In recent years, the cost of developing a mobile application has significantly evolved. Factors such as design complexity, desired functionality, and chosen platform played a key role in determining this cost. However, in 2024, technology and user expectations have advanced by leaps and bounds, leading to a re-evaluation of what goes into developing a mobile app and, therefore, how much it costs.
But what factors have changed in 2025 that may affect custom web app development cost? This year, the integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented reality, along with an increased focus on data security and availability, have introduced new variables into the mobile app development equation. In addition, the growing need to create highly personalized and emotionally resonant user experiences has led to sophistication in UI/UX design that was not previously considered standard. So let’s talk about it.
Elements Influencing The Application’s Cost
When calculating how much it costs to make an application, it is necessary to consider many factors. Here are some common ones.
- Deadlines
The price may or may not go up depending on the conditions. The cost will increase somewhat if the developer is working overtime, and you require the app by a specific date. On the other side, you may modify the delivery time and the development cost if you are more adaptable and not in a rush.
- Quality
Remember that your software will require more development labor the more details it has. You will ultimately get what you want in every detail, but if the design takes a lot more work, the cost will obviously increase.
- Functional Capabilities
Examples include using a messaging service (you should not send simple messages or multimedia content, or chat in the same manner), or registering (this is not the same as logging in with an email address or password or logging in with a social network like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
- Startup cost
If your app has a B2C model (for example, it’s not an internal business app), you need to make sure your users find it. This usually involves an initial investment in marketing, which also adds value to the overall custom web app development price. However, it gives the app visibility and positions it well in app stores using ASO techniques. Although this point is not directly related to the development of your application, you must consider it.
- Additional costs
Did you realize that it costs a lot to download an app from the app store? With the iOS software Store, you must pay an annual charge to register as a developer and have your software downloaded, but with the Play Store, it is a one-time cost.
- Maintenance
Your application cannot hang in time. Mobile technology evolves very quickly with new devices, screen sizes, and hardware features. To ensure your app is still up to date and to fix any bugs that may appear, you’ll need to continue working with the development team. You can do this with a bag of hours dedicated to this service.
How Much Does It Cost To Develop An Application According To The Operating System?
When you’re thinking about developing an app to improve your business, you need to be clear about multiple operating systems and whether you want it to be played on a specific device or on multiple devices.
Creating an app for Android is not the same as creating an app for iOS or Windows. It will have a different value. The price will also change if you plan to adapt your application to several different operating systems. Digiteum experts can advise you and the final decision will depend on the budget you have in mind. When you take the plunge and decide to build an app for your business, it’s best to adapt to any operating system.
The costs may be slightly higher in the end, but you will avoid future costs. If you decide, for example, to develop an app that adapts only to iOS, when you want to make another one for Android, the price will be higher than if you do it all at once.
So what will be the custom web application development price according to the operating system? You should know that developing a native iOS app does not cost as much as developing a native Android app. iOS developers have a higher hourly rate than Android developers. Either way, the price will increase if you hire developers through a development company, rather than hiring freelance developers.
How Long Does It Take To Create A New Application?
Creating an application is not a week’s work. To begin with, you should choose the type of development, technology, type of application, with which Digiteum experts will help you. Next, you’ll move on to the design phase where wireframes and layouts will be defined. After that, all this material will fall into the hands of an expert developer, who will be engaged in programming the program. And there is still a stage of testing and error correction ahead of you! Each application takes time to develop, and although this will depend largely on the complexity of the application, the average time for the entire process is 18 weeks. If you have a deadline to prepare the application, it is important that you share it with your development team and that they present you with a work schedule with all the stages of the project organized by that date. This way, you can monitor that the project is progressing at a good pace, step by step.
Conclusion
After a detailed analysis of the factors that affect the cost of developing an application, let’s consider what this cost will be based on the complexity of the application and the included functionality. The price of the program can vary greatly, it all depends on the factors listed above. As with any other product, creating an app requires resources and different professional profiles. The main variables characterizing these resources, in the case of development, are the time and experience of the involved profiles.
