Android devices are everywhere!
From your smartphone to your television, and from tablets to smartwatches, the operating system serves the purpose quite well.
The vast presence of the operating system has certainly expanded the reach of Android as a platform, which is why building an Android app seems a viable choice for many businesses.
The current market also supports the decision of choosing an Android app, as there are 3.5 billion Android users around the world.
You may find it fascinating that three-quarters of all the smartphones in the world are running Android. This means with an Android application, the possibilities are endless!
However, one of the most crucial questions that everyone planning to enter the market with an Android app has is how much it would cost. If you, too, are wondering the same, then this is the post for you.
In this one, let us take a look at the complete cost to develop an Android app overview, along with a complete breakdown of expenses and how you can save money while building an Android app.
Without further ado, let’s begin!
Average Cost to Develop an Android App
Let’s cut to the chase. It can cost you anywhere from $25,000 to $250,000 to develop an Android app of your own.
The difference in budget for the entry-level apps and advanced apps seems to be significant; however, there are multiple reasons behind this.
Building an Android application is a combination of multiple steps, and each step has its importance and cost. The cost associated with each of these options varies based on what type of choices you make.
For instance, you can plan a basic calculator app, which will be understandably pocket-friendly to build, considering it can be done with limited resources.
However, if you go for a much more complicated app like a payment app or a fitness app, it will cost you more.
Factors that Affect the Cost to Develop an Android App
When you have decided to develop an Android app, there are several things that you need to take care of.
In case you are wondering what these things are, check out the following pointers, as we have discussed all the factors affecting the cost to develop an Android app in detail.
1. App Complexity
After you have decided what kind of Android app you plan to launch, it is now time to define the type of functionalities you require in the app.
The more layered these functionalities are, the higher the complexity of the app. This complexity directly impacts the cost of your Android app.
The complexity of the application is highly difficult to manage and requires more time to develop, which in turn directly affects the cost of development.
| Complexity | Cost | Time |
| Basic Complexity App | $25,000 – $50,000 | 2-3 months |
| Medium Complexity App | $50,000 – $150,000 | 3-6 months |
| High Complexity App | $100,000 – $250,000+ | 6-12 months |
2. Technology & Integrations
The next important factor affecting the cost to develop an Android app is the type of technology and integrations you choose.
Technology has undergone a complete paradigm shift, enabling users to be more flexible with what they want to accomplish through the app.
If you plan to go for a basic tech stack, it may cost you less; however, going for advanced technologies like AI, IoT, Blockchain, etc. can cost you more.
Don’t forget, every third-party API you choose to integrate adds cost.
| Basic | Advanced Tech & Integrations |
| Programming Languages: Kotlin, Java, C++, HTML, CSS, JavaScript | AI ML Libraries: TensorFlow Lite, ML Kit |
| Framework: Flutter, Android SDK, Android Jetpack. | Integration of IoT functionalities. |
| Tools: Android Studio, GitHub, Android Debug Bridge. | Blockchain & Encryption for Security. |
| Databases: SQLite, Room, etc. | Cloud: Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud. |
| APIs: Firebase Realtime, Payment Gateway, Social Media Integration, etc. | Generative AI |
3. Developer Selection
The next crucial factor to take care of is the selection of developers for the job. It can be difficult to get an in-house team as it requires a lot of time and definitely costs more.
On the other hand, you have the option of onboarding a freelancer, but matching your timeline and hiring multiple developers to work in sync can be a typical task.
The only viable option here seems to be to outsource the job to an Android app development company that can deliver on time without charging you unfairly high prices.
| Types of Development Teams | Cost |
| In-House Team | Annual Salaries Ranging $85,000 – $150,000 |
| Freelancers | $35-$100/hour, per freelancer |
| Outsourcing to Companies | $25-$125/hour, per team |
4. App Type
The first thing that makes a difference is the type of app you want to build. There are different segments of applications.
Each of them has a different tech stack, a different approach, and requires different levels of expertise. Hence, the cost of development varies from niche to niche.
To give you a better idea, we have curated a bunch of app types in the table below and how much they cost to build on Android.
| Type | Cost |
| Taxi Booking App Development | $50,000-$400,000 |
| E-Commerce App Development | $60,000-$250,000 |
| Social Media App Development | $50,000-$300,000 |
| eLearning App Development | $60,000-$225,000 |
| Video Streaming App Development | $80,000-$300,000 |
| Restaurant App Development | $40,000-$150,000 |
| Music Streaming App Development | $30,000-$180,000 |
| Dating App Development | $50,000-$350,000 |
| Food Delivery App Development | $50,000-$250,000 |
| Healthcare App Development | $55,000-$300,000 |
5. Location of the Team
When talking about the type of team, you should also consider their location and languages. You see, every location has a cost associated with it.
For instance, if you go towards Europe or the USA, the cost per hour is higher than what you would find when you hire mobile app developers in the Asian region.
This is due to differences in currencies and the availability of resources. Hence, you should make the decision cautiously as choosing the right location can save you a few bucks.
| Region | Hourly Rate |
| United States (USA) | $100 – $120 |
| United Kingdom (UK) | $130 – $150 |
| Australia | $110 – $140 |
| Western Europe | $80 – $100 |
| Asian Countries | $20 – $60 |
Other than these factors, some secondary choices you make also reflect on the overall development cost. Choices like opting out of maintenance and upgrades, and adding animations, can certainly impact the final cost of your application.
What Makes the Android Platform the Best Choice?
A lot of you may be wondering why not go for iOS app development? What makes the Android platform a good decision in the case of building a single Native app?
While iOS devices may be more popular in first-world countries, the masses in tier-2, tier-3 countries prefer using an Android device as it is more affordable.
This also means that you can have a better chance of reaching the exact target market through this decision.
Well, there are significant differences between iOS and Android app processes, which directly reflect on the cost. To understand the difference between the two, you can refer to the following table –
| Factor | Android | iOS |
| Cost of Development | Less Costly than iOS as developers are easily available and take fewer hours to complete the process. | Slightly higher than Android as the process is a bit complex and iOS developers are not easily available. |
| Design Complexity | Android app design offers more flexibility and has more options due to easy-to-follow guidelines. | It is more complex to design an iOS app due to the guidelines and limitations. |
| Reach of App | Android apps have a global reach and are even available on different types of devices, including televisions, wearables, and more. | iOS apps are highly popular in first-world countries where Apple devices are normal; however, it certainly limits the reach in other countries due to the affordability factor. |
| Testing Challenges | Android apps do pose a testing challenge, as the app has to be tested on different devices. | Testing is not an issue with iOS apps as they have a limited range of devices that the app is built for. |
3 Best Practices to Minimize the Cost of Developing an Android App
Knowing all the factors affecting the cost to develop an Android app, you may be wondering what the optimal solution is that can help you build the application within a set budget without compromising on the features.
Well, here are some best practices that can help you minimize the development cost and help you build an app of your dreams.
#1 – Define Your Requirements & Stick to Them
The app development costs can go higher when you are uncertain about what you want. Hence, it is recommended that you define the requirements, understand the purpose, and stick to it.
The more you deviate from the course of development, the more it will cost you.
#2 – Prioritize Functionalities over Gimmicks
Keep in mind that when building an Android app with budget constraints, your focus should be on functionalities that get the job done.
Sure, you need to build an eye-catching platform, but that should never be your priority. Instead, make a basic app that gets the job done faster.
#3 – Find an Appropriate Development Company
Last but certainly not least, spend some time finding an appropriate development company to outsource your work.
You should look for a trusted name for sure, but do not hesitate to give a chance to a promising company that has good ratings and better reviews. Make your research thorough.
Other than these three, we also recommend going for MVP development of your app before investing in a full-fledged development, as it gives you a peek into what your final app will look like.
Following these practices can be helpful in cutting the cost to build an Android app.
If you are confused about who can help you with the best and most affordable Android app, then make sure you read the next section!
Nimble AppGenie: A Mobile App Development Company With NO Compromises!
Finding the right development partner is always a tough decision. Sometimes you need to compromise on the experience, and sometimes you need to compromise on the quality of development due to price constraints.
But what if we told you there is a way to get an Android app on your budget without making any of these compromises?
Yes, it is possible with Nimble AppGenie! One of the leading names in Android development companies around the globe,
We offer some of the best applications without taking a toll on your pockets. Connect with our experts today and let them know your requirements, and they will surely help you out!
Conclusion
Planning your digital presence has become super important. When we talk about building an app, there are two paths that you can take: one is a hybrid app and the other is a Native app.
The debate between Hybrid vs Native app development is a never-ending one. However, when we talk about building a Native app, users prefer going for an Android app as it offers significant reach and supports multiple devices.
One might be required to spend $25,000 – $250,000 to develop an Android mobile app. However, the cost of developing an Android app can vary depending on multiple factors and your choices.
Hopefully, this post answers your queries related to the development cost of an Android app and how you can make the most of every penny you spend.
Thanks for reading. Good luck.
FAQ
Niketan Sharma, CTO, Nimble AppGenie, is a tech enthusiast with more than a decade of experience in delivering high-value solutions that allow a brand to penetrate the market easily. With a strong hold on mobile app development, he is actively working to help businesses identify the potential of digital transformation by sharing insightful statistics, guides & blogs.
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