How much does an app cost in 2024? Explained

In today’s dynamic business landscape, having a feature-rich mobile app is essential to increase the brand’s growth. However, when you plan to invest in custom app development, a very common question that strikes in your mind is – How much does it cost to create an app? Well, there are plenty of factors that directly influence overall mobile app development costs in India, from app types to design complexities. In this blog, we will discuss app-making costs based on popular app categories. Let’s dive in. 

What does app development cost estimation mean?

Before we discuss different costs for mobile app development, it’s important to know what app development cost estimation is. This is a process of calculating the total cost of making a mobile application. From design costs to developer’s charges, you need to consider several costs before you kickstart your project. According to the experts, optimizing the app-making costs will help you stay within your budget & boost your business ROI. Let’s have a look at the key tips to reduce mobile app development cost in India: 

• Well-defined project planning
• Choosing the right developer’s team
• Open-source technologies
• Leveraging agile methodology
• Prioritizing core features & functionalities
• Focusing on user interface design

App development cost breakdown:

The total cost of mobile app development in India highly depends on the type of app categories. Let’s have a look at the common types of apps and their associated costs.

1. Basic apps: 

The cost of developing an app with basic features ranges from $5000 to $25000 as they don’t require any high-end front-end & backend architecture. This cost mostly depends on a few factors like app development platforms (Android or iOS), developer’s hourly rates, etc. Some of the prime examples of simple apps include calculator apps, basic game apps, etc. 

2. On-demand apps: 

On-demand mobile apps usually connect users with products or services. These apps have 3 versions - for users, for the business, and for offering services. The cost of developing on-demand apps ranges from $60,000 to $1,50,000. This cost varies depending on different features like payment integration, service provider management, geolocation, etc.

3. Social media apps: 

Developing social media or social networking apps is in great demand today. The cost of making these apps ranges from  $30,000 to $1,00,000 based on app complexity levels, in-app features and functionalities, choice of development platforms, etc. Key examples of popular social media apps include Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc. 

4. Data-driven apps: 

Developing data-driven mobile apps may cost you from $25,000 to $75,000. This is because these apps highly depend on data analysis and data processing. These apps can easily retrieve lots of data, analyze them, and present them to the end users. Some of the prime examples of data-driven apps include weather forecasting apps, calendar apps, maps, etc.

5. eCommerce apps: 

The cost of creating feature-rich eCommerce mobile apps falls between $50,000 to $1,50,000. This cost mostly varies depending on key features like secure transactions, inventory management, multi-platform support, etc. Some of the prime examples of eCommerce apps include Flipkart, eBay, Amazon, etc. 

6. Enterprise apps: 

The cost of developing enterprise applications like CRM, HRM, sales, and marketing ranges from $50,000 to $2,00,000. This cost mostly depends on a number of factors including design complexities, features and functionalities, choice of development platforms, developer’s hourly rates, development team size, etc. 

7. Gaming apps: 

The total cost of making custom gaming applications varies from $40,000 to $2,50,000. From 2D gaming features to high-end 3D experiences & multiplayer functionalities, the cost of gaming apps depends on diverse factors. Moreover, custom gaming apps also require complex UI and advanced graphics. This leads to advanced development costs.

8. eLearning apps: 

The total cost of educational apps ranges from $50,000 to $2,00,000. The process of creating edtech apps requires a number of steps from proper planning to execution. Educational apps have a number of features like virtual classrooms, online training, course distribution, etc. This increases the overall cost of mobile app development.

9. Healthcare apps: 

The average cost of making custom healthcare applications ranges from $50,000 to $2,50,000. This cost completely varies depending on a number of factors such as healthcare complexity levels, integration with medical devices, compliance with industry regulations, core features and functionalities, etc. 

10. Video streaming apps: 

Streaming apps allow users to enjoy video content online in real time. The total cost of making feature-rich streaming apps like Netflix, or Amazon Prime starts from $60,000 to $3,50,000. This cost varies depending on various factors like app complexity levels, features and functionalities, app development platforms, development team size, etc. 

Final words

"How much does it cost to have an app on the app store?" is a common question among those venturing into mobile app development. A number of businesses today are investing in custom app development to achieve long-term benefits. However, if you are planning to build your app for the first time, consider your project budget to avoid unwanted expenses during the development phase. Experts suggest using app cost calculators to get detailed and transparent budget estimates. Apart from that, by utilizing mobile app cost calculators, you can also align your project with your budget constraints. This ensures a seamless development process and a hassle-free mobile app launch.