How to Develop a Shopping App Like Wish in 2025: Cost, Features, and Monetization
In 2025, eCommerce continues to be one of the most lucrative digital industries in the United States. With consumers increasingly relying on mobile shopping apps for convenience, personalization, and competitive pricing, now is the ideal time to invest in developing a custom mobile shopping app like Wish. Whether you’re targeting budget-conscious shoppers, niche product categories, or D2C brands, building an eCommerce app tailored for Android and iOS can give your business a powerful competitive edge.
Why Create a Shopping App Like Wish?
Wish has set a new standard for mobile-first shopping experiences by offering low-cost products directly from sellers, gamified UX features, and highly targeted AI-driven recommendations. A Wish-like shopping app appeals to deal hunters and mobile-first consumers, which aligns perfectly with current trends in U.S. eCommerce. In 2025, over 85% of online purchases are expected to occur via mobile apps, making mobile commerce a non-negotiable for any retailer.
Apps like Wish focus on affordability, international shipping, and product variety, creating an ecosystem where users are encouraged to return daily through push notifications, flash deals, and loyalty programs.
Key Features for Building a Wish-Like Shopping App
1. User-Friendly Mobile Interface
Design an intuitive and visually engaging user interface for Android and iOS users. Use a minimalist layout with smooth navigation and search filters.
2. Personalized Product Recommendations
Use AI and machine learning to deliver personalized shopping feeds based on user behavior, previous purchases, and wishlist data.
3. Flash Sales & Daily Deals
Incorporate time-limited offers, countdown timers, and gamified discounts to encourage impulse buying.
4. Multi-Vendor Marketplace Capabilities
Allow third-party vendors to list their products, manage orders, and set pricing within the platform, similar to Amazon or eBay models.
5. Secure Payment Gateways
Integrate secure and fast payment options such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Stripe, PayPal, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Afterpay or Klarna.
6. Push Notifications
Keep users engaged with real-time alerts on promotions, abandoned cart reminders, and order tracking.
7. In-App Chat Support
Offer 24/7 customer service through AI-powered chatbots or live support, enhancing user trust and retention.
8. Ratings, Reviews, and Social Proof
Let users view verified reviews and ratings before making a purchase. Include product photos, videos, and influencer endorsements.
9. Augmented Reality (AR) Integration
Enable users to virtually try on products such as clothes, accessories, or makeup via AR to reduce return rates.
10. Gamification and Loyalty Rewards
Introduce spin-to-win deals, referral bonuses, point-based rewards, and gift coupons to improve engagement and retention.
Technology Stack for Shopping App Development in 2025
To build a scalable and high-performance shopping app like Wish, consider the following technology stack:
Frontend (Mobile): Flutter or React Native (for Android & iOS)
Backend: Node.js or Django (Python)
Database: MongoDB, PostgreSQL
Cloud Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure
AI/ML: TensorFlow, OpenAI APIs for personalized recommendations
Payment Gateway: Stripe, Razorpay, Braintree
AR Support: Google ARCore, Apple ARKit
Monetization Models for Shopping Apps
Here are effective ways to generate revenue through your eCommerce platform:
Commission Fees: Charge vendors a percentage for each sale made through the app.
Featured Listings: Let sellers pay for premium placement and visibility.
Subscription Plans: Offer exclusive deals, free shipping, or early access to premium members.
In-App Ads: Use Google AdMob or native ads for additional income.
Affiliate Marketing: Promote third-party products and earn commission from external links.
Development Cost in 2025
The cost to develop a full-featured shopping app like Wish in 2025 can range from $60,000 to $250,000+, depending on:
Feature complexity
Cross-platform development (iOS + Android)
Third-party integrations (payment, AR, shipping APIs)
Admin dashboards and multi-vendor support
UX/UI design quality
An MVP version with essential features can be developed for $40,000 to $70,000, while a full-scale product with AI and AR may exceed $200,000.
eCommerce App Development Trends in 2025
Voice Commerce: Integration with smart assistants like Alexa and Siri for voice-based purchases.
AI-Driven Dynamic Pricing: Real-time price adjustments based on demand, location, and competitor data.
Headless Commerce Architecture: Greater flexibility for developers and personalized front-end experiences.
Omnichannel Support: Seamless transition between web, mobile, and physical stores.
Sustainability Features: Eco-friendly product filters and carbon footprint tracking.
Conclusion
Building a shopping app like Wish in 2025 is not just about offering cheap products—it’s about providing value, personalization, and convenience through cutting-edge mobile app technology. With the right feature set, intuitive UX, and secure infrastructure, your eCommerce platform can stand out in the highly competitive U.S. market. From Android to iOS, make sure your app is optimized for speed, personalization, and engagement—because today’s shoppers expect a lot more than just a product catalog.
Online shopping with an app like wish is one of the fastest and largest steadily growing industries in the world on the web and smartphones. Therefore, over the past few years, e-commerce has transformed the way to buy and sell online.
The basic thing is e-commerce makes online shopping even more convenient. This helps to fine-tune the search for products and items.
Also, check out the below report of Total Retail E-commerce Sales Worldwide by Statista.
Firstly, this statistic provides information on the share of mobile retail commerce sales. It is the percentage of total retail e-commerce sales worldwide from 2016 to 2021. Secondly, in 2021, 72.9 percent of all retail e-commerce is expected to be generated via m-commerce, up from 58.9 percent in 2017.
Hence, emerging e-commerce markets in mobile-first economies are a large driver of this trend.
In the marketplace, there is no responsibility for shipping various products whereas in the mobile platform it does for the needy. Above all, the essential need for online shopping is a good shopping platform with a big deal on products and categories.
The entire online shopping platform needs a vulnerable application for category search, product search, payments, security, and shipments. In addition, it needs liability over contents and control over items listed.
Firstly, this article explains the making of a shopping app similar to wish.com, after that, it also shows how much it costs to make an app like Wish.
Certainly, for designing an e-commerce website and mobile app, it is essential to look into some factors. One has to see products, quality, competitive prices, customer service, shipping, a wide selection of items, add-on-the-cart, digital marketing, best offers, price-saving options, and secured payment.
Meanwhile, the shopping site takes an earnest attempt to make earnings in gaming platforms, recharge bills, App store, Dwindle book store, Netflix, Prime Videos, etc.
The important aspect to be considered while designing a shopping site is, that the site must be buffered fast and payment must be paid securely.
Above all, for every online business customer service and customer care has full responsibility for the satisfaction of the customer. One positive experience of the user makes the users sustain on the same website for future purchases.
All the products and business has both positive and negative experience but the timely response to the customer satisfies the customer’s needs. Because the tremendous effort and timely response add trust to the business.
The wish app is extremely popular for its exclusive low prices on various items including clothes, smartphones, Gadgets, wearables, etc. However, it is the second-largest installed app on the shopping platform.
Wish App is available for IOS and Android app installation. Additionally, the app has six additional apps to serve from hi-tech electronics to home accessories.
The app provides the best-discounted prices for their products that help the user to simplify the journey from the best shopping experiences.
Building an app similar to the wish marketplace app can be developed through proper planning of architecture coupled with research on the marketplace. Hence, to develop an app like wish it is essential to consider the following things to make a mass impact.
- Build a user-friendly app
- A clear description of products, description, payments, and items availability
- Details of product items must be validated while ordering the product.
- Secured payment must be enabled for the online purchase.
- Shipping items may vary according to location, proper encoding, and decoding on shopping is essential.
- Shopping history, payment history, and saving history must be listed based on a daily, weekly, monthly basis.
- Create trust on the site and app
- Increase the number of installation worldwide
Once the app is opened it is essential to create an account. For this account registration, an authorization feature is implemented by direct interaction with client-server API.
For logging in to the account, make options like login through an existing social media account, Gmail account, or e-mail account for the convenience of the user.
While developing this account features use open authorization protocols for good efficiency. Make sure that the user can buy the product once the registration process is completed.
Though, Write coding for the unregistered users to allow surfing on the products and prices.
Create a list of products, items, and categories based on size, price, and quality.
Also, provide two options for shopping:
- Adding a product to the wish list
- Buying the product directly
All selected items are stored in the shopping cart. The wish list product helps the user to buy the product later and the buy option will redirect the user to the payment page securely to complete the purchase.
Once the products are added to the shopping cart, the user will be redirected to the payment gateway page securely.
The payment gateway page must be designed efficiently. And the developer must provide a secure payment option to both customers and merchants.
Moreover, the app developer must concentrate more on crucial options. He should include 2 or more items, order cancellation, cashback options, return refund, etc.
At the same time, the developer must provide the payment options like PayPal, credit card, direct payment, bank wire transfer, and cash on delivery, payment apps, app balance payment, and debit card payment.
Once the payment is done, the user must receive the payment confirmation. Also, the product confirmation should be sent to his registered e-mail and registered mobile phone.
Push notification is an essential feature for shopping app development. Most importantly, it creates another communication channel between the merchant and the customer.
As a result, all the available discounts, offers, festival bonanza, and trigger notes go through these push notification options.
Moreover, it hits right to the user’s screen and helps the user not to miss any chance on offers and discounts.
The developer must provide shipping details in the app from the merchant to the customer. After that, also confirm the delivery to the customer.
Firstly, the developer must provide In-app options for inquiries related to a product, price, payment. In addition, also a delivery over call, email, chat, and messaging options.
As a result, it helps to increase the trust of the website and its services.
Certainly, it is difficult to estimate the shopping app like wish development cost without knowing
- Mobile platforms
- Required features
- Hourly rate of your mobile developer(as per location)
Why? Because the hourly developer rate varies depending on the country.
Go through the above link to know.
| Feature | Required Functions | Design/hr | BackEnd/hr | Android/iOS/hr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Customer application part |
|||||
|
Signup login, pass recovery |
– Login, Social login – Forget password |
4 |
16 |
12 |
|
|
User Profile |
– Edit user profile, photo– Manage shipping addresses |
12 |
24 |
16 |
|
|
Orders |
– List of orders with status |
16 |
24 |
16 |
|
|
Category |
– Category structure tree |
7 |
8 |
8
|
|
|
Items’ List |
– List items to buy – Items’ filters – Sort items |
12 |
24 |
32 |
|
|
Item page |
– Item description – Size, color variety |
9 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
Review |
– List of customers review for an item – Add own item review |
4 |
8 |
12 |
|
|
Search |
– Search items – Result of searched items – Search items, brands, stores |
4 |
24 |
8
|
8
|
|
Report inappropriate item |
– Send report form |
4 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
User wishlist |
– Manage wishlist |
8 |
16 |
8
|
|
|
Message |
– List of messages – Messaging system |
8 |
40 |
16 |
Customer application part |
|
Shopping cart |
– Shopping cart functionality |
7 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
Payment |
– 3rd party payment system integration – List of payment methods |
2 |
40 |
8 |
|
|
Text pages |
– Terms & conditions |
9 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
Email integration |
– mail server integration – Email notification about users action |
8 |
40 |
12 |
|
|
Total |
|
114 Hours |
328 Hours |
200 Hours |
|
Seller application part |
|||||
|
Signup login, pass recovery |
– Login, Social login – Restore password |
4 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
Registration form |
– Fill in the registration form – Upload documents |
2 |
8 |
16 |
|
|
Seller Profile/Settings |
– Edit seller profile, photo |
8 |
12 |
16 |
|
|
Orders |
– List of orders – Update statuses |
16 |
24 |
24 |
|
|
Category |
– Request for adding a category |
2 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
List of items |
– Manage own items to sell |
16 |
32 |
40 |
|
|
Message |
– List of messages – Messaging system |
2 |
16 |
16 |
|
|
Transaction |
– List of transactions |
8 |
24 |
16 |
|
|
Total |
|
58 Hours |
132 Hours |
144 Hours |
Build an E-commerce App Like Wish Cost is about $29,920. If the developer takes an average of $30 per hour, and the estimated time of the Development E-commerce app like wish is 976 hours.
In conclusion, while the e-commerce industry continues to grow, m-commerce will remain the prospective sphere for investments.
Certainly to receive profit from these trends you can create your e-commerce marketplace app like Wish and apply the Wish business model.
In addition, for your mobile shopping app, consider the features we have described in this article as well as the monetization strategies.
FAQs
How To Make A Shopping App Like Wish?
- Build a user-friendly app
- A clear description of products, description, payments, and items availability
- Details of product items must be validated while ordering the product.
- Secured payment must be enabled for the online purchase.
- Shipping items may vary according to location, proper encoding, and decoding on shopping is essential.
- Shopping history, payment history, and saving history must be listed based on a daily, weekly, monthly basis.
- Create trust on the site and app
- Increase the number of installation worldwide
How Does The Wish Marketplace App Work?
Unlike other online marketplaces, you don’t pay a monthly fee for selling on Wish. Instead, Wish retains a revenue share percentage of the total order value whenever you make sales.
Which Features Considered While Creating an Android App like Wish?
- Shopping app features – create an account
- Shopping/Surfing
- Payment gateway
- Acknowledgment through SMS and E-mail
- Push Notifications
- Shipping Details
- Customer Care
How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App Like Wish?
Build an E-commerce App Like Wish Cost is about $29,920. If the developer takes an average of $30 per hour, and the estimated time of the Development E-commerce app like wish is 976 hours.
How to Build a Livestream Shopping App?
To build a livestream shopping app, you’ll need to consider the features you want to include, such as video streaming capabilities, in-app purchases, and user engagement tools. It’s essential to ensure a smooth user experience and a secure payment gateway. Choose a reliable development team that can help you bring your ideas to life. To increase the app’s appeal, consider integrating personalized product recommendations and social media sharing features. By prioritizing user needs and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in online video shopping apps, you can create a successful platform for businesses to connect with customers in a new and exciting way.
How much does it cost to develop a shopping app like Wish?
The cost ranges from $60,000 to $250,000+ based on features, platforms, and tech integrations.
What are the core features needed in a Wish-like app?
Personalized product feeds, flash sales, multi-vendor support, secure payments, and loyalty rewards are must-have features.
Can I launch an app for both Android and iOS users?
Yes, using cross-platform tools like Flutter or React Native allows you to serve both platforms with a single codebase.
What monetization strategies can I use for my shopping app?
Commission-based revenue, featured listings, subscriptions, in-app ads, and affiliate marketing are effective models.
How can I ensure high user engagement in my eCommerce app?
Gamification, push notifications, AI-driven product suggestions, and AR features are proven ways to boost engagement.
Are shopping apps secure for payments in 2025?
Yes, modern apps use PCI DSS-compliant gateways like Stripe and PayPal, plus biometric login and tokenized payment systems.
How do I compete with established apps like Amazon or Wish?
Niche targeting, personalized experiences, faster delivery, and value-driven content can help differentiate your brand.
Can I integrate AR into my shopping app?
Absolutely. AR features can increase user engagement and reduce return rates, especially in fashion and furniture sectors.
What is headless commerce, and should I use it?
Headless commerce separates front-end and back-end systems, allowing for flexible design and better mobile performance.
How do I drive traffic to my app after launch?
Use App Store Optimization (ASO), SEO, influencer marketing, and social media campaigns to reach your audience.
