In the modern world, mobile devices are ubiquitous. Hence, emerging businesses cannot ignore this growing trend. Application development is both an exciting and challenging process. Have you heard that mobile app revenues are growing steadily? Let’s clarify the facts. App revenue worldwide reached a record high of 365 billion dollars in 2018. The mobile app industry is forecast to generate over $935 billion in revenue from in-app advertising and paid downloads in 2023. Particularly when you are unaware of app development or how much it costs. There is no way to provide a precise estimate without knowing your business, your goals, how users interact with your app, and your budget. Before you begin mobile app development, you must have a plan in place. With these factors in mind, this article will discuss:
- App development costs
- How to estimate the cost of an app
- Plan your budget by understanding your app type
What Factors Affect The Development Costs Of Mobile Apps?
A major factor affecting mobile application development costs is the location of the development team and the time it takes to develop the application. The mobile app development budget per hour varies based on the team’s location. A significant factor in in-app costs – time – is the complexity of the app, determined by several factors, such as:
- UX/UI Design Complexity
- The Conceptual Framework For Development
- Access to multidisciplinary teams
- App Complexity And Features
- Maintenance And Support Services
- UX/UI Design Complexity
The software development industry is increasingly focused on the needs and experiences of users. With the variety of applications available, customers can choose a solution that provides clarity, ease of use, and high performance. Design work is crucial in estimating app development costs. Custom app development costs include custom UI/UX design, buttons, icons, fonts, and more. A UI/UX designer costs quite a bit but can significantly enhance the look and feel of your app.
- The Conceptual Framework For Development
The cost of creating iOS and Android apps is the same. Does Android app development cost more than iOS? In addition, you can deploy a cross-platform solution simultaneously. The user experience and performance of native mobile apps are usually better, resulting in a higher price. Do you know the cost of developing an app that runs on both platforms? Mobile App cost breakdown ranges from $50,000-$170,000.
The cost of developing native apps for Android and iPhone tends to be higher than developing cross-platform solutions. The primary reason is that native app development relies on two separate code bases for Android and iOS. Conversely, native products allow access to integrated features, such as the GPS and the camera, allowing them to create applications with greater functionality. The implementation of such functions requires libraries or code when developing cross-platform software. A complex app with numerous features would choose native app development. Hybrid development is appropriate for a simple application that focuses on basic functions.
- Access To Multidisciplinary Teams
When the team is more versatile, it is less likely to employ freelancers. Besides reducing the cost of app development, this also ensures consistent product quality. A team of illustrators can work closely with a designer to develop better metaphors that convey the app’s concept.
- App Complexity And Features
Mobile app development budgets grow as features increase, but the complexity features have a greater impact. Developing a basic feature such as a login or subscription takes 20 to 25 hours. More advanced features like payment system integration and visual analytics require more time and cost more money.
API integrations substantially increase the budget for mobile app development and advanced technologies. Machine learning and artificial intelligence also take a large bite out of the budget. For example, Geolocation can cost extra even if users have become accustomed to it. Before investing valuable resources into a feature, make sure it is necessary and feasible.
- Maintenance And Support Services
The mobile app development budget continues long, even after its launch. If you stop monitoring the app immediately after it is released, it may become outdated. Customers will become bored without regular updates, improvements, and new features. Customers have the option to choose a more modern and innovative solution. A typical app maintenance budget should be around 15 to 20% of the total development budget.
Build Your App Using Your App Type To Stay Within Mobile App Development Budget
The budget for mobile app development varies based on various factors like application type, business model, and application level. A mobile app development idea or project is always a unique experience. Here is a mobile app development budget that will help you figure out how to stay within your budget.
1. Apps With Basic Functionality
Basic apps can easily work without network connectivity or server components. These apps typically have between five and six screens. For example, your phone’s calculator app performs the only specific task without an internet connection. Mobile app cost breakdown for these apps range between $5,000 and $15,000. The timeline for the mobile app development for the basic app would require 4 to 6 weeks.
2. Applications Powered By Data.
Network connections facilitate the operation of data-driven applications. Generally, these apps consume a limited amount of information. These apps don’t require any verification or login. As a result, their cost rises since these apps require back-end work. For instance, the Weather app, which draws information from third-party APIs. The mobile app development budget for data-driven applications ranges between $7,000 to $15,000. The time frame for the mobile app development is 6 to 8 weeks.
3. Mobile Authentication Apps
These apps require a user to log in to the function. Users will be able to interact with data through a personal account. Mobile app development budgets will rise due to the increase of subordinate features. If you plan to develop an app that allows users to sign up, authentication apps would be a great choice. Integrating the Social network login feature lets the user connect easily and quickly. The mobile app development budget for authentication apps varies between $10,000 to $60,000. The time frame for developing these apps is 3 to 6 months.
4. E-commerce Apps
Generally, E-commerce apps require users to log in for shopping. Users can browse the extensive product catalogs, create wish lists, and buy items after paying. Customers pay online for their purchases. A well-maintained admin panel is essential for keeping track of payments and inventory in these apps. The budget for mobile app development falls between $50,000 to $300,000. E-commerce application development takes between four and nine months.
5. On-Demand Applications
Users expect on-demand apps to meet their specific needs. Both Android and iOS platforms are compatible with the type of this app. One popular on-demand application is Uber. App users must log in with credentials to chat and dial to avail of the services. Mobile app cost breakdown for on-demand applications ranges between $50,000 to $100,000. On-demand applications require a development cycle of four to eight months.
Conclusions
Industry studies have shown that app development costs range from $5,000 to $500,000 plus. Consequently, it is impossible to estimate development costs before the development process. A detailed understanding of the app’s complexity, features, design requirements, and the platform is necessary for its completion. If you want to make your idea a reality, you should contact a mobile app development company.
FAQ
- How much does it cost to develop a mobile app?
The price range for a simple app with a basic User Interface and some essential features is anywhere between $40K and $60K. Developing a medium complexity app requires an investment of $61,000 to $120,000. Furthermore, a Complex app project would cost at least $120,000 or more.
- What are the types of mobile apps?
Based on the technology used to code them, mobile apps fall into three general types:
- Native Apps.
- Web Apps.
- Hybrid Apps.
- What factors influence the mobile app development cost?
The factors that affect the mobile app development budget are as follows.
- UX/UI Design Complexity
- The Conceptual Framework For Development
- Access to multidisciplinary teams
- App Complexity And Features
- Maintenance And Support Services