How to Estimate Your App Development Costs [Free Template Included]

How much does it cost to create an app?

App development costs can vary between 16 000 and 500 000 US dollars, according to different sources. The cost depends on multiple factors, like requirements, development methods used and local pricing. In the end, app development can cost practically anything as the pricing is up to the seller, and is affected with buyers’ various needs.

Simply put, you could calculate app development costs with a simple multiplication: Total App Development Time (in Hours) x Hourly Rate.

However, that doesn’t take into account all other costs like maintenance costs which are a major cost factor during the app’s lifecycle. 

Apps are also sold at a fixed price. In that case, it’s easier for the buyer to estimate the true cost of app development.

As you can see, cost estimations can be difficult – but in this blog post we'll shed light on different factors that affect the costs of your app.

You can also estimate your app costs with our App Cost Calculator sheet. You can find instructions and download links for it here:

If you want reduce your costs and dependency on developers’ hours, you can use advanced technologies like no code app development, where the apps are built without any coding skills, using existing templates in a drag and drop app builder.

On top of including the initial app development project in the costs, it’s advisable to take into account the expected costs throughout the lifetime of the app to get a realistic picture of the true cost of the app.

As a buyer, it’s good to understand the different factors behind app development costs which we will discuss in detail. This helps you make informed decisions and prioritize features in a cost effective way. There are also differences in how app development costs are calculated which can result in unexpected, hidden costs. This post will help you become aware of them and take them into account.

In this comprehensive blog post, we will guide you through the intricacies of app development costs, providing insights, strategies, and a breakdown of the key influencing factors.

Looking for pricing for Choicely apps & app builder? Click here.

Table of Contents

You can skip to the section of your choosing here:

I. Understanding App Development Costs: A Breakdown

II. Factors influencing app development costs

III. Differences: No Code vs. Custom Code

IV. App Cost Calculator

V. Conclusion

Looking for a handy Template for estimating costs?

Check out this our free Google Sheet template!

On this page you'll find download links and an easy tutorial for using the template:

I. Understanding App Development Costs: A Breakdown

Let’s break down the different stages involved in a mobile app development project. This way we’ll get a good understanding of how app development costs are formed.

Initial development costs

1. Discovery

This phase is for understanding the purpose of the app: how it’s used for engaging its users, and what are the business needs of the app. It determines the overall direction and features required. The phase can involve tasks like market research and user research. 

This phase typically costs from 1 000 to 10 000 dollars. (Business of Apps, Mobiversal)

2. App Design (UI and UX)

User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design are critical for creating an engaging and intuitive app.

In this phase, specifications and requirements for the app are defined. It includes creating wireframes, mockups, and user flows, as well as finalizing the app's design elements and user experience. Designs from this stage inform the development process and ensure a cohesive vision.

The cost of this stage can vary largely depending on the approach and the app: typical costs are between 5 000 and 55 000 dollars. 

3. Mobile App Development & Infrastructure

This stage involves the actual coding or building of the app. Developers bring the design and functionality to life, implementing features, integrating APIs and databases, and ensuring seamless performance across different devices and platforms.

The infrastructure of the app is also set up at this stage, including the server, control panel and ensuring scalability to the desired number of users.

This phase typically costs something between 2 000 and 60 000 dollars.

4. App Testing and Quality Assurance

Before launching the app, the app needs to be tested. This includes functional testing, usability testing, performance testing, and bug fixing.

Testing ensures that the app is stable, reliable, and meets the desired standards of quality.

This stage typically costs 5 000 dollars or less.

5. Publishing to App Store and Google Play

Once the app is ready, it needs to be submitted to app stores for distribution. Each platform, Apple App Store and Google Play Store, has its own set of guidelines and review processes.

The review process typically takes about a week or less, but the duration can vary.

App publishing involves creating app store listings, providing app descriptions, screenshots, and promotional materials.

This stage isn’t as significant in costs as the others: the fees are a one-time 25 dollar cost for Google Play Store and a yearly subscription of 99 dollars for Apple’s App Store.

Ongoing maintenance and updates

While the initial development phase is crucial, ongoing maintenance and updates are equally important to keep the app running smoothly and meeting user expectations.

It is usually suggested that app maintenance can cost 15-20% of the total development cost on a yearly basis. However, the maintenance cost of the app during its first year after launch can hike up to 50% of the initial app development cost.

Maintenance costs that require experts – customer support, updates, bug fixes – can be included in the initial pricing of app development, have a fixed monthly add-on fee, or they can be charged on a price per hour basis.

Let’s delve into the different costs involved in the ongoing maintenance stage.

1. Hosting

The hosting server cost can vary between 1 000 to 5 000 dollars per year, and the cost is determined by factors like the amount of active users, their expected growth and the content of the app.

2. Customer support

The coverage and prices of customer support depend heavily on the provider. It’s advisable to get a plan that includes customer support so you will get the most out of your app, and get any possible issues fixed in a timely manner.

3. Updates to the app

Software updates are a norm to keep the app functioning properly. Operating system updates also require app updates so the app is compatible with the OS and can benefit from the new features of the app. This involves adapting the app to changes in APIs, design guidelines, and functionality to provide a seamless user experience.

4. Bug Fixes

With technology, there’s also a possibility of a bug or issue appearing. Timely bug fixes are crucial to maintain a positive user experience and prevent potential negative reviews or user churn. These tasks can take an hour, or a few days – from $50 to $5000. On top of hourly pricing, bug fixes will be included in your plan, or work as an add-on service.

5. Support of the Latest Version of Third-Party Services

Apps often integrate third-party services, such as payment gateways, social media APIs, or analytics platforms. These services may update their APIs or deprecate certain features, requiring updates and adjustments in the app to ensure continued functionality.

6. Stability and Performance Updates

Regular updates to enhance app stability, speed, and performance contribute to a positive user experience. Optimizing the app's performance, reducing loading times, and minimizing crashes or errors improve user satisfaction and retention.

Don’t forget to take these maintenance costs into account when purchasing an app. It will make sure you’ll buy a solution that makes sense for your business, and you’ll ensure you can afford to pay for the maintenance you need without making huge compromises.

Additional costs that aren’t always considered

When estimating app development costs, it's essential to consider other expenses that may not be immediately apparent but can significantly impact the overall budget.

These costs often arise during different stages of the app development process and should not be overlooked. Here are some costs to be also aware of:

1. User Acquisition and Engagement Costs (Marketing Expenses)

Developing an app is just the first step; attracting users and promoting your app is equally crucial.

User acquisition and marketing expenses include activities such as app store optimization (ASO), paid advertising campaigns, social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and content creation.

Allocating a marketing budget helps increase app visibility, attract a larger user base for your app and systematically increase user engagement with your app.

2. App Content, Localization and Internationalization

When planning the app, you must not forget the content of the app. Does it already exist in some form, on your website? Can you use it as such in the app? Or do you need to produce new content? Outsourcing content production is also an option, but it will most likely require some onboarding or workshops with your team.

If you plan to target users in multiple regions or countries, app localization and internationalization are essential. This involves translating the app's content, adapting it to different languages and cultures, and tailoring the user experience to specific regions.

Localizing content can be time-consuming and may require collaboration with translation services or localization agencies.

3. Legal and Intellectual Property Protection

Protecting your app's intellectual property rights and ensuring legal compliance may involve legal expenses.

This includes trademark registration, copyright protection, patent filing, and consulting with legal experts to draft necessary contracts and agreements.

Proactively addressing legal aspects can save you from potential legal disputes or infringement issues in the future.

4. Scalability and Future Development

As your app grows in popularity and user base, scaling up the infrastructure and adding new features may become necessary.

This may require additional investment in server resources, database management, backend development, and ongoing maintenance to accommodate increased user demand.

Planning for future scalability ensures that your app can handle higher traffic and user engagement without compromising performance.

Consider these costs beforehand and you’ll avoid unexpected costs in the future.

II. Factors influencing app development costs

Now you know what stages there are in the app development process – and what costs can be involved in them. There’s a lot of variance between app development costs. What are the factors that determine the cost of the app exactly?

We’ll dive into that next. Understanding these factors is crucial for estimating the overall development costs, and adjusting your requirements and vendors to get a deal that serves your business the best possible way.

Let’s have a closer look.

Development method: Traditional Mobile App Development vs. No-Code vs. Low Code

When it comes to app development, there are different approaches to consider. Custom development, coding, or traditional mobile app development – whatever you call it – is not the only option anymore.

Each method has its own advantages and considerations in terms of time, cost, and technical expertise required.

Let’s look into each one:

Traditional Mobile App Development - Coding

Traditional app development involves writing code from scratch using programming languages.

Costs: Demands more time and resources due to the extensive coding, testing, and debugging involved. This increases costs as more hours are required for each stage.

Time to market: Takes longer due to the manual coding process.

Customization: Offers maximum flexibility and customization but requires skilled developers with expertise in the chosen programming language.

Technologies and Languages: Allows developers to select from a wide range of technologies and programming languages based on project requirements.

You can estimate your Custom App Development costs on our sheet:

No-Code Development

No-code app development platforms like Choicely have gained popularity in recent years as they enable the creation of functional apps without the need for extensive coding knowledge.

Costs: No-code development eliminates the need for dedicated developers, which can significantly reduce costs. 

Time to market: No-code app builders provide pre-built components and visual interfaces that allow users to create apps by simply dragging and dropping elements. This accelerates the development process, reducing time to market.

Customization: Some of the no code app builders have limitations when it comes to complex functionalities or highly customized features. It's important to evaluate the platform's capabilities and ensure it aligns with the specific requirements of your app. Choicely supports custom elements created on top of no code apps. With no code, individuals without extensive coding knowledge can create apps. This democratizes app development, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Technologies: Solutions might only cater to one technology, or programming language. Choicely app builder produces native iOS and Android apps and supports multiple languages. The platform doesn't require developers to learn a new one as the most common languages are covered. Still, native languages are the preferred and the most straightforward languages to be implemented with Choicely.

Calculate your No Code App Development costs on our sheet:

Low-Code Development

Low-code development lies between traditional coding and no-code development. It streamlines the development process by providing visual interfaces for app creation, combined with some level of coding flexibility. Here are a few key considerations:

Costs: Because of the streamlined of the app development process, apps built with low code solutions are more affordable than custom coded apps.

Time to market: Low-code platforms simplify the development process and the time to market typically sits somewhere between custom coding and no code development.

Customization: Complex app requirements may require custom coding and additional technical expertise.

Technologies: The range of technologies and devices supported by low-code platforms may vary. It's essential to evaluate platform compatibility with desired features and target platforms (iOS, Android, or cross-platform).

Considering these different development methods helps you make an informed decision based on your project requirements, available resources, and desired cost and timeframes. 

Requirements for the App

The nature of the app and its specific requirements play a significant role in determining the development costs. Whether it's a simple utility app, a social networking platform, an e-commerce application, or a complex enterprise solution, each type requires different features and functionalities.

As mentioned before, multiple factors determine the cost of an app. In other online sources, app costs have been compared by app complexity like this:

• Simple app – Barebones UI, the most essential features, minimal amount of screens – 50 000 dollars
• Medium-level app – Custom UI, some more advanced features, more screens – 100 000 dollars
• Complex app – Advanced UI, multiple advanced features, large amount of screens / custom-made screens – 300 000 dollars

However, it is not ideal to compare and categorize app costs in such a straightforward manner, as there are so many different factors that influence the cost. 

For example, these costs are calculated for coded apps. The industry is in constant change where new technologies and methods are introduced all the time.

Here are some of the requirements that influence the app costs:

1. Complexity and Breadth of the App

The complexity of the app’s features directly affects the development costs.

Advanced functionalities like user login systems, in-app payments or automated website or social media feeds require time and expertise, increasing costs.

Incorporating mobile hardware features – like camera, GPS or NFC – can also impact the development costs.

Also the broader the app is, affects the workload and the cost. The breadth is measured by the number of different screens.

2. Industry-Specific Requirements

Some industries have specific requirements that impact the app's complexity and cost. For example, healthcare apps may require stringent security and data protection measures.

Similarly, financial or banking apps may require additional layers of security and encryption to safeguard user data.

Understanding industry-specific requirements ensures that the app meets the necessary standards while considering the associated development costs.

3. Licensing and Third-Party Integrations

Integrating third-party services and APIs, such as payment gateways, social media platforms, mapping services, analytics tools, or customer support systems, can add to the development costs.

Some services may require licensing fees or subscriptions, while others may have complex integration processes that require additional development effort and expertise.

4. Backend Infrastructure

The complexity and scalability of the app's backend infrastructure influence development costs.

Building a robust and scalable backend architecture can be time-consuming and require experienced developers.

The infrastructure should be designed to handle anticipated user loads and potential future growth.

5. Security and Data Protection Measures

Ensuring the security and protection of user data is of paramount importance in today's digital landscape.

Implementing robust security measures adds to the development costs. These features can include secure user authentication, data encryption, and secure transmission protocols.

Consider these factors in your app requirements, and make informed decisions about which features and functionalities to prioritize, to make your app a great investment.

Technologies and Devices Supported

The choice of technologies and devices supported in app development plays a significant role in determining the overall development costs. Considerations such as the target platform (iOS, Android, both, or cross-platfom), and the range of supported mobile devices can influence the complexity, timeframes, and expenses involved in the development process.

iOS

Developing an app specifically for iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads, requires expertise in Apple's programming languages, primarily Swift or Objective-C. Apple's strict app review process and adherence to design guidelines require attention to detail.

Android

Building an app for the Android platform involves using Java or Kotlin programming languages. Android offers a diverse range of devices and screen sizes, requiring developers to ensure optimal user experiences across different configurations.

The fragmented nature of the Android ecosystem can present challenges, such as device compatibility and version fragmentation, which may increase development costs and testing efforts.

Cross-Platform (or Hybrid, or Multi-Platform)

Cross-platform development frameworks, such as React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin, allow the creation of apps that can run on multiple platforms using a single codebase. This approach offers advantages in terms of code reusability, faster development cycles, and reduced costs compared to custom coding two separate native apps.

However, complex app requirements or specific platform integrations may require custom native development, which can impact costs.

NOTE: With Choicely app builder, you can make native mobile apps for both platforms – iOS and Android – at the same time. This combines the strengths of native app development (optimized, high quality apps on both platforms) and cross-platform app development (avoiding duplicate costs for having to do the same work twice).

Mobile Devices Supported

Apart from choosing the target platforms, determining the range of mobile devices to support affects app development costs. Supporting a broad range of devices, including different screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware specifications, may require additional development efforts to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. Consider your target audience and market reach when deciding the devices to support.

It's crucial to assess your app's target audience and consider the preferences, market share, and demographic factors related to different platforms and devices.

By selecting the appropriate technologies and platform strategies, you can optimize development costs and reach a broader user base.

Team and Contract Types

Assembling the right team for your app development project and choosing the appropriate contract type and pricing model can significantly impact the overall development costs. Let's explore different team structures and contract types commonly used in app development:

Team Size, Skills, Seniority:

The size and composition of your app development team play a crucial role in determining the project's cost and timeline. A larger team with diverse skills and expertise may expedite the development process but could also increase costs. Consider the following roles within a typical app development team:

Project Manager: Oversees the entire development process, coordinates tasks, and ensures timely delivery.

UI/UX Designer: Creates visually appealing and user-friendly app interfaces.

Front-end Developer: Implements the app's user interface design and handles client-side development.

Back-end Developer: Manages server-side development, database integration, and business logic implementation.

Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist: Conducts thorough testing to ensure the app's functionality, performance, and security.

Additional Specialists: Depending on your app's requirements, you may need specialists in areas such as security, data analysis, or integration with third-party services.

The seniority and experience level of team members can also impact development costs. More experienced professionals may demand higher compensation, but their expertise can contribute to a smoother development process.

The team, contract types and pricing model

When it comes to app development, various contract types and outsourcing options are available, each with its own advantages and considerations.

Choosing the right contract type and outsourcing approach can significantly impact the cost, flexibility, and success of your app development project.

Let's explore some common contract types and outsourcing options:

In-House App Development

In-house app development involves building an internal team within your organization to handle the entire development process. This approach offers greater control, direct communication, and alignment with your business objectives. Within in-house development, you have two contract options:

Fixed Term: Hiring developers for a specific duration or until the completion of the project. This contract type provides flexibility, allowing you to scale your team according to the project's needs. It is suitable for projects with well-defined requirements and timelines.

Permanent: Hiring full-time developers as permanent employees. This contract type offers long-term commitment and stability for ongoing app development and maintenance. It is suitable for companies with a continuous need for app development and the resources to support an in-house team.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing involves partnering with external individuals or companies to handle different aspects of the app development process. This approach provides access to specialized skills, cost optimization, and scalability. Here are some common outsourcing options:

Outsource to a Company that Develops Apps: Collaborating with an established app development company allows you to leverage their expertise, experience, and resources. This option is suitable when you require a dedicated team to handle end-to-end development, including design, development, testing, and deployment.

Outsource to a Freelancer: Engaging with individual freelance developers offers flexibility and cost savings. Freelancers often specialize in specific areas of app development and can be hired on a project-by-project basis. This option is suitable for small to medium-sized projects or when you need expertise in a specific niche.

Offshore Outsourcing: Offshore outsourcing involves partnering with development teams or companies located in countries with lower labor costs. This option can provide cost advantages while still delivering high-quality results. However, effective communication and project management are crucial when working across different time zones and cultures.

Pricing Models

Regardless of whether you choose in-house development or outsourcing, it's essential to consider the pricing model for your app development project. Here are two of the most common pricing models:

Hourly Rate: Charging based on the number of hours worked. This model offers flexibility, especially when project requirements are likely to change over time. It allows for a more agile development process and is suitable for projects with evolving needs. The downside of it is that total costs will be hard to estimate and manage.

Fixed Cost: Agreeing on a fixed price for the entire project scope. This model provides clarity on the budget and is suitable for projects with well-defined requirements and timelines. However, it offers less flexibility for accommodating changes during the development process.

It's important to carefully evaluate your project requirements, budget, timeline, and available resources before deciding on the most suitable contract type and outsourcing option. 

Consider factors such as expertise, project complexity, communication requirements, and long-term sustainability.

By selecting the right approach, you can optimize costs, enhance productivity, and achieve successful app development.

Location and Outsourcing: Cost Variations

Geographical location plays a significant role in determining app development costs due to variations in labor rates, living costs, and market dynamics.

Outsourcing app development to different countries can offer cost advantages while still making high-quality possible.

Let's explore the cost variations and considerations associated with app development in different regions:

App Development Cost in the UK:

The United Kingdom (UK) is known for its skilled workforce and expertise in technology. However, app development costs in the UK tend to be relatively higher due to the country's higher cost of living and labor rates.

If you choose to develop your app in the UK, it is important to budget accordingly and consider the value proposition offered by UK-based development teams.

Hourly price: 70–120 dollars

App Development in the United States:

The United States (US) is known for its technological advancements and a highly competitive app development market.

App development costs in the US tend to be higher due to factors such as higher labor rates, cost of living, and market demand.

However, working with US-based development teams can offer advantages such as proximity, cultural alignment, and a well-established tech ecosystem.

Hourly price: 120–150 dollars

App Development in the DACH Region:

The DACH region, consisting of Germany (D), Austria (A), and Switzerland (CH), is known for its strong technology sector and high-quality standards.

App development costs in this region are generally higher compared to other European countries due to the region's high living standards, labor costs, and strict regulations.

However, developing your app in the DACH region ensures access to a skilled workforce and adherence to rigorous quality standards.

Hourly price: 45–150 dollars

App Development in Finland:

Finland is renowned for its technological innovation and startup ecosystem. While app development costs in Finland are relatively higher compared to some other countries, it offers a blend of quality, technical expertise, and design excellence. Developing your app in Finland can provide access to a talented pool of developers with a focus on cutting-edge technologies and user-centric design.

Hourly price: 80–160 dollars

App Development in India:

India is a popular outsourcing destination for app development due to its vast pool of skilled developers and cost advantages.

Development costs in India are generally lower compared to Western countries, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious businesses.

However, when outsourcing to India, it is crucial to conduct thorough research, evaluate the reputation and experience of the development companies, and ensure effective communication channels to mitigate potential challenges.

Hourly price: 20–30 dollars

When considering location and outsourcing, it is important to weigh the cost considerations against factors such as quality, expertise, cultural compatibility, and time zone differences. Conducting thorough research, reviewing portfolios, and communicating effectively with potential development partners will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and project requirements.

III. Cost Comparison Example: No Code vs. Custom Code

Now that we have walked through the whole app development process and the factors that affect the overall costs, let’s zoom into how different the costs – and the process overall – can be in traditional mobile app development and in no code.

We will use our own app building service as the example of no code app development. This comparison can’t be generalized across no code app builders and development companies as they work with different logic.

Let’s say we are somewhere in Western Europe where the hourly cost of app development is $100 / hour. The customer wants an app that’s complexity is “medium” with some more advanced features. The customer also wants to continuously improve the app design, update the app content and introduce new features.

You can see this comparison and make your own cost estimates on our App Cost Calculator sheet: a Google Sheet template designed for estimating mobile app costs.

Traditional mobile app development

App development

This stage starts with a discovery phase that can take 3 weeks, followed by the design phase with another 3 weeks. The coding can take 2–6 months.

Cost breakdown:

• Discovery – $10 000

• Design – $55 000

• Development & Infrastructure – $60 000

• Testing – $5 000

= 130 000 app development

Maintenance

Let’s use the formulas mentioned earlier in the post: the maintenance costs for the first year can be 50% of the initial app development cost. 20% of the initial development cost can be budgeted for the following years.

= $65 000 maintenance for the first year

= $26 000 maintenance for the following years

Additional costs

Marketing and legal costs are up to the customer.

Updating of the app content: usually the customer can update the content (text, images) to a certain extent, but any bigger changes than that require additional work from the service provider. This can result in lots of separate changes to the app and bills with it. It could also hinder app development, but let’s say it doesn’t in this case.

• Updates:
  • Several smaller facelifts or changes to the app layout each year (3 changes * 20 hours * $100 / hour = $6 000
• Customizations:
  • One bigger custom feature the first year = 80 hours * $100/h = $8 000
  • One smaller one each following year = 40 hours * $100/h = $4 000

Total costs:

First year

$130 000 app development

$65 000 maintenance for the first year

$14 000 in updates and customizations

$209 000 total cost for the first year 

Following years

$26 000 maintenance for the following years

$10 000 in updates and customizations the following years

Long term

$281 000 over 3 years

$353 000 over 5 years

No code app development (by Choicely)

App development

This stage can be done in 2 weeks if we set our minds to it – or rather the customer sets their minds to it.

Over the course of app development and launch, we run 5 workshops where we learn the business goals for the app, get to know the user base, plan the content and features needed in the app.

We design the app, showcase the prototype and finalize the design inside the app using the Choicely no code app builder.

We also onboard the users so that they can edit the app and its content by themselves. We help the customer create App Store and Google Play accounts and set the app for review.

All of this is included in a setup fee, where the standard price is around $3 990, depending on euro to dollar exchange rates.

Choicely includes lots of functionalities like push messages and user engagement features (like voting, ratings, surveys) but this setup fee can be higher custom functionalities or advanced integrations need to be implemented.

Maintenance

All of the maintenance operations like hosting, customer support, updates, bug fixes and performance updates, are included in a fixed monthly SaaS fee that starts from about $499 / month and is typically around $1500–$2000 for Choicely customers.

The low setup cost and monthly fixed fee takes away the big financial blow that comes with traditional mobile app development projects. The monthly fee includes everything: from unlimited customer support to updates and bug fixes.

Additional costs

Marketing of the app in your hands, and you are responsible for the costs. However, we can help out by providing you with engaging videos and images that you can use in the promotion.

IPR protection and other legal activities are also up to you.

The apps built with Choicely are scalable to millions of users from day 1. You can make changes to your app freely and free of charge when you use the Choicely app builder. The changes appear to the app instantly when you push “Publish”. The cost: $0.

The zero cost can encourage the customer to do more changes than they otherwise would, but in this calculation we’ll keep the number of changes fixed.

If you need new custom features or integrations, the Choicely team is ready to help. In that case, we will charge you by hour.

• Updates
  • The customer can do several smaller facelifts or changes to the app layout each year themselves. That includes adding or tuning standard features themselves: $0
• Customizations:
  • One bigger custom feature the first year = 80 hours * $100/h = $8 000
  • One smaller one each following year = 40 hours * $100/h = $4 000

Total costs:

First year

$3990 setup fee (live a few weeks)

$1500 monthly cost

$10 000 for bigger customizations

$31 990 first year

Following years

$18 000 SaaS Fee (maintenance, support, updates) during the following years

$10 000 for bigger customizations each year

Long term

$87 990 over 3 years

$143 990 over 5 years

Concluding the comparison

As you can see, no code app development and fixed fees can make a potential mobile app investment very different.

The total cost is significantly lower both short term and long term. Choicely’s fixed pricing takes away the big initial blow to the budget, and there are no hidden costs. The customer can make unlimited changes to the app content and structure themselves, and change the app a lot without any coding.

The platform is open to many kinds of technologies and coding languages which lets the customer develop their app with us, or another developer.

IV. App Cost Calculator

To make app development cost calculations easier, we have compiled a cost calculation sheet where you can:

• estimate the costs for your app over time
• take into account each phase of the app development
• see and compare factors that influence the costs

You can also calculate your estimated revenue by app monetization model, and forecast your expected profit and ROI from the app.

Access the calculator here.

V. Conclusion

As you can see, app costs aren’t as straightforward an issue as it might look.

There are vast differences in app development costs and the providers' vary a lot. Some offer fixed all inclusive prices while others charge for every step and transaction.

Choicely pricing aims to include all necessary services under fixed prices. Check out our pricing here.

When purchasing an app for your business, it’s advisable to take into consideration costs from the whole lifecycle of the app – not just the initial development costs.

There are multiple factors that influence the app costs from the complexity of the app, to development methods, local pricing, and so on.

When you know all the possible costs, it’s easier to do successful budgeting with your app purchase, and find a price and a development company that makes sense for your business.

In the end, an app is an investment. Costs are a huge part of getting a positive return for your app.

Looking to build and launch an app? Do it with Choicely.