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How to Create an App for iOS and Android: 2025 Guide

Jared

Chelf

Founder & Creative Director

07 16

So—you’ve got an app idea. Maybe it’s something to simplify workflows, connect people, manage devices, or just entertain the heck out of users. Either way, you’re now standing at the start of the mobile app journey, wondering where to begin and how to make sure you’re doing it right.

That’s where we come in. At Coulee Creative, we design and build custom apps for iOS and Android with an emphasis on clean design, intuitive UI/UX, and bulletproof code. This guide is your roadmap for what it takes to bring an app to life—and how to do it without losing your mind (or budget).

Why Mobile Apps Still Matter
What to Consider Before Building
iOS vs. Android Development: What’s the Difference?
Tech Stack Options (And What We Recommend)
The App Design Process: From Idea to Interface
How Much Does It Cost to Build an App?
What to Look for in an App Development Agency
Why Work With Coulee Creative
Let’s Build Something Together

Why Mobile Apps Still Matter

Even in the age of web apps and wearables, mobile apps are still how people engage, buy, manage, and communicate. With over 6.5 billion smartphone users worldwide, apps are where brands build loyalty and where new ideas can scale like crazy.

Whether you're targeting Apple fans or Android users—or both—you want your app to feel natural on each platform and work. Like, no crashing, no UI weirdness, no janky buttons.

What to Consider Before Building

Before we ever write a line of code, we help our clients think through:

Who’s the user? What are they trying to solve?
What platforms? iOS, Android, or both?
Is this version 1? MVP or fully featured?
Does it need Bluetooth, maps, payments, notifications?
How will it evolve post-launch?

Thinking through these early helps us avoid scope bloat and build smarter from the jump.

iOS vs. Android Development: What’s the Difference?

Let’s break it down:

iOS Apps

Language: Swift (modern, fast, Apple-native)
IDE: Xcode
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, etc.
Distribution: App Store (strict review, but premium audience)

Android Apps

Language: Kotlin (modern and official)
IDE: Android Studio
Devices: Hundreds (phones, tablets, TVs, fridges... just kidding... sorta)
Distribution: Google Play (faster publishing, broader audience)

TL;DR: iOS has a more controlled environment; Android is broader and more customizable. Most of our projects use shared codebases to cover both efficiently.

app developer

Tech Stack Options (And What We Recommend)

You’ve got options when building apps. Here’s a quick overview:

Native (Best for Performance)

iOS: Swift
Android: Kotlin
Pros: Fast, responsive, full hardware access
Cons: Double the code, double the dev time

Cross-Platform (Best for Speed and Budget)

React Native – Our go-to. Shared codebase, great for MVPs and full-scale apps alike.
Flutter – Google’s framework. Fast and flexible, great for custom UI.
Unity – Best for game dev.

At Coulee Creative, we typically use React Native for clients who want to move fast and support both platforms without blowing the budget.

We also build APIs (usually in Node.js or Laravel), connect to Shopify/QuickBooks/Bluetooth—whatever’s needed under the hood.

The App Design Process: From Idea to Interface

Here’s how we roll:

1. Discovery

We kick off with strategy. Who are your users? What are their pain points? What’s the real job of this app?

2. Wireframes & UX

We sketch out the user flows, layout screens, and define how people interact. Think low-fi maps to test ideas quickly.

3. UI Design

Then we bring it to life—clean visuals, brand colors, buttery-smooth animations, and intuitive navigation.

4. Development

We build it out, test it, optimize performance, and connect any APIs or integrations needed.

5. QA + Testing

We squash bugs, test on devices (not just emulators), and make sure the app feels right before launch.

6. Launch & Support

We guide you through app store submission, provisioning, certificates—all the technical stuff. Post-launch, we’re here for updates, analytics, and ongoing support.

How Much Does It Cost to Build an App?

Let’s be real—apps aren’t cheap. But they don’t have to break the bank either.

Rough Estimates:

MVP App: $25,000 – $50,000
Mid-Level App: $50,000 – $100,000
Enterprise-Grade App: $100,000+

Factors that affect cost:

Features (login, Bluetooth, payments, admin panels)
Platforms (iOS only vs. both)
Backend/API needs
Custom UI vs. standard components

Tip: Build the core experience first. You can always layer in more later.

What to Look for in an App Development Agency

If you’re shopping around (as you should), here’s what to look for:

✅ Proven Experience

Check portfolios. Look for relevant app projects. Ask for references.

✅ Clear Communication

Do they speak developer-ese only? Or can they break it down clearly?

✅ UI/UX Focus

Design makes or breaks apps. A beautiful interface that flows naturally will keep users around.

✅ Post-Launch Support

Apps need updates, OS compatibility fixes, analytics setup, and sometimes marketing.

✅ Budget Transparency

You want someone who’s upfront about scope, costs, and timelines. No surprise invoices.

Why Work With Coulee Creative?

We’re a small but mighty team based in Bend, Oregon, with over a decade of digital experience—and a long track record building for web, Shopify, and custom mobile apps.

Here’s what makes us different:

Senior Dev Talent: We don’t outsource dev to a black box. Our team works directly with you, every step.
Shopify & Bluetooth Integration Pros: We’ve built apps for battery management, retail dashboards, and smart hardware.
Flexible Tech Stack: React Native, Swift, Kotlin, Laravel—you name it, we build it.
Design-Led: Your app won’t just function great—it’ll look great too.
Real Partnership: We’re easy to work with, fast to respond, and here for the long haul.