The cost of building an app fluctuates quickly due to the various factors involved in mobile and web application development. Currently, the Google Play Store features about 3.3 million Android apps, while the Apple App Store hosts over 2.2 million iOS apps. Moreover, more than 35 billion applications have been installed on smart devices from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The cost to build an app depends on the developer’s scope of work on the project, hourly rates, and location factors.
In this blog, we will learn how much it costs to build an app in 2024. Moreover, Businesses will acknowledge the pros and cons of hiring a web development company and the cost of building an app in-house.
Factors that Affect The Cost to Build an App in 2024
The average cost to develop an app ranges somewhere between $20,000 – $200,000+. However, this is a generalized opinion about how much money you must have to create an app in 2024. When evaluating the cost to build an app, it’s crucial to understand the various factors influencing app development cost.
The average cost of developing an app typically covers several key components: design, development, testing, and deployment. App development companies with several years of experience in the industry are usually well-prepared to manage complex projects.
Their experience with advanced technologies, including Machine Learning, Generative AI, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Blockchain, and IoT, enables them to manage intricate software requirements more effectively.
Working with a seasoned team can prevent costly mistakes and streamline the development process. This experience can prove invaluable, especially when dealing with sophisticated mobile technology. While developing an app in-house might initially reduce costs, it may lead to higher expenses over time due to the learning curve and bug fixes.
- Mobile Platforms and Devices Supported: The cost to create an app depends on whether it is developed for iOS, Android, or both. It also involves considerations for supporting specific devices such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Mini, Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, etc.
- Integration Points: The cost of creating a mobile app is affected by the need for third-party integration with other apps or services for content or functionality.
- Use of Visual Objects: The complexity and quality of visual elements, including graphics and animations, will influence the overall cost of making an app. High-end visuals can increase development expenses for UI designing in mobile apps.
- Use of Smartphone Hardware Features: Apps that leverage advanced hardware features like GPS, NFC, motion sensors, or Augmented Reality technology generally incur higher Android app development costs.
- Maintenance Plan: After launch, ongoing support for updates, bug fixes, and feature enhancements is necessary. A well-defined maintenance plan is crucial for maintaining app performance over time.
- Complexity of App Features: The complexity of app features, from simple functionalities to advanced applications like telemedicine, will affect both the development effort and the mobile app development cost.
- Targeted Devices and Platforms: The cost of creating an app depends on whether it is native or cross-platform. Native apps require separate development for each platform, while cross-platform solutions can be more cost-effective for supporting multiple platforms.
- Third-Party Integration: Integrating third-party services like payment gateways or location services can increase the overall app development cost.
How Much Does it Cost to Build an App Based on Different Development Stages?
The various stages of app development consist of Cost Discovery, Design, Development, Testing, and Deployment. As of 2024, the cost-discovery stage takes around 10-15% of the app development cost and involves parameters such as market analysis, requirement research, and the scope of the app development project.
Moreover, UI/UX creators require around 20-25% of the web app development cost that allows them to work on the user interface side of the application, such as creating wireframes, prototypes, and mockups.
The cost to build an app allocates 40-55% of the budget to the mobile app development cost, which covers coding, backend infrastructure, and feature integration. This is essential for turning the design into a functional app.
The testing stage consumes 15-20% of the budget and involves rigorous QA, including unit, system, and regression testing, to address mobile app bug issues and ensure smooth performance.
Finally, the deployment stage requires 5-10% of the budget for app store submission, ongoing maintenance, and updates, ensuring the app remains functional and current post-launch.
1.Cost Discovery Stage- App Development Cost
In the discovery stage, you match the app’s features with the needs of its target audience and establish your business objectives. This phase is essential for defining the project’s direction and typically requires 30-40 hours of work, equating to about $4,500 of the total app development cost.
The choice of development methodology impacts both the timeline and the budget for this stage:
- Agile Development: Outlining plans for subsequent sprints usually takes only a few days, facilitating a more flexible and iterative approach.
- Waterfall Method: This method often accounts for around 10% of the overall mobile app development cost due to its more structured and sequential process.
According to recent data from Clutch B2B ratings and other industry sources, the cost to build an app during the Discovery stage generally falls into these ranges:
- $5,000 to $10,000: Represents 10% to 20% of the total app creation budget.
- $10,000 to $20,000: Also accounts for 10% to 20% of the total budget.
- $20,000 to $40,000: This range covers 10% to 15% of the budget.
- $40,000+: Comprises 5% to 10% of the total budget.
Understanding these cost ranges can help you manage your resources effectively and more accurately plan your overall app development budget.
2.Design Cost Development Stage
A basic, lightly customized Bootstrap theme might suffice for straightforward projects. However, the cost of mobile app development will be higher for more complex designs, such as custom, multi-screen applications with intricate navigation and tailored UX for different platforms and devices.
For instance, developing a feature-rich app similar to Uber will have a different cost for Android app development compared to a simpler enterprise app with minimal design requirements. The design phase generally involves multiple steps:
- User Journey Schematic: Mapping out the user flow takes about 6-9 hours.
- Wireframing: Creating basic layouts, including buttons and navigation, requires 40-50 hours.
- Detailed Design: Developing colour schemes, animations, and branding typically takes around 50 hours.
- Prototyping and Final Design: Finalising the design and creating interactive prototypes takes approximately 80 to 120 hours.
The development phase generally represents the most significant portion of the cost to make an app, accounting for 40-50% of the total budget. Development costs can vary widely, like $30,000 to $70,000, $70,000 to $150,000, and $150,000 to $300,000.
Large-scale projects with highly specialized features may exceed $300,000, constituting 35% to 45% of the average app development cost. Understanding these cost elements helps plan and budget for the overall mobile app development process.
3.User Testing and App Development Stage
When calculating the app development cost, founders often underestimate the importance of prototyping and user testing. Tools like UsabilityHub are essential for user testing, which typically results in design revisions and additional rounds of testing.
These thorough tests can significantly increase costs, as modifications to the code are more expensive. The app development cost is heavily influenced by the coding phase, which generally accounts for 50-70% of the total budget.
This percentage varies based on the type of app, whether it’s an AI chatbot, marketing app, trading app, cryptocurrency exchange, or crypto token. The app’s complexity and the expertise required to develop it affect the software app development cost.
Most apps require a backend system to support features such as databases, payment processing, or content management systems (CMS). Utilizing popular SaaS backends, such as Shopify’s SDK, can lower the cost of Android app development by providing pre-built solutions.
Additionally, leveraging open-source tools like FuturePress and the Javascript library can further reduce costs with ready-made components. Testing and deployment are also critical phases that contribute to the overall cost. Companies generally allocate between $5,000 and $50,000 for these stages:
- Simple Apps: Basic testing typically costs $5,000-$15,000, representing 10-15% of the total budget.
- Mid-Complexity Apps: Testing and deployment may cost $15,000-$30,000, which is also 10-15% of the overall budget.
- Complex Apps: Apps requiring extensive testing and robust deployment strategies can cost between $30,000 and $50,000, making up 10-15% of the total budget.
Understanding these factors helps in accurately estimating the app development cost and effectively planning the budget for all stages of development in a software innovation company.
How Much Does it Cost to Build Each of These Highly-rated Apps?
- Snapchat- The platform has a massive user base, with around 300 million daily active users. The app development involves creating augmented reality for its users via intuitive lenses and filters. The average cost to develop an app like Snapchat will be around $45,000 to $100,000 for one platform and around $200,000 for multiple platforms.
- Netflix- Netflix has become a renowned media streaming services provider, offering the latest shows and movies for binge-watching anytime and anywhere. However, the average cost to develop an app similar to Netflix ranges from $25,000 to $200,000.
- Coursera- Coursera is an e-learning web app platform rapidly growing as a trusted guide for students and teachers. It offers numerous skill development courses and distance learning university programs. Businesses looking to build an app like Coursera might require around $60,000-$120,000.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while we can provide a rough estimate for the cost of making an app, the final figure depends on various factors. These include project scope, technology requirements, and the development method chosen. Understanding these elements can help you better analyze the mobile app development cost and plan your business budget accordingly.
This blog contains all the information you need to understand how much does it cost to build an app in 2024 and how businesses can profit from choosing the appropriate development methodology when they compare their development strategies to multiple app development agencies.
