Launching an app on the Apple App Store is an exciting milestone for any developer or business. However, before you can make your app available to millions of iOS users worldwide, you need to understand the costs involved. From Apple’s developer fees to potential additional expenses, here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what it takes to publish an app on the App Store.

Apple Developer Program Fees

To submit an app to the App Store, you must enroll in the Apple Developer Program, which comes with an annual membership fee:

• $99 per year for individuals and businesses.
• $299 per year for the Apple Developer Enterprise Program (for internal app distribution within an organization).

This fee grants you access to Apple’s development tools, beta testing resources, analytics, and the ability to distribute apps on the App Store.

App Development Costs

While publishing an app requires the developer program membership, the actual cost of app development varies significantly based on complexity and features. Here are some estimated costs:

• Basic app (minimal features, simple UI): $10,000 – $30,000
• Moderate app (more features, custom UI, backend integration): $30,000 – $100,000
• Complex app (AI integration, AR/VR, advanced functionalities): $100,000+

If you hire a development team or agency, these costs can increase depending on location, experience, and project requirements.

Additional Costs to Consider

1. App Store Commission Fees

• Apple takes a commission on app revenue:
• 15% – 30% of in-app purchases and subscriptions.

Developers earning less than $1 million annually qualify for Apple’s Small Business Program, reducing the commission to 15%.

2. App Updates & Maintenance

Once your app is live, you’ll need to keep it updated for bug fixes, security patches, and new iOS versions. Ongoing maintenance can cost anywhere from $5,000 – $50,000 per year, depending on the app’s complexity.

3. Marketing & ASO (App Store Optimization)

To make your app discoverable, you might need to invest in marketing strategies such as:

• App Store Optimization (ASO) – $1,000 – $5,000 per month
• Paid Advertising (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.) – Budget varies
• Influencer & Social Media Marketing – $500 – $10,000+ per campaign

4. Third-Party Services & Subscriptions

If your app requires integrations with third-party services like cloud storage, APIs, or analytics tools, you may incur recurring costs. Examples include:

• AWS or Firebase cloud services – $25 – $5,000 per month
• Payment gateway fees (Stripe, PayPal, etc.) – Varies based on transactions
• Push notifications, analytics, or chat services – $10 – $500 per month

Conclusion

The cost to publish an app on the App Store starts with Apple’s $99 annual developer fee, but the total investment can range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on development, marketing, and maintenance expenses.

If you’re planning to launch an app, it’s essential to budget not just for the initial development but also for long-term updates and promotions to ensure its success.

Need help with app development? Contact us today to bring your app idea to life!