What is the cost of developing an app?
The cost of developing an app in 2023 is anywhere from £30,000 to £250,000 or more. The cost of the app will depend on the type of app, the features and functionality, the development platform, and the development team you choose. These are just estimates, and in most cases, these costs would also include a pretty solid app design work. However, keep in mind – when choosing a development team, it’s important to consider not only the cost but also the quality of work and the team’s expertise. Investing in the right development team can help ensure the success of your app and can help you save money in the long run.
It’s hard to imagine life without the convenience and accessibility of mobile apps. From shopping and social networking to gaming and health and wellness, there’s an app for just about everything. With the rise in the popularity of mobile apps, the demand for app development has also increased, and many businesses are investing in creating custom mobile apps to meet the needs of their customers. So, let’s see what factors influence the cost of an app.
What Determines the Cost of an App?
The cost of developing an app depends on various factors, such as the type of app, the features and functionality, the development platform (iOS or Android), and the development team you choose. An app development agency, a development house, a London-based development or an individual app developer will all have different pricing structures, which can make it difficult to determine the cost of developing an app. (P.S. More on the benefits of going for a company vs an individual freelancer – read here.)
For a basic app with limited features, you can expect to pay anywhere from £30,000 to £80,000 (including app design). However, for a more complex app with advanced features and functionality, the cost can easily rise to £250,000 or more. For instance, if you want to develop an app with augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) capabilities, the cost of development can be upwards of £250,000.
If you want to develop a mobile app for iOS, the cost can be higher than for Android. This is because iOS apps require a more complex development process, and the cost of iOS development also includes the cost of Apple’s developer license and publishing the app on the Apple App Store. On the other hand, the cost of developing an app for Android is lower, as the development process is more straightforward, and there are no licensing fees.
Another factor that affects the cost of app development is the location of the development team. A London-based development company, for example, will charge more compared to a development company based in other parts of the world (this is due to the higher cost of living and wages in London; also, employees with highly specialised programming skills will request higher pay), but it can definitely be more convenient to work with a local agency – no language barriers, same time-zone and client reviews that you can trust are just some of the benefits for choosing a local agency.
Here is a comprehensive list of the factors that determine the cost of an app:
- App Complexity
- Platform (iOS, Android, Cross-platform)
- Design Complexity
- Features and Functionality
- Integrations with External Services
- Security and User Authentication
- Testing and Quality Assurance
- Geographic Location of Development Team
- Updates and Maintenance
- Legal and Compliance Requirements
The cost of app development will be different for each individual project. It is important to understand that there are very many factors that affect the total cost of the app development, so it is always better to reach out to an app development company (or several) and get some quotes. Always keep in mind, that the initial quote might not represent the final (total) cost of the app development, as the scope (your needs/ideas, etc.) might change during the development process over time.
