Creating mobile apps is a major concern for businesses in 2024. Common apps could be online shopping apps, sports apps, social networking apps, or any type of app that can be built, which is why it can be very vital for business-type individuals and entrepreneurs regarding how much the applications cost to develop. However, the cost to make an app can vary based on factors such as complexity, UI, and feature requirements.
A major concern for companies seeking to develop mobile applications in 2024 is cost. Business people, entrepreneurs, or app developers are curious about questions like how much mobile App development for shopping, fitness, or social networking costs among many.
More and more individuals using mobile apps will boost the market by 6.53% every year from 2024 to 2029. It is necessary to know the costs of developing mobile apps and make wise choices for planning a project.
In this blog, we will break down the mobile app development cost provide insights into how you can control your app development budget, and help you plan a successful app project.
Why Mobile App Development Costs Are Rising in 2024
The issue of cost management, in such a case, progresses with the advancement of mobile application development. The cost escalates because of an increased demand from mobile app development services related to mobile application development such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and AR/VR-based development of applications.
Hence, it leaves space to question which of the technologies would impact the bottom line of any company, once the apps are developed. New problems will mean new opportunities by the year 2024. As the evolution of the industry continues, the development of mobile applications will require more sophisticated tools and resources and it will be easier to control the expenses.
What Factors Affect the Mobile App Development Cost?
How Do App Features and Complexity Influence Cost?
The factors of features and complexity may affect mobile app development cost. So, for those who are asking how much it costs to develop an app, this is one of the very first considerations, and that is what functionality do you desire? Nevertheless, in this case, it is true that there is quite a lot of differentiation between developing an application having simple tracking features and the more advanced applications, which are somewhat more complex like applications within Uber that use GPS, payment systems – and push notifications services.
Hence, as a rule of thumb, a simple app will usually range from $20,000 and $50,000 while a complex app will range from $100,000 to $200,000 and even above.
How to Budget for Custom Features and Integrations?
Most of the time when you build an app, you usually have to add third-party services like maps, or in-app payments; all this might cost you much money, like using Google Maps and Stripe for paying services will cost you and be added to your app. In fact, if you take extra help from an app development company and add special features, such as security or live updates, that increases cost because of how difficult it can be to put the additional things in.
How Much Does App Development Cost in 2024?
While considering how much does it cost to create an app in 2024, be ready to be baffled since it would largely depend on the type of the app and the platform within which you can create it. Typically, a simple mobile application has a price tag of about $20,000 or more, however, applications with broader functions can go as high as $50,000. Applications such as Uber or Air BnB, which require lots of integration and complex app features, average around $100,000.
When creating both iOS and Android mobile applications, ideally it would be cheaper to develop using tools like React Native or Flutter that are cross-platform. Apps built for individual platforms tend to be more expensive since more than one codebase has to be created and maintained.
How does the platform choice impact app development costs?
Which platform is more expensive: Android or iOS?
The variety of costs involved in developing a mobile application should be considered when choosing the platform. Developing an Android application costs more than an iOS application. The primary cause of this is that there are many different aspects of Android devices so making an all-encompassing app is highly costly.
Usually, the application development life cycle on the Android platform takes more time, which eventually makes it costlier than its counterpart, iOS. Those who want to know “How much it costs to build an app for both these platforms” want to go for, should think about a cross-platform solution because it is probably the least expensive option.
Typically, an iOS application can cost around $20,000 to around $50,000 while an Android application could range from $25,000 to $60,000. It is very crucial to get the right app developer for these projects because it allows you to achieve ideal value for money as well as quality.
How Do Freelancers and Agencies Impact the Cost?
Outsourcing the mobile app development project could mean choosing between an individual app developer and an app development company. Choose to go freelance app creator, an individual app developer is likely to be less expensive (about $25-$100 per hour) depending on their location and skill.
However, independent contractors may lack the project qualities provided by some mobile app development agencies. Typically, such firms are highly priced ($50-$250 per hour), however, they provide the whole cycle of services covering design, development, testing, and after-launch support.
When you want to hire a company to create an app, they have experts who can make an app that fits your business. However, hiring a company can be more expensive, so it’s important to check your budget and decide if you also need extra services like testing and help after the app is finished.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Mobile App Development?
There are often hidden expenses in mobile app development that entrepreneurs overlook. These costs include:
- App Store Sign-Up Costs: Apple requires a yearly fee of $99 for an iOS developer account, whereas Google Play has a one-time fee of $25.
- Extra Services: Using services like Google Maps API, payment systems, and cloud storage usually involves extra charges.
- Ongoing Support After Launch: Once your app is live, you’ll need to keep it updated to fix issues, enhance features, and make sure it works with the newest operating systems. This ongoing support typically costs 15-20% of the original development cost each year.
How Do Design and User Experience Affect the Cost?
UI/UX design plays a vital role in mobile software development costs. An intuitive and smooth design enables users to use your application easily. It means how long they are likely to spend and how happy they will be. Developing these designs might take around $5,000 and $20,000 based on how complex the features are.
Skilled app developers and designers work together to produce a smooth experience, complete with modern trends such as minimalist design, fluid animations, and attractive transitions. As the app designer works on creating the app, he requires more time and resources to build more complex designs that add to the overall cost of development.
Must Read: A Brief Guide on Developing Software From Scratch
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Cross-Platform App?
If budget is your concern, then cross-platform development may be the route to take. Here, with tools like React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin, you can write once for iOS and Android. This tends to be cheaper and faster than making a different app for each platform. Prices will usually range from $25,000 to $100,000.
Generally, cross-platform applications are also much cheaper, yet usually very slow and limited in changes to fit into some particular needs whereas an app developed for use only in one type of phone would be much smoother.
If you are developing an app with many special features and great expectations from the users, then you may want to choose a mobile app development agency that specializes in custom mobile app development on creating apps just for mobile devices to get the best results.
What Is the Breakdown of Mobile App Development Cost?
The following table is the breakdown of mobile app development costs:
|
Category |
Cost |
| Design (UI/UX) | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| App Development (Frontend) | $10,000 – $80,000 |
| App Development (Backend) | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Testing & Quality Assurance | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Project Management | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| App Store Registration | $25 – $99/year |
| Post-launch Maintenance | 15-20% of initial cost/year |
The overall cost of creating an app will differ based on the amount of time and work put into each part, along with the app’s complexity and size.
How Does the App’s Target Audience Affect Development Costs?
Knowing your target audience is important for deciding what features and overall design the app will have. Apps that are made for businesses or professional users are likely to require much more advanced features such as data security, while apps that are made for children or younger users are often going to be more about having fun and playing games. Therefore, the different types of apps cost differently because the features and how they work together will differ.
Also, depending on the different places where your users stay, you may have to change how the application works or even develop special features for the area. All this can affect how costly it will be to create an app.
How Can You Save on App Development Costs?
What Strategies Can You Use to Lower Development Costs?
If you want to build an app on a budget, consider these strategies:
- Outsource Development: Hire mobile app developers from regions with lower rates, without compromising quality.
- Focus on MVP: Initially, create a minimal viable product (MVP) with just the essential features. Once the app gains traction, you can gradually add more advanced features.
- Use Open Source Tools: Leverage open-source app-building software to save on licensing fees for development tools.
Conclusion
The mobile app development cost in 2024 depends on many factors, but proper planning will allow you to make a smart decision. Whether you hire an app developing company or an independent app developer, it’s important to use your available budget to align your goals, audience, and strategy. With the right tools and these factors considered, you can create an app that meets your business goals without breaking the budget.
For more, check out our blogs to learn more, or contact us for help. Our team is here to give you clear, personal support.
FAQs
How to Make an App?
First, determine what it is for, and then create a basic design; then, with a professional service or a no-code tool, quickly build it.
How to Make an App without Coding?
Use Thunkable or Adalo, two tools that enable one to make apps without the experience of coding. Such applications are ideal for beginners.
What does a Mobile App Developer License Cost?
A mobile app developer license costs $25 for Android, which is a one-time fee, and it is $99 per year for Apple. It depends on the platform.
How Much Does It Cost to Make an App?
The cost to create an app varies from $10,000 to $300,000 depending upon its complexity, features, and hiring professional firms or freelancers.
What Are the Initial Steps to Make an App?
First, research your market, set your goals, and design a basic layout. Then, either hire some app developers or use a no-code platform to build your app efficiently.
