App development costs in 2023: How Much Should You Be Paying?

Apps have become a pivotal cog in the wheel of business over the last year. Companies in the millions have invested in apps to get their products onto people’s smartphones. The cost of developing an app can be anything from £5,000 to £150,000 and more, but it’s important to remember that higher figures don’t necessarily mean the app will be better.

Differences in application development costs range from business to business and service to service, so coughing up large sums to build your app doesn't mean it's guaranteed to be a hit. There are many factors to consider, and it can become daunting if you don't know where to start. 

To help you choose the right app developer for you, we’ve put together a checklist of elements to consider when it comes to how much it should cost to make an app.

Cost of Developing an App 

Some companies may simply give you one overall quote, but in reality, the cost of developing an app is the accumulation of lots of smaller costs. Breaking the overall charge down into subsections will help you understand what is included in the app development process and why this may differ from one business to another.

How much it costs to develop an app includes the time spent, app functionality, dev team location, and project complexity.

Time spent

App developers don't just get to work straight away. There’s also the discovery, research, UX/UI design, testing and implementation phases, all of which will take time and factor into the cost. Professional app development companies will not try to lock you into a long-term contract before finding out what it is you need. The discovery and design phase should make up around 10-30% of the total cost, and it should also be the only cost you commit to when you start to work together. If you find there's good chemistry between your team and the development company after this stage, then the app should be a larger investment at the next stage.

Depending on your industry, your business and your needs, your app may take more time to code, develop and set live, all of which will add to the charge. Therefore, it's essential to consider the time spent building your app when looking into the cost.

App functionality

It's not just the time spent to create your app that needs to be taken into account when looking at the cost; it’s also your app's functionality. The type of app needed to fit your business’s requirements will impact the price you pay for it. Whether you’re looking to replicate your website on a mobile-friendly app or offer additional functionality like gamification, the code required for your app will account for a portion of the overall cost. Identical aspect is continuous real-time data access essentiel feature in for instance sports betting application. And working with a knowledgeable team who can help you work out exactly what your business needs are will help you avoid any unexpected added fees. At ADAMAPP, we balance speed with quality by agreeing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with you and your team. We work out what the app needs as a minimum so you can go live as quickly as possible, before building other features into the app in later versions. 

Dev team location

Your app's cost can also vary due to the level of expertise offered by the developer, and whether they're a freelancer or you're working with a team within a business. Most companies will include a team of experts, from designers to engineers. Whereas a freelancer can be a designer and engineer and offer application maintenance all rolled into one, they’re more likely to be an expert in just one area of development. This could mean that your app's cost is higher, as you may need assistance from multiple experts. The takeaway is, the type of service can differ between a business or a freelancer, so it’s good practice to do your research. A great place to start is with testimonials and case studies.

Project complexity

The application development process also has a bearing on how much it costs to make an app. Project complexity can include the project's size - the number of pages/screens within the app, connectivity to other applications both inside and outside of your business, and the amount of code required for the programme. Factors like these will, unsurprisingly, affect the costing of an app.

Additional features like GPS, personalised push notifications or Augmented Reality (AR) features can further add to the complexity of the development- and the cost. 

How Much Does An App Cost to Maintain?

It’s not just the initial cost of the app that you’ll need to consider; it’s also the upkeep. You’re unlikely to see results from your app if it isn't maintained, and doing so takes time and skill.

The cost of this is dependent on many different circumstances, and can be anything from £50 to £5,000+ per year. It depends on how many developers are required to maintain it, whether you need 24/7 support, and the overall complexity of the app. 

For this reason, many businesses offer app maintenance alongside app development services. This might include bug-fixing, updating the user interface to support the latest phones, or removing features that see little to no engagement. These all add up, and the cost will depend on how many elements need to be maintained. Bug-fixing in particular can be a tricky one - a smaller bug might cost only a little, whereas a larger bug could cost much more. 

A good app developer will include data analytics in your app’s code, which will allow you to gather data about your users, and monitor their engagement. By understanding this data, and solving any issues it might have, you will ensure your app's user experience is seamless and effective. How much this will cost is dependent on the level of maintenance your app requires.

How Much Does Ecommerce App Development Cost?

With a sharp rise in mobile usage and an increase in online shoppers, the Ecommerce market is set to be worth $24.3 Trillion by 2025. Now is the perfect time to build your Ecommerce app, but the cost of development can vary dramatically. Understanding these costs can help you stay ahead of the competition, and ensure your app remains viable. 

There are several factors that contribute to the development cost of an Ecommerce app, from its range of functions, to the number of developers required to build it. Even the platform you build the app on will affect its cost; iOS is typically cheaper to develop for than Android, but in the UK, Android has the larger market share. More expensive and complex functions, such as wish lists, marketing push notifications, and social media implementation, can often be avoided in other apps. But for an Ecommerce app, they are worth considering, and often required, if you wish to stay ahead. 

You should also be wary of companies offering this development too cheaply; it may represent a naive and inexperienced team, which will only work to your detriment the further into development you get. It is better to go with a company with a proven track record, who offer a reasonable price, and can provide robust case studies. 

With so many contributing factors, the cost of Ecommerce app development can be anywhere from £2,500 to £150,000+. The larger the app, the longer the development time, and the more developers it will require. With commerce apps often requiring features that aren't necessary in other apps, the cost is typically higher.

When asking “how much does it cost to make an app?” we recommend looking beyond the price. The cost can depend on a variety of factors, as mentioned above, but it’s also a good idea to do your research. Each app developer will offer different services and levels of expertise, so taking the time to find out what they can do, and ensure their service caters to your needs, will help you avoid losing out on your app investment.

Android or iOS platform

When comparing the Android and iOS application expenses, we primarily analyze the development cost but should pay attention to testing expenses. Regarding testing and graphic design optimization, the Android platform is slightly more expensive due to the various types of devices and displays. On the other hand, iOS is generally more costly during the development phase since the programming of the apps is a little bit more complicated and can take longer. However, programming the app is the most expensive, so we can assume iOS apps can be slightly more costly.

However, we should remember the significance of both platforms while the world market share of iOS to Android is 55% to 45%.

App development at ADAMAPP

At ADAMAPP, we consider the whole process when providing a quote for how much it costs to build your app. And we make it our job to keep you and your company in the loop by getting to know you and your business goals and requirements. Our team of developers and designers work closely with you and the rest of your team to ensure your app meets all your requirements.

And that’s not all. Rather than applying a standard fee or process, we create individual quotes and bespoke products. 

Our proven methodology consists of 4 phases and provides a clear structure for success:

• Discovery

• Design

• Engineering

• Maintenance and Future Development

We include maintenance and future development as part of the app process, so you can count on us to be on hand when you need us.