How much does app development really cost in 2023?

Thanks to advances in technology the price of developing an app will be within reach for many businesses and startups. However, there are still some factors to consider when budgeting for an app development project. In this article, we'll break down the cost of app development so you can make an informed decision when it comes to developing an app for your business.

Generally costs have lowered over the years for app development due to advancements in technology, one of the biggest of these is the rise of cross-platform mobile development tools like React Native and Flutter. These tools allow developers to create apps that can be used on both iOS and Android devices, which cuts down on both development time and costs. In addition, the rise of cloud computing has made it easier and more affordable for businesses to develop and deploy apps.

We’ll look at several factors in app development in this article, namely:

1. Fixed vs. Variable App Development Costs

2. One-Time vs. Recurring App Development CostsApp Maintenance

3. Amount and complexity of App Platforms

4. Amount and complexity of App Features

5. Timeframe

6. Continued Maintenance costs

7. Additional costs through promotion and Marketing.

Firstly, let's look at the development aspects itself.

The Cost of App Development

Contrary to popular belief, this cost is not always proportional to the size or complexity of the app. In fact, sometimes the simplest apps can end up costing more to develop than their more complex counterparts. This is because applications are much more than what their exterior may suggest, creating streamlined, simple apps can still be an extensive project behind the scenes, especially when we consider how important the design of an app is. Ensuring an app is intuitive and well-designed provides a much greater likelihood that the app will be that much more successful.

Fixed vs. Variable App Development Costs

Let's talk about fixed vs. variable costs. Fixed costs are those that stay the same regardless of how many units you produce, while variable costs fluctuate based on production. In terms of app development, some fixed costs might include things like office space rental or salaries for in-house developers and contractual costs agreed when working with a partner. Variable costs, on the other hand, could include third-party development services or outsourced labour which may alter the cost throughout the project depending on the phase and the specific agreements made between parties.

One-Time vs. Recurring App Development Costs

Another important distinction to make is between one-time and recurring costs. One-time costs are paid upfront and then typically don't need to be paid again (or at least not for a long time), while recurring costs are ongoing and need to be paid on a regular basis. In terms of app development, one-time costs might include things like design services or the initial purchase of licences and tools. Recurring costs could include subscription fees for cloud-based services or maintenance contracts.

Factors That Influence App Development Costs in 2023 

Now that we've covered some basic terminology, let's talk about some of the factors that can influence the cost of developing an app in 2023. These include everything from the platform you choose to the features you want to include. 

Platform: One of the biggest decisions you'll make when it comes to developing an app is which platform(s) to build for. When looking at mobile app development, the two most popular choices are iOS and Android, but there are also a number of other options out there, including Windows Phone, BlackBerry OS, and web apps, while apps developed for desktops are mostly limited to Windows and Mac. Each platform has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the right one(s) for your app is critical. 

Features: The features you want to include in your app will also have a big impact on development costs. A simple app with just a few basic features will obviously cost less than an app with more features (like social media integration or in-app purchases).

Timeframe: As with most things, app development projects with tight deadlines often incur rush costs, whether this is to deploy an app internally or as a marketing initiative, setting deadlines that would cause an app development partner to consider the project “rushed” will incur extra costs. This is why it’s so important to plan out your app development strategy ahead of time.

Size: The size of your app—in terms of both physical size and number of users—can also affect development costs. A small internal corporate app might only need to support a few hundred users, while a large consumer-facing app could need to support millions (or even tens of millions) of users all over the world. Obviously, the latter is going to be more expensive to develop (and maintain) than the former! 

Cost of Maintenance: Once an app is developed and launched, the costs don't stop there. All apps/platforms require some form of ongoing maintenance, whether that's updating content, responding to user feedback, making security updates or fixing bugs. This cost can be difficult to estimate upfront since it's impossible to know exactly how much maintenance an app will need over its lifetime. However, it's important to factor in at least some amount for ongoing maintenance when budgeting for your app development project. A good rule is to allocate 25-30% of the initial build cost per year. So if your initial costs were £10000 expect to pay a minimum of £2500 per year.

The Cost of Promoting Your App: When it comes to consumer apps, you need to factor in the cost of promoting your app once it's launched. After all, what good is an amazing app if no one knows it exists? While there are plenty of free or low-cost ways to promote your app (like social media marketing), you'll likely need to invest at least some money into paid advertising to push your app to get to the level it needs to be.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into determining how much it will cost to develop an application. If you're thinking about having an app developed for your business, it's important to sit down with a development team and discuss all of these factors so that you can get a truly correct estimate of what it will cost. And if someone tells you that they can develop an app for a tiny price? Run away screaming! A quality app development team won't give you a firm price until they've had a chance to learn more about your project requirements.