Have you heard the saying, “There’s an app for everything”? This idea remains true today, as app development, both mobile and web, is growing rapidly. The Play Store and App Store have both recently celebrated their 12th anniversary, and the number of apps continues to increase.
So far, there have been 35 to 36 billion app downloads from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, but there is still a demand for more. It encourages companies to create innovative apps that change how people connect with their business, whether they are Boomers, Millennials, or Gen Zs.
Another important question that business leaders often ask is: What will it cost to develop an app?
There is no simple answer to this question. With 25 years of experience in web and mobile app development, we understand that apps don’t come with a set price tag. However, we can say that the cost of development is directly tied to the quality of the product. Many factors will influence the total cost, so it’s essential to consider these carefully for success.
Instead of lengthy articles that offer vague answers, our blog will provide a straightforward look at the typical costs associated with mobile app development.
When clients visit an application development company to discuss their app idea, they often have a limited understanding of the development process and the costs involved. Even if they have clearly defined their needs and desired features, this alone isn’t enough for an accurate cost estimate.
The initial price quoted by the agency is just part of the picture. App development is a complicated process. To accurately determine the cost of app development, it is essential to conduct thorough research and have a solid understanding of how apps function.
In a nutshell, the cost to build an app comes down to these five basic elements:
Functionalities of the app – What the product will do and what needs it will fulfill for the customers.
Complexity of app features – It can be a telemedicine app or just a to-do list. The feature complexity will shape both the development complexity and the cost.
Targeted devices and platforms – You can opt for native vs cross-platform development to support one specific platform or multiple platforms.
Maintenance plan – You will need technical support after the app's deployment to ensure it consistently works and to make any necessary improvements.
Third-party integration – Do you need to integrate third-party services (like location sharing or payment) with your app? If so, it will increase the cost.
You have a couple of options. First, review the factors mentioned earlier and establish a fixed budget for the entire project.
Alternatively, you can use a simple formula as an app development cost calculator to estimate the charges you will incur.
Many people use online calculators or search for the average cost to create an app to get an idea of expenses. However, these numbers can be misleading. The cost of app development depends on several factors, including the app's features, the technologies used, the design, and the location of the development team.
We will break down the costs of app development by different stages. This way, you can see what each phase costs and how it fits into your budget.
Here, we are considering the mobile app development process in its entirety.
Before starting a project, it's essential to conduct a market analysis and create a comprehensive business plan. During this phase, a reputable development firm will ask numerous questions about your business and what you aim to achieve with your application. If they don’t ask questions, that should raise concern.
Approximately 10% of the total cost of developing a mobile app is allocated to this stage. It usually takes between 20 to 200 hours to complete.
The final document should contain the following information:
Competitive analysis
Objective declaration
MVP concept
User and market research
A clear project roadmap
Estimated cost - $1,200 - $11,000 (with a timeline of 2-4 weeks)
The second phase focuses on creating software prototypes, wireframes, user experience designs, and visual (UI) designs. First impressions matter, so it's crucial to build a well-designed app that appeals to your users.
Investing in design is crucial for the success of your project. Design can significantly impact whether your project succeeds or fails. It typically costs about 10-15% of the total budget for creating an app. Please note that the required person hours may increase due to the complexity of screens, custom components, and visual details.
Estimated cost - $2,500 - $10,000 (with a timeline of 3-4 weeks)
This stage of mobile app development is the most important and costly. The estimated cost depends on the complexity of the app's features. If the features are more complex, it will take more time to develop them, which increases costs.
At this stage, focus on the application architecture, data encryption, storage, user base, third-party integration, and features.
This stage requires a lot of teamwork and careful attention from your developers, as coding and programming costs more than all the other stages combined. Additionally, utilizing cross-platform mobile app development frameworks can save you a significant amount of money compared to developing separate apps for each platform.
Estimated cost - $3,000 - $60,000 (with a timeline of 2-6 months)
Next, we need to test the app to ensure its quality. This step is crucial because it helps predict the cost of creating the app. By testing now, we can avoid wasting resources on fixing bugs after the app is launched.
Thorough testing by the quality assurance team ensures that your customers will experience fewer problems, such as crashes, glitches, and slowdowns. To ensure user satisfaction, it’s best to release the app with as few issues as possible.
The cost of testing and deployment depends on the complexity and features of your app.
estimated cost – <$5,000 (with a timeline of 2-4 weeks)
Be cautious when selecting a platform to develop your mobile app for your target audience. The platform you choose affects the total cost of app development. You can consider focused options like iOS, Android, Web App, or Cross-platform. If you're a startup with limited funds, start with one platform and later expand to others.
The type of application you choose affects development costs. Creating mobile apps typically requires building them for both iOS and Android. This adds to the complexity and expense. Applications can be grouped into different types:
Native app development involves creating apps specifically for a platform, such as iOS or Android. Developers use platform-specific languages, such as Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android. The cost of native app development can range from $10,000 to $250,000. This cost depends on the app's complexity, features, and the rates charged by developers.
Cross-platform app development utilizes modern tools like Flutter or React Native to create apps that function on various devices with a single codebase. This approach usually costs between $20,000 and $150,000, which is often less expensive than developing separate apps for each platform.
Web app development creates applications that work on web browsers and different devices. The cost to build a web app usually ranges from $10,000 to $100,000. There are also ongoing fees for hosting and maintenance.
Progressive web apps (PWAs) provide a web-based experience that mimics the feel of a mobile app. Developing a Progressive Web Application (PWA) typically costs between $15,000 and $100,000. This cost can increase if you require features such as offline access and app-like functionality.
The cost of developing an app can vary depending on its complexity and the operating system it will use. Here are the estimated costs for different app operating systems:
iOS app development means creating apps for Apple devices that run on the iOS operating system. Developers mainly use Swift or Objective-C programming languages. The cost to develop an iOS app ranges from $25,000 to $250,000. This cost depends on the app’s complexity, features, and the rates of the developers.
Android app development is the process of creating applications for devices that run on Android operating systems. Developers use programming languages such as Java or Kotlin for this purpose. The cost to develop an Android app typically ranges from $20,000 to $250,000 or more, especially for more complex applications.
Windows app development focuses on creating software for devices that run Microsoft Windows operating systems. Developing a Windows app typically costs between $20,000 and $200,000 or more, especially for more complex applications designed specifically for this platform.
If we bifurcate application based on technology, it will be as follows:
React Native app development utilizes the React Native framework to create applications that run on both iOS and Android devices. The cost to build these apps ranges from $20,000 to $150,000.
The cost to develop an average Flutter app ranges from $15,000 to $200,000. This cost depends on the project's size, target audience, and budget.
If you want a Flutter app with simple features, expect to spend about $8,000 to $60,000. For a moderately complex app, the cost ranges from $60,000 to $120,000. If you need an app with high complexity and many integrations, the price can range from $140,000 to $200,000.
Swift app development is about creating native iOS applications using the Swift programming language. The cost of developing Swift apps typically ranges from $10,000 to $250,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the app and its advanced features designed for iOS devices.
Now that you understand the costs of building apps at each stage let’s discuss three important factors to consider when estimating your app development costs.
Your app idea may be great, but getting users to love it is a different challenge. There are various types of apps, and selecting the right one for your business goals will significantly affect your development costs.
Basic Apps: Basic or simple apps cost between $5,000 and $60000. They do not need extensive front-end or back-end development. The cost can vary based on the platform (iOS, Android, or both) and the developer's rates. Simple apps typically include basic games, watches, and calculator apps.
Data-Driven Apps: Creating data-driven apps usually costs between $25,000 and $80,000. These apps rely heavily on processing and analyzing large amounts of data. They gather large amounts of data, analyze it, and present it to users. Examples of data-driven apps include calendars, weather applications, and mapping services. The cost of these apps increases with the complexity of data handling and integration.
Social Network Apps: Creating a social network app can cost between $30,000 and $100,000. These apps require features such as user profiles, social interactions, messaging, and media sharing. The costs can vary based on extras such as real-time updates, push notifications, and the ability to scale. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Pinterest are examples of social network apps.
On-Demand Services App: On-demand service apps connect users with products or services in real time. Building one can cost between $60,000 and $120,000. The price mainly depends on features like geolocation, payment integration, and managing service providers.
E Commerce Apps: Developing eCommerce apps can cost between $80,000 and $150,000. Costs may increase with features like inventory management, secure transactions, and support for multiple platforms. Some well-known eCommerce apps include Alibaba, eBay, and Amazon.
Gaming Apps: The cost of developing gaming apps ranges from $30,000 to $200,000. This range depends on the design needs, which can include simple 2D games or complex 3D experiences with multiplayer features. Gaming apps require high-end graphics and a robust back end, resulting in significant development costs. They need powerful processing and complex user interfaces.
Enterprise Apps: Enterprise apps serve specific needs within an organization, such as sales, marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), and human resource management (HRM). Creating an enterprise-level application typically costs between $50,000 and $300,000. The price varies based on the complexity of the business processes and the required integrations.
Healthcare Apps: Healthcare apps typically cost between $45,000 and $250,000. They can be even more expensive because they must comply with healthcare regulations, securely handle data, and may need to integrate with medical devices.
eLearning Apps: Creating and running eLearning apps can be costly, ranging from $60,000 to $300,000. These apps support online learning and provide educational resources, including virtual classrooms, course sharing, and training. The price can rise even more with additional features such as multimedia content, progress tracking, and tools to engage users.
Video Streaming Apps: Video streaming apps enable users to watch videos online without needing to download them. Building a video streaming app can cost between $50,000 and $350,000 or more because of the need for bandwidth and server infrastructure.
Choosing the right development team is crucial for determining the cost of your app. You can either hire an app development company or bring on freelance mobile app developers for your project. Both options have their benefits, but working with an offshore agency may provide more advantages than hiring freelancers.
Using freelance developers can be very cost-effective, with rates starting at around $20 per hour. However, there are also some significant drawbacks to consider.
Building an application involves more than just writing code. You also need to consider important factors such as planning, user interface (UI), and user experience (UX).
App development outsourcing is more reliable because these agencies have access to many skilled professionals and operate as legitimate businesses. Choosing an app development agency offers several benefits that freelancers cannot provide, including:
Accountability
Smooth project management
Ease of communication
Quality assurance
All-inclusive solutions
Discipline and schedule
Efficient involvement
Developing an app with freelance developers usually costs less, but it takes a long time to finish. On the other hand, using a development company may be more expensive, but you will receive high-quality results in a significantly shorter timeframe.
Hiring an app developer typically costs between $25 and $60 per hour or more. The price depends on the developer's skills, experience, and location.
For fixed-price projects, the average cost for developers starts at a few thousand dollars for simpler apps. Prices can rise significantly for more complex or feature-rich applications. To understand the specific costs for your app development project, it's essential to research and get quotes from multiple developers.
A report from Clutch shows that hiring app developers costs between $25 and $49 per hour. They also mention that mobile app development projects typically cost between $10,000 and $49,000 to complete and launch.
The development team includes various professionals, each an expert in their field.
Business Analysts: Business analysts help understand what a business needs. They study the business area, review the budget, document the process, and develop the software business model.
Project Manager: After selecting the software model, the project manager forms the team, assigns tasks, and makes sure everyone meets deadlines. They also provide the resources needed to complete the project effectively.
Architect: The architect decides on the prototype, gathers user feedback, and oversees the design. They test and refine each stage until it is perfect.
Developer: Developers create the application by writing code. They are familiar with numerous programming languages, technologies, and tools that enable your software to function effectively and possess the features users desire. We can categorize developers into two main groups:
Each team handles its own front-end and back-end development tasks. For the front end, they mainly use languages such as PHP, JavaScript, Kotlin for Android, and Swift for iOS. For back-end development, they typically use languages such as Python and Java, among others.
UI/UX Designer: They are in charge of creating a unique and visually appealing application that grabs the user’s attention.
QA: When the app is finished and ready for release, it goes to testing. The QA team verifies that the app functions correctly by identifying and reporting any bugs to the developers.
We have listed the hourly rates for our development team based on their roles. It will provide you with a basic idea of the costs. Before you start hiring developers, it's essential to know how to hire them effectively.
Deploying your app on the server is just the beginning. You need to monitor and maintain the app to keep it running smoothly. It ensures that the app stays secure and continues to meet the needs of its users.
The cost of maintaining an app can vary based on several factors. These factors include the frequency of updates required, the complexity of the app, the technology used, and the size of the development team.
Typically, app maintenance costs can range from 20% to 45% of the total app development cost in the first year. This cost covers fixing bugs, adding new features, providing updates, and responding to user feedback.
Maintaining a native Android or iOS app can be expensive. You should budget about $500 per month to keep the app running well. If your app development cost is $100,000, you can expect to spend around $20,000 each year on managing your app.
The complexity of an app can significantly affect its development cost. Generally, the more complex the app, the longer and more resources it will require to build, leading to higher costs. Here are a few ways complexity influences app development costs:
Features: An app with more features is usually more complex. Adding features takes more time and resources.
Integrations: If an app needs to work with other systems or services, this can significantly complicate development.
User Interface: A complicated user interface needs more design and development time. It also requires extra testing and debugging.
Security: Adding advanced security features can increase both the time and cost of developing the app.
Platform: Developing an app for multiple platforms, such as iOS and Android, increases complexity and cost.
Therefore, it's crucial to think about the app's complexity during the planning and design stages. It will help keep the app creation costs within your budget.
The cost to develop a basic app typically ranges from $5,000 to $60,000 and takes about 1 to 3 months. A simple app typically features standard design elements and basic screens and usually does not require extensive data storage or customization. Examples of simple app development include SMS apps, clocks, calculators, and audio or video players.
The cost to develop a mid-level app typically ranges from $50,000 to $200,000. This process normally takes between 3 and 6 months. Mid-level apps feature more interactive elements and can connect to external services, databases, and GPS. Examples of mid-level apps include chat apps, budgeting apps, photo and file-sharing apps, food delivery apps, and cab-booking apps.
Building a complex app can cost between $90,000 and $350,000 and may take 6 to 12 months or longer, depending on the app's complexity. These apps are designed for businesses or heavy use by many people. Examples of complex apps include games, logistics applications, enterprise applications, healthcare applications, trading and lending applications, and telehealth applications.
The location of the development team can significantly affect the cost of building an app. Labor costs vary by region. Generally, developers in North America and Europe earn higher salaries than those in Asia and South America.
Taxes and regulations for hiring employees can vary a lot between countries and regions. In some places, when you hire developers, you may need to pay extra taxes, insurance, or benefits. It can increase the total development cost.
The costs of running a development team can vary depending on the location. In some areas, office rent, utilities, and other expenses can be higher. The availability of skilled professionals also varies by region, which can impact the average cost of app development. If you require specific technology or skills, it may be more challenging and costly to find the right talent in particular locations.
Finally, working with a development team in a different time zone can slow down development and increase costs related to coordination and communication.
Cost is the most crucial factor to consider when choosing the location of the development team. Here is a cost range based on location; take a look -
The average cost to hire app developers in the United States is approximately $120 per hour, making it quite expensive.
Next, the UK charges an average of $100 per hour, while Australia’s rate is around $90 per hour for app development.
In Western Europe, the average hourly rate for app developers is $80.
In Eastern Europe, you can find app developers for about $60 per hour, which is a moderate price.
India is known for its affordable app development, with an average hourly rate of $40 for developers.
Finally, in South America, the cost of app development is $50 per hour.
Developing an app can be a complicated process. It requires a significant amount of time, effort, and resources. The initial costs of building an app are usually clear, but there are also hidden expenses that can add up quickly, such as:
Creating an app that looks good and is easy to use requires a lot of design work. It includes designing the user interface and making icons and graphics. These design costs can add up quickly, especially if you need to hire a professional designer.
After building the app, you need to test it well to ensure it works as intended. This testing should cover various devices and platforms and can take a considerable amount of time. If you find any bugs or problems that need fixing, this can increase the overall cost of app development.
Apps require regular maintenance and updates to function optimally and stay current with new technologies. It includes fixing bugs and adding new features. Maintaining an application can be costly, especially if you want to keep it competitive and relevant.
If you want to distribute your app through stores like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you will need to pay fees for each download. These fees may vary depending on the platform and the pricing model you select.
To get users to notice and download your app, you need to market and promote it. It includes creating social media profiles, a website, and running ads or promotions. These efforts can increase the cost of building your app and may continue even after it launches.
A well-built app can turn your business idea into reality, but you need to ensure you have the necessary funds. To keep your app costs manageable and maximize your investment, consider optimizing your app budget. Here are some tips to help you with that:
Start with a well-defined scope: Before you begin developing the app, ensure that you clearly define its scope. It will help you avoid adding extra features that can delay the project and increase costs.
Outsource development: Think about hiring a third-party provider for some or all of your development work. IT outsourcing can save you money, especially if you select an offshore provider with lower labor costs.
Choose the right development team: Hire an app development team that has experience creating products like yours. It will help you avoid mistakes and save resources.
Utilize open-source technologies: Open-source technologies can help you save on licensing fees and maximize the value of your app development budget.
Prioritize features: Focus on the most critical features and build those first. This approach will help you save money by avoiding unnecessary features and allow you to launch your app more quickly.
Test early and often: Testing your app frequently helps you find bugs and problems early. This approach can save you time and money in the long run.
Leverage app development tools: Use tools and frameworks for app development to make the process easier and lower costs.
Focus on user experience: If you focus on user experience, you can create a better app that people will enjoy using. It can lead to more engagement and increased income over time.
Utilize Agile development methodologies: Agile development methods help you build your app in small, step-by-step stages. This approach can lower the overall cost of creating an app.
Here are some popular apps that are transforming the way customers experience services. These apps have become major players in their field. The descriptions below will help you understand how to estimate the costs of these apps based on their design, complexity, and features.
Zoom is the most popular app for business video calls. It is great for virtual meetings and conferences. Users can start or join meetings using a unique ID or link. This platform allows for easy document sharing, screen sharing, and video and audio communication. It helps people connect remotely without issues.
Building a video conferencing app like Zoom can cost between $30,000 and $200,000, depending on the features you choose.
TikTok is a popular social media platform that enables users to create, watch, and share short videos. It launched in September 2016 and has quickly gained popularity in the entertainment industry. Around 1.58 billion users sign up for TikTok every month, spending a significant amount of time either creating content or watching videos.
As TikTok’s popularity grows, many entrepreneurs and startups want to know how to create an app like it and what the costs would be. Developing an entertainment app like TikTok would cost between $20,000 and $250,000.
PayPal is a popular finance app that operates independently of banks. It enables users to store money and process transactions without the need for a financial institution. The app has a wallet feature for holding money before sending it to a bank account or using it for other transactions. PayPal acts as both a merchant account and a payment gateway.
Building an app like PayPal usually costs between $150,000 and $300,000 or more, depending on the features, complexity, platform, and other factors.
DoorDash is a leading food delivery service and app. The DoorDash app is free unless you choose to upgrade to a premium plan. Customers are required to pay for the food they order, as well as any applicable fees and tips.
Developing a food delivery app like DoorDash costs between $100,000 and $180,000.
Spotify is a popular app for music, podcasts, and videos. It provides access to millions of songs from creators worldwide. You can listen to music and create playlists for free. However, if you want to upgrade to Spotify Premium, you need to pay.
The cost to develop music streaming apps like Spotify for Android and iOS can range from $45,000 to $250,000.
ZocDoc is an online platform that simplifies the process of booking doctor appointments for patients. It focuses on enhancing the patient experience. With this app, patients can find doctors and see honest reviews. It serves as a one-stop shop for finding and scheduling appointments with various doctors.
Developing a doctor appointment app like ZocDoc can cost between $100,000 and $150,000, especially if you want to incorporate advanced features such as artificial intelligence.
Tinder is the most popular online dating app, with one billion swipes every day. It is a leader in the online dating world. Using Tinder is simple: you swipe to show who you like the most. Anyone can sign up for free, but Tinder also offers paid features.
The cost to develop an app like Tinder ranges from $25,000 to $120,000.
Walmart is a budget-friendly shopping app that enables users to search for, purchase, and pay for products from various retailers. It helps customers buy online and get their items delivered to their homes or pick them up at a nearby Walmart store.
Developing a shopping app like this can cost between $30,000 and $300,000. The price depends on the features you want to include.
WhatsApp is a popular messaging app that allows users to send messages and make calls in real time. It works on all major mobile operating systems. WhatsApp offers useful features, strong performance, and an easy-to-use design with adjustable settings.
Building an app like WhatsApp can cost between $50,000 and $500,000 or more, depending on various factors.
Airbnb is a popular online platform in the travel industry that enables property owners to rent out their spaces to travelers. The name stands for Air, Bed, and Breakfast. Hosts can set flexible prices based on factors such as amenities, the type of season, and location.
Creating an app like Airbnb can cost between $40,000 and $300,000, depending on specific needs.
Amazon dominates the online marketplace with over 1.9 million sellers and more than 300 million active customer accounts worldwide. For over 20 years, it has led the eCommerce industry. The Amazon app offers a wide range of products, including electronics and groceries.
Building an e-commerce app like Amazon typically costs between $40,000 and $300,000.
Udemy is the most popular online learning and teaching marketplace, with over 70 million students and 220000 courses. It's a platform that helps instructors develop online courses on their preferred topics.
Additionally, instructors can utilize Udemy's course development tools to upload videos, build ZIP files, PowerPoint presentations, audio, PDFs, source code for developers, and any other content that students may find helpful.
Developing an e-learning app like Udemy can cost between $75,000 and $250,000.
Finding a trustworthy app development partner can be a challenging task. You need to consider several factors, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, the app developers at GMAC can help you build a scalable and secure application, even on a tight budget. Here’s how:
We start by taking the time to understand your needs, including your business goals, target audience, and budget. This understanding enables us to develop a strategy that meets your needs while staying within your budget.
Our skilled developers can help you pick the best technology stack for your app. This choice can significantly affect your app's cost. We recommend utilizing the latest technologies and frameworks to reduce development time and costs.
We will provide you with a clear proposal that outlines the project’s goals, timeline, and costs. This proposal outlines what you are paying for and what to expect from us.
We have created a budget-friendly solution for your project. With our expertise in development, we find ways to lower app development costs while still maintaining quality.
We will give you regular updates on the project's progress. This way, you can keep track of costs and make changes as needed to stay within budget.
Testing and quality assurance are essential steps in developing an app. Our team of testers and quality assurance experts will thoroughly review your app for bugs and ensure it meets your requirements. This attention to detail will help you avoid expensive fixes later on.
We offer strong support after development to ensure the app works well, and we quickly resolve any issues that may arise. It helps save money in the future by preventing problems that could need more development time and costs.
The cost to develop an app usually ranges from $20,000 to $200,000. The final price depends on various factors, including the app's platform, features, functionalities, user base, and complexity. In some cases, costs can rise to $350,000. Developing apps for native iOS and Android typically costs more than creating cross-platform apps.
The cost of app development varies based on features—a simple app costs around $32,000. A medium-complexity app can reach up to $48,000. For a complex app, the starting cost is $72,000.
GoodFirms surveyed the cost of building an app. Their report states that feature-rich and complex apps, such as Tinder, Uber, or Instagram, cost between $100,000 and $185,000.
UpCity surveyed the costs of developing a mobile app. Here are the average costs for each phase of development:
The discovery phase costs about $10,000 to $15,000.
Designing the app also costs around $10,000 to $15,000.
Developing features like notifications and analytics costs about $5,000.
Testing, maintenance, and support costs between $5,000 and $10,000.