Top 5 Factors Affecting App Development Cost in 2022

To develop different applications, software development companies leverage different approaches, tools, technologies, and frameworks. Therefore, the cost of creating an application depends on several factors, including the complexity of your development project, selected platforms, and who you choose to build your application.

In this brief mobile app frontend & backend development cost guide,  we’ll analyze the significant factors that primarily govern the app development cost in 2022. 

Top 5 Factors that Affect the Mobile App Development Cost in 2022: 

●       Project Complexity (features and functionalities)

●       App Development Platform and Approach 

●       Choice of Development Partners

●       Emphasis on Security 

●       Post-Development Support and Services

1. Project Complexity

A simple mobile application with a few core features will cost significantly less than an application with many complex features and functionalities.

Building and integrating more features in the application affects the total development hours, which in turn increases the development cost.  You can quickly work out a rough estimate by factoring in the hourly rates and development hours. Here’s a simple formula to estimate the cost of your app development project: Total Development Time x Hourly Development Rate = Application Development Cost.

It is, thus, recommended to decide on the features and functionalities that you want to incorporate in the initial version of the app so you can take it out to the market or investors and later build on it when it gains traction among the potential users.

Application Development Cost = Total Development Time x Hourly Development Rates

2. Choice of Platforms and Development Approach
App development cost fluctuates depending on the number of platforms and its development approach. If the application is intended for just one platform - either Android or iOS - then a software development company can take the native development approach. As per our mobile frontend & backend development cost guide, the cost difference is not very significant between building iOS applications and Android applications. However, if you choose to develop two different applications for both platforms  so as to deliver truly native app experiences to your users, the development cost will double up.

However, if you are looking for a cost-effective way to target a wider audience across Android and iOS, your app development partner can also recommend cross-platform development. Under this development approach, appdevelopment companies leverage  frameworks or technologies, like React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin, to build mobile apps that deliver seamless and consistent user experience across devices and platforms.

Cross-Platform app development Vs. Native app development 

Cross-platform development	Native app development
React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, etc.	Swift /Objective-C (for iOS) and Java/Kotlin (for Android)
One codebase for all devices and platforms	Native codebase for each platform
Lower development cost	Higher development cost
Faster time-to-market	App launch takes relatively longer time
Wider audience base	Most suited for projects where user experience and security are top priorities

3. Choice of Development Partner

Another major factor that drives the cost of app development is the selection of the development partner. Depending on the type of application, complexity, and resources required, you can hire freelance developers or a dedicated app development agency. Each route has its pros and cons. So you must choose the right partner.

Freelance developers prove a more cost-effective solution to build applications. However, partnering with a dedicated agency is a better option if the app requires complex features and functionalities and deep industry expertise and resources such as business analysts, UI/UX designers, developers, and quality assurance professionals.

4. Application Security 

Securing data, apps, and systems is critical to the success of a digital business. As per our frontend & backend development cost guide, implementing security measures throughout the app development Lifecyle not only increases the development hours but also influences the development cost.

To help you comply with the state laws and industry regulations, your software development partner can leverage various technologies such as data encryption at rest and in transition.

5. App Maintenance and Support

To keep the consumers engaged, your app needs to be maintained and supported after its release. The app maintenance team offers services such as implementing necessary updates and new features and keeping the app bug-free. Additionally, various app infrastructure services such as hosting and third-party services and integrations also add up to the overall app development cost.

Conclusion

The cost to develop an app depends on numerous factors, including the complexity involved in the development project, the number of platforms you want to target, the development approach, and need for app security and maintenance. However, you can analyze all the factors associated with app development and determine a rough estimate.

For expert guidance on your mobile app development project and associated costs, speak to our experts.