you do want to equip your app with advanced features, which you may find convenient by integrating third-party services with your app. That’s where third-party API integration comes into the picture.

Well, you won’t find every third-party API that fits well with your Flutter build; some you may have to and want to customize as per your app requirements. That also adds up cost to your overall bill, which is go up to:

• Simple API integration with minimal customization: $1,000 – $2,000
• Complex API integration with custom work: $2,000 – $5,000+

You should keep in mind that some APIs charge per-use fees, which can add to the ongoing cost. The more APIs you integrate with your app, the more cost will add on.

3. App Release

Once you’re done with developing and integrating your app, you do have to release it to the platform for the audience to easily find your app, download it, and use it. The most famous app release platforms like Apple App Store and Google Play Store have their charges as well.

The cost for the same may vary depending on the app store type:

Apple App Store for the iOS App:

• Individual Developer Program: $99 per year
• App Store Small Business Program: $99 per year
• Apple Developer Enterprise Program: $299 per year

Google Play Store for the Android App:

• Developer Account: $25 one-time fee

Plus, you just can’t release your app without its description that can excite users to download the app. In the case of many competition in the same category of app, you do want to invest in ASO (App Store Optimization) service to target the keyword and perfect app store copywriting. This helps in making your app stand out from the market competition.

Depending upon your ongoing ASO improvement requirements, ASO service packages generally start from $1,500 with varying time frames.

How Much Does it Cost to Revamp A Flutter App In 2024?

Be it redesigning a mobile app or revamping it, both have their significant benefits, which go more towards brand image improvement and revenue boost if done nicely. But how much does that Flutter app revamping cost?

To calculate that, you may have to consider the original app’s complexity, scope of revamping, developer experience, and locations of the developer.

If we breakdown the Flutter app revamping cost, you should also consider the following factors:

Flutter App Redesigning

Just like designing an app from scratch, the redesigning also asks for a similar level of effort, but with a heads-up of having research and ideations ready.

You may find the cost of the app look refresh in the range as mentioned below:

• Simple UI refresh: $5,000 – $10,000
• Moderate UI/UX redesign: $10,000 – $20,000
• Complete brand overhaul and UI/UX redesign: $20,000+

Flutter App Audit and Reporting

Flutter app code audit and reporting cost can vary depending up on the intricacies required to be achieved and code complexity standards.

However, you can expect the Flutter app audit and reporting to cost around:

• Basic Audit: $2,000 – $5,000 (includes code quality checks, security vulnerability scans, and basic performance analysis)
• Comprehensive Audit: $5,000 – $10,000+ (includes in-depth code review for maintainability and efficiency, detailed performance profiling, and optimization recommendations)

Flutter App Refactoring

Code refactoring is the process of improving the code structure without changing its overall functionality.

When planning to refactor the Flutter app code, it asks for a better understanding of concepts like:

• The usage of Flutter widgets and state management
• The data flow understanding with Bloc, Provider, and other state management solutions, and more.

Moreover, depending upon the time taken and quality to be achieved, you can expect the Flutter app code factoring cost as mentioned below:

• Minor Refactoring: $2,000 – $5,000 (includes simple codebase, limited scope)
• Moderate Refactoring: $5,000 – $10,000 (includes average complexity, moderate scope)
• Major Refactoring: $10,000+ (includes complex and larger code base)

Well, this service may cost less or somewhere in the range we have mentioned. Still, you may have to consider a lot of things, skills, complexity, etc.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Flutter App? – Niche-specific Apps

It also depends on what kind of app you’re developing and it’ll be serving to which industry? So, let’s take a look at the niche-specific Flutter app development cost, and who knows, your idea could match that and give you an idea to budget your dream app. Let’s take a look:

• E-commerce Apps: The cost of developing an e-commerce app can range from $20,000 – $100,00+. With that cost range, it may have features like user accounts and order history, product browsing and search, shopping cart and checkout, secure payment gateway, and more.

• Healthcare Apps: You can expect the cost of developing a healthcare app somewhere between $30,000 – $150,000+ with features like doctor appointment booking, telehealth consultation, EHR integration, symptom checkers, medicine tracker, etc.

• Fitness Apps: The estimated cost of Fitness app development can be considered around $15,000 – $75,000+, which offers workout routines and tracking, diet tracking, wearable integration, social features, and more. Please note that personalized coaching and workout plans can increase the cost.

• On-demand Apps: You can expect the cost of developing on-demand apps around $20,000 – $100,000+ with features such as geolocation tracking, service provider search and booking, real-time tracking and status updates, in-app payment, etc. Please note that the inclusion of advanced on-demand app features like integration with logistics or dispatch systems can increase costs.

• Entertainment Apps: Are you building an on-demand video streaming app like Netflix, a content browsing app, or something else? No matter what your demand is. Your entertainment app with video/music streaming, content browsing, personalization, offline functionalities, subscriptions, and more features can cost $10,000 – $50,000+.

• Educational Apps: Your educational app with features like interactive learning modules, gamification elements, progress tracking and reports, CMS integration, and LMS development and integration, adaptive learning algorithms, and more, can cost around $15,000 – $85,000+.

• Social Networking Apps: Whether you’re planning to develop a social networking/media app like Threads or Instagram or something else, you would be interested in adding features and functionalities like user profiles and connections, feeds with posts, comments, and likes, in-app communication support, scalable architecture, and more. Hence, creating a feature-rich social networking app can cost you in the range of $25,000 – $125,000+.

How to Reduce Flutter App Development Cost?

Nobody likes to pay extra money for anything. For that, you need to have a proper understanding of the cost-influencing factors and be sure of the requirements. If given a chance, why would you miss a chance to save an extra penny from your investment in the Flutter app development project? Let’s take a look at strategies to reduce the cost of developing your dream Flutter app:

• Prioritize the use of open-source libraries and tools to avoid extra spending on custom development and paying additional subscription or integration fees.
• Use cloud-based services to maintain app supportability and all-time app uptime as per the changing demand with auto-scaling up and down settings.
• Implement agile development methodologies to reduce the overall development time and cost.
• Hire dedicated Flutter developers with experience to reduce the learning curve and minimize the need for extensive training and onboarding. Plus, they will charge for only the hours they have worked on your project, unlike full-time employees.

You’ll find many other Flutter app development cost-saving techniques as well, but the above ones are the most proven and tested ones that’ll surely work.

MindInventory: Your Trusted Flutter App Development Company

So, that’s all about understanding the cost estimation of the Flutter app development project. You may find people who’ve developed Flutter apps at less cost and some at quite higher. It’s just about finding the reliability you can have the build on which your vision depends.

The cost bar for the same also depends on the Flutter app development company you select and from which location. In that case, you may find India the best location to hire your Flutter team, as from this country, you’ll not only get skilled professionals but also ones offering robust builds at an understandable cost.

With a team of experienced Flutter developers, designers, and project managers, MindInventory can be your one-stop destination to get a full-cycle app development solution.

With a track record of delivering apps within a month and that too while not compromising on the app quality to spanning client relationships for over 13 years and still counting, we can be your ideal destination.

FAQs About Flutter App Development