How much does the development of a web application cost?
Tags: webdev, javascript, beginners, programming
Published: 2023-09-25 09:25:15

It matters if you want a simple dynamic website or sophisticated technology that will be used by hundreds to thousands of users. The price of an individual web application always depends on what you need. In order to give you at least an approximate idea, in the article we will tell you what to get rid of.

Find out what types of web applications exist, what factors affect their price and how much it costs to develop custom web applications. And also how to get more and pay less.

**Type Description Price**

One-level web application basic template with less administration from $20,000 to $3,80,000
Two- and multi-level web application more complex ( booking systems, CRM ... ) from  $3,80,000
The giant web application is unique, more complex data, autonomous mode ... from 600,000 $

**Application size price overview**

But let's also clarify the terms.
Website and Web Application
The website usually only statically represents the content that we post on it. An example of such a page is a personal website or blog.

The **[web app development company](https://www.sparkouttech.com/web-application-development/)** , on the other hand, allows not only its owners, but also users to actively work with ( content to add materials, reviews ... ).

**Mobile and web application**

**What is a mobile application**

The — mobile application is a program designed specifically for a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet and available for download, for example, in the AppStore or Google Play. This is a popular sales and marketing tool, but it has one drawback — it is intended only for mobile devices.
The fact that nowadays people are increasingly accessing the Internet from a mobile phone can be elegantly solved with a more universal web application.

**What is a web application?**

You can conveniently run web applications both on your desktop in a web browser and on a smartphone or tablet. They work similarly to classic websites and therefore are downloaded directly from the server via the Internet. Due to this, there is no need to install, update or store anything in the device’s memory.

Compared to the website, they are more reliable, can perform complex tasks, can work with the database, and can also be connected to other companies or external applications. But all this is also the reason that web application programming is more expensive.

However, the ability to start the application, regardless of the user's operating system, at any time, for anyone and on any device, including with connection to other services, is certainly worth it. You get a universal base that can be constantly adapted to your needs ( as, for example, the social network ) does.

**How to get more and pay less?**

A web application can be a web application and a mobile application at the same time. Thanks to hybrid development, when everything is created immediately, the program works on both the computer and the mobile phone, while the development cost is reduced. Just because you don’t need a few dedicated commands to start the application from scratch.

Development options or web application architecture
The architecture of the web application, that is, the number of interacting layers and the method of implementing the external and internal interface, largely determines the complexity of developing the application and, therefore, its final price. Of course, many years of experience of programmers and their know-how also affect the price of developing a quality application.


What types of web application architecture can you get?
One-level application architecture
This is the standard. The simplest version of the application, and therefore the cheapest. The single-layer application cannot work wonders, but it is very pleasant to work with it.

An example of a single-layer application: an online store .
Advantages: the ability to easily change the appearance using ( CSS ) templates and styles. And voila, you may have a completely different site on the same server.

Disadvantages: it works worse with JavaScript, when you click on the link, the entire page is automatically rebooted, not just its parts, and you cannot develop mobile applications for it without changing the backend ( API ).

Technology: Usually we create a server part on the Django web framework, where the external interface is displayed in HTML using templates, but it can also be PHP, Node.js or ASP/.NET.
Duplex and multi-level application architecture
The two-layer or three-layer application — is a separate song. Multi-level architecture allows much more programming magic.

An example of a multi-level application: a reservation system with a Cordeus back office, including connections to marketing tools and a Yourcover web application with unlimited storage for generated images .

Advantages: Thanks to a separate frontend, you can use the JavaScript framework ( React, Angular, Vue.js ), which can dynamically display pages. A big advantage is that when moving between pages, the entire page does not reboot, but only some of its parts change. Thus, the site seems to the user more flexible and flexible.

Unlike a single-layer application, mobile applications can be connected to the server API ( REST / GraphQL ) without the need for changes and other expensive developments. When choosing React.js, you can use parts of the code for mobile applications.

**Disadvantages:** there may be higher costs not only for development, but also for operation and subsequent management.

**Technology: 2 options:**
Rest API, backend on Django Rest framework, frontend on React.js,
GraphQL API, backend on Node.js, interface on React.js
Microservice architecture — special type of application
You can use the architecture of microservices, especially if you expect very different workloads of different parts of the system, and it is also useful when combining multiple systems into one.

Example of microservices: integrating the ESB for the selected ERP system.
Advantages: each backend microservice works on its own and can be written on any technology. The entire backend can be hidden behind the load balancer, which can distribute the load between several servers and at the same time allows some microservices to start several times to process customer requests. Customers can also simplify the modularization of the — system they will receive only those modules that they have acquired.

**Disadvantages:** higher costs not only for development, but also for operation, equipment used and subsequent management. Integration tests are also needed to ensure that all microservices interact with each other properly.

**Technology:** backend consists of many mini-parts that interact with each other through an API or event streaming, and for which the programming language used does not matter, because each part can live on its own. The interface is the same as that of a multi-level web application.

An integral part of applications: administration environment
Like the web interface, the web application also needs its administration, in which the client can install, modify and manage individual elements. ThinkEasy uses Django administration for simpler applications. We will simplify and adjust for your administrative control in a matter of hours.

Web application price: the more opportunities, the higher the price
We talked about how much the development of mobile applications costs in the previous article. Web applications can do much more, and their price rises accordingly.

**Creating a single layer application**

Although in this case it is a basic template and minor administration, even such a seemingly simple solution requires a lot of effort and time. A poor online store will not bring much joy, believe us. Therefore, every detail plays an important role.

**Price from 180 000 $
Creation of a two-level application ( and multi-level )**

Even one additional layer can lead to a significant price spike. Compared to a single-level application, multi-level applications are suitable for a more complex booking system, CRM, a larger back office and where mobile applications are also expected in the future.
The price from 350,000 $ ( depending on the requirements may exceed 500,000 $ )


**Creating a giant web application**

If you need something really unique, with perfect connection with other services, which easily processes more complex data ( audio and video ) and works interactively as a social network or offline, get ready for higher investments. But with this decision you will be among the elite.
Without additional context, it is difficult to determine the price of such a mega web application. Write to us, and we will inform you of the price range in which development will be based on your requirements.

Overview of features affecting the price of a web application
By the number of functions, it is like a swing, depending on what you need. Therefore, to give you a better idea, we have recorded the main functions that your **[web app development company](https://www.sparkouttech.com/web-application-development/)** may contain and which affect its price:
Backend infrastructure — background code that makes it all work.

**Web Administration Interface** — tool with which you can add content to the application.

Filtering / searching / sorting categories, objects and data - a classic search inside the application, for example, as in a social network.
**Roles and rights** - can be defined or fixed.
Using — analytic tools, collecting data on user behaviour is important for further improvements.
Login using social networks — is the easiest way to log in that users will appreciate.
Chat and messaging — this allows users to communicate with each other inside the application.
The variant with the progressive web application — the progressive web application ( PWA ) allows you to caching on a client, download a proxy to a mobile one, work offline or receive push notifications. Users can access such applications regardless of browser or operating system.
Autonomous work — a **[web application development company](https://www.sparkouttech.com/web-application-development/)** can work even without an Internet connection and synchronises when the connection is restored.
Using an existing template or developing on a green field.
SEO - without site optimization, selling on the Internet is much more difficult.

Multilingualism — if you want to expand ( now or in the future ) this function 100% will come in handy.
Various profiles in the ( application for example, basic and premium ) — one free version with limited functions and another version for paid users who can take full advantage of your application.
Connecting a payment gateway for additional purchases in the — application if you are selling something in the application, you can’t do without this function.
Connecting third-party systems is often a challenge, but in the end it pays off. Thanks to this, the application can communicate and work with other applications and tools, which can save you a lot of time. Why reinvent the bike, right?
WebSockets — they work independently of user activity and with their help you can send a notification to your users directly to the operating system or provide real-time communication.

**What else is important to consider**

The creation and publication of the application is far from complete. Over time, you can add other useful features that will make users fall in love with your application even more.
New technologies may also appear that will make your application faster to use, more convenient to control or simpler to navigate, and they will need to be integrated into it. And why is it worth it? Only thanks to continuous improvement can you withstand competition. So don’t stop there!
The individual design of web applications is also worth something.

An important factor that also significantly affects the price of a web application is the appearance of the application. There are several ways to deal with it:
Bootstrap — the cheapest solution that is responsive and adapts to any screen. However, the design of the application is limited to only one predefined appearance, which means that you will lose the distinctive effect of the application within your brand. In administration, we use the Architect UI library.

Custom graphics - do you have an idea for your own design? Our graphic designer will create a unique individual design for you, which will distinguish you among competitors. If you have already prepared a graphic design, we will be happy to convert it to an application.

Even if it is « just » design, keep in mind that complex graphics can also add additional work to programmers. The beautiful but uncomfortable design ( with poor UX ) will not only reduce the quality of your application, but it can also damage your reputation.
The cost of creating an individual design is calculated depending on the number of screens in the application and starts from 1,500 $ per screen .

Tip: Do not forget about user testing, which will help you find possible flaws both in the graphic design and in the real functioning of your web application. It may seem like a trifle, but in the end it will save you huge additional costs.

**How much does a web application cost: monthly cost**

System updates and basic web application management — are the costs that will relieve you of many worries . The technological world is moving forward very quickly — both iOS and Android are constantly improving their software, just as web browsers come out with new and improved versions. It is no exception that the devices on which the applications work become smarter and more modern.

Therefore, without regular maintenance and updates, your web application may stop working properly after a certain period of time. We will take care of everything and you can sleep peacefully.

How much does a web application cost per month?
The price starts from 10,000 rubles per month, and we get its exact amount from the project cost on the basis of a service contract.

**Let's get started!**

Now you know how much it costs to develop a web application. If you already have a clear idea of your web application and you want to start developing it as soon as possible, or you still need to refine the details and you need specialist advice, contact us. In both cases, we are ready.
Together we will discuss options so that you do not overpay for **[web application development company](https://www.sparkouttech.com/web-application-development/)** , and vice versa, we recommend functions that you may not have heard of yet and which you will definitely want to implement.