How Much Does it Cost to Create an App in 2023?

From needles to swords, everything is available on an app today! Agree? Well, of course, you do! Whether it is shopping for apparel, buying groceries, or ordering food from a small or big restaurant! Today, anything in this world is just a few clicks away. So, having a mobile app is a necessity these days if you are into any kind of business. In fact, no matter what industry you work for. But having an online presence is compulsory to grow your business. In such a case, the first question that strikes your mind will be ‘How much does it cost to create an app in 2023?’ So, Appinnovix dedicates this blog to all those who are looking forward to owning an app in 2023 for their business.

In this blog, we are explaining in detail the importance, cost, and factors affecting mobile app development in 2023. Also, we will try to share some tips to choose the right kind of app and the most suitable mobile app development company.

How Much Does it Cost to Create an App: An Overview

However, owning a business app is a necessity these days. But mobile app development is not an easy investment. Whether you choose a local IT firm or a big multinational corporation, having a mobile app often burns a hole in your pocket. On average, mobile app development in India can cost around 1.5/- lac INR to 50/- lac INR. And this is equivalent to USD 2000 up to USD 12500. However, for too many of us, the bracket range of $2,000-$50,000 might seem a little confusing. Why the bracket is so large? Well, in a nutshell, it depends upon various factors. So let us now dive into the details and discuss what are the factors affecting the cost of mobile app development in India

What Affects Mobile App Development Cost in 2024?

Well, the major factors that would affect the mobile app development cost for your will include the following-

1. Type of Mobile App You Need for Your Business

Technically speaking, there are majorly 3 types of mobile apps-

  • Web App

The most basic type of an app is the web app. Web apps are more responsive websites that offer a user experience that is app-like. Simply put, websites that function like an app are web apps. The most suitable example of a web app can be the Uber website or Uber web app we can say. If you are already using the Uber mobile app, then you must also search the Uber website on your web browser. Undoubtedly, you will find the same interface as in your mobile app.

Also, for more clarity, we would advise you to open any E-commerce app and website of your choice. You will experience that using an e-commerce website is way too different from using an e-commerce mobile app. So, do not get confused between a website and a web app.

Also, remember that themobile app development process for a web app uses simple technology like-

  • HTML5
  • Ruby
  • JavaScript and
  • CSS

Moreover, the user does need not to download the app on his or her device. Eventually, web apps are more cost-saving. Therefore, web app development can cost you as low as $500 (around 40-50K INR).

  • Native App

Then comes the most popular native apps. Native apps are those mobile applications that are developed for a particular platform. For example, apps developed for iOS or Android. Native apps would require the user to download from either App Store or Play Store. Also, native apps take device memory. However, these apps in the present-day scenario are the most popular types of apps. And the reason behind this is the anytime anywhere accessibility and 24*7 hour availability of these apps.

The most popular examples include social media apps like Facebook and e-commerce mobile apps like Amazon and Flipkart. Additionally, Swiggy, Zomato, and even Fintech apps like Paytm are the most prominent native apps in India these days.

The native Mobile App development process is not as easy as web app development. So, it takes more complex and robust use of technology such as-

  • Kotlin
  • Java
  • Python
  • Swift
  • Objective-C
  • C++ and
  • React as well

Eventually, native mobile app development costs more time as well as more money. In fact, owning a full-fledged native app might cost you up to $100,000 (8-10/- lacs INR). However, the outcome is always worthy and delivers the best possible user experience.

  • Hybrid App

As the name suggests, Hybrid apps are apps that carry the features of both Native as well as Web apps. Hybrid apps are getting popular all over the world at a rapid pace. And the reason for their growing popularity is their cost-effectivity and user ease. To simply define a hybrid app, we can say that hybrid apps have features like native apps. For example, a hybrid app may-

  • Be responsive
  • Run faster
  • May function offline
  • Can connect to the device camera, contacts, etc.
  • And may also have an app icon on the device screen

But, simultaneously, the hybrid app will not require a necessary download from the app or play store. One can just add the icon to the screen of the device. And it will be like creating a bookmark for a website, but the user experience will be app-like!

The prominent examples include Twitter and Instagram! Also, the hybrid mobile app development process uses technologies like-

  • Ionic
  • Objective-C
  • Swift and
  • HTML5

Simply put, hybrid mobile app development would use both web technologies as well as Native app technologies. However, the cost will neither be as low as that of a web app nor it will be as high as that of a native app. You may get a hybrid app for your business in $10,000-$50,000 (8 lacs INR-40 lacs INR).

How much does it cost to create an app

2. Type of Business You Have

Apart from the type of app, the type of business you have also affected the mobile app development process and the relevant costs. Not all the businesses are same, and so are their requirements for a mobile app. For example, while a buying and selling business might require a virtual store feature, a financial business would have no use for it. Likewise, only an e-learning app will require attendance marking systems. So, the business type directly affects the features and complexities of an app. And eventually, it affects the cost incurred!

Also, let us understand this mechanism with a simple example. Consider the following individual app features and have a look at their average development costs-

  • User Login- $500-$1,000
  • Profile Creation- $900-$1,000
  • Messaging- $900-$3,000
  • Payments- $2,500-$3,000
  • Maps- $3,000-$4,000
  • Calling- $14,000—$16,000

So, the more you want, the more you will have to pay. Simply put, if you require an app like Uber or Ola that will take a maximum of the aforementioned features, it will take around 7-10 lacs in India at a small IT corporate. Moreover, if you choose a multinational corporate it might cost up to 15-20 lacs. Likewise, having a food delivery app like Zomato will take about 4-7 lacs at an Indian small to medium corporate. And a simple E-commerce web app will cost 2-4 lacs. However, an e-commerce native might cost up to 5-6 lacs on average!

3. Location for Mobile App Development Process

Moreover, the location of the mobile app development process also plays a vital role in the costs incurred. And that’s because of the cost of labour. As always, Appinnovix opines that taking IT services from Indian engineers is a way too better choice than going for an international brand. Appinnovix is proud to admit that Indian engineers are far more efficient than any other country’s engineers. In fact, even US houses the maximum number of Indian IT professionals at their small and large corporates. Then what’s the point in choosing an international corporate for IT services? And why pay through the nose for indigenous services? Have a look at the following table to ascertain the per-hour cost of IT labor country-wise-

Eventually, if you choose mobile app development services at Indian locations, it will cost you much lower for the equally competent quality. Moreover, if you choose small mobile app development companies in small cities like Lucknow, Banaras, Bhopal, and more, you might save a great deal of money without compromising the quality!

4. App Design and Animations

Apart from the above major features, some additional factors that affect the mobile app development cost, especially in 2023 are the app design and animations. In order to engage the audience, and make the user experience more robust, companies generally prefer apps with more use of designs and animations. In fact, ever since Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality have gained importance, mobile apps are becoming more complex to make and more costly to the pocket.

For example, features enhancing accessibility like text-to-speech, speech recognition, and other similar features are a necessity today. Similarly, the use of AI and augmented reality adds luxury to mobile app designs. Eventually, the more feature-loaded app you need, the more load you will need to bear in your pockets.

5. App Fixes & App Security

Cyber security is a vital force in the web and app development industry today. Especially, the apps that require payment and location features face major security concerns. Moreover, increasing cases of data theft also repel users from using social apps. The major causes of such cybercrimes include poor encryption of mobile apps, bugs, and viruses. Therefore, strong coding and encryption capabilities are required to make a cyber-secure mobile app. Therefore, we recommend that whenever you choose an app development company, make sure that all the developers are well-qualified and have enough experience. Never hesitate to invest more in cyber security features.

In fact, use your funds judiciously, and even if your budget is restricted, then avoid going for expensive designs and animations. But always invest generously in in-app security.

6. Coding Techniques

Sometimes, a business prefers to make an app that is brand new. So, from the beginning till the end, the developer works for around 3 months to code an app. However, if your business app requires certain features that are similar to other existing apps like log-in, payments, GPS tracking, and more. Then, you can ask the developer to copy the codes from existing apps and just change the appearance and brand icons. Believe us, it will save you tonnes of money.

Likewise, cross-platform development is a newly emerging phenomenon gaining popularity. These days, coders prefer to develop a native app such that it requires a minimum change of codes while shifting from the Android platform to iOS. This also reduces the cost of building native apps simultaneously for two different platforms. So, coding techniques in this way also play a vital role in determining the cost of mobile app development.

How to Choose the Right Mobile App Development Process?

So, finally, when you are aware of what makes a mobile app costly, you can follow the following tips to optimize your funds-

  • Always prioritize the features you want in your app.
  • So, never go for fancy animations until your budget is not restricted.
  • In fact, you must sit and make a list of processes that your business model requires. And add only relevant features to your app.
  • Moreover, study the audience of your business. If you do not require universal app designs, then you may avoid those additional features.
  • Last, but not least, you must always choose a medium IT corporate that is indigenous. However, if your budget is not restricted, then going for a brand will add more reliability.
  • Go for the latest trends like repeated coding and cross-platform development to save money.

Final Thoughts

Thus, we can conclude that in India, a mobile app development might cost from 1.5 lacs up to 50 lacs depending upon the features and technologies required. However, if you are in a non-IT business, then an IT firm may charge you way too much for additional features and animations, that your small business might not even require. Therefore, we have explained to you in detail what can help you save on mobile app development costs. Become an aware consumer so that no IT firm can charge you dishonest prices!

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