If you’re ready to share your app with the world, getting it published on the App Store is the key to reaching iOS users. The process, however, isn’t always straightforward. Technical requirements, developer account setup, costs, and approval times can all feel complex for creators and publishers. That’s why understanding each step before you begin is critical to avoiding delays and unnecessary expenses.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Apple developer account requirements, the app store submission process, how long approvals can take, and the cost to put an app on the App Store. We’ll also show how Audiorista helps you simplify publishing with powerful no-code tools—making it fast and easy to launch your app without technical overhead.
Before you can upload your app, you need to meet the Apple developer account requirements. Every developer or publisher must enroll in the Apple Developer Program, which gives you access to tools, beta testing platforms, and the App Store submission portal.
The Apple Developer Program costs $99 per year, billed annually. Individuals can register with their personal Apple ID, while organizations—such as publishers, media companies, or teams—are required to enroll as a company using their legal entity name and provide a D‑U‑N‑S number for verification. Once approved, you’ll have access to App Store Connect, which is the dashboard used to manage all aspects of your app’s listing and updates.
The app store submission process involves multiple stages to ensure your app is properly prepared and meets Apple’s review standards. Below are the key steps:
One of the more common questions is: how long does app store approval take? In most cases, Apple’s app review process takes about 24 hours to a few days. However, complex apps with more features or apps that raise content policy questions may take longer. Major product launches or global events can also extend review times.
Some of the factors that may delay approval include incomplete metadata, missing privacy information, unexplained features, or unclear purpose. Apple evaluates every submission against its published App Review Guidelines, so making sure your app complies with these policies can help minimize delays.
To increase your chances of fast approval, ensure your app is fully tested before submitting, all required details are complete, and your content is transparent about functionality.
When evaluating the cost to put an app on the App Store, the main recurring fee is the $99/year required for the Apple Developer Program. Beyond that, costs vary depending on your app’s complexity, design requirements, and monetization features.
Building an app from scratch often involves paying developers, designers, and testing teams, which significantly raises costs. Some publishers also invest in third-party analytics, monetization platforms, or marketing tools. These can become considerable additions to the base Apple fee.
This is where Audiorista creates a cost-effective alternative. Instead of hiring technical teams or committing large budgets, Audiorista lets you build, customize, and launch your iOS app with zero coding required. This approach eliminates heavy upfront development costs while still giving you professional-grade features, including monetization options, branding, analytics, and distribution support.
Publishing on the App Store doesn’t need to be time-consuming or cost-prohibitive. Audiorista gives you all the tools needed to simplify the process:
For a complete pre-launch roadmap, see The Ultimate Checklist for Launching Your Own Content App. If you’re planning to monetize podcast app experiences, check out the complete guide on premium shows and subscriber apps.
Ready to publish your iOS app without the complexity? Build, brand, and launch your own app with Audiorista today—no coding required.
