How Much Does it Cost to Build a Mobile App?
Tags: mobile, devops, webdev, android
Published: 2022-01-11 12:22:06


![Mobile App Development](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3c24h34mudxnizccw4in.jpg)

## How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Mobile App?

In today's technological era, mobility has become a digital reality. 51% of the total internet users are using their mobile phones to make online purchases.  As a result, [**Mobile App Development Services in India**](https://www.fullestop.com/services-mobile-development.php) will continue to be a top priority for businesses looking to attract, connect, and delight their potential customers.

Businesses have the expertise to create, operate, and manage web and desktop apps. They've also created models to estimate their costs. Mobile apps, on the other hand, are different, and these conventional models won't help you figure out how much it costs to create a mobile app.

The most common question we get from business owners and app entrepreneurs is, "how much does it cost to develop an app?" Our answer to this epic question is simple: "It depends."

Why? Everything has a price tag, but this is not always the case with mobile app development. When it comes to building a fully effective mobile app, there is no fixed amount.

Consider any recent product or item that you've purchased. Several factors influence the final price of any product whether it's a smart TV, a cell phone, or a car. The same is true for building mobile applications.

The answer to the question "how much does it cost to design an app" is complicated. However, the general rule is that you get what you pay for.

So, how can you figure out how much it will cost to create a mobile app, especially if it's your first time? In this article, we'll go through the various aspects to consider when determining the cost of mobile app development.

## Mobile Application Development

Mobile app development is one of the fastest-growing segments of the software industry. The demand for quick and convenient apps has only grown since the expansion in the number of smartphone platforms a few years ago.  Users spent nearly 80% of their online time on mobile applications in 2021 alone.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a boom in demand for **Mobile Application Development Services**, as firms have been pushed to adapt online soon and completely. In March 2020, Microsoft Teams video conferencing software saw a 1000% rise in users, with 2.7 billion minutes of sessions in a single day. Telehealth, education, and a variety of other businesses have all shown a great need for mobile app development in India.

## Factors Affecting the Cost of Mobile App Development

Some of the major factors that influence the cost of custom mobile app development include:

1. Business Model
2. Application Type
3. Platform
4. Functionality
5. Design and Development

These factors will aid you in your decision-making process and to understand how much it costs to build a mobile app. Let's take a closer look at each of these aspects.

## Business Model

In today's business environment, where we use a multitude of mobile applications daily, having a business model is essential for mobile app development, and it ultimately determines the cost to create an app.

Before you begin the process of estimating the average mobile app development cost, you must first consider how it will fit into your overall business strategy.

Now, what is a business model?

Simply stated, it is a set of factors that includes identifying the target audience and their needs, as well as providing better solutions. This, in turn, becomes a primary source of revenue through sales as well as other sources. Understanding that the most important aspect in your business strategy is your customer, and thus addressing their needs.

For example, eBay failed miserably in gaining the confidence of its customers because it prioritized quantity above quality. It was also unable to gain market share, whereas Walmart and Amazon were able to win widespread popularity by launching unique products. eBay's market share has declined over time due to its failure in understanding its client base.

Each of the business model aspects works together to determine the total cost of the mobile app development project and the type of app you want to create. It's important to note that the distinction between market takers and market makers is business model innovation, not product innovation.

## Application Type

It's one thing to have a brilliant product or service idea, but it's another to make it mobile-friendly. You'll come across many technologies that your mobile app development team will have to explore for the project, once you've built a solid business model. Following that, your project manager and app development partner must carefully select the appropriate app, as this will have a considerable impact on the total cost of developing an app. An app can be classified into the following categories based on its level of complexity:

- Web App

It is a mobile version of a website rather than a mobile app. It uses responsive design to deliver a seamless user interface across various screen sizes, from tablets to smartphones, based on the notion of 'mobile-friendliness.' As mobile websites have fewer features and perform worse than native apps, 85% of mobile users prefer apps over sites. This is the simplest and least expensive choice.

- Native App

Various apps attempt to strike the right mix of good user experience and performance and are written in languages native to the operating system of a certain device, such as iOS, Android, and Windows — Swift or Objective C for iOS, and Java or Kotlin for Android. Native apps are the most complicated, but since they are created and optimized for a certain platform, they run exceptionally well. Therefore, native applications are also costly.

- Hybrid/Cross-Platform App

This option is best suited to fulfill the requirements of a wide range of users because it is built using a combination of web and native technologies. Although the cost of development and maintenance is lower than for other alternatives, they have not rated the top in terms of features. This is due to the limited access to smartphone technology when compared to native apps. They run seamlessly on all operating systems, including iOS, Android, and Windows.

## Platform

It's essential to use a Stair-Step Approach while developing a mobile app, in which a long and successful journey starts with a single, small step. Without a doubt, creating an app for two platforms at the same time appears to be the perfect solution; yet, this turns out to be a complex and costly option. For example, Instagram, which was first released on iOS in 2010, was available for Android users only four years later, in 2014.

So, the question now is: Which platform should you go for? The following comparison between iOS app development services and Android app development services provides the answer to this question:

**iOS App Development:**

![iOS App Development](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/dqr9w8rncyrq7yargwjr.jpg)


- Market Share

iOS devices are becoming more and more affordable and popular as an outcome of the high performance and ongoing innovation in **[iOS App Development Services](https://www.fullestop.com/iphone-application-development.php)**.

- Development Complexity

When deciding which platform to choose, fragmentation is a major factor to consider. While Apple only produces a limited number of devices and thus has a restricted number of screen sizes to cater for, this is not the situation with Android.

- Publishing Process

Once your app is complete and ready to be delivered to customers all over the world, one critical step to complete is publishing the app to the app store, which adds to the iOS app development cost. For iOS apps, you need to spend $99 each year to publish your app on the Apple App Store.

- Development Time

Following the previous sections, it is clear that iOS apps can be developed more quickly than Android apps. iOS app development is around 40% faster compared to Android app development. Therefore, the average cost of developing an iOS app is lower than Android apps.

**Android App Development:**


![Android App Development](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ixwfib3tjkc2ci79y25e.jpg)

- Market Share

Android devices currently account for roughly 71% of the global market, making the future of **[Android App Development Services](https://www.fullestop.com/android-application-development.php)** highly promising.

- Development Complexity

There is a wide range of different screen styles depending on the screen size, density, and OS version. That is, your app should be appropriate for all of them. There is no operating system on the Android platform that is used by more than half of the Android device owners.

- Publishing Process

When comparing iOS vs Android for app development, keep in mind that both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store charge fees to publish apps. In the case of Android apps, a one-time $25 registration charge is required that adds up to the total Android app development cost.

- Development Time

Android app development takes a longer development time than iOS apps. Again, fragmentation is the cause that leads to the higher cost of Android app development services.

Mobile apps are, at the end of the day, a business. So, the principal function of your app and the intended target audience are the deciding factors in platform selection. As the very first criteria for success, you must have a solid marketing strategy.

## Functionality

Determining the cost of building an app is similar to budgeting for a home. With the addition of more functionality, the starting price for the type of app you wish to design rises. There is essentially no limit to what a smartphone app can achieve as technology advances. Thus, there is no defined pricing for mobile app development. It might be anything from a few thousand rupees to several lakhs.

**Additional Characteristics to Consider**
This is simply a list of some of the most popular characteristics that come together to create everyday mobile apps. There are, of course, additional elements that influence the complexity and expense of mobile app development. Here are a few examples:

- Whether or not the app will require an internet connection.
- The app's pricing scheme (e.g. free vs subscription-based payment vs. single-purchase model.)
- Whether or not the app will need back-end assistance.

## Design and Development

We've gone over some elements that influence the cost of developing an app. However, who you hire is another important aspect in influencing the cost of mobile app development in India.

While hiring freelancers and newcomers appears to be a feasible and cost-effective choice, it may end up costing you more in the future. There are a lot of freelancers out there, but their skillset and consistency can be a big question mark.

Large organizations with skilled developers, on the other hand, charge more than freelancers. They bring their expertise and guarantee to the table, which is critical for successful mobile app development. Such businesses are prepared to meet all of your mobile app requirements. At the same time, they can obtain a complete understanding of the business model.

As a result, choosing an experienced mobile app development company will cost you more than other possibilities, but the project will be completed on time and with excellence. Find out more about our trusted mobile app development services in India.

**Final Thoughts**

In this article, we highlighted five crucial factors of mobile app development. Business model, app type, platform, functionality, and development are the five categories. You must now be well-prepared to create a reliable and high-quality app that fits within your budget constraints.

Building a mobile app is an expensive process. Moreover, you should be aware that successful mobile app development necessitates certain talents and experience. It's critical to assess the cost of developing an app because it has a direct impact on the company's bottom line.

If you're serious about growing your business with a mobile app, you'll need an experienced mobile app development company to help you make your vision a reality.

With our innovative mobile app solutions, we, at Fullestop, help businesses to grow.

Contact us if you have got a great app concept in mind.