Mobile App Builder

How Profitable Is A Mobile App Builder? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 8th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Mobile App Builder? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a mobile app builder?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are mobile app builders actually profitable?”

With a market size of $154B - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

You could start a mobile app builder with as low as $20,000
Based on our data, mobile app builders generate an average of $1.84M per year
You could see gross margins as high as 90% with mobile app builders

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a mobile app builder.

Let’s dive in!

Is a mobile app builder profitable?

Yes, a mobile app builder is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $1.84M per year with an estimated gross margin of 90%, you could expect to recover your investment within 7 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your mobile app builder.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your mobile app builder is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a mobile app builder worth it?

If you’re wondering if a mobile app builder is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With mobile app builders, you have the potential to earn $1.84M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $154B, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a mobile app builder to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful mobile app builders case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Mobile App Builders

Here are a few examples of profitable mobile app builders, and a few more details about them:

1. Appetiser ($8.4M/year)

Jamie Shostak, the co-founder of Appetiser App Development, came up with the idea for the business when he met Michael MacRae, who had apps with millions of users but was looking for a new challenge. They both shared a passion for building and growing tech products, and saw a need for speed, data-driven insights, and top-level quality in the industry. After landing two great clients, they realized the importance of setting up predictable growth systems and started reaching out to prospective companies through outbound sales tactics. They are now on track to make over $8,000,000 annually with over 200 employees worldwide.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $8.4M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0

We Started An $8.4M/Year App Development Agency [With $0]

Appetiser App Development grew from a startup with $0 to now making over $8,000,000 annually with over 200 employees across the globe, serving clients that have billions in valuations like Pointsbet and Good Empire, by helping startups succeed with their app development needs.

Read this case study

Read by 4,503 founders

2. UniqueSide ($120K/year)

Manoj, frustrated with seeing aspiring founders struggle to bring their ideas to life, quit his job and launched UniqueSide.io, a founder-friendly MVP-focused software development service. In just 8 months, he scaled the business to $65K in revenue, serving clients from the US, UK, Mexico, and Singapore.

Is it profitable? Yes
What's the gross margin? 90%
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0

I Made $65K From My MVP Development Service

Aspiring founder successfully grows software development service, UniqueSide, to $65K in revenue within 8 months, working with 9 founders from 4 countries, leveraging personal branding on Twitter for customer acquisition and retention.

Read this case study

Read by 4,594 founders

3. Sync2Sheets ($108K/year)

Leandro, a former freelance software developer from Buenos Aires, pivoted from freelancing to building Sync2Sheets, a tool syncing Notion databases with Google Sheets. Launched rapidly in just two weeks, the product now boasts $9k MRR and over 400 paying customers, including Canva and Wix.

Is it profitable? Yes
What's the gross margin? 85%
How much money it makes: $108K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0

My Google Sheets Add-On For Notion Hit $9K MRR

A Software Engineer turned SaaS founder shares the journey of building Sync2Sheets, a Google Workspace Add-On that syncs Notion databases with Google Sheets, generating $9k MRR with over 400 paying customers, strategic marketing tactics, and plans for expansion into other services.

Read this case study

Read by 2,948 founders

Learn more about starting a mobile app builder:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a mobile app builder?
-> Pros and cons of a mobile app builder

Need inspiration?

-> Other mobile app builder success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a mobile app builder

Other resources

How much can you make with a mobile app builder?

With a mobile app builder, you can make an average of $1.84M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $20,000. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 7 months.

How much does a mobile app builder make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a mobile app builder ranges around $38.3K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $153K.

To know if your mobile app builder achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your mobile app builder.

How much do mobile app builders owners make?

The income of a mobile app builder owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established mobile app builder is about $38.3K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a mobile app builder owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Mobile App Builder Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a mobile app builder can expect profit margin of around 90%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a mobile app builder, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, mobile app builder owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, mobile app builder owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Mobile app builder owner salary

The salary of a mobile app builder owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established mobile app builder, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $34.5K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a mobile app builder may be a promising business to start - but the success of your mobile app builder mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable mobile app builder.

Part of

Becoming A Mobile App Builder: Everything You Need To Know

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