Cost to Build an App Like Temu: A Complete Breakdown

The e-commerce industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, transforming shopping habits of consumers around the globe. In 2024, global retail e-commerce sales were estimated to cross $4.1 trillion, with projections indicating continued expansion in the coming years.

A notable player in this space is Temu, a platform known for offering a wide range of affordable products, contributing to its rapid popularity among budget-conscious consumers. 

Aspiring businesses and entreprene­urs who are looking forward to entering into this booming industry often question “ How Much Does it Cost to Build an App Like Temu?”

Developing an app like Temu involves various factors, with costs typically ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 depending on features and complexity.

In this blog, we will explore Temu’s business model, cost breakdown, factors influencing development expenses, ways to optimize costs, and monetization strategies to help you understand what it takes to build a similar app.

What is Temu and Why Is it a Top Shopping App?

Temu is a quickly expanding online shopping site that sells a wide variety of low-cost goods, such as clothes, gadgets, jewellery, beauty products, and more. 

Temu started in late 2022 and is owned by PDD Holdings, which is the parent company of Pinduoduo, a major e-commerce site in China.

► What Makes Temu Different?

• • Competitive Pricing: Temu gives rock-bottom prices by eliminating middlemen and getting straight from makers.
  • Massive Product Variety: Users can find everything from fashion and tech to cooking essentials and pet products.
  • Flash Deals & Discounts: The app frequently runs special offers, including time-limited deals and first-time user discounts.
  • Free & Low-Cost Shipping: Temu gives free shipping on most goods and offers easy return policies.

Temu’s unique pricing strategy, broad product range, and engaging user experience have helped it become one of the most popular shopping apps worldwide in just over a year.

► Market Statics Of Temu 

• • According to Statista, by July 2023, the app had over 130 million users, a large increase from 15 million at the end of 2022. 
  • In 2024, Temu's gross sales volume hit $15.1 billion, with the majority coming in the second half of the year. 
  • It has nearly 344 million downloads by the end of 2023.
  • The app had over 80 million daily users in the United States as of September 2023.

What is the Cost to Build a Shopping App Like Temu? 

Developing a shopping app like Temu requires a significant investment, as it includes advanced features, smooth UI/UX, and a scalable infrastructure. 

On average, the cost to build an app like Temu runs between $20,000 to $100,000 based on complexity, features, and development location.

The cost to build a shopping app like Temu is affected by various factors, including app design, payment integration, real-time order tracking, AI-powered recommendations, and security features. 

If you want to create an app like Temu with basic features, the cost may be on the lower end. 

However, for a fully-fledged marketplace with AI-driven personalization, shipping management, and multiple seller links, the cost will be higher.

Additionally, choosing for a cost can lower expenses as it leverages pre-built solutions. 

Businesses looking to create an eCommerce app like Temu should also consider ongoing upkeep, marketing, and computer costs.

If you want to build a shopping app like Temu while reducing costs, working with an experienced mobile app development company can help you choose the right tech stack and features to stay within budget.

Key Factors That Impact the Cost to Develop an App Like Temu

Building an eCommerce app like Temu takes careful planning, the right technology stack, and a well-thought-out user experience. 

Several factors influence the cost to develop an app like Temu, and knowing them can help businesses make smart decisions to optimize development expenses. 

Let’s learn the key factors that impact the overall Temu-like app development cost.

1. App Features and Functionalities

The cost to build an app like Temu relies heavily on the features included. A basic shopping app with product ads, search features, and a checkout system will cost significantly less than a feature-rich marketplace like Temu.

Advanced features like AI-powered product recommendations, engaging gamification elements, multiple payment methods, and real-time order tracking increase the overall online marketplace development cost. 

Businesses should prioritize features based on user wants and budget limits to keep costs achievable.

2. Platform Selection – Android, iOS, or Both

Deciding whether to make an eCommerce app like Temu for iOS, Android, or both directly affects development costs. 

Native apps (built separately for each platform) offer better speed but are more expensive, while cross-platform apps (using frameworks like Flutter or React Native) lower costs but may have limitations in functionality.

The cost to build a shopping app like Temu rises if companies choose to develop separate apps for each platform. To reduce costs, startups often start with one platform and grow later.

3. UI/UX Design Complexity

A seamless shopping experience is important for user involvement.

The cost rises when businesses spend on high-quality UI/UX design, including smooth navigation, intuitive layouts, and personalized interfaces.

Temu’s success is partly due to its entertaining design, gamification, and involved shopping experience. 

Implementing such advanced UI/UX design features takes skilled designers and extra development time, increasing the cost to create a shopping app like Temu.

4. Development Team and Location

The cost to build an app similar to Temu varies based on the development team’s location and skills. 

Hiring dedicated developers in North America or Europe is more expensive than hiring developers from Asia or Eastern Europe.

Additionally, the team structure impacts costs. A full-fledged team with project managers, developers, designers, and QA testers increases expenses, whereas hiring freelancers or using pre-built solutions lowers the Temu clone app development cost.

5. Technology Stack and Backend Infrastructure

Choosing the right technology stack directly influences the cost to build an eCommerce app like Temu. 

Advanced technologies like AI, blockchain for secure transactions, and cloud-based hosting enhance app performance but require higher investment.

Temu uses robust backend infrastructure to handle millions of transactions and users. 

If businesses want to develop an app like Temu with scalable cloud storage, real-time inventory updates, and high-speed performance, they must invest in a powerful backend, increasing mobile app development costs.

6. Payment Gateway Integration

A smooth and safe payment process is important for any shopping app. 

The cost to create an app like Temu rises when multiple payment gateways like credit/debit cards, digital wallets, PayPal, and cryptocurrency are integrated.

Additional security measures, such as scam detection systems and encryption protocols, further raise the cost, but they are important for getting customer trust.

7. Compliance and Security Standards

Since online marketplaces handle sensitive user data, companies must comply with data security rules like GDPR, PCI-DSS, and CCPA. 

Implementing these mobile app security measures adds to the cost to create an eCommerce app like Temu, but they are necessary to avoid data breaches and legal problems.

Features like multi-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, and safe login methods raise the cost, but they also improve user trust and retention.

8. Third-Party API Integrations

Shopping apps like Wayfair or Temu rely on various third-party APIs for features such as shipping tracking, product suggestions, analytics, and customer support tools. 

The more integrations a business requires, the higher the Wayfair like app development cost.

To optimize expenses, businesses should prioritize essential API integrations and add advanced features later as the app scales.

9. Post-Launch Maintenance

The development cost doesn’t end with the app launch. 

Businesses must consider ongoing maintenance, bug fixes, updates, and marketing while estimating the cost to develop a shopping app like Temu.

Continuous improvements, such as adding new features, optimizing performance, and ensuring security patches, are necessary for long-term success. 

These post-launch expenses add to the overall cost but help keep the app competitive.

Temu-Specific Factors That Influence Development Cost

While general eCommerce app development costs depend on factors like features, platforms, and security, building an app like Temu comes with additional challenges and requirements. 

Temu’s rapid success is due to its unique business model, gamification, and deep integration with supply chains. 

Let’s explore the Temu-specific factors that impact the cost to develop a shopping app like Temu.

► Cross-Border Supply Chain Management

One of Temu’s biggest strengths is its direct-from-manufacturer supply chain model, which allows it to sell products at incredibly low prices. 

Unlike traditional eCommerce platforms that rely on local suppliers, Temu sources products from international markets, primarily China.

To develop a mobile app like Temu, businesses need to integrate an efficient logistics and inventory management system that supports cross-border shipments. 

This requires advanced supply chain management software, partnerships with global shipping providers, and real-time inventory updates, increasing the Temu-like app development cost.

► Gamification and Social Shopping Experience

Temu attracts millions of users through interactive features like spin-to-win games, flash deals, and referral programs. These elements encourage engagement and repeat purchases.

Implementing gamification features requires advanced UI/UX design, real-time data processing, and reward tracking systems, making the cost to build a shopping app like Temu higher than a standard eCommerce app.

► AI-Powered Product Recommendations

AI ecommerce is transforming the industry with its dynamic usage and Temu is one of the biggest examples of it. Temu uses AI-driven algorithms to provide highly personalized shopping experiences. Its recommendation engine analyzes user preferences, browsing history, and purchase behavior to display relevant deals.

Integrating AI-powered product recommendations, predictive analytics, and dynamic pricing adds to the cost to develop an app similar to Temu, as it requires machine learning models and data processing infrastructure.

► Advanced Pricing and Discount Strategies

Temu’s competitive pricing strategy is a key reason for its rapid growth. The app frequently updates prices based on demand, competitor pricing, and stock levels.

To implement similar dynamic pricing models, businesses must invest in real-time data analytics, automated pricing engines, and AI-driven demand forecasting, which increases the cost to develop an eCommerce app like Temu.

► Multi-Warehouse and Global Fulfillment Support

Temu operates multiple warehouses worldwide to ensure fast delivery. To create a mobile app, businesses need a robust backend system that manages:

• • Order fulfillment from different locations
  • Real-time stock updates
  • Automated shipping calculations

This requires integration with warehouse management systems (WMS), third-party logistics (3PL) providers, and AI-based route optimization software, increasing the Temu clone app development cost.

► Large-Scale Cloud Hosting and Performance Optimization

Temu handles millions of users simultaneously, requiring a highly scalable cloud infrastructure. To create an eCommerce app like Temu, businesses need to invest in:

• • Cloud-based hosting (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)
  • CDN integration for faster content delivery
  • Load balancing to handle high traffic

Scaling up these cloud services increases the cost to develop an app like Temu, but they are necessary to ensure smooth performance and user experience.

How to Optimize Temu Like App Development Cost?

Building a cost-effective and robust shopping app requires strategic planning. 

If you want to build an eCommerce app like Temu or scale your business with a mobile platform, optimizing development costs while maintaining quality is key. Here’s how you can do it:

1] Choose the Right Development Approach

Instead of developing separate apps for iOS and Android, consider cross-platform development using React Native or Flutter. This reduces the cost to build an app like Temu while ensuring seamless functionality across multiple devices.

2] Prioritize MVP Development

A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) helps you launch quickly with essential features. You can gather user feedback and gradually enhance your app instead of spending heavily upfront.

This reduces the cost to make an app like Temu by avoiding unnecessary eCommerce features in the initial phase.

3] Use Pre-Built APIs & Cloud Services

Instead of building everything from scratch, integrating third-party APIs for payments, shipping, and analytics can cut development time and costs. 

Cloud hosting also optimizes scalability while reducing infrastructure expenses.

4] Outsource Development to Cost-Effective Regions

The cost to develop an app similar to Temu varies based on developer location. 

Hiring a development team from India, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia can significantly lower expenses without compromising quality.

5] Optimize UI/UX Design

A well-structured UI/UX reduces app abandonment rates. 

Simple, intuitive designs prevent unnecessary redesign costs and ensure user retention, reducing the cost to create a shopping app like Temu over time.

6] Regular Maintenance & Updates

Ongoing bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements prevent costly downtime.

A well-maintained app improves long-term efficiency, keeping your cost to build an eCommerce app like Temu in check.

How Can You Make Money from an App Like Temu? 

Developing an online marketplace is not just about selling products, it’s about creating a sustainable revenue model. 

Here are some key monetization strategies to ensure profitability:

A] Commission on Sales 

One of the most common ways to generate revenue is by charging sellers a percentage of each sale. Every time a product is sold through your platform, you earn a small commission. 

This model works well for both small businesses and large-scale sellers, ensuring steady income without upfront costs for vendors.

B] Seller Subscription Plans

Offer premium plans where sellers pay a monthly or yearly fee for added benefits. These can include higher visibility, priority customer support, or exclusive promotional tools. 

This model encourages serious sellers to invest in your Temu like platform for better business opportunities.

C] In-App Advertising 

Temu allows third-party brands or sellers to run ads within your app. You can charge businesses for banner ads, sponsored product placements, or targeted promotions. 

This not only boosts revenue but also enhances product discovery for users.

D] Affiliate Marketing 

Partner with brands and earn commissions for referring customers to their products. Every time a user purchases through an affiliate link in your app, you get a percentage of the sale. 

This is a great way to monetize an app like Temu without directly managing inventory.

E] Logistics & Delivery Fees 

Offer different shipping options, including express delivery, where users pay extra for faster shipping.

You can also introduce membership plans like free shipping for subscribers, creating an additional revenue stream while enhancing customer loyalty.

Implementing the right mix of these strategies will help maximize your earnings and keep your platform financially strong!

Want to build a shopping app like Temu and ensure high profitability? The next section will reveal how you can get the best Temu Like app. 

Build Your Temu-Like Shopping App with JPLoft

Looking to develop an app like Temu? JPLoft is here to turn your idea into reality! 

As a top eCommerce app development company, we specialize in making high-performance, feature-rich shopping apps that drive sales and improve user experience. 

Our team of expert developers guarantees seamless UI/UX, safe payment integrations, and scalable solutions suited to your business needs. 

If you are just starting or have an established store, we provide cost-effective development with cutting-edge technology. Let’s create a new and competitive shopping app together. 

Contact JPLoft today and take your eCommerce business to the next level!

Conclusion 

Developing an app like Temu needs deep analysis, the right method and a clear idea of the cost to create an app like Temu. 

From choosing the platform and creating an intuitive UI/UX to integrating advanced features and ensuring security, every step impacts the end cost and success of your eCommerce app. Optimizing development methods can help reduce costs without compromising quality.

If you're going to build a shopping app like Temu, choosing an experienced development team is important. 

With the right skills, you can create a smooth, feature-rich, and scalable eCommerce platform that stands out in the competitive market. 

Ready to bring your idea to life? Start your journey today!