Rightmove-Style Real Estate App Cost Guide: Full Breakdown (MVP to Full Scale)

After studying apps like Zoopla, Zillow, and Rightmove, you are convinced that real estate apps are killing it big time. But you are thinking – 

“There’s a huge opportunity in the prop tech market. 

But what will it take to build something this good?”

“What is the cost to build a real estate app like Rightmove?”

And that’s exactly how most founders get puzzled.

Between budget worries, timeline pressure, and user expectations (don’t ask)

The path from idea to app often feels overwhelming.

Not to worry.

In this blog, you will understand how much it really costs to build a real estate app like Rightmove. 

What drives the budget up, what keeps it lean, and how to choose a development partner who actually gets you to launch on time and on budget.

So make smarter decisions, avoid hidden traps, and plan your product with confidence.

Let us start with the obvious – 

Why is Rightmove so Successful in the UK?

Digital convenience is no longer optional – it’s expected. 

Apps like Rightmove have set a high bar for property search and real-time engagement.

 If you’re building a similar app, you’re not just entering a growing market – you’re solving real pain points for modern property buyers, sellers, and agents.

Here’s why building a Rightmove-like app is a smart move:

• High User Demand: Property seekers now expect mobile-first experiences with filters, maps, and instant alerts.
• Agent/Builder Visibility: Agents want platforms that increase reach without middlemen.
• Monetization Opportunities: Listing fees, featured ads, subscriptions, and premium user plans offer multiple revenue streams.
• Market Loopholes: In many local or emerging markets, there’s still room for niche or hyper-local platforms that Rightmove doesn’t cover.

Basically, real estate is going digital. And mobile apps are where Gen Z or even millennials are finding great deals.

So, What is the Cost to Develop a Real Estate App Like Rightmove?

The first question from most of our clients is “How Much Does it cost to build an App Like Rightmove?”

We do understand the concern, and here is the answer.

The complexity of any app depends on the features. 

This is the reason you must have heard this phrase repeatedly in the discovery calls or discussions with a real estate app development company that-

 “The cost of a Rightmove-like app is driven mainly by feature complexity, not just design or tech stack. That is why most development partners talk about complexity so often.”

Cost estimate based on app complexity:

Stage	Development Timeline	Estimated Cost	Key Features
MVP / Basic	2–4 months	US$10K–30K	Listings, search filters, user profiles
Mid-Complexity	4–8 months	US$30K–90K	Saved searches, chat, payments, and map API
Fully Featured / Marketplace / AI	8–12+ months	US $90K–300K+	Virtual tours, AI recommendations, full-workflow marketplace

(We have discussed the impact of cost with app complexity in the section – Factors influencing the cost of a real estate app.)

Here we’ll show you the cost breakdown of the MVP stage with the features included – 

MVP Features Included
User login & profiles
Property search + filters
Basic listings
Map view (Google/Mapbox)
Favorites & alerts
Simple admin panel
Agent onboarding
Basic analytics
Estimated Cost	Timeline
$10,000 – $30,000	8 weeks onwards

Similarly, if you need a breakdown of a mid-level or a full-scale real estate app, then you can contact our team.

But what if you are impressed with our UI/UX or AI integrations and want to add them to your real estate app, then? 

Here is a cost breakdown by components and what will be provided in each component.

Cost estimate based on components:

Component	Estimated Range	Notes
UI/UX Design	US$5K – US$30K	Custom animations raise cost
Front‑end (Mobile App)	US $10K – US $50K+	Based on features & platforms
Backend & Integrations	US $20K – US $60K+	Data, services, API, search engine
Testing & QA	US$5K – US$15K	Includes cross‑device, security
Deployment & Launch	US$1K – US$10K	App stores, server setup
Annual Maintenance	Approx. 10–20% of the initial cost	Updates, security, and scaling resources

Worth mentioning – 

Here is a comprehensive table for the UK with the cost in Great Britain Pounds(GBP) with the features. 

Feature Category	MVP (Essential)	Advanced/Full Scale	Cost Impact (Estimate: GBP)
User Authentication	Email/Mobile Login, Security	Social login, Biometric, MFA	£2,000–£4,000
Property Search/Filters	Location, price, bedrooms	Map integration, school/location	£3,500–£8,000
Listing Management	Agent uploads, text/image, basic validation	Bulk import, moderation, video	£4,000–£8,000
Map + Geo-Services	Basic Google Maps overlay	Interactive maps, street views	£2,500–£7,000
Favourites/Save	Save listings, simple profile	Personalized recommendations	£1,200–£3,000
Messaging/Contact	Inquiry forms, request callbacks	In-app chat with agents	£2,000–£5,000
Admin Panel	Listings review, basic analytics	Fraud detection, multi-role	£2,000–£8,000
Integration	Property feed (RM, Zoopla, OnTheMarket)	CRM, mortgage, data analytics	£3,500–£10,000
Compliance/Security	GDPR basic, HTTPS	Data encryption, regular audits	£1,000–£3,500
Push Notifications	Reminders for saved searches	Location/personalized, events	£800–£2,000

Now, with the stage, the cost, and the timeline are given. But this is the tip of the iceberg. Cost is influenced by many factors. 

Factors Influencing the Rightmove-like App Development Cost

“What Drives the Budget to Make an App like Rightmove?”

Building a real estate app isn’t a fixed-price project. 

Your final cost depends on several key factors, like features or app complexity, AI-powered integrations, and long-term scalability. Below is a breakdown of what impacts your budget and why.

Feature Complexity

The more complex your features, the higher the development cost.

A basic app with property listings, search, and profiles is far cheaper than a marketplace with agent panels, chat, payments, and CRM tools. Add advanced features like AI-powered recommendations, 3D tours, or predictive pricing, and the cost rises.

Apps like Rightmove succeed because they go beyond listings – they offer smart search, analytics, and immersive browsing, all of which require deeper engineering and a scalable foundation.

Feature Complexity Cost Impact

App Type	Description	Cost Impact
Basic MVP	Listings, filters, map search	Low
Mid-Level	Chat, dashboards, analytics	Medium
Full-Scale + AI	AI models, AR/VR, and advanced CRM	High

Platform Choice

Your choice of platform has a direct impact on total costs.

Building separately for iOS and Android nearly doubles the development efforts, especially when using native technologies.

Cross-platform frameworks like Flutter allow you to build once and deploy everywhere, reducing costs by 30–40%. 

Flutter app development is often preferred for real estate apps due to smooth animations and a shared codebase.

Platform Cost Impact

Platform	Cost Level	Notes
Android or iOS Only	Low	Fast to build, fewer screens
Both (Native Build)	High	Requires two separate codebases
Cross-Platform (Flutter)	Medium	One codebase, faster delivery

For real estate apps, cross-platform app development is often ideal because buyers, sellers, and agents use multiple devices across platforms.

UI/UX Design Quality

A visually rich UI with micro-animations, custom components, dynamic maps, and immersive interactions costs more than a simple layout. 

Real estate apps rely heavily on high-quality visuals, smooth navigation, and clean property layouts – so design drives user trust and conversion.

Design Cost Impact Spectrum

Design Type	Cost Impact	Description
Basic UI	Low	Simple, clean screens
Custom UI	Medium	Branded components, better UX
Premium UI + Animations	High	3D tours, transitions, custom visuals

Backend, APIs, and Third-Party Integrations

The backend is the engine of your real estate app – powering search, listings, analytics, and communication.

Costs increase when you add real-time chat, map layers, property analytics, mortgage calculators, or advanced search filters.
Integrations like Google Maps, Mapbox, Stripe, or CRM tools also add to the budget.

 More integrations = more development time + ongoing API costs.

And if we talk about AI integrations like recommendation engines or predictive pricing, they require custom model training and data pipelines, increasing complexity.

AI integrations like recommendation engines or predictive pricing need custom models and data pipelines. This increases both initial build cost and ongoing maintenance.

Integration Cost Impact Table

Integration Type	Examples	Cost Impact
Basic	Maps, login, analytics	Low
Advanced	Chat, CRM, payment, MLS import	Medium
AI-Driven	Recommendations, ML models	High

Geo-Location of the Development Team

Prices vary with the location, but you should not compromise on quality.  

The location of your development team can majorly impact the overall cost.

Developers in the US, EU, or UK charge significantly more than equally skilled teams in India or Eastern Europe.

Many global startups choose teams like SolGuruz for enterprise-grade quality with optimized pricing.
Here is a cost table by location with their hourly charges – 

Hourly Rate Comparison

Region	Avg Hourly Rate	Cost Impact
US / Canada	$120 – $180/hr	Very high
UK / EU	$80 – $130/hr	High
India	<$25/hr	Most cost-efficient

This factor alone can change the cost of a Rightmove-like app by 2-3 times. Hiring mobile app developers from India or Asian countries can make an impact on your budget. 

Ongoing Maintenance, Scaling Costs, and Hidden Costs

Even after launch, your app needs updates, bug fixes, cloud hosting, API renewal fees, and performance monitoring. 

Proper maintenance makes sure your app is running smoothly.

Here is a table for all the hidden cost components. We keep it transparent and want you to know all the costs involved.

 When you are getting into real estate app development, you know what you are paying for. 

Cost Type	Range (USD/year)	Purpose
Maintenance & Hypercare	$5,000 – $15,000	Updates, bug fixes, and uptime monitoring
Hosting / Cloud	$2,000 – $8,000	AWS, Azure, or GCP
API & Map Integrations	$500 – $2,000	Google Maps, Property APIs
Security & Compliance	$1,000 – $3,000	GDPR, encryption, DPA audits
Marketing & ASO	Custom	User acquisition & retention
Scaling Infrastructure	Variable	Scaling the app for a bigger user base

Now, below we are mentioning features in which you should invest if you want to outshine a Rightmove-like real estate app. 

Key Features – What is Worth Your Investment?

The cost of building a real estate app largely depends on what features you include, how complex they are, and how well they’re integrated. Below are the core features that drive cost: 

1) User Side (Buyers, Renters, Investors)

• User Registration & Profiles
• Property Search with Filters (price, location, type, size, etc.)
• Map Integration with Nearby Listings
• Property Details Page with Photos, Videos, and 3D Tours
• Saved Searches, Wishlists, and Push Notifications
• In-app Chat or Contact Agent
• Calendar Scheduling for Viewings
• Reviews and Ratings

2) Agent/Builder Side (Admin Dashboard or Partner App)

• Agent Registration & Verification
• Property Upload/Listing Management
• Analytics for Listing Views & Engagement
• Subscription & Payment Gateway Integration

3) Admin Panel

• User & Property Moderation
• Analytics Dashboard
• CMS for Blog, Ads, Banners
• Complaint & Escalation Handling
• Transaction History & Finance Reporting

4) Advanced

• AI-Powered Property Recommendations
• Chatbots for Pre-Sales Engagement
• AR/VR Property Tours
• Geo-Fencing & Location-Based Suggestions
• Each of these adds to the timeline, effort, and ultimately the development cost.

How to Monetize a Real Estate App Like Rightmove

If you’re building an app like Rightmove, monetization isn’t just a bonus – it’s part of the product’s core engine. Here are some proven revenue models to consider:

1) Freemium Listings

This model is the most preferred one. Generally used to land more traffic and then charge for premium placements. Allow property owners or agents to post a few listings for free.

Charge for premium placements like homepage banners, etc.

2) Subscription Plans for Agents & Agencies

You can offer monthly or yearly plans for agencies with varying listing limits, branding options, or analytics tools. Ideal for monetizing high-volume users consistently.

3) Pay-Per-Lead / Commission Model

Agents work on commissions. So you can charge agents or landlords for qualified leads like phone calls, booking requests, or even chat initiations. Can be flat-fee or performance-based, or per conversion.

4) Ad-Based Revenue

You can put up in-app ads in platforms like Facebook Audience Network or Google AdMob, targeting home buyers or renters. You can also offer anonymised market insights and trend reports to partners, provided you follow local data protection and privacy regulations.

5) Value-Add Services

Offer users mortgage calculators, loan offers, legal support, home insurance, or relocation assistance – via affiliate partnerships or white-labeled integrations.

6) Virtual Tour & 3D Listing Upgrades

Let agents pay to include virtual tours, drone videos, or interactive 3D walkthroughs – a huge draw in premium markets.

5  Tips to Reduce the Cost of Building a Real Estate App Like Rightmove

Cost control doesn’t mean cutting corners – it means making smart product decisions. Here’s how to reduce your real estate app development cost without sacrificing quality:

1. Start with a Focused MVP

Don’t build the full Rightmove replica in your first version.

Prioritize core features like listing search, map view, property details, and agent contact.

2. Use Cross-Platform Frameworks Like Flutter or React Native

By using cross-platforms, you can save up to 40% of development time. Use one codebase for both Android and iOS. 

Bonus Point – Modern frameworks also simplify maintenance and future iterations.

3. Save More by Leveraging Open-Source Components

Instead of building from scratch, use open-source libraries for maps, UI elements, calendars, etc.

Just make sure the licensing and compliance are in the proper place.

4. Implement Admin Panel with Off-the-Shelf Tools

For early-stage apps, consider platforms like Firebase Console, Retool, or a low-code CMS for internal management before building a custom backend dashboard.

5. Outsource to Experienced Teams

Hiring in-house can get expensive. Partner with proven offshore teams like SolGuruz with relevant real estate experience for cost-effective delivery.

Let Us Shake Hands and Build It Big

When you are investing a serious budget and expecting growth, you don’t want just a vendor. You need a partner who understands real estate market dynamics, mobile UX, and scalable tech. That’s where SolGuruz shines:

Transparent Engagement Models: Clear estimations, no hidden fees, agile sprints with regular demos.

Say “NO” to overbuilding: We know overbuilding won’t be the best option for your solutions. 

Expertise in PropTech App Development: Our expert real estate app developers are skilled in designing real estate solutions. 

Speed with Quality: We’ve built MVPs in tight windows, leveraging frameworks that accelerate development while preserving code integrity.

AI‑Ready Infrastructure: From day one, we design for growth. Integrating features like predictive listing recommendations, user behaviour analytics, and smart agent dashboards.

Cross‑Platform Expertise: Our in‑house team covers Android, iOS, backend, and DevOps. So, you don’t juggle multiple vendors.

If you’re building a real estate app that must perform, scale, and convert, then let us build it together.

FAQs

1. What is Rightmove?

Rightmove is the UK’s largest online property portal. For buying, selling, or renting residential or commercial properties, you can use the portal.

2. How long does it take to build a Rightmove-like real estate app?

Typically, a basic version can take as little as 6-8 weeks. A full version with marketplaces, AI suggestions, and monetization features may take more than 9 months.

3. What features should a Rightmove-style real estate app include?

A strong real estate app should include property listings, advanced search filters, map-based search, agent dashboards, chat, alerts, CRM integrations, virtual tours, and secure user accounts. Advanced versions may include AI recommendations and predictive pricing.

4. Can AI be integrated into a real estate app, and how much does it cost?

Yes. You can easily integrate AI for property recommendations, price predictions, and smart search. There are other uses of AI, like for image search, chatbots, etc. AI features typically add $15,000–$55,000, depending on the model complexity and training requirements.

5. Should I build a real estate app with native or cross-platform development?

If you want to build a fast and cost-effective way, then go for cross-platform app development. We suggest Flutter is ideal for you. But if you need platform-specific performance or advanced native capabilities, choose native iOS/Android.