By 2024, a properly designed mobile app can become a real hit for businesses everywhere. Mobile applications allow business owners to reach customers, improve the company’s image, and communicate directly with each customer. A custom company icon on someone’s smartphone won’t make them forget about you and will increase the probability of repeat visits.
Many entrepreneurs and business people are afraid to start development because they do not know how much does it cost to make an app and where to start. If you want to know the cost of developing an app and the opportunities of creating an app for your business, you should read this article. Ukrainian company Binerals, specializing in software development, will share all the secrets about the cost of application development. After reading, you will know how much does app development cost.
Breakdown of Costs in App Development
Before you start creating an app and calculating its price, you need to understand what factors usually affect this price. Spoiler alert – the average cost to develop an app can vary greatly depending on its quality and brand. We have written specially for you the important points that affect the final price of the application:
1. Application type
- Simple applications
Core functionality, limited user interface, and limited user interaction. - Medium difficulty
API integration, intermediate user interface, and easy functionality. - Difficult applications
Advanced features such as artificial intelligence, complex graphics, and integration with multiple systems.
2. Platform
- iOS
The ability to run applications for Apple gadgets can increase the cost of creating applications due to strict design and general requirements. - Android
Having more devices will increase the cost of testing a digital product.
3. Design and additional user features
- UI/UX design
Design and uniqueness directly affect the final price. - Animations and interactive elements
They improve user interaction but require additional resources.
4. Functional capabilities and integrations
- Essential functions
Authentication, user profiles, search, chat, and others. - Advanced features
Geolocation, payment systems, and social media integration. - Difficult missions
VR, artificial intelligence, big data, etc.
5. Testing and maintenance
- Quality assurance and testing
Regular maintenance and checks to ensure the security and stability of the application. - Support and updates
You should update your program regularly to ensure users receive the latest technology and stable performance.
You should know that just creating a program is not enough to be successful. You should test it first, then maintain it regularly. Breaking down and listing everything that affects price before building your app lets you know the average development price. This will help you understand how much does it cost to build an app.
How Much Does Each Stage of App Development Cost?
The application process consists of several stages in addition to writing the code. Without it, you cannot publish your app. The cost of developing a mobile app directly depends on the complexity of each required stage.
Planning
Before you start creating your program, you should consider all the elements and include them in the final plan first. Planning involves establishing a baseline and setting goals.
Terms of Reference
Reference content is important in achieving the desired results from all stages of project development. This mission describes how the future application should work and specifies the technology, payment, and security requirements that should be used. The services that will be included in the finished product are also specified. TOR development cost for mobile apps is 10% of the average cost of building an app.
Prototyping
The layout of the future application is created at the design stage. This phase involves determining the availability and placement of the functional components of the application according to its scenarios. This phase can be performed by the designer, project manager, or an expert user. App prototyping price depends on the number of screens and starts from $500.
Design
The question of how much does it cost to design an app worries many businessmen when developing a program. Applications of medium and high complexity often have many screens. One of them will be the main menu, the second will contain information about the user’s recent changes, the third will show current ads, and the fourth will be able to pay for products directly through the application. This content is rendered sequentially and runs across multiple screen resolutions, so the process can be time-consuming and expensive. Developing a somewhat complex mobile app costs $1,000.
Application Development
This phase is the most important along the way. This level includes mobile application programmers, backend server developers, and server configuration managers.
Working with a programmer who understands the language of the platform is enough to create simple programs for users. His job at a small practice costs about $3,000.
Testing
Mobile app testing is an extremely important stage that should not be skipped. All possible errors and mistakes that can lead to loss of users are removed during this stage. The process of testing a simple program takes up to 1 week and will cost from $500.
Placing apps in the Apple Store and Play Market
Sometimes it is difficult to reach an agreement due to inconsistency with market rules. There may be problems with sending data required for the app to work: geolocation, phone data, and other confidential data.
Placing mobile applications in marketplaces is usually included in the total mobile app development price and is its logical conclusion.
Does the App Development Price Depend on the Type and Platform Chosen?
As we mentioned above, the cost of application development in 2024 depends on many factors. The type of application and the platform it runs on are important factors that affect its price. What will be cheaper? Is it worth paying more? Let’s talk below!
Cost depends on the type
| Simple applications | Simple services generally do not require complex operations or API integration. Estimated cost: $3,000 – $10,000. |
| Data applications | Complex in terms of data management, often requiring server-side support and database integration. Estimated price: $10,000 – $30,000. |
| Social Media Applications | They need scalability, high collaboration capabilities, and high security. Estimated price: $15,000 – $50,000. |
| Optional service apps | Include advanced features such as location, online payment, and content updates. Estimated price: $20,000 – $60,000. |
| Business applications (ranging from basic communication tools to advanced CRM systems) | Designed for specific businesses and requires integration with the security and recovery process. Estimated price: $20,000 – $100,000. |
| E-learning applications | Include interactive content, videos, tests, and development programs. Estimated price: $10,000 – $50,000. |
| Video streaming applications | Require strong server support and optimization to provide normal video playback. Estimated price: $20,000 – $100,000. |
The price depends on the platform
| iOS apps | The high price for iOS apps is caused by strict Apple standards. Estimated price: $20,000 to $80,000. |
| Android apps | Android apps need to be tested on multiple devices, which increases the final cost. Estimated price: $20,000 – $80,000. |
| Web apps | Web apps are cheaper and do not require App Store permissions. Estimated price: $15,000 – $50,000. |
| Cross-platform | Save costs by building on multiple platforms simultaneously. Estimated price: $25,000 – $75,000. |
The price depends on the developer
| Freelancer | A person who does all the work of creating an application, from design to programming. Although the price is low, there are many risks due to prolonged construction time and fraud of contractors. An hour’s work costs about $10. |
| Digital Agency | The best solution for simple mobile programs. Often the work is done using a conveyor belt, and some of the work is delegated to freelancers, so they cannot use this hard work. Agencies charge $15 per hour for their work. |
| Professional Company | Companies with cutting-edge technology, with their success in niche products and experience in mobile application development. They can handle complex tasks and high demands. The average cost of an hour of work at a professional company is about $30. |
Tips to Reduce App Development Costs
Senior executives have urged project managers to reduce the final cost of app development. Managers face the problem of not knowing how to save money. But it is still possible, and we will show you how to do it.
- Be clear about your needs. A clear understanding of your app’s purpose and functionality can help you avoid unnecessary development costs for ongoing work.
- Process development Outsourcing. Using an outside development team will generally cost more than hiring in-house experts. Learn how outsourcing Ukrainian developers can help you save money on creating an application.
- Choose the functions. Focus on future features. Prioritize the most important so you don’t have to pay for unnecessary features later.
- Make tests often. Don’t forget to test your app regularly. It will help you detect problems in time and solve them quickly.
- Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Releasing an MVP with easy functionality to collect user feedback can reduce mobile app development cost.
- Use cross-platform tools. Developing programs for multiple platforms simultaneously can decrease development time and costs.
Remember these tips and use them in practice. Analysis shows that you can save 10-15% of the total project cost by using all the recommendations. You can also learn software development approaches that can help you in the future.
App Development Cost of Renowned Startups
The best way to graduate the importance of apps to your business is to look at examples that have already been made. Today there are many similar stories around us. Some projects can earn hundreds of millions of dollars in a short period of time, thanks to the development of a simple application. We have prepared for you 6 examples that shocked the whole world.
Tinder
Tinder has become a revolution in the dating industry, showing how efficiently you can create app like Tinder and achieve phenomenal success. Tinder’s initial development costs were estimated to be tens of thousands of dollars, but the app now generates millions of dollars in revenue thanks to its popularity and financial model.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is an example of how to succeed in effective communication. The cost of creating such a website may vary, but the main thing is to invest in good features and security of user data. Interestingly, the app generated more than $7 billion in revenue in 2021. What are some ways to make the practice profitable? You can learn how to build a website like LinkedIn.
Indeed
Job search programs are always so popular and bring a lot of money for the owners. Indeed is good proof of this fact. Learn how to create a website like Indeed to achieve success in the field of job search services. However, such programs are very expensive.
Instagram
Instagram is one of the most widely used applications in the world. What is the secret of success? Social media has always been and will always be very popular in society. Thanks to this, the company earned millions of dollars. Surprisingly, the cost to build an app like Instagram is not much different from others.
Snapchat
The question of how to make app like Snapchat worries many people because the example of this social network is impressive. The interesting thing is that this company’s profit is growing rapidly every year. But the cost of the program is not small.
OnlyFans
The OnlyFans developers wasted no time and created something that always brings a lot of money. Nowadays, the application is popular in America, Europe, and all over the world. That’s why many people are thinking about how to make an OnlyFans in their region.
Final Words
Each application for a medium or large-sized business is a unique project and is evaluated directly during planning and design. Now you know exactly how the price is formed and what affects the average cost of mobile app development.
The best solution is to turn to professionals who have success stories in their portfolios. Binerals has extensive experience in creating mobile apps and provides innovative software development techniques. Remember that investing in app development is investing in the future of your business. Your choice of a development partner and software development strategy can determine the success of your project in a competitive digital environment.
