How much does it cost to build an app like TripAdvisor? The answer depends on your product goals (MVP, standard version, or an advanced platform),
the target platforms (iOS and/or Android), third-party integrations (maps, geolocation, payments, booking), and the quality level you expect (UX/UI, performance, security, and testing). In this guide, you’ll get a clear view of the real budget, must-have features, delivery timelines, and recurring costs to launch a travel app similar to TripAdvisor.

Realistic Cost Estimate (2025)

• MVP: €18,000 to €45,000
• Standard version: €45,000 to €95,000
• Advanced version: €95,000 to €171,000+

Want expert help planning your roadmap and scope? Explore our
Mobile App Development services, and browse real delivery examples on our References page.

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How Much Does It Cost to Build an App Like TripAdvisor: Price Range (2025)

In practice, how much does it cost to build an app like TripAdvisor depends on overall complexity (MVP vs full platform), the admin back office, the search engine (filters/sorting), geolocation, and external integrations (Maps, payments, partner APIs).

Price by Complexity Level

Level	Best for	Inclusions	Budget	Timeline
MVP	Validate the market	Listings + reviews + basic search + simple admin	€18k–€45k	6–10 weeks
Standard	Launch seriously	Advanced filters + maps + moderation + analytics	€45k–€95k	10–16 weeks
Advanced	Scale + booking	Booking + multi-language + APIs + high performance	€95k–€171k+	4–7 months

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Key Factors That Impact the Cost of a TripAdvisor-Like App

1) Platforms (iOS/Android) and Budget

How much does it cost to build an app like TripAdvisor increases if you develop for iOS and Android from day one—because you’ll produce two apps,
duplicate part of QA testing, and plan for more maintenance. A common strategy is to launch an MVP on one platform first, then expand.

2) Admin Dashboard (Back Office): Essential

The back office is what makes your platform manageable at scale: it handles listings, media, categories, review moderation, partner accounts, and featured placements. This is a major cost driver. For the web/admin side, see our
Web Development Agency page.

3) Search, Filters, and Performance

On a TripAdvisor-like product, search is the most used feature. The more you require fast search, rich filters, relevant sorting, and geo-based results,
the more technical complexity rises—so the budget rises too.

4) Third-Party Integrations (Maps, Payments, Services)

Integrations often change the total cost: maps & geolocation, payments (if you add booking), email/SMS tools, analytics, and partner APIs.

• Google Maps Platform: official pricing and cost optimization
• Firebase: official pricing
• Stripe: official pricing

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Core MVP Features for a Travel App

Accounts & Profiles

• Sign up / login (email, phone, Google/Facebook)
• Profile, favorites, history
• Security + compliance basics

Listings (Hotels, Restaurants, Activities)

• Complete listing pages (description, photos, location)
• Categories, tags, destinations
• Managed via back office

Reviews & Ratings

• 1–5 star ratings + comments + photos
• Reporting, moderation, anti-spam controls
• Sort reviews (recent, helpful, highest rated)

Search + Filters + Sorting

• Search by destination and keyword
• Filters (price, distance, rating, amenities)
• Sorting (relevance, popularity, best ratings)

Maps & Geolocation

• Interactive map + pins
• “Near me” mode
• Routes / distance

Notifications

• Push notifications for re-engagement (favorites, promos, updates)
• Basic segmentation
• Consent management

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Advanced Features (Full Platform)

Booking: The Most Expensive Module

Booking often becomes the biggest scope jump: availability, cancellations, payments, transactional emails, and partner integrations. It’s what transforms a “review app” into a transactional platform—so it significantly impacts both timeline and budget.

Comparison & Recommendations

• Multi-listing comparison
• Personalized recommendations
• “Best match” scoring

Forum / Community

• Q&A by destination
• Profiles, badges, reporting
• UGC content = long-term SEO lever

Multi-Language & Multi-Country

• Translations + localized content
• Currencies, formats, countries
• Progressive rollout strategy

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Recurring Costs After Launch

Even after publishing, you need to budget for operations: infrastructure, APIs, maintenance, moderation, and support. These recurring items determine your total yearly cost beyond initial development.

• Infrastructure: servers, database, media storage, CDN
• Maps API: usage-based costs
• Backend services: database, auth, notifications
• Payments: transaction fees (if booking is enabled)
• Maintenance: fixes, iOS/Android updates, security patches
• Moderation: reviews, photos, forum (if enabled)

Best practice: plan ~15% to 25% of your initial development budget per year for maintenance and ongoing improvements (depending on traffic and roadmap).

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How to Reduce the Budget (Without Losing the Essentials)

• Launch an MVP in one region (city/country) and one niche (restaurants or hotels)
• Prioritize: listings + reviews + search + maps + admin
• Postpone: advanced booking, forum, AI features, multi-language
• Optimize Maps costs using Google’s guidance: manage costs

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FAQ — How Much Does It Cost to Build an App Like TripAdvisor?

What is the minimum budget to start?

An MVP often starts between €18,000 and €45,000. Then, how much does it cost to build an app like TripAdvisor increases if you add
booking, multi-language, partner integrations, and high-traffic performance.

How long does development take?

6 to 10 weeks for an MVP, and 4 to 7 months for an advanced version. The wider the scope, the higher the budget and the longer the timeline.

Do you need an admin back office?

Yes. It’s required to manage listings, media, reviews, moderation, and partners—making it a major budget factor.

What costs the most?

Booking, partner APIs, scalability (high traffic), and advanced moderation are usually the most expensive parts.

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Conclusion

In short, how much does it cost to build an app like TripAdvisor depends on your ambition: an MVP, a standard version, or an advanced platform.
For an accurate estimate based on your features, timeline, and recurring costs, you can Request a quote or call an expert at +212 66 00 11 456.