How Much Does It Cost to Create a Flutter App?

You're here, so I’m guessing you're seriously considering Flutter for your next mobile app project. Excellent choice. Flutter's ability to deliver exceptional mobile experiences efficiently has gained significant acclaim across industry and placed it firmly in the spotlight in the last few years. In fact, Flutter is now the go-to choice for many companies when it comes to cross-platform app development.

At this decision-making stage, a crucial question – and rightfully so – arises: How much is this investment going to cost me? Is Flutter a budget-friendly solution, or will I break the bank by choosing it? It’s a question that I get all the time from business leaders, and for good reason. After all, understanding the investment and all the costs – in both the short and long term – is essential to any project.

Here, I’ll break down all the factors that influence the overall cost of Flutter app development. We’ll explore in detail what drives the price and, importantly, I’ll share insights on how to efficiently lower the cost of building a Flutter app.

So, let’s dive in.

Is Flutter even for me?

Before we analyze the specifics of cost, it’s important to understand why the Flutter framework has captured the attention of app developers and businesses alike and become such a popular choice praised by world-renowned companies. What matters is that this technology, right from the start, brings a powerful set of advantages that can significantly benefit your business to the table:

• Cross-platform development: With Flutter, companies can build apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase. This saves time and resources and streamlines the development process (which, as you can easily guess, lowers mobile app development costs – but more about that later).
• Versatility: Flutter isn't limited to just mobile. You can also use it to build web applications and desktop applications, giving you a consistent brand presence across different platforms and increasing your target reach.
• Great performance: Flutter apps are known for being smooth and fast, delivering a really solid user experience.
• Native-like feel: Flutter lets you create UIs that look and feel like they're native to each platform.
• Community support: Flutter has a large and active community. This means you've got access to tons of resources, support, and shared knowledge.
  
  

It's no surprise that Flutter has gathered such positive feedback from the tech community. In fact, 98.9% of CTOs and Tech Leads who've used Flutter in their projects were happy with their decision and would choose it again.

Read our comprehensive breakdown of Flutter pros and cons and find out what else makes Flutter stand out compared to other cross-platform frameworks.

Who else uses Flutter?

Earlier, I mentioned that Flutter is widely praised by international companies. And that's absolutely true. In its early days, Flutter was often the choice of startups and small-size projects. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Now, large-scale companies from around the globe have recognized Flutter's immense power and are building their projects with it. In fact, many have even chosen to migrate their existing products from other technologies, like Xamarin or React Native, to Flutter.

So, who exactly is using Flutter? It's a roster of impressive names, spanning various industries, including:

• Credit Agricole
• LG
• Whirlpool
• Viessmann
• Virgin Money
• Xiaomi
• Universal
• Toyota
• BMW
• Groupon
  

Our team of experienced Flutter developers at LeanCode had the pleasure of developing Flutter-based solutions for some of these companies. Read the case studies to discover how we helped them achieve their bold business goals.

What influences the cost of Flutter app development?

So, we've talked about why Flutter may actually be the right choice for your business and who's using it, and now you're probably wondering what really goes into the cost of a Flutter app, right? Well, it's not as simple as just pulling a number out of a hat. As you can see from the examples of companies using Flutter, projects can vary significantly in scope. A number of things come into play in shaping the overall investment. But there are definitely some key factors that always have a big impact on the final price. Let’s analyze them in detail.

App complexity

If there's one thing that really drives up the cost, it's the complexity of the app. Think of it this way: a simple app with just a few screens is going to be way less expensive than an extremely advanced one with tons of features. We often talk about apps being small, medium, or large, but what does that mean in practice? Let’s break it down.

Small app

• This often refers to a basic MVP (Minimum Viable Product). It's a smaller app designed to validate product–market fit and verify whether a product idea is actually going to work in the real world.
• The main goal here is to verify if the business idea is viable and if there's market demand for the solution.
• These apps are made to grow and change as you get user feedback and learn what's needed.
• A development team usually includes 2 full-time software developers, a part-time UX designer, a part-time Product Owner, and a part-time Quality Assurance (QA) specialist.
• Development typically takes around 3 months.
  

Medium app

• Standard business apps often address a specific business need or might involve developing a competitive product. Generally speaking, with medium-size apps, companies already have their business goals validated and they have a more grounded idea of what they need. They have done market research to lower the project risk.
• Development teams are larger, typically with 4 full-time developers, a part-time UX designer, a part-time Product Owner, and a part-time QA specialist.
• These apps take more time to develop, usually around 6 months.
  

Large app

• These are major projects, where development can take years.
• Development teams are substantial, often with 5 or more developers, a full-time Product Owner, and a dedicated UX designer and QA specialist.
• Complex or enterprise-level apps are typically for organizations with established business strategies, often aiming to replace older and outdated systems, modernize internal operations, or digitize complex processes.

This table summarizes the overall cost of a Flutter application depending on its size:

In order to better qualify your app in terms of the complexity and size of a project, it is better to discuss the entire product strategy.

Product strategy

Before diving headfirst into development, it's important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. A well-thought-out product strategy is one of the most valuable investments you can make, especially if you're building something innovative, entering a competitive space, or simply don’t have all the answers yet.

In many cases, companies are so eager to launch their app that they skip this step entirely. But without a clear direction, even the best development team can end up building something that misses the mark.

That’s why we strongly recommend kicking things off with a series of product strategy workshops. These aren't just brainstorming sessions; they're collaborative working sessions where we partner with you to:

• Craft a long-term vision: We'll help you define your product's future and set ambitious yet achievable goals.
• Find the perfect product–market fit: We'll work to ensure your app resonates with your target audience and fulfills a genuine need.
• Validate your initial assumptions: We'll rigorously check your core hypotheses to ensure you're building on solid ground.
• Minimize the risk of failure: By identifying potential pitfalls early on, we can help you avoid costly mistakes and wasted effort.
  

Even though workshops may appear to be an extra investment, they often lead to significant long-term cost savings. A well-defined product strategy helps avoid costly rework, ensures efficient development, and ultimately increases your app's chances of success on the market.

Here you will find a breakdown of prices for conducting Design Thinking Workshops at LeanCode depending on their scope:

Design

Another key factor that significantly influences the cost of Flutter app development is the design. A well-crafted design system is more than just making an app visually stunning. It’s about ensuring a seamless user experience where every aspect of the app is accessible, intuitive, and effective.

At LeanCode, we adapt our Design System to fit the needs of a particular project. This provides a solid cost reduction because of the way our Design System is integrated with the mobile app template for Flutter. This means that specific parts of the Design System are already implemented in the widgets, the building blocks for Flutter, and you can advance quickly in terms of both the design and actual implementation, thereby saving on costs.

Some of our clients approach us with their designs already prepared. They might have their UI/UX all set, and that's perfectly fine. However, even in these cases, we carefully analyze the design. We provide feedback and suggestions on what could be improved to ensure the design isn't just visually appealing but also accessible and truly user-friendly.

Having a ready-made design can potentially lower the overall cost of the Flutter application, which is a definite plus. But how much of the project cost does the design phase actually represent? It varies depending on the size and complexity of the app. Generally speaking, the larger the project, the smaller the percentage of the design phase in the overall Flutter app development process.

Scope of the project

Just like app complexity, the features you want in your app have a huge impact on the final cost. Each feature adds to the development effort, so it’s no surprise that apps with more features generally cost more. It’s also a very unique thing which depends on the scope and complexity of the project.

MVPs are a great example of this. They're designed to be highly efficient, with only the essential features needed to validate those initial assumptions and get to market fast. This focused approach helps keep the initial investment down.

The industry your app is in also plays a big role. Think about it: an e-commerce app wouldn't be possible without secure payment processing and a social media app always needs user profiles and the ability to connect with others. These industry-specific needs often dictate a set of core features that are essential, which impacts the budget.

But here's the thing: not all features need to be built from scratch. There are lots of features that work in a similar way across different apps and don’t need to be fully customized. Take, for example:

• User authentication (logins, registration)
• User profile editing
• Password changes and reminders
• Dark mode
• Push notifications
• Search functionality
• Ratings and reviews
• Social media integration
• And so much more.

In fact, using these ready-made solutions can potentially save you up to €30,000 and shave off as much as 30 days from your development timeline. So, if you’re looking for ways to reduce application development costs, this may be the way to go!

App maintenance

Launching your Flutter app is a milestone, but it's not the finish line. The truth is, ongoing maintenance is a critical, and often overlooked, cost factor. Just like a car needs regular tune-ups, your app requires consistent maintenance to perform optimally and deliver lasting value.

Why? Because the digital world is dynamic. Bugs surface, security threats emerge, and user expectations evolve. Ignoring maintenance can lead to performance issues, security vulnerabilities, and ultimately, a poor user experience that drives customers away, all of which results in lower revenue.

That’s why budgeting for maintenance is essential and should never be overlooked or ignored. Basic maintenance can start at around €150 per month, covering essential bug fixes and security updates. However, for more demanding apps, costs can escalate significantly. The price you pay for maintenance depends on various factors:

• App complexity: A simple app requires less upkeep than a feature-rich, complex one.
• Traffic volume: Higher user traffic demands more comprehensive maintenance to ensure smooth performance.
• Update frequency: Regular feature updates and improvements naturally increase maintenance expenses.
• Security needs: Apps handling sensitive data require more rigorous security maintenance.
  

At our Flutter app development company, we understand that app downtime directly impacts your bottom line. That's why we offer 7D a week support, ensuring a rapid response to critical issues. This service, starting from €250 per month, provides more than just peace of mind; it's a strategic investment in minimizing disruption and keeping your app running smoothly. We prioritize urgent bugs, aiming for resolutions within two hours, effectively protecting your investment and ensuring your app’s performance is in good hands.

Mobile, web, desktop: does the platform impact the cost?

You might be wondering, "Does it matter if I'm building a mobile app, a web app, or a desktop application with Flutter?" When it comes to the core framework's cost, the short answer is: not significantly. Flutter's cross-platform capabilities directly contribute to lower development costs, no matter the target platform.

It also depends on the target market and the expected outcome. The completely free version of the Flutter for Web app, if migrated from mobile development, will have a narrow, mobile width. This works for the majority of implementations, where the major part of traffic is on mobile and only a fraction of users open the web app (for example, in the banking industry). Full adoption of the wide screen on the web will definitely drive the total costs of implementation of Flutter for Web slightly higher, but still, the logic and major components will remain unchanged, providing you with significant savings.

While the fundamental costs of Flutter remain relatively consistent, specific features and integrations might introduce platform-dependent variations. For example, integrating with native mobile device functionalities will differ from web browser interactions. However, the core development efficiency that Flutter provides ensures that you're still realizing cost benefits across all platforms.

How to lower your Flutter app development costs

Building a high-performance app doesn’t have to break the bank. Even though Flutter is a budget-friendly solution, there are still several actionable strategies that can be implemented to lower the final price even further and bring the numbers down. We've already touched on a few, so let's recap and expand:

• Strategic clarity: Thorough market research and a well-defined long-term product strategy are your first line of defense against budget overruns. Knowing your goals upfront streamlines development and improves time to market.
• Design efficiency: If you rely on a Design System which is connected to the mobile app template, you can achieve substantial savings in the implementation of the app.
• Leverage existing solutions: This is the most impactful one. Opt for ready-made features whenever possible. Reusing established functionalities, like user authentication or social media integrations, can dramatically reduce development time and costs. This is the strategy we highly recommend to our clients as it makes the development process way more efficient.
• Clear communication: Ensure clear and consistent communication with your in-house development team or your external tech provider. This reduces misinterpretations, minimizes rework, and keeps the project on track.

By implementing these strategies, you'll not only lower your overall development costs but also ensure a more efficient and successful Flutter app launch.

What mistakes result in higher Flutter app development costs?

Even with Flutter's cost-effectiveness, unexpected budget increases can happen. We've seen firsthand how certain client actions can lead to these increases. Here's a look at the common mistakes to watch out for:

• Lack of a clear product strategy: Launching a Flutter app development project without a solid product strategy and understanding of the market is highly likely to increase expenses. This lack of direction leads to costly revisions and a higher risk of building an app that misses its target audience.
• Changing requirements: Frequent changes to features and project scope during development inevitably lead to budget increases. Rework and adjustments disrupt the workflow, causing delays and added costs.
• Too many decision-makers: Multiple decision-makers can lead to conflicting priorities and prolonged development times. That’s why designating a single, responsible decision-maker ensures project efficiency.
• Limited client involvement: Effective app development is a collaborative process. A lack of consistent communication and engagement from the client can lead to misunderstandings, missed requirements, and costly rework. Active participation is key to aligning the app with your vision and minimizing unexpected expenses.
  

Key takeaways

Flutter is a powerful and efficient framework, ideal for building cross-platform applications. While in this article we've presented average cost ranges, it's important to keep in mind that the final price will depend on many factors, including the project scope, the number of experts involved in the process, the number of features built, and more.

Here's the exciting part: Flutter's efficiency is your starting advantage. But we can take it further. Smart moves like leveraging pre-built components, setting a clear and well-defined strategy, and maintaining collaborative communication will help you stay on budget.

Ready to bring your app idea to life? Contact us today to discuss your project and get a Flutter app cost estimate adjusted to your unique business needs!