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As mobile commerce continues to grow, having a dedicated mobile app for your Shopify store is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity. However, one of the biggest challenges for Shopify store owners is understanding the costs involved in building a mobile app. Should you use an app builder or build your own app? Let’s break down the Shopify mobile app pricing, hidden costs, and key considerations to help you make the best decision.
>> Explore:
- 7 Best Free Shopify Apps For Store Design
- 15 Best Features For Shopify Mobile App [Must-have to Advanced]
- 10+ Best Shopify Mobile App Template [UI and Code]
Shopify mobile app pricing breakdown using app builder
Using Shopify mobile app builder is the most cost-effective solution to turn your Shopify store into an app. This is because:
- Auto-Sync with Shopify Store – Instantly updates products, inventory, and orders without extra backend development or hosting costs.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface – No need for a backend team; everything is managed via a visual editor, reducing long-term expenses.
- No-Code Builder = Minimal Maintenance Costs – Unlike custom apps, app builders handle updates, bug fixes, and compatibility, eliminating the need for ongoing maintenance fees.
Here’s a comprehensive cost breakdown of Shopify mobile app pricing, including development and launch expenses, if you plan to use one of the popular Shopify mobile app builders available on the market.
| Platform | Building fee (min) | Building fee (max) | Launching fee | Estimate Shopify mobile app pricing | Rating |
| Simicart | $0 | $99 | $0 | $0 – $99 | 4.8/5 (20 reviews) |
| Shopney | $149 (include launching) | $599 ((include launching) | $0 | $149 – $599 | 5/5 (1044 reviews) |
| OneMobile | $0 | $299 (include launching) | $29 (upgrade startup plan) | $29 – $299 | 4.9/5 (414 reviews) |
| Vajro | $149 (include launching) | $999 (include launching) | $0 | $149 – $999 | 4.9/5 (1827 reviews) |
| Tapcart | $200 (include launching) | $1,000 (include launching) | $0 | $200 – $1000 | 4.8/5 (484 reviews) |
| Appbrew | $0 | $499 (include launching) | $499 (upgrade pro plan) | $499 | 5/5 (40 reviews) |
| Hulk | $0 | $199 (include launching) | $79 (upgrade basic plan) | $79 – $199 | 5/5 (111 reviews) |
| Tapday | $45 | $449 | $25 (for Android) – $99 (for iOS) | $169 – $573 | 5/5 (71 reviews) |
Note: The estimated Shopify mobile app pricing is the minimum value, ideal in case you build and launch your app completely by yourself. It doesn’t include customization or extra fees not referred to in the pricing plan.
>> To know more about each app builder review, please visit our article: 10+ Best Shopify Mobile App Builders For Your Store In 2025
Can I create a Shopify mobile app for customers myself?
Besides using a Shopify mobile app builder, you can also integrate your Shopify store with a custom Android or iOS app using Shopify’s Mobile Buy SDK—provided you have an in-house development team or coding expertise. This approach gives you complete control over your app’s branding, themes, and features without relying on third-party platforms.
However, compared to pre-built, market-tested Shopify mobile app builders, building your own app comes with two major challenges—especially if you lack the necessary resources:
- High Complexity – Requires in-depth knowledge of Shopify’s backend, API integrations, and mobile app architecture.
- Time-Consuming – A complex app can take up to a year and hundreds of development hours to build.
What is Shopify mobile app pricing if building your own app?
According to Naturally (a Shopify app development agency), the cost of developing a Shopify mobile app ranges between $15,000 – $25,000, depending on complexity. Apps with fewer features tend to be cheaper, but on average, expect to invest around $20,000 for a fully functional custom app.
The opportunity cost and upfront investment for this approach are extremely high, with no guaranteed ROI. Instead, Simicart recommends using Shopify mobile app builders to:
- Reduce costs & speed up time-to-market
- Focus on post-launch efforts, such as ASO (App Store Optimization), marketing, increasing downloads, and conversion rate testing,…
Turn your Shopify store into a mobile app for free with Simicart
Want to boost sales, increase engagement, and create a seamless shopping experience for your customers—without coding? With SimiCart Mobile App Builder, you can easily transform your Shopify store into a fully functional iOS & Android app using a simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Faster, smoother shopping experience with a native mobile app
- Auto-sync products & orders with your Shopify store—no manual updates needed
- Unlimited free push notifications to drive repeat purchases and customer engagement
- In-app exclusive discounts & smart banners to attract and retain more buyers
- Multi-language support (EN, AR, CN) for global expansion
Best of all? Publishing your app is completely free! Start building your mobile app today and let SimiCart’s expert team help you launch a high-converting, sales-driven shopping experience.
Conclusion
Building a mobile app for your Shopify store is no longer just an option—it’s a powerful way to boost sales, improve customer engagement, and enhance the shopping experience. This article has broken down the Shopify mobile app pricing, options, and factors to help you decide whether to use a Shopify app builder or develop a custom app.
Still have questions? Contact SimiCart today for expert guidance on turning your Shopify store into a high-converting mobile app!
