The issue of cost is one of the most common topics when discussing app development. The response to this question hinges on various factors that influence the overall price. Let’s delve into these factors to gain a better understanding of how much financial investment may be required for app development.
Time and Money Issues
According to GoodFirms, the price depends on the time spent on the feature development, and the time varies due to features complexity.
Let’s classify applications according to the ratio of complexity and development time:
- A plain app with laconic functionality: 500- 800 hours / 3- 6 months
- An app of medium complexity: 800-1200 hours / 5- 9 months
- A complex app with diverse features: 1200 hours+ / 8 months+
A rough estimate made according to the average hourly rate ($40) shows the
subsequent results:
- Simple: $90.000
- Average: $160.000
- High complexity: $240.000
Also, let’s overview the price based on hourly rates of various countries:
| Region | iOS ($ / hour) | Android ($ / hour) | Varies |
| North America | $150 | $150 | $50- $150 |
| Australia | $92 | $92 | $35- $150 |
| UK | $71 | $71 | $71 |
| South America | $43 | $37 | $22- $55 |
| Eastern Europe | $40 | $40 | $25- $50 |
| India | $25 | $26 | $25 |
| Indonesia | $35 | $35 | $35 |
App Specifications Impacting on The Cost
The following vital points affect the price and allow the vendor to make a rough estimate:
- Project type (CRM, marketplace, LMS, EHR, etc.)
- Features and functional
- Design (template/ from scratch)
- Platform (iOS / Android)
- Backend infrastructure, app operation
- Team location and structure
- App maintenance; extra services
- In-house/outsourcing companies Vendors hourly rates
Let’s dive into some of the points:
Application Features
Solutions complexity defines if the developer will use third-party API or code from scratch. Native features and initial tools are used for elementary solutions.
| Feature | Details | Time | Average cost with back-end ($40/h) |
| Signing in | Log in with email/ social media Forgot password option Log out | 28 – 42 hours | 1,120-1,680 |
| Profile creating | Set area Add personal info/ photo | 23 – 29 hours | 920-1,160 |
| Search | Basic search; suggestions | 13 – 18 hours | 520-729 |
| Chat | Online/offline Typing Read/sent | 160 – 170 hours | 6,400-6,800 |
| Push-notifications | Customization | 25 – 32 hours | 25 – 32 hours |
| User management | List of users Delete/block user | 66 – 90 hours | 2,640-3,600 |
| Payment management | Payments Refund | 23 – 44 hours | 920-1,760 |
User engagement
User involvement can be realized in the platform in many aspects like networking, signing up process, push notifications, etc. For example, the signing up process can incorporate such functions as password recovery and saving, refined design, or signing in via other social accounts. Another widely used feature is linking social media accounts to an app for various interactions or enabling in-app purchases and chats. Implementing these features requires applying third-party frameworks or libraries.
Payments and Geolocation services
Implementing each method of the popular payment systems like Google Wallet/Apple pay/PayPal requires additional development time. If you want to utilize location data, basic tracking and mapping are accessible, but implementing emerging technology, such as iBeacon and geofencing, will take more time.
Native Features Integration
Nowadays, complex device software requires dealing with NFC (near field communication) chips and payment systems. Platform-specific APIs are used to develop apps with access to device functionality. Fresh features require new APIs, which consume more time since developers haven’t dealt with them yet.
Let’s overview the complex features mentioned above:
| Feature | Details | Time | Average cost with back-end ($40/h) |
| Map | Track user’s location Searching | 75 – 111 hours | 3,000-4,440 |
| Payments | Check the balanceand transactions Link payment methods | 60 – 78 hours | 2,400-3,120 |
| Streaming | Start/stop broadcast View/switch broadcast | 90 – 140 hours | 3,600-5,600 |
| Calls | Audio calls Video calls Contacts list | 257 – 365 hours | 10,280-14,600 |
Cost Influencing Factors
- Design
Developing a sophisticated design for the app requires a sufficient amount of time. OS-supplied items offer economical options by developing screens with basic elements.
- Platform
To define the suitable platform, startuppers mainly think over the iOS and Android market share, device fragmentation, and predominance. In addition, each platform requires specific programming languages, SDKs (Software development kit), and instruments.
- Backend Operating and Administrative Tools
The embedded analytics provide data on user activity. Accordingly, the more monitored parameters, the higher the price.
The administration panel allows you to operate in-app content and track users’ statistics.
Outsourcing Vs. Local companies
Applying to outsourcing companies will significantly save your outgoings for mobile app development services. In doing so, the performance quality doesn’t suffer and often even increases.
There are some basic steps to find suitable vendors:
- Suitable options exploration
- Rates and expertise research
- Portfolio overview
- Feedback comparison
- Meeting and negotiation arrangement
You can contact former customers or check credible reviews on services like Clutch or GoodFirms.
Application maintenance
Another point worth considering is maintaining the application. Its annual cost ranges from 15% to 20% of the initial development cost.
App maintenance comprises the following:
- Regular bug fixing
- Better functioning
- Code optimization
- Newest OS support
- Fresh features implementing
- Recent third-party services versions support
Total Cost Calculation
Now, let’s find answer how much does it cost to make an app by all the development flow stages:
- Plan
- Design
- Building
- Features
- Testing
- Deploy
- Maintenance
Each project may need extra steps like app advertising, maintenance, features and administration tools development, or infrastructure adjustment.
| Specification | Basic app | Medium app | Complex app |
| Time | 4 months | 6 months | 10 months |
| Developers | $39,200 | $67,200 | $112,000 |
| UI/UX Designer | $4,200 | $7,200 | $12,000 |
| Project Manager | $7,350 | $12,600 | $21,000 |
| Business Analyst | $3,500 | $6,000 | $10,000 |
| QA Specialist | $10,500 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| Solution Architect | $3,150 | $5,400 | $9,000 |
| DevOps | $2,450 | $4,200 | $7,000 |
| Total | $70,350 | $120,600 | $201,000 |
To summarize all the info, check the infographic below:
Wrapping Up
The main suggestion to make proper calculations is conducting all the estimations carefully. If you can’t cope with this on your own you should apply to an expert for a consultation.
