When planning a new mobile or web application, one of the first questions business owners ask is how long it takes to code an app. While there is no single answer that applies to every project, there are dependable timeframes based on scope, platform, and complexity. Understanding these timelines helps businesses plan budgets, validate ideas, and select the right development partner.

This guide breaks down what affects development timelines, how long it takes to develop, create, or build an app, and how businesses can accelerate the process without sacrificing quality.

Organizations that want accurate planning and faster execution often work with experienced teams offering professional app development services rather than guessing timelines or relying on inexperienced developers.

1. What Determines How Long It Takes to Code an App?

The phrase “how long does it take to code an app” can be misleading because coding is only one part of the broader app development lifecycle. The total development timeline is influenced by several factors including:

  • Project scope and feature complexity
  • Platform choice (iOS, Android, Web, or all three)
  • Third-party integrations and APIs
  • UX/UI design requirements
  • Compliance and security needs
  • Team size and experience level

With these factors in mind, app development typically includes seven phases:

  1. Discovery and product strategy
  2. UX and UI design
  3. Frontend coding
  4. Backend development
  5. Integrations and infrastructure
  6. Testing and QA
  7. Deployment and launch

This entire lifecycle contributes to the overall app development timeline, not just the coding phase.

2. How Long Does It Take to Develop, Create, and Build an App?

Although every project is different, the following are standard industry ranges used by software development teams worldwide:

Simple Applications: 2 to 3 Months

Simple projects have minimal backend logic and limited feature sets. Examples include:

  • Directory apps
  • Tracking (e.g. goals, inventory, receipts) and scanning apps
  • Booking and event apps
  • Single-function internal business productivity tools

These apps often ship quickly because they require fewer integrations and rely on straightforward UX patterns.  For many businesses, a mobile app might be a simple “wrapper”, where we build a basic smartphone or tablet app to allow employees to upload and download relevant data to / from the company’s already existing database.

Medium Complexity Apps: 3 to 6 Months

Most commercial apps fall into this category, including:

  • Subscription platforms
  • Contractor / field apps
  • Health, fitness and coaching apps
  • Social media / community apps
  • Learning / course apps
  • Marketplaces with payments

These projects typically include authentication, custom backends, notifications, third-party integrations, and administrative dashboards.

Complex or Enterprise Apps: 6 to 12+ Months

Large-scale systems require advanced infrastructure and ongoing iteration. These include:

  • Healthcare and HIPAA compliant apps
  • Learning and education platforms
  • Real-time communications apps (chat, voice, video)
  • Enterprise inventory or logistics systems
  • Full-scale SaaS products

These systems often need intensive testing, integrations, and scalability planning, extending timelines sometimes beyond one year.

3. Breakdown of the App Development Timeline

To better understand how long it takes to build an app, here is a realistic breakdown of each phase:

Phase 1: Discovery & Planning (2 to 6 Weeks)

During this stage, teams define scope, user personas, requirements, architecture, and budget. This phase prevents costly rework later.

Phase 2: UX/UI Design (3 to 6 Weeks)

Design delivers screens, user flows, wireframes, and visual prototypes. Strong UX reduces training time and support needs after launch.

Phase 3: Coding & Engineering (8 to 36+ Weeks)

This includes frontend and backend development, API integrations, and cloud setup. Complex systems require parallel development across multiple teams.

Phase 4: Testing & QA (2 to 5 Weeks)

Testing ensures compatibility, performance, and stability across devices. Skipping QA is one of the fastest ways to hurt user retention.

Phase 5: Launch & Deployment (1 to 3 Weeks)

This includes App Store and Play Store submissions, server deployments, analytics setup, and final compliance checks.

4. What Speeds Up or Slows Down the Timeline?

Several variables can accelerate or delay app development:

  • Platform choice: iOS + Android takes longer than one platform
  • Backend/CMS:  Large databases with multiple CMS role types adds complexity
  • Integrations: payments, maps, messaging, AI, etc. add time
  • Compliance: finance, healthcare, and enterprise have stricter requirements
  • Scope changes: mid-project pivots extend timelines significantly
  • Team experience: senior teams move faster than freelancers

Businesses can reduce timelines by starting with an MVP, optimizing scope, and using proven cross-platform frameworks. Teams like Epic Business Apps help clients make those decisions early so development remains efficient.

5. Common Mistakes Affecting App Development Timelines

Most delays are avoidable. The most common mistakes include:

  • Starting without clear requirements
  • Constant feature changes during development
  • Underestimating backend complexity
  • Choosing the wrong tech stack
  • Skipping QA for speed

Many successful apps launched as minimum viable products, validated their market, and then expanded. This approach reduces risk and accelerates timelines.

6. Final Answer: How Long Does It Really Take to Code an App?

Here is the final timeline summary:

  • Simple apps: 2 to 3 months
  • Medium complexity apps: 3 to 6 months
  • Complex apps: 6 to 12+ months

If you are evaluating how long it will take to build your idea, the most accurate way to estimate is through structured planning and technical scoping. Our team offers clarity through strategy, design, and development services for startups, growing businesses, and enterprises.

To see real project timelines and delivered work, view some of our portfolio here: Our Development Work

Conclusion

Coding an app involves far more than writing code. It requires structured planning, design, backend engineering, testing, and deployment. By understanding what affects timelines, businesses can set realistic expectations and build more successful digital products.

If you have an app idea and want to know how long it will take to develop, our team at Epic Apps can provide timeline estimates, cost projections, MVP planning, and full-cycle development support.