Cost To Develop A Shopping App Like Zalando In 2025

Constructing an eCommerce application, similar to a brand such as Apps like Zalando, can be an interesting and profitable endeavor for entrepreneurs who want to play in the online shopping business. However, if you want to be successful in the eCommerce app space, you need to have a plan, budget well, and be knowledgeable about the specific features and technology that create an outstanding user experience in shopping apps like Zalando. The Zalando app is recognized for having an easy-to-use interface, personalized recommendations, and an ergonomic checkout process, making it a top competitor in the fashion eCommerce space.

In this blog, we will detail the costs of development, features, and key considerations that come with building an app in this spirit so you can have direction to casually enter and compete in the e-commerce space for Zalando like ecommerce app development. We will also talk about some specific elements, which is important in this blog, but first let's talk about why you should invest in online AI shopping app development. 

Why Invest in Online Shopping App Development

As per the report of Grand View Research, the global e-commerce market size was estimated at $25.93 trillion in 2024 and it is projected to reach $83.26 trillion by 2030, with a CAGR of 18.9% from 2025 to 2030. 

Key Market Trends & Insights: 

• The e-commerce market in the U.S. is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.4% from 2025 to 2030. 

• By product, the consumer electronics segment accounted for a significant market share of around 15% in 2024. 

• North America accounted for over 36% of the market value share of the market in 2024. 

• By model type, the business-to-business (B2B) segment accounted for the largest market share, around 70%, in 2024. 

Cost to Build a Shopping App Like Zalando

The cost to build an app like zalando mainly depends on various elements. It mainly includes the set of features (basic & advanced), app complexity, platform selection, custom UI/UX, personalized animations, third-party integration, tech stack, development team location & size, and hourly charges. Here is an average cost breakdown to develop an app like Zalando as well. 

Factors Affecting the Cost to Develop an App Like Zalando

We have discussed the average cost to develop an app like Zalando in the above point. Now we have to discuss this point of the brief with several elements in Zalando like app development. Here are some key components that can impact your budget to develop an app like Zalando for your business as well. 

Selection of Platform 

Selecting the right platform is a major factor that can influence the actual cost of the development. If you opt for a single platform such as iOS or Android, that can reduce the initial costs only. However, the businesses can target both platforms to reach a larger audience of Zalando germany. If you select the complete native app development, then you also need separate codebases. It can also raise the cost but can also enhance your eCommerce app. 

Essential & Advanced Features

The complexity and scope of your features are also major cost drivers. On Zalando's e-commerce platform, the features range from a simple product catalog and checkout system to very complex ones, such as personalized recommendations, to examine the Zalando like app development cost. Adding augmented reality or AI-driven recommendations will enhance the user experience and brand but at a higher cost.

UI/UX Design

With competition from giants like Amazon, Alibaba, and others, a smooth and visually appealing design is a must. A well-designed UI/UX ensures ease of navigation, engagement, and brand differentiation. Value can definitely be added to your app with customized design work by experienced UI/UX designers, but this will also come at a higher cost for sure.

Third-Party Integrations

Integrations are the cornerstone of a feature-rich app. Cash App or Stripe, for example, can ease the process of making a payment, while different shipping and analytics providers can help you deal with orders and gather actionable data to find the Ecommerce app development cost. Third-party API integrations incur licensing costs and development costs depending on the provider and the complexity of the implementation.

Development Crew Pricing & Location 

Development costs can vary greatly depending on where your team is located. Hiring developers in North America or Western Europe might cost anywhere from $100 to $200 per hour, while developers in Eastern Europe, South Asia, or Latin America could charge anywhere between $30 and $70 per hour to find the Zalando app development cost. Quality and expertise should guide this decision: a high-caliber team, regardless of location, is going to be more efficient.

Testing & Quality Assurance

Proper QA and testing are essential for the app to be strong and user-friendly. Testing of an eCommerce app covers a wide area of devices, screen sizes, and functionalities, especially in regard to payment processing and order management. Though an extended QA phase reduces the chances of bugs and makes the app more reliable, it increases the cost and time consumed.

Must Have Features of Zalando Like App 

To build an app like Zalando, it is important to integrate the core features in your ecommerce app. It can boost the app performance and stability that can enhance the user experience in your business as well. Here are some key features to build an app like Zalando as well. 

Social Media Integrations

The app should smoothly connect with social media networks that can promote strong user connectivity. The users can also share their reviews and findings on social media platforms. It can enhance the experience of social purchasing that can also align with the digital lifestyle. 

Shopping Cart & Check-Out Feature

The shopping cart function efficiently directs the user from the decision to purchase a product to the completed purchase.  It offers the user an easy way to track their purchases while ensuring a safe and efficient purchasing experience from the Best ecommerce apps. With multiple payment methods and clear purchase summaries and confirmations, the shopping cart allows for a smooth and simple purchasing experience. 

Searches and Product Listings

Product listings on the app should be organized well to help with navigation. The search tool goes beyond keyword searching to allow filtering by brand, size, color, and other attributes. This should ensure users can identify certain products from the many products available.

Order Management

By adding a strong order tracking capability, we can offer users additional information about their orders. Tracking allows customers to see their order as it moves from the warehouse to their doorstep to Build ecommerce app like zalando, which can enhance the enjoyment of following their purchases. This feature is a crucial element of the overall order fulfillment process that includes payment, delivery, and returns.

Personalized Recommendations

This program utilizes advanced recommendation algorithms to deliver users personalized recommendations based on their individual behavior, recently purchased items, and new trends. This approach enhances the overall purchasing experience from the Ecommerce development companies usa, thus facilitating the exploration of new items and developing a more personalized customer experience.

Steps to Build an App Like Zalando

It's time to do some discussion on how to build an app like Zalando that can cater to all needs of your users. From research to release, we will explain everything in detail at this point to clear out all your doubts and issues as well. Here is a step-by-step guide to developing an ecommerce app like Zalando. 

Define the Target Audience 

It is important to define your target audience in a particular niche. Then specialize your products in your app according to the different segments of your audience preference. Understand their requirement and fashion sense that can influence the functionality as well.

Market Research and Competitor Analysis 

It is critical to conduct a thorough investigation before moving on into development for examining the Cost to develop zalando like shopping app. Research the current fashion e-commerce applications that exist—including Zalando. Identify what is working/what is not, and observe user behaviors. If you want to develop an Android or iOS app, there are market opportunities to consider. 

Is there a specific component that needs to be addressed, such as a gamified shopping experience, or is there an opportunity to focus on sustainable fashion brands? If the intention is to Build app like flipkart or Zalando, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors will allow you to differentiate your application and provide a solution to unmet user needs.

Highlight Core Features

Not every feature is equally important. To provide an organized user experience, keep your focus on basics. This includes user registration, a product browsing page (with search and filters by size, color, brand, etc.), a shopping cart with secure checkout options, and user reviews. With the help of a hybrid app development company, think of features that offer the user experience and engagement, such as wishlists, personalized recommendations based on previous browsing or purchases, or tracking orders in real time. 

Design UI/UX

In fashion apps, aesthetics are a priority. Invest in a simplistic and user-friendly design that focuses on navigation and product discovery. Zalando's app demonstrates this well with high-quality photos of its products and a user interface that keeps browsing an enjoyable experience in Fashion app development. To have an aesthetically clean and easy-to-use app, you may consider hiring dedicated developers. Additionally, be sure to provide a seamless experience, whether it is discovering products or browsing to carting, checking out, and tracking orders.

Security and Development Process

Here is where your app becomes a reality. Choose a development team that has created applications like Zalando and that has experience building consumer-facing apps that require security and can scale. The level of security is especially important; build in strong protections for user data, specifically in regard to their credit card information and purchase history. Security of the payment gateway matters immensely.

Testing and Launch

To create an app similar to Zalando, you need to complete app testing prior to release. You will want to eliminate bugs and test for seamless functionality on all platforms (iOS and Android). Feedback from beta testers will also assist your app's development while identifying areas for further improvement. Hire ecommerce developers that can successfully test your app; you may leverage on-demand app developers. Once you are satisfied with the app's performance and user experience, you will need to create a marketing strategy that will build excitement for the app's release.

Deployment & Post-Launch Maintenance 

Your job doesn't stop at launch. You're going to need to watch app performance, analyze user data, and get developer feedback to find ways to improve your app like Zalando. You will also release updates with new features, look for bugs and fixes, and respond to user feedback. When you build an app like Zalando, you can also develop products using next-gen trends like augmented reality try-on and integrated voice search.

Conclusion

Through this guide, we have explained how much it costs to develop an ecommerce app like Zalando. We have also discussed several topics in this guide, such as investment, key market trends, average cost, cost-influencing factors, core features, and the development process. As a foremost Ecommerce app development company, we are always here to build custom e-commerce apps that can cater to all your business needs and requirements as well.