Breakdown of Cost to Develop An App Like Coursera

As the demand for education apps has increased rapidly, it is safe to say people are relying on these apps for flexible and accessible learning.

By way of technology integrating seamlessly into our lives, learners seek suitable platforms like Coursera to acquire new skills and knowledge. These massive open online courses have revolutionized how we learn, offering accessible and flexible education to millions worldwide.

This has also sparked the interest of investors to take steps forward to develop an app like Coursera and be on the winning side.

For this, they often ask “How much does it cost to develop an app like Coursera?”

Well, Coursera-like app development can be somewhere between $20,000 to $50,000 depending on your project needs, this cost can increase or decrease.

There are several factors that affect the overall cost which is why to state a fixed price is hard. In this blog, we will get to know about the cost to develop an eLearning app like Coursera and the factors affecting the cost.

What is Coursera?

Before we dig deeper, let’s get to know about what is Coursera?

Coursera is a leading online learning platform that offers a huge array of courses, knowledge, and even degrees from top universities and companies worldwide.

The app is available on Android & iOS.

Coursera has a substantial user base, boasting an impressive 142 million registered learners as of the end of 2023. This positions the app as one of the world’s largest online learning platforms.

This app has a Massive Open Online Course provider, making education accessible to millions of people regardless of their geographical location.

Learners can access video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and other learning materials at their own pace. Having such advantages made it one of the best educational apps & established a name for itself in the market.

Features of Coursera-Like App

If you want to develop an education app, you should know features hold immense potential to decide the fate of your app.

So, let’s get to know about those must-have features for your app:

1. User Registration

A seamless user registration process is important for onboarding new users.

Coursera-like app should offer a straightforward signup process and ask for only basic information including name, email address, and password. Users can also choose to register with their social media accounts for quicker access.

2. Extensive Course Catalog

Coursera boasts a huge library of courses from world-renowned universities and institutions. To create an online education app like Coursera, you need to also have a huge course collection.

From computer science to humanities, learners can look for a diverse range of subjects to suit their interests and career goals. This can be helpful for every kind of student.

3. Flexible Learning

With a flexible learning format, students can balance their education with their busy lives.

This way, users can access video lectures, quizzes, and assignments at their convenience, allowing for a personalized learning experience.

This customized approach empowers individuals to control their educational journey and achieve their goals.

4. Offline Learning

Stay engaged in learning, even offline, this should be your app motto.

You should allow your users to download the educational content for offline access. This way, whether they are traveling or in areas with limited connectivity, students can continue their educational journey uninterrupted.

This eLearning app feature makes sure that learning can be accessible from anywhere and at any time.

5. Interactive Learning Experience

Coursera-like apps can profit from immersive learning experiences. Interactive quizzes, challenging assignments, and collaborative projects harden understanding.

By actively engaging with course material and peers, learners can gain practical knowledge and deepen their knowledge.

6. Progress Tracking

Progress tracking is an important function to have in your education app. It’s a similar feature in Udemy-like app development.

This way, users can stay motivated with your app’s progress-tracking features. As user can easily monitor their learning journey, set goals, and celebrate achievements as they advance through their courses.

7. Expert Instructors

What made Coursera really special was their expert tutor. To build an eLearning platform like Coursera that fulfills the purpose of educational software, it’s important to connect industry leaders and top professors to learners.

This way you can provide access to top-tier instructors, including industry leaders and renowned professors. You can gain invaluable insights and expertise from experts in different fields, and improve the user’s learning experience.

8. Customer Support

Customer Support is a great feature to have in your Coursera-like App.

If your user is stuck somewhere and needs expert help, they can reach out to you anytime. This can include FAQs, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides for common issues. Live Chat Support or Email Support can be offered for more complex problems.

Additionally, a robust community forum where learners can help each other can knowingly reduce the support load & allow users to enjoy the benefit of your educational software to the fullest.

9. Push Notification

Push Notification can be a powerful feature in a Coursera-like app.

They can serve as timely reminders for upcoming deadlines, new course releases, or course-related updates. Many educational apps offer this feature to enhance user engagement on the app, simply saying this has become a new norm.

By delivering timely information, you can improve learner satisfaction and retention.

10. Payment Gateway

Payment Gateway integration is essential for a Coursera-like app to facilitate transactions smoothly.

It should be seamlessly integrated to allow learners to purchase courses, specializations, or certifications. The system must be secure to protect user financial information and should include multiple payment options including credit cards, debit cards & digital wallets should be supported.

To build transparency and enhance user satisfaction, the app should also facilitate easy cancellations and refunds.

Now that features are out of the way, let’s get to know about the app development process.

Coursera Like App Development: Step-By-Step App Development

Wondering “How to create an app like Coursera?”

Developing an educational platform akin to Coursera demands meticulous planning execution. Are you prepared to embark on this challenging yet rewarding journey?

Let’s get to know about the steps in the below section:

Step 1: Mobile App Market Research

The first step to creating an app like Coursera is to thoroughly know the market.

Thorough market research is important to understand your target audience, their preferences, and your competition.

These insights will help you to identify your unique selling proposition and create an eLearning app like Coursera that resonates with users.

Step 2: Hire App Developers

Once you have an idea for your education app, time to find an app developer.

By carefully selecting the right development team, you increase the chance of developing a successful app. Hire a mobile app developer for your project that brings in-depth knowledge and expertise to create a successful and engaging app.

Step 3: Design

UI/UX design plays a key role in attracting users.

It’s about solving problems and crafting solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Make sure to create wireframes and prototypes to visualize and test your app’s user interface before usability issues and communicate your design ideas effectively to the development team.

Plus, design encompasses various disciplines like graphic design, user experience, and industrial design, each focusing on different aspects of the creative process.

Step 4: Development

The development step is where the actual coding and building of the app takes place.

It includes transforming the design and the wireframes into an actual product. This phase requires close collaboration between developers, designers, and quality assurance teams to ensure the app meets the desired standards.

It is one of the longest and most complex steps to develop an eLearning platform like Coursera. So, make sure to communicate properly with the team.

Step 5: Testing

Once the app is developed, it’s time for app testing.

As you know testing aims to identify and fix bugs, technical-issue and any other element that can possibly hinder user experience. This phase ensures that the app is as per the industry standards and best practices.

Step 6: Launch Your App

After the final version is released, time to launch the education app.

You can submit it on the App Store or publish it on the Play Store. Carefully review the guidelines and requirements of each platform to make sure your app meets their standards before submission.

Step 7: Support & Maintenance

Once the app is deployed, work is not over, time to start support & maintenance services.

After deploying your app, continuous monitoring and improvement are essential. You’ll receive valuable user feedback that can inform updates and enhancements to improve the user experience.

Additionally, addressing bugs quickly is necessary for maintaining app stability & user satisfaction.

This is how you create an educational platform like Coursera. Now, let’s examine the associated costs.

Cost to Develop an App Like Coursera

Wondering “How much does it cost to build an app like Coursera?”

As discussed, Coursera-like app development costs can range from $20,000 to $50,000. This cost can change as per your project demands.

Let’s see the cost to develop an education app to gain a better understanding:

Note- This is just an estimate, to get a proper cost estimate, you should definitely consult with an experienced mobile app development company.

With that, as we talk about factors, we should get to know about them in the below section.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Developing an eLearning Platform Like Coursera

A variety of factors contribute affect the cost to develop an eLearning platform like Coursera.

Knowing about them will help you gain a better understanding. Without any further ado, let’s get to know them in the below section:

• Complexity of the App

First things first, complexity adds to the overall cost to develop an app like Coursera.

Taking instance, if your app is complex then it will take time for developers to build the app, more resources and more effort will definitely increase the cost.

So, overcomplicating your app is a huge mistake to avoid and can hinder its success. Instead, Keep the concept straightforward for easy implementation and maximum impact.

• Development Team & Location

When it comes development team & its location, your choice can make a huge impact.

Regions like the USA or UK are costly and the cost to hire app developers here is more than regions like Asia. This can be due to reasons like high cost of living and quality of work.

However, we suggest you consider outsourcing to a region that fits your budget, meaning where you can get your work done at a competitive rate without compromising on quality.

Here is a quick breakdown of the hourly rates that shows how they affect the cost to develop an app:

• Design of Your App

Yes, you saw that coming, right?

Designing can impact the overall cost of app development.

A well-thought-out design only enhances user experience. Complex and iterative design can lead to increased development time & resources, increasing the expenses.

Whereas, minimalist and user-centric design can accelerate development and keep the overall cost to develop an app like Coursera within your budget.

• Tech Stack

Tech Stack is the foundation of your app.

Using popular and widely used technologies with a larger pool of developers will reduce costs. Whereas, niche technologies might need talented staff, increasing the cost.

Some tech stack offers a rich ecosystem of open-source tools & libraries, which can increase development & reduce costs.

• Maintenance and Support

For the longevity of any app, especially in the education sector, it’s a must to maintain the app.

Regular updates, bug fixing, and security patches are essential for a successful app.

Effective maintenance not only ensures a smooth user experience but also the app’s reputation and prevents costly issues down the line.

Maintaining your app regularly will keep the overall cost to maintain your app in line, whereas if you do not maintain the app timely, it might cost you a huge chunk of money later.

Just like these, there are many factors. It’s just to give an idea of how different factors play a huge role in affecting your budget. So, keep an eye on them as well.

Monetization Strategies for Your Coursera-Like App

One of the important questions that pop up in investors’ minds is “Why invest in app development?” The answer is simple, to earn a huge revenue and make a name in the market. Right?

With that being said, let’s get to know about those monetization strategies that are helpful for you:

► Subscription Model

You can offer different subscriptions to your users just like a subscription-based app.

Basic plans can be free or low-cost with limited features, and premium plans that unlock more course catalogs and additional resources can be priced better.

► Course Fees

When it comes to educational apps, course fees can be a great way to earn money.

This model works well for high-demand or specialized courses. You can consider offering discounts or payment plans to increase accessibility.

► Corporate Training

Partner with businesses to offer customized training programs.

You can generate revenue through licensing fees, course development, and delivery services. As a suggestion, you should target specific industries or company needs.

► Certification Fees

You can charge fees for issuing verified certification upon course completion; it can be a great app monetization strategy. This adds value to the learning experience and provides a tangible outcome for learners.

Plus, you can consider different pricing for different certificate levels.

► Advertising

If you want to make an app like Coursera, then consider diverse monetization strategies such as Advertising.

For this, you need to select ad formats and partners to maintain user experience. Implement targeted advertising within the app to generate revenue.

You can consider offering ad-free options for premium subscribers.

How Nimble AppGenie Can Help to Build Coursera-Like App?

Want to make an app like Coursera? Take the help of Nimble AppGenie, a top Education App Development Company.

With our team of dedicated individuals and expertise, we will deliver outstanding apps like Coursera that allow you to stand tall in the market. We highlight customer satisfaction and build lasting relationships based on trust and reliability.

With a track record of success, we can be a trusted partner in achieving your goals. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

Conclusion

Developing an app like Coursera is a complex endeavor that requires careful planning, execution, and financial consideration. While the potential rewards are significant, understanding the factors influencing development costs is crucial. From app complexity and development team location to design intricacies and technology stack, various elements contribute to the overall budget.

By carefully assessing your specific requirements and leveraging the expertise of a reliable development partner like Nimble AppGenie, you can create an engaging and successful e-learning platform. Remember, a well-executed monetization strategy, coupled with a user-centric approach, will be instrumental in achieving your business objectives.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.