How Much Does It Cost to Develop an Android App?

Mobile apps have become the lifeblood for any type and size of business. A small start-up or a large corporation, the presence of an app, in most cases, measures how competitive it may appear. More than anything else, Android can rival the majority of the global market shares to become the foremost app platform

in most businesses. Still, business owners, more often than not, ask one pressing question: How much does it cost to build an Android application?
In general, the cost will differ widely depending on many aspects: how complicated the app is, its design, and, naturally, the country where it’s developed. Here, we explain these factors in detail and give cost breakdowns as well as ways to manage them.
Main Factors Influencing the Cost of Android App Development

And in the case of Android app development costs, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost depends on several factors that can themselves impact the budget. Let’s take a deep dive into the prime factors that determine what it actually costs to make an Android app.

1. Complexity of App

The cost-determinant element of your application will be the complexity. In other words, an app that has a few simple features is less expensive to develop compared to an advanced application with rich features like real-time updates, data synchronization, or money flow capabilities. For example, an app for straightforward task management will be very cheap to develop compared to an app that integrates all aspects of social networking, video streaming, or augmented reality.
Generally speaking, there are three categories that can break down app complexity:

App Complexity Types

Simple apps.

These include basic functionalities, no server-side integration, and perhaps a couple of screens. Example include simple calculators or note-taking applications.

Moderate apps.

These generally include an advanced user interface and have some backend service integration. One may include something as mundane as an e-commerce app or another that provides in-app purchases.

Complex apps: All of these apps have a variety of functions, like a chat system, cloud storage, real-time data syncing, or AI features. Imagine big social networks, scalable e-commerce applications, or financial applications with multiple integrations.

2. App Design

Good design is at the core of a successful app. Users expect not only perfect working apps but beautiful-looking ones as well. Custom design for a unique UI does not come cheap, but good design is closely related to engagement and retention on the user side.
It’s possible that pre-set design templates will keep the cost of design rather low, but unique value and user experience usually take a hit for it. Custom design is more pricey yet valued since it will help apps differentiate in the market.

3. Location of Development Team

As for the cost, this largely depends on the location of your development team. Developers located in the U.S., Canada, or Western Europe tend to have the highest rates, and it may run from $100 to $200 per hour on average. Developers from countries such as India, Ukraine, or the Philippines offer services at much lower prices, from about $20 to $50 on average per hour.
While outsourcing to countries with lower rates will help save on cost, the main objective would be to work with experienced and reputed developers who have a quality track record. The difference in time zones and communication is also another issue that one must keep in mind while deciding to outsource app development.

4. Number of Features

The higher the features your application would have, the more expensive the development process becomes. Simple functions like logging in, push notifications, or social media sharing are very cheap. Features such as location tracking or video conferencing or third-party API integration require extra work and resources, and cost extra money.

5. Third Party Services and APIs

If it requires integration of third-party services for payment gateways, social media, or cloud storage, then it goes up in cost. Usually, such integration requires more development time and licensing fees for the use of APIs.

Android App Development Breakup

For better clarity, below are the usual cost ranges for different categories of Android apps:

1. Basic Android App For an app that is quite simple and has fewer features, with no server-side integration, it will cost between $5,000 and $15,000. Most of these apps are used to do a certain relatively simple thing—like provide a tool or utility.

2. Mid-Complexity Android App For an application that is above average and offers features such as user authentication, payment integration, cloud-based services, etc., then the price must fall within $20,000 to $50,000. Business apps like e-commerce or social media have most of this range of complexity.

3. Highly Complex Android ApplicationAn app with high integration, having real-time updates, an AI feature, or a complex user interface may cost more than $50,000 easily because the apps take a lot of development and testing.

Other subsequent ongoing costs

You still have other subsequent ongoing costs for your Android app besides the initial development budget:
1. Upgrades and maintenance

After a live release, you will require frequent cycles of update releases with bug fixes, new feature inclusions, and getting updated OS versions compatible with the latest version of the Android OS. Usually, the annual maintenance cost falls between 15% and 20% of the initial development.
2. Fees from the App Store

To upload an application to the Google Play Store, developers pay a one-time registration fee of $25. It’s a small cost you’ll add, but necessary for distributing your app to Android users.

3. Marketing and User Acquisition Probably presenting your app to users requires a marketing budget. Thousands of dollars can be added through paid advertisements, social media campaigns, and other marketing strategies in order to cover the costs.

How to Save Expenses on Android App Development

App development is a costly affair, though there are many strategies through which the cost could be reduced without compromising the quality:

1. MVP: Minimum Viable Product

The MVP gives scope to launch an app with mere necessary features. After the idea is validated in real users, you can add more functions while dividing the cost of development into smaller chunks.
2. Outsourcing from a Renowned Mobile App Development Company

One can get the best talent by hiring a mobile app development company in lower labor regions with a low labor cost. However, one should vet the companies’ previous work at all costs to ascertain quality results.
3. Leverage Open-Source Tools

Open-source libraries and frameworks reduce time as well as cost needed to build features from scratch.
The cost of an Android app development can go anywhere from $5,000 for very simple apps to over $50,000 for complex, feature-rich solutions. Taking into consideration everything on your part will help you make an accurate estimate based on the complexity, design, and features of your intended app. It might even ensure that you get good value for money by engaging with an effective mobile app development company.

Abacasys is a leading mobile app development company offering end-to-end Android app solutions. With a team of experienced developers, we deliver custom apps that meet your business needs and exceed expectations. Let Abacasys bring your app vision to life!