App development—both mobile and web—has surged in popularity. With the Play Store and App Store recently celebrating their 12th anniversary, the number of apps available shows no signs of slowing down. In this case, Google Play and Apple App Stores have received more than 35 billion combined downloads, yet it is possible for more firms to create revolutionary apps that Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z find appealing.
This trend raises a crucial question for business leaders: how much mobile app development cost?
The average cost of app development ranges from $20,000 to $200,000, though it can exceed $350,000 for complex apps. This wide range reflects the fact that there is no fixed price tag for app development; the cost and quality of the final product are closely linked. While organizing a project a number of factors have to be taken into consideration to guarantee success.
Instead of providing vague estimates, this blog will delve into the factors that influence mobile app development cost, offering a clearer picture of what to expect.
Mobile App Development Cost
When clients consult with an app development company, they often have little understanding of the development process and the associated expenses. Despite the fact that they might have defined all the requirements and must-have features of the app they are going to develop, it is not enough to come up with the approximate costs of development.
The initial amount that is quoted by the agency is only the raw amount. App development is complex, and understanding the intricacies of app dynamics is key to estimating costs accurately.
By categorizing apps based on their complexity, we can better understand the estimated app-making charges:
- Basic applications: Simple features and functionalities, such as basic games or social media apps, can cost between $20,000 and $60,000.
- Mid-level applications: More complex apps, like eCommerce or food delivery apps, range from $50,000 to $200,000.
- Complex applications: High-end apps, such as enterprise, logistics, or telehealth apps, can cost between $80,000 and $350,000.
To summarize, the cost to build an app boils down to five basic elements:
- Functionalities of the app: What the app will do and the needs it will fulfill.
- Complexity of app features: Whether the app is a telemedicine tool or a simple to-do list, feature complexity affects development complexity and cost.
- Targeted devices and platforms: Choosing between native vs. cross-platform development impacts cost.
- Maintenance plan: Post-deployment technical support is necessary to ensure the app’s consistent performance and improvement.
- Third-party integration: Incorporation of external services for instance location sharing or other services like payment solutions will be costly.
Considering these parameters will help you establish a budget for your project.
How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App Based on Development Stages?
You may have ever used online cost estimators or typed the average price to develop an app to get preliminary information. Yet, such numbers may be very deceptive as development costs are contingent upon such factors as the features included within the app, technologies that are to be employed, the layout and design, and the geographical location of the development squad.
To give out details of cost, it will be appropriate to categorize the cost structure according to the stage of the application development. This approach will enable you to note the amounts spent on each of the phases and their amounts to the overall budget.
- Discovery Stage
The market segmentation, business evaluation, and document are in the discovery or strategy stage. Any competent development firm will ask you numerous questions about your business and app goals. If they don’t, that’s a red flag. This stage costs about 10% of the overall mobile app development cost and takes 20-200 hours to be accomplished.
The final document should include:
- Competitive analysis
- Objective declaration
- MVP concept
- User and market research
- A clear project roadmap
Estimated Cost: $1,200 – $11,000 (2-4 weeks)
- Designing Stage
The design stage focuses on software prototyping and wireframing, user experience (UX) design, and visual (UI) design. Design serves as the first filter for the users, and therefore applying appropriate design is critical for the app’s success. This stage typically accounts for 10-15% of the total cost, with the timeline influenced by screen complexity, custom components, and visual intricacy.
Estimated Cost: $2,500 – $10,000 (3-4 weeks)
- Development Stage
Designing takes the second position and is considered costly because of the numerous intricacies of the various features to be incorporated in the final application. The more intricate the features, the longer the development time and the higher the cost. Issues related to application architecture, data encryption, user base, and third-party integration have to be solved at this stage. Integration and focused approach are critical, and decisions on which cross-platform frameworks can make a huge difference as it’s always less expensive than creating different apps for different platforms.
Estimated Cost: $3,000 – $60,000 (2-6 months)
- Testing and Deployment Stage
Testing increases the quality of a mobile app and as such, the instances of having to correct often after the app has been released are reduced. The involvement of the quality assurance team means that critical problems such as application crashes and glitches are minimized among the users. The expense of this stage depends on the application’s offerings and functionalities; if it is intricate, then the cost will be high.
Estimated Cost: <$5,000 (2-4 weeks)
How to Estimate the Cost of Developing a Mobile App
Estimating the cost of developing a mobile app involves considering some main factors:
What Type of App Are You Developing?
In light of the above findings, the type of application has a massive influence on the costs incurred. Here’s a detailed breakdown of different types of apps and their potential costs:
- Basic Apps: They range from $20 000 to $60 000 these apps are quite basic and do not necessitate complicated front end or back end development. For known apps especially those on market giants such as the iOS and Android, the cost of the app might differ.
- Data-Driven Apps: These apps handle large amounts of data and cost between $25,000 and $80,000. Examples include calendars, weather forecasting apps, and map apps. The complexity of data processing and integration increases the cost.
- Social Network Apps: Ranging from $30,000 to $100,000, these apps include user profiles, social interactions, messaging, and media-sharing features. Examples are LinkedIn, Facebook, and Pinterest.
- On-Demand Service Apps: These apps connect users with services or products in real-time and cost between $60,000 and $120,000. Key cost factors include geolocation, payment integration, and service provider management.
- eCommerce Apps: Ranging from $ 80,000 to $ 150,000, these apps include inventory management and secure transactions. Some examples include Alibaba, eBay, and Amazon some of the biggest online marketplaces around the world.
- Gaming Apps: Costs for gaming apps vary widely, from $30,000 to $200,000, depending on whether the game is a simple 2D design or a complex 3D experience. These apps need a fast processor and complex interfaces which make it hard to develop.
- Enterprise Apps: Built specifically for use within an organization, these may be priced between 5,000 to 30,000 USD or between 15,000 to 100,000 USD. Here, IT service costs depend on the level of business processes and integration that is needed for a specific company.
- Healthcare Apps: Costing between $45,000 and $250,000, these apps must comply with healthcare regulations and ensure secure data handling, often integrating with medical devices.
- eLearning Apps: These apps, which facilitate online learning, can be expensive, ranging from $60,000 to $300,000. Features like virtual classrooms and multimedia content drive up the cost.
- Video Streaming Apps: These applications, which give users the ability to watch videos in real-time without the downloads, can cost from $50, 000 to $350, 000 and above.
The 4 Top Mistakes That Cause Apps to Fail
- An Uncalibrated Team: Android and iOS development requirements differ greatly. A team must be proficient in both platforms to avoid costly errors.
- Shortcuts in the Development Process: Cutting corners might save time initially, but it often leads to wasted resources later. Thorough development is crucial to avoid issues down the road.
- Deliverables That Don’t Solve the Original Problem: Paying great attention to fulfilling the initial goals and requirements may leave important information out of consideration, resulting in a product that meets technical requirements but fails to address the core challenge. This can lead to technical debt and performance issues.
- A Poorly Structured Plan: Launching an app requires more than just a good idea. Refining the product through multiple funding stages is essential for success.
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain and Ensure the Success of an App?
Deploying your app is just the beginning. Maintaining the app ensures it runs smoothly, stays secure, and continues to meet user needs. Maintenance costs can range from 20% to 45% of the development costs during the first year. This includes bug fixes, feature additions, updates, and user feedback implementations. Native Android or iOS apps may incur higher costs, averaging around $500 monthly. For a $100,000 development cost, expect to spend about $20,000 annually on maintenance.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
This blog highlights the various factors influencing app development costs. Now that you understand the true average cost of mobile app development, be wary of simplistic app cost calculators. If you’re ready to move forward, our team of strategists, developers, and designers is here to help. Contact us using the form below to discuss your project’s unique requirements.
