Average cost per app
Even professional developers can’t tell how much the application will cost at first glance. To create a good price estimation, the designer should do a decomposition: a process where they break down the design process and create a price for each step in its workflow.
The cost to design an app is dividing into two parts: user experience (UX) and user interface (UI):
- The UX part focuses on the app’s usability. It doesn’t take a lot of time, but it takes a lot of effort to be done correctly.
- The UI focuses on creating the visual appearance of the app. It prepares all of the images via Photoshop or any other image manipulation tool. This is where most people assume the design process begins and ends. However, the design isn’t just how it looks.
In this table, you can see how long each app development phase can take.
Designers, individual freelancers, and companies charge by the hour, meaning that the time spent is a major factor in the cost. Depending on where your design partner is located, expect to pay the following rates.
- Bangladesh, India – $10-$20/hour
- Eastern Europe – $25 – $45/hour
- Western Europe – $45 – $65/hour
- United Kingdom – $65-$130/hour
- United States – $130 – $230/hour
Therefore, the average cost to design an app can range from $2,000 to $40,000 and more. Remember, the quality can range from sloppy to world-class, so make sure you get a designer who is qualified to complete your project on time.
Factors that affect app costs
Mobile applications come in different operating systems and sizes. There is a multitude of moving parts that come into play, and each of them directly impacts the cost.
The main factors that influence development costs are:
- Developers
- Design
- Business Model
- Functionality
- Platform
Business model
When thinking about your business model, think about the following things:
- What you’re trying to connect with customers
- Your app’s price point
- Monetization strategy
To fully get a developed business model, you have to know how you’re going to pay for the application. We suggest that you create a budget to ensure that you’re investing the right resources.
Platform
This is simple. When choosing a platform, you can decide to choose from either iOS or Android. However, it will become more expensive when paying for multiple platforms at once. For the best results, speak with your designers to determine which choice is best for your target audience.
Design and developers
Both of these aspects go hand in hand. Without a good developer, users will overlook the design. Without a good designer, and users might not use the app at all. To find the best talent, look for designers and developers whose portfolio matches your project needs.
Once you’ve interviewed them, test to see how well they collaborate with your current team. If they can work as a team, them, you should hire them. Avoid designers and developers who have: incomplete portfolios, inconsistent work, or limited to no communication.
Functionality
Your app can function in four different ways:
- Games
- Database
- Table/List
- Dynamic
If you’re trying to make an app for a larger audience, aim for Dynamic or Games related apps. This will keep them interested with your app and continue to use it. But for companies who have sensitive information, using a Table or Database app will help you better analyze your employees.
Conclusion
In the end, the cost to design an app depends on your project goals. Once you have a clear vision set in mind, create a budget and see what developers and designers will assist you. Doing this ensures that you have a high-quality app that’s ready to be used by the public!