App Design Cost & Time Calculator
Find out how much it costs and how long it takes to design your app. Compare four different approaches side by side.
Your Project
Estimated Cost & Time for 10 Screens
Hire a Designer
Cost
$7,500 - $30,000
Timeline
1 month - 3 months
Setup / Ongoing Cost
$2,000 - $5,000 discovery phase
Figma (DIY)
Cost
$0 (your time)
Timeline
6 days - 2 weeks
Setup / Ongoing Cost
$0 - $15/mo (Figma plan)
No-Code Tools
Cost
$750 - $3,000
Timeline
15 hours - 6 days
Setup / Ongoing Cost
$30 - $100/mo subscription
GenDesigns (AI)
Best valueCost
$5 - $12
Timeline
15 mins - 45 mins
Setup / Ongoing Cost
Free tier available
How to read this: The estimates above compare four approaches to designing 10 app screens. Costs include design work only (not development). Time estimates assume focused work hours. GenDesigns uses AI to generate production-ready UI designs from natural language descriptions.
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How accurate are these estimates?
These estimates are based on industry averages and typical project timelines. Actual costs can vary based on location, designer experience, project requirements, and revisions. Use these numbers as a starting point for budgeting.
How long does it take to design a mobile app?
It depends on the approach. Hiring a designer typically takes 2-8 weeks for 5-10 screens. Using Figma yourself might take 40-80 hours. With AI tools like GenDesigns, you can generate the same screens in minutes and iterate from there.
Can I design an app without coding skills?
Absolutely. Tools like Figma, no-code platforms, and AI-powered design tools like GenDesigns let you create professional app designs without any coding knowledge. You describe what you want, and the tool handles the visual implementation.
What's the cheapest way to design an app?
The cheapest approach depends on your time vs. money trade-off. Figma is free but requires design skills and significant time. AI tools like GenDesigns offer the best value — professional designs for pennies per screen, generated in minutes.
Should I hire a designer or use AI?
For early-stage prototyping, idea validation, and MVP designs, AI tools are ideal — they're fast, cheap, and let you explore many directions quickly. For polished, brand-specific designs for launch, a human designer adds creative nuance that AI can complement but not fully replace.