How much does it cost to build an app?

What makes the cost of creating a mobile app so high? Well, there is no simple answer to this question due to several factors.

• Different rates for developers
• Complexity and content of the project
• The design of the app
• App type: Native, Hybrid or web app

Another method of calculating the cost of your application depends on the type of application you want to develop.

Influence of type on price

The price of an app is determined by the technology chosen to develop it. Native apps, for instance, are developed specifically for a particular device (smartphone or tablet) or operating system (iOS or Android). Hybrid apps are more widely deployable; the technology used makes it possible to roll out the app for different devices and operating systems. Finally, web apps are not installed on a device but are made available through a web browser, making them device independent.

Of course you are interested in building a native app with the best UX, optimisation and performance! These apps handle a wide variety of functions while using different device APIs. The final cost of native apps depends on the number of devices and operating systems on which the app is rolled out.

Who develops the app and how does that affect the price?

You may already have an idea of what kind of app you want to build and an indication of the costs. The next step is to find someone who can develop it. You have two options: mobile app development agencies or freelance development.

Hiring a professional agency is usually the more expensive option, but you get a more reliable service and a development team that helps you get the best app based on your idea. This team consists of developers, designers and project managers. The project managers will support you in monitoring the development and coordinating the team.

Good freelancers can build great apps, no worse than developers. They can offer the same quality, but at a lower price. The downside is that you have to find them, which means you have to look for a full development team. You will also have to coordinate the team yourself.

The eye wants something too, but what does it cost?

What about the cost of app design? Design goes beyond the way something looks and feels. When developing mobile apps, design includes aspects such as visual design, UX and UI, logos, icons, branding, etc.

Factors such as design profile, geography, iOS or Android, and of course complexity, have a major impact on design costs. For example, hiring a professional senior designer can cost up to €135 / hour, while a less experienced designer can cost just €40 / hour.

The relationship between functionality and price

As mentioned, the cost price of an app depends mainly on the amount and complexity of the functionality offered. The more functionalities an app contains, the higher the cost price will be. Complex functionalities, such as the use of artificial intelligence, will also drive up costs.

Apps with basic functionality are easy to develop and contain very few functions. They are developed for personal use and you will probably not find them in the app store. It is possible to build one from €40,000 and it is also expandable.

Not only the design but also the features of the app determine the cost of building an app. Here is an overview of the most common app features in terms of average time and cost:

Of course, these are only averages. The effective elaboration of functionalities and the time required depend on the context. For example, a simple login can be provided quickly, but a login based on an active directory or Itsme will take considerably more time.

Where does the app-building story end? What can you expect?

The story does not end with publishing your app on the App Store and/or Google Play. If you want people to download your app and keep using it as often as possible, you have to invest in the maintenance of your app. The average cost of maintaining an app is about 10-20% of the development cost per year. However, additional features such as powerful servers, payment gateways, bug fixing, etc. can push these costs up.

Conclusion

The costs for building an app depend on many factors. From our own experience, we know that the cost of developing a mobile business app is between 40,000 and 250,000 euros. Do you have questions about mobile app development? Or are you thinking about developing an app yourself? Then feel free to take a look at our website, send us a message or send an e-mail to info@lemon.be.