How Much Does It Cost To Build A Beauty Salon App?

Intoduction

Interested in launching your own salon app, but wondering “How much will it cost? That's totally reasonable and smart.

App development costs typically range between $20,000 and $100,000+, depending on factors like app complexity, feature set, UI/UX design, and platform choice (iOS, Android, or both).

If you're a salon owner or an entrepreneur new to the beauty tech space, understanding the costs is crucial.

Getting started doesn't have to break the bank. We'll walk you through all the key factors that affect development cost so you can plan smart, budget right, and launch with confidence.

You'll know exactly what to anticipate and how to approach your salon app project like a pro by the end of this guide. Let's get started!

Salon App Market Statistics: Insights

Before we get into the cost of beauty salon app development, let’s take a quick look at why this market is booming—and why so many businesses and startups are investing in it.

Spa and Salon Software Market size was valued at USD 0.82 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.69 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.90% during the forecast period 2026-2032.

The beauty salon mobile app industry adds more than 22 million users, generating $54 billion in revenue.

On average, people spend more than $3,756 on salon and spa services annually.

Read more: Top Salon Booking Apps in India

Average Cost to Build a Beauty Salon App

In addition to users who want convenience, businesses seeking to elevate their service offerings are turning to on-demand apps. The beauty industry is raking in billions of dollars, so creating an on-demand beauty salon app makes sense.

Now for the juicy part: "How much does it cost to develop an app for a beauty salon?"

Depending on factors like app complexity, platform (iOS, Android, or both), tech stack, features, UI/UX design, and more, the prices can range from $15,000 to $150,000.

Let’s break it down based on complexity:

Read Also: How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Beauty Salon App?

Key Factors Affecting the Cost to Develop a Salon Booking App

mobile app development is a complex process involving multiple stages and elements, which makes estimating the cost of building an on-demand beauty or salon app quite variable. To get a clearer idea of the development cost, it’s important to understand the key factors that influence it. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Platform Choice: iOS vs Android

The first major decision is selecting the platform for your salon app. You can choose to develop for Android, iOS, or both. Each platform has different development costs due to technical and market reasons.

Platform

Development Cost Range

Android App Development

$50,000 – $300,000

- Simple App

$50,000 – $80,000

- Moderate Complexity

$80,000 – $150,000

- Complex App

$150,000 – $300,000

iOS App Development

$30,000 – $280,000

- Simple App

$30,000 – $60,000

- Moderate Complexity

$60,000 – $120,000

- Complex App

$120,000 – $280,000

Android development tends to be costlier due to the fragmented user base and the need to support multiple OS versions and devices. In contrast, iOS development is often faster and cheaper because Apple users mostly run the latest OS versions on a limited number of devices.

2. Technology Stack and Its Impact on Cost

The choice of technologies for frontend, backend, database, and integrations affects both the app’s performance and development cost. Here’s an overview of common components and their cost ranges:

Component

Technology

Cost Range (USD)

Frontend Development

React Native, Flutter

$5,000 – $40,000

Backend Development

Node.js (Express), Django

$15,000 – $80,000

Database

MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL

$5,000 – $30,000

Authentication

Firebase Auth, JWT

$5,000 – $20,000

Payment Integration

Stripe, PayPal, Braintree

$10,000 – $40,000

Push Notifications

Firebase Cloud Messaging

$3,000 – $15,000

Geolocation Services

Google Maps API

$3,000 – $15,000

Appointment Scheduling

Calendar API, Custom Logic

$10,000 – $50,000

User Analytics

Google Analytics, Mixpanel

$3,000 – $20,000

Hosting

AWS, Heroku, DigitalOcean

$5,000 – $30,000

Selecting open-source frameworks like React Native or Flutter can reduce costs by enabling cross-platform development. However, complex backend logic, multiple payment gateways, and advanced scheduling features will increase expenses.

3. Developer Experience and Cost

The hourly rate for hiring developers varies significantly based on their experience level. More experienced developers deliver higher quality and faster results but at a higher cost.

Experience Level

Years of Experience

Cost Range (per hour)

Entry-Level Developer

0-2 years

$20 – $35

Junior Developer

2-4 years

$30 – $45

Intermediate Developer

4-6 years

$40 – $55

Senior Developer

6-8 years

$50 – $70

Lead Developer

8+ years

$60 – $85

Expert Developer

10+ years

$75 – $95

Costs also differ between iOS and Android developers, with iOS developers sometimes commanding slightly higher rates due to platform-specific expertise.

4. Types of Development Teams and Hiring Costs

The structure of your development team impacts cost as well. You can hire freelancers, outsource to app development companies, build an in-house team, or use IT staff augmentation services.

Team Type

Cost Range

Freelancers

$40 – $85 per hour

Outsourcing Companies

$25 – $75 per hour

In-House Team

$250,000 – $750,000 per year

IT Staff Augmentation

$15 – $75 per hour

Each option has its pros and cons. Freelancers may be cost-effective but riskier for complex projects. Outsourcing companies offer expertise and scalability. In-house teams provide full control but are expensive. Staff augmentation is flexible but requires management.

5. Location and Its Effect on Development Cost

Where your development team is located greatly influences hourly rates and overall cost. Here’s a comparison of average developer rates by region:

Location

Average Hourly Rate (USD)

North America

$80 – $150

Western Europe

$60 – $120

Eastern Europe

$40 – $80

Asia (e.g., India)

$20 – $50

South America

$80 – $100

Australia

$100 – $150

Countries with stronger currencies and higher living costs, like the US and Australia, have higher rates. Outsourcing to regions like India or Eastern Europe offers significant cost savings while maintaining quality.

Learn more: How to Develop a Salon Booking App Like Booksy?

Conclusion

On-demand beauty salon apps have exploded in popularity, inspiring many entrepreneurs and salon owners to launch their own versions. While the average cost to develop a salon app ranges between $15,000 and $150,000, the final price really depends on various factors like platform, tech stack, developer experience, location, and project complexity.

If you're planning to build a standout, high-performance salon booking app that attracts and retains users, don’t rely on estimates alone.

Partner with an experienced On-Demand App Development Company like Vigorous IT Solutions. Their team can help you plan, design, and launch a full-featured beauty salon app tailored to your goals—without breaking your budget.

Read more: Top Mobile App Development Companies in India