Building for the US market: the checklist we use
The US is the world's most valuable app market and the most competitive. iPhone has the larger share of mobile traffic, users are quick to leave one-star reviews, and legal exposure — from privacy class actions to accessibility lawsuits — is higher than in most countries. This is the checklist we go through with every American client.
1. Map the privacy laws that apply
There is still no federal privacy law; a federal bill introduced in 2026 that would override state laws has not passed. Instead, 19 state laws were in force by 2026, including California, Virginia, Colorado, Texas and, from January 2026, Indiana, Kentucky and Rhode Island, with Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama and Vermont to follow. Most share the same core: a clear privacy notice, opt-outs from sale and targeted advertising, consent for sensitive data and a way to handle access and deletion requests. We build one system that meets the strictest common requirements instead of a patchwork.
2. Decide whether you handle health data
If you are a healthcare provider, health plan or work for one, HIPAA applies and we sign a business associate agreement. Many wellness, fitness and period-tracking apps are not covered by HIPAA but still fall under the FTC's Health Breach Notification Rule, and Washington's My Health My Data Act requires consent before collecting consumer health data. A proposed update to the HIPAA Security Rule is not expected before 2027, but we already follow its main ideas, such as multi-factor authentication and encryption everywhere.
3. Plan for accessibility
Accessibility claims under the ADA are among the most common lawsuits against websites and apps. We use accessible components, test with VoiceOver and TalkBack, check colour contrast and dynamic type, and keep a record of testing — useful evidence if you are ever challenged.
4. Get AI features right
US AI regulation is moving at state level while the federal government pushes back on it, including a December 2025 executive order targeting state AI laws. What is already in force is clear enough: tell people when they are talking to an AI, protect minors, keep a human in the loop for consequential decisions and log what the system does. We design every chatbot and agent that way.
5. Choose payments and subscriptions
Most US apps combine Stripe for web and cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay for mobile checkout and App Store or Google Play billing for in-app digital goods. Since 2025 US iPhone apps have been allowed to link to outside payment pages, but the case is still before the courts, so we check Apple's current US rules before designing the flow. FedNow and RTP instant payments are an option for B2B and payout use cases.
How the time difference works in your favour
With Islamabad 9–13 hours ahead, we hold a short overlap call in your morning, then build while you are offline. You review a new staging build every week and get a written update every day. It often feels faster than working with a local team, because questions you leave at the end of your day are answered before you start the next. As a rough guide, a focused MVP costs US$5,000–$15,000, a mid-sized app $15,000–$40,000 and complex platforms start from around $40,000. Read our guide to outsourcing app development to Pakistan for more detail.