How Much Does UI/UX Design Cost in 2025?

By Alisha P.

Published on: 06 Dec 2024Updated on: 06 Dec 20240 minute read

By Alisha P.

Published on: 06 Dec 20240 minute read

Updated on: 06 Dec 2024

The UI/UX design of a website and application is crucial as it deeply impacts the customer experience.

Therefore, you need to have the right design from the start.

At Tenet, we have been helping brands bring their ideas to life since 2019.

With a success rate of 98% after completing more than 450+ projects, we know what your brand needs.

But before hiring us as your design agency, most of our clients ask, "How much does UI/UX design service cost."

To answer all your questions, we have curated this guide, which covers the most common costs that we have realised after serving 300+ clients.

How Much Does UI/UX Design Services Cost?

The cost of UI/UX design services varies between $1,500 to $150,000. However, the cost depends on several factors, such as:

Project Complexity: Number of features, interactions, and screens.
Scope of Work: Activities like research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing.
Team Expertise: Skill level and experience of the designers.
Platform Compatibility: Designing for web, mobile, or multiple platforms.
Customisation Requirements: Unique animations, branding, and illustrations.
Accessibility and Compliance: Ensuring adherence to standards like WCAG 2 or ADA or GDPR.
Design Revisions: Number of iterations based on feedback.

💡 NOTE: At Tenet, we help companies in UI/UX research and design from scratch. If you’re looking for the right agency to collaborate with, check out our recent work and projects here.

Contact our experts and get a free quotation for your project.

What Does a UI/UX Designing Company Do?

Here are the key work responsibilities of a UI UX design company:

1. User Research and Analysis

UI/UX plays a vital role in user research and analysis by helping businesses understand user needs, behaviours, and pain points.

Through methods like surveys, interviews, and usability testing, designers gather insights to create user personas and journey maps, ensuring the product addresses specific needs.

Behavioural analysis tools like session tracking, heatmaps, and data analytics further refine user interactions, identifying areas for improvement.

By uncovering usability issues early, UI/UX-driven research optimises designs, enhances user satisfaction, and reduces costly revisions, ultimately delivering user-centric and effective products.

2. Wireframing and Prototyping

UI/UX designers approach wireframing and prototyping methodically to create effective design solutions. The process begins with wireframing, where designers craft low-fidelity layouts using tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.

These wireframes focus on structure, navigation, and content placement without including detailed design elements. Designers work closely with stakeholders to ensure the wireframe aligns with business goals and user needs, iterating based on feedback to finalise the foundational structure.

For example, a wireframe for an e-commerce app might outline where the search bar, product listings, and checkout button will be placed.

Once the wireframe is approved, designers transition to prototyping, creating interactive, high-fidelity models of the product. This phase involves adding visual elements like colours, typography, and animations while making the prototype functional.

Tools like Figma have prototyping features that simulate user interactions, such as button clicks, page transitions, or navigation flows. Prototypes are then tested with users to evaluate usability, functionality, and overall experience.

For instance, a prototype of a mobile app may allow users to simulate browsing products and completing a purchase to identify pain points.

3. UI Design

A UI design company helps create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces by conducting research, crafting engaging visual designs, and building interactive prototypes.

They focus on ensuring a consistent design language through wireframing, style guides, and usability testing.

By analysing user needs and behaviour, they design intuitive layouts, smooth interactions, and responsive elements to enhance the overall user experience.

The goal is to deliver a seamless, attractive interface that aligns with both user expectations and business objectives, ultimately making the product more engaging and functional.

4. UX Design

UX design focuses on creating an intuitive and enjoyable experience for users by addressing their needs and pain points.

The process involves user research to understand behaviours, information architecture to organise content effectively, and wireframing/prototyping to visualise and test the design.

Interaction design ensures smooth, efficient user interactions, while usability testing allows designers to gather feedback and refine the product.

What are the Factors That Affect the UI/UX Design Costs?

Not sure why the UI UX design cost varies a lot? Well, here are the key factors that affect the pricing of UI/UX design projects:

1. Complexity of Project

The UI/UX can cost between $1,500 and $100,000+, depending on the complexity of the project. Project complexity refers to the detailing of the design, which includes the number of screens, type of features, user interactions, and overall functionality required.

More complex projects often involve multiple user flows, extensive visual elements, and advanced functionalities, leading to increased costs due to the additional time and expertise needed.

So, project complexity significantly influences UI/UX design costs, primarily due to the varying levels of effort, time, and resources required for different types of projects.

Here’s a table showcasing the cost based on the complexity of the project:

Complexity Level	Features Included	Estimated Cost Range	Examples
Basic	Basic wireframing Simple user interface design Limited user testing	$1,500 - $5,000	Simple landing pages, informational websites
Standard	User research & competitor analysis Detailed wireframing Mid-range user interface design Basic usability testing with reports	$5,000 - $15,000	Small business websites, basic e-commerce sites
Advanced	In-depth user research Comprehensive wireframing with multiple iterations High-fidelity user interface design Extensive usability testing	$15,000 - $40,000	Feature-rich applications, complex e-commerce platforms
Complex	Extensive user research with focus groups Complex wireframing with multiple rounds of testing Advanced usability testing techniques Highly customised and interactive designs	$40,000 - $100,000+	Enterprise-level applications, multi-platform solutions

2. Scope of Work

Due to the scope of work, the cost of UI/UX can vary from $5,000 - $10,000. The scope of work plays a significant role in determining the cost of UI/UX design. It defines the overall effort required to complete a project, encompassing everything from initial research to the final implementation of the design.

A broader and more detailed scope typically results in higher costs due to the increased time, resources, and expertise involved. Here’s how the scope of work affects UI/UX design costs:

Scope of Work	Explanation	Impact on Cost	Estimated Cost Range	Detailed Examples
Research and Discovery	Involves understanding the target users, competitors, and market trends. More research is needed for larger projects or new markets.	Extensive research requires more time for user interviews, surveys, and data analysis, which increases costs.	$2,000 - $10,000+	A healthcare app is targeting multiple countries with specific cultural and regulatory requirements.
Wireframing and Prototyping	Creating wireframes and prototypes to plan the user flow and interactions. Larger projects have more screens and features to plan.	More screens and complex user flows require more effort in design, planning, and testing.	$3,000 - $15,000	A social media platform requiring wireframes for multiple pages, user interactions, and admin dashboards.
Design Iterations	Refers to revising designs based on feedback from stakeholders, users, or clients. Larger projects usually require multiple iterations.	More revisions and adjustments add time and effort to the design process, increasing overall costs.	$1,000 - $7,000+	A corporate dashboard that requires feedback from different departments to refine the user interface.
Testing and User Feedback	Involves usability testing and gathering feedback from users. Larger projects typically require more comprehensive testing.	Comprehensive testing takes time to analyze data, conduct A/B tests, and refine designs, which increases costs.	$5,000 - $20,000+	An e-commerce website with extensive user testing for various categories, product pages, and checkout flows.
Deliverables and Handover	The final stage, where design assets (style guides, prototypes, assets for developers) are delivered. More assets for complex projects increase costs.	More design assets and documentation are required for larger projects, leading to more time spent preparing them.	$2,000 - $10,000+	A mobile app with custom icons, user flows, a detailed style guide, and interaction specifications for developers.

3. Design Revisions

Design revisions significantly influence UI/UX design costs. The more iterations or changes a design undergoes, the more time and effort the design team must invest, which ultimately increases the project's cost. Here's a breakdown of how design revisions affect costs:

Factor	Explanation	Impact on Cost	Example
Additional Design Time	Each revision requires designers to revisit and adjust elements, increasing the overall design time.	More revisions mean more design hours, directly increasing the overall cost of the project.	A website with 5 revisions may cost more than one with 2 revisions, as each revision involves reworking designs.
Extended Timeline	Frequent revisions can delay the project, leading to an extended design timeline.	More time spent on revisions translates into higher costs due to prolonged work duration.	A mobile app with multiple revisions may delay its launch, increasing costs due to overtime or extra resource allocation.
Increased Resource Usage	To accommodate the changes, additional team members (designers, developers, project managers) may be involved in each round of revisions.	More resources involved in revisions lead to higher overhead costs.	A complex e-commerce redesign may require both design and development teams to implement revisions, adding to the cost.
Client Feedback and Approval Delays	Revisions can delay approval processes, especially if feedback is frequent or takes time to integrate.	Delayed approvals or extended review cycles add costs due to idle time or project re-prioritization.	A client who frequently asks for design changes in a corporate dashboard project may delay completion, raising costs.
Risk of Scope Creep	Continued revisions may lead to scope creep, where additional features or functionalities are added.	Scope creep increases costs by requiring new features and further revisions beyond the original plan.	A simple website may evolve into a larger project with added features (e.g., e-commerce) after multiple revisions.
Impact on Quality and Consistency	Too many revisions can lead to inconsistent designs, requiring more time to ensure visual and UX consistency.	More time is spent maintaining design quality and consistency, increasing overall project costs.	A website undergoing several revisions may have inconsistent elements (e.g., buttons, typography), requiring further design work to restore consistency.

4. Team Expertise

The expertise of the design team has a direct impact on UI/UX design costs. A team’s skill level, experience, and specialisation influence the quality of work, the project timeline, and the rates charged. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Factor	Explanation	Impact on Cost	Example
Skill Level and Experience	Experienced professionals deliver high-quality results with fewer errors.	Higher rates upfront but save costs in the long term.	Senior designer: $150/hour vs. Junior designer: $50/hour.
Industry Specialisation	Expertise in specific industries ensures tailored, compliant designs.	Higher fees but results in industry-specific solutions.	Fintech platform team charges more for financial regulation knowledge.
Team Composition	Diverse teams with specialised roles handle complex projects efficiently.	Larger teams increase costs but enhance quality and efficiency.	A comprehensive team for enterprise SaaS costs more than a single freelancer.
Advanced Tools and Methodologies	The use of premium tools and processes improves quality and streamlines workflows.	Tools and processes add to project expenses.	Using Figma or Hotjar increases costs compared to basic design tools.
Regional Expertise and Rates	Regional market rates vary based on cost of living and available resources.	High-cost regions typically reflect greater expertise.	North America: $100–$250/hour vs. Eastern Europe: $30–$80/hour.

The cost of hiring the UI/UX designer across the globe based on the country are as follows:

Country	Entry-Level Designer (Hourly Rate)	Mid-Level Designer (Hourly Rate)	Senior-Level Designer (Hourly Rate)
United States	$30 - $60	$60 - $100	$100 - $250
Canada	$30 - $60	$60 - $100	$100 - $149
United Kingdom	$25 - $50	$50 - $90	$90 - $150
Australia	$20 - $40	$40 - $70	$70 - $100
Germany	$22 - $55	$55 - $90	$90 - $170
France	$22 - $55	$55 - $90	$90 - $170
Spain	$16 - $39	$39 - $66	$66 - $110
Eastern Europe	$15 - $40	$40 - $70	$70 - $120
India	$15 – $25	$25 – $50	$50 – $150
Philippines	$9 – $18	$18 – $36	$36 – $63
Mexico	$10 – $20	$20 – $40	$40 – $75
Argentina	$3 – $10	$10 – $15	$15 – $30
Brazil	$6 – $12	$12 – $24	$24 – $40
South Africa	$12 – $24	$24 – $48	$48 – $90
Vietnam	$13 – $30	$30–$65	$65+
Singapore	$37 – $112	$112- $160	$160- $190
Dubai, UAE	$27 - $81	$81- $163	$163- $326

5. Platform Compatibility

Platform compatibility significantly influences UI/UX design costs, as designing for multiple platforms requires additional effort, expertise, and testing.

Here's a detailed breakdown:

Factor	Explanation	Impact on Cost	Example
Designing for Multiple Platforms	Creating platform-specific designs tailored to guidelines and user behaviours for web, mobile, and desktop.	Increases costs due to added effort for each platform.	Designing for iOS (Human Interface Guidelines) and Android (Material Design) adds complexity.
Platform-Specific Testing	Ensures usability and performance across platforms, devices, and screen sizes.	Testing adds to the budget.	Testing a web app for compatibility on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and various resolutions.
Technical Challenges	Adapting designs to unique platform constraints or limitations.	Solving platform-specific issues raises costs.	Complex workflows for desktop platforms require more design adjustments than mobile apps.
Design Consistency Across Platforms	Maintaining cohesive branding and user experience across all platforms.	Requires additional iterations, increasing costs.	Aligning the UI/UX of a SaaS product on mobile apps and web dashboards demands extra effort.

6. Level of Customisation

Customisation requirements play a significant role in UI/UX design costs because the more unique and tailored the design needs are, the more time, expertise, and resources it will require.

Here's a detailed breakdown:

Factor	Explanation	Impact on Cost	Example	Average Cost
Custom Visual Elements	Designing custom animations, illustrations, icons, or unique visuals from scratch.	Increases cost due to time and resources needed for creation.	Creating custom illustrations and animations instead of using stock assets adds cost.	$5,000 - $20,000+
Branding and Identity Customisation	Developing a distinct visual identity, including logos, typography, and colour schemes.	Requires additional design expertise and iteration.	Designing a new logo, colour scheme, and unique typography increases costs compared to using templates.	$3,000 - $50,000+
Complex User Interactions	Designing unique user flows, interactions, and tailored functionalities.	More design time and iterations are required, raising costs.	Custom dashboards with interactive elements and real-time data tracking increase the design cost.	$10,000 - $50,000+
Integration with External Systems	Designing UI elements that integrate with third-party systems or back-end services.	Adds complexity and development time, increasing costs.	A SaaS platform requiring custom UI for payment gateways and CRMs adds additional design work.	$10,000 - $30,000+
Tailored User Experience	Designing personalised experiences based on user research and behaviour.	Increases costs due to research, testing, and refinement.	Creating a personalized e-commerce site experience based on user behaviour and preferences adds cost.	$5,000 - $25,000+

7. Accessibility and Compliance

Accessibility and compliance significantly impact UI/UX design costs because ensuring designs meet specific standards and regulations requires additional effort, expertise, and testing.

Here's a detailed breakdown:

Factor	Explanation	Impact on Cost	Example	Average Cost
Adhering to Accessibility Standards	Ensures the product is usable by people with disabilities by following WCAG guidelines.	Increases costs due to additional design and testing efforts.	Adding screen reader compatibility, alt-text for images, and high-contrast designs.	$5,000 - $20,000+
Meeting Compliance Regulations	Incorporating standards like ADA, GDPR, or HIPAA to meet legal and industry requirements.	Specialised knowledge and extra iterations increase costs.	Designing a healthcare app that complies with HIPAA for secure data handling.	$10,000 - $30,000+
Additional Testing and Validation	Testing accessibility and compliance features across platforms and devices.	Raises costs due to extensive usability testing requirements.	Validating screen reader functionality and keyboard navigation through usability testing.	$5,000 - $15,000+
Specialised Expertise	Hiring professionals with expertise in accessibility and compliance to ensure adherence to standards.	Specialised professionals charge higher rates for their skills.	Accessibility experts reviewing and refining designs for compliance with ADA and WCAG.	$3,000 - $10,000+

UI/UX Designing Cost and Pricing Models

Before hiring a developer or an agency for your SaaS Product Development, you must know about the ongoing UI/UX design pricing models:

Project-Based (Fixed) Pricing: How Much Do One-Off Initiatives Cost?

How it Works: In this model, the cost is determined upfront based on the project's expectations, timeline, and deliverables.

Best for: Projects with well-defined requirements and a fixed scope of work.

Pros

Focuses on project outcomes rather than processes or hours worked.
Provides clients with a clear upfront cost, making budgeting easier and avoiding unexpected expenses.
Allows the provider more autonomy to focus on results without frequent client oversight.

Cons

Any changes in the scope may require re-negotiation, potentially causing delays and conflicts.
Providers might cut corners to stay within budget, potentially affecting quality.

Typical Cost: $10,000 to $100,000+

Hourly Pricing: What Rates do Freelancers Charge for UI/UX Designing

How it Works: Clients pay for the actual hours worked by the freelancer or agency, with rates determined at the start. Total costs depend on multiplying the hours worked by the hourly rate.

Best for: Small, ongoing tasks or projects with evolving requirements.

Pros

Easy to understand and implement.
Offers flexibility to adapt project scope mid-way.
Provides transparency, as clients can monitor where their money is being spent.

Cons

Hard to estimate the total cost as it depends on the hours worked, potentially leading to budget overruns.
Extended projects may face cost increases due to unforeseen tasks or obstacles.

Typical Cost: $25 to $150 per hour

Value-Based Pricing: What Rates do UI/UX Design Companies Charge

How it Works: Pricing is based on the value your product delivers to the client’s business. The greater the perceived value or return on investment (ROI), the higher the pricing.

Best for: Ideal for complex projects that provide significant client benefits and ROI-driven outcomes.

Pros

Clients are often willing to pay more when they recognise the tangible impact of the service, fostering stronger satisfaction and trust.
Pricing is aligned with the perceived value of the solution, ensuring clients feel they are paying for results rather than just effort.
Differentiates services by highlighting outcomes and tailoring client benefits instead of focusing on resources or hours.

Cons

Estimating the precise value of a service for the client can be challenging and subjective, potentially leading to disagreements.
Significant time and effort may be needed initially to understand the client’s business, goals, and how they perceive the value of the solution.

Typical Cost: $25,000 – $150,000+

Hire Tenet for UI/UX Designing Services

At Tenet, we are leaders in UI/UX design, committed to crafting innovative, user-centered designs that drive results. With a proven track record of 98% customer satisfaction and over 450 successful projects, we have designed impactful user experiences that have reached over 20 million people.

From initial research to final execution, we offer comprehensive design solutions tailored to your needs. Partner with us to fume your ideas into reality, engaging user experiences that fuel growth.

So, do you have any ideas for help with UI/UX design? If so, talk to us, and let's bring your idea to life.

ui ux design process

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much do UI/UX designers cost?

The cost of hiring UI/UX designers is around $20 to $50 per hour for entry-level designers, $50 to $100 per hour for mid-level designers, and $100 to $150 per hour for senior designers.

The cost varies based on the complexity of the project, the experience, the location, and the level of customisation. We at Tenet have a team of UI/UX designers that charges between $25-100.

2. What are the advantages of UI/UX design?

The advantages of UI/UX design are as follows:

Improves Customer Retention and Acquisition
Cuts down the developmental costs
Boasts user engagement
Increases the revenue
Enhances the productivity

3. How long does the UI/UX design process typically take?

A UI/UX design process typically takes about 2 months to 1 year, based on the complexity of the project, with smaller projects taking a few months to larger projects taking up to a year based on the iterations, prototyping, user research, and more.

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