The cost of developing a mobile app depends on various factors like the complexity of the app, the features and functionality required, the platform (iOS or Android) you want to target, the experience and location of the development team, and much more.

All industries can benefit from developing a custom mobile app and more businesses are now realizing this. Besides this, there is an increase in the use of advanced technologies as well like AR/VR, and AI/ML to ensure users have a good experience. All these factors affect the cost of developing one. Thus, the most common question is the cost of developing it. How does one calculate the development cost of a mobile app? This article answers your questions in the best way possible.

How To Calculate Mobile App Development Cost?

According to a survey by Clutch, the average cost of developing a mobile app is around $171,450, but this figure can range from $10,000 for a basic app to more than $500,000 for a more complex app with advanced features.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that these are just averages and the actual cost of developing a mobile app for your business or project can vary depending on your specific needs and requirements. It’s best to consult with a professional mobile app development company to get a more accurate estimate.

Some of the common factors that affect the cost of mobile app development:

  • Platform: The cost of developing an app can vary depending on whether you want to target iOS, Android, or both. Developing an app for both platforms will generally be more expensive than developing one for just one platform. iOS developers tend to charge higher than Android app developers. On the other hand, it costs less to develop a cross-platform mobile app.
  • Complexity: The complexity of the app will also impact the cost. Apps that require complex features such as machine learning, AI, or augmented reality will generally cost more to develop.
  • Cost breakdown: The cost of developing an app will differ depending on the type of app. A simple app will cost the least an average app costs more while a complex app is the most expensive. 
  • Skill, rate & experience: The mobile app developer and development firm you hire play a vital role in the overall cost of the app.  
  • Type of App: There is the option of developing a simple web app that is a responsive app developed mainly using web technologies and costs the least. It is ideal for small businesses. A native mobile app takes advantage of the core features of the mobile device and OS. This type of app tends to be highly feature-rich and also costs more. A hybrid app is one that is the best of both worlds, native and web apps. This is a good way to keep your costs low and still develop a good app. A cross-platform app is usually developed using a framework and since it uses a single codebase for both iOS and Android, it will also cost less.
  • Development team: The location and experience of the development team will also play a role in the cost of app development. Developers in certain regions or countries may charge more or less than others.
  • Features: Every mobile app is different with a different set of features like user authentication, GPS location, etc. The more features and customization the more the cost. The cost will rise as you integrate your app to use more hardware technologies like camera, Geofencing, Bluetooth, accelerometer, pedometer, altitude, etc.

Interesting Facts & Statistics

  • Apps downloaded in 2022 were over 255 Billion while in 2016 were 140.68 Billion.
  • There are over 6.4 Billion smartphone users worldwide.
  • Mobile apps are expected to generate over $935 Billion in revenue in the year 2023.
  • The Google Play Store has over 2.87 million apps for download while the Apple App store has 1.96 million.
  • An average Smartphone user uses 10 apps per day.
  • The most popular category for mobile apps is games followed by business.
  • Users spend $380 Billion worldwide on in-app purchases in 2023.
  • The revenue from an ad in 2020 was $581.9 billion.
  • Global spending on enterprise software in 2022 was $856 Billion USD.
  • 87% of apps are developed for Android devices in 2023 while 60% were for iOS devices.

Cost of mobile app by region:

RegionCost
USA$100
Western Europe$80
Eastern Europe$50
Australia$90
India & Southeast Asia$25

Cost breakup by development process:

Discovery:

CostPercentage
$500058.61%
$5001 – $1000029.29%
$10001 – $150008.05%
$15001 – $250008.05%

UI & UX Design:

CostPercentage
Less than $500031.69%
$5001 – $1000016.83%
$10001 – $1500013.86%
$15001 – $2500012.87%
$25001 – $5000015.84%
More than $500008.91%

Development:

  • Small size app: $5000 – $10,000
  • Medium size app: $50,000 – $75,000
  • Large app: $300,000+

Testing & Quality Assurance:

  • In general: $5000 – $10,000
  • Larger apps: $25000 – $730,000

Maintenance :

The app development cost does not include the cost of  maintenance but varies from project to project. Initial cost from maintenance of app cost starting from $50/hour.

How Does the Type of Professionals You Hire Affect App Building Cost?

As a business, you have the option of either hiring a freelancer or a mobile app development company. There is also the option of setting up a team in-house, however, this can work out more expensive. Freelancers tend to charge less but are not as reliable and do not have access to a big pool of talent and resources. 

Summary

The cost to develop depends on numerous factors like development firm, size of the app, choice of technologies, and much more. It is advisable to contact a professional mobile app development company like Divwy Technologies to gain a better understanding.

https://www.divwytechnologies.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/team-working-on-mobile-app-2021-09-01-02-03-51-utc.jpghttps://www.divwytechnologies.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/team-working-on-mobile-app-2021-09-01-02-03-51-utc.jpgDivwy TechnologiesMobile App Developmentcommon factors that affect the cost of mobile app development,How Does the Type of Professionals You Hire Affect App Building Cost?,How Much Does It Cost to Build a Mobile App?,How To Calculate Mobile App Development Cost?The cost of developing a mobile app depends on various factors like the complexity of the app, the features and functionality required, the platform (iOS or Android) you want to target, the experience and location of the development team, and much more. All industries can benefit from developing a custom...