Creating mobile apps can be an excellent investment for companies looking to improve their digital presence or offer innovative services. However, estimating the cost of a mobile app can be complicated, as many factors influence the final price.
Some sources say that app development costs at least €150,000, while some agencies offer more affordable services. In this article, we will analyze the elements that influence the price of an app so you can get a clear idea of the costs involved.
Choosing a platform: how much will it cost to publish your mobile app?
The platform you choose to launch your app on directly influences the cost of development:
- iOS and Android: Creating your app separately for each operating system increases costs, especially if you want to keep the same functionality on both platforms. In addition, publishing an app on an app store incurs costs:
- Google Play Store charges a one-time fee of $24.
- The Apple App Store requires an annual subscription of €99.
- Cross-platform: Tools like React Native or Flutter allow simultaneous development for multiple platforms, reducing development time and costs.
UI/UX design
Good user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design are critical to an application’s success.
- UI (User Interface) = the visual appearance of the application (buttons, images, colors). It should be intuitive and attractive.
- UX (User Experience) = how easy the app is and how pleasant the overall user experience is.
Investing in good design may initially seem expensive, but attracting and retaining users is essential.
Features and integrations
As a general rule, the more features your application contains, the more additional development and rigorous testing it will require, thus influencing its development price.
Some features can also be more expensive than others. Additional features such as online payments, geolocation, or third-party integrations (social networks, marketing tools, etc.) can prove complex and costly in terms of time and money.
No-code, low-code sau dezvoltare clasică?
- No-code (using an application builder) is the fastest and cheapest option, but customization possibilities are limited.
- Low code allows more flexibility but still imposes some restrictions.
- Classic development offers 100% customized solutions but costs more and requires a team of experienced developers.
Choosing a development team
The choice between hiring independent developers or a development agency is crucial. Independent developers may offer lower rates, but agencies often bring expertise and the ability to manage more complex projects. There’s no right or wrong choice: carefully evaluating the offers and portfolios and comparing them with your needs is essential to making the right choice. BluDeskSoft can help streamline this process, offering expert development services tailored to your project’s complexity, whether you need a simple app or a fully customized solution.
How much does an app cost depending on complexity?
The cost of an app varies according to its type:
- Simple app (e.g., an alarm clock) → between €5,000 and €10,000.
- More complex app (e.g., online shop, apps with authentication) → from €50,000 upwards.
- Very complex apps (e.g., video games, apps with AI, or augmented reality) → can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of euros.
Hidden costs of a mobile app
App development is not the only cost to consider. There are also:
- Marketing → promoting the app to attract users.
- App Store Optimization (ASO) → images, optimized description, reviews.
- Updates and maintenance → bug fixes, continuous improvements, security.
Conclusion
Estimating the price of developing a mobile app involves considering many factors, from the complexity of the features to the development platform chosen, not forgetting the decision to use a developer agency or not.
It’s crucial to work with an experienced team to get an accurate estimate that matches your project’s specific needs and to draw up a full specification beforehand to get a clear idea of the investment time and cost that may be involved.
The most effective way to reduce the cost of your application is to use no code. This solution offers many advantages when creating your mobile applications.
By approaching every aspect carefully and considering all potential costs, companies can better prepare their budget and avoid unpleasant surprises, ensuring the success of their mobile app project.