Want to develop a fantasy sports app but confused about its development cost?
Well, in the present era, the demand for fantasy sports apps has increased. The current market size as of May 2024, was reported as 10.3 billion U.S dollars.
Whether it’s basketball, soccer, baseball, cricket, or even hockey, fantasy sports has created engagement. Thus, there are many companies such as ESPN, CBS, Sleeper Fantasy Sports, and many others who have hit the jackpot in this industry.
If you are the one who wants to get the show on the road, it’s the right time to board. Learning about the cost is the foremost step to make before you proceed with the development process.
Relax, we get you covered. Here we will discuss a detail about fantasy sports app development cost, factors impacting it, the time required to create it, and much more.
Let’s begin the journey.
Average Cost to Develop a Fantasy App
How much does it cost to develop a fantasy sports app?
The average cost to develop a fantasy sports app can vary from $20,000 to $100,000.
Wondering why we have stated a range and not an actual cost figure.
Well, there are many factors affecting the overall mobile app development cost that you must consider.
Thus, instead of providing you with only the key points, we have discussed it all in detail within the following section.
Hidden Factors That Affects Fantasy Sports App Development Cost
What’s the cost of developing a fantasy sports app?
To determine the exact expense equation, you should be aware of the multiple factors impacting it.
Let’s consider the following list stating a complete breakdown of the cost to develop a fantasy sports app.
1. App Platform
You need to decide on the app platform before launching it in the market, right?
Deciding the platforms and selecting one can be a headache. Hence, you can hire Android app developers and iOS app developers who may assist in this process.
Well, you should know that selecting one platform can cost you less than selecting both.
However, it may cost you even more while developing an app for the second platform later after increasing its popularity in the market.
Thus, opting for both platforms at the initial stage can put the ball in your court to engage as many as users your brand is aimed at.
Cost Estimate: $3,000 to $15,000
| Platform Choice | Impact on Development Cost | Cost Estimate |
| iOS Only | Requires adherence to Apple’s guidelines and typically involves higher design standards. | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Android Only | May require more testing due to device variety but generally less strict guidelines than iOS. | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Hybrid App Development | Involves separate development processes or cross-platform solutions, increasing complexity and cost. | $4,000 – $15,000 |
2. Tech Stack
Tech Stack depends on the selection of programming languages, tools, platforms, and frameworks that you will be required to use to develop an app.
The choice of selecting suitable technologies, frameworks, and language impacts the cost of making a fantasy sports app.
Additionally, selecting the widely operated technologies can cost you less because of their availability in the market.
However, the selection of the niche areas and specific technologies can cost you more. Let’s check it through the table below.
Cost Estimate: $2,000 to $12,000
| Tech Stack Choice | Impact on Development Cost | Cost Estimate |
| Native Development (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) | High performance and seamless integration with platform-specific features, but higher development time and cost. | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Cross-Platform (React Native, Flutter) | Reduces development time by using a single codebase for both platforms, but may require compromises on performance and platform-specific features. | $8,000 – $10,000 |
| Backend Technologies (Node.js, Django) | The choice of backend can impact scalability and maintenance costs. Well-supported frameworks can lower development and future maintenance costs. | $8,000 – $12,000 |
3. Experience/Location of Developer
Another factor that impacts the cost to develop a fantasy sports app is the experience and location of the developer.
Hire mobile app developers who have competitive skills and can be easily approached.
If you prefer developers with advanced skills and those who belong to high standards of living cities, you may end up paying more. And that can be due to the value of cities, not just for the skills you are hiring for.
Therefore, considering the location matters because it will also end you up identifying the ways you can connect them. Let’s consider the given table once to identify the cost of hiring mobile app developers.
Estimated Cost: $3,000 to $20,000
| Developer Location (Expertise) | Cost Estimate |
| UK (Senior) | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| US (Senior) | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Middle Europe (Mid-Level) | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Asia (Junior to Expert) | $3,000 – $12,000 |
| Europe (Western, Senior) | $8,000 – $18,000 |
4. App Maintenance
Ignoring app maintenance? Well, it’s not the time to do so.
To identify the overall cost of developing a fantasy app, you should consider app maintenance services just like sugar in the tea.
App maintenance importance can be calculated when you launch it, and also if you want to sustain your market position.
It might be the least important factor to consider, but not among the ones to compromise with while deciding the cost of creating a fantasy sports app.
Estimated Cost: $2,000 to $10,000
| Maintenance Type | Impact on Development Cost | Cost Estimate |
| Basic Maintenance | Includes minor updates and bug fixes. Lower ongoing costs. | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Regular Updates | Involves periodic updates to keep the app compatible with new OS versions and add minor features. | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Advanced Maintenance | Covers major updates, feature additions, and extensive bug fixes. | $5,000 – $10,000 |
5. App Features
Ignoring the fantasy app features and their impact on the cost can end up ruining your overall budget.
The more complex features, the more it will costs such as AI, chatbots, and integration over multiple platforms, etc.
However, adding simple features can reduce the cost to create a fantasy sports app.
Let’s check out the given table to know the impact of fantasy sports app cost estimation.
Estimated Cost: $5,000 to $30,000
| Feature Complexity | Impact on Development Cost | Cost Estimate |
| Basic Features | Includes essential functionalities like user registration, basic scoring, and league management. | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Advanced Features | Adds functionalities such as live scoring updates, player stats, and real-time notifications. | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Premium Features | Encompasses complex features like AI-driven recommendations, in-depth analytics, and extensive customization options. | $15,000 – $30,000 |
6. App Complexity
Another factor to include is the app’s complexity and size. The more complex the app will be, the higher cost it requires.
Additionally, it has an impact on maintenance too. High-complex apps will require more effort and resources which will raise the cost to develop a fantasy sports app.
The ultimate cost here depends on the type of features, technologies, front-end and backend complexity of the app.
Here’s the table to check out for determining the estimated cost to develop a fantasy sports app.
Estimated Cost: $3,000 to $15,000
| App Complexity | Impact on Development Cost | Cost Estimate |
| Simple App | Basic functionalities with straightforward design and minimal features. | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Moderately Complex App | Includes additional features like user profiles, basic analytics, and enhanced UI/UX. | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| Highly Complex App | Advanced features such as real-time updates, extensive data processing, and high customization. | $10,000 – $15,000 |
7. App Design
UI/UX design cost can vary depending on the type of functionality, navigation, and animation features you want in your fantasy app.
Fantasy app design impacts the total cost of building it because there are multiple elements involved within it such as customizable dashboards, real-time updates, interactive features, and data visualization.
The design cost here directly depends on two values comprising the time it takes to develop it and the cost of work per hour.
Here’s the table to consider for determining the impact of UI/UX design over the cost of building a fantasy sports app.
Estimated Cost: $2,000 to $10,000
| Design Aspect | Impact on Development Cost | Cost Estimate |
| Basic Design | Simple, standard layouts with minimal customization. | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Enhanced UI/UX | Improved user interface and experience with additional features like animations and transitions. | $4,000 – $6,000 |
| Customizable Dashboards | Personalized user dashboards and settings for a more tailored experience. | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| Interactive Elements | Incorporation of interactive features like live drafts and trades. | $6,000 – $8,000 |
| Advanced-Data Visualization | Advanced charts, graphs, and analytics for in-depth performance tracking. | $7,000 – $10,000 |
8. Third-Party Integrations
Third-party integration can lead to higher costs because it requires licensing fees as well as integration efforts.
API, Social media integration, and many other factors need to be considered while identifying its impact on the cost of developing a fantasy sports app.
Additionally, they need regular maintenance to improve app functionality.
You should consider mobile app security as one of the most important elements of integration. Shall we check out the given table to know its cost breakdown?
Estimated Cost: $1,000 to $8,000
| Third-Party Integration | Impact on Development Cost | Cost Estimate |
| Basic API Integration | Simple integrations like social media logins or basic analytics. | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Payment Gateway Integration | Integration of payment systems for in-app purchases or subscriptions. | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Advanced API Integration | Complex integrations with multiple third-party services or data sources. | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Custom Solutions | Tailored third-party solutions with extensive customization or proprietary integrations. | $5,000 – $8,000 |
9. Testing
Mobile app testing range for any app can cost you 15%- 20% of the complete development budget.
Here, testing should be performed not only related to its performance but also its functions, integration network, security, and others.
Thus, testing is an essential factor to be considered here for determining the cost of developing a fantasy app.
Let’s check out the given table for more information.
Estimated Cost: $1,000 to $5,000
| Testing Type | Impact on Development Cost | Cost Estimate |
| Basic Testing | Includes fundamental tests for functionality and user interface on a few devices. | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Comprehensive Testing | Involves detailed functional, performance, and usability testing across multiple devices and platforms. | $2,000 – $3,500 |
| Advanced Testing | Extensive testing including security, load, and beta testing with real users. | $3,500 – $5,000 |
These are some of the factors that can impact the overall cost to develop a fantasy sports app.
Now, the next question is how much time it will take to develop your fantasy sports app?
How Long Does It Take To Develop A Fantasy App?
After learning about the cost and factors impacting it, let’s understand a detail related to “how long does it take to develop a mobile app?”
Time is an important component including cost, here’s a table to look at.
| Development Phase | Duration | Description |
| Planning & Research | 1 month | Define requirements, research competitors, and create a project plan. |
| Design | 1-2 months | Develop wireframes, UI/UX design, and finalize app layout. |
| Development | 3-4 months | Implement core features, integrate third-party services, and build functionality. |
| Testing & QA | 1-2 months | Conduct various tests (functional, performance, security) and fix bugs. |
| Launch & Deployment | 1 month | Prepare for launch, deploy to app stores, and address initial feedback. |
| Post-Launch Support | Ongoing | Monitor app performance, provide updates, and handle user support. |
In total, it might take 7-10 months to define the estimated time to develop a fantasy sports app. This time can vary depending on the features, complexity, app design, and more.
Popular Fantasy Apps and Their Clone Development Cost
Nothing can be more inspiring than finding the cost to develop popular fantasy apps. It will help you to identify an overall estimation of the complete cost.
With the list of the best fantasy sports apps, we will help you to determine the cost to build their clones.
You can follow the popular fantasy sports app and its cost list, here.
► ESPN Fantasy Sports App
ESPN Fantasy Sports app is among the famous apps due to its exceptional design and multiple sports that engage users.
The cost to develop an app like ESPN can vary from $20,000 to $60,000. You should check out the type of features it includes as they affect the complete cost figure.
► CBS Fantasy Sports App
Another important app that you can claim your dream application to be like is CBS fantasy sports. Its features are exciting to encourage their target audience to not get bored.
The cost to create a CBS fantasy sports app can be somewhere from $20,000 to $80,000. Again, it totally depends on the features and their complexity level to decide the cost.
► Sleeper Fantasy Sports App
Through the Sleeper fantasy sports app, playing football, basketball or Cricket can become fun. With the modern integration and attractive interface, they have a variety of different modes as well as options for the users to play in leagues.
The cost to build a fantasy sports app like sleeper can differ from $20,000 to $100,000. This cost can depend on the number of multiple factors such as complexity, design, tech stack, etc.
► NFL Fantasy Football
If you want to target a fantasy football audience, then developing an app like one can be your next choice. To develop an NFL fantasy football clone, you should be aware of users’ demands.
The total cost to make a fantasy sports app like the NFL can vary from $20,000 to $90,000. Here features like animations, integration with other networks, etc., play a vital role.
► Yahoo Sports
Yahoo is one of the biggest names in the fantasy sports app industry. To develop an app like it, you should be aware of its amazing features and its functional operations.
The overall cost to build a fantasy sport like Yahoo, you need to invest a figure from $20,000 to $80,000.
► Fanduel Fantasy Sports App
Another fantasy sports app to be considered is Fanduel. You can make the Fanduel clone app by learning about its functionality and operations.
Additionally, the cost to make a fantasy sports app can vary from $30,000 to $80,000.
After studying these popular fantasy sports apps and their clones, you can develop one depending on one.
Well, to stand out among these competitive apps, and to cover the complete invested cost to develop a fantasy sports app, you should have effective monetization frameworks.
Let’s study them all in the following section.
Monetization Strategies for Your Fantasy Sports App
App monetization strategies not only is the medium to earn money but also to recover the cost invested to build fantasy sports apps.
Here’s a list of monetization strategies you can follow.
A) Advertising
Within your fantasy sports app, you can provide a slot to the other brands for ads and can charge a fee in exchange for the space provided. You can opt for different advertising patterns here such as banner ads, native ads, etc.
B) Sponsorship and Partnerships
Partnering with the top brands can assist you to improve the brand reputation by promoting it. Along with this, you should create a mobile app that is effective in attracting potential sponsors and earning revenue from them.
C) Crowdfunding
This is the most suitable option for enterprises that are just at the edge of beginning their career. It is an amazing monetization strategy that can help in raising capital for the brand. You can successfully engage the public via this framework which may enhance brand reputation.
D) In-App Purchase
Within the in-app purchase monetization strategy, you can allow the users to use certain features for free and can charge for using the additional or advanced features. This is one of the key monetization frameworks to have a permanent source of revenue.
E) Subscription Plans
Subscription plans can be your ultimate source of revenue. Here you can have multiple plans for your target users as per their preferences. Such as you can have different fantasy sports plans for football players and a little less for hockey players. Here, you can differ plans as per users’ locations as well.
These were some of the common monetization strategies that you may consider to determine the right cost to build a fantasy sports app.
Now, if you are still confused about the costs, selecting an experienced company might help.
Nimble AppGenie Can Help to Develop a Fantasy Sports App
Are you looking for a company to connect with that can assist you over the development process and cost?
Partner with Nimble AppGenie, to access the right cost and for developing your dream fantasy sports app.
We are the best Fantasy Sports App Development Company, focused on delivering optimized solutions for your project.
Our team of developers is dedicated to providing the topmost services and solutions based on your demands.
Conclusion
To determine the cost of developing a fantasy sports app, you should consider important factors impacting it. These factors can be complexity and size, app design, features, maintenance, third-party integration, and testing.
Apart from these, you should evaluate the cost of popular apps, as it will help you to identify the average cost figure.
Multiple monetization strategies can help to cover the total cost invested within the app such as advertising, crowd funding, in-app purchases, etc. You can connect with an experienced company to know more.
FAQs
The average cost to develop a fantasy sports app can range from $20,000 to $100,000. The exact cost depends on various factors such as the app platform, tech stack, developer location and experience, app features, and more.
Several factors influence the development cost of a fantasy sports app, including:
- App platform (iOS, Android, or both)
- Tech stack (programming languages, frameworks, and tools)
- Developer experience and location
- App maintenance and updates
- App features and complexity
- UI/UX design
- Third-party integrations
- Testing
Here are some popular fantasy sports apps and their estimated development costs:
- ESPN Fantasy Sports App: $20,000 to $60,000
- CBS Fantasy Sports App: $20,000 to $80,000
- Sleeper Fantasy Sports App: $20,000 to $100,000
- NFL Fantasy Football: $20,000 to $90,000
- Yahoo Sports: $20,000 to $80,000
- Fanduel Fantasy Sports App: $30,000 to $80,000
Hidden costs in developing a fantasy sports app can include:
- Ongoing app maintenance and updates
- Costs for third-party integrations (APIs, payment gateways)
- Advanced features such as AI-driven recommendations
- Comprehensive and advanced testing to ensure app functionality and security
Effective monetization strategies for a fantasy sports app include:
- Advertising (banner ads, native ads)
- Sponsorships and partnerships with top brands
- Crowd funding to raise initial capital
- In-app purchases for advanced features
- Subscription plans with different tiers based on user preferences and locations
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.
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