Evaluating Your Budget: How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App?

How to Estimate App Development Cost?

Discussing price estimation, it's important to acknowledge that even the most professional agencies can't readily provide you with an exact project cost. The rationale behind this is straightforward—there's no fixed price list that enables us to estimate app development cost by merely tallying up functionalities. If you come across such claims online, it's best to bypass them, as they often constitute common marketing ploys. Generally, agencies operate with hourly rates that offer flexibility.

As previously mentioned, the cost of creating an app primarily hinges on the cumulative hours invested by the development team. Naturally, more intricate functionality and architecture entail more hours, given the extended time required for feature implementation. Apps typically fall into three categories: simple, intermediate, and complex. To gain a sense of potential costs for each category, let's use an average hourly rate of $50.

• For simple apps, their functionalities are relatively straightforward, excluding third-party API integration and sometimes even a complex backend structure. This level of functionality typically encompasses standard UI modules, basic filters, map markers, and similar elements. Building such an app from the ground up takes approximately 1000 hours, translating to a starting cost of $30,000.
• Moving to intermediate complexity, these apps incorporate custom UI features, real-time chat and payment functionalities, APIs, and a backend server. With moderate intricacy, these apps demand up to 1800 hours of development, resulting in a cost of around $50,000.
• In the case of high complexity, advanced functionalities characterize these apps. These may encompass real-time synchronization, bespoke animations, third-party service integrations, intricate backends featuring multiple database relationships, and more. The development timeframe significantly expands here, starting from 2400 hours and carrying a minimum price tag of $80,000. Apps falling within this bracket include dating platforms, streaming applications, and social networks.

How Do We Estimate Cost to Build an App?

We never present a bill without a preliminary estimation in place. To be entirely transparent, let's outline our three-step framework that ensures a clear and accurate projection of the project's value.

Initially, the customer completes a contact form, initiating the process. Our engagement manager then arranges a conversation, delving into the specifics to confirm details, clarify business objectives, outline technical requirements, assess app scalability, and explore potential user stories.
Once these foundational prerequisites are gathered, we embark on preliminary business analysis. This step ensures that we propose a tailored solution that precisely aligns with the business goals and client's needs. With these insights in hand, the estimation phase commences.
Subsequently, our solution architect takes over. They compile a comprehensive report containing feedback, recommendations for app structure, use cases, and preliminary technical implementation ideas.
Following this, a subsequent meeting is scheduled. During this session, our team presents the feedback, discusses intricacies, refines requirements, and addresses potential challenges. This meeting is also instrumental in finalizing the scope—a defined set of features that will address the project's business challenges.
Only after this meticulous process do we start preparing a comprehensive project offer. This offer, presented during the final pre-planning meeting, includes the projected number of hours, technology stack details, application architecture approach, and the specific set of features within the scope.
In the final phase, the offer is subject to negotiation as we strive to pinpoint the optimal solution that aligns with the client's needs and aspirations. This comprehensive approach ensures that the estimation and planning stages are thorough and collaborative, leading to the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Upon approval of the initial rough estimate, our team proceeds to craft a comprehensive, detailed estimate. This involves identifying the specific requirements for each scope or segment of the project and preparing thorough documentation. To provide the client with a tangible glimpse of their app's appearance, we also create wireframes for visualization.

As a holistic service provider, we specialize in full-cycle development services encompassing both mobile and web applications. Put simply, our estimations include all the services we offer, including project management.

Requirements Analysis + Design + Development + Testing & Verification

Our process spans Requirements Analysis, Design, Development, and Testing & Verification. With each iteration, we progressively enhance your project until it reaches a successful state. However, it's important to note that the app launch is merely the initial stride in the journey, not the culmination. Ensuring that the app functions optimally and proves profitable necessitates sustained collaboration with our development team.

If you're interested in delving further, our recently published article on the TikTok business model offers insights into optimizing your application's profitability.