Mobile App Development Costs in Houston: A Realistic Breakdown

A Woodlands restaurant group came to us wanting a mobile app. They’d gotten quotes ranging from $8,000 to $180,000 for what they thought was the same thing.

The confusion was understandable. App development pricing varies wildly because “mobile app” can mean completely different things. A simple menu and ordering app shares nothing with a complex platform managing inventory, loyalty programs, and multi-location operations.

Here’s how to understand what a mobile app might actually cost for your Houston business—and whether it’s worth the investment.

The Real Price Ranges

Let’s start with honest numbers for custom mobile app development in the Houston market.

Simple Apps: $15,000 - $50,000

What you get:

• 5-10 core screens
• Basic functionality (display content, simple forms, notifications)
• Either iOS or Android (not both)
• Clean design using standard UI patterns
• Limited backend requirements

Examples:

• Information app for a conference or event
• Simple directory or catalog
• Basic booking/scheduling interface
• Loyalty card replacement

Timeline: 2-4 months

Mid-Complexity Apps: $50,000 - $150,000

What you get:

• 10-25 screens with more complex functionality
• Both iOS and Android versions
• User accounts and authentication
• Integration with external systems (POS, CRM, inventory)
• Custom design and branding
• Push notifications with targeting
• Basic analytics and reporting

Examples:

• Restaurant ordering and loyalty app
• Appointment booking with payment processing
• Customer portal for service businesses
• Internal operations app for field staff

Timeline: 4-8 months

Complex Apps: $150,000 - $500,000+

What you get:

• Large-scale applications with many features
• Advanced functionality (real-time features, complex algorithms)
• Multiple user types with different permissions
• Extensive third-party integrations
• Admin dashboards and management tools
• High security and compliance requirements
• Scalability for significant user bases

Examples:

• Marketplace connecting buyers and sellers
• Healthcare applications with HIPAA compliance
• Financial applications with banking integration
• Large-scale logistics and operations platforms

Timeline: 8-18 months

What Drives the Cost

Platform Choice

Native iOS + Native Android: Two separate apps built with different technologies. Highest quality and performance, but nearly doubles development cost.

Cross-Platform (React Native, Flutter): One codebase runs on both platforms. 30-40% cost savings versus two native apps. Performance is excellent for most use cases. This is what we typically recommend for Houston businesses.

Progressive Web App (PWA): Not technically an app—it’s an advanced website that can be “installed” on phones. Much lower cost (similar to website development), but with limitations on notifications (especially iOS), hardware access, and App Store presence.

For most Houston small businesses, cross-platform development offers the best value: near-native quality at significantly lower cost.

Backend Complexity

Your app needs a server to store data, process requests, and handle business logic. Backend complexity significantly affects cost:

Simple backend: User accounts, data storage, basic notifications. Adds $10,000-30,000.

Moderate backend: Payment processing, real-time updates, integrations with existing systems. Adds $30,000-80,000.

Complex backend: Advanced algorithms, high-volume transaction processing, complex business rules, multiple integrations. Adds $80,000+.

Third-Party Integrations

Connecting your app to other systems costs time and money:

• POS integration: $5,000-20,000 depending on the system
• Payment processing: $5,000-15,000 for secure implementation
• CRM integration: $3,000-15,000
• Inventory management: $5,000-25,000
• Shipping carriers: $5,000-15,000 per carrier
• Social media login: $2,000-5,000

Each integration requires understanding the external system’s API, handling edge cases, and ongoing maintenance as those systems change.

Design Complexity

Standard design: Uses platform conventions and common UI patterns. Gets the job done affordably. $5,000-15,000.

Custom design: Unique visual identity, custom animations, innovative interfaces. Looks distinctive but costs more. $15,000-50,000.

Premium design: Award-worthy interface design with extensive motion design and interaction patterns. $50,000+.

Most Houston businesses are well-served by standard design executed well. Custom design makes sense when the app is core to your brand experience.

Ongoing Maintenance

Initial development is only part of the cost. Plan for:

Mandatory updates: iOS and Android release major updates annually. Your app needs updates to remain compatible. Budget $5,000-15,000 annually.

Bug fixes and improvements: Things break. Users request features. Plan for ongoing development. Budget $500-3,000 monthly depending on complexity.

Server costs: Hosting, databases, third-party services. $100-1,000 monthly for most small business apps.

App Store fees: $99/year for iOS, $25 one-time for Android.

A realistic ongoing budget for a mid-complexity app: $1,500-4,000 monthly after launch.

The Hidden Costs That Catch Businesses Off-Guard

Content and Assets

Apps need content—images, copy, icons, sounds. This work often isn’t included in development quotes. Plan for:

• Professional photography: $500-5,000
• Copywriting: $1,000-5,000
• Icon and illustration design: $1,000-5,000
• Video production (if needed): $3,000-20,000

Legal and Compliance

Depending on your industry:

• Terms of service and privacy policy: $1,000-5,000
• HIPAA compliance (healthcare): $10,000-50,000 additional development
• PCI compliance (payments): Usually handled by payment processors, but verification costs
• ADA accessibility: Should be built in from start, but sometimes overlooked

App Store Optimization

Getting your app discovered requires ongoing effort:

• App Store listing optimization: $500-2,000 initially
• Screenshot and preview video creation: $500-3,000
• Ongoing optimization and A/B testing: $500-1,500 monthly

Marketing and User Acquisition

The hardest part often isn’t building the app—it’s getting people to use it.

• Pre-launch marketing: $2,000-10,000
• Paid user acquisition: $0.50-$10 per install depending on market
• Ongoing engagement and retention efforts: $500-3,000 monthly

Development Approaches: Pros and Cons

Local Houston Development (Like Us)

Pros:

• Face-to-face meetings and local understanding
• Same timezone, immediate communication
• Accountability and ongoing relationship
• Understanding of Houston market and business environment

Cons:

• Higher hourly rates than offshore options
• Limited team scaling for very large projects

Best for: Houston businesses wanting a long-term technology partner with local accountability.

Offshore Development (India, Eastern Europe, etc.)

Pros:

• Lower hourly rates (though not as much as advertised)
• Large teams available

Cons:

• Timezone and communication challenges
• Cultural and business context gaps
• Quality varies dramatically
• Hidden costs in management overhead and rework

Best for: Companies with experienced technical project managers who can closely supervise work.

No-Code/Low-Code Platforms

Pros:

• Very low cost to start
• Fast initial development
• Good for simple prototypes

Cons:

• Severe limitations on functionality
• Poor performance
• Platform lock-in
• Usually not suitable for production business apps

Best for: Validating concepts before real development investment.

Is an App Worth It for Your Houston Business?

Before investing, honestly assess whether an app makes business sense.

Apps Make Sense When:

• Customers will use it regularly (weekly or more)
• You need functionality websites can’t provide (hardware access, offline use, push notifications)
• Customer lifetime value justifies acquisition cost
• You can commit to ongoing maintenance and updates
• The app solves a genuine user problem better than alternatives

A Website Might Be Better When:

• Customers interact infrequently
• Your primary goal is information delivery
• Budget is limited
• You can’t commit to ongoing app maintenance
• A PWA would meet your needs

Many Houston businesses we talk to don’t actually need an app—they need a better mobile website. We’ll tell you honestly which makes sense for your situation.

Getting an Accurate Quote

To get realistic quotes for your app, prepare:

User stories. Who uses the app and what do they do? “As a customer, I want to browse the menu, add items to my cart, and check out with Apple Pay.”

Screen list. What screens exist? Login, home, product list, product detail, cart, checkout, order history, settings…

Integration requirements. What existing systems must it connect to?

Platform requirements. iOS only? Android only? Both?

Design expectations. Standard, custom, or premium?

Timeline constraints. When do you need it launched?

The more specific your requirements, the more accurate your quotes will be.

Our Approach to Mobile App Development

We focus on building apps that deliver business value for Houston companies. That means:

• Honest assessment of whether an app is even the right solution
• Cross-platform development for cost efficiency without sacrificing quality
• Integration with your existing business systems
• Ongoing partnership for maintenance and evolution

We’ve built apps for Houston restaurants, service businesses, and professional firms—each with different needs and budgets.

Ready to Explore App Development?

If you’re considering a mobile app for your Houston business, contact us for an honest conversation about what it would take. We’ll help you understand realistic costs, timelines, and whether an app is the right investment for your goals.

Learn more about our mobile app development services, or explore whether a mobile-optimized website might meet your needs at lower cost.