The Ultimate Guide to Educational App Development: Cost, Features & Monetization

The Ultimate Guide to Educational App Development: Cost, Features & Monetization
September 07 2025

The demand for eLearning app development is increasing rapidly. A growing number of people are looking for easy, flexible, and unique learning methods. App development for eLearning, specifically mobile eLearning applications, provides engaging touch with the added benefit of being able to design bespoke experiences similar to a great tour guide that takes users through endless educational content. Smartphones have evolved into fully-fledged guides to the universe of knowledge. This is not just about the Internet and access to an endless supply of dates and facts; we are talking about educational apps. The market for e-learning apps is growing rapidly, and it is now one of the most lucrative industries, with an array of mobile-friendly products.

For instance, the custom education solutions industry generated $7 billion in revenue in 2022. This is a 7.2% increase over 2021. The language learning app Duolingo was ranked as the top-rated education and learning app worldwide and racked up downloads of 98 million.

Investing in digital solutions has become essential for ensuring seamless operations, efficient workflows, and enhanced learning experiences. The global EdTech market is set to soar at a remarkable 14.3% CAGR between 2024 and 2034, from its projected worth of USD 108.2 billion in 2024. By 2034, the total value of the global educational technology market is projected to hit USD 411.56 billion.

If you’re a learning or educational service company, now is the best moment to consider investing in an eLearning app.

In the article below, we’ve put together the information you need for creating an educational mobile app and the development procedure.

What is an Educational Mobile App Used for?

A mobile app for learning and education allows learning using a remote digital medium. Students can take classes online using their laptops, smartphones, or tablets. Learning platforms cater to a range of users, from college students to professionals.

For those who use learning applications, e-learning platforms are fast and convenient and can eliminate the requirement to use traditional “classroom” settings. Whether you are learning the language of your choice or becoming an auto mechanic or a scientist, educational mobile apps cover each field, just to mention only a handful. Many universities and schools are already on the market and have released customized educational apps designed for an expanded audience.

Why is Education App Development Growing So Fast?

The rapid growth of digital learning is reshaping the education industry. Mobile-first learning solutions, online tutoring platforms, and interactive classrooms are no longer optional but essential. Here are the main reasons behind this surge:

Smartphone and Internet Penetration

With affordable devices and widespread internet access, students and professionals can now access quality learning resources anytime, anywhere. This accessibility has made mobile learning solutions a preferred choice across urban and rural regions.

Shift Toward Remote and Hybrid Learning

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of online learning tools. Even as physical classrooms return, schools, universities, and organizations continue to rely on blended models supported by digital platforms and learning management systems (LMS).

Demand for Personalized Experiences

Traditional classrooms follow a single teaching pace, but modern learners expect customized paths. Apps powered by AI and data analytics provide adaptive lessons, progress tracking, and recommendations tailored to each learner’s needs.

Global Learning Opportunities

Education is no longer confined to local institutions. A student can now enroll in global certification programs, attend virtual classrooms, or join live sessions with educators worldwide through online learning platforms.

Engagement Through Gamification and Interactivity

Students are more motivated when learning feels engaging. Features like quizzes, badges, interactive content, and AR/VR modules make the experience more immersive and fun.

Support from Governments and Institutions

Many governments are investing in e-learning initiatives, digital literacy programs, and technology adoption in schools. These policies encourage the growth of digital education platforms on a larger scale.

Rise of Lifelong Learning and Upskilling

Today’s workforce must constantly upgrade skills to stay relevant. Apps offering micro-learning, professional training, and corporate courses are growing rapidly, creating new opportunities for developers and institutions alike.

Types of Educational Apps

Types of Educational Apps

The ever-changing trends in eLearning app development provide unbeatable opportunities to develop advanced educational software in the EdTech sector. Explore the different educational software that is impacting the field.

1. Specific Subject Apps

The educational apps are designed to provide resources and details about a particular area. They give users self-assessment tools, interactive information, and engaging learning opportunities.

2. Educational Games

Interactive learning is among the most significant developments in education. Therefore, gamified training sessions can provide participants with increased motivation and fun when learning.

3. Classroom Apps

Apps designed for educational purposes are intended for use in the classroom to improve students’ learning experiences.

4. Multipurpose Learning Platforms

Online educational platforms are advantageous to the educational industry as they offer a variety of learning opportunities in one place. People from all backgrounds can pick a single subject or degree program and take pleasure in the entire learning experience.

5. Assessment Platforms

These educational apps aid students in evaluating their understanding of relevant information and their performance on particular tests. They can quickly administer tests and practice tests and provide individualized comments that help students enhance their overall performance.

6. Learning Management Apps

These applications assist schools in managing various tasks linked to learning workflows, including work submission, grading and scheduling, attendance control, and communication.

Key Benefits of Educational App Development

Key Benefits of Educational App Development

With smartphones, students can access information at any time and from anywhere. This is just one example of mobile apps’ many offerings, including exams and learning, such as quizzes, tests, etc. It’s not just improved satisfaction but also increased total academic success. While developing an educational application procedure is complicated, it offers many advantages. A few of these include:

#1. Advanced Learning Process

One of the primary benefits of apps that teach students is that they concentrate on their psychological state, which helps them comprehend the subject matter and view it from a different perspective. The app offers children difficult puzzles, brainteasers, and other tasks that help them understand concepts. Most students prefer teaching through audio-visual techniques. As children enter this new learning environment, they don’t have to work too hard; they are enthused and eager to learn.

#2. 24/7 Available

Students may have questions anytime, so having the solutions accessible 24/7 is vital. Therefore, learning via mobile apps doesn’t require an unrestricted schedule; instead, students can study at any time they like. In addition, students can’t concentrate for long periods and are often distracted, so time-bound instruction is ineffective. Educational software is the best because it is accessible to students at all hours of the day and can be utilized at any time.

#3. Easy to Learn

The advent of online learning has made learning easier to manage. Students can access their content anytime, anywhere. Even after they have left their school or college, pupils can remain connected to the materials for a longer period. Teachers can communicate with students online through online chats, tests, and other tools like educational videos. If students can work independently at their own pace, they are more engaged in their studies.

#4. Diversified Content

It’s no secret that there is a wealth of content online. This is true of the choices users make when selecting their preferred platforms. Students who use learning apps can quickly access content anytime since it is accessible across various formats. They can choose their content and persuade a large majority of people worldwide to go to it for different topics or issues.

#5. Easy Communication

Parents have complained about the lack of time their children spend with them over an extremely long period. Researchers have discovered that educational apps on mobile devices improve children’s engagement and increase their interaction with their parents. Parents will be notified of all information from the institute about the app. Kids and parents can participate in activities and work around a table. Parents can also help children master the subject in their early years.

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Must Have Features for Educational Apps

Select from a variety of traditional to modern-day educational mobile app development features. These features are essential for teachers, students, and administrators (institutions). Are you planning to create an educational application? If so, it’s important to consider the key features that guarantee its success.

Must Have Features for Educational Apps

1. Push Notifications

The development of E-Learning apps should incorporate push notifications. This will inform teachers about their scheduled lectures, while students are informed of exam dates, result notifications, deadlines for assignment submissions, etc.

2. Offline Learning

A seasoned educational app creator will work to deliver an integrated learning experience that can break every obstacle that blocks education. Thus, it is essential to provide an offline learning option in the app. This option is designed for students who are not connected to the Internet or have frequent problems.

3. Course Management

Are you looking to create an outstanding educational application? If so, don’t skip the feature for managing courses. It will provide dashboards for teachers to monitor their students’ progress, administer tests, give feedback on assignments, and even easily change grades. Additionally, they can include curated content, such as videos, PDFs, and images.

4. Audio-Visual Content

You should consider offering audio-visual content to create an educational application that makes a difference. Students will likely be more engaged with audio-visual content since they can enhance their learning by up to 400%. It provides convenience for students through various educational content across various media (videos, audio recordings, notes in text, etc.). Additionally, students can utilize videos to complete any particular assignment. This helps to organize the content submitted by users to create a repertoire for future use.

5. In-App Scheduling

The class schedule is the most beneficial feature when developing an educational program. It encourages students to stay in the program, even for only a few minutes. Students will benefit as they develop the habit of constant growth while teachers keep track of their attendance, check-ins, and absences.

6. Student Registration/Sign-Up

It is crucial when designing educational apps since signing up allows students to log into Google or other social networks. Additionally, it will create an account for the student within the application, giving brief information about the student and the contact information for teachers.

7. Progress Tracking

The key to creating a relevant learning app lies in identifying students’ needs and teachers’ demands. The development of a mobile app for education should incorporate a progress tracking feature that keeps records of students’ performance and attendance throughout their academic year. This way, teachers can evaluate students’ performance and give the needed input.

8. Social Media Tools

If you’d like your educational application to succeed and grow, use social media. This can include Facebook posts, Twitter and Instagram links, YouTube embeds, etc. This will allow students and teachers to connect to social media, which is a simple platform for sharing important information.

9. Test

You should consider conducting an exam when creating an educational app for students. If you require an academic team for app development to incorporate these test functions, you should choose an established one with relevant experience. They can help you with online tests and quizzes, which teachers can administer via Study Hub. It has tests such as multiple-choice questions, yes/no questions, and essay questions.

10. Personalization

A new company is often looking to develop an educational app that can provide personalized options. This means offering a variety of choices for customization of your application, such as dark mode, suggestions for courses in relation to the student’s career goals and academics, different payment options, specific courses in a language designed to meet the needs of a particular demographic, etc. If you’re looking to impact the marketplace and offer more options for personalization, the more choices you can offer, the more people will likely be able to take them on quickly.

11. Universal Content Search

It’s a must-have feature to consider when designing an educational application since it lets students browse any content in the app, cutting down on time and effort. Additionally, the faster they get the desired result, the more likely they are to stay with this educational app.

Step-by-Step Process of Developing an Educational App

Step-by-Step Process of Developing an Educational App

The process of educational app development requires careful planning, the right technology, and a clear understanding of your target audience. Whether you want to build a simple learning app for kids or a sophisticated enterprise training platform, following a systematic approach increases your chances of success. Here’s a detailed guide on how to develop an educational app in 2025:

Step 1. Conduct Market Research

Before writing a single line of code, invest time in thorough EdTech market research. The education technology sector is highly competitive, with apps for K-12 learning, competitive exam prep, professional skill-building, and language learning. To carve out your space, you need to:

  • Study your audience: Are you targeting school students, university learners, or professionals? Each group has unique learning needs.
  • Analyze competitors: Review successful apps like Byju’s, Duolingo, or Udemy to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Spot opportunities: Look for underserved areas such as regional language learning, STEM-based gamification, or teacher-parent communication.
  • Assess demand and monetization: Check if your idea has long-term viability and explore revenue models like subscriptions, freemium, or pay-per-course.

Solid market research ensures your education app development strategy is based on facts rather than assumptions.

Step 2. Select Your Niche and Define Goals

After identifying gaps, narrow down your niche. Educational apps can serve multiple categories:

  • Learning apps for schools (K-12)
  • Exam preparation apps (JEE, IELTS, GRE, etc.)
  • Skill development platforms (coding, digital marketing, design)
  • Gamified learning apps that use AR/VR for immersive experiences
  • Administrative apps for managing attendance, communication, and grading

Once the niche is finalized, define clear goals and objectives. For example:

  • If your goal is to improve learning outcomes for kids, focus on gamified features.
  • If targeting working professionals, prioritize microlearning and certification modules.

Well-defined goals guide the app’s features, technology stack, and monetization model.

Step 3. Shape the Concept and Define Features

Your app concept must solve real problems for learners, teachers, or institutions. Begin by outlining the core features your audience needs. Some essentials include:

  • User-friendly dashboards for students, teachers, and parents
  • Video streaming & live classes for remote learning
  • AI-powered personalized learning paths
  • Push notifications for reminders and updates
  • Gamification with leaderboards, badges, and progress tracking
  • Offline access for users with limited internet connectivity

When you clearly define features during education application development, you reduce the risks of overspending and ensure your app provides real value.

Step 4. Design an Engaging UI/UX

The success of any education mobile app development project depends heavily on design. Educational apps are used by both children and adults, so your UI/UX must:

  • Be intuitive and clutter-free to reduce the learning curve.
  • Include visual storytelling, gamification, and interactivity to maintain engagement.
  • Support accessibility features (like voice commands, larger fonts, and multi-language support).
  • Adapt across devices (mobiles, tablets, desktops).

A compelling design not only attracts users but also improves retention rates. Many EdTech startups fail because they overlook usability in favor of adding too many features.

Step 5. Choose the Right Development Approach

Deciding how to build your app is a key step. You can choose:

  • Native development (iOS/Android separately): Best for performance but higher costs.
  • Cross-platform development (Flutter, React Native): Cost-efficient and faster to launch.
  • Web-based apps: Great for scalability but limited in features compared to native apps.

For most startups, cross-platform is ideal as it balances speed, cost, and performance in educational mobile application development.

Step 6. Select the Technology Stack

Choosing the right tech stack ensures your app is secure, scalable, and future-ready. Some popular options include:

  • Frontend frameworks: React Native, Flutter
  • Backend technologies: Node.js, Django, Laravel
  • Databases: Firebase, MongoDB, PostgreSQL
  • Cloud services: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure

For apps that plan to scale globally, cloud hosting and AI/ML integrations are increasingly becoming part of the stack.

Step 7. Estimate Time and Cost

The educational app development cost in India or abroad depends on various factors:

  • Number of features and integrations
  • Complexity of UI/UX
  • Team size (in-house vs. outsourced)
  • Type of development approach chosen

Approximate timelines and costs:

  • Basic MVP → 2–3 months, starting at $10,000
  • Full-featured learning app → 6–9 months, costing $25,000–$60,000+

Transparent cost estimation helps in budgeting and planning investor pitches.

Step 8. Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Launching with an MVP helps validate your idea without overspending. Include only core features such as:

  • Registration/login
  • Course uploads
  • Basic assessments
  • Push notifications

If user adoption is strong, scale up with advanced features like AI tutors, AR/VR classrooms, or gamified leaderboards.

Step 9. Launch and Market Your App

Launching your app involves more than just uploading it to the Play Store or App Store. Key steps include:

  • Testing: Run unit, system, and integration tests to ensure performance.
  • App Store Optimization (ASO): Optimize your title, description, and visuals with keywords like “educational app development” or “learn online.”
  • Marketing: Promote through SEO, content marketing, paid ads, influencer collaborations, and partnerships with schools or training institutions.

A strong launch strategy ensures visibility in a crowded EdTech app development market.

Step 10. Continuous Improvement and Support

Post-launch, your work isn’t over. To stay competitive, continuously:

  • Gather user feedback to identify new requirements.
  • Release updates for bug fixes and performance improvements.
  • Add features based on user demand (like AI personalization or gamification).
  • Provide round-the-clock support for smooth user experiences.

Continuous improvement ensures your educational mobile app stays relevant in a fast-changing learning ecosystem.

Emerging Technologies to Leverage for Education App Development

Innovative technologies allow companies to create immersive and rich experiences by using information-driven insights based on data that can help you remember the audience you want to reach.

Augmented Reality

Utilizing AR in the classroom, teachers can quickly design immersive learning experiences. Students can also gain confidence in presenting three-dimensionally.

Artificial Intelligence

AI in education can improve the learning experience for instructors and students. AI for educators can provide enhanced accessibility for students, automated grading, and administrative as well as streamlined processes, to mention a few benefits. It is possible to consult an experienced AI developer to integrate the latest features into the development of educational apps.

Virtual Reality

VR in education enhances students’ comprehension. It helps them develop their skills in a variety of fields and disciplines by allowing them to investigate complicated concepts, participate in simulations, and perform real-world scenarios.

How Can You Monetize the Education App?

Earlier, various ways to monetize an app were introduced, and some were suited to one particular product but were ineffective with other kinds of products. The key to the effectiveness of the monetization method is that it should be in sync with the idea behind the app and its basic mechanics. The strategy you choose to monetize your app is based on several factors, including the concept, market size, and audience. Let’s take a closer look at the most well-known ways to earn money:

Subscription

In this instance, the application is free, but many functions and features are paid. It is recommended to begin with two accounts, one free and one premium. Premium users who have bought the subscription will have access to all features and receive more features. The free version users will only use the software with certain limitations. In this case, there is no way to oblige you to purchase.

Advertising

Advertising has become an integral element of earning income in applications. It is reliable and appropriate for all educational products. The advertisements are available in the following manner:

  • A banner (a pop-up window that appears on the outer edges of the monitor. It must be clickable and have the choice for exit);
  • Video (short video that could be shut down after 10-20 seconds of playback. The video should offer rewards to viewers who watch it until the end);
  • Playable (a quick interactive flash game usually lasting less than a minute);
  • Full-screen (big pop-up windows that block the screen. It can be closed after a period of time);
  • Notifications (push notifications or SMS alerts about advantageous in-app promotions).

Advertising options are easily set up within the app store; however, you must be cautious about their content, particularly when you are using an app designed for children. It is important to note that developers often offer a pay option to block ads from the application.

Pay Per Download

When you use this monetization, users pay only once to download the app and can use its features. Generally, paid apps do not display ads; otherwise, your app page will be flooded with angry reviews and low scores. If you opt for a pay-per-download distribution, consider introducing the option of a one-month or two-week trial period for free. No person likes buying a pig in a poke, and the customer can get acquainted with the option and will love the app after purchasing it willingly once the trial period is over.

IAP (In-App Purchases)

Currently, the most commonly used method for monetizing is through in-app purchases. For educational apps, users could:

  • unlock features (translator and the voice of);
  • open content (new mode, lessons);
  • cosmetic features (menu color, avatars, stickers).

If you are implementing IAP, be aware that it is a restriction of the App Store. The App Store has introduced a number of limitations, including the prohibition of purchasing physical products and services or the purchase of content on a rental.

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Top Examples of Education Apps

We’ve provided these top educational software examples to help you understand their capabilities and unique selling features. This will aid you in creating a unique idea and strategy for your educational software. Look at the following example to determine how to differentiate your program from others.

Udemy

A well-known website for education that offers online courses. To offer top-quality training, Udemy collaborates with private instructors. Udemy is popular for its variety of adult classes. Software development, accounting, business personal development, and others are some.

Duolingo

Duolingo is a fantastic platform for studying languages in different countries. It lets users choose from a range of widely used languages, such as Italian, German, English, and many more. The application’s choice of native language contributes to its ease of use. It is available to clients worldwide and speeds up the learning process.

Cost of Developing an Education App

Calculating the exact cost of EdTech app development services is a tedious task. The MVP stage is usually priced around $30,000 to $75,000. However, the cost could range from $90,000 to $250,000. Beyond the technology stack and its functionality, the following factors influence the final price:

1. App Design

Designing a stunning and easy-to-use app takes significant time and money.

2. Deal of the Development Team

The cost of hiring an education app development company varies significantly depending on the development team. The terms of your contract with the development team from outside will determine whether you employ them.

3. App Complexity

The complexity of the concept directly impacts the development costs. The complexity of business logic, which includes the number of roles and functions, integrations, and monetization techniques, determines the level of complexity of the app. It requires more detailed planning, preparation, and analysis.

4. Development Platform

The three major app platforms are Web, iOS, and Android, and each requires an individual software stack. Creating educational software that is compatible with the iOS and Android development platforms will be more expensive. Two of the hidden costs involved in the development of an app for e-learning are maintenance and advertising. Develop a language learning app by introducing new functions and features to your app, fixing grave issues, expanding servers, and performing a myriad of other tasks. Creating a visually appealing and user-friendly app is a major commitment of time and funds. Promoting and maintaining your application is essential to ensuring that it reaches its intended audience. Promoting a brand-new educational app can take two to three times more time than developing it.

The Key Takeaway

Making an app for eLearning is a great opportunity to develop an application that will empower learners from all over the world. With a focus on user-friendly design, the most important features, and constant development, you can make an application that offers users a rewarding learning experience. With the increasing need for mobile education and online learning applications, the possibilities of success within the custom e-learning application development market are huge. Whether you’re an educator, a business, or developing a mobile application, developing an e-learning mobile app is an investment worth making to aid you in staying ahead of the ever-changing world of education.

About the Author

Ashutosh Upadhyay is the Head of Development at Fullestop, a leading IT services company specializing in web, mobile, and enterprise solutions. With years of experience in educational app development, EdTech solutions, and digital transformation projects, Ashutosh has helped startups and global enterprises build scalable and user-friendly applications. His expertise lies in combining technology with innovative design to create impactful digital products.

About the Company

Fullestop is a global IT consulting and development company with over 20+ years of experience in delivering high-quality digital solutions. From mobile app development and web applications to enterprise software and cloud solutions, Fullestop has successfully executed projects for clients across 50+ countries. Recognized for its innovative approach, agile development, and customer-first strategy, the company continues to be a trusted partner for businesses in industries like education, healthcare, retail, finance, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

To create an educational app, you need to start with market research, define your target audience, choose a niche, design UI/UX, and select the right tech stack. Building an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) first helps test your idea before scaling.

The educational app development cost in India can range from $10,000 to $50,000+, depending on features, design complexity, technology stack, and whether you choose native or cross-platform development.

A simple MVP can take 2–3 months, while a fully-featured educational mobile application may require 6–9 months or more, depending on complexity and custom features.

Essential features include user dashboards, video lectures, live classes, quizzes, gamification, push notifications, and offline access. Advanced features may include AI-powered tutors, AR/VR classrooms, and personalized learning paths.

Popular choices include React Native or Flutter for cross-platform apps, Node.js or Django for the backend, Firebase or MongoDB for databases, and AWS/Google Cloud for hosting.

Educational apps make learning flexible, interactive, and accessible. They also improve student engagement, enable personalized learning, and offer institutions new monetization opportunities.

Common monetization models include subscription plans, freemium access, pay-per-course, ads, and partnerships with schools or training centers.

Cross-platform development is cost-effective and faster, making it ideal for startups. Native apps, on the other hand, provide better performance and scalability, which may suit larger institutions.