How Long Does It Take to Develop an App? App Development Timeline in 2025

Are you planning to develop an app in 2025? If so, do you have any idea how much time it will take to bring your idea to reality? What will be the estimated timeline for mobile app development?  

If you find it hard to answer these questions, this blog is for you!

In this blog, we’ll talk about the average mobile app development timeline in 2025 and what are the various factors that affect the time of development.

Sounds intriguing, right? Let’s get started!

What is the Average App Development Timeline in 2025?

The average timeline required to develop an app depends on a number of factors. However, the major factor that decides the timeline is the level of the app being developed. 

Here’s how it works —

• In the case of a simple app, let’s say a basic to-do list app or a calculator, the average time required for app development is 2-4 months.  

• When it comes to mid-level apps such as fitness trackers or e-commerce apps, it generally requires around 4-8 months. These apps typically involve more features and backend development. 

• Lastly, complex apps such as social media platforms require at least 8 months to 1 year for complete development as they include high-end features and complex programming. 

One thing to note is that with the advent of AI-driven technologies and low-code platforms, the development timeline for apps has been reduced. Developers can now automate repetitive tasks and test faster, increasing overall speed and efficiency. 

What Are the Key Factors That Influence the App Development Timeline?

We have understood that the complexity level of an app plays a major role in the timeline of mobile app development. But, there are some more factors that also significantly influence the length of the development process. Let’s explore –

Features and Integrations

This goes without saying. The more functional you want your app to be, the more time it will require to get completely developed. Moreover, how you want your app to interact and integrate with other apps also matters. For instance, if you want your app to have advanced features such as AI recommendations, AR/VR experience or IoT connectivity, the development timeline will consequently increase. 

Platforms: Single or Cross-Platform

The platform on which you want your app to be also affects the development timeline. Do you want your app to be only on Android or iOS or both? Apps for Android platforms generally take longer development procedures as compared to iOS apps.  This is because apps on iOS are developed for Apple’s standardised ecosystem. On the other hand, Android apps have to be developed for different devices and screen sizes.  

Team Size and Expertise

The size and expertise of the development team also play a vital role. A large and experienced team will obviously require less time as compared to a less experienced smaller team. For instance, an expert team with effective collaboration will quickly finish the app testing procedure once the app is developed. 

What Are the Mobile Application Development Stages?

Now that we have learned about the average time taken to develop an application and various factors affecting the timeline, let’s move forward and understand the various stages involved in the development of an application —- 

1. Ideation and Research

The first and one of the most important development steps include ideation and research. This generally requires the development team to brainstorm ideas for the app. Moreover, it includes conducting thorough market research and analysing competitors. This step is very crucial if you want to create an app that stands apart in the market and solves the real problem of users. This phase typically takes a few weeks. 

2. Wireframing and Prototyping

The next step includes drafting the blueprint of your app. This step includes two major processes – wireframing and prototyping. Wireframing means mapping out the structure of your app and prototyping includes putting the app in a clickable format for better understanding and visualisation. It’s a vital stage that helps to understand the potential weak points of your app and generally lasts a couple of weeks. 

3. Design

This step is all about building a seamless UI/UX experience. It is an important step as your app should not only be functional but visually appealing also. A well designed app helps in pleasing users and increasing retention rate. App designing generally requires 2-4 weeks or even more. 

4. Development and Coding

Now, this is the step where developers put the soul into your app. Simply stated, in this step, developers write the code, integrate features and build the backend infrastructure. Amongst the various steps involved in app development, this step requires the most time, anywhere between a few months to a year, depending on the complexity of your app. 

5. Testing

Once your app is fully developed, do not rush and launch it straightaway in the market. Make sure you properly test the app for any bugs and issues. Also, ensure that your app is compatible across different platforms and screen sizes. 

6. Deployment and Launch

Once you are done with the app testing procedure and get all the green lights, it is time to launch your app in the market. However, the journey doesn’t stop here. Post-launch, apps require regular support, monitoring and updates. 

Tips to Shorten Your Mobile App Development Timeline in 2025

Do you want to speed up your mobile app development without compromising on any step? If so, here are some key tips that you can follow —- 

Use No-Code /Low-Code Platforms

Do you know? According to the Pathfinder Report, using no-code and low-code platforms can reduce the app development time by as much as up to 90%! If your goal is to create a simple app with no complex features, opting for low-code/no-code platforms is a great idea as it’ll considerably reduce the time and cost involved. 

Go Agile

If you don’t know about the agile development methodology, here’s a quick explanation — Agile development means breaking down a project into smaller and more manageable tasks. This way, teams are able to focus better on important tasks with improved efficiency. It’s a proven approach, so, try going agile if you want quick app development.

Communicate Clearly

If you don’t want to waste your efforts and time, make sure everyone (developers, designers and stakeholders) is on the same page. Better communication and understanding can significantly reduce the app development timeline. 

Hire an Experienced Team

Needless to say, hiring an excellent team is the most important factor if you want to develop a successful app quickly. Therefore, ensure you hire an experienced team with a proven track record of delivering similar apps. 

Conclusion

Building an app isn’t as easy as it seems. And of course, the whole process takes time. But getting your app developed with the right company makes it all worth it!

That’s why, it’s more important to focus on hiring the right company so you can develop a successful app quickly and efficiently!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to build an app?

The timeline for app development can range from 2 months to 12 months and even more. This entirely depends on the complexity level of the app you want to develop and the eatures you want to add. 

2. How long does it take to build an Android app?

Building an app for Android generally requires testing across various devices and screen sizes. Hence, it takes around 3-12 months for complete development. 

3. How long does it take to build an app prototype?

A prototype is a minimal functional layout of an app. It requires around 2-4 weeks to build a prototype. 

4. How long does it take to build an iOS app?

iOS apps are developed for Apple’s streamlined ecosystem. Thus, it needs fewer device variations. The estimated time taken to develop is 3-10 months.  

5. Do no-code/low-code platforms help in reducing development time? 

Yes, no-code/low-code platforms significantly help in reducing development time. As much as up to 90%, as per some reports.