How Long Does It Take to Build an App in 2025?

Building a mobile app in 2025 is an exciting endeavor, but one of the most common questions businesses and developers face is: How long will it take to build an app? The answer, however, isn’t a one-size-fits-all. The timeline for app development varies significantly depending on a variety of factors including the app’s complexity, the resources available, and the specific goals of the project.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the key elements that influence the time it takes to build an app in 2025 and provide a general guide to help you better estimate your project’s timeline.

1. Type of App (Complexity Matters)

The first and most important factor influencing the time it takes to build an app is its complexity. Are you building a simple app with basic functionality, or do you need a feature-rich, custom-built app? Let’s break it down:

Simple Apps: These are apps with minimal features, such as a to-do list or a simple weather app. These apps typically take less time to develop, often between 2 to 3 months, depending on the features and platforms (iOS or Android).
Medium Complexity Apps: These apps include more advanced features like user accounts, notifications, and integration with APIs or third-party services (e.g., e-commerce apps or fitness trackers). Development for medium-complexity apps can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months.
Complex Apps: Apps like social media platforms, on-demand services, or fintech apps that require complex back-end architecture, multiple user roles, and heavy integrations can take anywhere from 6 months to a year or even more. These apps require extensive testing and maintenance and often involve multiple developers, designers, and testers working together.

2. Platform Choice

Another critical factor in your timeline is the platform(s) you decide to develop for. In 2025, the two main platforms for mobile apps are iOS and Android, but the choice of platform can impact development time:

Single Platform (iOS or Android): Developing for one platform typically takes less time. For a simple app, this might reduce development time by a month or more. However, for medium to complex apps, the time difference may not be as significant.
Cross-Platform Development: Many businesses today opt for cross-platform development using frameworks like React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin. Cross-platform development allows you to build for both iOS and Android simultaneously, which can save time compared to building two separate apps. However, this approach can sometimes require more time upfront to ensure the app works seamlessly across devices.

3. Design Complexity

The design of your app plays a vital role in the development process. If your app needs a simple interface with standard components, it can be developed relatively quickly. However, if your app requires custom animations, advanced UI/UX, or a highly polished user interface, this can significantly increase development time.

Basic Design: Simple, template-based designs typically don’t take much time and can be completed in a few weeks.
Custom Design: Unique and intricate designs, especially ones that require custom graphics, animations, and transitions, can extend the design phase to several months, depending on complexity.

4. Backend Development & Integrations

For apps that require databases, cloud hosting, or integrations with third-party services, the back-end development phase can become complex and time-consuming.

Simple Backend: Apps that use basic storage (like local databases or minimal server-side infrastructure) can be developed faster.
Complex Backend: Apps that require advanced features like user authentication, payment processing, or integration with external APIs (social media logins, geolocation, etc.) will require a more extended backend development phase.

5. Team Size and Expertise

The size and experience of the development team play a crucial role in how quickly an app is built. A well-coordinated team of skilled developers, designers, and project managers can expedite the process. However, it’s important to ensure that each team member has the expertise necessary for the project:

Small Team: A smaller team of 2-3 developers might take longer to complete the app as they would need to handle multiple roles simultaneously.
Larger Team: With a larger team, development might be faster as tasks are divided. However, coordination and communication must be on point to avoid delays.

6. Testing & Quality Assurance

Testing is a critical part of the development process. Whether it’s manual or automated testing, it ensures that your app is bug-free and functions properly across different devices and operating systems.

Simple Testing: For a basic app, testing might take only a few weeks.
Complex Testing: For an app with advanced features, security protocols, and multiple user flows, testing can take several months. Beta testing and user feedback may also be incorporated into the testing process, adding more time.

7. Post-Launch Updates & Maintenance

After the app is launched, there’s typically a phase of updates, bug fixes, and improvements based on user feedback. This maintenance phase is ongoing and should be factored into your timeline if you plan on regular updates or scaling the app post-launch.

8. Regulatory Compliance (if applicable)

If your app operates in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, or transportation, additional time may be required to ensure compliance with relevant laws, such as GDPR in Europe or HIPAA in the U.S. Legal checks, certifications, and audits can add months to the development timeline.

Conclusion: No One-Size-Fits-All

In 2025, the time it takes to build an app varies widely depending on your project’s requirements, the complexity of the app, the platform you choose, and the size of your team.

For a simple app, the development timeline could be 2 to 3 months.
For a medium-complexity app, you can expect around 3 to 6 months.
Complex apps may take 6 months to a year or more to complete.

Ultimately, planning, clear communication, and a structured approach to development will ensure that your app is completed as efficiently as possible.

At Verbat, we specialize in mobile app development, and we work with you to craft a detailed timeline based on your specific project needs. Whether you’re looking to build a simple app or a complex platform, we’ve got the expertise to guide you through every stage of the development process.

Ready to get started on your app? Let’s talk about your idea and get a tailored development timeline for your mobile app!