Every day, thousands and hundreds of apps are created across various platforms, with different types and for various fields of use. People increasingly use apps to help them finish their jobs while enjoying their time. So, app developers are making the most of this potential since it's an investment for mobile app development, whether for a single person or a business when they can maximize it.

Statista reported that revenue from mobile app development between 2022 and 2026 is projected to increase by 9.27%, estimating the value of these apps at 614.40 billion US dollars by 2026. This is admirable. The mobile app market is shifting, but it is always expanding.

It didn't even affect the COVID-19 outbreak when the world grappled with devastating businesses and lives. Meanwhile, working from home, highly skilled and experienced app developers tried to build high-quality mobile applications and maintain their users.

Read About: An Overview of Custom Mobile App Development Process 2024

Most Popular Global Apps and Their Development Cost

Below are some well-known apps that have redefined and reshaped customer experience. Which apps are currently the top apps in the market? We have also provided the cost of mobile app development of these apps.

Uber

Uber is a renowned on-demand ride hailing service that connects drivers and passengers worldwide. The app allows customers to request a vehicle immediately or later. Drivers who are nearby then respond to the requests. The price of creating an app similar to Uber can be as low as $30,000 to $100,000.

Snapchat

With over 300 million daily users, Snapchat has become a game-changer in social networking apps. The popular messaging app has set the standard for offering augmented reality to users with filters, interactive lenses, and other effects. The app allows users to share messages with multimedia that "self-destruct" in up to 10 seconds. The price to create an app that is Snapchat-like can range from between $45,000 and $100,000 for one platform and up to $200,000 on both platforms.

WhatsApp is an instant message service that lets users exchange messages, make instant audio/video calls, upload photos and videos, and more. Building an app for messaging like WhatsApp could cost anywhere from $30,000 to $170,000.

TikTok

The video-sharing application TikTok is now necessary and has revolutionized the entertainment world. It lets users lip-sync dialogue and recreate their favorite scenes from different music and movies.

It also has various filters and effects to improve your images and videos. The typical cost of creating an app similar to TikTok will range from $60,000-$100,000 for one platform and up to $150k for hybrid development.

Coursera

Coursera is an e-learning app that has gained huge popularity with teachers and students because of its incredible advantages. The app provides a wide range of distance-learning programs that offer skill development classes and university-level degrees worldwide. The mobile app development costs could range from $60,000 to $120,000.

Netflix

Netflix is the world's top media and video streaming service. It lets users watch movies and shows whenever they want. Developing an app similar to Netflix costs about $25,000 to $200,000.

Holafly

Holafly is an eSIM application that provides seamless global connectivity for travelers. The development costs for an eSIM application like Holafly could range between $30,000 and $300,000 or more based on the intended features of the app as well as the complexity and developer's experience.

Also Read: An Ultimate Guide to Mobile App Development in 2024

Top Factors Affecting the Cost of Mobile App Development

You've probably used calculators from various websites or searched for the average cost to develop an app to figure out a rough estimate. However, we'll tell you that regardless of how precise the figure appears, the likelihood is that it will make you feel uncomfortable.

Most of the time, those numbers aren't very accurate as the cost of development is contingent on the features of the app and the technology used, its design, the location of the development team, and so on.

We're dissecting the structure of costs for app development based on different phases of mobile app development so you are aware of the costs for each stage and what your budget will cover.

We are looking at the mobile app development process for its breakdown.

Cost of Discovery/Strategy Stage

Pre-research, planning, or strategy involves market analysis, a business plan, and documentation. At this stage, any reputable mobile app development company will be able to ask you lots of questions about your company and application objectives, and when they are reluctant to ask questions, it's an alarming sign.

About 10% of the total mobile app development costs go to this stage, which will take 20 to 200 hours to complete.

The final document should include the following details:

Competitive analysis
Objective declaration
MVP concept
Research on market and user
A clear roadmap for the project

Estimated Cost: $1,200 to $11,000 (timeframe of 2 to 4 weeks)

Cost of Design Stage

The next phase involves wireframing, software prototyping, user experience design, and visual (UI) designs. As we all know, the first impression matters and it is crucial to design an attractive app that captures your customers' attention.

This is why it is important to invest in design carefully; it could make or break your idea. Creating an app could take about 10-15% of the total cost, and the time required for development could be greater due to complex screens, custom-designed components, visual complexity, etc.

Estimated Cost: $2,500-$10,000 (timeframe of 3 to 4 weeks)

Cost of Development Stage

This is the most crucial and costly app development phase for mobile devices. The complexity of the functions determines the approximate cost of app development. The more complicated the features, the longer it takes for development to build them, resulting in increased costs.

In addition to these features, the phase concerns the application's architecture, data encryption, user base, storage, and integration with third-party providers, among other things.

This phase requires lots of collaboration and the utmost focus of your developers since the programming cost is much higher than in the other stages. Furthermore, developing your mobile app using cross-platform frameworks can help you save money instead of creating several apps that run on multiple platforms.

Estimated Cost: $3,000-$60,000 (timeframe of 2 to 6 months)

Cost of Testing and Deployment Stage

Next is testing, which confirms the quality of the app. This is crucial for estimating the cost of developing an app, as you don't have to waste money on post-launch bug fixing.

Your quality control team's thorough testing ensures that your customers encounter fewer inconveniences regarding crashes, glitches, and delays. The most effective way to ensure user satisfaction is to make the app available without problems.

The cost of testing and deployment is based on the level of complexity and feature-richness of your application.

Estimated Cost: $5,000 (timeframe of 2 to 4 weeks)

Native App Development Cost

Native applications are created to run on a specific device using a variety of programming languages. In the case of iOS application development, Swift and Objective C programming languages are utilized in conjunction with Java, and Kotlin is utilized to develop Android applications.

Native applications are priced between $40,000 and $300,000, depending on their complexity and UX.

Web App Development Cost

Web-based applications aren't technically mobile apps. Instead, they are responsive websites that are mobile-friendly and have a responsive design. Therefore, websites ensure the most enjoyable user experience regardless of screen size or gadgets.

Web application development is a great alternative for companies with budgetary constraints.

The minimum cost of web app development is about $15,000-$100,000. The cost ranges between $110,000 and $500,000 for more complicated web applications.

Cross-Platform Development Cost

The demand for cross-platform app development is increasing. This type of app design lets developers utilize a single source code to develop an application that works on iOS and Android devices. It's an efficient design type popular with entrepreneurs and developers.

Flutter and React Native are popular technologies that have taken over the market.

Development of cross-platform apps could cost anywhere from $90,000 to $700,000.

Mobile app development for an e-book could cost between $20,000 and $200,000, while web app development could cost between $15,000 and $500,000.

Features & Functionality

Finding the right solution to "How much will it cost to develop an application: It is only possible by knowing the features you plan to offer your customers. These are the biggest costs, as they could take months to implement.

The cost of creating an app could vary depending on the quantity and extent of features you intend to add. Certain features, such as push notifications, can take up the majority of your app budget and could cost several hundred thousand dollars upon implementation.

Let's ask how much it will cost to develop an application. It depends on the features you plan to incorporate.

Hardware characteristics

They are also referred to as native device features because they use the device's hardware. Modern smartphones have numerous built-in capabilities, such as internet connectivity, NFC, Bluetooth, etc. Developing these capabilities can take a considerable time, ranging from 30 to 100 hours.

User login

It is the most crucial feature of the majority of modern apps. Based on its logic and complexity, such as the capability to remember a password, it could take between 10 and 70 hours to install the feature.

User Engagement

The functions of this kind include social media sharing, SMS push notifications, emails, push notifications, and so on. Everything that lets you connect with your users. Some features can be implemented through APIs, while others must be designed entirely from scratch.

This functionality could take 25 to 145 hours, depending on your needs.

Geolocation

These features are popular with applications, such as apps that deliver food and maps. They can be developed using GPS and iBeacons and will take 10 to 150 hours to develop.

Payments

You can incorporate many payment options into your app to allow in-app payments, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Stripe, PayPal, Payoneer, credit card, etc. Depending on the complexity and degree of customization the app requires, you could invest 20 to 200 hours to implement this functionality.

Cross-device synchronization

If you develop an app for on iPhone and iPad, it could be beneficial to include an option that allows users to transfer data between various devices. The development process will last between 20 and 200 hours.

Data encryption

Data encryption is an essential requirement in many countries. If you do not want to face issues with GDPR or other regulations, consider including this feature in your application. The process could take anywhere from 10 hours to 2 days, depending on the protocols, the degree of protection, and your requirements.

Agency or a Freelancer

Picking the right mobile app development firm is crucial in determining the price to create an app. You can hire a mobile app development company or find freelance application developers for mobile to complete your idea. Neither is a bad option; however, hiring an offshore firm could give you an advantage compared to hiring freelancers.

The biggest benefit of using independent developers is that they're fairly inexpensive, with rates as low as $20 for an hour. However, there are a few negatives to consider as well.

Why? Because creating an application isn't just about writing a few thousand lines of code. There are many other things to consider, including planning, UI, or UX.

In contrast, outsourcing app development is more secure because it has access to a vast range of talents and an established business. Therefore, selecting an app development firm offers a variety of advantages that freelancers can't provide, such as:

Accountability
A smooth project management
Communication is easy
Quality assurance
All-inclusive solutions
Discipline and scheduling
Efficient involvement

The cost of app development using freelance developers is much less. However, the process can take quite a long time to finish, and development companies could be more expensive. However, you can expect quality results in a very short time.

Cost of Hiring App Developer

The development team includes many experts in their fields.

Business Analysts

Business analysts are accountable for analyzing requirements, understanding the business field, evaluating the budget, logging processes, and creating the software's business model.

Project Manager

After deciding on the software model, the project manager brings teams together, delegates the tasks, ensures deadlines are met and monitored on time, and supplies the required resources to complete the task efficiently.

Architect

Usually, an architect decides on the design, considering the user's input, overseeing the design, and testing and fine-tuning each process until it is perfect.

Developer

Developers are responsible for coding the program. They are skilled in various programming languages, technologies, and tools to ensure your software runs smoothly and provides customers' requested features. Developers can be classified into two groups: front-end and back-end. Each one is responsible for their own front-end and back-end activities. PHP, JavaScript, Kotlin (Android),Swift (iOS),and other languages are frequently used. Back-end languages comprise Python, Java, and several others.

UI/UX Designer

They are responsible for developing a distinctive and appealing application that catches users' attention.

After the app is completed and published, the application is tested. The QA team ensures the app works properly by identifying bugs and bringing them to developers.

Must Read: Custom Mobile App Development vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions: Which is Right for You

Hidden Factors Affecting Mobile App Development Cost

This part will examine the most commonly occurring hidden costs of developing mobile applications. Knowing these things can reduce risk and save time and money. Therefore, let's look at each one in-depth without further delay!

Quality Assurance

Depending on the scope of your app, you might require an agent or a project manager for quality assurance. Hiring business analysts to assist you in keeping development costs low and within your budget for app development is also possible.

Costs for infrastructure

Infrastructure costs include data storage, data delivery, and app hosting, which increase an application's complexity and cost. Some items that cost infrastructure are servers, data storage, development tools, and libraries.

IT Support Costs

A quality application can be created only with IT support services and ongoing technical support. However, support costs can increase with time. The most common IT-related support includes iOS and Android upgrades, bug fixes, or API repair.

App Publishing Costs

When app developers create applications, they consider the requirements for app stores. The cost of an app store isn't that important. When you upload an Android app for sale on the Play Store, you must pay a one-time charge of just $25. Apple, however, is charged $99 per year.

If you wish to sell your app only within your company, you must pay $299 annually to join the Apple Developer Enterprise Program. Then, you can make your app available through the App Store. Google Play doesn't charge a fee for this service.

App Security

App security is a significant security issue. Customers must be able to believe in your app and their personal information. To ensure this, you must have a solid Security plan. If you consider this before the start and add the time to conduct security and testing tests in advance, all will be well. If that isn't the case, the expenses will be greater and could be associated with reputational and financial loss.

After being well-versed in all the elements affecting mobile application development costs, it's time to review the basic app development procedure.

App Development Cost Calculators

You might have seen different calculators for the development of apps online, which claim to give an accurate estimation of app development cost. However, let's face the facts: the intricate complexity involved in the development of apps makes these calculators far from being accurate.

Why?

Firstly

It's impossible to consider all the aspects that affect the price of creating an application. From the complexity and number of features to designing details to backend infrastructure, we have variables at play as we and post-launch.

Secondly

As an aspiring app creator, you may need more details to input these calculators. Expert advice is unavoidable.

We've had a fair amount of experience using cost calculators. We observed that the simplest apps did not adhere to their budgets. Most of the projects fell outside of budgeted costs because of pivots driven by market forces or the implementation of agile methods, which allow for continual improvements and ad hoc adjustments. While calculators might provide a base, they cannot understand the fluid characteristics of the software industry.

Key Criteria for Evaluating App Development Agencies

There are a lot of IT outsourcing companies that provide a range of services. However, how do you choose an experienced partner capable of providing high-quality services?

It is best to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the specifications of your product match those of the suppliers.

Here are some suggestions that will assist you in hiring an IT company capable of meeting the requirements of your project and developing the application you've always wanted:

Align on Required Features

You must decide on the specifications for your application, including the number of dollars allocated to its development, the timeframe for development, and the platforms that will be used to run it.

It's also helpful to be aware of the top methods for developing mobile apps. This will allow you to comprehend the kind of application you'll need to build.

It can be extremely helpful when selecting a mobile app development firm to search for someone who is knowledgeable about your kind of app.

Evaluate End-to-End Services

If you choose a reputable software development company with an established track record of success, you can be sure that your app will be developed by highly skilled professionals.

This firm will provide all the tools you require to create, develop, and test your app, so you don't need to seek out additional help elsewhere.

Interview Developers Personally

After you've identified an agency to develop apps that meet your requirements, spend some time meeting with the team of developers.

Ask them about their experiences in the field of app development. Tell them about your app's ideas and learn what they think of the idea behind your app.

This conversation can assist you in understanding how app developers from this firm discover the idea they like and can put it into action.

Verify Their Portfolio

Request the company's representatives to list some of the top apps they've developed and then thoroughly investigate them.

Please consider whether you enjoy the look of these apps and whether you feel they are practical and user-friendly.

It is important to know that its distinctiveness is among the primary aspects of the app's success. Do you find anything distinctive in this company's apps, or do they appear to be ordinary?

Assess Security & Compliance

It is essential to discuss the security and privacy concerns of your mobile applications and personal data.

Developers should prepare to sign an agreement on confidentiality and non-disclosure to safeguard your personal information.

It is also advisable to discuss and address the rights to intellectual property and the other aspects of the security of your personal information before beginning the collaboration.

How Much Does It Cost to Maintain an App?

Installing your app on the server isn't the end of the story. You have to maintain and monitor it to ensure that it runs without issue, is always secure, and meets the needs of on-demand users.

The cost of maintaining an app may vary based on many factors, such as how often updates are needed, the level of complexity of the app, the technology stack employed, and the size of the development team.

In general, app maintenance costs vary between 15% and 20% of the initial development cost per year. If, for instance, the app costs $100,000 to create and maintain, the annual cost will be between $15,000 and $20,000.

But this is only an estimate of the app's development costs. Estimation and the actual costs could be more or less, depending on the application's particular requirements. When calculating an application's maintenance cost, it is essential to consider additional factors, such as server costs and bug fixes, as well as new features, security updates, and customer support.

Read About: Is it worth hiring a mobile app development company in 2024?

Hidden Costs of Developing an App

The development of apps can be complicated and requires lots of effort, time, and funds. Although the initial costs for creating an app are usually the most apparent, other additional costs can be a lot more expensive:

Design and the User Experience

The creation of an application that is appealing and simple to use takes lots of design work. This could include everything from creating the user interface to designing graphics and icons. The cost of designing can rapidly rise, particularly if you require the services of an expert designer.

Debugging and Testing

When you've finished building your application, it is important to verify it thoroughly to ensure everything works as intended. This could involve testing across a range of platforms and devices, which will take a substantial period of time. In addition, if there are any issues or bugs that require fixing, this could increase the overall cost of app development.

Updates and Maintenance

Applications require regular maintenance and upgrades to remain operational and current with the latest technology. This could range from fixing bugs to introducing new features. Application maintenance costs can be substantial, especially if you need to ensure that your application remains up-to-date and relevant.

App Store Costs

If you plan to release your app through an app store such as Apple, App Store, or Google Play Store, there are charges associated with every download. The fees will vary based on the app store platform and your chosen pricing model.

Promotion and Marketing

Making your app visible and downloaded by users requires advertising and marketing. This can include everything from creating social media profiles and websites to running advertisements and promotions. This could impact the total price of building an app and persist even after the application has been launched.

Average Cost to Develop an App

In other words, the cost of developing mobile apps will range between $20,000 and $200,000, depending on the app's platform, the features and functionalities of the application users, and the complexities. However, it can be upwards of $350,000. The price for traditional iOS and Android app development is generally more expensive than cross-platform app development.

According to Business Apps, developing an app with basic features could cost up to $32,000. A moderately complex app can cost as much as $48,000. The cost of developing a complex app starts at $72,000.

GoodFirms conducted a separate survey on the expense of building an application. According to their research, features-rich and complex apps such as Tinder, Uber, or Instagram can cost between $100,000 and $185,000.

UpCity has also concluded the survey results: "How much does it cost to develop a mobile app?" It also outlines the typical price for each phase. The cost range is between $10,000 and $15,000 for the discovery phase. $10,000 to $15,000 is the typical cost to create an app, and $5,000 is for developing an app that includes advanced features such as alerts and data analytics. Testing, maintenance, and support phases can cost between $5,000 and $10,000.

The Key Takeaway

This blog offers general details on the costs of creating an app before creating one that their company has. We will also discuss the hidden costs involved in the development process that could affect a person's budget if they are not considered beforehand.

Speaking with a professional or an app development expert is recommended if you're planning to create apps for your company. Check out their extensive portfolio before deciding on the kind of app you'd like to create across various industry verticals. You can ask them questions about your questions so you're informed at each step of the development process. The result is as close as you had hoped for.

FAQs

1. How much does it cost to create an application?

Although it's impossible to estimate an exact estimate of what a custom mobile application costs, here are the estimated costs:

Simple apps: $5,000 - $50,000
Medium complex app development: $50,000-$100,000
Complex app development: $100,000to $300,000 or more

2. What does it cost to manage an application?

In the first year following the launch, the cost of maintaining your app could be as high as 50% of the initial investment to develop it. Then, your annual budget for maintenance on your app can be around 15%- 20% of the initial expense.

3. What is the time it will take to develop an application?

Apps, on average, take three to nine months to complete, depending on their nature and the nature of your project.

For more in-depth information, look up how long it will take to create an app? or contact a mobile app development firm.

4. What are the main factors that influence the total cost of app development?

The factors that impact the cost of developing an app are the functionalities and features, the complexity of the app animation and design, the usability of the code, the size and location of your team of developers, and other undiscovered factors in app development.