Cost to Develop an On-Demand App for Beauty Application

Do you want to implement an advanced version of your beauty business? If yes, you’re already on the right track. 

The beauty industry is rapidly shifting toward on-demand solutions that let customers book services with just a click. From salon visits to at-home treatments, all through mobile platforms.

The on-demand service app has become a key asset in today’s market, offering high returns for entrepreneurs. Whether you run a small salon or multiple studios, integrating technology is essential.

Now, let’s answer the question you came here for: how much does it cost to develop an on-demand beauty app?

The cost can range anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000, depending on the feature set, design, and overall complexity of your application. A basic app with simple booking is cheaper, while feature-rich platforms naturally fall toward the higher end.

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about beauty app development costs, features, and monetization strategies to keep your investment optimized. 

What Is The Cost Of Making An On-Demand Beauty Service App?

On average, the cost of a beauty service mobile application varies from $20,000 to $200,000, depending on the number of features, the tech stack, wireframing, UI/UX design, platform choice (iOS, Android, or both), and more.

Here’s a rough breakdown based on app complexity:

• Simple app with basic features: $20,000 – $50,000 (3 to 6 months development)
• Medium complexity app with real-time features and advanced design: $55,000 – $100,000 (6 to 9 months)
• Highly complex app with multiple advanced features and designs: $100,000 – $200,000+ (9+ months)

Estimating the cost involves more than just features and tech stack. Time and design also matter. The final cost will depend on your specific business requirements and goals.

Factors That Affect the Cost to Build a Salon App

When you ask, How much does it cost to build a salon?, you will see there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The cost of salon app development depends on many factors. Every choice you make about what features and designs you include can affect the cost to build your app.

Let’s break it down:

App Features and Functionality

When calculating the on-demand beauty app development cost, features play the biggest role.

If you only need a basic salon booking app for iPhone or Android with appointments, it will cost less. But as soon as you add advanced options like payments, loyalty programs, chat, or location tracking, costs rise.

That is why it’s important to decide early which features fit your business model. Start small, then scale once your customer base grows and you see consistent demand.

Here’s a breakdown of how features affect your budget:

App Design and User Interface

In the beauty industry, first impressions matter more than anything else. Even if your app functions perfectly, poor design can make users abandon it instantly.

Branding, user experience (UX), and user interface (UI) should always work in tandem to deliver a seamless user experience. Your goal is to create a design that feels attractive, simple, and effortless to navigate.

This requires a creative eye, industry knowledge, and strong design thinking from the right partner. For example, if you want a salon booking app for iPhone, design quality is everything.

The estimated cost for app design usually ranges between $5,000 and $50,000 or more. Most design projects take about two to four weeks, depending on the level of customization.

Pro Tip: Never settle for "good enough." Users form opinions within the first 7 seconds, and if your UI feels outdated, they won’t hesitate to leave.

App Platform Choice: iOS Vs. Android

In the development of a salon app for Android or iOS, this is a topic of discussion that each app designer who wishes to see it through goes into. Each option brings its own set of costs and audience reach.

• Salon Apps for iPhone: 

Popular among premium members who care for design and smoothness. If you are after high-end salon apps for iPhone, you’ll likely need to hire Swift developers who can build a secure, native iOS app. The cost is higher, but iPhone users tend to spend more on services.

• Salon App for Android: 

Android is the way to go if you are looking to reach out to a large audience, which includes users in emerging markets. While it does require more of your time in terms of device testing, developing a beauty app for Android will get you access to a larger customer base.

• Cross-Platform Development:

If budget is a concern, cross-platform development can save both time and cost. With frameworks like Flutter or React Native, you only need one codebase for both platforms. This approach can reduce costs by 30 to 40 percent compared to building separate native apps.

Location of App Development Team

The app development team’s size and structure are a large factor in determining the total cost for the salon app. Also, what area of the world your developers are from plays a big role, as they have very different hourly rates, which in turn will affect the bottom line of your beauty services app.

Here’s a breakdown of the average hourly rates across the globe:

The average hourly rate of developers around the globe highlights how location can drastically influence the salon software cost. If you are working on a tighter budget, outsourcing to a reliable beauty salon app development company often provides high-quality results at more affordable rates compared to Western countries.

Maintenance and Upgrades of Application

Launching your salon app is only the beginning of the journey. Once live, it requires updates, bug fixes, and performance improvements to keep users satisfied and engaged.

If ignored, small issues can turn into poor reviews, security risks, and unhappy customers. That is why you must plan for Application Maintenance & Support Services from the very beginning.

Your maintenance cost depends on how often you release updates and add new features.

Here’s a breakdown of common maintenance expenses:

Pro Tip: Annual beauty services app development and maintenance usually costs about 15–20% of the initial development cost. 

For example, if your salon app costs $50,000, expect $7,500 to $10,000 yearly in support.

Regular updates also keep your app compatible with the latest iOS and Android versions. This ensures your beauty salon software remains reliable, secure, and competitive in the long run.

App Security and Data Protection

Security is an issue that you cannot forgo. In the case of a beauty salon app that stores customer info like names, addresses, and payment details, that’s a given. Should that data fall into the wrong hands, your business may take a hit, and you will lose customer trust.

Adding in the right security features will see your salon software price go up, but in the end, it is worth it. 

Here’s a breakdown of key security features and their associated costs:

Pro Tip: Customers who use beauty salon apps do so because they trust. Putting in security today is to avoid larger risks down the road.

Cost of MVP Development for a Beauty Salon App

If you are on a tight budget, the best way to start is with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). An MVP is a lighter version of your app that includes only the most important features, like booking, payments, and profiles. The idea is to launch quickly, test your app with real users, and then decide what extra features to add later.

The cost of MVP development depends on the type of app, the skills of the team, and their location. On average, MVP development for a beauty salon app can cost anywhere between $10,000 – $50,000.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the MVP development stages and their estimated costs:

Remember: These are only estimates. The best way to know your exact salon software cost is to consult a leading mobile app development company for a custom quote.

Full-fledged App Development Cost

Once your MVP gains traction, you may proceed to full-fledged development by adding more features and enhancing your app’s functionality. This stage involves:

• More time and effort for development.
• Potential redesigns based on user feedback and performance analytics.
• Possibly only design adjustments if the core app structure remains stable.

If you have an MVP, full-feature app development typically costs 20–50% less than building from scratch, mainly due to the groundwork already completed during MVP development.

The total cost depends on the complexity of new features, design modifications, and development efforts required.

Why Invest in Beauty Service Mobile App Development?

Business owners always look at the numbers before investing, and the beauty industry’s rapid growth speaks volumes. The on-demand beauty service market has evolved quickly as modern consumers increasingly demand convenience and accessibility. Here are some key stats showing why now is the perfect time to go digital:

• The global beauty and personal care market was valued at USD 716 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 937.13 billion by 2030.
• The beauty industry generates over $100 billion in annual revenue worldwide.
• The on-demand beauty market alone is projected to hit $267 billion by 2027.

Beyond these figures, technology is transforming how beauty businesses operate every single day. Owners now use apps to streamline bookings, manage payments, and offer at-home services with ease.

Customers enjoy the flexibility to schedule, pay, and leave feedback through their favorite salon apps. This shift means that adopting an on-demand beauty app is no longer optional.

It is the key to staying competitive and meeting the fast-changing expectations of modern clients.

Must-have Core Features That Define a Beauty On-Demand App

When people download a beauty service app, they expect convenience, speed, and personalization. That said, there is something that they all have in common: the must-have set of features.

Let's explore the key features behind the success of top leaders in the on-demand salon app development market.

User Side Features

• User Registration and Profile Management: 

Easy sign-up/login via social media or email and profile management with personal details and preferences.

• Service Catalog: 

Detailed list of available beauty services with descriptions, pricing, and time estimates.

• Select Stylist or Salon: 

Ability to choose a specific beautician or salon based on preference.

• Service Scheduling and Booking: 

Users can view, schedule, and book beauty services at their preferred date and time.

• Integrated In-App Payment: 

Support for secure payments via credit/debit cards, net banking, or wallets.

• Booking History: 

Access past and upcoming appointments easily.

• Ratings and Reviews: 

Provide and view feedback on stylists and salons.

• Chat with Stylist: 

In-app messaging or calling to communicate with beauty professionals.

• Subscription Packages: 

Option to buy service packages for multiple treatments.

• View Beauty Packages: 

Display bundled services with pricing.

• Real-Time Status Tracking: 

Track the beautician’s location and service status.

• Social Media Sharing: 

Allow users to share their experiences on social platforms.

Beauty Experts' Side Features

• Profile Management: 

Manage professional profiles with a service list and pricing.

• Booking Management: 

View, accept, reschedule, or reject appointments.

• Calendar Management: 

Organize schedules efficiently.

• Payment Management: 

Receive and track payments.

• Service History: 

Keep records of services provided and earnings.

Admin Panel Features

• User and Stylist Management: 

Monitor users and service providers; approve or decline registrations.

• Service Management: 

Manage service categories, pricing, and availability.

• Booking Management: 

Handle bookings, cancellations, or rescheduling.

• Payment and Commission Management: 

Oversee payments and commission distribution.

• Analytics and Reporting: 

Track app performance, user behavior, and revenue.

• Marketing Content Management: 

Upload and update promotional content.

The following elements are essential features for an on-demand beauty app. When considering the costs involved in developing such an app, it's important to focus on the technology stack you choose to implement these features effectively.

Now, let's move forward and discuss the technology stack needed to develop a mobile app for a salon.

Tech Stack that Determines Cost of On-Demand Beauty Service App

When founders ask “how much does it cost to build a salon?”, the answer often depends on the technology choices you make. The tech stack is one of the most important factors in determining cost, performance, and scalability. 

It includes everything from programming languages to frameworks, databases, and hosting. Choosing wisely helps you balance cost with long-term growth.

Here’s a recommended tech stack for beauty app development:

Frontend 

• Mobile: Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android, or Flutter/React Native for cross-platform development
• Web: React.js or Angular for building a responsive web interface

Backend

• Frameworks: Laravel (PHP), Django (Python), or Node.js
• Database: MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB
• API: RESTful API or GraphQL for smooth communication between frontend and backend

Payments

Stripe, PayPal, or Braintree for secure payment processing

Push Notifications

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) or Apple Push Notification Service (APNS)

Cloud Hosting

AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for reliable and scalable hosting services

Real-Time Tracking

Google Maps API or Mapbox for location tracking and navigation features

Monetization Strategies to Incorporate in Your Salon App

Monetizing a salon app not only creates new revenue streams but also adds value for your customers. With the right strategy, your app for beauty services can stay profitable and sustainable in the long run.

Here are some of the best monetization models you can adopt:

1. In-App Booking Fees

Charge a small fee for every booking done through your app. This can be a flat rate or a percentage of the service cost. Many beauty salon apps use this model for a steady income.

2. Subscription Model

Offer premium features like early access, special deals, or personal recommendations. Customers pay monthly or yearly, giving you recurring revenue. A popular choice for salon software apps.

3. Commission on Product Sales

Turn your app into a small store by selling beauty products. You earn a commission on each sale while customers enjoy trusted salon products. This is a great add-on for beauty services app development.

4. Advertising

Let beauty and wellness brands run ads inside your app. Banners or sponsored listings are a good income source once your app for beauty services has enough users.

5. Booking Fee for Service Providers

If your app connects multiple salons or beauticians, you can charge them a small commission per booking. This keeps the app free for users but profitable for you.

6. Loyalty Programs

Reward users with points for every booking. They can redeem these points for discounts or free services. You can also create premium tiers for loyal customers. A proven way to increase retention in beauty salon mobile solutions software.

Pro Tip: Start with the beauty software basic models, like booking fees or subscriptions. Add ads and product sales later once your beautician app grows its user base.

Wrapping it up

By now, you have a better understanding of how much does it cost to build a salon and ways to generate revenue. At 7Span, we know that every dollar matters when it comes to beauty app development. That’s why we follow proven strategies to optimize the overall salon software cost, such as:

• Focusing only on the features you need
• Starting with MVP development before scaling up
• Designing minimalist yet elegant interfaces
• Using cloud cost optimization practices
• Avoiding unnecessary API integrations and backend customizations
• Applying expert-led app architecture solutions

With our experienced team of developers, designers, project managers, and business analysts, we ensure that your beauty salon apps or apps8ihjmnikuj7mnb   for beauty services are not only cost-effective but also built to last.

Are you curious to know the exact cost for your project? Connect with our expert and get a tailored quote for your own beauty salon mobile solutions software.