2. Key Components That Affect Pricing

A custom Shopify app has several technical layers, each contributing to the total cost.

• UI/UX Design: $500–$2,000 for a clean, user-friendly interface
• Backend Logic: $2,000–$6,000 based on complexity of features and logic
• Shopify API Integration: $1,000+ to securely integrate store data, customer info, orders, etc.
• Authentication & Permissions: Costs increase if app handles sensitive data (e.g., GDPR-compliance)
• App Hosting & Infrastructure: $20–$100/month or more for servers, CDN, etc.
• Testing & QA: $500–$2,000 for robust testing across devices and scenarios

4. Developer Time & Cost Estimates

Depending on your team or hired agency, hourly rates can range from $30/hr to $150/hr. A typical Shopify app takes 4–12 weeks to build.

• Small apps: ~80–120 hours of work
• Mid-complexity apps: 150–300+ hours
• Advanced apps with dashboards, automations, or integrations: 400+ hours

Conclusion

The cost of Shopify app development depends heavily on your goals, features, and whether you're building for private use or public distribution. By planning early and choosing the right development partner, you can create a high-impact Shopify app that scales with your business.