How Much Does Mobile App Maintenance Cost in 2025?

In 2025, the mobile app market is projected to generate revenue of $613 billion, and approximately 7.49 billion people will be using smartphones worldwide. The market will have sustainable growth. As more and more individuals and decision-makers are turning to mobile application development, many overlook the maintenance phase.

In Q2 2024, more than 1 million apps were removed from app stores. Some of the main reasons included lack of maintenance, poor user experience, and security issues.

Software development is never truly finished—it's a continuous process of refinement and improvement. Proper app maintenance is a crucial aspect of a successful app. However, most businesses either overlook this or don’t treat it as an important pillar of their app development strategy.

What’s even more important is understanding how much a business should spend on app maintenance.

In this article, we’ll discuss the average cost of app maintenance in 2025. Even if you're outsourcing it to a vendor, it's essential for you to know this.

The app's success relies on the way you maintain it. Maintenance costs could be anywhere between 15% and 20% of the actual development cost. Plus, it depends on several factors, such as app complexity and tech stack. 

In this article, we'll talk about how to manage app maintenance and what it costs in today’s landscape. We’ll also explore what an effective app maintenance strategy looks like.

Why App Maintenance?

Let’s begin by understanding what app maintenance is and why it holds value.

1. Market trends

Understanding market trends is one of the most important aspects today. Users now have a wide range of digital options available to them. If their experience is even slightly disrupted, they don’t hesitate to switch to another app. While major players are moving toward super apps, users now expect a seamless experience across all touchpoints. Privacy has also become a significant concern for modern users. With regular Maintenance, you can keep your app up-to-date with market needs, squash bugs, and remain competitive. 

App store compliance

App stores like Google Play and Apple App Store enforce stringent policies to maintain quality. In Q2 2024, 1.1 million apps were delisted for failing to comply with update requirements, such as compatibility with new OS versions like iOS 19 or Android 16. Maintenance ensures your app remains compliant, avoiding removal and preserving visibility. Neglecting this can cripple your app's reach and rankings.

User retention

User retention has always been a major challenge for companies, whether large or small. Maintenance plays a crucial role in delivering a good user experience. Studies show that over 80% of users uninstall an app within 90 days if if the experience is poor. Through regular updates, companies can improve performance and user experience, and address issues proactively. This is critical, as the cost of retaining a user is much lower than acquiring a new one. Consistent updates help maintain user satisfaction and improve long-term retention.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has been a serious threat for mobile app developers for a long time. The frequency of cyberattacks in 2025 has reached 83%, compared to 65% in 2024.

Types of Mobile App Maintenance

App maintenance can be approached in different ways, and it is generally classified into four main categories.

1. Corrective Maintenance

Corrective Maintenance means fixing bugs and errors that affect how an app works. They can be small, like a misaligned button, or serious, like an app crash. For example, a bug can cause an e-commerce store's revenue loss. For example, a major bug in a shopping app could cause lost sales. Correct maintenance fixes issues as they come up, and usually makes up 20–30% of maintenance costs because the problems need quick attention.

2. Preventive Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance is to eliminate future problems. It may involve code refactoring, applying security patches, and making documentation. A database query optimization could be an example of it. When the markers of potential problems are identified and confronted up front, it will save the unforeseen cost and expensive emergencies.

3. Perfective Maintenance

Adding new functionalities, updating a UI/UX, or performance improvements are part of perfective maintenance. An example can be a chatbot augmentation or a refined payment gateway which can enhance engagement. Perfective Maintenance is usually 30-40% of costs as new user demands lead to innovations and enhancements, and needs to do so to compete in 2025's fast-paced domain.

4. Adaptive Maintenance

Adaptive Maintenance ensures apps remain compatible with new technologies, such as OS updates (e.g., iOS 19, Android 16 in 2025), APIs, or hardware advancements. For instance, adapting an app to support foldable devices or new API protocols prevents obsolescence. This category, accounting for 20-30% of costs, is critical for compliance with app store policies and maintaining functionality across diverse ecosystems.

By understanding these app maintenance cost categories, businesses can allocate budgets strategically, balancing immediate fixes with long-term improvements to maximize app performance and user satisfaction in 2025.

Factors Influencing Mobile App Maintenance Costs

In 2025, the cost quite variable. There are critical considerations that businesses need to account for when determining costs for mobile app maintenance. App complexity, compliance, etc., will all influence costs. Here we decode the major factors that you need to consider to develop an outline of costs for app maintenance in 2025.

1. App Complexity

App complexity greatly affects maintenance costs. Simple apps like calculators or static content apps need update too infrequently and often only cost $5,000-$15,000 per year. Complex apps like e-commerce site applications or complex gaming need a new update every few months, and can cost $50,000-$100,000+ annually. For example, a gaming app with multiplayer functionality needs server upkeep and performance optimization constantly, while a basic utility app will not have maintenance ongoing.

2. Platform (iOS, Android, Cross-Platform)

The selection of platform will influence the maintenance cost. Apps that are 'single-platform' (iOS or Android) will cost less to maintain, because updates for new versions will be done on one ecosystem. A cross-platform app using frameworks like Flutter or React Native will have to be tested and updated for both platforms, which will increase the cost by 20%-40%.

3. Team Location and Rates

Developer rates are dependent on the geographical areas which also affects mobile app maintenance. An hourly rate in the USA runs anywhere from $50 to $150 an hour and India is generally $20 to $50 an hour. You can bring down costs by choosing a lower cost region that does not sacrifice quality.

4. Frequency of Updates

The frequency of updates influences costs. Regular updates (monthly or quarterly) for minor bug fixes or UI enhancements are less expensive than major overhauls, which involve extensive feature additions or redesigns. Apps requiring frequent updates, like social media platforms, may incur 30-50% higher costs than those updated biannually.

5. Third-Party Integrations

The maintenance of third-party integrations has its own cost. For APIs there are always new versions of the API, for payment gateways they may require compliance to a new requirement. These integrations can lead to as much as 10-20% of the maintenance budget and could be more for apps that are relying on external services.

6. Server and Hosting Costs

Some coud services, including AWS, Firebase etc. also can be a large portion of costs, using a server to maintain a database will a large part of what is used. A steady amount of traffic hitting the app means going to require decent server infrastructure. This can get expensive quickly.

7. Compliance and Security

Compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA, combined with cybersecurity measures, drives costs. Implementing security patches, conducting audits, and ensuring data privacy can add $2,000-$20,000 yearly, especially for apps handling sensitive user data. In 2025, rising cyber threats make these measures non-negotiable.

Checklist of Cost-Influencing Factors:

1. App complexity (simple vs. complex)
2. Platform (iOS, Android, cross-platform)
3. Developer location and hourly rates
4. Update frequency (regular vs. major)
5. Third-party integrations (APIs, gateways)
6. Server and hosting requirements
7. Compliance and security needs

By evaluating these factors, businesses can better anticipate app maintenance cost 2025 and optimize their budgets for sustained app performance and user satisfaction.

How Much Does Mobile App Maintenance Cost in 2025?

Evaluating your app maintenancecost is important for business who are thinking about keeping their app competitive and user-friendly. The cost to maintain an app can vary widely depending on the app type, the app maintenance tasks, the app maintenance developer rates, and unexpected costs. Below, we provide a actionable breakdown of mobile app maintenance costs to help you.

Cost Estimates by App Type

Maintenance costs depend heavily on an app’s complexity:

Basic Apps ($5,000-$15,000/year)

Simple apps, like calculators or informational tools, require minimal updates, such as occasional bug fixes or OS compatibility checks. These apps have low maintenance needs due to limited features and user interactions.

Medium Complexity Apps ($15,000-$50,000/year)

Apps like small e-commerce platforms or fitness trackers need regular updates, including UI improvements, third-party API maintenance, and security patches. These apps balance functionality with moderate upkeep.

Complex Apps ($50,000-$100,000+/year)

High-end apps, such as gaming, social media, or enterprise solutions, demand extensive Maintenance. Real-time features, heavy server usage, and frequent feature additions drive costs significantly higher.

Breakdown by Maintenance Type

Maintenance tasks are divided into four categories, each contributing to the total cost:

1. Corrective Maintenance (20-30%): Fixing bugs and errors, such as app crashes or broken features, ensures functionality. This is critical for user retention but varies by app complexity.
2. Preventive Maintenance (15-25%): Proactive tasks like code optimization and security updates prevent future issues, reducing long-term costs.
3. Perfective Maintenance (30-40%): Adding features, enhancing UI/UX, or improving performance keeps apps competitive. This category often consumes the largest share due to user-driven demands.
4. Adaptive Maintenance (20-30%): Updating apps for new OS versions (e.g., iOS 19, Android 16) or hardware ensures compatibility and compliance with app store policies.

Hourly Rate Impact

Developer rates significantly affect budgets. For example, 200 hours of Maintenance at $50/hour costs $10,000, while the same work at $150/hour (common in the USA) costs $30,000. Regions like India ($20-$50/hour) offer cost-effective options, but quality must be prioritized to avoid rework.

Hidden Costs

Unplanned expenses can inflate budgets:

1. Licensing Fees: Tools, APIs, or software licenses (e.g., analytics platforms) may cost $500-$5,000 annually.
2. Emergency Fixes: Critical bugs requiring immediate attention can add $1,000-$10,000 per incident.
3. Unplanned Updates: New regulations or unexpected OS changes may necessitate urgent adaptations.

This breakdown equips you to anticipate app maintenance costs in 2025, allocate budgets wisely, and maintain a high-performing app that meets user expectations.

Strategies to Optimize Mobile App Maintenance Costs

It can be a big challenge, but with proper approach, though, can be achieved. Companies following standard practices can control the cost. The key is to focus the appropriate resources, and prioritize the items needed to reduce overall app costs, maintain performance and user satisfaction. Here are some practical methods to help you maintain acceptable expenses when it comes to keeping up your maintenance pricing while maintaining app reliability.

1. Prioritize Maintenance Tasks

Concentrate on important updates which affect functionality and/or security that the user see; such as security updates or bug fixes, versus minor changes to the interface. For example, if I find a vulnerability in a payment gateway, I will handle fixing it before making a minor adjustment to a button color. Use the impact of user functionality or compliance needs to prioritize your project work. The understanding of prioritization will reduce unnecessary costs by 10-20%, while choosing projects with high value Maintenance can ensure budgets are being allocated to the right Maintenance.

2. Leverage Automation

Automated testing and monitoring tools, like Selenium or Firebase Performance Monitoring, reduce manual efforts in identifying bugs, testing updates, and tracking performance. Automation can save 15-30% of maintenance hours by catching issues early and streamlining workflows. For instance, automated crash reporting can accelerate corrective Maintenance, minimizing downtime and user churn.

3. Outsource Strategically

When outsourcing to lower costs in locations like India ($20-$50/hour) or Eastern Europe, costs can be lower than typical USA rates ($50-$150/hour). Make quality a priority, vet the teams to ensure expertise and reliability. Strategic outsourcing can bring your mobile app maintenance prices down 20-40% while still ensuring quality, especially for tasks that aren't critical, like minor UI/UX improvements.

4. Adopt Modular Architecture

Using modular architecture, such as microservices or reusable code components, simplifies updates and reduces maintenance complexity. For example, updating a single module (e.g., payment processing) is faster and cheaper than overhauling monolithic code. Modular designs can cut perfective and adaptive maintenance costs by 15-25%, making apps easier to scale and adapt.

5. Plan for Scalability

Investing in robust infrastructure, like scalable cloud services (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud), minimizes future costs. Designing apps to handle increased traffic or new features reduces the need for costly reworks. For instance, a well-planned database structure can avoid expensive optimizations later, saving 10-20% in long-term Maintenance.

Cost Optimization Checklist (Downloadable):

1. Prioritize critical updates (e.g., security, bugs) over cosmetic changes.
2. Implement automated testing and monitoring tools.
3. Outsource to cost-effective, reliable teams.
4. Use modular architecture for easier updates.
5. Invest in scalable infrastructure upfront.

By applying these strategies, businesses can optimize the cost to maintain an app, ensuring efficient use of resources while delivering a high-quality user experience in 2025.