You’ve got the idea, you know customers want it, but how much will it cost to develop an Android app? Well, the simple answer is: It depends. Discover everything you need to know about Android app development costs in today’s post.
We’ll start this Post with a Story.
Here Goes:
Once upon a time, there was a business owner who decided it was time to have his app. He asked his friends and got recommendations for the best app developers they knew. Being the busy person that he was, he didn’t want to call every single developer and compare prices. Instead, he went online and sent emails to two or three app development companies asking for quotes for his Android app development project.
A few days later, he received an email from a company named ” Company 1″ with the quote: USD5,000 – USD15,000.
The next day, another email arrived from another company named ” Company 2″ with the quote: USD60,000 – USD100,000.
The business owner was outraged! How could there be such big differences in price? Why would some offer such high prices while others offer much lower ones? How could he determine which ones were more reliable? What should he do now?
Just like the business owner, you probably have so many questions about the cost of creating a mobile Android application.
Unfortunately, finding a plain-and-simple answer is more difficult than you think – to be honest, there is no universal answer to it.
However, with this article, we will discuss the main factors that influence the cost of developing a mobile application for Android devices.
Let’s get started!
Factors that influence the cost of Developing an Android app
The Level of Complexity (Features and Functionalities)
The more complex your application is, the higher will be its development cost. You must know that your idea can be translated into various levels of complexity. The more features an app has, the longer it will take developers to create it. A simple app with only base features will be cheaper than an advanced application with many technical features like real-time streaming, complicated algorithms, or machine learning.
For example, if you want to develop a basic calculator app, it would require a simpler design and functionality, and hence the cost will be lesser than that of developing a complex application such as Snapchat.
Project Type (Purpose of the app)
Closely related to complexity is the purpose of the app.
The purpose of the app – what it needs to accomplish – will dictate how complex it is and, maybe most importantly, how much time and effort goes into creating it. With that in mind, FinTech apps (apps that let you manage your finances) for example, are often more expensive than a simple messaging app or game. This may be because they must meet financial industry regulations and security guidelines, along with the standard app development requirements.
The Experience and skills of the Developer
Developers with experience always charge more than beginners and intermediate-level developers. This is because they have been working in this field for years and often have contacts with people who can help them land projects.
Their work quality also justifies their higher pricing as they have a more thorough understanding of what you want and how to achieve it with minimal effort. However, budget constraints may not allow you to hire an experienced developer for your project.
Even though highly skilled developers cost more, there is often a sense in hiring someone with experience because they can provide excellent value for money. Their work is usually of much better quality and requires less revision, saving you money in the long run.
Geographical Location of the App Development Team
The hourly rate for a mobile app developer can vary greatly depending on where they are in the world.
For example, according to ZipRecruiter, the average Android Developer salary in San Jose, California is USD139,136, while one in Secaucus, New Jersey earns $114,445 per year on average.
Cost of 3rd Party Services and Backend Infrastructure
The backend infrastructure is one of the most important elements when it comes to developing a mobile app. It consists of servers, a database and other programs that power up your app. You need to decide whether you want to host your data or use third-party services for this purpose. Depending on your choice, you may have to spend more or less money on this part.
Similarly, Android app development is not restricted to the development of the mobile application only, but also includes the need for third-party services like push notifications, location tracking, payment gateway integrations and others. The cost of 3rd party services depends on the plan that you choose and the number of users (in most cases). For example, Amazon’s Simple Notification Service offers its first million requests per month for free, with every million requests thereafter costing $0.50. So if you have more than a million requests you will need to pay for them.
Overall serverless services would save you a lot of cost and stress compared to buying and maintaining such assets yourself.
Type of Developers (in house, Agency, or Freelancers)
Broadly, you have three options when it comes to hiring developers to create your Android app: in-house developers, freelancers, and a mobile app development agency. Each comes with its own set of pros and cons.
In-house developers: In this case, all the development work is done by your employees. This is generally a good option if you have a large budget and want full control over your project. However, in-house developers can be costly because they need proper infrastructure and the latest technology to work with. Moreover, it’s quite difficult to find good developers who have the right skills and knowledge about the latest trends in mobile application development.
Freelancers: This is the best option for small businesses with a limited budget as freelancers charge less than agencies and in-house developers. However, there are certain drawbacks associated with freelancers as well such as a lack of commitment toward work and lesser experience than agencies and in-house developers.
App development agency: Working with a reputed software development agency can solve most of the problems associated with freelancers. A professional agency will give you access to a team of committed developers who have the skills and experience to develop an app that suits your business needs perfectly. However, it comes at a higher cost as compared to freelancers.
Maintenance Cost
This refers to the cost of maintaining the platform after its development has finished. You have to consider that new operating system versions will be released over time and they will require updates to work seamlessly with your app.
Also, if you don’t offer regular updates and bug fixes for your product, then it will become obsolete over time, and users would likely abandon your mobile app.
It is advisable to take into account the maintenance costs involved as well. To ensure that your app works in sync with all Android devices, you will have to carry out regular updates and make changes to the software. Therefore, it is important to consider the maintenance costs when estimating your budget for Android app development. Maintenance cost also depends on how complex your application is, how many languages it can support, and how frequently you have updates for your mobile application?
Summary: The cost of Developing an Android app
Based on experience over the years, here’s a practical range for the cost to develop an app, with a few examples. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll talk about Android apps, but keep in mind that the iOS prices are in the same ballpark.
Average cost of development: $30,000 – $150,000+
Time to market: 3 – 9 months
Cost breakdown:
$15,000 – $25,000 for design and front-end development (appearance & functionality)
$7,500 – $10,000 for API integration (connects your app with databases and other third-party services)
$10,000 – $20,000 for backend development (security & maintenance)