How much does it cost to build a fitness app?
Building a fitness app can cost anywhere from virtually nothing (using a revenue-share platform) to over $100,000 (for a fully custom-built app), depending on the route you choose. Most independent creators opt for a middle ground: a few hundred dollars a month with a no-code app platform.
Let’s break down the potential costs so you can get a clear picture. We know money is a big concern when considering an app, and we want to demystify it.
Option 1: Custom Development (High Cost)
If you were to hire a development team to build a fitness app from scratch, you’re looking at a significant investment.
Upfront Development: A decent freelance developer or agency might quote $50k on the very low end for a basic app (and that’s if you have a friend doing it cheaply). Realistically, for a quality app with iOS and Android support, video streaming, subscriptions, user accounts, etc., it often ranges from $80k-$150k+ in development costs. This covers coding the app, designing the interface, setting up servers, and more. Keep in mind, complex features like workout tracking or community feeds drive the cost up.
Time: Money aside, custom building takes time, easily 4 to 12 months of work before you have a usable product. That time cost means delayed launch and revenue.
Maintenance: After launch, you’ll need ongoing maintenance. Budget perhaps 20% of the initial cost per year for updates, bug fixes, adapting to new OS versions. If you spent $100k building it, plan on $20k/year maintenance. This is like hiring a part-time developer continuously.
Pros: The app is 100% yours and you could theoretically implement any feature you want (if you pay for it). This route might make sense if you’re a larger business or have investors and need very custom features. But for most individual creators, the cons outweigh the pros.
Option 2: No-Code/White Label Platforms (Affordable)
This is the route many fitness entrepreneurs take (and the one we often recommend). Instead of paying for development, you essentially rent the app technology from a platform like Sudor, which drastically cuts cost.
Setup Fees: Some platforms have a setup fee. This can range from $0 up to a couple thousand dollars. At Sudor, we have different plans: one might involve a small onboarding fee to cover customising the app for you, others might waive that but take a bit more revenue share. Always ask about upfront fees. Compared to custom dev, even a $2k setup is minor.
Subscription or Revenue Share: Platforms usually charge either a flat monthly fee, a revenue share, or a hybrid. For example, one platform might charge $300/month flat for using their app infrastructure. Another might charge 10-15% of your in-app revenue (so they only get paid when you get paid). Run the numbers: if you anticipate, say, $5,000/month in subscriber revenue, a 10% share is $500 to the platform. Versus a flat $300, each model has break-even points. Sudor offers partnership models to keep it creator-friendly (we want you to start earning with low risk, so a revenue-share model often works well initially).
App Store Developer Fees: Minor but worth noting that to have an app under your name, Apple and Google each require developer accounts. Apple is about $99/year, Google a one-time $25. If you go through a platform, sometimes they publish under their company developer account or help you set up yours. In any case, this is a tiny cost relatively.
Pros: You avoid huge upfront costs. You can literally start with a few hundred dollars or less out-of-pocket. Also, since the platform handles maintenance, you’re not paying for updates and bug fixes separately, it’s all included. The speed is a big factor too: launching in weeks means you start earning sooner, offsetting the costs.
Cons: You might not get 100% of the revenue (if a rev share model) and you don’t own the underlying software. If the platform has features you don’t need, you might still pay for them as part of the package. But honestly, compared to carrying the full weight of tech yourself, these cons are usually quite manageable for most.
Option 3: DIY Low-Code Solutions (Variable cost)
There’s also an in-between where you patch together solutions:
For instance, using a combo of WordPress, membership plugins, and maybe a basic app wrapper (services that turn websites into apps). Costs here could be lower in pure dollars but high in your time and hassle. You might pay for plugins or templates ($500-$1000 total maybe) and a developer occasionally for custom tweaks ($50-$100/hour on Upwork). Some creators try this to save money, but it can become a tech headache if you’re not inclined. It’s an option if you’re very budget-conscious and somewhat tech-savvy, but the end product might not be as slick as a purpose-built platform. I’ve seen people go this route and eventually switch to Option 2 because maintaining this DIY setup was distracting them from actually making content.
What to Budget For
If you choose the platform route (which most do), budget a few things:
Initial Content Production: Filming workouts, editing videos, etc. If you already have content, great. If not, factor in maybe some equipment or videographer costs if you want high production value. This is not an “app” cost per se, but part of building the product that will be in the app.
Marketing: Also not a direct app development cost, but you should allocate something for marketing your app (social media ads, maybe a promo video, etc.). Even the best app won’t earn money if people don’t hear about it. This can be done low-cost though; many launch with organic Instagram promotions and maybe $100 in ads just to test.
Platform Fees: As discussed, could be monthly fee or revenue share. Read the fine print: Some platform might have credit card processing fees separate or limits on number of users on certain plans. For instance, Kajabi (though not an app platform specifically, a site one) might charge more if you exceed X users or need another admin account. At Sudor, we try to keep it straightforward (we primarily make money when you make money, aligning our incentives).
Example: Affordable Path
To give a concrete example: Let’s say you go with Sudor’s no-code platform. Perhaps there’s an onboarding fee of a few hundred dollars to get your app customised. Then a revenue share of 10% on earnings. You launch in one month. You spend maybe $1,000 on some video gear and a nice backdrop to film workouts (if you don’t already have content). In month 2, you get your first 100 subscribers at $15/month = $1,500 revenue. The platform takes $150 of that (10%), app store might take another ~15% of the remainder (Apple’s cut on in-app purchases, though note after the first year Apple’s cut goes down to 15% for that subscriber). Roughly you net around $1,100-$1,200. That already covers your initial fees and you’re profitable, in the sense that recurring revenue now outpaces expenses. Each month after, those 100 subscribers (assuming they stay) keep paying, and as you add more, your income grows. Compare this with the custom-build scenario: you’d still be in development, having spent tens of thousands, with zero subscribers yet. That contrast is why most individual fitness creators go with the platform route. It’s just way less financial risk.
Let’s Find a Solution Within Your Budget
So, how much does it cost? For most reading this, the answer is: far less than you might think, if you use the right approach. You don’t need $50k in the bank. A few hundred to get started and a willingness to share a small piece of your subscription revenue can get you a top-notch app without the headaches.
If you want an exact quote or to discuss the most cost-effective plan, reach out to us at Sudor for a free consultation. We’ll be transparent about all costs involved and help you map out a plan that fits your budget. The bottom line: don’t let cost scare you away from your app dream. It’s likely more attainable than you imagined.