The need for apps is constantly growing. With more than 2.5 billion smartphone users, the global app market tripled in the years 2015 to 2020, resulting in Mobile applications for companies are more popular than ever does. Here you can read what the development of an app costs and what differences you have to expect with regard to an Android/iOS app or cross-platform app.
Die Development costs for an app It is difficult to generalize, as numerous factors such as the type of app, its complexity and the operating system on which it is to be used play a role. For example, if you want to target the US market with your mobile app, you should consider that 58 percent of all smartphone users there use an iOS device and 41 percent use an Android device. In India, on the other hand, 94 percent use Android.
So that you don't cut off a significant portion of your American target group, you have two options: On the one hand, you can develop a native app for each of the operating systems. On the other hand, you can program a cross-platform app and optimize it for both operating systems.
Both approaches have their advantages, which is why the native app still exists despite the flexible and more cost-effective cross-platform. In recent years, however, the latter has become increasingly popular and rightly so:
Since the Cross-platform app for iOS and Android can be used, you save yourself the development of a completely new second app and thus the associated costs. In addition, app programming can be completed more quickly for both operating systems despite the intricacies. On average, this allows you to shorten development time by 10 to 20 percent.
The cost of an app depends not only on its complexity and the length of development, but also on how many people work on it. In principle, you can complete your application with a larger team in a shorter period of time - but this increases personnel costs, which you should consider in your budget.
You can use the cross-platform application on different operating systems and thus serve a wide target group with a single programming. This not only has a positive effect on development itself, but also makes ongoing maintenance easier for you later on, which in turn reduces costs.
The native app has the advantage that it is tailored exactly to an operating system and therefore fits perfectly into it. It runs fast and uses the smartphone's own functions, such as its camera, GPS or microphone, without any problems. The native app offers users an interface that they already know from their smartphone and which they can therefore easily find their way into. Updates can be made available quickly and problems in the app can also be quickly resolved, for example with the Android Debug Bridge.
The development of your application takes place in three phases: In the planning phase, you present your app ideas to your programmers and a common goal is set. This is followed by app design and finally programming in the narrower sense and testing.
Costs vary depending on the scope of work and complexity. Since the native app is specifically designed for Android smartphones or iPhones, the effort is much higher than with the cross-platform app or the web app. In order for your app agency to be able to estimate the costs of developing your application, it needs a meaningful concept. Therefore, think about all the functions that your app should include in advance. Subsequent change requests not only drive up the price, but also often cause programmers unnecessary work, which increases personnel costs for you.
Regardless of whether your app agency uses an app builder or creates the application from scratch: You don't get multiple programs for different app stores, but can use the same development for Android apps and iOS apps. This significantly reduces your costs and your app is ready earlier.
A smaller team is required for programming due to the lower effort. The individual programmer can complete their work in just a few hours, which also shortens your final bill. App kits can make developers' work even easier and help you achieve faster and more cost-effective results.
Depending on how demanding you want your app to be, the costs range from 35,000 euros to over 1,000,000 euros. The large price differences are also influenced by the location of the programmers, their expertise and their reputation. There is no upper limit, as the complexity of apps tends to keep increasing and the programmer has an ever higher workload.
It is therefore important that you obtain a price estimate in advance so that you can manage your budget. The design of your app and the schedule that you set together with the developer are relevant for the estimate.
Experience, complexity and reputation determine costs.
The development costs for apps vary widely depending on the project and are therefore difficult to generalize. The complexity of your app, its design, the expertise and demand of the developers, the type of application and the amount of work associated with it play a role.
Native apps, for example, are specifically designed for a specific operating system. If you want to offer your app for multiple operating systems (for example Android and iOS), the workload for the programmers is almost doubled. This is also noticeable in terms of price. A good alternative here is the cross-platform app, which can be used across operating systems.
Do you want to talk to our team about your project and just hear what we could do for you? Then simply book a free video call with us now!
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