Cost To Develop an App Like Leafly: Costs, Factors, & Strategies

Want to develop a weed delivery app like Leafly?

People who are addicted to cannabis or weed, and need it for a reason can find an app like Leafly very useful.

Do you know, the revenue in the Cannabis market worldwide is forecasted to reach US $64.73 billion in 2024?

Revenue within the Cannabis market in the United States can reach US $42.98 billion by 2024.

It means that if you wish to target this type of audience, it is a golden opportunity for you to hit the jackpot.

Well, you might be bothered about the Leafly-like app development cost as it is a basic factor that comes to mind while building it, right?

If you eager to know how much does it cost to develop an app like Leafly?

A fixed figure cannot be determined. However, the range can vary from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on multiple factors including complexity, size, app design, and others.

Here we will discuss it all, costs, factors impacting it, reasons to develop it, features, and time taken to make it.

Shall we begin the journey?

Weed Delivering App: Leafly

Before we proceed to other elements like cost and factors, it is important to know about the app. Here is a brief for those who are unaware of it.

Leafly is one of the apps for weed delivery. Here people can find cannabis products, and weed strains which can be ordered from legal and licensed retailers.

The website has more than 125 million visitors each year who remain eager to learn about cannabis and can even order them from a trusted partner.

It generates revenue through selling cannabis. It’s mostly income comes from cannabis retailers who are listed on the platform to get targeted consumers.

Top Features of Apps Like Leafly

One of the prominent factors on which the total cost to develop an app like Leafly depends is features.

The type, complexity, and number of features matter and it sync to develop it.

Here is a list of features to consider.

1. Safe Login and Authentication Process

Apps like Leafly guarantee safety not only in their product but also with the data that users provide them to order cannabis.

Here you should use the latest technology to ensure security with sensitive information such as name, address, bank details, or credit card details.

The authentication process needs to be simple and valid as per the legal process permitted by the country’s government.

2. Search Bar

Within the app, it is important to have a search bar. A search bar is useful for finding a product and its type without heading to check all the lists and multiple products.

Consumers always want an app that provides them a place to search for their product in a quick simple manner.

Offering a search bar in the app saves users time and increases the chances of their retention with the brand.

3. Location-Based Search

The nearest dispensary can provide fresh products rather than ordering them from a far state or country, right?

That’s what Leafly does. With its GPS tracking location, users can search for the nearest store to get cannabis products shortly.

This feature is effective in identifying the nearest dispensaries and to avail successfully.

4. Filters

Adding filters to your weed delivery app is a great option to make it feasible for users to quickly find what they demand.

This feature is useful for filtering products by type, price, and consumer ratings.

If consumers get quickly what they seek on the app, the chances they visit it again increase. Make filtration simple and quick.

5. Shopping Bucket

After searching for the product, another quite important feature is a shopping bag.

You should allow the users to add products to the app’s cart. It brings an easy checkout process with a check on price, address, and other important details.

A bucket is an essential feature to improve user experience, where they can order from the same dispensary or change it as per their demand.

6. Social Media Integration

An app with social media integration features helps users to share information and shopping details with their friends and family.

Hence, you can implement the feature to keep users engaged over the platform.

This feature can be effective to connect users which can increase potential connectivity of new consumers through word-of-mouth publicity.

7. Push Notifications

An implementation of push notifications in your app can increase user engagement.

This is a simple feature that can be installed in the app to enable direct communication and inform the users accordingly.

It also acts as a reminder that enhances user experiences, boosts conversion, and provides timely information.

8. Payment Gateways

One of the important features to include within the app is payment gateways.

You should collaborate with secure gateways to enable users to proceed with payment successfully. This feature can increase overall user satisfaction.

It is an aspect that guarantees ease of purchase for the users and lets them pay comfortably. There are multiple ways of payment you can provide as an option for improving ease of payment.

9. Intuitive Navigation

This feature offers a crucial functionality that increases overall user experience which makes the app easier to use.

With the help of this feature, users can find what they are seeking in the app. It can be seen as a roadmap that guides visitors to the information.

A well-designed navigation can increase the number of visitors using the app and it can keep them engaged over time.

10. Device Synchronization

The app must run on different devices whether it is a smartphone, laptop, or smart watch.

Thus your app must function effectively on all the devices apart from the screen size.

You can ensure API integration within the app to connect it to third-party services.

Based on the above features, you can build an app relevant to Leafly. Although every feature comes with several complications that can impact the overall cost of making it.

After learning this much, do you have a single doubt about why should you proceed with the Leafly app development?

The next section will address it.

Why Develop an App Like Leafly?

Before identifying the cost to develop a cannabis delivery app like Leafly, it is important to know why you should proceed with it.

You can check the list below that says it all.

♦ Market Growth and Demand

The current market growth and demand for cannabis are increasing and are expected to reach a volume of US $75.09 billion by the year 2029.

When compared to the global volume of the United States, it generated the highest revenue in 2024 amounting to US $42.98 billion.

Thus, it’s a wide opportunity for you to capture this large share of revenue by entering the industry.

♦ Increase Awareness

You can create awareness among people related to different types of cannabis and its usage through developing an app.

With the diversified and scary market of cannabis, it is essential to make people educated about its use and overuse. You can provide awareness about health and wellness on its usage through the app.

There are areas where this product is valid and it’s important to spread awareness on it to avoid the consumption of adulterated cannabis.

♦ Regulatory Compliance

It is important to provide legal status information related to cannabis-based on different regions by helping the users to stay aware of the dispensary and comply with the local news.

After adopting age verification processes, the product must be responsibly used by adults.

An awareness regarding the daily quantity of use and strict usage of prohibited cannabis is essential to spread among users and an app can do it successfully.

♦ Innovation and Diversification

If you bring a new feature idea to the app, there are chances to attract a large number of users.

After developing such apps you can provide diversification on a range of features and products. It can help you succeed in the competition.

Here you can allow users to access locations of dispensaries where they are allowed to pick up their cannabis. Other than that you can bring innovation for sustaining the industry.

♦ Accessibility and Convenience

One of the important issues that people face is to find quality cannabis as per their demand. Through app creation, you can address such an important issue.

Via app creation, you are providing users a chance to find nearby dispensaries along with the delivery services with ease.

Users can find provide at the comfort of their home by directly connecting with dispensaries through your app.

♦ Data and Insights

There can be multiple visitors to your app that can enable you to gather a large amount of data related to their purchases, frequency of purchases made in a month, and likes or dislikes.

This information can be used successfully for drawing insights into user’s behaviors and their purchasing decisions.

It can help you to identify the pattern of purchase to approach them and keep them engaged with the brand.

♦ Source of Revenue Generation

Creating an app like Leafly can offer you a source of revenue generation. You can introduce multiple options for earning revenue such as advertising, sponsorships, and others.

Here you can use this platform to generate in-app advertising revenue which is one of the popular ways for performing advertising.

Such a technique of app monetization can be useful to overcome the cost of developing an on-demand weed delivery app.

After learning about the reasons to make a weed delivery app like Leafly, let’s proceed to its cost.

Cost to Develop an App Like Leafly

Reasons might have motivated you to proceed with its app development process, haven’t they?

Well, now, it’s time to know about the overall cost of the weed delivery app.

The cost to build an app like Leafly can cost you from $10,000 to $120,000. However, certain factors can impact it like app design, complexity, app platform, development team, and tech stack.

Want to know them all in detail?

Head on to the next section.

Factors that Impact the Cost to Build a Leafly Clone App

Did you get a range of weed delivery app development costs?

Well, to get a complete amount you should know the factors that can impact overall costs. You can find them all below.

1] Complexity and Size

The size and complexity of an app can impact the cost of creating an app like Leafly.

Well, a large app with lots of features can cost you much more and vice-versa. It will require more resources which can enhance the associated costs. You can hire mobile app developers to know more.

Here is a table to follow:

2] App Design

The more simple the design you will keep, a large dynamic market can be captured. Here you should know the types of UI/UX design and discuss them with the team respectively.

App design refers to the looks that users interact foremost after directing towards it. These are the aesthetic aspects including color and layout of an app.

Here is a table to check the factor impact over cost to build a weed delivery app like Leafly.

3] Platform Compatibility

The type of platform you select for launch impacts the cost of making an app like Leafly.

It is important to look for the platform compatibility guidelines of the Google Play store and Apple Store to enable your app to be successful.

You can hire Android app developers and iOS app developers to enable this factor. Here’s a table to follow.

4] Tech Stack

The type of technology such as database, and programming language, impacts the Leafly clone app development cost.

Thus, you need to select the tech stack wisely. The right technology can boost your app’s existence in the competitive market.

Here is a table to follow.

5] Development Team

The type of development team you select impacts the cost to develop an app like Leafly. Want to know how?

Well, there are two factors that you need to know including the location and expertise of the team. Along with this, the type of team such as freelancers, or in-house team impacts the costs.

Here you can connect with an efficient mobile app development company. The table can help.

After learning the factors impacting the costs. Don’t you want to know a timeline to make it?

Proceed with the next section then.

How Long Does It Take to Make an App Like Leafly?

Two of the important resources that play an important role in app development are cost and time. You have learned about costs, now it’s time to know how long it takes to make an app.

The given table can help you here.

Hence, the time taken to develop Leafly depends on the type of complexity level. An approximate time can be defined between 3- 18 months.

Want to cover the invested cost to develop an app like Leafly?

We will discuss it in the following part.

How to Make Money With an App Like Leafly?

To cover the amount invested to develop an app is essential for sustaining the market competition.

Here is a list of monetization models you can adopt to cover Leafly-like app development costs.

► Advertising Model

This kind of model can help you earn money by advertising ads of other brands over your app. Here you can charge an amount from them in exchange for posted ads. It is an essential way to earn money helpful to recover the cost invested in developing an app like Leafly. Banner ads, social media ads, etc. can be used.

► Commission-Based Model

With this model, you can charge a commission from dispensaries connected with your app on every sale made. At each delivery, a certain percentage of commission can be gathered which is a permanent income for your app.

► Subscription-Based Model

The subscription-based model works as an important source where users can be charged for accessing premium features of the app. You can keep certain basic features for everyone as free and other upgraded features for users who are willing to pay for them. This can be your income generated from the app.

► Data Monetization

You will gather information related to users’ changing preferences, demands age groups, numbers of cannabis utilization, and much more. This data can be analyzed and converted to reports. Several apps and brands seek such reports. Thus, you can earn revenue from it.

► Delivery Fees

Delivery fees are the amount charged from the app users demanded to deliver the product at their place. These fees can be added to the total amount of purchase and can become a source of revenue for your business. It is an important method to cover the cost of making an app like Leafly.

► Sponsorships and Partnerships

Under this model, you can partner with different kinds of brands that can boost your app sales. Here performing partnerships with cannabis farmers or other businesses that can provide useful products can become a source of commission for your app.

Well, these were some of the models that can become a part of earning revenue for your app. If you wish to know more about them, connecting with a team can help.

How Can Nimble AppGenie Help in Developing a Weed Delivery App?

If you are trying to find a company that can build an app like Leafly for you, then we are the best to rely on.

Nimble AppGenie is a trusted and experienced On-Demand App Development Company that knows the importance of weeds and cannabis for people in demand.

We understand the market needs and can develop an app for you as per your demand. With a team of experts, you just need to sit back and hold your breath to lead the market.

Conclusion

To identify the cost of making an app like Leafly, all you need to know is the factors impacting it. App complexity, design, platforms, tech stack, and development team are certain points to consider.

Besides, you can adopt the features of Leafly such as push notifications, login authentication, security, and others. There are multiple reasons you should proceed with the app including market demand such as to gain data insights, for increasing awareness, etc.

Multiple monetization models can help to cover the cost including advertising, sponsorship partnerships, and others. Selecting an experienced company can help here.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.