How much does it cost to develop an app?

Mobile apps constantly support us in our everyday lives with a wide range of functions. The development is expensive. We tell you how expensive it is to develop an app and what cheaper alternatives there are. 

Wie hoch sind die Kosten für die Entwicklung einer App?

Alexandra Müller

App

Mobile apps constantly support us in our everyday lives with a wide range of functions. The development is expensive. We tell you how expensive it is to develop an app and what cheaper alternatives there are. 

How expensive is it to create an app? 

When you hire an app developer, it is a very individual service, because the app should be customized to your specific needs. That’s why there is no flat rate for developing a mobile app. Instead, app costs vary widely and depend on a number of factors: 

  • Application type 
  • Complexity and number of functions 
  • Complexity of the design 
  • Development approach 
  • Maintenance and support 

First, let’s break down the different application types for you and give basic app development costs. 

  • Basic app: Simple apps such as calculators, watches or small games are the cheapest apps to develop. The costs range from $8.000 to $13.000. 
  • Data-driven app: Examples of data-driven apps are calendars, maps and weather apps. These types of apps contain a lot of information, analyze it and share it with users. The cost of development is between $12.000 and $17.000. 
  • Authentication app: Mobile apps with user authentication and personalized data, such as loyalty apps, store data from users and share information across devices. User management is required, so app costs are relatively high at $35.000 to $70.000.  
  • Social media app: Apps such as Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn enable interaction and information sharing. This requires a backend infrastructure. The average cost is $50.000 to $250.000. 
  • eCommerce app: An eCommerce app such as Amazon or eBay includes user registration, product pages and catalogs, payment options, social interactions, and many other features. Costs range from $50.000 to $250.000 even for a simple version. 
  • On-demand app: Apps for on-demand services such as Uber offer functions like social media apps and at the same time similar to eCommerce applications. Costs range from $70.000 to $125.000. 
  • Marketplace app: These apps like TripAdvisor combine the functions of eCommerce and on-demand apps. They offer a variety of different services and provide direct access to the service provider the user chooses. Development costs range from $125.000 to $250.000. 

Costs for different stages of app development 

Regardless of the application type, the development of an app usually takes place in different project stages. 

1. Planning and concept 

First, a concept is developed that defines what functions the app should offer and how it should look in detail. At this stage, consultation meetings are already held with app developers, who in turn provide initial estimates of app development costs. 

The more advanced your concept is, the lower the costs will be at the beginning of the project. So you should start thinking in detail about the target group, functions and release date early on.  

Costs in the planning and conception phase can range from $0 to $5.000. 

2. Design 

With regard to design, a differentiation is made between user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). Creating an attractive design is crucial for the success of an app. While pre-made templates exist, they often reach their limits and offer fewer options for customizing an app according to a company’s corporate brand. 

The design of an app should be created by a professional graphic designer. This person earns between $70 and $130 per hour. For a UX designer, you will have to pay an additional average of $105 per hour. App agencies usually charge daily rates between $700 and $1300. In total, you will pay between $2.000 and $25.000 for a custom app design.  

3. Programming 

Once the concept and design have been established, the actual work begins with programming. This is the most time-consuming and cost-intensive part of app development. The cost of programming depends on the range of functions and the operating system. Most apps are developed for both the Android and iOS operating systems. This results in a higher effort than with only one target platform.  

The costs for programming range from $5.000 to $150.000. In the case of an extensive app, which for example require several interfaces and are very interactive, several $100.000 can also be needed. 

However, a distinction must be made here according to app technology. Native Apps, i.e. mobile apps in the classic sense, are programmed individually for each operating system and are therefore correspondingly expensive. Native Apps can access specific device functions such as camera or GPS and enable the use of certain functions even offline.  

Web Apps or Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are websites with features of a Native App. They are significantly less expensive to develop than Native Apps. A Hybrid App is a mix of Native App and Web App. A uniform code is used for all operating systems, which makes development cheaper than for Native Apps. In terms of performance, Hybrid Apps cannot keep up with Native Apps, which means that the user experience suffers. 

4. Release 

The final phase of app development is publishing. Classic apps are distributed via Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store for Android. This requires descriptive texts and screenshots in various resolutions. There is also a one-time or annual fee. For Apple, this amounts to $99 for private providers or $299 for companies, while Google only charges a one-time fee of $25 for Android.  

5. Maintenance and development 

Once an app is published to the App Store, the initial development process is over, but maintenance and development costs continue. Software libraries must be kept current and bugs discovered after release must be fixed. In the first year after release, you should expect to pay 10-20% of the order amount for maintenance costs. 

How many people develop an app? 

Another cost-determining factor is the number of people working on the app development. For smaller apps, a single developer is often sufficient; for more extensive apps, it is more likely that an entire team of at least three people will work on a project. In this case, developer costs of $100.000 are not uncommon. A developer team can consist of the following members: 

  • Project Manager 
  • Business Analyst 
  • UI/UX designer 
  • Backend developer 
  • Quality engineer 

How to reduce costs in app development? 

App development is an expensive affair. If you are on a tight budget, there are several ways to reduce costs in app development: 

  • Develop the concept of your app yourself to save on consulting costs. 
  • Compare app agencies, as prices and skills vary widely. 
  • Check out outsourcing app development to companies in other countries with cheaper rates. 
  • Reduce the feature set of your app and develop only an MVP (minimum viable product) first. Fancy features can be added after initial profits have been made. 
  • Choose a simple design. 
  • Actively participate in the app development and always be available for the developer to save time and costs. 

App maker as an alternative  

The easiest way to save money on app development is to use an app maker. An app maker offers numerous use cases with low budgets.  

An app maker is a tool that makes certain programming language instructions accessible through a graphical user interface. Users can select pre-built actions and put them together using drag-and-drop. Using color palettes, an app can even be designed in terms of a company’s branding. An app maker is intuitive to use and does the coding for you. So, with a few simple clicks, you can create a Native App that is specifically designed to meet your needs. 

Traditional app development vs. Open as App 

Open as App gives you the option of automatic app creation using a no-code platform – with minimal effort. All you need is your information in a spreadsheet. Our software identifies data from spreadsheets and databases and automatically converts it into a smart app. Calculations are transferred directly and do not need to be rebuilt. Dashboards, tables and surveys can also be imported automatically without any additional coding. 

The advantages of Open as App: 

  • No programming knowledge required 
  • Significantly cheaper than traditional app development 
  • Only one data source needed as a basis 
  • First prototype ready within minutes 
  • Apps can be used online and offline 
  • High level of data security 

The traditional way of app creation is cost and resource intensive. In comparison, using Open as App is significantly less expensive. With Open as App, you even have the option to create a first version for free. Learn more about our plans here.

Category

App App Apps Best Practice Case Studies Events Features Guide Guides Press Uncategorized Webinars

Popular posts

Alexandra Müller

How to optimize your workflow analysis with a smart app 

workflow analysis

Alexandra Müller

Creating digital signatures: All information at a glance

digital signature

Alexandra Müller

Conducting an energy audit: How a smart app can help you

energy audit with app

Alexandra Müller

How can I create my own iPhone app without coding?

creating an iPhone app

Borislav Kiprin

20 innovative Tools for Excel & Google Sheets in 2023

Innovative Tools Excel

Alexandra Müller

Survey tools: The 6 best alternatives to Google Surveys

survey app

Alexandra Müller

Factory acceptance test via app – what you need to know

Factory Acceptance Test per App

Alexandra Müller

Mandatory recording of working hours – how apps can help with the implementation

recording of working hours with apps

Alexandra Müller

How to optimize your manufacturing process plan with apps

Manufacturing process planning with apps

Alexandra Müller

Project management: Why you can’t go without a checklist

Projektmanagement-Checklist

Alexandra Müller

11 good reasons for your business to have an app

Young urban professional man using smart phone in office building indoors. Businessman holding mobile smartphone using app texting sms message wearing suit jacket and bag.

Alexandra Müller

Construction site safety checklist – how an app can improve safety

Checkliste für Baustellensicherheit – mit einer smarten App zu mehr Sicherheit

Alexandra Müller

How much does it cost to develop an app?

Wie hoch sind die Kosten für die Entwicklung einer App?

Alexandra Müller

How to create your digital construction daily log

Digitales Bautagebuch mit Open as App erstellen

Alexandra Müller

Creating CRM systems with Excel

CRM-Systeme mit Excel erstellen

Alexandra Müller

How to make money with no-code apps

make money with no-code apps

Alexandra Müller

The 8 best app makers

Mit einem App-Baukasten einfach eine App selbst erstellen

Alexandra Müller

How can I create an app?

App erstellen - so funktioniert es

Alexandra Müller

Embedding an iframe – what you need to know

Embedding an iframe - step by step

Borislav Kiprin

Create an App With Google Sheets for Your Business

Create an app with Google Sheets

Manfred Streit

How to Turn an Excel Spreadsheet Into an App

Excel spreadsheet into an app

Manfred Streit

The Basic Guide to No-Code Apps and Platforms

basic guide no-code apps

Damian Roller

Self-Service Apps based on Spreadsheets – Three Strategies for Beginners

self service app

Damian Roller

4YFN Barcelona – Hotspot for Innovation & Impact

MWC und 4YFN Barcelona

Damian Roller

Open as App appoints Michael Stoelwinder as new CEO

Michael_Stoelwinder_OpenasApp

Damian Roller

New Pricing Plans in 2021

pricing

Damian Roller

No-Code Tools Comparison: Open as App and Glide Apps

successful no-code tools

Damian Roller

How to boost your workflow automation with no-code apps

workflow-automation-no-code-apps

Borislav Kiprin

Custom mobile app development in Microsoft 365

Custom mobile app development

Damian Roller

How to Select between BI and Excel Data Analysis [Tableau Alternative]

Tableau Alternative

Borislav Kiprin

Enhancing App Security and Data Protection: No-Code Apps

app security

Damian Roller

Bread baking per app – enjoy great home-made bread every day

home made bread

Borislav Kiprin

How to Drive Digital Innovation without the IT Department

digital innovation

Borislav Kiprin

How a Multi-Devices KPI Report App Can Improve Performance

KPI report App

Damian Roller

Best 8 No-Code Apps to Boost Real Estate Agent Performance

Boost real estate agent performance

Borislav Kiprin

Open as App adds the power of non-technical citizen developers to Microsoft 365

microsoft

Let’s keep in touch!

Skip form
Form skipped
Newsletter-Girl
workflow analysis

Alexandra Müller

How to optimize your workflow analysis with a smart app 

digital signature

Alexandra Müller

Creating digital signatures: All information at a glance

energy audit with app

Alexandra Müller

Conducting an energy audit: How a smart app can help you

creating an iPhone app

Alexandra Müller

How can I create my own iPhone app without coding?

Innovative Tools Excel

Borislav Kiprin

20 innovative Tools for Excel & Google Sheets in 2023

survey app

Alexandra Müller

Survey tools: The 6 best alternatives to Google Surveys

Factory Acceptance Test per App

Alexandra Müller

Factory acceptance test via app – what you need to know

recording of working hours with apps

Alexandra Müller

Mandatory recording of working hours – how apps can help with the implementation

Manufacturing process planning with apps

Alexandra Müller

How to optimize your manufacturing process plan with apps