How Expensive Is Mobile App Development?

Mobile apps are becoming increasingly common and very often they are the ultimate selling channel, ingenious automation solution, or they provide services for millions of users. How expensive is mobile app development?

Type	Description	Price
Basic	Few screens, static data, no backend, …	from 8,000 EUR
Advanced	Data processing, backend, payments, …	from 16,000 EUR
Super complex	Machine learning, augmented reality, complex data	from 24,000 EUR

Price overview based on the app size

Providing a detailed budget for a mobile app in general is near to impossible. Without knowing specific requirements, no one can really tell. Development costs for a mobile app depend on many factors. Let’s go through them one by one.

Mobile App Development Options

The fundamental factor affecting the development costs is the app’s compatibility with various operation systems. In other words: Is the app designed for both iOS and Android, or just for one of these systems?

In all likelihood, your audience will include people using both Apple and Android devices. You want either group to be able to use your app. There are two scenarios:

A) Cross-platform development

With the technologies getting ever more sophisticated, it is now possible to develop your mobile app in the React Native framework just once and then use the source code for iOS and Android separately.
Pros: Highly cost-effective. The cross-platform code can be used for web apps as well.

B) Developing for iOS and Android separately

This scenario implies two developer teams – one for each system – which affects the price accordingly.
Pros: Native development can do without relying on third-party technology packages. Suitable for complex or single-platform projects.

C) Hybrid development

This is a popular mobile app development method for Android and iOS. It consists in adapting one code to different operation systems using standard technologies (HTML, CSS and JavaScript). To ensure correct communication with the platform’s native functionalities (camera, microphone, …), the software is equipped with native plug-ins to take care of these tasks.

Pros: You can build your mobile app on any platform using just one code. This saves both time and money.

D) Adjusting user interface for tablets

Let’s not forget tablets – in this case, either of the above-mentioned methods can be applied. However, the code must be adapted so that the app displays (and, more importantly, functions!) properly.

More Features Equals Greater Costs

Different apps can do different things. Makes sense, right? That’s why some of them have considerably more features than others (sometimes without being apparent to the user). The number of functionalities an app should offer is hence the most prominent factor affecting its price.

Basic App

This is the most elementary version. Just a few screens, static data directly in the app, no need to integrate third-party tools (such as Facebook) and the app doesn’t even use backend infrastructure. It’s just a neat, simple presentation… sorry, we mean to say APPLICATION. A realistic price of such a product is usually something like 8,000 EUR.

Advanced App

This type of app must already provide some advanced functionalities, such as working with data uploaded from the system (which requires web administration, i.e. backend infrastructure), connecting to social networks, accepting payments, running chats, GPS location and so on. A realistic price of such a product is usually around 16,000 EUR.

Super-Complex App

This is a real monster! On top of all of the above-mentioned features, a super-complex app utilises elements of machine learning and augmented reality, functions as a social network and processes more complex data, such as audio and video. Estimating price here is quite tricky. We prefer discussing it in person.

Functionalities Affecting App Price

As obvious from what was said above, an app can have anywhere from 2 to 12 functionalities. For clarity’s sake, we divided them into several categories:

• Backend infrastructure
  • The code in the background that keeps the app going.
• Web administration interface
  • A tool for adding more content to the app.
• Filtering/searching/sorting of categories, objects and data.
  • Standard in-app search function, similar to e.g. Facebook.
• Analytical tools
  • Collecting data regarding users’ behaviour is important for further improvement.
• Log in via social networks
  • The most convenient way of logging in. Time is money, as they say.
• Chat and messaging
  • Enables users to communicate with one another within the app.
• Notifications
  • An important tool for keeping users engaged and interested.
• Multilingual
  • Would you like to grow your business? Be sure not to miss this feature.
• GPS location
  • Provide helpful information regarding location or navigate your users directly. Or keep them updated about the weather in your area.
• Different profiles in the app (such as Basic and Premium)
  • E.g. a free version with limited features and a paid version to give your users access to all functionalities of your app.
• Connecting a payment gate for further in-app purchases
  • Are you going to sell something in your app? Be sure to include this feature. 
• Connecting third-party systems (e.g. cloud-based solution AWS)
  • You need your app to communicate and cooperate with other apps and tools. Getting them to work together can be a tall order at times.
• Tutorials and guides
  • A handy bonus for users, especially in case of complex applications.
• Machine learning
  • Do you want your app to learn from the users’ behaviour and change accordingly? A big ask, but we can handle it too.
• Animation
  • We’ll bring your app elements to life using animation! Draw users’ attention exactly to those pieces of information you want to. They’ll also enjoy using your app more.
• QR code reader
  • Make life easier for your users – allow them to enter your app with a QR code and display your content on their smartphones in just a few seconds. Using this method, we’ve already established access to shared services via QR code business cards, last meter readings data or the total amount spent in restaurants (Máme chuť app).
• Connecting to hardware and phone functionalities
  • Open up to new possibilities for improving your mobile app and offer advanced features to your audience. We can connect it with Bluetooth, camera, microphone, SMS gate and other functionalities of the relevant platform.
• Operation system versions
  • You decide which operation system versions your app will be support (e.g. Android 5 and higher, up to the latest version). If you include only the most recent ones, you will save money – at the expense of excluding some of the potential users, though. The same applies to iOS. Just go for the most widely used operation system versions.
• Supporting different brands and phone resolutions
  • Creating an app for common phone brands (such as Samsung or Xiaomi) will cost you less than aiming at the “exotic” ones preferred by but a handful of users. Displaying your app using atypical, non-standard screen resolutions will also entail additional costs.
• Kiosk mode – locked functions
  • The kiosk mode ensures safe and controlled use of your device. You can disable selected functionalities (restriction of Wi-Fi settings, installing apps, playing games etc.). This is a handy solution if a tablet or a phone is used by more people. Moreover, your employees don’t have to deal with updates as these are done automatically.
• Android Management API
  • Any Android device can be managed using one single intuitive API interface. This way you can (un)install anything you want across all devices – easily and effortlessly. Great solution for schools and corporates.
• Dark Mode
  • Not everyone fancies the “day” version of your mobile app. Allow users coming from the “dark side” to enjoy the Dark Mode. They can rest their eyes and discover a new design at the same time.

What Else Should You Prepare For

Your app is ready and published, but that’s not over! More often than not you’ll find you have to add other features so your users enjoy the app even more (and spend more time using it).

Needles to say, this decision is mostly yours to make. What you can’t avoid, though, are regular updates. Both iOS and Android keep improving their software along with launching new devices. So don’t forget about support and updates for your app that are provided by us according to the Service Agreement. Costs for our support and updates are paid monthly and the specific amount depends on the project price.

Costs for Mobile App Design

Design of your app is one of the factors that can significantly impact the final price. There are several options:

A) Platform-specfic

This is the cheapest solution. The design of your app is limited to one pre-set layout, taking away the possibility of building a unique brand image.

B) Tailored Graphics

It goes without saying that we can prepare a unique design to make your app stand out. You can, of course, present your own idea as well, or consult with our experienced graphic designer who has experience with many projects of a similar nature.

The price for a custom-made design is calculated based on the number of app screens and begins at 50 EUR per screen. Please note that this is only a design concept. Highly complex graphics can mean a lot of extra work not only for the graphic designer, but also for coders.

Learn about Sprints

The development process stages are organized into the so-called “sprints”. These periods usually take about two weeks during which we fully commit ourselves to your app and work hard on its code. The number of sprints varies depending on the complexity. Sometimes two are enough, but other times, tens of spurts are needed.

In each sprint, we (as much as you) know exactly which features are being built into your app. This lets us estimate the costs for the given sprint as accurately as possible.

We stick to the agile development method. If you wish to change, modify, or add anything during the coding process, we can discuss your requirements, implement the changes in the app and adjust the budget accordingly (this doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in price –⁠ you might also find you don’t need as many features, which means spending less).

Let’s Get Down to It!

You now have a rough idea of how expensive mobile app development can be. If you’d like a specific quote, please contact us. We’ll discuss what (not) to include in your app so you don’t overpay. And by the way – we do games, too!