How much does it cost to make an app?

In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, it’s not surprising to see every business investing in mobile app development. As per a report by Statista, the Google Play Store currently has 3.55 million apps, whereas the App Store has 1.6 million apps.

However, when talking about investing in the app development process, the most common question that comes to our mind is — How much does it cost to develop an app?

In a nutshell, the average cost to build a mobile app can range from $25,000 to $150,000 and can also exceed $300,000 in the case of customized complex apps.

However, this price range can increase or decrease depending on numerous factors, such as the app’s complexity, the location of the development team, features and functionalities, and more.

In this article, we will give you a comprehensive answer related to cost to develop an app, along with detailed insights into the associated factors impacting the overall costs of development.

But before we look into that, let’s look into some popular apps and their development costs.

The most popular apps globally and their development costs

Below we have listed a few popular apps that have redefined the customer experience and are currently ruling the app market. We have also mentioned the average development cost of creating apps.

1. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a leading messaging app that helps users exchange messages along with offering audio and video calls, video and photos upload, and more. The average cost of creating an app like WhatsApp is from $30,000- $70,000.

2. TikTok

TikTok allows users to lip-sync videos and re-enact their favorite movie scenes. The app also features several effects and filters to enhance your images and videos. The average cost of developing an app like TikTok will be around $60,000 to $100,000 for a single platform and up to $150,000 for hybrid development.

3. Netflix

Netflix is a leading media streaming platform that helps users stream their favorite movies and shows at their convenience. The average app making costs to develop an app like Netflix is around $20,000 to $200,000.

4. Uber

Uber is a leading ride-sharing app connecting drivers and riders around the globe. Using the application, customers can request a car instantly or even schedule a ride. The requests are received by the drivers nearby. The average app making costs of developing an app like Uber is between $30,000 — $100,000.

Factors that impact mobile app development costs

Mobile app development cost is affected by several factors that are of prime importance. Understanding these factors will help you make decisions that are cost effective and give you a better return in the long run. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the crucial factors that answer how much does it cost to build an app?

1. App features and functionalities

So, how much does it cost to make an app for your business? Well, features and functionalities are the major factors driving the cost to make an app. The base price of app development for the type of app you intend to build keeps on increasing as you add new features or functionalities. Therefore, it’s advisable to concentrate on core features in the initial version of the app when answering how to develop an app.

It will help you offer a great user experience at affordable costs. Therefore, it’s advisable to get an MVP developed. It is the first version of the product with minimal features. MVP will help you save time and money and help gather valuable user feedback.

2. Mobile app complexity

The average cost of building a simple app is $5,000 — $50,000. Such apps come with basic features such as a user profile facility, login system, and dashboard. The cost of a medium-complex app ranges from $50,000 — $120,000.

Along with basic features, a medium-complex app includes features such as social media integration, audio/video streaming, payment gateway, etc.

The cost of developing complex apps could cost somewhere from $120,000 to $300,000 and above. These apps are integrated with the latest technologies like AI, AR/VR, and machine learning. Some apps also come with features like multi-language support, high-end data logic, and more.

3. App platform

App platform is another factor that needs to be considered when answering how much do apps cost to develop. When heading for app development, it’s important to choose a platform. You can choose to build Android/iOS or cross-platform applications as per your target audience. If you are a startup with a minimal budget, start with one platform and then later shift to multiple platforms.

4. App maintenance

Expenses of business to not come to an end with the last stage of the app development process. Businesses will have to keep making changes to the app to meet the consumers’ demands and keep up with the changing market trends, which comes at a cost.

Below are a few factors that take your budget post app development:

• Bug fixes: There bugs can be identified only when the app is published. You will have to keep looking out for those bug fixes.
• Design changes: App designs tend to get old and stop enticing users. Therefore, it’s important for brands to keep updating the designs in order to keep the users hooked.

App maintenance cost is calculated on a yearly basis at the valuation of 20% of the entire mobile app development costs.

5. Choice of app development team

The total mobile application development cost relies heavily on who you choose for the app development process. There are multiple choices at hand — an experienced app development team, in-house experts, or freelance developers. However, choosing an experienced app development team can do wonders for your business app as they can build high-end applications with top notch features and functionalities.

So, while there are no clear-cut answers to the question — How much does it cost to develop an app or how to make an app — here are the approximate costs:

• Simple apps: $5,000- $50,000
• Medium complex app development: $50,000-$100,000
• Complex app development: $100,000- $300,000 and above

Wrapping up!

We hope this blog was helpful in answering — How much does it cost to create an app and how to create an app? Considering all the factors mentioned above should help you arrive at a rough estimate for turning your idea into an innovative app.

Lastly, you should also take post-development costs into account. For instance, the cost to launch an app. Once your app launch checklist is prepared, your app development costs are figured, and you know how much you will have to spend on the post-development phase, you will be able to grow your app better.

In case you still feel that arriving at the final cost of iOS or Android app development cost is strenuous, you can consult reliable mobile app development companies.

The experts can help you build innovative and scalable apps with next-gen features and functionalities.