There are millions of apps available in the app store to show that there is an app for everything. With just a few clicks, smartphones allow users to perform almost any task. App stores is predicted to see consumers spend more than $177.5 billion on apps for mobile devices by 2023. Global mobile Android app revenues are expected to rise to $945.2 million by 2023.
WhatsApp was founded in 2009 with $260,000 for developing their app. Although it was not enough to meet the demand for their application, they managed their app development and cost effectively. It is now a widely used messenger app.
This guide explains in detail all factors that affect Android application development costs. This guide also includes tips as well as cost breakdowns for simple calculations.
Android App Development Costs
An easy Android App Development Price Calculator formula can calculate the cost of mobile apps.
App cost = Development time * Hourly rate
A formula was created to accurately calculate the cost of app development. This incorporates the time spent on the development process. Then, it is multiplied by the number of billable hours that were spent during the development process. The best way to justify the cost of Android App Development is to look at the complexity of your app.
App Development Costs: Factors to Consider
Every project and every idea is different. Mobile app development is unique. The cost that an Android app development company may quote you for your project will depend on many factors. It will be based on feasibility, technical specifications, development time, customizations & other factors.
Therefore, it is vital to comprehend what influences development Android app development costs. These are the main determinants:
- Type of Projects
- Platforms
- From which location you hire Android app developers
- Features
- Model for Engagement & Development Partners
- Locate your Development Partner
- Complex Design
- Additional Costs for App Maintenance & other Services
Android Application Development Costs by Type
Apps differs according to their function, logic, and overall purpose. It is important to determine the type of app you are creating, such as a social media app, gaming app, ecommerce app, lifestyle app, etc.
This will directly impact Android application development by determining the features that you want to include and if you have to spend more on app marketing and visual design enhancement. A standalone app that has only a few functions will cost less than a social network app. Apps that use AI, AR or VR unlock new possibilities but are more expensive.
Below are rough estimates for some of the most common app types to help you make an easier cost estimate.
E-commerce Apps
E-commerce apps require complex infrastructure. To manage inventory, orders, payments, and users, e-commerce apps require an admin system. Their final Android app development costs will depend on how complex the app is and what features you include. Filtering and sorting products, & barcode scanning are all important features.
- Cost of App Development: $50,000 to $200,000
- Timeline: 3 to 9 months
Data-Driven Apps
Apps that are data-driven are often more complex than simple apps. The apps are able to store data on the device of the user or remotely and process the information by themselves. To make it work, you may need to develop a back-end with additional features such as a camera, gallery access, or an internet connection. Stock apps, news apps and weather apps are examples of data-driven applications.
- Android application development cost: $15,000+
- Timeline: 1 to 2 months
On-Demand Apps
On-Demand apps are designed to meet specific needs and wants. They also serve as a platform where content can be updated constantly. Uber and food-delivery services are two of the most popular examples.
These two apps require two different solutions that have different functionality for users & riders. These apps require delivery add-ons and order sections. Thus, these apps are more expensive depending on their complexity.
- Android application development cost: $70,000 to $200,000+
- Timeline: 5 to 8 months
Social Media Apps
Most social media apps allow for networking & communication between individuals & groups. The most popular ones are YouTube, Facebook, & Instagram. They may also have less expensive versions, such as apps for rating and review, communities, blogs or dating apps. These apps require a lot more data processing and back-end support. Moreover, they are also more expensive to develop.
- Android application development cost: $60,000 to $200,000
- Timeline: 3 to 9 months
Application Development Costs by Stage
You are now only one step away to deciphering the final development cost for your app. The entire app development process goes beyond coding and design. There are many stages, as shown below.
The total Android app development costs goes through many stages. A thorough understanding of the development process will help you allocate funds to each stage. These are the most critical factors that we know. Let’s now discuss the time and cost of each stage.
Business Analysis Stage
Pre-development is a crucial stage. It allows your app developer to understand your app from a technical, business, and development perspective. Often, this step goes unnoticed, but it is vital for any additional development.
Analysts conduct competitor research, market research, document, plan the architecture of the app and create a product backlog to determine the app’s business scope. The product backlog contains user stories that help to calculate the development budget and time frame more precisely.
Business Analysis Phase Cost
- Costs between $1,500 and $10,000
- Has a timeframe of 2-4 weeks
- Accounts for 10% of your whole app development cost
Design Stage
To grab users’ attention, your app must have a compelling UI/UX. Your app will have a unique look due to the UI designer. UX designers carefully design user experiences based on behavior studies. The design cost of a project will vary depending on its target audience. There are many factors to take into consideration here, including the number of screens, designing complexity, and using custom elements.
If you are limited on funds, prioritize elements and divert funding to other stages if possible. It is important to have a functioning prototype before you start development. After analyzing these aspects you can hiring an Android app developers and get started more confidently.
Design Phase Cost
- It starts at $2,500 and goes up to $10,000
- Complex applications may cost $25,000-$50,000 or more
- Has a timeframe of 2 to 6 weeks as per the complexity
- Accounts for 10% to 15% of your whole application development cost
Coding & Development Stage
The largest part of app development is coding. This has a substantial effect on your entire budget. Many factors affects its cost including app complexity, platform, development resources and location.
Development Phase Cost
- The costs range from $10,000 to $30,000
- Many times it can even cost less than $5,000
Deployment & Testing Stage
Your app development project’s success depends on its quality assurance and testing. Even if your app has great functionality, users will abandon it if there are multiple lags and glitches. To ensure that the app is flawless, QA engineers test every feature and aspect of the app individually. This is because it helps your Android app development company to avoid bugs and issues after release. Also, app testing does not end at this stage. App testing can also be done during the development phase to verify the functionality and quality.
There are many testing tools that can be used, and each tool will have an impact on the final cost. Furthermore, the tools used and the development experience will influence the cost.
Deployment & Testing Stage Cost
- Costs between $5,000 and $10,000
- Based on the app’s functionality, costs rarely exceed $10,000
Last Say
What are the costs for a mobile application? It’s obvious that there isn’t a clear answer. A lot depends on the app idea & the development process. All the factors that influence your app idea will help you calculate a cost to make it a reality.
Author’s Bio
Erma Winter is an expert Android app developer at MobileCoderz, an established Android Application Development Company. With 12 years of expertise, she has worked with big startups and SMEs. Going above professionalism, she loves to read mystery novels and write poems.
