The True Mobile App Development Cost: Ongoing Expenses and Maintenance
Table of Content
- 1. Introduction to Mobile App Development Cost
- 2. Determinants of the Mobile App Development Cost
- 3. In-House Team vs. Outsourcing: What Should You Choose?
- 4. How can SilverXis Assist? in Reducing the Mobile App Development Cost?
- 5. Conclusion
Introduction to Mobile App Development Cost
When should you be concerned about the mobile app development cost? The instance can be many, however, it is mandatory when you are:
- Digitalizing your own business
- Planning to make your company a brand
- Wanting to increase your sales through data
- Targeting a large customer base
- Customizing your operations
There are various reasons we can discuss that ratify the need for mobile app development costs. By the time you read this, additional demands may have emerged. These demands will then be met via a mobile app.
Ever since humans existed on Earth, they have struggled for mobility. It led to social engineering in various domains over numerous demographics.
The word mobility, however, changed its intent in the modern era defined by the technosocial revolution.
Hence, mobile apps became the solution to every problem that came into being. In this manuscript, our primary goal is to dissect the factors determining mobile app development costs. Along with it, we’ll further understand the ongoing expenses and maintenance.
Till then, stay tuned!
Overview of Mobile App Development and Trends
The expense for mobile app development varies according to international marketing dynamics and a few other determinants we will discuss in the upcoming section of this blog.
While considering all the sectors or industries where applications are developed, gaming and social networking apps have dominated the market. They are followed by entertainment and shopping apps respectively.
As previously stated, there are intermittent requirements that become apparent. Similarly, the mobile application industry as a whole is extraordinarily dynamic. As of 2024, the subsequent developments have garnered the interest of every stakeholder in the mobile application industry:
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
2. Internet of Things (IoT) Integration
3. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
4. Cross-Platform App Development
5. Hybrid App Development
6. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
7. Voice-Enabled Interfaces
Features of App Development Lifecycle
In the process of developing an application, there are multiple phases, each of which has its own set of characteristics. And each step is crucial to determine app development cost. The following are the most common app development lifecycle stages:
1. Idea Generation: Are you also the one who thinks app development is entirely about coding? Well, if you have that thing in your mind then please take a breath to grasp the fact that coding is just one part out of nine app development stages.
The process begins with the generation of ideas where brainstorming is done to find a problem. That problem is then processed further by the Research and Development team to find a sustainable solution.
2. Blueprint Designing: Once the solution is discovered for the problem, it is thoroughly analyzed to design a roadmap. That roadmap consists of a-to-z requirements of the entire app development stages.
3. Prototyping: The design of the user interface (UI) elements initiates the third stage, which enables an examination of the final product in its physical form. The UX team is actively engaged in this phase to guarantee an optimal user experience via the application’s interface.
4. Development: The development consists of two phases: front-end and back-end. Both platforms are distinct. Choosing the appropriate platforms is achieving to achieve the best possible outcome.
5. QA and Testing: This stage carries out many different kinds of testing, such as functional, usability, performance, and security.
6. Deployment: Once the application receives approval from the QA team, it is released via various distribution channels such as the Apple Store and Google Play Store. The app listing is done at this stage.
7. Launch: This stage involves the incorporation of a digital marketing team. They are further subdivided into designers, writers, SEO, and SMM experts. The primary goal of this team is to craft contemporary and industry-based marketing strategies to communicate the right pitch to the target audience.
8. Post-Launch Support: The digital marketing team diligently participates in data collection following the launch. They analyze the user’s behaviour on the application using a variety of analytical instrument metrics.
9. Re-Engineering: While taking into account the marketing dynamics, competition, and need shifts, any application would require re-engineering at the sunset of its lifecycle.
The product is re-engineered where advanced technologies are researched and proper solutions to restore the viability of the app are crafted.
Also Read:
Step-by-Step Successful Application Development Guide
Determinants of the Mobile App Development Cost (Estimates)
The process of determining the average cost to develop an app is a complex procedure that is greatly impacted by a wide variety of factors. For example, the functionalities of the application differ from one to another. They can be categorized as micro, mega, and enterprise apps. Also, the development team’s location heavily determines the cost. In the same reign, there are other costs associated with it which are discussed below in detail:
1. App Type
Among many determinants of mobile app development price, one of the most important is the type of app. The time taken to build an app also varies from type to type. Below are some of the categories:
| No. | App Type | Development Time | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | E-Commerce | 4-12 months | Amazon, Alibaba, eBay |
2. | Gaming | 2-12 months | Subway Surfers, Candy Crush, PUBG |
3. | Social Media | 6-12 months | Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook |
4 | Health & Fitness | 4-6 months | Samsung Health, Noom, Central Dynamics |
5. | On-Demand | 4-8 months | iFood, TidyMe, Edaija |
6. | Delivery | 6-8 months | DoorDash, Seamless, Instacart |
7. | Education | 3-6 months | Nurture’s Craft, Slashie, TED-Ed |
2. Development Team Location
Companies are aware that the expense of employing an expert in software development differs based on the geography of the developer. In broad terms, software development expenses are relatively more affordable in developing countries than in the developed countries of the West.
Failure to account for the geographical placement of developers will result in an incomplete and unreliable response to this inquiry.
You can check below the rate variations as per the geography:
| Location | Jr. Developer Rate (Avg. Per Hour) | Sr. Developer Rate (Avg. Per Hour) |
|---|---|---|
North America | $60-100 | $70-130 |
Latin America | $25-60 | $35-70 |
Central Europe | $30-75 | $40-80 |
Africa | $25-35 | $25-40 |
Asia | $15-40 | $20-55 |
Eastern Europe | $15-40 | $20-55 |
Nevertheless, it also alone cannot be a decision-making element. Therefore, the next important thing to consider is app complexity.
3. App Complexity
App Complexity can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including the depth of user interface design, the complexity of functionality, and the requirements for smooth integration with external services.
In their pursuit to provide exceptional user experiences, developers encounter obstacles such as the efficient management of extensive datasets, the optimization of operations across various devices, and the implementation of strong security protocols.
We have divided the app complexities into three parts:
| App Division | Complexities | Development Time |
|---|---|---|
Micro | Basic UI
MVP Functionality | 3-4 months |
Macro | Custom UI
Modern Features | 4-10 months |
Mega | Industry Specific UI
Multiple Platforms
Advanced Features | 1+ Year |
4. App Platform
5. App Maintenance
It is essential to keep in mind that the development of a mobile or web application does not conclude once the application goes live in app stores or on the web.
Annual app maintenance costs are estimated to range from 15-20% of the initial development investment but can vary based on the number of features and functionalities, the scale of the development team, the complexity of the application, and the platform on which it is developed.
In broader terms, costs included with app maintenance are:
- Software Updates
- Server Updates
- Custom Support
- CyberSecurity
- Bug Fixing
The above-discussed five determinants of application development are comprehensive enough to determine the cost to develop a mobile app. Nonetheless, there can be other ways as well to determine the cost, for example; instead of bifurcating the application’s overall possible costs, the team involved in the application development process can be individually ascertained and allocated the budget.
Therefore, to understand it more correctly, we’ll have to understand whether should we go with the in-house team or outsource our application development
In-House Team vs. Outsourcing: What Should You Choose?
There are various factors like expertise, location, timeline, budget, etc., that decide whether one should outsource the mobile app development process or hire an in-house team. Both have their pros and cons.
There is no denying that an in-house team provides you with exclusive control over the project. Especially, when you have long-term projects with your client base, including maintenance, and post-delivery services.
The outsourcing model, however, is helpful if the budget is tight, and one does not commit to long-term projects.
However, let us understand in detail the cost of both models.
In-House Team Cost
Any in-house team requires a large sum of money. That big sum includes hiring cost, onboarding cost, infrastructure cost, training cost, and maintenance cost.
Additionally, there is no assurance that the in-house team is proficient in every job function. In such a scenario, you’re likely to compromise on various fronts. You may not have access to every trending technology or requirement if your in-house team is not well-versed in the updates.
However, in the case of long-term projects, customizations, and relationship building, in-house is recommended.
Outsourcing Cost
1. Project Complexity
2. Hourly Rates
3. Outsource Model
4. Currency Rates (Offshore Outsourcing)
What to Choose?
Pros of In-House Team and Outsourcing
| Name | In-House | Outsource |
|---|---|---|
Budget | When the budget is high, you can hire an in-house team. | In a tight budget, outsourcing is the best option. |
Control | The in-house team gives full control over the project. | There is less control over the project. |
Communication | Easy to communicate. So, when the project is complex, an in-house team is advised. | The communication gap is there. Only advised when the project and its scope are straightforward. |
Expertise | Onboarding costs are high, therefore, experts in each role aren’t easily accessible. | No geographical boundary. Experts can be reached from any corner of the world. |
Risk | Risk can be easily managed with the in-house team. | Risk mitigation is dependent on the vendor. |
How can SilverXis Assist in Reducing the Mobile App Development Cost?
1. Quantitative Conceptualization
2. Right Platform Selection
Mobile application development is done taking into consideration the industry. Every industry has its requirements, preferences, and tastes.
Those demands are fulfilled with tailored solutions. Among them, one of the most crucial is to choose the right platform for development. The mobile app development cost is reduced when our team of platform-specific developers starts working on your project.
3. Agile Development Process
Our company adopts an agile development methodology when it comes to the creation of mobile applications. By employing iterative processes of planning, development, testing, and feedback, we place customer collaboration and adaptability at the forefront to efficiently deliver mobile solutions of superior quality.
Consistent stand-up meetings, sprint planning sessions, and sprint evaluations are conducted by our team to guarantee adherence to project objectives and client anticipations.
By prioritizing increment delivery and ongoing enhancement, we effectively implement Agile principles to promptly adapt to shifting market dynamics and requirements. As a result, we consistently deliver mobile applications that cater to the changing demands of our users.
4. Expert Team
5. Long-Term Partnership
Conclusion
Are you ready to set sail on the path to creating a state-of-the-art mobile app for your company? Well, as per our discussion on the pros and cons of in-house and outsourcing, you can consult our experienced mobile app development team to finally decide the most suitable method for your project.
The mobile app development cost needs to be ascertained as accurately as possible so that other operations of the business can be channeled profitably.
Connect with us now to learn more about the cost of your mobile app development.
Frequently Asked
Questions
The development cost can only be ascertained when the app type, complexity, platform, and other related questions are obtained. Based on that app development cost can be ascertained as mentioned below:
- Micro App
- Macro App
- Mega
Well, the average price for app development in Canada ranges from CAD $15,000 to CAD $300,000. However, it is still important to know the app's complexity, type, and model of development. The true mobile app cost will only be ascertained after that.
India is a booming economy. The cost of mobile app development is relatively affordable in India. Companies from developed nations outsource their work because of affordability and expertise. However, to know the exact cost, one must clarify the app type, complexity, platform, and similar other questions. For a rough idea, it can range between ₹500,000 (around $6,000 USD) to ₹9,000,000 (around $110,000 USD).
The mobile app development costs are estimated with the help of the following determinants:
- App Type
- Development Team Location
- App Complexity
- App Platform
- App Maintenance
The app maintenance cost is normally not very high. However, if the below-mentioned factors are taken into consideration, the actual cost can be calculated:
- Software Updates
- Server Updates
- Custom Support
- CyberSecurity
- Bug Fixing
To choose the best company for your app development project, it is important to consider:
- Team Location
- Team Expertise
- Team Portfolio
- Team Methodology
- Team Review
If you’re looking for expert support, contact us now, and find your trusted partner for your next project.
