How Much Does It Cost To Make An App in 2021?

Are you in the e-commerce business wondering how much does it cost to make an app like Amazon? 

Well, it depends on the requirements. There is no definite answer. It may lie anywhere between a mere sum of $25,000 to as high as $250,000. 

The price keeps varying depending upon the features, design, and numerous other factors. No fixed sum goes into building a mobile app. 

The good news is, it isn’t as expensive as you might think. With the latest resources and tools, an expert can build you a robust and scalable app within weeks and that too, at economical rates. 

We are here to walk you through the process.  

Factors That Determine The Cost Of An App

Before you can figure out “how much does it cost to make an app?” You need to answer a few questions.

• What functions will your app perform?
• Which platform will it launch on?
• What will the app design look like?
• Who is developing your app?

Each of these factors will weigh in to determine the final cost of your app. Idea Usher experts are here to discuss each of these factors in detail. 

Let’s dive in.

What functions will your app perform?

What will be the objective of your app? Will it serve some basic purpose? Or, multiple purposes simultaneously? 

Where a basic app might merely cost you a few thousand dollars, a complex app with a multitude of features and functionalities will cost you much higher. 

Let’s finally answer your question on how much does it cost to make an android app. This is how the price changes with the functions of the app:

• Basic App – A basic program goes into developing a calculator or a flashlight app that performs a few essential functions. They are easy to build and don’t require much expertise, resulting in lower cost of development. 
• Multi-Featured App – An app with an aesthetic user interface and several features will cost more.This may include features like geo-location, syncing data, and push notifications, as in a Cab Booking App like Uber. It will require a team of experts, and the cost will range depending upon these features. 
• High-end App – Do you want an app that has a breathtaking user interface and features that have your users spellbound? You need to put a lot more money and time into it. A gaming app like Fortnight, with high-quality user experience and majestic specs, can be costly to develop. 

Additional features add to the cost of your app. Each of the below-mentioned features will add to the cost of the app. 

• Geo-location
• AI-powered chatbot
• User profile 
• Social login 
• In-app messaging 
• Content sharing 
• Push notifications

A simple feature like social login won’t add much to the cost, whereas an advanced feature like geolocation or user profile will add a few extra dollars to your total cost. 

Which platform will it launch on?

The next question you need to answer is: what platform do you want to launch your app on? Is it going to be a native or a hybrid app? 

Native App

A native application is designed for a specific device. They are coded in a platform-specific programming language, Swift for iOS and Java for Android.

So, figure out how much does it cost to make an apple app, and add to it the cost of developing an android app. Together, that’s the cost of native apps.

They are essentially faster and more efficient than hybrid apps. It is easier for native apps to access mobile features like camera, contacts, location, and more. 

Hybrid/ Cross-platform App

Hybrid apps run on multiple platforms, ideally Android and iOS, with a single code base. The development time of these apps is considerably less, and they are cheaper than native apps. 

Hybrid apps can not access phone features as they vary with the platforms, which might be a major disadvantage.

Are you wondering, How much does it cost to make an app like Netflix? If it is a native app had much impact on the cost?

Yes, definitely! A high-quality native app is typically much more expensive and efficient than a hybrid app. 

But, does that mean hybrid apps are inefficient? The answer is NOT AT ALL. Some of the most popular apps, like Instagram and Twitter, are hybrid apps. 

There is no definite answer to which of the two is better. It solely depends on your expectations from the app. 

What will the app design look like?

The next big question that will help you answer how much does it cost to make an app is, what are your design requirements?

You can keep it as simple as a basic template or have everything customized. The prices go up with the level and quality of customization. 

UI (User Interface) Design 

UI designs are a vital tool of communication. The inexplicable features won’t matter if the user interface is not engaging.  

The UI designers are responsible for building an interface of aesthetic color schemes, custom animations, and layouts that create an enthralling user experience. Solid icons and a beautiful logo for your app are also essential.

UX (User experience or interaction) Design

The UX design decides how the app will work, taking users from one screen to another. The UX design helps build a smooth user experience, powerful enough to make your app a part of users’ everyday lives.

Creating a delightful journey for your users might cost you the big bucks, but the return on this investment is exponential. 

Design is the very soul of your app. It has a significant impact on your app sales and user engagement. You must hence, pay attention to it.

Who is developing your app?

Now is the time to answer the last question to determine how much does it cost to make an app. Based on all those factors above, you need someone to develop a dynamic and robust app that empowers your business. That could be:

• A freelancer 
• An in-house team 
• App development company 

It is the most crucial decision in the app-building process. You must hire a team of experienced developers. 

Freelancer 

A freelancer who holds experience in the field might be very expensive. The ones who charge suspiciously less might lack the necessary expertise and experience in app development.

Whoever you choose to hire, freelancers usually work on multiple projects at once, and their divided focus might not result in the best product. 

In-house Team 

To develop an app, you need a team of expert 

• UI/UX designers, 
• QA Analysts, 
• App developers, 
• Marketing professionals, and
• Programmers. 

Hiring all these professionals will be ideal for developing the best application in the market. However, their salaries and operational cost together will cost you a fortune, no less. 

App Development Company 

Do you know what’s better than hiring a team of developers full-time? Renting it!

An app development company like Idea Usher can deliver the best result in the shortest amount of time. They have teams of experienced developers, where each is an expert in their field. 

Choosing the right team is a critical decision. Take your time, and investigate the company, freelancer, or developer you plan to hire. Their client reviews and past projects can help you decide. 

Let’s Get Started 

We have laid down all the major decisions you need to make to determine how much does it cost to make an app. 

Start by deciding what you expect from your app. Are you still confused about how much does it cost to make an online shopping app? Or, a social media app?

We are here to help!

Idea Usher: The Best App Developers

Our team of experts will build you a feature-rich app on the platform of your choice, and in a budget that fits you!

We will help you understand how much money does it cost to make an app personalized to your needs. Contact us for a free consultation session today!