How much does it cost to develop a mobile app?

The cost associated with the development of mobile apps depends upon a number of factors. The costs represented below are presented in Stg£.

Factors Influencing Mobile App Development Costs

1. App Complexity

  • Basic Apps:
    Simple apps with minimal functionality, such as a To-Do list app or a basic calculator, typically costs up to £25,000. These apps require fewer development hours and basic development skills.
  • Medium-Complexity Apps:
    An app with more features, like user logins, social media integrations, and payment gateways (e.g., an e-commerce app), usually costs between £25,000 to £100,000. These apps take longer to develop, require more resources and higher skilled developers.
  • Complex Apps:
    Sophisticated apps with advanced functionalities, such as real-time data sync, video streaming, or AI-based features (like Uber or WhatsApp), can cost upwards of £100,000. These projects require significant development time, senior development capability and often involve both iOS and Android platforms.

2. Platform: iOS, Android, or Both?

  • Developing for one platform, either iOS or Android, is generally more affordable than developing for both. If you're building native applications for both platforms, you can expect the cost to nearly double.

    However, Appify recommends the option to use a cross-platform tech framework like React Native or Flutter to help reduce costs by developing a single codebase for both platforms.

3. Development Team Location

  • USA, UK, Canada: Engaging mobile app developers from western countries tends to be more expensive, typically ranging from £75 to £150 per hour in the UK, £75 to £200 per hour in the US. A medium-complexity app developed in the U.S. could easily cost between £40,000 and £100,000.

  • Eastern Europe, North Africa, Asia: Developers in countries in Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland, Serbia) and Asia (India, Vietnam) typically charge between £20 and £50 per hour. This can lower your app development cost substantially, with a medium-complexity app ranging from £15,000 to £40,000 in these regions. There are many associated risks though.
    Appify solves this disparity by using Eastern European talent, trained to Western standards, using Western operating models, with Western clients.

4. Features and Functionality

  • The more features your app includes, the higher the cost. Features such as user login, push notifications, in-app purchases, and API integrations will increase development hours. An MVP (Minimum Viable Product), which includes only the essential features, is often a cost-effective way to launch quickly and validate your product idea. The recommended approach would be to initially build applications that deliver the core value proposition only and follow with new releases once the apps start to deliver some success.

Breaking Down Mobile App Development Costs

Let's look at a general cost breakdown for developing a mobile app:

  1. UI/UX Design: Crafting an intuitive user experience and design is critical to your app's success. The design process can cost anywhere from £2,500 to £15,000 depending on the complexity of the app design, the number of screens and the sophistication of the app's appearance.
  2. Backend Development: The backend manages servers, databases, and user authentication. It's more complex for apps that require real-time data syncing, chat functionalities, or cloud-based storage, with costs ranging from £5,000 to £50,000.
  3. Frontend Development: This involves coding the part of the app that users interact with. Costs for frontend development can range from £7,500 to £50,000 depending on the app's complexity.
  4. Testing and Quality Assurance: To ensure the app works flawlessly, testing and quality assurance can add another 7.5% - 15% to the overall cost.
  5. Post-Launch Maintenance: Ongoing app maintenance, updates, and bug fixes are essential. Typically, annual maintenance costs are 15% - 20% of the original development cost.

How to Reduce Mobile App Development Costs

  1. Start with an MVP: One of the best ways to reduce costs is to start with an MVP, focusing on the core features that provide the greatest value to users. This approach allows you to launch quickly, gather user feedback, and improve the app iteratively.
  2. Use Cross-Platform Development: As mentioned earlier, using cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter can help you save time and money by using a single codebase for both iOS and Android.
  3. Hire the Right Development Team: Consider working with an experienced mobile app development agency that specializes in startups and can work within your budget. Agencies offer full development services and can guide you through the entire app development lifecycle, from concept to launch.

Average Mobile App Development Costs by App Type

  • Basic App: Up to £25,000
  • Medium-Complexity App: £25,000 to £100,000
  • Complex App: £100,000 and above

These numbers provide a general estimate, but the actual cost of building your app will depend on the unique features, functions and specifications of your project.

Conclusion: Plan Your App Development Budget Wisely

Understanding how much it costs to develop a mobile app is crucial for tech entrepreneurs and startup founders. Whether you're building a simple app or a complex platform, careful planning, starting with an MVP, and choosing the right development team can help you manage your budget effectively. Remember, app development is an investment in your business, and finding the right balance between features and costs will set you up for success.

If you want a specific, detailed, free estimation for your concept app project, click here.