Start with a single problem your app will solve
The fastest way to create a phone app is to pick one specific thing your app will do, not ten things. A working app that does one job well beats a half-finished app that tries to do everything. Before you write any code, write down what problem your app solves in one sentence. "Help people track their daily water intake" is a starting point. "A comprehensive wellness platform" is not.
Your first decision is which phone platform to build for: iOS (Apple), Android (Google), or both. iOS apps reach fewer people but those users tend to spend more money on apps. Android reaches more people worldwide. Building for both at once takes roughly twice as long. Most people starting out pick one platform first, launch it, then build for the other if the first one works.
You also need to decide whether to code the app yourself or hire someone. If you have no coding experience, you have three paths: learn to code (takes months to years), use a no-code app builder (limited but faster), or hire a developer (expensive but fastest). Each path has real tradeoffs in cost, time, and control.
Key Takeaways
- Pick one specific problem your app solves before you start coding, because apps that do one thing well launch faster than apps trying to do everything.
- iOS and Android require different code, so most first-time builders pick one platform, launch it, then build for the other platform later.
- You can learn to code yourself (months to years), use a no-code builder (weeks, but limited features), or hire a developer (expensive, but fastest).
- Your app needs a backend server to store data, handle user accounts, and process payments — this is separate from the app code itself and adds weeks to the timeline.
- Testing on real phones before launch catches bugs that the simulator misses, and app stores review your app before it goes live, which takes one to two weeks.
Learning to code if you have no programming experience
If you choose to code the app yourself, you start by learning a programming language. For iOS apps, that language is Swift. For Android apps, it is Kotlin or Java. Both languages take three to six months of regular practice to reach the point where you can build a straightforward app. Online courses like Udemy, Codecademy, and freeCodeCamp teach both languages with video lessons and hands-on projects.
After you learn the language, you need to learn the framework — the set of tools that lets you build phone apps specifically. For iOS, that is SwiftUI or UIKit. For Android, that is Android Studio. The framework is where you learn how to make buttons, text fields, lists, and screens that work on phones. Learning the framework takes another two to four months of practice.
The realistic timeline for a beginner to build a straightforward app is six to twelve months of consistent work. A straightforward app means one screen with a form, or a list that saves data, or a timer. If you have never coded before, expect to spend time debugging — finding and fixing mistakes in your code. This is normal and takes longer than you think.
Using a no-code app builder to skip coding
No-code app builders like FlutterFlow, Bubble, and Adalo let you build apps by dragging and dropping components instead of writing code. You pick a button, drag it onto the screen, set what happens when someone taps it, and move on. This is much faster than learning to code — you can build a straightforward app in weeks instead of months.
The tradeoff is that no-code builders have limits. You cannot build an app that does something the builder was not designed for. If your app needs a custom animation, a specific payment system, or unusual data handling, a no-code builder may not work. Most no-code builders also charge a monthly fee to keep your app running, whereas a self-coded app only costs you server fees.
No-code builders are best for apps that fit their templates: a marketplace, a booking system, a straightforward game, a content feed. If your app idea is unusual or needs custom features, coding it yourself or hiring a developer is more realistic.
Hiring a developer to build the app for you
A professional app developer or development agency can build your app in weeks to months, depending on complexity. The cost ranges widely: a straightforward app might cost $5,000 to $15,000, while a more complex app with user accounts, payments, and a backend can cost $30,000 to $100,000 or more. The price depends on how many screens your app has, whether it needs a backend server, and whether it handles payments.
Before you hire a developer, write down exactly what your app does, what screens it has, and what happens on each screen. This is called a specification or spec. A developer needs this to give you an accurate price and timeline. Without a spec, developers will either underprice and deliver late, or overprice to protect themselves.
You can find developers on platforms like Upwork, Toptal, and Gun.io, or by hiring a local agency. Check their past work, ask for references, and get a written contract that includes the timeline, cost, and what happens if the app is late or broken. A good developer will also explain their process and check in with you regularly.
Building the backend server your app needs
Most apps need a backend — a server that stores user data, handles logins, processes payments, and sends notifications. Your app on the phone talks to this server. Building a backend takes time and adds cost, whether you code it yourself or hire someone.
If you are coding the app yourself, you can use a backend-as-a-service platform like Firebase, Supabase, or Parse. These platforms let you set up a database and user accounts without building a server from scratch. They handle the hard parts like security and backups. Firebase is owned by Google and is the most popular choice for beginners.
If you hire a developer, they will build the backend as part of the project. The backend is usually built in a different language than the app — often Node.js, Python, or Java — and takes as long as the app itself to build. Budget for this in your timeline and cost estimate.
Testing your app before it goes live
Before you submit your app to the app store, you need to test it on real phones. The simulator on your computer is useful for quick checks, but it does not catch bugs that only happen on real devices. Real phones have different screen sizes, different amounts of memory, and different versions of iOS or Android. Your app might work fine in the simulator and crash on someone's actual phone.
Test on at least two or three real phones if you can borrow them. Ask friends and family to use your app and tell you what breaks. Write down every bug they find. This is called beta testing. Many developers use TestFlight (for iOS) or Google Play's internal testing (for Android) to let a small group of people test the app before it goes public.
Testing takes one to two weeks for a straightforward app. Budget for this time. Bugs you find now are free to fix. Bugs users find after launch damage your reputation and get your app bad reviews.
Submitting your app to the app store
Once your app is tested and working, you submit it to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Both stores review your app before it goes live. Apple's review usually takes one to two days. Google's review is faster, usually one day, but can take longer if they have questions.
The app stores check that your app does not crash, does not steal data, and does not break their rules. Apple is stricter than Google. If your app is rejected, the store tells you why and you can fix it and resubmit. This can add a week or two to your launch.
To submit to the Apple App Store, you need an Apple Developer account ($99 per year). To submit to Google Play, you need a Google Play Developer account ($25, one-time). Both accounts require you to provide payment information and agree to their terms.
Maintaining your app after launch
After your app launches, your work is not finished. When Apple or Google releases a new version of iOS or Android, your app may break. You need to test it on the new version and fix any problems. This is called maintenance. Most developers spend 10 to 20 percent of their time on maintenance after launch.
You also need to fix bugs that users report. Read your app reviews and respond to people who say something is broken. If many people report the same bug, fix it and release an update. Users notice when you respond to their feedback and are more likely to recommend your app.
If your app handles payments or user data, you have legal and security responsibilities. You need to keep user data safe, follow privacy laws, and handle refunds fairly. This is not optional — it is the law in most countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to create an app?
If you code it yourself, your cost is mostly time plus server fees (usually $10 to $50 per month). If you use a no-code builder, expect $20 to $500 per month depending on the platform. If you hire a developer, a straightforward app costs $5,000 to $15,000 and a complex app costs $30,000 to $100,000 or more. The biggest cost is usually developer time, not tools.
Can I build an app without knowing how to code?
Yes, using a no-code builder like FlutterFlow or Bubble. You can build a working app in weeks without writing code. The tradeoff is that no-code builders have limits — they work well for common app types like marketplaces and booking systems, but struggle with unusual features. If your app idea is straightforward, no-code is realistic. If it is complex, hiring a developer is faster.
How long does it take to build an app?
If you learn to code first, expect six to twelve months for a straightforward app. If you hire a developer, a straightforward app takes four to eight weeks and a complex app takes three to six months. If you use a no-code builder, a straightforward app takes two to four weeks. The timeline depends on how many features your app has and whether it needs a backend server.
Do I need to build for both iOS and Android?
Not at launch. Most people build for one platform first, launch it, and build for the other platform later if the first one succeeds. Building for both at once roughly doubles the time and cost. Start with the platform your target users prefer — iOS if they are in wealthy countries, Android if they are worldwide.
What happens if my app gets rejected by the app store?
The store tells you why it was rejected. Common reasons are crashes, privacy violations, or breaking the store's rules. You fix the problem and resubmit. Resubmission usually takes one to two days for review. Rejection is not permanent — it just means you need to fix something before launch.