Mobile App Development Cost in 2024: Your Ultimate Budgeting Guide
What is the Mobile App Development cost? The platform of choice, design specifications, developer fees, and app complexity are some of the factors that will affect the total cost of app development in 2024.
Although typical app development costs might provide an approximate figure, the true cost is dictated by the particular needs and goals of each project. According to Statista’s Digital Market Outlook, the market for mobile apps is expected to reach over $613 billion in sales by 2025 due to the growth in a number of categories.
This blog looks into the variables that will impact app development costs in the evolving tech sector of 2024 and offers estimates of costs based on these variables.
Table of Contents
8 Key Factors Affecting Mobile App Development Costs
App building costs can be expensive. Here are the top 8 factors that influence mobile app development cost:
1. App Complexity and Features
Your mobile app development cost price is determined by its level of complexity. Making straightforward apps with essential functions, like a to-do list or calculator, is typically less expensive. However, developing applications with sophisticated features—like real-time chat, GPS, or payment systems—takes more time and expertise, which increases the cost of the app.
2. Design and User Experience
An attractive app improves the user experience but increases the cost of developing a mobile app. Custom designs, animations, and complex interfaces need more time and expertise. Investing in design is important for user satisfaction and engagement.
3.Platform Choice
Your budget could vary depending on whether you decide to build for iOS, Android, or both. It is less expensive to develop an app for one platform than for several. Although cross-platform tools allow you to develop a single program that runs on both iOS and Android, they may limit native functionality and performance. Nevertheless, they can save you money.
4. Development Team Location
Where your development team is located affects costs a lot. Developers in Southeast Asia, India, and Eastern Europe often charge less than those in North America and Western Europe. While offshore development may result in cost savings, communication and project management issues should be taken into consideration.
5. Backend Infrastructure
The servers, databases, and APIs that your program uses are part of its backend architecture. Apps with many users and extensive features need a robust backend. It might be expensive to develop and maintain a strong backend, but doing so is necessary to make the program dependable and expandable.
6. App Maintenance and Updates
Development doesn’t stop after the app is launched. You need regular maintenance, bug fixes, and updates to keep it working well and compatible with new operating system versions. Budgeting for this ongoing maintenance is important to ensure the app stays in good shape over time.
7. Security Features
App Development pricing may go up if security measures are included to safeguard customer data and avoid breaches. It takes longer and costs more to maintain your app’s reputation and users, but features like data encryption, secure authentication, and legal compliance (like GDPR) are important.
8. Testing and Quality Assurance
Thorough testing is essential for high-quality mobile app development cost. The cost of testing increases with testing detail. To make sure that your app works well on different kinds of devices and operating systems and is free of problems, you must perform a lot of quality assurance (QA) work.. This investment is key to a successful app launch.
App Development Cost: Categories and Price Ranges
Since mobile app development cost varies from one app to another, let’s divide these into three essential categories, each with a distinct price.
Complexity of Mobile Apps
Mobile App Development Costs depends a lot on how complex it is. Each app has different features and functions, which can be simple or advanced based on what the developer decides.
Simple Apps
- basic features of these apps include simple dashboards, user profiles, and login systems.
- Total Cost: $5,000 to $15,000.
Medium-Complex Apps
- Some more services including multimedia streaming, payment gateways, and social network integration. Both user engagement and profitability may be raised by using these apps.
- Total Cost: $15,000 to $30,000.
Advanced Apps
- These apps use the latest technology, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, and support for multiple languages and complex data.
- Total cost: $30,000 to $100,000 or more.
Breakdown of App Building Cost
When analyzing the breakdown of costs associated with developing a mobile app, the mobile app methodology can provide the components of an application.
Here are three steps to help you understand the Mobile App Development Cost:
1. Pre-development cost
A. Idea Validation and Market Research
An awareness of your target market, app viability, competitors, and other guidelines should be a part of any app development process.
B. UI/UX design and Wireframing
The design phase includes both UI/UX design. UI design is more concerned with the outside appearance of the app than UX design is with how the app functions and how users use it. For people to remain engaged and return, good design is essential.
2. Development Costs
A. Front-end Development
This means making the user interface and ensuring the app looks good and is easy to use. Front-end developers and designers work together to create the app’s visual parts.
B. Back-end development
At this stage of development, the server-side functionality supporting the logic and data storage of the application is implemented.
C. Third-Party Integrations
Third-party integrations connect your app to external services like social media platforms, payment gateways, and analytics tools, enhancing functionality and user experience.
D. Quality Assurance and Testing
Quality assurance (QA) and testing ensure the app provides a seamless user experience by identifying and fixing issues before release. This phase includes functional, performance, and security tests to ensure smooth operation under various conditions.
3. Post-development costs
A. Quality Assurance (QA) Testing
Post-development QA testing ensures the app’s functionality, performance, and security remain bug-free after launch. Regular updates and new features require ongoing testing to maintain quality.
B. Deployment
Launching the software on stores like Google Play and the Software Store. This includes costs for developer account fees and initial marketing campaigns.
C. Maintenance and Updates
After-launch maintenance should be given, including feature improvements, problem repairs, and upgrades. This continuous procedure guarantees that the app stays current and effective.
- Annual Cost: Approximately 15-20% of the initial development cost
- Timeframe: Ongoing (typically starts immediately after deployment)
Types that influence app development costs.
We have outlined many application kinds across domains along with their construction cost range in order to show to you how mobile app development cost may change significantly depending on the company industry.
The following figures are derived from the expertise of our software developers in developing similar apps and from industry norms in the field of IT.
| Industries | App category | Average cost ($) | App examples |
| 1. Healthcare | Telemedicine App | $10,000-$100,000+ | PlushCare, MDLIVE |
| Fitness tracking App | $15,000-$70,000 | Apple Health, Google Fit | |
| 2. Logistics and Transport | Transportation Management App | $8,000-$150,000+ | Onfleet, Geotab |
| 3. Social Networking | Social media App | $25,000-$200,000 | Linkedin, Instagram |
| Dating App | $20,000-$100,000 | Bumble, Tinder | |
| 4. E-commerce | Online marketplace App | $10,000-$120,000 | Amazon, eBay |
| Retail shopping App | $10,000-$100,000 | Shopify POS, RoomSketcher | |
| 5. FinTech | Finance App | $15,000-$300,000+ | Acorns, Stash |
| eBanking App | $20,000-$200,000+ | Monzo, Chime | |
| 6. Media | Streaming service App | $20,000-$200,000 | Disney+, Netflix |
| Mobile Game App | $50,000-$250,000 | Subway Surfers, Call of Duty | |
| 7. Education | Language Learning App | $15,000-$100,000 | Babbel, Duolingo |
| E-learning platform App | $30,000-$150,000 | LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy | |
| 8. Real Estate | Real estate Management App | $20,000-$120,000 | Rentec Direct, AppFolio |
| Property Listing App | $15,000-$100,000 | Apartments.com, Rent.com | |
| 9. Travel & Hospitality | Travel Booking App | $20,000-$120,000 | Make My Trip, Go Ibibo |
| Hotel Management App | $25,000-$150,000 | Oracle Hospitality, Cloudbeds | |
| 10. Others | CRM | $20,000-$300,000+ | Salesforce, Zoho, Salesforce |
| Al-based App | $30,000-$300,000 | Siri, Cortana, Disney+ | |
| Location-based App | $30,000-$150,000 | Apple Maps, Google Maps, MapQuest | |
| Augmented Reality App (AR) | $30,000-$250,000 | Pokémon GO, Amazon AR View, IKEA Studio |
Is your app concept missing from the list? Please get in touch with our team if you would like a customized app idea estimate. Our team will assess your needs as a business and as a product before presenting an elaborate cost estimate.
Mobile App Development Costs by Platform
The cost of developing an app will also depend on the platforms that are selected for it to run on. This is an overview of the typical app cost broken down per OS platform type.
1. Android App
An Android app is made to function with the characteristics of the device and run on Google’s Android operating system. Depending on the app’s complexity, developing an Android app can cost anywhere from $70,000 to $250,000 or more.
2. Cross-platform App
Flutter-created cross-platform solutions function effectively across platforms with a single code base, reducing app expenses. Creating a Flutter app is often less expensive than creating a native software, costing anything from $60,000 to over $200,000. The cost of developing mobile apps may be lowered by 30–40% by using cross-platform apps.
3. IOS App
iOS apps are made specifically for Apple products, including iPod Touches, iPads, and iPhones. These gadgets are designed in Swift or Objective-C and run the iOS operating system. Depending on the intricacy of the app and the rates of the programmers, developing an iOS app can cost anywhere from $70,000 to $250,000 or more.
4. Web app
A web version of the application is less expensive to develop initially than a native app and functions on a variety of devices using web browsers. Including continuing hosting and maintenance expenses, the price to design a web application can range from $5,000 for a simple version to $200,000 or more for a fully functional platform.
The Cost of Building Apps for Popular Startups
A number of prominent companies who raised capital in a seed round have been chosen by us to further their product development. You might get a better idea of app starting costs from these real-world examples.
- Uber: The business was given $200K in initial money to put its ideas into reality. In 2024, Uber made $38.59 billion in revenue in its first quarter.
- Tinder: The seed round for this dating app raised $485K in 2012. By 2023, Tinder had generated about $1.9 billion in revenue.
- Instagram: This photo-sharing application received a $500K startup grant to support it in its development. Instagram made $59 billion in revenue as of the beginning of 2024.
- TikTok: This startup raised $250K in its seed round. TikTok is predicted to generate $18.5 billion in revenue by 2024.
- Airbnb: The company recorded sales of 2.2 billion in 2023. In 2009, this large internet marketplace raised $600,000.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, sound planning and budgeting depend on understanding the factors that influence the cost of developing mobile apps. A number of factors influence the overall cost, including platform selection, team location, app complexity, and design. Estimating costs is made easier by dividing costs into pre-, development-, and post-development phases. Apps may be categorized by sector and level of complexity to help businesses better estimate their expenses. Ultimately, cautious planning and an awareness of these aspects will help in maintaining app development projects within financial constraints.
FAQ’s
What factors influence mobile app development cost in 2024?
The cost of mobile app development in 2024 is influenced by several key factors: the complexity of the app, design and user experience, platform choice, the location of the development team, backend infrastructure, security features, and ongoing maintenance needs. Each of these elements impacts the overall budget, with more complex features and higher security requirements generally increasing costs.
How much does it cost to develop a mobile app in 2024?
The cost of developing a mobile app in 2024 can vary widely depending on its complexity and features. Simple apps may cost between $5,000 and $25,000, medium-complex apps range from $15,000 to $75,000, and advanced apps can exceed $50,000, reaching up to $300,000 or more. Costs also vary based on the platform (iOS, Android, and cross-platform) and additional factors like third-party integrations and ongoing maintenance.
Are there significant cost differences between developing for iOS vs. Android?
Yes, there can be notable cost differences between developing apps for iOS and Android. Developing an app for a single platform is generally less expensive than for both. Cross-platform development can reduce costs by allowing one codebase for multiple platforms but might limit some native functionalities. Typically, iOS and Android apps have similar cost ranges, starting from $15,000 to $250,000 or more, depending on complexity and features.
How does the location of the development team affect mobile app development costs?
The location of the development team plays a crucial role in determining mobile app development costs. Developers in regions like Southeast Asia, India, and Eastern Europe often charge lower fees compared to those in North America or Western Europe. However, while offshore development may reduce costs, factors like time zone differences, communication challenges, and project management complexities should be considered.
What are the ongoing costs after a mobile app is launched?
After launching a mobile app, ongoing costs typically include regular maintenance, updates, bug fixes, and compatibility adjustments for new operating systems. Post-launch costs can account for approximately 15-20% of the initial development budget and are crucial to ensuring the app remains functional, secure, and up-to-date with evolving technology and user expectations.
