If you sell online and want your own shopping app, the first question is how much it costs to build, and whether you need an app yet. Here are realistic ranges for India in 2026, what moves the price and when a website is the smarter first step.
Ecommerce app cost at a glance
All figures are indicative ranges, not a quote. They come from the same model as our app cost calculator and website cost calculator.
| What you build | What it includes | Indicative cost | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce website | Catalogue, cart, checkout with UPI and cards, works on every phone | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 | 2–3 weeks |
| Shopping app, Android only | Catalogue, search, cart, checkout, orders and profile on Android | ₹3.5 lakh – ₹9 lakh | 7–14 weeks |
| Shopping app, Android + iOS | The same app for both platforms from one cross-platform codebase | ₹5 lakh – ₹13 lakh | 8–16 weeks |
| Two fully native apps | Separate Android and iOS code | ₹8.5 lakh – ₹22 lakh | 11–22 weeks |
Common add-ons, priced from the same model:
| Feature | Adds about |
|---|---|
| Online payments (UPI, cards, wallet) | ₹60,000 – ₹1.6 lakh |
| Push notifications for offers and order updates | ₹20,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Admin panel to manage products, orders and customers | ₹1.5 lakh – ₹3.5 lakh |
| Integrations (inventory, ERP, shipping, CRM) | ₹80,000 – ₹2.5 lakh |
| Analytics and reports | ₹50,000 – ₹1.5 lakh |
| Multiple languages | ₹50,000 – ₹1.5 lakh |
What changes the price
- Platforms. Android only is cheapest and covers most Indian shoppers; one cross-platform codebase adds iOS for little extra; two native apps cost the most. See Flutter vs React Native.
- Catalogue size. A few hundred products are simple. Thousands of products need fast search, filters and bulk import tools.
- Checkout options. UPI and cards are standard. Cash on delivery rules, wallets, EMI and coupons add logic.
- Delivery and returns. Shipping-partner integration, live order tracking and return requests add backend work.
- Design. A clean standard interface costs less than a custom-branded or animation-rich design.
App or website first?
| Start with | Best when | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce website | You are launching or testing products, most visitors come from Google, Instagram or WhatsApp links | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Shopping app | You already have repeat buyers, want push offers and loyalty, or run a large catalogue | ₹5 lakh – ₹13 lakh for Android and iOS |
Most brands launch with a website, learn what sells, then add an app for loyal customers. Our guide to the ecommerce website cost in India breaks the website option down, and Shopify vs custom ecommerce helps you choose a platform.
Running costs after launch
Plan for servers and the database, payment-gateway fees on every order, SMS and push notifications, shipping integrations, app-store accounts and maintenance. For an app we estimate maintenance at roughly 15–20% of the build cost a year.
How to keep the cost down
- Launch on Android first if most of your buyers use Android, and add iOS later.
- Keep version one to browse, search, cart, checkout and order tracking.
- Reuse your website's backend and admin for the app where possible.
- Agree a fixed price for a fixed scope for each phase. Read fixed price vs time and materials.
For other app types, see our breakdown of app development cost in India.
Get a written quote
We build shopping apps and online stores through our ecommerce app development service. Tell us what you sell and we will send a free, written quote with the scope, timeline and price.
