Despite their prevalence and increasing visibility, mobile apps still remain shrouded in mystery to many consumers. The average app user may note the user-friendliness of the app, or the convenience of its service, but many users know little about what goes into app development. In reality, there are many decisions to be made in the development process that will largely determine the overall costs of development. Today, we will discuss some of the important decisions in mobile app development and the rough cost of developing a mobile app.
If you are considering developing a mobile app, it is important to addresses important components of the app like functionality and design. The price of the app will vary depending on how the app functions, and there are a few different categories of mobile app functionality to consider. These functionality categories include standalone apps, database driven apps, games, web-based apps, & apps that enhance/modify the firmware/ hardware of the mobile device. Web-based apps can run from $20k – $100k, while games vary widely from $30k to upwards of $500k. Complex interactions within the app or the use of a server will push the cost of the app higher, while simpler apps are cheaper to develop.
Another major component of app development is design. Similar to functionality, the costs of design can vary drastically. Design is an underrated component of mobile app development and should be treated as an investment. Experts estimate that iOS compatible apps will range from $50k – $300k. You tend to get what you pay for, so if the end goal is widespread circulation, it is likely worth paying more for good design.
A recent Kinvey survey suggests that the total costs of mobile app development ranges from less $50k to greater than $1 million; the average app costs roughly $270k to develop and deploy. It is estimated that an Instagram-like app could be developed for $100k – $300k over a three- to six-month period.
There are a number of app estimators available on the web that can further help estimate the cost of to develop an app.
Unfortunately, summarizing the exact cost of mobile app development is difficult given the number of variables involved in development. Cost will vary based on how much of the work is contracted out and will also be driven by the type of app desired. For more information or to get started on your own mobile app, contact the experts at Vivm now!
