The cost of making an iOS or Android app will vary greatly depending on the operating system the individual intends to use; the platform the person will use it on, and on the included features. Therefore, when answering the question of what is the cost of making an app, many will provide an estimate before the project starts.
The time and effort put into making an app will significantly differ. It is only after a developer starts working on the project that they are sure of what entails the entire process. Below is an outline of the average cost of building an iOS and an Android app.
Country of Origin of the app/ Hourly rates
Everyone looking to identify a development app team for their app will focus on the origin. Common countries that come into play include the U.S., the UK, India, as well as Ukraine. While there are underlying factors that will affect the overall cost of an app, specific countries have a global reputation on how they price building of an app.
The United States and the U.K. come close to how they price for app development. Their prices tend to be higher than in other relevant countries. Following is Ukraine who price their services slightly lower than the U.S. and the U.K. Lastly, India has a reputation for providing meager prices in comparison to other service providers.
Keep in mind that other factors such as the technology required, scalability plans, the expected user journeys, and the architecture will affect pricing. Generally, the above information of the counties pricing is general, putting similar factors into consideration.
The cost of developing an iOS or Android app
Under the circumstance where the rate of software development services and time are similar, the size of the project will be the deciding factor when pricing. The development process will entail the functionality and complexity of the app. Other factors that will alter the pricing under the development process will include designs with animation, prototyping, customization or personalization, as well as considering any different unexpected outcomes and changes.
On average, with these considerations, the estimated cost of a basic iOS app that is likely to take about two months may cost about $30,000 to complete. If the app is more complex, which means it will take more than the two months will go for about $50,000. Individuals looking for a complex app be it iOS or Android will be looking at a budget of about $80,000.
Does the development cost for iOS and Android Differ?
The app development cost of iOS and that of Android will differ slightly with a very close resemblance. Although the fee is almost the same, they will take different duration to complete them. It will take an Android app more time to develop it due to the different Android devices screen sizes. Therefore, designing an app that suits the different devices makes it a little complicated.
A developer will determine the devices and the operating system that will support the Android app during the project estimate stage. A key factor to keep into consideration is that individuals who need an app that will function with older versions of Android or iOS the overall price of the entire project will be more expensive.
Factors that will Affect the Overall Cost
Different factors will affect the overall cost of making an app. This will directly affect the final cost of completing the project. These include:
Time spend
Depending on what a client wants, the developer will take different periods to complete the task. The more complex the project is, the more time it will take for completion. A developer will spend more time on designing, development, and testing the app. The time spent will affect both the iOS and Android platforms.
The designing of both apps is not so different, which means that the price will not be adversely different. Developing, on the other hand, is dependent on several other factors. Consider the language of use. Using Java can be bulkier and more time consuming due to the included features. As compared to other platforms such as Swift and Objective-C, Java will leave you with more codes to work with.
Depending on how an individual’s looks at it, Java will quickly provide supportive documentation to help work faster and more conveniently.
Another important consideration is on fragmentation. Apple devices have a variety of options to work with, but it gets worse when working with Android devices. There are hundreds of Android operating devices operating under different O.S. versions.
The testing face greatly contributes to how much time an individual will spend. Generally, Android emulators are slower as compared to iOS simulators. The testing duration will vary when testing different apps.
In addition, considering that there are hundreds of Android devices in the market, it will take longer to test an app, especially if it has to be compatible with a majority of the devices.
Compliance
When referring to compliance, it is essential to note that the App Store has strict regulations before anyone can upload an app in it. On the other hand, Google play has more freedom, so Android apps are not so restrictive. It will take more time to twerk an iOS app to suit the requirements as provided by the App store.
Bottom Line
An individual cannot precisely define an app’s development costs. The exact cost of building an app can only be determined as the project ends. Initially, a developer will provide an estimate after defining what the client needs for the app to function.
The above guide seeks to help individuals in understanding the aspects that will affect the overall pricing of an iOS or an Android app. These aspects may favor different types of operating systems. Overall, the price will differ narrowly among the two.
Always work with a mobile app expert to guide you on the overall cost of making the app to suit the specific needs and wants. An expert will also guide you on making the final decision on whether to work with an iOS or Android app after considering the purpose of the app.