Mobile phone users in 2021 reached 7.1 billion, but predictions suggest the number is going to be 7.26 billion in 2022, and in 2025 the number of mobile phone users worldwide is predicted to reach 7.49 billion. When developing an app, the first question that strikes into mind is, “what is the cost of development.”

The answer is far from straightforward, as the cost can vary significantly depending on various factors. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the key considerations you should consider when estimating your app’s cost. We’ll also provide some helpful tips on building an app that fits your budget.

Statista

Factors Influence Application Development

Building a successful mobile app requires more than just a great idea. You’ll need to consider the development costs associated with bringing your concept to life. You’ll likely need to hire app developers and/or a software app development company to build an app.

App Development Benchmarks

• Simple App Development: $16,000-$32000
• Medium App Development: $32,000-$48,000
• Complex App Development: Begins with $72000

The cost of creating an app will depend on various factors, from the design’s complexity to the development process’s length. To estimate your development costs, you should consider the following factors:

1. Design: How complex does your design need to be? If you’re planning a simple app with basic features, you may not require as much time or money to complete it. On the other hand, if your design is complex and includes more intricate features, you’ll likely need to invest more in development costs.

2. Features: What features do you need to include in your app? Depending on the complexity of the features you choose, your development costs may vary.

3. Development Process: How long do you expect the development process to take? A shorter development time frame will typically require more effort and money.

4. Platforms: Which platforms do you plan on developing? When estimating your budget, you must factor in the cost of developing multiple platforms.

5. Resources: Do you have the resources necessary to complete the project? If not, you may need to hire a software app development company or developers to complete the job.

6. Maintenance: Once you finish building your app, you’ll also want to determine how much it will cost to maintain it. You can hire freelancers or work with an application development company specializing in maintenance services. They charge $25-$50 per hour for ongoing maintenance work.

Mobile app revenue globally increased to 318 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. This increased 60 billion U.S. dollars compared to the previous year.

That year, the most lucrative market segment was the mobile games segment with over $200 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, followed by social networking mobile apps with around $31 billion U.S. dollars.

The Statista Digital Market Outlook predicts that most market segments will increase over the next few years and that the overall revenue for 2025 will reach $613 billion U.S. dollars.

Statista

Considering all these factors, you can know how much it will cost to build your app. Whether you hire an app development company or individual developers, ensure you have realistic expectations regarding cost, timeline, and quality. With the right approach, you can bring your mobile app concept to life without breaking the bank.

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Also Read: Top Android App Development Trends To Look For

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Development Cost

Before understanding how much it costs to make an app, it is essential to understand its development cost. The answer to that question relies on a variety of factors. The overall cost of creating an app can range from a few thousand dollars for a basic app to hundreds of thousands for more complex projects. When determining how to make an app, the primary expense will be the cost of development. This includes the cost of

• Design
• Coding
• Debugging
• Testing
• Hosting

Development cost differs depending on the complexity of the app and the features it requires.

• Simple apps with basic features can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000.
• While more complex projects with extensive features and functionality can cost upwards of $50,000 or more.
• Additional expenses may include content creation and user experience (UX) design.
• Content creation costs can range from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the size & scope of the project.
• UX design can range from $3,000 to $10,000.

The cost of making an app also depends on the platform. Native apps designed for iOS and Android often have different development costs due to the different coding languages required for each platform.

Support Cost

Support cost includes all the time developers spend on your project, including responding to your emails and phone calls. A good app development company will have one or more support team members dedicated to you.

The price of this service can vary based on the number of requests you need to be fulfilled and how quickly you need them completed. Your app development company should be able to give you a ballpark range for this fee depending on what type of requests you’re looking for assistance with.

Support cost also includes time spent debugging code and resolving bugs in your software application. Bug fixes often require extensive code modification that must be thoroughly tested before it can go live again. If you’re not careful about testing bug fixes before they go live, they may cause new problems when released to customers.

Maintenance Costs

Making an app can be expensive and time-consuming, but it can be worthwhile if you have the resources. One of the most critical considerations is the cost of maintenance. After you have built the app, you will need to continually update it to ensure it runs smoothly and remains secure.

You may want to inquire about their maintenance services if you work with an app development company or a software app development company. Many companies offer ongoing maintenance plans so that they can take care of any issues that arise with your app.

No matter how you create your app, ensure to include maintenance costs in your budget. This will help ensure that your app runs smoothly and remains secure for years.

The Cost of Your Time

When you are looking to build an app, you must know the costs associated with getting your project off the ground. The cost of creating an application depends on a few factors, such as the app’s complexity, the platform you want to develop it for, and the services of a software app development company.

If you’re starting and want to get your app idea off the ground, working with a software app development company can help save you time and money. These companies specialize in mobile application development and provide expertise, resources, and services from planning to launch. They can help you promptly design, develop, test, and release your app.

The cost of working with an app development company will vary depending on ‌ your project, the platform you’re developing for, and any additional features you may require.

Generally speaking, it could cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. However, there are many low-cost options available, such as smaller development agencies or freelancers who may offer competitive rates.

Regardless of your route, knowing the time and cost to get your app up and running is essential. Working with a reputable software app development company ensures that your project completes within your budget and timeline.

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Give a Read: Mobile App Development Tips That Will Boost Start-ups Growth

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Global App Development Costs

A global app development cost typically includes hiring app developers, which varies by region and country. Hiring app developers in India or China could save money since the labor market is less competitive than in places like the United States. Your project’s size and complexity should determine whether you hire Android or iOS programmers (if applicable).

So, giving a ballpark figure, the basic app development will cost you around $80,000. However, this does not include marketing costs and other various expenses. If you are unsure about your budget or curious to find out how much it costs to build an app, ask for a quote before hiring developers.

The price can vary depending on who is developing the app and what they charge. You may also want to consider finding an application development company in your area that can do software app development and hire software app developers in-house.

Cost of Hiring Developers

Assessing app development cost includes many considerations, such as project scope, level of programming skills required, location of the developer team, and complexity of the app idea or company’s product suite.

So, how much does it cost to hire developers?

The average cost of hiring developers with more than 3 years of experience, not including a developer’s hourly rate, ranges from $200/hour to $300/hour, with different firms charging up to $600/hour. Hiring freelancers will cost around $80-$250 an hour, so plan accordingly. And hiring full-time developers will cost even more, running into tens of thousands of dollars annually.

To save money, consider hiring programmers from developing countries like India, where rates start at just 15–20$USD+ per hour. The best way to find qualified applicants is through posting job ads on popular freelance sites like Upwork or Fiverr or reaching out to a software development company like ValueCoders that will guide you better.

Variety of Platforms For Apps

When considering making an app, one of the first steps is deciding which platform you will develop your app. There are various platforms available such as

• iOS
• Android,
• web-based

You may choose one or multiple platforms to launch your app depending on your specific needs and budget. Once you’ve determined the platforms you want to use for your app, the next step is hiring app developers.

App developers come in all shapes and sizes — from freelance developers to specialized app development companies to full-stack software development teams. Each type of developer will bring a different set of skills & expertise to the table, so you might require some time to research and find the right fit for your project.

When deciding which type of app developer to hire, it’s essential to consider the experience level of the developer, as well as their rates and timeline expectations. Finding the right app developer can be challenging, but it is an important part of launching a successful app. It is worth investing in research and development to find the right fit for your project. Contact us today and find out how much it costs to create an app!

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Also Read: Cross-Platform App Development: A Booster Dose for Modern Businesses

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Top Mobile Application Development Companies

We have shortlisted five application development companies for you. In the list, we’ve discussed their fee structure and how much it costs to create an app. Now, you can choose the company that best suits your needs and budget.

• iOS App Development Company: $3,000-$20,000 (depending on complexity)
• Android Application Development Company: $3,000-$10,000 (depending on complexity)
• Software app development company: $8,500-$50,000 (depending on complexity)
• Hire Software app developers: $25/hour+ additional fees

How ValueCoders Can Help You Create Mobile Applications

Having 18+ years of experience and a team of 500+ professionals, ValueCoders can help you hire app developers. When you work with our app development company, we take care of every aspect, including design, development, and marketing.

At ValueCoders, you can hire experienced app developers for any project. From iOS development to Android, we have a team in place that can help you create your app from start to finish.

With our top-notch software app development company, you can get all your questions answered on how to build an app, hire app developers and develop a successful application. Our application development services include:

• Custom Web Applications
• Native Mobile Applications
• Hybrid mobile applications
• Progressive applications
• SAAS Solutions
• Automated & Manual App Testing
• Maintenance & Support
• App Modernization

Final Words

Two main options are hiring a professional app development company or building the app yourself. If you decide to hire a professional app development company, you should consider their experience, track record, and portfolio before signing a contract.

Additionally, be sure to ask about the cost of their services and get a quote for your project.

On the other hand, if you develop the app yourself, you’ll need to become familiar with the technical aspects of building an app. No matter which option you choose, thoroughly plan your project before beginning the development process.

The cost of creating an application depends on several factors, including the scope of the project, the technology needed, the platform, the type of app development company, and how many developers you hire.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How much does it cost to make an app?

It’s difficult to estimate the cost of app development without more information about the specific app you have in mind. However, it’s not uncommon for the cost of developing a simple app to range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, while the cost of developing a more complex app can easily exceed six figures.

Here are a few factors that can impact the cost of creating an app:

1. Complexity: A simple app with a few screens and basic functionality will typically cost less to develop than a more complex app with many features and integrations.
2. Number of features: Adding more features to an app will increase its development cost.
3. Platform: The app development cost can vary based on the platform (e.g., iOS, Android, web) you choose to build your app for. Building an app for multiple platforms will typically cost more than building it for a single platform.
4. Development team: The cost of app development can also be impacted by the developers or agencies you hire to build it. Rates for app development can vary widely depending on the developers’ level of expertise and experience, as well as the location of their business.

• How much does it cost to maintain an application?

There is no set price for how much it costs to maintain an application; this varies depending on what type of app you make. Maintenance costs will vary depending on your app’s complexity, features, platform, and compatibility. Here are a few factors that can impact the cost of maintaining an app:

• Hosting & Infrastructure 
• Ongoing Development 
• Support and Maintenance 
• Marketing & Advertising 

• How many people do you need to maintain an app?

The number of people you need to maintain an app will depend on its complexity, the number of users, and the amount of work required to keep it running smoothly. 

You might be able to maintain a small, simple app with a limited number of users with a single person or a small team. This team might include a developer or two to handle updates and improvements and a customer support representative to handle user inquiries and troubleshooting.

For a larger, more complex app with a larger user base, you might need a larger team to maintain it. This team might include developers, quality assurance testers, customer support representatives, and others with specialized skills to help keep the app running smoothly.

Ultimately, the number of people you need to maintain an app will depend on your app’s specific needs and the available resources. It’s a good idea to start with a small team and scale up as needed as your app grows.

• What are different app platforms?

Several platforms are available for building and distributing apps, including

1. iOS: iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple for its iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. 
2. Android: Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google that is used on many devices, including smartphones, tablets, and other Android platforms.
3. Web: Web apps run in a web browser and don’t need to be downloaded or installed.  
4. Hybrid: Hybrid apps are built using web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) and native code (e.g., Swift for iOS or Java for Android).  
5. Desktop: Desktop apps are installed on a computer and run locally rather than in a web browser. They can be developed for various desktop operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
6. Wearables: Wearable apps run on wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers.

There are also other specialized platforms for building apps, such as TV platforms (e.g., Apple TV, Android TV), automotive platforms (e.g., Android Auto, Apple CarPlay), and VR/AR platforms (e.g., Oculus, HoloLens).

• How can I develop a global application?

Developing a global app involves considering the needs and preferences of users from different regions and cultures. Here are a few steps to develop a global app:

• Determine your target markets
• Localize your app 
• Test your app
• Consider local regulations
• Promote your app  

By following these steps, you can develop a global app that meets the needs of users around the world.