The standard cost of building a good-quality app can be anywhere from $60,000 to $300,000+ across every platform. Things like the type of app, complexity, the number of functions, and how detailed the design needs to be, are factors that influence the price.
In some cases, the cost may be $40 per hour, depending on whether you’re working with a freelance Android app developer or a full-scale app development company.
The entire process for app development can take two to three months for a minor app, three to six months for an app with a standard feature-set, and nine (or more) months for a complicated, highly customized project.
If you need some advice for the hiring stage, check out our other two articles: Android developer interview questions and how to find the right app developer.
How to Estimate App Development Costs
According to industry experts, the primary cost driver is the number of features the App needs. Features are defined as the particular tasks or activities that a software provides. It can be something simple like a sign-up button on a screen or a more complex component like video-streaming integration. The cost of building an app is directly related to the number of features that are involved in its development.
Before the app development process commences, most reputable development firms will offer the client an approximate cost. The quote is based on the app’s requirements, technical complexities, and overall project description. All this information is combined and concluded in a preliminary draft.
Pricing Options
There are a couple of options for app developers and app development companies to choose from when charging clients for their services:
Fixed Price
Fixed price app development usually works well for minor projects, particularly those with a clear and well-defined scope of work and a deliverable that might be quite easy to produce. With this option the client’s app development fee is finalized before the project begins, meaning there won’t be any last-minute surprise charges on the final bill.
Time and Material
This pricing structure is determined by the time and materials a particular project requires and is typically calculated using an hourly rate. This approach offers flexibility throughout the app development stages and is more suitable for more complex or ongoing projects.
One benefit of this option is that it provides an upfront estimated cost, but gives the client ability to change the scale of the project during the process. This helps the client control the app budget, so they can create a suitable product that meets their needs, while staying within their budget constraints.
Other Factors to Consider
If you’re working with a limited budget for your first project, you’ll have three options:
Agree on the Specific Features First
You must outline the specific app features you want upfront, then make sure the developers stick to them. By following this rule, you’ll keep to the exact scope of work, and your costs won’t shoot up.
Unexpected Additional Costs
If any additional features are introduced mid-project, or a major error in the code suddenly comes up, you’ll need to pay out extra to get these fixed or implement the changes you’re looking for. So, apart from your initial budget, it’s ideal to have some amount of extra funds stored away in case these issues arise.
Functionality
To keep your costs in line with your budget, you can prioritize your app’s functions with your development team. Evaluating the scope of your work so all the necessary features are developed first, with anything optional being added later, is a great way to prevent you from breaking the bank. Keep in mind that you might have to reach a compromise, where you’ll need to let go of some of the additional optional features you may have wanted to include, so that your app development costs stay reasonable.
To Conclude
When it comes to app development costs, you’ll have to do your homework. You should pick a developer who has worked well with other popular brands, has experience in your niche, and has a reputable portfolio. Creating an app won’t be cheap, but it’s better to save up and pay for a quality developer and try to scrimp and save on your app development costs, only to end up with a subpar finished product.
