- Ruth Eschenheimer
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
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When you ask how hard is it to make an app, you’re really asking: what does it take to turn an idea into something people can download, use and love? At Base44, we’ve seen it all, from bootstrapped side projects to enterprise-scale launches. And the truth? Building an app isn’t impossible. With the right strategy and tools, it’s often easier than most people think.
This guide will walk you through the key factors that determine the complexity of how to build an app, giving you a clear picture of the path ahead.
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TL;DR: how hard is it to make an app?
Building an app might sound intimidating, but it’s more achievable than most people think. The difficulty depends on your scope, features, platform and experience level. With the rise of no-code tools and smart planning, even non-developers can launch functional apps in a few months.
You can expect challenges around UX design, testing, maintenance and user retention, but these can be managed with the right process and support. Partnering with an experienced ai app builder, like Base44, can simplify every step—from concept to launch—so you can focus on creating an app that users actually love.
In short: making an app is absolutely doable, especially when you approach it strategically and when you choose the right app builder.
Breaking down app development complexity
Creating an app isn't a single task but a series of interconnected stages. The difficulty and cost are shaped by the features you choose and the app builder you choose.
What kind of app are you building?
The first step is to define your app's core purpose and features. The more features you include and the more complex they are, the harder the app will be to create.
Simple apps: These are typically single-purpose applications with basic functionality. Think of a to-do list, a simple calculator or a timer. They usually have a standard user interface and don't require network connections or backend databases. These are the easiest to build and a great starting point for new developers.
Medium complexity apps: These apps offer more features and often require a connection to a server or database. Examples include a branded store app or a content-focused app like a blog reader. They might have user accounts, social media integration and push notifications. Development is more involved and requires a broader set of skills.
Complex apps: This category includes on-demand services (like ride-sharing), social networks and large-scale eCommerce platforms. These apps need robust backends, real-time data synchronization, multiple user roles, payment processing and advanced security. Their development is a significant undertaking, often requiring a dedicated team of specialists.
Choosing your platform: iOS, android or both?
Your next big decision is where your app will live. Will it be an iOS app for Apple users, an Android app for the majority of the market or both?
Native apps: Building a native app means creating separate versions for iOS (using Swift or Objective-C) and Android (using Kotlin or Java). This approach offers the best performance and user experience because the app is optimized for the specific operating system. However, it's also the most difficult and expensive route, as you're essentially funding two separate development projects.
Cross-platform apps: Tools like React Native, Flutter or Xamarin allow you to write code once and deploy it on both iOS and Android. This can save time and money. The trade-off is that you might face performance limitations or struggle to implement certain native features perfectly. It’s a great middle-ground for many projects.
Web apps: A progressive web app (PWA) is essentially a website that looks and feels like a native app. It runs in a browser, so you don't need to submit it to an app store. This is often the simplest and fastest way to get your idea in front of users, but it comes with limitations on accessing device hardware.
Factor | Options | Description/considerations |
App complexity | Simple | Single-purpose, basic functionality (e.g., to-do list, calculator). Easiest to build, minimal backend. |
Medium | More features, server/database connections, user accounts, social integration, push notifications (e.g., branded store, blog reader). Requires broader skills. | |
Complex | Large-scale apps: on-demand services, social networks, eCommerce. Needs robust backend, real-time data, payment processing, advanced security and a specialist team. | |
Platform | Native | Separate apps for iOS (Swift/Obj-C) and Android (Kotlin/Java). Best performance/UX but most expensive and time-consuming. |
Cross-Platform | Use React Native, Flutter or Xamarin. Write once, deploy on both iOS/Android. Saves time/money; may have performance or native feature limitations. | |
Web (PWA) | Runs in browser like a native app, fastest and simplest to launch. Limited access to device hardware, no app store submission needed. |
How hard is it to make an app? 5 stages of making an app
Regardless of complexity, every app goes through a similar development lifecycle. Understanding these stages helps demystify the process and shows you where the challenges lie.
01. The idea and research phase
Every great app starts with an idea. But an idea alone isn't enough. You need to validate it. This is where you research your target audience, analyze competitors and define your app's unique value. A recent study shows that a staggering 25% of users abandon an app after just one use. This makes the initial planning and research phase critical to ensure you're building something people actually want and will continue to use.
02. Design and prototyping (UX/UI)
This is where your idea starts to take visual form.
User experience (UX) design: This focuses on the overall feel of the app. It involves creating user flow diagrams and wireframes to map out the app's structure and how a user will navigate it. A good UX makes the app intuitive and easy to use.
User interface (UI) design: This is the look of the app: the colors, fonts, buttons and visual elements. The goal is to create an attractive and engaging interface that aligns with your brand.
This stage is crucial for avoiding costly changes later and finalizing the design before coding begins makes the development process much smoother.
03. Development and coding
This is often the most technically intensive part of the project. Developers take the designs and wireframes and turn them into a working application. The backend (servers, databases, APIs) and the frontend (what the user sees) are built out. This phase can be hard because it requires deep technical knowledge and a lot of problem-solving to iron out bugs and ensure all features work as intended.
For those who find the coding stage daunting, working with an experienced ai app builder like Base44 can make all the difference. Our team handles the technical heavy lifting, turning your vision into a polished, high-performing app without you needing to write a single line of code.
Learn more: What is vibe coding and how its making app building easier than ever
04. Testing and quality assurance
Before you launch, your app needs to be tested from top to bottom. Quality Assurance (QA) testers look for bugs, crashes and usability issues. They test the app on different devices, screen sizes and operating system versions to ensure a smooth experience for every user. This is a vital step: a buggy app will quickly earn bad reviews and lose users.
05. Launch and maintenance
An app needs ongoing maintenance to fix bugs, adapt to new operating system updates and add new features based on user feedback. This long-term commitment is often overlooked but is essential for an app's continued success.
Getting your mobile app into the Apple App Store or Google Play Store is a process in itself. You'll need to prepare marketing materials, write descriptions and adhere to each store's specific submission guidelines.
How hard is it to make an app, really?
Making an app might sound intimidating but it’s more doable than you think. With today’s tools and AI-driven builders, even beginners can turn an idea into a working app.
The key is to start simple: define what your app does, who it’s for and which features really matter for launch. You can always add more once you’re up and running. By breaking the process into clear, manageable steps, building an app becomes a straightforward (and surprisingly fun) project that can grow with your goals.
Explore Base44 templates and find the perfect option for your app →
How hard is it to make an app FAQ
Is it hard to make an app if you're not a developer?
Not necessarily. Thanks to modern no-code app builders and AI-powered tools, creating an app without coding experience is easier than ever. Platforms like Base44 guide you through design, functionality and testing so you can focus on your idea—not the technical details. If you can define your app’s purpose and layout, you can build a working prototype or even a full app with no coding required.
How long does it take to make an app?
The time it takes to make an app depends on its complexity and features:
Simple apps: days-months
Medium complexity apps: months
Complex apps: months-years
Using cross-platform tools or AI-powered development platforms can significantly shorten your timeline. With Base44, for example, you can go from concept to launch in a fraction of the time of traditional development.
How much does it cost to build an app?
App development costs vary widely:
Simple apps: free–$20,000
Medium complexity apps: Few thousand $ plus
Complex apps: Varies
Using no-code or low-code platforms like Base44 can drastically reduce costs by eliminating the need for a large development team. The key is to start small, validate your idea and scale features as your user base grows. Learn more about how to build an app for free.
What are the hardest parts of making an app?
The most challenging parts of app development often include:
Designing an intuitive user experience (UX)
Ensuring bug-free performance across multiple devices
Managing data security and user authentication
Maintaining and updating your app after launch.
However, many of these challenges can be simplified by partnering with an experienced app development platform like Base44 that provides built-in testing, app security and launch support.
Throughout this process, Base44 provides a comprehensive quick start guide to assist you.
Can AI really make you an app?
AI app builders can now generate layouts, suggest features and even write basic code. This helps entrepreneurs and small teams build apps faster, test prototypes and refine user interfaces with data-driven insights. Using AI-assisted tools within platforms like Base44 allows you to skip tedious coding tasks and focus on strategy, design and user value. Learn more about how to make an app with AI.
What's the easiest way to start making an app?
The easiest way to start is to:
Define your app’s purpose and audience.
Sketch a simple layout or wireframe.
Use a no-code or AI-powered app builder to create your first version.
Test it with real users and refine based on feedback.
With Base44, you can handle every step from prototype to publish without getting lost in complex coding or configurations.