January 24, 2022

Understanding App Development Costs: Factors to Consider

The need for apps is constantly growing. With more than 2.5 billion smartphone users, the global app market tripled in the years 2015 to 2020, resulting in Mobile applications for companies are more popular than ever does. Here you can read what the development of an app costs and what differences you have to expect with regard to an Android/iOS app or cross-platform app.

How much does it cost to develop an app?

Die Development costs for an app It is difficult to generalize, as numerous factors such as the type of app, its complexity and the operating system on which it is to be used play a role. For example, if you want to target the US market with your mobile app, you should consider that 58 percent of all smartphone users there use an iOS device and 41 percent use an Android device. In India, on the other hand, 94 percent use Android.
So that you don't cut off a significant portion of your American target group, you have two options: On the one hand, you can develop a native app for each of the operating systems. On the other hand, you can program a cross-platform app and optimize it for both operating systems.

What are the benefits of the cross-platform app?

Both approaches have their advantages, which is why the native app still exists despite the flexible and more cost-effective cross-platform. In recent years, however, the latter has become increasingly popular and rightly so:

Lower app development costs and faster results

Since the Cross-platform app for iOS and Android can be used, you save yourself the development of a completely new second app and thus the associated costs. In addition, app programming can be completed more quickly for both operating systems despite the intricacies. On average, this allows you to shorten development time by 10 to 20 percent.

Smaller team for the app project

The cost of an app depends not only on its complexity and the length of development, but also on how many people work on it. In principle, you can complete your application with a larger team in a shorter period of time - but this increases personnel costs, which you should consider in your budget.

All-in-one solution for your app

You can use the cross-platform application on different operating systems and thus serve a wide target group with a single programming. This not only has a positive effect on development itself, but also makes ongoing maintenance easier for you later on, which in turn reduces costs.

What are the benefits of the native app?

The native app has the advantage that it is tailored exactly to an operating system and therefore fits perfectly into it. It runs fast and uses the smartphone's own functions, such as its camera, GPS or microphone, without any problems. The native app offers users an interface that they already know from their smartphone and which they can therefore easily find their way into. Updates can be made available quickly and problems in the app can also be quickly resolved, for example with the Android Debug Bridge.

What factors influence the costs of developing native apps?

The development of your application takes place in three phases: In the planning phase, you present your app ideas to your programmers and a common goal is set. This is followed by app design and finally programming in the narrower sense and testing.

Costs vary depending on the scope of work and complexity. Since the native app is specifically designed for Android smartphones or iPhones, the effort is much higher than with the cross-platform app or the web app. In order for your app agency to be able to estimate the costs of developing your application, it needs a meaningful concept. Therefore, think about all the functions that your app should include in advance. Subsequent change requests not only drive up the price, but also often cause programmers unnecessary work, which increases personnel costs for you.

Which factors influence the costs of developing cross-platform apps?

Regardless of whether your app agency uses an app builder or creates the application from scratch: You don't get multiple programs for different app stores, but can use the same development for Android apps and iOS apps. This significantly reduces your costs and your app is ready earlier.
A smaller team is required for programming due to the lower effort. The individual programmer can complete their work in just a few hours, which also shortens your final bill. App kits can make developers' work even easier and help you achieve faster and more cost-effective results.

How much does it cost to develop the cross-platform app or the native app?

Depending on how demanding you want your app to be, the costs range from 35,000 euros to over 1,000,000 euros. The large price differences are also influenced by the location of the programmers, their expertise and their reputation. There is no upper limit, as the complexity of apps tends to keep increasing and the programmer has an ever higher workload.

It is therefore important that you obtain a price estimate in advance so that you can manage your budget. The design of your app and the schedule that you set together with the developer are relevant for the estimate.

Experience, complexity and reputation determine costs.

conclusion

The development costs for apps vary widely depending on the project and are therefore difficult to generalize. The complexity of your app, its design, the expertise and demand of the developers, the type of application and the amount of work associated with it play a role.

Native apps, for example, are specifically designed for a specific operating system. If you want to offer your app for multiple operating systems (for example Android and iOS), the workload for the programmers is almost doubled. This is also noticeable in terms of price. A good alternative here is the cross-platform app, which can be used across operating systems.

What’s a Rich Text element?

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Static and dynamic content editing

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Louis Nell
CEO Knguru Studios
Moin ich bin Louis, kreativer Kopf und Gründer von KNGURU Studios. Wenn wir einmal anfangen über Technik, Startups oder Produktdesign zu quatschen kannst du dir sicher sein, das es so schnell kein halten mehr gibt. Deswegen gibt es auch mittlerweile diesen Blog in dem ich meine Reise als Startup- und Agenturgründer dokumentiere.
#app
#development
Vera Große
UX Management
Hi, ich bin Vera! Meine Verantwortung liegt im Bereich Projektmanagement und Kundenbetreuung. In diesem Blog teilen wir nicht nur unsere Erfahrungen als Startup- und Agenturgründer, sondern auch unsere Begeisterung für kreative Ideen und visionäre Konzepte.Mit Expertise und Leidenschaft arbeiten wir daran, innovative Projekte zum Leben zu erwecken und gleichzeitig unsere eigene Reise zu dokumentieren.
#app
#development

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