Cost of Mobile App Development (iOS & Android)

Most of first timers in mobile apps business (individuals or startups) wonder about
the cost of an App development project to start with; it could be zero if you develop
yourself (if you know xcode or android), could be $ 50 K for a simple App if you
outsource it to someone who charges $ 100 per hour, or may be even $ 2000 if you
hire a lowest cost freelancer via upwork.
And there is a mid way when you hire an agency to develop your app (and pieces of
software associated like the web based backend, APIs, designs etc), and while an
Agency in a developed economy may not work on any app project below $ 50 K;
there are mobile app development agencies like ours(www.agicent.com) in India
(with 2 sales people in the USA) who can give you the same level of quality and
professionalism that you get around your location at a lesser price (not as lesser as
an upwork freelancer though) and you get a deal having best of all worlds.
And since it is always a custom app development the cost highly depends upon the
features and complexity one wants to get developed. Therefore, I tried to divide the
whole Apps into some categories and then put a cost idea in front of those and Id
be glad if this helps anyone in this forum. So lets start:-

Summary of cost Lower $ 5 K | Average $ 15-20 K

| Higher side < $ 50K. And now read on
Lower Side ($ 3 to 5 K)
These are the simplest Apps with no backend/ server side (and with no big logic),
having 5-6 screens with limited functionality. Examples Simple Diet Planner App,
Barcode Scanner App, Budget Planner App, Photo Frame App, Simple News Feed App
and likes. Such Apps take 4 to 6 weeks of time to delivery. Example of such aps
(from our portfolio) can be:- a simple drug search app for chemists
(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.durgsearch.app), or an AIS
pocket guide (https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/approved-inspectorservices/id550967443?mt=8).

Average Side ($ 15 to 25 K)
Most good and useful apps fall in this category, such apps always have a backend/
server side dependent functionality, they use more devices resources like GPS,
Maps, Camera, Accelerometer etc. They track users behaviour, they offer some good
functionality like fitness tracking, or video streaming, or chatting, or food delivery or
basic taxi booking; and then they have an admin or superadmin panels on the web.
The cost of such apps lies more because of the business logic and algorithm involved
and the sophisticated functionality you offer to the user as well as to the admin

owner (like auto notifications, deep behaviour report, integration with a CRM etc.)
Example of such apps from our portfolio could be:- WrapUp News App and backend
- https://goo.gl/D61OEp Hasfit Fitness App
https://goo.gl/Ij7Jl0 (iPhone), https://goo.gl/B6Ol16 (Android) Aiko & Egor
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aiko-egor-animation-4-autism/id1045076542?
mt=8 WeSnap (Photo editing and social network)- https://goo.gl/KHYy3a Food
ordering Apps - https://goo.gl/lb8Tfg , https://goo.gl/WTzXy2 Limosine (Cab)
Booking App - https://goo.gl/iIi2qs Low carb menu planner
https://goo.gl/hx13s4 SALT (Safe a life today)
- https://goo.gl/Eo83IF, http://goo.gl/YTzLCS
Note that most of the MVPs are launched in this price range. Also, if backend is
already developed and serving a website already then cost of just the app
development would be lower, however for the owner the overall cost shall remain
more or less same.

Higher Side ($ 25 K to 50 K or Above)

Apps with a lot of functionality, 2d/ 3d games, continuous development of features,
state of the art backend, intelligent algorithms, using almost all devices resources
and coolest designs fall in this bracket. These are better to be called as complete
mobile solutions rather than just an App. The launch version of such Apps take
minimum $ 25 K and goes to much more over a period of regular upgrades and
updates.
Examples would be the complex CRM apps or complete App based educational
solution (for App, web, videos etc), Complete E-commerce Solution, a complete
news app, 3D games, smart location systems, enterprise apps. Some from our
portfolio that fill this slot are: - Aiko & Egor https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aikoegor-animation-4-autism/id1045076542?mt=8 (on iOS, Android), or Smartgladiator
Apps that emulates AS/400 or unix server and run on a wearable iPod device in an
warehouse environment doing bulk jobs: https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/sglos/id995901920?mt=8, or VimoFit (Fitness Tracker)
- https://goo.gl/YF48R0 (iPhone), https://goo.gl/xTTAaV(Android)
And then sky is the limit like it is for any other work in the world. For the first timers
it is always recommended to go for a fixed price agreement for the first version and
then hire a development team (because it is always multiple technologies you need
to get support for) for a monthly fee for regular feature enhancement/ product
upgrades if you gain good traction.

In case of our services, we always offer 3 months free bug fixing support anyways
so that our customer dont worry for maintenance costs by the time they work hard
to gain more users. Most of good service companies offer similar warranty.
Id be glad to see your thoughts on the same, and would be happy to add any info if
I missed. And just in case you are looking to cost an app or web project, then feel
free to PM me.