Android app development can be profitable but it requires some cost for the development of an app. The cost depends on the various factors of development, including the size and complexity of an Android application. This will help you to meet your goals and make a budget for your app development process on the Android platform. This blog provides you with an overview of determining app development costs and factors that help to reduce them.

What is Android App Development?

Android app development is the process of developing Android applications for all Android devices, including tablets, smartphones, and wearable devices. It employs different programming languages like Kotlin, Java along with different tools and frameworks. Developing an Android app requires a deep understanding of the working of an Android and what your user wants in their app.

Benefits of Using Android App Development

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Android apps can work on different Android platforms, including Android tablets, wearable devices, and Android smartphones. A robust Android app can function across a wide range of hardware setups. Android platform offers best performance to the end consumers. An Android app may run smoothly and without interruption on any device, whether a tablet, phone, or desktop.

Higher ROI

You have to register for Android application distribution single time on a single-time charge. You will get an engaging Android app at a minimum development cost and address a huge audience globally. Android apps provide higher ROI as compared to other platforms. IDE Android Development Studio and Android SDK reduce licensing and development costs. This enables you to generate higher revenue on overall investment.

Easy Marketing

Android platform provides convenient integration and rapid development of desired functionalities. You can launch multiple Android applications earlier than your competitors and claim more market shares. This platform helps in improving business apps to update them with requirements in a minimum time. Android apps are then ready to download anytime from any source.

Scope for Innovation

Android platform’s global presence is the greatest asset to target a selected audience. Android app developers may assist you to target a certain demographic with some cutting-edge features. High-end app solutions integrate with cutting-edge technologies at affordable prices, including AR and VR. Android provides various rooms for experimentation and creates new business possibilities.

App Reliability and Security

Android apps with in-built security features provide higher protection against cyber threats. Android platform ensures that there is no way for a security breach to enter and the app is protected well. Application security along with its reliability makes it different from other platforms and software.

Effective Android Marketplace

Android platform is the best platform for the approval of newly developed applications. It is easier for you to publish an app to the Google Play Store by paying a one-time fee only. You can timely launch the required upgrades by immediately scanning the end user’s input. Developers can keep an eye on feedback from actual users and periodically release updates. Additionally, Android apps are available for download from any source.

How to Reduce the Cost of Android App Development?

Ensure the Project Scope

It is advisable to be sure about your project requirements and what you want to develop. This reduces the startup costs of an Android app development. If the project scope is not clearly defined by the developers, they will consider an aspect that might not be included in the project. This can lead to rework on the same project to fulfill its requirements and make the project spend more money on that.

Conduct Market Research

Market research provides a clear vision of the project to determine the budget for the Android app development process. Making a great project plan as per market research leads to the success of an app and the cost-effectiveness development process.

Minimize Design Expenses

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) are the essential components of an app design process. You can reuse and customize already existing UI templates to match your brand and project. It is affordable and aids in creating a prototype that can enhance business revenue. Simple app design reduces the cost of designing and serving space for an app.

App Development Project Outsourcing

In-house app development charges higher prices rather than outsourcing an app development process. A higher price does not always mean a higher quality of an Android app. It could disturb your budget and lead to unnecessary expenses. Mobile app development companies charge for outsourcing as per their geographical location.

Create MVP Instead of Full-Fledged Product

A minimal Viable Product (MVP) is the replica of the final product that provides you with the basic functionalities of an app. Making an MVP of the original product reduces the cost and time taken to develop an Android app. You will get feedback from users that will help in making the required product to target the right audience.

Automate Repetitive Tasks

Automating repetitive tasks reduces spending on the same tasks again and again. You can automate various tasks, including testing an app, sending milestone emails, and changing notifications. It saves time, money, and effort to put on the same task repeatedly.

Take Account of Hidden Costs

When you hire a mobile app development company, you must be aware of hidden charges to plan your budget accordingly. You should clear your goals and required features in the initial stage that reduce most of the development cost. You can negotiate with your partner to maintain expenses and reduce hidden charges. Hidden charges include:

• API interface
• Data storage
• Social media integration
• Android and iOS updates
• Push notifications
• Content development networks

Share the Expenses

An app developer and business must share the expenses for cutting the cost. Developers can ask investors for the funds and then share the profit with them. However, a business with a limited budget may decide to provide funding to a developer in exchange for full ownership of the app, ensuring that the development process is finished.

Calculator to Determine Your Android App Development Cost

An Android app cost calculator is the simplest and easiest way to make a rough estimate of the development cost. This calculator calculates the cost through various factors, including:

• Number of features
• Technical complexity
• Custom design
• Number of platforms

The cost of an app depends on the nature and features required in the app. Then, this calculator provides a rough estimate of developing an app as per requirements. It determines your app’s budget considering all the Android app requirements.

Factors That Affect the Android App Development Cost

Android apps are one of the most prominent ways of generating traffic, increasing sales, and improving overall business growth. Various factors affect the app development cost are:

Type and Size of an App

Small apps are intended for a single platform and have minimum functionality with typical user interface components. Medium apps are also designed for a single platform but have customized user interfaces. These apps support multiple platforms but are less complicated. Moreover, large apps provide more features and are more complicated than these two other types of applications.

Features and Functionality

The most crucial factor of app development cost is the features required in an application. The more features you require in your app, you need to spend more money on it. It is advisable to focus on core features in the initial stage. This will give you a great user experience at a lower cost. With the advancement of app features and functionality, it will also increase the cost.

Design

The development cost widely depends on the application design that you first see after release. There are various designs to choose from and the pricing depends on the quality and type of design used. Graphics and animation make an app more intuitive and engaging which will hike the development cost.

Selecting the Business Model

The factors like business, service, and target users constitute the outline of the app budget design. The length of the process increases with the level of intricacy demanded in the business app model. This means that as time passes, the cost will also increase.

App Development Platform

The app development platform depends on the business model you are using. A service must be made available if it requires an app on popular platforms. Native apps increase the budget proportion which demands more time to code, layout, and fragmentation. Additionally, iOS limits the number of screen sizes and variants, which allows mobile app development companies to create their products with a reasonable turnaround time.

Development Team

App development depends on the purpose and value proportion with core business functionalities. An app development company set up an in-house developers team based on the app’s complexity and adequacy. Putting together an internal app development team could push the budget too far. It also requires the resources of a creative team, including domain experts. A solid app development business would have resources with knowledge in a variety of fields and would provide exceptional service.

Hosting and Security

Android apps are the way to carry the data and exchange that in real time. You are recommended to deliver service uninterrupted that delivers smooth and with a dedicated server. Hosting an Android app with high-security features to the domain costs more for a dedicated server rather than for shared hosting services.

App Maintenance

After launching an application, it is essential to maintain it regularly for smooth functioning. App maintenance requires new features and improves the app’s performance. It costs for this to maintain and update an app to keep users engaged with the same application.

What are the App Development Cost Stages?

The app development process is divided into different stages to run the process smoothly and make a successful app. Each phase carries some cost as mentioned below:

Discovery Stage

The discovery stage is the initial stage in which the purpose and target audience is defined. The cost varies depending on the app’s complexity and the research required at this stage. It must be clear and concise so that everyone can understand. The more complex app requires deep research that costs more than a simple Android app. This phase consumes around 10% of the app development cost for the Android platform.

Design Stage

This stage’s costs depend on the number of screens required, design type, and experience level of a design team. It consists of wireframes, user experience design, and visual design. Before creating a wireframe of the project, you need to make documentation of the functional specifications. This phase requires 15% of the total development cost of an Android app.

Development Stage

This stage contains coding, debugging, and integrating various features. Numerous features determine the cost required to develop an Android app. You can estimate the cost and time of delivery based on the design received. The development stage consumes most of the part of the development cost around 60%. You must also consider the complexity and number of features required in an app.

Testing Stage

After developing an app, the app will go through a testing phase. It will be thoroughly tested to find and address the errors, bugs, and glitches. Testing is essential to assure the quality of an Android app and its performance with high-quality features. It takes 10% of the total cost of an app development comprising testing tools and testing teams.

Deployment Stage

When an Android app passes the testing phase successfully, then you will launch it to the target market. In this stage, the development strategy and platform on which an app is hosted affect the cost. It also consists of 5% of the app development cost for the testing of an app.

Conclusion

If you are planning to develop an Android app, you must consider all the factors essential for estimating development costs. This complete guide provides you with a complete understanding of factors affecting the development cost of an application. It will also suggest ways to minimize the startup cost of a mobile app and the cost associated with different stages. Spending money on app development will generate more revenue and value for this process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the Google Play Store cost to publish an Android app on it?

Google claims one-time charges of $25 dollars to publish an Android app on the Play Store. It could take hours or even days to publish your app due to the huge number of apps on the Google Play Store and the new privacy policy. It is advisable to work with mobile app development businesses to produce even more faultless applications that are chosen right away.

Q: How much does it take to develop an Android app?

A successful and fully functional Android app develops within 6 months or more than a year. There are numerous factors that vary the time taken to develop an app.

Q: How to estimate the cost of an Android app development process?

Android app development cost is estimated at every stage depending on the complexity of an app and the experience level of the team working in each phase. The essential factors include app size, features, design, business model, and platform that affect the cost of app development.

Q: Why do businesses choose Android app development?

There are several reasons to choose Android application development that are listed below:

• Android has a great user base as most individuals are using Android mobiles.
• Google provides free tools and technologies for using the Android platform.
• Android offers cross-platform compatibility and allows you to expand your brand awareness.
• Android platform enables you to develop customized apps as per your requirements.
• Android apps offer incredible features with amazing graphics and animation support.