Mobile apps have become an essential part of digital transformation. But many entrepreneurs considering them for their business are still struggling with pricing. After a brief Google search, it’s easy to come across conflicting information that doesn't give a clear idea.
This article should dispel all confusion while illustrating the financial complexity of development with concrete numbers.
What’s the cost of development in 2024?
All estimates stem from 5 key factors:
Features
Simple apps: Basic apps are for everyone looking for a quick and affordable solution. They usually cost between 4,000 and 20,000 Euros, minus the subsequent maintenance. Typically centered around one specific feature the price remains compressed, mostly due to a simple technical solution and a basic interface.
Moderately complex applications: Applications with multiple functions, such as user accounts, notifications or third-party integrations, can cost between 20,000 and 60,000 Euros. The vast majority of cross-platform mobile apps are priced on this level, including streamlined code and a comfortable user interface.
Complex apps: Developing complex mobile apps is in the range of 60,000 to 120,000 Euros. In addition to extensive features, the price increases mainly with the number of screens. This applies to social networks or bigger e-shops with large catalogs. But you don't just pay for features –– if you expect daily traffic in tens of thousands of users, you need technically precise and stable software, which also requires thorough post-launch management and frequent updates.
2) Type of application
Native App
Native development is separate for each platform. In practice, this ensures a more expensive and time-consuming process. Code is written in different languages (Java, Kotlin, Swift, and many others), requiring a more experienced and diverse team of programmers. However, the long process pays off with a sophisticated user interface and a robust technical solution.
In a nutshell –– it's extremely important to determine how quickly you want to go to market with your app and whether time-consuming development will get in the way. At the same time, it's a good idea to factor in costly post-release maintenance.
PWA - Progressive Web Apps
PWA apps are web-based apps that run on mobile devices and support a good deal of native functionalities, including push notifications or offline mode. This simplifies the team's work, leading to more efficient and cost-effective results. But that doesn't mean it's suitable for every business.
PWA apps have a tumultuous relationship with hardware, so some features may be limited. In addition, performance may be lacking because of the app’s web-based origin.
If you decide to take the cross-platform route, at Netglade, we primarily develop in Flutter.
Cross-Platform App
Cross-platform apps use the same code to function on all platforms (iOS, Android) using frameworks like Flutter or React Native. This can make development faster and cheaper than native software. Unified code makes it easier to add new features and updates across platforms.
Bear in mind that you are developing for multiple platforms at the same time and cannot take full advantage of all the individual benefits of one or the other. But in terms of performance, current cross-platform apps are already on par with native.
3) Design (UI) and user experience (UX)
The costs of design and user experience are often underestimated because they’re not always deemed equal to technical solutions. Forget all that –– UX and UI are absolutely central to success.
If your app settles for a simple, preconfigured design, the cost is dramatically reduced. But custom design with original elements tends to be more popular with users and allows for better scalability.
Modern UX uses prototype testing and user data collection to analyze usage as accurately as possible. Good UX design extends the lifecycle of an app that users love to return to and is intuitive to work with. But with repeated iterations, development time increases. Similarly, graphic design – from static images to more complex animations – must be created in close collaboration with backend and frontend teams.
Hence, investments in professional design range from 4,000 to 20,000 EUR, depending on various factors, especially the amount of screens and their complexity.
4) Length and style of development
The longer the development, the higher the price – that much is certain.
In the first phases of the project, a pre-dev analysis should determine an estimate of the development time.
A simple application with basic features will take between 2 and 4 months. Complex applications take 6-12 months. The overall development time depends on the technical requirements, number of features, depth of testing, and complexity of UX/UI design.
In addition to the complexity of the application, the chosen development path also affects pricing:
FTFP (Fixed-time-fixed-price) applies the principle of a predetermined deadline at a predetermined price. The costs are thus seemingly under control, but this approach is not prepared for unforeseen pitfalls. Unfortunately, estimating numbers before development begins is always difficult and rarely accurate. When an unexpected snag occurs along the way or a client thinks to implement a new feature, development is prolonged, and the final price ticks up.
The agile approach works with phased development and thorough iteration. This gives the client better insight into each feature and allows them and the developer to adjust priorities on the go. The delivery date is flexible. Although the overall cost may increase, the agile approach is more mindful of the app’s technical state – A good choice if quality is your primary target.
5) Post-launch support
During initial planning, you need to think about how much will post-launch support influence the budget. The process includes resolving bugs, updating for new OS versions, and introducing new features. Pricing is determined by the frequency of updates and the complexity of additional features.
Annual maintenance can cost between 4,000 EUR to 20,000 EUR, which should be added to the cost.
Are you thinking of developing an app for your business?
At Netglade, we'll find the ideal approach for you.
