How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App in 2024?

Every day hundreds and thousands of apps are being developed on different platforms, of different types, and for different areas of usage. People are becoming app friendly for getting their variety of works done and passing their leisure time. Thus, the app creators are making the best use of this opportunity as it is undoubtedly a profitable deal to have an app, either for an individual or a company if they really have the ability to make the most of it.

Statista revealed that the total revenue from mobile application development from 2022 to 2026 is expected to grow by 9.27%, projecting the market value of apps at 614.40 billion US dollars by 2026. This growth is admirable, and the app development market in the USA, including Texas is constantly evolving. 

The demand for mobile app development services in Texas and across the USA was unaffected even during the COVID-19 pandemic when businesses and lives were deeply impacted. Experienced and talented app creators continued to work hard from home, creating world-class innovative mobile applications and maintaining their user base.

Today, when the smartphones and other smart devices have become an extension of our lifestyle, most businesses are trying to capture the attention of potential customers through mobile applications as it is the only device that is always handy with a user at home, at work, or even on vacation. The increasing number of apps represent the plans of every single enterprise to brand their business and make their customers meet their requirements in the easiest possible manner. However, this always comes with many challenges and some upfront costs to essentially look upon while you are thinking of having your own app.

What is the cost of making an app?

Based on varied factors and requiring much efforts, the cost of development is not same for all type of applications. Type of app needed, platform chosen, region of the app developers, complexity while developing the app, third-party integration, diverse stages of app development, privacy and security of the app are some of the important factors that play an important role in determining the actual cost of developing an app. Other than these, some hidden costs are also associated with developing an app that works for a business and makes it worth developing.

Still, you don’t need to worry, as you have landed on the right place to get all the information about the cost of developing a successful mobile app. This article will give you a helpful insight over all the essential factors needed for app development that affect its cost. Also, the guidance will be given at the end of the article to understand how one can reduce the cost of their mobile app development in an efficient manner.

Formula to Calculate App Development Cost

Experts have drafted an outstanding formula implementing which can definitely help to calculate the average cost of developing an app.

Here, the number of hours involved in developing an app should be multiplied by the hourly rate charged by the developer. This formula is widely used by many companies for formulating the budget needed to start with developing an app.

Important Factors Affecting Cost for the Mobile App Development

To get along the factors affecting the cost of developing a mobile app, here follows the deep explanation to learn more about this.

#1. Complexity and App Features – 

The complexity of the app significantly affects its cost accounting a number of complex features like app design, app features, database, number of screens, third-party integration & support, and the team to develop the app. 

The features and estimated cos of the app are given as per rough approximation and these figures may vary widely based on the specifics of the projects.

#2.Types of Mobile Apps – 

Before proceeding with the app development process, it is important to decide upon the type of app you need to develop for your business. It could be a native, web app, or cross-platform app. Depending upon your target audience, you can pick any type of app to build on.

i) Native App Development – Native means iOS and Android app development that starts with a minimal budget and is built for a specific platform. The native apps work fast and more responsibly compared to other apps as the code is locally stored on the user’s phone. These apps come with fewer bugs, improved user experience, enhanced scalability, better performance, advanced customization, greater security, instant updating, and are easy to launch than other apps. Basically, $2500-5000 price is charged for making an iOS or Android app. An intermediate iOS app may cost between $9000 – $15000, whereas, an intermediate Android app may cost between $6000 – $15000. Advanced apps for both the platforms can be obtained for up to $15,000.

Benefits of Android Apps
Android Apps are the popularly opted applications having a huge knowledge base to benefit the developers and all involved in the process of development. It facilitates flexible work environment and the app performs efficiently in any type of ecosystem. The app review process on the store is easier and its resilient features makes it require less time to market. The freedom of creating open-source applications and high ROI is a significant advantage with an Android app.

Benefits of iOS Apps
iOS Apps yield better app revenues. They facilitate less device fragmentation and provide perfect user experience. These apps assure rapid development time providing tech-0savvy customer base and hold another name in the field of robust data security.

ii) Hybrid Apps/Cross-Platform Apps – The cost of developing hybrid apps is usually less than the cost of developing native apps. The reason is, you need to write separate codes for the operating systems of iOS and Android apps, but the one code base facility in hybrid apps makes the development cycle faster. Also, these apps can run on any of the said platforms being built using the same codebase. 

The development cost of such type of apps is as lower as $5000 – $10,000 with faster development time. These apps have higher audience reach. They facilitate code reuse and diminishes need for testing. The average intermediate cost of developing such apps range between $12,000 – $30,000. Over $30,000 is charged for developing advanced level of hybrid apps.

iii) Web Apps/Progressive Web Apps – 

Progressive Web Apps are the mobile and desktop app versions that can be easily installed and downloaded like any other native application. These apps just need a browser with fast Internet connectivity instead of any operating system or device to use them.

PWAs can work offline and can be created using lower development cost. They are light weighted apps as they are free from the OS and permit auto updates. These web apps allow direct downloading from the source, fast loading speed, act like native apps, and facilitate improved app performances. The average cost of developing progressive web apps range between $1000 – $2500. Intermediate level of web apps can be developed between $2500 – $5000 and the advanced level of web apps can go above $5000.

#3. Region of the Developers – 

While estimating the cost of developing an app, location of the application developers plays an important role. 

Let’s check out how the price of the app development get affect based on different regions worldwide and design resources.

#4.Stages of App Development – 

There are certain stages of developing an app that play significant role to present the finest and user-oriented app to the users. 

I. Idea Generation and Conceptualization followed by Market Research that has 5% impact on the development cost of any app. Just start with a clear and concise app concept that can be easily understood by the development team. Perform deep market and competition research, check on ruling market players, put forth actual market dynamics, let the consumers interact with brands along with checking out similar kind of top applications in the market to make a perfect product.

II. Planning and Strategizing also has 5% impact on the cost of the app production when you have become well aware of the app features, functionalities, and requirements to be included. The next step is to create a roadmap and helpful strategy after capturing all the details and essential factors for developing a useful app.

III. Next step is to design and create the UI of the app that impacts its cost up to 15%. The UI should essentially be engaging and easy to navigate for the users. Hiring an experienced UI/UX designer would definitely help meet the purpose. 

IV. Next is the development stage that involves coding, debugging, and first-class integration of the app features. Up to 60% of the cost depends upon the actual development of the product affected by several factors like which platform is chosen, hat features are included, and the level of experience of the development team.

V. Once the app gets developed, it is further transferred to testing and quality control division where the QA team conducts a variety of tests to identify if the app is free from all the glitches, bugs, and errors and is made implementing all the needed features. This process accounts approximately 10% of the cost spent on the product.

VI. Post app testing and quality checking, the app remains all set to be deployed and shared with the app store to reach its final user base. It affects 5% of the app cost where the app is needed to comply with the specific platform chosen by the users along with supplying the store fees and other relevant monetization model.

VII. An app always requires maintenance and support, even after the development process, where a paid service is often offered as an option, usually excluded from the initial app package. This can account for 15% to 20% of the app development cost in Texas and across the USA. 

VIII. Third-party API integration or services for adding extra functionality to the app comes with an additional cost from $1,000 to $10,000 to improve the app later on after upgrading it as per the latest trends in the market.

IX. The privacy and security measures help you collect, share, and utilize users’ data to provide better experience to the app users that ultimately builds the trust of the app users and build their loyalty that further impacts ROI.

Hidden App Development Cost

A. Functional App Development Cost – 

It comes with the efforts of making your app function best or you ant it to perform some specific function, need a subscription, or to provide a delivery mechanism for your services. The app may provide countless services with costing your hundreds and thousands of dollars. Some of the apps falling into such category include push notifications, social media integrations, email, and SMS notifications.

B. Cost for IT Support Services – 

IT support or continuous technical support is essential to come up with developing a high-quality app. Other than changing support charges, this service is extremely helpful. Bug fixing, API maintenance, Android and iOS updates, and app update submissions are some of the examples of support services provided to the app users.

C. Infrastructure Cost – 

It includes a range of expenses related to app hosting, data storage, and data delivery. These are some of the hidden app development services that should be compensated with load and redundancy balancers for providing backup servers and security. Thus, the app additionally gets bulked with the complexity and app development cost. Image data, servers, data storage, content delivery network, and development tools, support, and libraries are some of the items that add up the infrastructure cost of the app.

D. Software Licensing Fees – 

Different libraries and SDKs are needed for developing a mobile app out of which some are paid and some are free. Licensing reduces the implementation time of the software features. 

Read: How much does it cost to create a software in 2024? A detailed guide

E. Admin Costs – 

Admin facilities help you get constant access of data without taking help of the IT department to manage users and update the content. Well, estimating the cost of the admin services depends upon the type of mobile app you need to build. As the costs add up, regular payment seems to be needed. Some of the paid administrative services include data segmentation, dynamic updates, functional service management, access controls, analytics/event collectors, dashboard emulators, and content management tools. 

F. Mid-Project Changes – 

All the projects are prone to changes from time to time. Sometimes, you need to add specific functionality to your business in the middle of the project development. Hence, keeping some amount aside for mid-project changes is helpful. 

How to Reduce the App development Cost?

• Selecting the right platform is important for developing an app you actually want for your business and this ultimately reduces your app development time and cost. 
• Choose a simple design and then upgrade it later.
• Choose for third-party APIs and services with creating advanced solutions from scratch.
• Involve scalability feature to your app while development. 
• Hire experienced app development professionals to ensure your app is launched successfully.
• A pre-planned maintenance and support schedule and activity should be set to keep the app running successfully.

How Maneksoft can Develop the Best Apps for You?

As it is clear that the cost of developing an app depends upon various factors, therefore, it is highly important to hire skilled and experienced app developers to build the best priced app for your business. 

Maneksoft could be a perfect choice for the startups as well as established businesses that assure their customers to deal with a trusted mobile app development company in Texas to acquire the app of their choice. These developers come with proven proficiency and their careful guidance is always helpful for the businesses to generate profits through their app in the market.

Here are some guiding points that are helpful for the companies to select their app development service provider.

• Experience level
• Technical expertise and ability
• Reasonable pricing
• Seamless communication
• Proven track record of having successful projects
• Amazing portfolio and supporting references

Maneksoft has years of proven track record of supplying quality software, web and mobile app development services in Texas to their US customers. They get along with all the crucial aspects of developing quality apps for your business without charging any hidden cost. In short, whatever budget you have and requirements you have set, the company’s professionals will try every single bit to make your app development idea real and succeed.

Conclusion – What will be Your App’s Development Cost!

This blog contains an overall information about how much it costs to develop an app before building the one for their business. Here are also disclosed some hidden costs associated with the development process and may hinder one’s budget if not considered prior. 

It is highly advised to consult with an expert or app development professional if you are really looking forward to develop an app for your business. Just check properly their robust portfolio and decide upon the type of app you want to build across diverse industry verticals. Ask them up about all the FAQs so that you remain informed about every step in the development process and the final output should be as similar as you have expected.

Read more: Coming Trend in SaaS Application Development in 2024