#android development cost

Mobile apps remain a crucial priority for organizations to recruit, engage, and delight target customers. According to Statista, mobile app downloads have increased dramatically in the last five years from 140 billion in 2016 to 230 billion in 2021. This increase isn't expected to slow down soon. A massive 54% of internet users access the internet through their mobile devices to make purchases online, making mobile the de facto standard of commerce today.

Mobile apps have become an important part of every business's marketing strategy and are moving rapidly. Developing, deploying, and maintaining applications is a core competency of businesses. Businesses have also developed models that account for their costs. The cost to create a mobile app is slightly different from traditional models, so traditional models cannot be used.

If this is your first experience developing an application, you may be unsure how much it costs to create an app for your business - especially if you are new to this process. Unless you understand your company, business goals, app features, user flow, budget, and more, no one can give you an accurate estimate of Android app development. 

In designing your mobile application, it is evident that you cannot succeed without a thorough plan. Therefore, you must consider several factors to determine the app development cost. Well, this article will provide the ultimate guide to Android app development costs with step by step guide;

Let's get into it!

App Development: What Is It? 

Since "app development" is such a broad term, it is difficult to estimate the cost of an app. An app is a software application for consumers to use on their mobile devices that translates your business goals and ideas into a functioning software application. Everything includes during the process ranging from market research to design to coding to launching your app.

Many moving parts include in the development process, making it a bit complex. Therefore, you can't just write down your idea and start coding when you decide to make an app. To build a successful app, one must be patient, plan carefully, and possess different skills beyond software application development.

Understanding Different Types Of Android App Development

Mobile apps have changed many aspects of our lives: reading news, planning business trips, and booking tickets. Listed below are some of the most popular business mobile apps.

Entertainment App 

Streaming services, music streaming, and watching movies and shows on demand are transforming the entertainment industry. In 2024, Netflix is expected to have almost 214 million subscribers, making it one of the most popular entertainment apps. According to Netflix, the average development cost can range from $100,000 to $150,000.  

Healthcare App

The healthcare industry has also been growing faster in recent years and will continue to do so for some time in the coming years. It has been reported that Covid-19 has increased healthcare application downloads by 25%. MyFitnessPal (a fitness app) is a perfect example of a healthcare app. App development typically costs between $15,000 and $30,000. 

E-learning App

E-Learning has grown rapidly over the past decade as pandemics have encouraged schools to embrace it. EdX, one of the most reputed eLearning apps, is anticipated to reach $350 billion in the online education market by 2025. According to estimates, it costs $150K to $180K to develop an eLearning app like EdX. Consider hiring a custom android app development company to develop an interactive app similar to edX and boost your business if you want to create an education app.  

Travel App

By 2031, $2,835.6 billion will be generated by the travel industry after it has been digitalized. For example, MyTSA makes booking tickets easier via an online travel app. The cost of an application such as MyTSA can vary from $30,000 to $100,000. Creating a mobile app based on your specific needs can be done by a travel app development agency.

ECommerce App

Businesses are looking for ways to grow and increase their brand identity, which turns to high-end eCommerce apps. A shopping app such as Amazon costs between $30,000 and $80,000 on average in the United States. You can estimate the price of developing your eCommerce app by consulting with an eCommerce app development company. The eCommerce mobile app development course will teach you- as a business owner, how to do it. 

On-Demand App

On-demand apps deliver an excellent user experience, providing instant services, such as food and grocery delivery, vehicle rental, grocery shopping, and more. In the case of Kroger, users can order any grocery item within a few minutes using an on-demand app with complete flexibility. The estimated cost of building Kroger may range from $20,000 to $50,000.

Market Size and Stats of Mobile Applications

The number of apps developed daily is billions, and one cannot track them all. At present, there are over 7 million apps in the App store. According to a report, the value of the global mobile app market was worth $106.27 billion in 2018. This is expected to increase by 18.4 percent by 2026, achieving $407.31 billion.

Furthermore, The market share of Android is expected to exceed iOS by more than six times in 2024, and by that time Android is likely to own 86.2%, approximately six times the market share of iOS. 

How To Get Ideas For App Development Costs

Various factors contribute to the cost of developing an Android app for mobile. The price of an app depends on many factors. Clutch estimates that the average cost of developing an app is $171,450, while the cost of developing an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is $10,000 to $20,000. Therefore, it depends on several factors, including where the vendor location, the operating system or platform used, and the complexity of the product.

The Billiomobile app was downloaded nearly 204 times last year, according to Statista. Smartphones have emerged as a significant part of our everyday lives - the average user spends roughly three and a half hours on their devices, with the top 20% spending nearly four hours daily. There are no signs that this mobile app trend will slow down. 

Therefore, if you are looking to raise your business to the next level, you need to develop a robust mobile app. But remember that the cost of building a mobile app depends on various factors:

Platforms and Devices

In addition to the cost of developing the app, you will have to pay for the platforms used. The different types of apps include native apps that run only on specific platforms, web apps, and hybrid apps that combine native and web apps. Depending on who your audience is, you'll have to decide which one to use from the following;

Native Mobile App  

Creating native applications for a single platform is what native app development is all about. Every single line of code is written in the programming language of the platform. In the case of Android app development, developers use Java, while in the case of iOS app development, they use Swift. It costs between $50,000-$300,000 to develop an Android app, similar to the cost of developing an iOS app. The price may, however, change if the features change. In addition, native apps deliver excellent performance and are more reliable.

Hybrid Mobile App

The hybrid app is an application that combines a web app with a native app shell. Apps that run on multiple operating systems, such as Netflix and Twitter, are hybrids. Nevertheless, building a cross-platform mobile app can save a business owner money. 

During the development of an app, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS languages are used, making apps cross-platform. The estimated cost of developing hybrid apps may range from $40,000 to $200,000.

Complexity and the number of app features

App development costs are driven up by the number of features themselves but are driven up even more by the complexity of the features. It takes between 20 and 25 hours to develop basic features such as login and subscription. More advanced features like payment systems integration and visual analytics require 150 to 250 hours. 

The development of mobile apps is expensive due to API integrations, and artificial intelligence and machine learning add to the expense. For example, a simple feature like geolocation can cost extra even for users who have become accustomed to it. Spending valuable resources on a feature should be based on its feasibility and necessity.

The complexity of UX/UI design

User needs, user experiences, and user needs are the focus of the entire software development market. Customers can select from a wide range of applications with clear designs, simple navigation, and high performance. Design is an incredibly crucial step in app development cost estimation, so make sure to allocate a reasonable amount for it. 

Designing buttons, icons, fonts, and other elements for a custom app is included in the cost of custom app development. A user-friendly app needs a UI/UX designer who provides a great user experience. User interface/UX designers are expensive, but they are worth the expense if you want to create a beautiful, well-designed app.

Development approach

Do both iOS and Android apps cost the same? Do you think the cost of developing Android apps is higher than that of developing iOS apps? Creating a cross-platform solution is also possible if you do both at once. Native mobile apps offer a better user experience and perform better, so they are expensive. However, what is the cost of developing an app compatible with both operating systems? App development typically costs between $50,000 to $170,000, depending on the platform. 

Cross-platform solutions are usually more expensive than Android or iPhone apps. Because Android and iOS apps require a separate source code, the native app development process requires two codebases. Meanwhile, native products enable developers to develop more complex applications thanks to built-in features such as GPS and the camera.

Therefore, you need to use some additional libraries or code to implement such functions with cross-platform development. It is best to choose native app development for products that provide sophisticated capabilities. However, hybrid development is best if they only have basic functionality.

App Security 

However, developing secure mobile apps is a business owner's responsibility. This helps build trust among users and create a loyal customer base, which results in a higher turnover rate. To be able to trust your app with personal data, you as a business owner need to ensure a secure environment for users. 

Hence, you should start doing security checks in advance and need to pay attention to this area. However, costs for app security can range between $70 to $320 per month, making it a significant factor in the overall app development price. 

Offline Mode

Many apps have offline functionality that makes them stand out from the crowd. Despite the loss of internet connectivity, messaging apps allow you to view your chat history. Local coaching, cookies, shared preferences, local storage, and SQL databases are some of the ways to allow mobile apps to store and access offline data. Approximately $1,000-$2,000 is needed to develop this item, and it takes 40 hours to complete.

Geolocation

Many apps use this feature, such as transportation apps, dating apps, food delivery apps, food delivery apps, business apps, restaurant apps, and travel apps. This type of platform is based on real-time permissions and GPS tracking.

In addition to the general area, medium proximity, and accurate location, the approximation price depends on the accuracy of the geolocation service. To develop takes between 50 and 60 hours and costs about $1,250 to $2,000.

Database

A database would likely need to be installed on the device if you choose an offline mode. The most common way for mobile app developers to set up a database is to use an open-source solution. In a device, SQLite stores all data in a single file, embedded as an embedded database. The price range for this feature is $750-$1,500, and it takes about 30 hours to finish.

Payment Integration

An app that allows users to purchase items inside needs to include payment options, so this will need to be installed. In addition to PayPal, Stripe, Braintree, Android Pay, Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and many others, several payment systems are available in the market. 

By integrating APIs directly into the app, then it can be integrated directly into the app. Payment processing methods, data storage locations, and PCI compliance requirements determine the scope of this task. The costs for this range from $2,500 to $5,000, and it takes about 50 hours to develop.

Publishing Process

You can upload your app to Google Play Store for $25 without having to undergo a lengthy approval process. Moreover, the Google Play Store takes 30% of the sales from the app once it becomes available. Your app would pass through the same rigorous approval process in the Apple App Store, which charges a yearly fee of $99 per app. You will also be charged 30% of the money you make from these purchases. 

Therefore, Android appears to be the clear winner when it comes to publishing. The slow design process of iOS apps can be inferred, as being faster and more affordable. When your app is ready to hit the market, publishers publish an app in the app store after it has been completed. Therefore, you have to allocate an additional amount for app development.

Ongoing Maintenance And Support

Developing an app costs more than just launching it. Without continuous monitoring, you might end up with outdated software if you abandon the app right after it is released. When your customers lose interest in your product and opt for a newer, more innovative solution in the market, you will lose their interest and lose out on sales. Maintaining an app should cost about 15% to 20% of a project's total app development budget.

Revenue Model for Mobile App

Let’s take a look at the different business revenue models used for mobile apps, including;

Paid Apps

The business owner can offer memberships or premium subscriptions to their intended users for a monthly fee. With paid apps, businesses generate more revenue, increasing their income and thereby growing their business. Mobile apps that are subscription-based engage their audiences and make them loyal customers. 

In-App Purchase

Business owners can leverage in-app purchases as a revenue model. An app like MyFitnessPal offers advanced workout videos for an additional fee. Upgrades to a higher level can improve user experience. 

In-App Advertising

A very effective way to generate more income is through in-app advertising. Users can be made aware of ongoing or upcoming offers via banner ads or push notifications.

Things To Consider Before Choosing The Right App Development Partner

Once you know the cost of building an app, now is the time to hire a dedicated Android app developer or app development agency. It is imperative to make sure the company you choose fits right with your needs, which is not easy because there are countless app development companies out there. Before hiring your tech partner, here are some things you should consider.

Portfolio & Clientele

Specifying a company's portfolio and the clientele is essential to determine its capabilities and potential. This way, you will have a deep understanding of your technology partner and their capabilities.

Industry Expertise

You must ensure that the developer or development firm you hire has the required skills to complete your project successfully. The number of dedicated resources, industry experience, and clientele are some of the factors that indicate a company's expertise. Therefore, you need to partner with a reliable mobile app development agency that can help you build complex mobile applications.

Client Testimonial

See what other people say about the company besides what they have written on their websites. Clutch, GoodFirms, and AppFutura are all independent review platforms that let you see what their clients think of them. Moreover, you can also find them on forums like Quora and Reddit by searching for threads, topics, and questions. By doing this, you can get a sense of -how they work and how well they treat their clients.

Bottom Line

Hence, you must consider other factors besides the ones listed above when hiring an Android developer or app development agency for your next mobile app development project. Consider how long it will take them to develop the app, how much they will charge, what platforms they will use, and how much involvement they will have in the project overall. Once you have a clear understanding, your project will run smoother.