The cost of making a card game app is a common question among the masses. In traditional times, when there were no smartphones or internet connectivity, these popular card games were used to socialize among people, and they are now used as a medium to socialize virtually with advanced multiplayer Mobile Card Game Development technology.
With the advent of advanced development frameworks like OpenGL or Cocos2D, card games reflect acute game quality and resolution. Many entrepreneurs think of developing their own card game apps, but they are unaware of the card game app development costs.
In this blog, we will discuss the cost of card game development, including average costs, and factors affecting the overall cost.
Table of Contents
Overview of Mobile Card Game Development
Card games are skill-based games that allow players to use their brains to bluff and strategize moves to create the best hand to win the battle against opponents. Winning a mobile card game requires a lot of skills and strategy. The revenue share of the overall card game segment was valued at $8.58 bn in 2024 and is expected to reach 11.57 bn by 2030.
Mobile card games are gaining popularity like never before, and because of this a lot of gaming investors often ask questions like how to make the best card game app for Android, and what will be its cost. Let’s delve into the details and find out.
Factors Affecting The Cost to Make A Card Game
We shall list down all the factors that affect the cost of the best card games. These are some of the major factors affecting the overall cost of making a custom card game app like trading card game app and others:
1. The Location of the Developers
The region of the developers impacts the overall card game app development cost. Some countries offer cost-effective development services, whereas others offer expensive and high-quality development services at your convenience. Therefore, it depends on your budget and investment capabilities for the project.
Indian card game Developers charge around $15 to $20 per hour.
UK developers charge around $35 to $40 per hour.
USA card game developers charge around $50 to $70 per hour.
2. The Complexity of Features and Games
The cost of building a card game also depends on the complexity of the features and the project in general. Complexity is all about how much money you invest in card game app development. Based on complexity, card games are broadly classified into three categories:
A. Simple 2D
These games don’t require much resources and expertise. They can be developed with minimal design and features and can help you cost-effectively drive great engagement and revenue. 2D card game development costs around $10k to $15k.
B. Mid-level Games
These games cover other features like the storyline, characters, levels, and attractive visuals. Card game developers charge around $17k to $20k for mid-level card games.
C. High-Level Games
These games reflect complex designs, detailing, and graphics that are hard to find. Developers must have 1-2 years of experience in developing high-level online card games. On average, the cost of such games ranges from $25k to $30k.
3. Game Design
Card game development cost also depends on the UI/UX aspects of the app. If you want to create a very basic card game app, then the cost of game design will be significantly low. However, if you want to integrate an attractive, detailed, and visually realistic interface in your card game app, the cost will rise depending upon the customizations.
4. Multiple Payment Gateways
Online real money card games are the platform that lets users play and compete against each other to win exciting cash rewards. Therefore, it is important to provide them with safe and secure payment methods. If you want to integrate multiple payment gateways, the card game development cost will be higher as compared to that of fewer payment methods.
5. Marketing or Hosting
Besides payment methods, marketing also plays an important role in calculating the overall mobile game development cost. If you want proper marketing so that your app reaches a global audience and generates great revenues and leads, then you need to invest in paid digital marketing campaigns and advertisements. This ultimately affects the budget and increases the overall card game development cost.
6. Cross Platform Compatibility
Whether you want to develop a card game app for Android, iOS, or Windows platforms, the cost differs in each case. Android card game app development is much cheaper than iOS-based card game apps. However, if you want to develop a card game app for either of the platforms, it will cost less as compared to the cross-platform compatible card game app.
Defining the exact cost of card game app development is impossible as the details of your project, features, and other specifications are variables, and the cost changes according to those variables. Moreover, there is a wide range of card game variations available in the market, and hence, every card has its features and details that are different from each other. So, the cost of each card game app will be different respectively.
In most cases, card game development costs between $10k to $30k for a single platform and basic features and functionalities. However, the cost may shoot up to $50k or more depending on the type and complexity of the features.
Take a look at the below table showcasing the cost of various phases of the card game development:
Development Process
Cost
UX/UI Design
$2,000-$4,000
Native Platform Development
$6,000-$8,000
Backend Development
$4,000-$6,000
Admin Panel for Web Development
$2,500
Testing & Q/A
$3,000-$4,000
Project Management
$2,500-3000
Final Cost
$20,000-$25,000
Final Words
You must have understood that card game development costs depend on various factors as mentioned earlier. Therefore, it depends on your budget and project details. As a leading card game development company, BR Softech can help you provide top-notch mobile game development services at affordable prices and convenience. With 10+ years of experience in the gaming industry, we can help you take your card game business to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q.1 How To Make A Card Game App For the Android Platform?
Ans. To develop a card game app, make sure to research the market, add a compelling UI/UX design, find a developer and testing team, deploy the game, and lastly check for regular updates and maintenance.
Q.2 What Are The Popular Card Games to Play in 2025?
Ans. Teen Patti, Rummy, Blackjack, Poker, Solitaire, Call Break, and UNO are some of the most popular card games that you can play in 2025.
Q.3 How To Choose The Best Card Game Development Company?
Ans. To choose a top card game development company, make sure to check the portfolio of the company, the years of experience, hourly rates, and reputation of the company.
I am Nitin Garg, founder of BR Softech PVT LTD - an award-winning mobile game development company known for its excellence in the gaming domain. We have a team of 180+ exceptional professionals & we have a satisfied clientele of 2.7k+ globally. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, I aim to elevate BR Softech to a billion-dollar company.