How Much Does UI/UX Design Cost in 2025: From Apps to Websites

Designing a product today is a global game. You can hire a designer from New York, a researcher from London, and a prototyper from Bangalore. But before you build your dream team, you need to know the real UI/UX design cost.

In 2025, that could mean anything from $25/hour for a freelancer to $200+/hour for a senior agency designer. Rates are more transparent but also more scattered now than ever. Hourly prices, per-screen costs, and agency retainers vary widely across regions and experience levels.

This guide helps you decode it all: hourly rates, per-page pricing, regional benchmarks, and project-level estimates. So you can plan your budget with confidence and choose the right design partner from day one. Let's get started!

Hourly UI/UX Design Rates in 2025

Hourly rates remain one of the most widely used pricing models for UI/UX design, and they are an excellent way to estimate the cost of your project before committing. 

By understanding what designers charge per hour, you can plan your budget more precisely, compare options fairly, and avoid sticker shock halfway through the process.

Global Hourly Rate Ranges

In 2025, UI/UX design pricing continues to reflect both skill level and location. Here’s a closer look at what to expect:

• Junior designers: $20 – $50/hour. Perfect for straightforward tasks such as creating simple wireframes or polishing existing screens.
• Mid-level designers: $50 – $100/hour. These designers bring a balance of creativity and experience, ideal for most small to mid-size projects.
• Senior/lead designers: $100 – $200/hour. They excel at strategy, designing systems, and solving complex UX problems, often leading teams or mentoring others.
• Specialists and niche experts: $150 – $300+/hour. This includes UX researchers, accessibility consultants, or motion designers for projects that require very specific expertise.

Agencies usually fall on the higher end of this spectrum, typically charging $100 – $250/hour. Their pricing reflects not just design work but also project management, quality assurance, and access to multi-disciplinary teams.

Freelancers vs. Agencies vs. In-House Designers

Freelancers: A budget-friendly choice for startups or smaller projects. Their rates range from $25 to $100/hour, depending on experience. The trade-off is that you often need to manage them more closely and may have to hire multiple freelancers to cover research, design, and testing.

Agencies: This is a premium option, and it is also the most comprehensive. Agencies are ideal for complex projects that need research, strategy, design, prototyping, and sometimes even development under one roof. They charge $100–$250/hour but save you time by coordinating everything and ensuring consistency across all deliverables.

In-house designers: Best suited for companies with ongoing design needs or products that are constantly evolving. Hiring in-house means paying a salary. In the US, that’s usually $90k–$130k annually, which breaks down to roughly $40–$65/hour once benefits, tools, and overhead are factored in.

Platform Examples

Upwork & Fiverr: These platforms offer access to designers at rates starting around $20/hour. However, it’s crucial to review portfolios, ratings, and past work to ensure quality.

Toptal: Known for its strict vetting process, Toptal connects you with top-tier designers. Rates typically start at $80/hour and can climb much higher depending on the designer’s background and niche expertise.

This pricing flexibility allows you to choose what works best for your budget and project complexity, whether that’s a single freelancer or a fully dedicated team.

UI/UX Design Price Per Page (Web & Mobile)

When planning your website or mobile app, understanding the cost per page or per screen can make budgeting much easier. Pricing this way allows you to see how adding screens or pages affects your overall project cost and helps prioritize which screens are most important.

Simple landing page: $300 – $1,000. Ideal for startups or product teasers that require a basic layout and minimal interactions.

Multi-section marketing page: $800 – $3,000. Includes more complex visuals, content sections, and some interactive elements to engage visitors.

Dashboard or web app screen: $250 – $1,500 per screen. Pricing varies depending on the number of interactive components, data visualization, and responsive considerations.

Mobile app screen design: $150 – $500 per screen. Simple app screens with minimal interactions cost less. But screens with multiple states, animations, and detailed workflows cost more.

Complex SaaS dashboards with multiple user roles, dynamic filters, and advanced functionality can significantly increase per-screen pricing. This pricing reflects the additional planning, UX research, and prototyping required for these high-stakes interfaces.

By considering per-screen pricing, you can estimate your total project budget more accurately and allocate resources to the most critical parts of your product.

Per Project UI/UX Design Cost 

Prices vary depending on complexity, number of screens, and the level of research or strategy involved. Breaking down costs per project helps businesses allocate budgets effectively and understand where investment in UX will bring the most value. Here’s a detailed look at common scenarios in 2025:

Website Design Cost

• Small Website (5–8 pages): $2,500–$8,000. Suitable for startups or small businesses needing a basic, polished online presence.
• Medium Website (10–20 pages): $8,000–$25,000. Includes multiple sections, interactive elements, and improved user experience.
• Large Website / Enterprise Portal: $25,000–$150,000+. Ideal for corporations or large-scale platforms with complex navigation and multi-role access.

Website Redesign Cost

• Basic Visual Refresh: $1,500–$10,000. Focuses on improving visuals and minor usability updates.
• Full Enterprise Redesign: $30,000–$200,000+. Involves deep UX research, content strategy, workflow improvements, and overall redesign for better conversion and engagement.

Mobile App UI/UX Cost

• MVP App (10–20 screens): $6,000–$25,000. Perfect for testing core functionality and user flows.
• Full App (40–100 screens): $25,000–$150,000+. Covers extensive features, multiple states, and advanced interactions.

SaaS Product Design Cost

• Early Stage SaaS: $12,000–$40,000. Focused on essential features and user-friendly onboarding.
• Growth Stage SaaS: $40,000–$200,000+. Includes complex dashboards, multi-role user flows, and integration of research insights.

E-Commerce Platform UI/UX

• Small Store: $5,000–$20,000. Suitable for a catalog of products with standard checkout flows.
• Marketplace: $20,000–$150,000+. Involves advanced search, multiple sellers, user dashboards, and complex interactions.

Startup MVP Design Cost

Typically $3,000–$15,000 for lean scopes. Focused on testing the market with a minimal, usable product.

Enterprise-Level Design Cost

Large, multi-product ecosystems with research, workshops, and design operations set up can exceed $500,000. These projects involve multiple teams, accessibility compliance, and long-term maintenance planning.

Average UI UX Design Cost by Region

Location plays a major role in determining typical UX design rates. Local economies, demand, and talent availability all influence pricing. Here’s a look at representative hourly rate ranges across major regions and key cities in 2025:

Hiring designers from lower-cost regions can significantly reduce overall expenses. However, it’s important to account for potential challenges such as time zone differences, communication barriers, and variations in experience. 

With careful planning, collaborating globally can deliver high-quality results while staying within budget.

Design Monks UI/UX Design Pricing Packages (What to Expect)

At Design Monks, we understand that every project has unique needs, so our pricing is built to be flexible and predictable. Here’s a look at our most popular packages, designed to fit businesses of all sizes:

Launch Package

Perfect for small to mid-sized projects needing quick, high-quality results.

• Pricing: 1–4 pages ($1,850), 5–9 pages ($3,800), 10–15 pages ($5,800), 16–25 pages ($9,300)
• What’s Included: Web/app UI/UX design, Figma prototypes, branding essentials, and a fast turnaround.
• Best For: Startups and businesses looking for a streamlined, affordable solution without sacrificing quality.

Growth Package

Ideal for businesses ready to scale their digital presence.

• Pricing: 1–4 pages ($2,800), 5–9 pages ($5,300), 10–15 pages ($8,100), 16–25 pages ($12,500)
• What’s Included: All features from Launch Package plus basic CMS integration, SEO support, and a couple of months of maintenance.
• Best For: Companies that need additional functionality and ongoing support to expand their websites or apps.

Signature Package

Designed for larger projects and established brands that need a full-service approach.

• Pricing: 1–4 pages ($3,950), 5–9 pages ($8,300), 10–15 pages ($12,900), 16–25 pages ($20,300)
• What’s Included: Advanced UI/UX design, CMS setup, SEO optimizations, and three months of maintenance.
• Best For: Complex or high-scale projects where premium design, scalability, and post-launch support are crucial.

Factors That Affect UI/UX Design Cost

Several factors influence the final cost of a UI/UX project. Here’s a detailed breakdown with examples:

• Project Scope: A simple landing page ($300–$1,000) costs far less than a complex SaaS platform ($25,000–$50,000+).
• Design Complexity: Custom illustrations, animations, or responsive designs increase both time and cost.
• Research & Strategy: Conducting user testing, creating personas, and designing wireframes adds depth but also adds cost.
• Design Team Location: US and Western Europe rates are higher, while Eastern Europe, India, and Southeast Asia are more affordable.
• Experience of Designers: Freelancers can be cheaper, agencies are premium, and in-house teams are a long-term investment.
• Tools & Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, and other paid resources may affect project costs.
• Project Timeline: Rush jobs or tight deadlines usually incur higher costs compared to long-term projects.
• Industry Niche: Specialized industries like e-commerce, healthcare, or fintech may require additional compliance, research, or functionality, increasing costs.

By understanding these factors, you can better anticipate your total investment and make informed decisions for your project.

UI UX Design Cost Breakdown 

Understanding how your budget is distributed across different design phases helps you plan effectively and prioritize investment where it matters most. A typical UI/UX design project can be broken down as follows:

• Discovery & Research (20–25% of total cost): This includes creating user personas, conducting competitor analysis, and performing initial user research. It sets the foundation for informed design decisions.
• Wireframes & Prototypes (15–20%): Low-fidelity wireframes and clickable prototypes help visualize user flows and interactions before moving to final visuals.
• Visual Design (UI) (30–35%): The actual look and feel, such as colors, typography, icons, and high-fidelity screens. This ensures your product is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• UX Testing & Iteration (15–20%): Usability testing, user feedback, and iteration cycles refine the product to meet real user needs.
• Final Delivery & Handoff (5–10%): Developer-ready files, design systems, and guidelines ensure smooth implementation and maintain consistency across screens.

Hidden Costs in UI UX Design 

Even with clear estimates, some additional costs may arise during a project:

• Ongoing Testing & Iteration: Continuous improvement after initial launch to fix issues or optimize flows.
• Maintenance & Updates: Design adjustments needed for new features or platform changes.
• Extra Revisions: Changes requested outside the agreed scope can add to costs.
• Paid Tools, Plugins, & Stock Assets: Licenses for design tools, premium fonts, icons, or stock images may be required.

Accounting for these hidden costs (around 10–15% extra) ensures your budget is realistic and avoids surprises.

How to Reduce UI UX Design Cost Without Sacrificing Quality

Lowering design costs doesn’t mean cutting corners, it’s about being strategic. Here’s how you can maximize value without compromising on user experience:

• Start with an MVP: Build a Minimum Viable Product first. Focus only on core features so you can validate your idea quickly and avoid spending on unnecessary screens.
• Prioritize Features: Identify the most impactful pages or screens and design those first. Use data or user feedback to decide what deserves attention in phase one.
• Use Design Systems & Templates: Leveraging pre-built design systems or component libraries speeds up the process and reduces design hours, while keeping the UI consistent.
• Outsource Research: If research is too time-consuming, consider outsourcing tasks like competitor analysis or surveys to a specialized agency or freelancer at a lower cost.

By planning smartly, you can stay within budget while still delivering a professional, user-friendly product.

FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a freelancer for UI/UX design on Upwork?

To hire a freelancer for UI/UX design on Upwork will cost you $25–$100/hour, depending on experience. Junior designers may charge less, but top-rated experts can cost $80+/hour.

What is the cost to design app screens?

The cost of a design app screen is $150–$300 each. Complex dashboard-style screens can range from $500–$1,500, depending on interactivity and states.

What is the UI/UX design price in Ashburn?

The UI/UX design price in Ashburn is usually $60–$160/hour, similar to general US averages.

What is the UI/UX design price in New York?

UI/UX design price in New York is at $120–$300/hour for agency work. The rate is higher due to the overhead and premium market demand.

Is it cheaper to hire a UI/UX designer from India than from the USA?

Yes, it is cheaper to hire a UI/UX designer from India than from the USA. Indian designers often charge $10–$60/hour. This makes them far more budget-friendly than US designers who charge $80–$250/hour.

Final Thoughts: Budgeting for UI/UX Design in 2025

Understanding UI/UX design cost in 2025 is key to making smart product decisions. Whether you choose a freelancer, agency, or global team, knowing typical rates and deliverables helps you avoid surprises and stay on budget. 

The right investment in design can turn a good idea into a delightful, user-friendly product. Use this guide as your roadmap, compare options carefully, and build a design process that scales with your business growth.