Is It Worth Developing a Mobile App in 2025?

Published on March 30, 2025 by

In an age where mobile usage dominates the digital landscape, many businesses and entrepreneurs are asking the same question: Is it still worth developing a mobile app in 2025?

The short answer is yes—but with caveats. Mobile apps continue to provide unique benefits, powerful engagement opportunities, and revenue potential. However, the mobile ecosystem in 2025 has evolved. User expectations are higher, competition is fiercer, and the cost of building and maintaining an app has increased.

So before you dive in, you need to understand why, when, and how mobile app development makes sense. This article will walk you through the current landscape, the advantages and drawbacks, and the types of apps that still make a strong business case today.

Mobile Usage in 2025: A Quick Snapshot

Let’s start with the big picture.

  • Over 6.8 billion smartphone users worldwide

  • 90% of mobile time is spent on apps rather than browsers

  • Mobile commerce (m-commerce) accounts for nearly 75% of all eCommerce sales

  • Push notifications continue to be the most effective user engagement tool, with CTRs 7x higher than email

Mobile isn’t just part of the user experience anymore—it is the user experience for many people. That alone makes a compelling case for having a presence on people’s phones.

But the question is not just whether users are on mobile, but whether you need to be there via a native app.

When Does a Mobile App Make Sense?

A mobile app isn’t the right choice for every business or product. But it’s the ideal solution when your goals include:

✅ 1. Improving User Experience & Performance

Websites are great, but they can’t match the speed, responsiveness, and offline capabilities of native apps.

Use cases that benefit from this include:

  • Financial apps

  • Productivity tools

  • Complex workflows (project management, dashboards)

  • Gaming

✅ 2. Pushing Notifications for Engagement

Push notifications remain one of the strongest tools for retention. If you’re building a product that requires user re-engagement—like fitness, education, or social media apps—a mobile app is essential.

✅ 3. Accessing Native Features

Only mobile apps can take full advantage of device hardware like:

  • Camera

  • GPS

  • Bluetooth

  • Accelerometer

  • Biometrics

If your app idea relies on these, a mobile-first experience is the way to go.

✅ 4. Building Brand Loyalty

Mobile apps increase brand “stickiness.” Your icon lives on the user’s phone, giving you prime real estate and faster access to your audience.

Apps can also offer perks like loyalty programs, in-app-only discounts, and personalized experiences.

✅ 5. Driving Recurring Revenue

Subscriptions and in-app purchases have exploded in popularity. If you’re building a SaaS product, media platform, or wellness app, a mobile app can be your core monetization channel.

When You Might Not Need an App

Let’s flip it. You may not need a mobile app in 2025 if:

  • Your product is content-focused (a blog, news site, or SEO-driven site)

  • Your audience primarily uses desktops (e.g., B2B SaaS tools)

  • You have a limited budget and a responsive web experience is enough

  • Your goals are short-term or campaign-based (landing pages, forms, etc.)

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) can also bridge the gap—offering mobile-like experiences without the cost and complexity of app stores.

Native App vs. PWA vs. Hybrid in 2025

There’s more than one way to build a mobile experience:

Type Pros Cons
Native App Best performance, full feature set Costly, two codebases
PWA Fast to build, works in browsers Limited push, no App Store presence
Hybrid App One codebase for iOS/Android Slower than native, some limitations

In 2025, frameworks like Flutter, React Native, and Kotlin Multiplatform make it easier than ever to build hybrid apps with near-native performance.

Cost of Mobile App Development in 2025

Let’s talk numbers. Mobile app development isn’t cheap, but the ROI can be massive when done right.

App Type Estimated Cost (USD)
Basic informational app $10,000 – $25,000
E-commerce app $25,000 – $75,000
Social media or chat app $40,000 – $120,000
On-demand delivery app $60,000 – $150,000
SaaS productivity tool $70,000+

Other costs to factor in:

  • Backend infrastructure (servers, APIs, databases)

  • Design and branding

  • Ongoing maintenance and updates

  • App Store/Google Play fees

If you’re working with an MVP mindset, you can often validate your idea with a smaller investment using tools like Flutter, Adalo, Bravo Studio, or even no-code platforms like Glide or Draftbit.

Monetization Models That Work in 2025

Apps aren’t just an expense—they can be a major revenue driver. Common monetization models include:

1. Subscription Model

Great for media, wellness, productivity, and SaaS tools. The recurring revenue ensures long-term sustainability.

2. In-App Purchases

Sell digital goods, premium features, or virtual currency. Common in gaming and creative tools.

3. Freemium

Offer a free version to attract users, then convert them with upsells.

4. Ads

Use ad networks like AdMob or Meta Audience Network. Be careful—ads can harm UX if not implemented tastefully.

5. Transactional Revenue

Perfect for marketplaces, e-commerce, or delivery apps. You take a cut of each transaction.

App Store Landscape: What’s Changed in 2025?

In 2025, both the Apple App Store and Google Play have evolved:

  • More competition: Over 5 million apps are available across platforms.

  • Stricter guidelines: Especially on privacy, tracking, and subscription disclosures.

  • Better tools for developers: Apple’s App Store Connect and Google’s Play Console now offer deeper analytics, A/B testing, and phased rollouts.

User acquisition, however, has become more challenging. That’s why apps need strong onboarding, viral growth loops, and retention tactics built in from day one.

How to Decide: Should You Build a Mobile App?

Ask yourself:

  1. What problem does your app solve, and for whom?

  2. Can a mobile-first experience improve that solution?

  3. Do your users expect an app—or is a web product enough?

  4. How often do users interact with your product? Daily, weekly, occasionally?

  5. Do you have the budget to build and maintain a high-quality app?

If you’re still unsure, consider starting with a web product or MVP, measuring traction, and expanding into mobile once you’ve validated demand.

Examples of Brands Winning with Mobile in 2025

Let’s look at a few industries where apps are still crushing it:

📦 E-commerce

  • Brands like Nike and Sephora use apps for loyalty programs, AR try-ons, and personalized shopping.

🧘 Wellness & Fitness

  • Apps like Calm, Headspace, and Fitbod use gamification, daily streaks, and subscriptions to keep users engaged.

🧠 EdTech

  • Duolingo and Brilliant continue to lead with bite-sized learning experiences and in-app leaderboards.

🛵 On-Demand Services

  • Uber, DoorDash, and Lime prove that real-time logistics + mobile UX = unmatched convenience.

These aren’t just apps—they’re businesses built around mobile behavior.

What the Future Holds for Mobile Apps

Mobile apps aren’t going anywhere—but they are evolving.

In the coming years, expect to see:

  • AI-driven personalization: Smarter content and UI decisions based on usage patterns

  • Voice and gesture-based interactions

  • Offline-first design: Especially in emerging markets

  • More cross-platform tools like Flutter 4 and React Native TurboModules

  • App Clips and Instant Apps: Lightweight, instant-load experiences for core actions

And with wearable devices and AR becoming more mainstream, your app may not just live on phones—but on watches, glasses, or even smart cars.

Final Verdict: Is a Mobile App Worth It in 2025?

Yes—but only if it aligns with your business goals and user behavior.

If your app adds real value, creates engagement, or opens up monetization channels, it’s a smart investment. But don’t build one just because it’s trendy.

Instead, start with a clear purpose. Validate demand. Focus on user experience. And build something that actually makes life better for your audience.

If you do that, a mobile app can still be one of the best investments you make in 2025.

Need help developing your app?
We build production-ready apps for founders and businesses. Talk to us about your idea.