How Much Does It Cost to Build an E-commerce App Like Noon?

The eCommerce landscape in 2025 is more mobile-first than ever, where the pulse of commerce beats in the palm of every consumer’s hand. eCommerce marketplace thrives within the smartphone, which seamlessly completes the purchase journey with a few swipes and taps.

Consumers are not just browsing—they navigate a seamless symphony of discovery, selection, and transaction—all orchestrated from their mobile devices.

Statista forecasted that mobile eCommerce sales are projected to hit $2.5 trillion globally by the end of 2025, accounting for over 63% of total eCommerce transactions. At the epicenter of this growth stand the eCommerce applications like Noon, leading the charge in the Middle East.

According to Semrush, Noon has rapidly become one of the region’s most dominant eCommerce players, with an estimated annual revenue of $200–500 million, and over 20.43 million visits per month as of 2024. Its success lies in hyper-local strategies, lightning-fast delivery through Noon Minutes, and its expansion into verticals such as Noon Grocery, Noon Food, and Noon Super Mall.

For businesses looking to replicate that success, understanding what it takes to build a Noon-like app is the first step. And the most common question they face at the start is—how much does it cost to develop an eCommerce app like Noon?

Depending on your app’s feature set, platforms, and technology stack, the total cost typically ranges from $30,000 to $200,000 (AED 110187.00 to AED 734580.00) or more.

This blog delves into the cost of building an e-commerce app like Noon, breaking down not only the pricing but also the features, tech stack, development stages, and factors that impact your budget. If you’re planning to enter or scale in the eCommerce space, this guide will help you evaluate everything you need—before you start.

A Brief Glimpse into Noon: How It’s Reshaping Online Retail in the UAE and Beyond

Noon is a leading e-commerce platform in the Middle East, launched in 2017 by Mohamed Alabbar and headquartered in Dubai, UAE. It operates primarily in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, aiming to cater to the region’s digital economy with a localized approach.

Noon’s meteoric rise as the leading eCommerce platform in the UAE, with over 10 million+ downloads, shows the immense appetite for online shopping in the region. Supported by its strong logistics network and a seamless mobile experience, Noon has set a benchmark for digital retail success in the GCC.

Features of Noon

Business Features

Noon’s business model supports consumers and sellers, tailored to Middle Eastern market dynamics:

• Diverse Product Range: Offers millions of products across fashion, electronics, groceries, and beauty, featuring local and international brands.
• Seller Flexibility: Provides multiple selling models (wholesale, fulfilled by Noon, or back-to-back) to suit sellers’ operational needs.
• Marketing and Advertising: Offers sponsored ads and promotions to boost product visibility and sales.
• Partnerships: Collaborates with local retailers, global brands, and payment providers like Adyen for streamlined transactions and broader reach.

Technical Features

Noon leverages advanced technology for enhanced user experience and efficiency:

• User-Friendly Interface: Supports Arabic and English on its platform and mobile apps, with advanced search, wishlists, and easy browsing.
• Payment Infrastructure: Integrates secure gateways such as Noon Pay and Adyen, supporting cards, cash on delivery, and EMI options.
• Logistics Technology: Employs in-house systems for inventory management, real-time tracking, and optimized delivery, with automation for peak scalability.
• Cloud Infrastructure: Runs on Google Cloud, using BigQuery, Cloud Spanner, and Kubernetes Engine for real-time analytics, 99.999% uptime, and autoscaling during high-traffic events like Yellow Friday.
• Analytics for Sellers: Provides detailed sales and customer behavior insights to optimize listings and strategies.

This explosive growth and shifting consumer behavior make it an ideal moment for businesses to invest in custom eCommerce app development. Building an app like Noon, focused on robust backend logistics and user-friendly interfaces, positions companies to capture this rapidly expanding market and meet the rising expectations of the UAE’s digitally savvy shoppers.

How Much Does It Cost to Build an E-commerce App Like Noon?

Building a scalable, feature-rich eCommerce app like Noon involves several development stages, each adding to the overall complexity and investment. Depending on your app’s feature set, platforms, and technology stack, the total Noon-like eCommerce app development cost typically ranges from $30,000 to $200,000 or more.

Estimating the cost to develop an eCommerce app like Noon can be simplified using this formula:

Development Time × Hourly Rate = Total Development Cost

This means the overall budget depends on how long development takes and the hourly rates of the developers involved.

Based on industry standards and app complexity, here is an estimated timeline and cost breakdown for different development stages:

With this cost framework in mind, it’s important to understand the key factors that can significantly impact your app’s development budget. These factors influence not only the Noon- like eCommerce app development cost but also the timeline and complexity of building an app like Noon.

Let’s dive deeper into these crucial cost drivers to help you better plan and prioritize your investment.

Key Factors Influencing the Cost of Building an App Like Noon

Building an app like Noon is a multifaceted process, and several factors can significantly influence the total cost. Let us look at them in detail below:

1. Feature Complexity

The number and sophistication of app features significantly impact development time and cost. Features such as user accounts, product catalogues, search and filters, multiple payment options, real-time order tracking, AI recommendations, and social integrations vary in complexity. More advanced features require specialized development and longer timelines.

2. Scalability and Performance

Building an app that can handle a large user base, high traffic volumes, and extensive product inventories requires investment in scalable backend infrastructure, cloud services, and performance optimization. The overall cost of building a shopping app like Noon can vary if the app is designed for rapid growth and millions of users.

3. Platform Support

Whether you build for iOS, Android, the web, or all three, it affects the cost. Native apps typically deliver the best performance but require separate development for each platform, increasing costs. Cross-platform frameworks reduce costs but might limit feature richness or performance.

4. UI/UX Design Quality

A seamless and engaging user experience demands professional UI/UX design, encompassing wireframes, prototypes, user testing, and iterative development. A custom, polished design improves user retention and conversion, but it also adds to the development budget.

5. Backend & Third-Party Integrations

E-commerce apps depend on backend systems for inventory management, payment gateways, shipping APIs, customer service tools, and analytics. Integrating and maintaining these systems increases complexity and the overall cost to develop an eCommerce app like Noon, especially if custom development is required.

6. Security & Compliance

Protecting user data, securing transactions, and complying with relevant data protection laws require additional development effort. This includes encryption, secure payment processing, compliance with GDPR or local privacy laws, and regular security audits.

7. Testing & Quality Assurance

Extensive testing across various devices, platforms, and usage scenarios is crucial to delivering a reliable app. Manual and automated testing cycles add to timelines and the overall Noon-like eCommerce app development costs but reduce post-launch issues.

8. Post-Launch Maintenance & Updates

An app requires continuous monitoring, bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features post-launch. Budgeting for ongoing maintenance is critical for sustained success.

9. Marketing & Launch

Promoting the app, onboarding users, and building brand awareness involve marketing budgets. Although not directly part of the development process, these costs are vital for a successful app launch.

Hidden Factors Impacting the Cost to Develop an App Like Noon

Beyond the obvious factors like features and design, several less visible but equally important elements can significantly influence the overall cost to create an eCommerce app like Noon. These hidden factors often arise during development or post-launch and can impact your budget and timeline if not anticipated.

1. Regulatory Changes and Compliance Updates

E-commerce regulations evolve frequently. Adapting your app to new laws or industry standards after launch may require additional development and legal consultation, adding to long-term cost to develop an eCommerce app like Noon.

2. Localization and Multilingual Support

If you plan to target multiple regions or countries, supporting different languages, currencies, and local payment methods will increase complexity and development effort, adding to the eCommerce mobile application development costs.

3. Integration with Emerging Technologies

Incorporating AI for personalized recommendations, augmented reality for product previews, or blockchain for secure transactions can boost user experience but require specialized skills leading to increased Noon-like eCommerce app development costs.

4. Vendor and Licensing Fees

Costs for third-party services, APIs, licenses, and subscriptions (e.g., payment processors, cloud hosting, analytics tools) can add up significantly over time.

5. Team Experience and Expertise

Hiring highly skilled developers will increase expenses compared to less experienced teams.

Balancing cost with team expertise is vital for successful app development.

6. Project Management and Communication Overhead

Complex projects require effective coordination, which involves dedicated project managers, frequent meetings, and communication tools, contributing indirectly to the total cost.

7. Unexpected Technical Challenges

Unforeseen bugs, integration issues, or changes in project scope during development can lead to timeline extensions and additional expenses.

How to Optimize the Development Costs for an App Like Noon?

Developing a sophisticated eCommerce app like Noon can be expensive, but there are effective strategies to control cost to build a similar app like Noon without sacrificing quality. By carefully planning and leveraging the right technologies, businesses can build a competitive app within a manageable budget. Here are key approaches to optimize your development costs:

1. Prioritize Core Features for an MVP

Focus initially on the essential features that deliver the most value to users. Launching a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) helps validate your idea early and reduces upfront investment, allowing you to add advanced features later based on real user feedback.

2. Use Cross-Platform Development Tools

Leveraging frameworks like React Native or Flutter enables you to build apps for both iOS and Android using a shared codebase. This approach significantly reduces development time and cost compared to creating separate native apps.

3. Leverage Open-Source Libraries and APIs

Incorporate reliable open-source components and third-party APIs for common functionalities such as payment processing, maps, and authentication. This reduces the need to build everything from scratch, accelerating development and lowering the eCommerce mobile application development costs.

4. Opt for Agile Development Methodology

Adopting an agile approach enables iterative development with regular feedback, allowing you to identify and resolve issues early. This helps avoid costly rework and ensures that resources are focused on features that matter most to users, thereby reducing the overall Noon eCommerce app development costs.

5. Invest in Automated Testing

Automated tests accelerate quality assurance by enabling frequent and thorough testing without manual intervention. This reduces the time and cost of finding and fixing bugs during development and after launch.

6. Start with Cloud-Based Infrastructure

Using scalable cloud services for hosting and backend reduces upfront infrastructure costs. Cloud platforms offer flexible pricing and easy scaling that supports growing user bases without large initial investments, reducing the overall cost to develop an eCommerce app like Noon.

7. Focus on Modular Architecture

Building your app with modular, reusable components simplifies future updates and feature additions. This approach reduces long-term maintenance costs and enhances scaling efficiency.

After looking into the Cost breakdown for eCommerce application development like Noon and strategies to optimize the budget, let us move ahead and look into the features of developing such a robust eCommerce app.

Features You Should Add to Your Ecommerce App Like Noon

Choosing the right features is key to building an ecommerce app that stands out like Noon. Let’s check out the features you should consider adding to create a seamless and engaging shopping experience for your users.

Core Features of eCommerce Shopping App Like Noon

An effective eCommerce app like Noon requires distinct sets of features tailored for both customers and administrators. While users need a seamless and engaging shopping experience, admins require powerful tools to manage products, orders, sellers, and analytics efficiently. Separating these features ensures clarity in development and optimizes the app’s overall performance.

User-Side Features

These features focus on providing customers with a smooth, secure, and personalized shopping journey.

1. User Registration & Profiles: Secure account creation with profile management and personalized recommendations.
2. Product Browsing & Search: Easy navigation through categories and smart search options with filters.
3. Shopping Cart & Wishlist: Add items to the cart for purchase or save favorites for later.
4. Secure Checkout & Multiple Payment Methods: Smooth, encrypted checkout supporting cards, wallets, COD, etc.
5. Order Tracking & Delivery Scheduling: Real-time updates and flexible delivery options.
6. Ratings & Reviews: Submit and read feedback on products to make informed decisions.
7. Push Notifications & Personalized Offers: Receive alerts on order status and special promotions.
8. Customer Support: Access live chat, chatbots, or FAQs for quick assistance.
9. Social Sharing: Easily share products or purchases on social media platforms.
10. Location-Based Services: Receive localized product availability and offers tailored to your user location.
11. Multi-language & Currency Support: Shop comfortably in your preferred language and currency.

Admin-Side Features

These features empower admins and sellers to control and monitor the platform’s operations efficiently.

1. Product & Inventory Management: Add, update, and monitor stock levels across warehouses and sellers.
2. Order Management & Fulfillment: Process orders, handle cancellations, returns, and refunds.
3. Seller/Vendor Management: Onboard and manage multiple sellers with individual profiles and product listings.
4. Sales & Analytics Dashboard: Track sales performance, user behavior, and other key metrics.
5. Discount & Promotion Management: Create and control coupons, deals, and promotional campaigns.
6. Customer Management: Monitor user accounts, complaints, and engagement.
7. Logistics & Delivery Coordination: Oversee shipping partners, delivery statuses, and scheduling.
8. Content Management: Manage app content, including banners, help pages, and FAQs.
9. Security & Compliance Settings: Configure data protection, payment security, and regulatory compliance tools.
10. Notification Management: Control push notifications and marketing communication to users.

Advanced Features to Enhance an E-commerce App Like Noon

Once the essential features are in place, businesses can add advanced functionalities to stand out in a competitive market. These features improve user engagement, streamline operations, and offer personalized experiences. Businesses must understand that the integration of advanced features can impact the overall cost to develop an eCommerce app like Noon.

AI-Powered Product Recommendations

Uses machine learning to analyze user behavior and suggest products tailored to individual preferences, increasing sales and engagement.

Now, why should you add AI-powered recommendations to your eCommerce app? Well, let’s look into the benefits below:

Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping

Allows customers to visualize products in their real environment through their device’s camera, improving confidence in purchase decisions.

[Also Read: AR in eCommerce – 10 benefits, use cases, and real-world examples]

Voice Search and Commands

Enables users to search and navigate the app using voice commands, making shopping more convenient and accessible.

Chatbots and AI Customer Support

Automates responses to common queries instantly, providing 24/7 assistance and reducing support costs.

Advanced Analytics and Reporting

Gives detailed insights into user behavior, sales trends, and marketing effectiveness, helping businesses make data-driven decisions.

[Also Read: eCommerce Analytics – Boosting Conversions and Sales with the Power of Data]

Dynamic Pricing and Discounts

Automatically adjusts prices based on demand, competitor rates, or inventory levels to maximize revenue and competitiveness.

Subscription and Loyalty Programs

Offers recurring purchase options and rewards loyal customers with points or exclusive discounts to boost retention.

Social Commerce Integration

Enables shopping directly within social media platforms or seamless sharing of products, expanding reach and sales channels.

Multi-Warehouse and Route Optimization

Optimizes inventory distribution and delivery routes to minimize shipping time and costs, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction.

Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency

Provides secure and transparent tracking of product origin and shipment, increasing trust among consumers.

[Also Read: How Can Blockchain Make B2B Retail More Profitable?]

After integrating both essential and advanced features, the next crucial phase is executing a well-structured development process. Following a step-by-step guide ensures your app like Noon, is built efficiently and meets market needs effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building an App Like Noon

To successfully build an eCommerce app like Noon in the UAE, it’s important to follow a clear, structured process. Here’s a step-by-step guide that breaks down the key phases of development:

Conceptualization & Market Research

Understand the UAE market landscape, analyze user behavior, and study competitor apps like Amazon.ae, and Namshi to identify opportunities and challenges.

Legal Compliance & Regulatory Review

Assess and incorporate legal compliance for eCommerce app development in UAE, including consumer protection laws, payment regulations, data privacy standards, and licensing requirements to ensure your app operates smoothly within local legal frameworks.

Feature Definition & Planning

Decide which features are essential for your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and which can be added later. This prioritization helps focus resources on the most impactful functionalities first.

Choose Technology Stack

Select scalable backend technologies such as Node.js or Python, cloud platforms like AWS, Cloud or Azure, and decide between native or cross-platform frameworks like Flutter or React Native based on your project needs. The tech stack used for eCommerce app development like Noon plays a critical role in ensuring performance, scalability, and seamless user experience.

UI/UX Design

Create simple, responsive, and personalized designs that provide a smooth user experience across all devices, making the app intuitive and engaging.

Development Phase

Build the app modularly, starting with core eCommerce features. Later, integrate advanced components like AI-based recommendations and logistics automation.

Testing & QA

Thoroughly test the app on various devices to identify bugs and security issues. Usability tests ensure the app is user-friendly and performs well.

Deployment & Marketing

Launch your app on major app stores and the web. Use targeted digital marketing campaigns to attract and retain UAE consumers.

Continuous Feedback & Updates

Collect user feedback regularly and monitor market trends. Use this data to make improvements, fix issues, and introduce new features to keep the app competitive.

After looking into the step-by-step process to develop an eCommerce app like Noon, let us move ahead and look into the monetization strategies used by such apps.

How an App Like Noon Makes Money?

Now that you have understood the cost to develop an eCommerce app like Noon, it’s also vital to comprehend how Noon generates revenue. Below are the primary methods Noon uses, along with other common models suitable for any eCommerce platform.

Commission on Sales

Noon earns a percentage fee on every transaction made through its platform. This model aligns the app’s revenue with its sales performance, incentivizing growth and seller success.

Featured Listings and Sponsored Ads

Sellers can pay to have their products featured prominently or advertised within the app, increasing visibility and sales potential.

Subscription Plans for Sellers

Offering premium seller accounts with advanced tools and analytics generates steady recurring revenue while helping sellers grow their businesses.

In-App Advertising

Displaying targeted ads from third-party brands provides an additional revenue stream without affecting the core shopping experience.

Affiliate Marketing

Partnering with other brands and earning commissions on referrals or linked sales helps diversify income sources.

Delivery and Logistics Fees

Charging for express shipping, special delivery options, or handling logistics services contributes to revenue while enhancing customer convenience.

Why Choose Appinventiv as Your Development Partner for an E-commerce App Like Noon?

We hope this blog has helped you understand the cost to develop an eCommerce app like Noon. Choosing the right development partner is crucial to turn your vision into a successful digital platform.

At Appinventiv, we bring deep expertise in building scalable, high-performing eCommerce solutions tailored to your business needs. Our experienced team leverages the latest technologies and industry best practices to deliver apps that offer seamless user experiences, robust backend systems, and effective monetization. From understanding the challenges in developing an app like Noon to providing ongoing support and innovation, we are committed to helping you stay ahead in the competitive eCommerce landscape.

As a leading provider of eCommerce app development services in Dubai, we have successfully partnered with leading eCommerce brands such as Adidas, Edamama, and 6thStreet, helping them scale their digital presence and boost customer engagement:

Adidas E-commerce App: We designed and developed the Adidas shopping app from start to finish, creating a seamless and high-performance experience tailored for its users. Our work focused on improving speed, user engagement, and overall app quality across both the frontend and backend. The app was able to secure over 2 million downloads while acquiring more than 500,000 new users.

Edamama: For this premium baby care brand, we developed a tailored e-commerce platform with personalized shopping features and subscription capabilities, enhancing customer loyalty and repeat purchases. The app secured a funding of $5 million while serving over 100,000 expecting and new mothers.

6th Street: We revamped the app to integrate advanced filtering and AI-based recommendations, resulting in a noticeable uplift in average order value and enhanced customer satisfaction. The eCommerce app achieved over 3 million iPhone downloads and 1 million Android app downloads.

Partnering with Appinventiv means working with a team committed to delivering scalable, secure, and innovative eCommerce solutions that help you compete effectively in today’s fast-evolving digital marketplace.

FAQs

Q. How much does it cost to develop an app like Noon?

A. The cost to develop an eCommerce app like Noon typically requires an investment ranging from $30,000 to $200,000. The cost varies based on factors such as app complexity, supported platforms (iOS, Android, web), and the range of features you want to include—from basic product browsing to advanced AI recommendations and logistics integration.

Q. How long does it take for eCommerce app development like Noon?

A. The development timeline depends on the app’s scope and complexity. A basic eCommerce app may take around 4 to 6 months, while a fully featured, scalable app with advanced logistics and AI capabilities can take up to 8 to 12 months. An experienced team with app developers in Dubai to build an app like Noon can help you provide precise estimates tailored to your business needs.

Q. What are the benefits of developing an app like Noon?

A. Developing an app like Noon offers multiple benefits:

1. Market Reach: Access a large and growing base of online shoppers in the UAE and beyond.
2. Revenue Streams: Monetize through commissions, ads, subscriptions, and more.
3. Customer Loyalty: Deliver personalized shopping experiences that encourage repeat business.
4. Operational Efficiency: Streamline inventory, orders, and delivery with integrated backend systems.
5. Data Insights: Collect valuable user data to optimize marketing and product offerings.