The global mobile application development revenue is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.27% from 2022-2026, amounting to a projected market volume of $614.40 billion by 2026.
By the time we read these figures, Android would reach up to 2.8 billion active users covering 75% of the total market share for mobile application development. Speaking of Android app users, it is worth mentioning that in the US alone the number stands at over 130 million active users since more digital enterprises are adapting to Android app development.
The statistics clearly point to the fact that if you have an Android app development project planned for your business, now is the right time to get started.
Of course, your first question must revolve around the android app development cost and the factors that can impact your budget in 2023 and years beyond.
To give you a brief idea,the average estimated range of how much it costs to develop an Android app is about $20,000 – $300,000 and above, based on your project requirements.
There are multiple factors that directly impact the cost of developing an android app. Just so you don’t overrun your budget, this article is an excellent resource of all associated Android app development cost factors and how you can cut costs while developing your Android app.
Six Factors Contributing to Android App Development Cost in 2023
When you are all set to develop your Android app, you cannot expect your outsourced mobile app development company to share the exact cost estimate right off the bat.
That’s because you and your development team need to analyze your app’s requirements first. These requirements will directly contribute to the development cost of your app. Here are some of those factors and requirements.
Level of app complexity
Level of app complexity also determines how much it costs to build an app. One of the qualities which contribute to an application being considered as “efficient” and incredible is the diversity of the features it has. So, let’s have a look at some prominent features that add up to the Android app complexity:
Model of deployment architecture- The app backend development consists of two types – BaaS and Custom. In the Baas development, you will be given a readymade backend architecture, allowing less room for change. On the other side, Custom backend development provides an architecture that is made from scratch complementing a particular application.
Integration of third-party apps- Your android application will need to interact with other third-party applications to perform specific functions. These functions can be anything from using Google, Gmail, or Facebook to sign up to interact with a monetary application for in-app purchases.
Construction of admin panel- An admin panel is an integral part of any application as it allows the users to keep a record of the functions and activities performed in the app, analyze statistics related to the application, and also update the content on the application without involving the Android app builders.
In-app purchase functionality- Your android app would require payment gateway integration to allow users to perform monetary transactions from within the application. This eliminates the app’s dependency on other modes of payment.
Using the device’s hardware- Your android app will also require access to the hardware’s functionality. For instance, the applications may need to use some functions like GPS Bluetooth. This will straight up add to your app’s complexity and ultimately the android app development price.
Type and category of app
It is a given that the cost of android app development relies on what type of Android app is being developed. There are various categories we can divide the Android applications in and they all come with their own functionalities, demographics, security criteria, and more.
As per recent reports of 2022, Gaming is the most popular category of Android app development, closely followed by eCommerce, edTech, and social networking app development. Although, Android app development is beneficial to any industry, here is a list of the most popular Android app categories with real-time examples:
E-commerce/M-Commerce apps- M-Commerce applications such as Amazon and Wayfair are at the peak of their popularity because these applications are loaded with tons of features that enable the applications to perform effectively in real-time, handle millions of users at once, and have robust security.
Social Networking apps- Social media apps are developed with third-party integrations and have the ability to access hardware functions such as cameras, audio recorders, etc. They are also highly scalable in nature for they have to support millions of users at a time.
As a result, the social media app cost tends to be higher than the cost of less complex Android apps.
On-demand apps- Even the simplest of on-demand applications has three versions- For users, for individuals offering services, and for the business.
Hardware-dependent apps- All IoT-based applications tend to be highly dependent on hardware devices for performing actions like extracting data or sending commands for a particular action.
Now, based on the category of your Android app, here’s an Android app making cost and time estimate:
App design & animation
The design and user interface (UI) of your Android app are crucial factors that influence both the cost and user experience. A well-designed and visually appealing app can attract more users and enhance user engagement. The cost of app development can increase if you require custom designs, animations, or intricate UI elements. Additionally, if you want your app to be compatible with different screen sizes and resolutions, it may require additional design and development efforts, which can impact the overall cost.