Companies often face challenges when it comes to budgeting for app development. Many struggle to allocate funds properly, as they do not fully understand the factors that influence project costs.
This article is made for those looking to gain a clear understanding of how much it costs to make an app. Here, we’ll break down the key elements that impact the overall budget.
Factors affecting app development costs
Discovery and research
This phase encompasses market analysis, competitor evaluation, and defining core app features. The goal is to deeply understand the target audience, pinpoint essential functionalities, and mitigate risks. Depending on your app’s complexity, discovery can last several weeks, and the costs reflect the team’s wages and time commitment.
Thorough research and planning in this stage are critical as they help prevent costly errors later in development, making it a valuable investment that can save significant resources down the road. So, you can’t skip this stage to save money.
App complexity
The more complex the app, the higher the development costs will be.
| App type | Description | Suitable for… |
| Simple app | Basic features, limited functionality, static UI | Small businesses, basic utilities, informational apps (e.g., maps, trackers) |
| Medium app | Intermediate features, more interactive elements | Social media platforms, fitness apps, photo editors, e-commerce apps |
| Complex app | Advanced features, real-time updates, custom APIs | Large-scale platforms, apps with AI, machine learning, or complex user interactions |
Technologies used
Choosing the right technologies heavily influences the cost of an app. Cross-platform tools like React Native or Flutter can save you money, letting developers write one codebase for both iOS and Android. Native development is pricier and requires separate codebases in Swift and Kotlin.
On the back end, ready-made solutions like Firebase work well for smaller projects. For bigger, more complex apps, custom-built backends (Node.js, for example) offer flexibility but come at a higher mobile application development cost.
Geographical location of developers
The hourly rate and, eventually, the overall cost of your app are heavily influenced by the location of your development team. Hiring development companies in Eastern Europe or Asia would be a more great option for those who do not mind outsourcing their development work and adjusting to other time zones.
This image explains the hourly rates of developers in different countries:
UI/UX design
Another critical cost element for your app is its visual design, which goes hand in hand with user experience. Apps that use premade UI kits or themes are generally less expensive because they rely on pre-designed components. This means that the app may look familiar and functional but won’t stand out in terms of unique design.
If you want a distinctive style that sets your app apart, you’ll need a custom UI/UX design. This involves a higher budget, as it requires more time and specialized design expertise to craft a tailored experience.
Hidden costs of app development
Several hidden app development costs may emerge during or after development. Don’t overlook them to make a correct estimation:
- Maintenance. After the app launches, regular maintenance is necessary to fix bugs, update operating systems, and ensure security. This can cost around 20-30% of the original development price each year.
- Third-party services. Your app may need external services, like payment gateways, cloud storage, or push notification systems, which come with recurring fees. These mobile app development costs can add up, especially as your user base grows.
- Infrastructure costs. Hosting, server maintenance, and database management are critical for any app with backend services. As traffic increases, you’ll need to scale your infrastructure, which means higher ongoing costs.
How do I know the exact price?
It’s nearly impossible to give an exact number. App development costs vary based on so many factors — complexity, features, team size, and region. However, you can expect the following ballpark estimates:
source: generated with DALL-E 3
Every app has its own unique development journey. Contact a reputable development company to get a precise estimate of how much it will cost to develop an app. They can evaluate your particular needs and offer thorough cost analyses.
