The digital space is dominated by mobile app development.
Statista’s analysis shows that approximately 2 million apps are available in Apple’s App Store and 2.5 million in the Google Play Store.
These huge numbers show that mobile app development has transformed the tech industry into a digital dynasty.
The most common question about app development is “How much does it cost to create an app?” Asking a developer would answer, “It depends.” And it is! It is impossible to give a definitive answer to this question.
Each app development project is unique. The total cost of an app development project is the sum of many factors.
Are you wondering how to do this? Let’s start with the basics.
Define the type of app you are looking to build
There are many types of apps. The price of developing an app depends on the type.
Basic functionality apps are the simplest types of apps. These apps are designed to perform a specific task. You could use them to create an alarm app, calculator, flashlight, or alarm app. They are easy to build and cost only $1000.
The complexity of apps increases the price. It will cost more to have your app integrate payment gateways and use GPS. Depending on the complexity of an app, costs can reach $10000 or more.
It is important to clearly identify the type of mobile app development you are creating. This could be a lifestyle app, a gaming app, or a social media app. If your goal is to develop social media apps, you shouldn’t include lifestyle or games. Limit the cost of one category.
Outsourcing or in-house? Identify the development process
If you don’t have the skills to code an app yourself, you will need assistance.
You have two options: in-house or outsourcing. This will greatly impact the app development costs.
In-house development allows for better coordination and collaboration. However, in-house development can be more expensive and require more management effort. It is considered a reliable development method by most businesses because it allows for greater control and transparency.
Outsourcing is a great option if you have a trusted outsourcing team with which you can interact. The final result is that the longer it takes to build an app, it will cost.
What is the Hourly Rates for App Developers Around the Globe?
The cost of developing a mobile application is determined by the location. Costs can vary tremendously depending on where developers are located. Hourly fees for developers vary from $10 to $250 depending on where they are located.
Let’s see how much hourly mobile app developers charge at different locations.
- Developers based in the USA and Canada have the highest hourly rates, which range from $50 to $250.
- Developers in the UK and Western Europe charge anywhere from #35 to $170 an hour.
- The hourly app development costs in Australia range from $50 to $150.
- Eastern Europe-based developers charge $20 to $150 an hour.
- India offers the lowest hourly rates, ranging between $10 and $80
A mobile app would take anywhere from 300 to 600 hours on average. You can run a quick calculation to find out how much it will cost to develop an app.
What is the cost of app development at different stages?
It depends on how many hours it takes to create an app. The resources are time and expertise. They also decide the cost of the app. The complexity of your app is another deciding factor. Higher features will result in higher costs. Apps with basic features will run you around $15000. Complex apps start at $50000.
Let’s take a look at how long it takes to create an app with additional features.
This is the general timing for creating a mobile application. The number of screens, buttons, and fields required to create a mobile app will increase the cost. Additionally, complex apps will require bespoke coding as well as third-party APIs. This can increase the cost.
Here is a time estimate for developing an app with seven screens.
- Wireframing – 24 Hours
- Visual Design – 32 hours
- UX Design – 24 hours
- Backend infrastructure and admin panel – 60+ hours
- Third-Party APIs — 20+ hours
- Basic controls – More than 10 Hours
- 40+ hours dedicated administration panel
The rule of thumb is that adding platforms will increase the cost in parallel. The end of the process is not the deployment of the app in the stores.
What other factors influence the cost of developing an app?
We have seen that app development costs depend on location, development time, hourly rates of developers, and app type. These are just a few of the factors that affect the cost. Other factors also have an impact on the development cost of an app. Let’s see what they are.
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Your App’s Business Model
The business model of an app is crucial in determining its cost. What platform are you targeting? Does your app support the in-app purchases, or provide advertisements — all these factors directly impact the price of developing a mobile app.
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Type of application
You can have your app as a native, hybrid, or web app. It all depends on your preferred app launch platform, desired performance, budget, and other factors.
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Development Team
An app development team includes developers as well as a business analyst and solution architect. A project manager, UI UX design specialist, and QA specialist are also part of the team.
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Technical difficulties
The technical challenges that arise as your app grows in features are also increasing. These include in-app purchases, third-party integration, and comprehensive backend development.
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Custom user interfaces
Your app may require custom interfaces to be implemented. This will increase your cost. It takes more effort and time to build a custom app than it does to use standard components.
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Activities after the launch
The app’s smooth operation requires support from the team even after it is released. Support for the app will be required from the development team, including backend maintenance, updates, and hosting support. Some developers also offer marketing and promotion support.
Different App Types and Their Costs
The number of mobile apps development ideas the human mind can come up with is limitless. Every app idea is different and may require different processes. This will give you an idea of the cost of app development and how it differs depending on your situation. Let’s now see how pricing will vary for different mobile apps.
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Standalone App
A Standalone app is an app that doesn’t require a network connection to function. Because of their limited functions, these apps aren’t very popular. It is also portable and does not require installation. It doesn’t require an operating system to run. Examples include our old-fashioned clock, settings, and camera on our smartphones.
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Basic Utility App
These apps are basic. These apps consume data and give you the information. There is no login or authentication. They only check and update the data. You can use your smartphone to embed calendars, maps, or stocks.
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Login App
Next, apps that require authentication or login are. This category is most common today. To provide a personalized user experience, create an account by entering your details. These are just a few examples.
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Social Networking App
Four people opened social media apps on their mobile phones.
Facebook recently purchased Whatsapp at 19 billion US dollars. Yes!
It’s all in the names. Tinder and other dating apps are other options. These apps are becoming increasingly popular with people who have difficulty interacting in real-time. They want virtual reality and can feel at home in a virtual world.
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E-Commerce App
eCommerce apps are now the king of the internet. It offers different login options for producers and customers. The cost of developing e-commerce apps can be quite high.
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App Available on-Demand
Users can use on-demand apps to quickly fulfill their requirements. Apps for on-demand delivery require more features and interfaces. These apps are rapidly gaining popularity in the digital space. It will be beneficial to develop one.
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App for a Two-Sided Market
A Two-sided marketplace refers to an app that has two users and each user has a different login platform. Examples include Google and Facebook.
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IoT/Hardware App
IoT apps will be the future. They link hardware to make it easier to use and interact with. Imagine how lazy people would be if every device you wish to control was controlled by your smartphone. This technology is in use in many sectors and growing. IoT app development promises a bright future.
App Development Costs: Native vs Hybrid App
When you decide to create an app, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is whether you want it to be a native or hybrid app. This decision will directly impact the cost of developing an app.
Native app development will require you to choose between Android and iOS. You will need two apps if you wish to create an app for each platform. A native app is expected to cost $100,000.
Hybrid apps allow you to create apps for both iOS and Android simultaneously. Cross-platform app development is used to create apps for multiple platforms. A hybrid app can be developed for between $5000 and $50,000.
How much does it cost to hire app developers?
You will need to find out the cost of a mobile app developer if you are considering hiring one. It will depend on many factors, including the location of the developer, the development platform, and the level of skill.
Already, we saw that the hourly rate of developers can vary between different areas. The average cost to hire developers is as follows:
- $89,000 annually for US-based developers
- $76,000 annually for Australian developers
- $66,000 for German developers
- Developers based in the UK or Canada can earn $53,000
- $4000 for Indian developers
A Review of App Maintenance Prices
App maintenance includes tasks such as app updates, monitoring, hosting, and marketing. Additional costs are incurred for this. App maintenance costs are expected to average 15-20% of total app development costs.
- Hosting: The hosting cost can vary depending on your app’s media richness, data type, hosting solution, and how many services you use. It could range from $20 to $1000 per Month.
- Updates: Every app needs to be updated as they encourage continuous innovation. App updates can take time and cost differently depending on the app.
- Monitoring: App monitoring is crucial for the smooth operation of an app. This can also vary from app to app, as each app has a different user base.
- Marketing: Activities that increase app installs and improve app engagements are called marketing. It can vary depending on the different marketing strategies employed by different agencies.
Conclusion
It is impossible to determine the cost of developing an app. We learned how many factors can affect the cost of developing an app. Each factor has an impact on the cost of developing a mobile app. This includes the type of business, the location of the mobile app development team, and the app marketing and updates.
Mobile App development is a broad field. Whatever your requirements may be, you can find a trusted partner to help you on your app development journey. Outsource app development or hybrid app development might meet your needs. Talk to experts to turn your dreams into reality.
Artoon Solutions creates flawless mobile apps and leaves lasting impressions through our unwavering commitment to each project we take on. We provide reliable mobile app development services.
