Introduction

In today’s digital-first economy, an eCommerce website is no longer enough. Consumers spend the vast majority of their screen time within mobile applications, and for online retailers, this presents both a massive opportunity and a significant challenge. A dedicated shopping app offers a direct, personalized, and streamlined channel to engage customers, drive sales, and build brand loyalty. However, the path from concept to a successful, high-performing shopping app is fraught with complexity, requiring deep technical expertise, substantial financial investment, and a dedicated team of specialists.

Attempting to build a sophisticated shopping app in-house can quickly overwhelm even established businesses, draining resources and diverting focus from core operations. The alternative—hiring an expert development partner—can de-risk the process and accelerate your time to market. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to custom shopping app development. We will explore what a shopping app entails, detail the difficulties of in-house development, explain the benefits of a custom approach, and provide a clear overview of development costs.

Furthermore, we will profile the top companies you can partner with to bring your vision to life. As a leading US AI-powered app development firm with over two decades of experience and more than 100 apps launched, we at MetaCTO have guided countless brands through this journey. We’ll show you how a strategic partnership can transform a daunting technical challenge into a powerful business asset, helping you build a shopping app that not only functions flawlessly but also drives significant growth.

What is a Shopping App?

At its core, a shopping app, or eCommerce app, is a mobile application designed to facilitate the buying and selling of goods and services. It is a dedicated, native experience on a user’s smartphone or tablet that provides a direct portal to a brand’s product catalog. Unlike a mobile website accessed through a browser, a shopping app is installed directly on the device, enabling a richer, faster, and more integrated user experience.

A successful shopping app is more than just a digital storefront. It is a carefully crafted ecosystem of features designed to make the customer journey as seamless and engaging as possible. Key functionalities that users expect, and which are critical for driving conversions, include:

Shopping Cart & Wish Lists: The fundamental tools for users to select, save, and manage items they intend to purchase.
Secure Payment Gateways: Robust integrations with mobile payment systems to ensure transactions are safe, simple, and support various payment options.
Inventory Management: Real-time synchronization with backend systems to provide accurate stock levels and prevent overselling.
Order Tracking: The ability for customers to monitor their purchase from confirmation to delivery.
Push Notifications: A powerful marketing tool to alert users about promotions, new arrivals, and abandoned carts, driving re-engagement and sales.
Analytics and Reporting: Tools for the business to track user behavior, sales trends, and app performance to make data-driven decisions.
Customer Support: Features like in-app chat or help centers to resolve customer queries quickly.

Ultimately, the goal is to create an experience that feels “fully native,” as highlighted by platforms like MobiLoud, with smooth transitions, intuitive navigation, and quick load times. A well-executed shopping app becomes an indispensable tool for customer retention and a primary driver of revenue.

Reasons It Is Difficult to Develop a Shopping App In-House

While the allure of complete control might make in-house development seem attractive, the practical realities often prove to be a significant barrier for most companies. The process is far more demanding than simply hiring a few developers; it requires a confluence of specialized skills, substantial capital, and long-term commitment that can strain an organization’s resources and distract from its primary business goals.

Overwhelming Technical Complexity

Building a modern shopping app involves a sophisticated tech stack. Development requires proficiency in native languages like Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android, or cross-platform frameworks such as React Native and Flutter. This is just the client-facing side. The app must communicate seamlessly with a robust backend to manage user accounts, process payments, update inventory, and handle orders. This requires expertise in server-side languages (Node.js, Java, Python), database management, and API development. Ensuring the app is secure, scalable, and performs under pressure adds another layer of deep engineering challenges that a non-specialist team will struggle to overcome.

The Problem of Dual Codebases

For businesses that already operate a successful eCommerce website, a common pitfall of in-house native app development is the creation of a second, entirely separate codebase. As noted with development agencies like SolveIt and Digis, this approach means that your website and your mobile app operate independently. Every product update, price change, or content modification must be implemented twice. This doubles the development workload, increases the potential for errors, and complicates maintenance, leading to higher long-term operational costs.

Assembling and Managing a Specialist Team

A single developer cannot build a high-quality shopping app. A successful project requires a full-fledged team, including:

Product Manager: To define the vision, features, and roadmap.
UI/UX Designers: To create an intuitive and visually appealing user interface.
iOS Developers: To build the app for the Apple ecosystem.
Android Developers: To build the app for the Google ecosystem.
Backend Developers: To build and maintain the server, database, and APIs.
QA Engineers: To perform rigorous testing, find bugs, and ensure functionality across all devices.

Recruiting, hiring, and retaining this level of talent is expensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, managing the project workflow and ensuring effective collaboration requires experienced technical leadership, something many companies lack internally.

Continuous Maintenance and Updates

Launching the app is not the end of the journey; it’s the beginning. Mobile operating systems are constantly evolving, with Apple and Google releasing major updates annually. Your app must be updated to ensure compatibility and leverage new OS features. Beyond that, bug fixes, security patches, and the development of new features are necessary to keep the app competitive and your users engaged. An in-house team must be maintained indefinitely to handle this ongoing lifecycle, representing a significant and perpetual operating expense.

Partnering with a specialized mobile app development agency like MetaCTO eliminates these hurdles. We provide a complete, experienced team that has navigated these challenges hundreds of times. We manage the entire process, from initial strategy and design to development, launch, and ongoing support, allowing you to focus on what you do best: running your business.

Why Custom App Development for Shopping?

In a market flooded with template-based solutions and app builders, the decision to invest in custom development can seem daunting. Ready-made platforms like Shopify offer SDKs that can reduce costs for standard functionality. However, for brands looking to create a truly unique and competitive mobile presence, the limitations of off-the-shelf options become apparent. Custom development offers unparalleled advantages in branding, functionality, and long-term scalability.

A Unique and Cohesive Brand Experience

Your app is a direct extension of your brand. Custom development allows you to craft a user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) that is perfectly aligned with your brand’s identity, aesthetics, and values. You are not confined to a template’s rigid structure or design limitations. Every element, from the splash screen to the checkout process, can be meticulously designed to create a memorable and immersive experience that distinguishes you from competitors and fosters a deeper connection with your customers.

Tailored Functionality for Your Business and Customers

Every eCommerce business is unique, with specific workflows, customer behaviors, and strategic goals. Custom development empowers you to build features tailored precisely to your needs. Whether it’s a complex product customizer, an augmented reality “try-on” feature, or a sophisticated loyalty program integrated with your CRM, a custom app can accommodate it. You get, as MobiLoud’s philosophy suggests, “everything you need, and none of what you don’t.” This avoids the feature bloat common in template solutions while ensuring your app directly supports your business objectives.

Superior Performance and Scalability

Custom-built applications are optimized for performance from the ground up. Developers can write clean, efficient code and fine-tune the app’s architecture to ensure fast load times, smooth animations, and a responsive interface—all critical factors for user retention and conversion. As your business grows, a custom app can be scaled more effectively than a template-based solution. The backend infrastructure can be architected to handle increasing traffic, larger product catalogs, and a higher volume of transactions without compromising performance.

Seamless Integration with Existing Systems

A significant advantage of custom development is the ability to create seamless, deep integrations with your existing business systems. Your app can be designed to communicate flawlessly with your inventory management software, ERP, CRM, and other third-party services. This creates a unified and efficient operational workflow, ensuring data consistency across all platforms and reducing the need for manual data entry or clunky workarounds.

While the initial investment is higher, a custom shopping app is a long-term strategic asset. It provides the flexibility, control, and unique identity necessary to build a sustainable competitive advantage in the crowded eCommerce landscape.

Cost Estimate for Developing a Shopping App

One of the most pressing questions for any business considering a mobile app is, “How much will it cost?” The answer is complex, as the final price tag depends on a wide range of factors, including feature complexity, platform choice (iOS, Android, or both), design intricacy, and the development partner you choose. However, by examining the market, we can establish a general framework for what to expect.

Using a ready-made eCommerce platform’s SDK, such as those from Shopify or BigCommerce, can be a legitimate shortcut to lower the development price for apps with standard commerce functionality. These tools provide pre-built components for carts, payments, and discounts, reducing the amount of custom coding required. However, for a fully custom build, costs are calculated based on the time and resources needed.

The minimum project size accepted by different development agencies provides a clear indication of the potential cost spectrum:

Lower End ($5,000 - $25,000): Companies like Digis and Blitz Mobile Apps have minimum project costs starting at $5,000. Others like You Are Launched ($15,000), TekRevol ($25,000), and Surf ($25,000) occupy this range. These budgets are typically suitable for simpler apps with basic features or a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to test a market.
Mid-Range ($50,000+): Agencies such as SolveIt and Droids on Roids list a minimum project size of $50,000. This price point generally accommodates more complex apps with custom features, sophisticated UI/UX design, and backend development.
High End ($100,000+): Premier agencies like STRV have minimum project costs starting at $100,000. This level of investment is reserved for enterprise-grade applications for major brands, involving extensive features, multiple integrations, and ongoing strategic support.

Hourly rates also play a significant role:

$25 - $49/hr: You Are Launched, TekRevol
$50 - $99/hr: Blitz Mobile Apps, Droids on Roids
$100 - $149/hr: STRV

An Alternative Model: The Platform Approach

It’s also worth noting companies like MobiLoud, which operate on a different model. Instead of a large, one-time project fee, they offer a platform service that converts an existing website into an app for a monthly fee starting at a few hundred dollars, plus a small setup cost. This is a significantly cheaper upfront option that makes maintenance more affordable, though it may offer less flexibility than a fully custom build.

Ultimately, the best way to get an accurate cost estimate is to consult with a development expert. At MetaCTO, we work with you to define a clear product roadmap and provide a transparent breakdown of the costs involved to build an app that aligns with your budget and business goals.

Top Shopping App Development Companies

Choosing the right development partner is the most critical decision you will make in your app development journey. The right agency brings not only technical skills but also strategic insight, industry experience, and a collaborative spirit. Here is a look at some of the best eCommerce app development companies, each with its own unique strengths and focus.

1. MetaCTO

As a premier, US-based mobile app development agency, we at MetaCTO bring over 20 years of experience and a portfolio of more than 100 successfully launched applications. We specialize in building, growing, and monetizing custom mobile apps for brands ranging from ambitious startups to established enterprises like the Carlyle Group and Liverpool F.C.

Our approach is built on a foundation of strategic partnership. We don’t just write code; we work with you to transform your vision into a market-ready product that drives results. Our end-to-end services cover the entire application lifecycle:

Product Design & Discovery: We begin with research-driven design to create user-centered experiences that boost engagement and conversion.
Mobile App Development: Our expert engineers build high-performance, scalable, and secure applications for iOS and Android. Our 90-day MVP service is one of the fastest ways to get your product to market.
AI Development: We leverage the power of AI to build smarter apps with features like personalized recommendations, intelligent chatbots, and predictive analytics.
App Growth & Monetization: Launch is just the beginning. We provide strategic services to acquire and retain users and implement effective monetization strategies that maximize revenue without sacrificing user experience.

With a 5.0-star rating on Clutch and a track record of supporting clients in raising over $40 million in funding, we are dedicated to building apps the right way, from day one.

2. MobiLoud

MobiLoud stands out as an eCommerce app development company with a difference. Rather than building an app from scratch, MobiLoud operates as a platform that converts your existing, successful eCommerce website into a fully functional mobile app. This approach is designed to save significant time and money.

Key Features: MobiLoud reuses your existing web assets, ensuring your app is always synchronized with your website. Updates made on your site are reflected in the app instantly. Their service includes native features like push notifications, a native tab menu, and smooth transitions for a native feel. They handle all technical updates and the entire app store submission process.
Pros: The primary benefits are speed and cost. An app can be launched in under a month for a low monthly fee, offering massive upfront savings and making maintenance far more affordable. It’s a risk-free option with a full money-back guarantee.
Cons: Because it’s based on your website, it may not be able to leverage native mobile hardware features to the same extent as a fully custom-developed app.
Notable Clients: buybuyBaby, Feature, John Varvatos.

3. SolveIt

SolveIt is a European-based software development company that specializes in building custom mobile apps for both Android and iOS. They use a wide range of technologies, including Kotlin, Swift, React, and Flutter.

Key Features: SolveIt has deep experience building eCommerce apps with essential features like payment integrations, inventory management, and admin reporting. They can deliver a minimal viable product (MVP) within three months and a full app in about five months. Their process includes all testing and bug fixing, and they offer a 30-day warranty post-launch.
Pros: They offer fully customized development tailored to your specific wishes and provide lifecycle support for an additional cost.
Cons: SolveIt has an expensive minimum project size of $50,000. Their approach typically does not reuse existing website code, which will likely result in maintaining two separate codebases for your app and website.

4. Digis

With eight years in business, Digis is an app development company that works with both startups and large companies. A large portion of their mobile focus is on eCommerce.

Key Features: Digis has experience with native iOS/Android development as well as cross-platform hybrid apps using technologies like Flutter and React Native. They are proficient in integrating shopping carts, payment gateways, push notifications, and analytics. Their team is spread across six time zones, allowing them to offer support during most business hours.
Pros: Digis is a very accessible option, with a relatively low minimum project size of $5,000.
Cons: As a younger company, Digis is not as established as some competitors. Similar to other custom builders, their process will probably lead to two codebases for your app and website.
Notable Clients: Sendy, Zid.

5. Cubix

Cubix is a full-service app developer with 14 years of experience, serving startups, enterprises, and small businesses. They build for Android and iOS using a variety of technologies like Swift, Java, and React Native.

Key Features: Cubix has a proven track record of building eCommerce apps with features like wish lists, multiple payment options, and order tracking. Every project begins with an NDA to protect your intellectual property. They also offer comprehensive maintenance plans that cover everything from essential updates to future feature expansions.
Pros: Their long history in the industry provides a level of experience and stability. Their structured maintenance plans offer clear paths for long-term support.
Cons: They may not reuse existing website code, leading to separate codebases.
Notable Clients: Gforward, Qoot.

6. Blitz Mobile Apps

With nearly 19 years of software development experience, Blitz Mobile Apps offers a full-suite eCommerce app design and development service.

Key Features: Their comprehensive service includes UI design, development, testing, and maintenance. They have experience building apps with shopping carts, customer chat, and social media integration. A unique offering is their ability to analyze app metrics and stats to help you identify trends.
Pros: Blitz Mobile Apps has a low minimum project cost of $5,000, making them accessible for businesses with smaller budgets.
Cons: While the entry point is low, their hourly rate of $50 - $99/hr can make larger projects expensive. They may not reuse existing website code.
Notable Clients: Tribe 228, Pink Poppy, Small Town.

7. Droids on Roids

Droids on Roids is an open-source mobile app development company with 12 years of experience. They offer project workshops, quality assurance, and maintenance plans for both startups and enterprises.

Key Features: Their commitment to open-source can be an advantage for businesses that value transparency and community collaboration. They offer structured workshops to kickstart projects and have dedicated QA and maintenance plans.
Pros: They are an established company with a clear process for engaging with clients.
Cons: Droids on Roids is one of the more expensive options, with a high minimum project cost of $50,000 and an hourly rate of $50 - $99/hr. They may not reuse website code.
Notable Clients: CCC Shoes & Bags, Looksie.

8. STRV

In business since 2004, STRV is a full-service app builder with nearly two decades of experience creating mobile apps for notable brands.

Key Features: STRV offers a comprehensive service that includes design services to shape the UI/UX, as well as extensive QA testing for bugs and cross-platform analysis. They provide a mutual NDA for all projects and have an online Mobile App Calculator to help potential clients estimate costs.
Pros: They have a long and impressive track record working with high-profile clients, indicating a high level of quality and professionalism.
Cons: STRV is one of the most expensive options available, with a very high minimum project cost of $100,000 and an hourly rate between $100 - $149/hr.
Notable Clients: Barry’s, Barnes & Noble.

9. You Are Launched

You Are Launched is an agency that specializes in developing apps for startups. Their service includes ideation and guidance in addition to app development.

Key Features: Their custom app development package is designed to be affordable for new businesses. They provide strategic guidance to help startups navigate the early stages of product development.
Pros: They are a budget-friendly option, with a lower minimum project cost of $15,000 and a low hourly rate of $25 - $49/hr.
Cons: eCommerce is not their largest focus area, and they may not be the best choice for established brands. They may not reuse your existing website code.
Notable Clients: Toolsy, Librarius.

10. TekRevol

TekRevol is an eCommerce mobile app design company with around six years of experience and a global presence. They have experience creating both B2B and B2C eCommerce apps.

Key Features: They use a variety of technologies including Java, Python, and Node.js. Potential clients can use their online calculator for a preliminary estimate. They have a large development team for a company of their age.
Pros: TekRevol offers a lower minimum project cost ($25,000) and a low hourly rate ($25 - $49/hr), making them a cost-effective choice.
Cons: They are relatively new compared to more established builders and do not have as many high-profile clients. They may not reuse website code.
Notable Clients: Save & Win, Stock n Ship.

11. Surf

Surf is a creative app development company that offers the option to develop a turnkey app within six months. They have worked with several high-profile brands and are known for incorporating out-of-the-box ideas into their apps.

Key Features: Surf offers a free consultation to discuss project ideas. They have a reputation for creativity in their approach to app development.
Pros: They have a relatively low minimum project cost ($25,000) and experience working with major brands, offering a good balance of affordability and high-level experience.
Cons: They are not as established as some of the older companies on this list and may not reuse existing website code for your app.
Notable Clients: Burger King, KFC.

Conclusion

Developing a custom shopping app is a significant undertaking, but it is one of the most powerful investments you can make in the future of your eCommerce business. A well-designed, high-performing app provides a direct and personal channel to your most loyal customers, driving engagement, increasing conversions, and building a brand that thrives in the mobile-first world.

Throughout this guide, we have covered the essential components of a shopping app, explored the formidable challenges of in-house development, and highlighted the strategic advantages of a custom-built solution. We’ve also provided a realistic overview of the potential costs and introduced you to some of the top development companies that can help bring your vision to life.

The journey from idea to launch is complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Choosing the right partner is paramount. At MetaCTO, we combine two decades of technical expertise with a strategic, business-focused approach to ensure your app is not just a functional piece of software, but a powerful engine for growth.

Ready to build a shopping app that drives revenue and delights users? Talk with a Shopping app development expert at MetaCTO today to get started.

Custom Shopping App Development with MetaCTO