What is the Cost of Developing An Android App?

Do you know how popular the Android operating system is? You will hear about Google or Android at least once a day. The extent of its popularity is this high. Not a single day can be passed without using these words or using this system. Apps are downloaded every day everywhere. People have shifted to digital platforms Here is a report from Statista,

Why Do Businesses Choose Android For Mobile App Development?

A well-designed and developed mobile application is the best marketing tactic for any business in 2022. Android apps are not just an important tool for marketing but are also the best way to get popular in a short span of time. Having a digital presence will allow you to get a wider reach and vast user base. There are plenty of other reasons to develop an Android app. Here is a list of all the reasons to create and launch a solution on the Android platform.

1) Huge Customer Base

None of us are unaware of the popularity and reach of the Android platform among users.  There are almost 3.29 Million Android apps in the Google Play Store and the number keeps on increasing with each passing day. This means the number of mobile app users is growing and hence it is an opportunity for Android developers to create an engaging mobile app and trap the users to get the best out of the user’s attention. With a wide user base, the business has a possibility to get good exposure leading to increased conversion of normal users to profit-giving and regular customers.

According to Statista, Android app downloads are expected to reach 130 Billion in 2022 or maybe cross it. Consumer download of Android apps is also projected to reach 187 Billion by the end of the year 2025. Attract more users and businesses by using your Android app as a marketing tool. See your Return on investment reaching the sky limit by launching an amazing Android application.

2) Saving Bucks

Do you have excess cash? Why waste when you can save? Wondering how? The answer is really simple developing an android application. Developing an Android application is really cost-effective when you compare it with the cost of developing an iOS app.

When it comes to the Android app, there is just a one-time registration fee which is $25. Once the registration is completed, Android app developers can test the apps on their own devices again lowering the overall cost of the development. On a contrary with iOS apps, the registration cost for Apple is $99 which has to be renewed every year. This is definitely an add-on on the part of the cost.

Android is basically an open-source platform and hence developers don’t have to worry about licensing costs or royalty while they are making use of the software development kit. This is not the end, there is a lot more that makes this software one of the best and helps in saving bucks. There are a plethora of tools and amazing libraries available for app development which helps in cutting down the cost a notch. Cost is also determined by various other factors like app complexity, the experience of the developers, the size of the team, and app maintenance cost.

3) Customizable

Do you know why designer clothes are more expensive than store clothes? Because they are designed especially for the person who is going to wear them. Hence, it has the style, color combination, and fitting customized according to the one who is going to wear it. Most of the time, designer clothes look better and fit well as compared to store clothes. Similarly, for mobile apps as well customization plays a pivotal role in client satisfaction.

An app that is tailored properly according to the client’s need delivers greater customer satisfaction. Customizing the Android app is easy as the guidelines of the Google Play Store provide room for experimenting and innovation. Android apps are versatile enough to be integrated into the existing systems as an add-on to improve their functionality. It can also be used as a stand-alone tool for streamlining the process.    

Any app should be designed and developed that reflects what your business is all about. This can only be achieved when an app is not some ready-made template but built from scratch based on the type of business, its vision, and its goals.

4) Easy Integration

Android allows integration of inner app along with easy customization choice. Android applications are very easy to integrate by using third-party APIs. This reduces the app development time and ensures faster delivery of the app. The android platform has plenty of tools that make the development and integration process easy and cuts the work of developers.

5) Better Security

It is extremely essential that an app is secured and the user’s data is safe and secured. The app must be well protected and there should not be any security glitch or error to gain the user’s trust. Android app development is based on Linux assuring security and trouble-free operation of any mobile app on the Google marketplace. Android also delivers better and added inbuilt features for security against malware and viruses. Security features are one of the important features that make businesses choose the Android platform for their mobile application development.

Factors Affecting Cost of Android Application Development

1) App Discovery Process

This is the first and very important stage of the app development process. Here the ballpark cost of the project is determined. Some of the tasks involved in the app discovery process are creating an app sprint, market research and analysis, and setting user personas, and market scope.

2) Complexity of the App

What sets your app apart from the pool of plenty of others is the distinguishing feature it has. Some of the prominent features include construction of admin panel, in-app purchase, using device hardware, integration of third-party app, model of deployment architecture, and others. Here is a simple bifurcation of simple apps, average apps, and complex apps.

3) Category of the App

There are plenty of app categories like social media apps, eCommerce or mCommerce apps, stand-alone apps, enterprise apps, on-demand apps, hardware-dependent apps, and plenty more. The budget of mobile application development is also affected by the category of the app you choose.

4) Animation and Designing

The process of designing involves creating a wireframe, creating a prototype, a workable design, and adding animation to it. The type of app design also influences the cost of developing an Android application.

5) App Launch

An app needs to be designed and developed as per the guidelines laid down by the Google Play Store. If not followed properly, the android app can also be rejected. Along with that, there is also a one-time registration fee of $25 which has to be paid for publishing the app.

6) Maintenance of the App

The project is not completed when the app is live on the Play Store. After launching, an app, it needs regular maintenance and upkeep. This includes things like version updates, bug fixing, and improving app design. Maintenance cost is a part of the development cost only.

7) Development Team

The size of the development team and the experience of the developers play a vital role in the cost of the app. If you hire experienced Android app developers, they are going to cost you more. On a contrary, developers with less experience will come a bit cheap. If you hire a big team, it is going to be a costly affair and if you hire a small team, your project will be budget-friendly.

Also Read: How to Develop an Android App Using Kotlin

How Can You Cut Down App Development Cost?

App development is a costly affair no two ways about that. However, there are some ways that can help cut down the cost of development.  

1) Create an in-depth Project Requirements

You must be wondering how will a project requirement document help in cutting down the cost of development. Here is the simple answer, planning is the first and very important part of the process. If you plan right, a massive part is done there. Creating a document must include the features to have, technologies to use, timeline to complete the project, platform requirements, budgetary needs, and thought process behind developing an app.

When everything is clear and planned out the time and efforts and cut short. Time to make decisions is reduced, and time for abundant changes is also curtailed. This leads to saving not just cost but also time.

2) Create an MVP

One of the best tips for saving development costs is to build an MVP instead of creating a full-fledged application. MVP stands for a minimum viable product. Here the app is launched with the minimum features needed to create an app. This way, developers can test whether the app is working in the market or not. If it is a success, new features can be added and launched as an update. This way initial development cost is reduced.

3) Hire Android App Developers with Less Experience

Experienced developers and companies will cost higher as compared to the ones with lesser experience. So, if you are low on your budget and looking to cut the cost anyhow, this is one of the tactics you can try. Make sure that even though you are looking for developers with less experience, they are skilled and talented. You don’t want a buggy and poorly coded app. This not just saves bucks but also saves users from being your loyal customers.

4) Avoid Integrating Complex Features

Your project is your dream and you want to do it all and do your best. But, just sit back and ask can you really afford it? What if it doesn’t work? Would you be able to afford the fall? All these questions are not to discourage you but to help you make an informed and wise decision. If you have complex features in your app, you might consider putting them on a hold for a while. If your app doesn’t need those features at the initial launch of the app then it is better to avoid them and cut down the cost for a while.

Conclusion

So, the cost of developing an Android app is not fixed. It totally depends on the type of app you want to create, the type of Android app development company you hire, and the timeline you decide. However, now you know that Android apps are very much in demand, it has a vast user base, and are one of the best ways to reach your target audience.

FAQs

1) How much time is needed to develop an Android app?

The time needed to develop an Android app is based on the number and type of features, the complexity of the project, the developers working on the project, and several such factors. Usually, 2 to 3 months are needed to create an Android app.

2) Can I develop my Android app myself?

If you are a developer, yes you can. If you are not, you can learn and do it yourself. But, is it advisable? I would say No. It’s better to hire experienced Android developers and leave the job to the experts.

3) How much does it cost to develop an Android application?

The cost of developing an Android app highly depends on the type of project, the timeline of the project, the experience of the developers hired, and many other factors. There is no fixed cost of developing an app. It fluctuates based on the project.

4) Which platform is better Android or iOS for developing an app?

The comparison of Android and iOS is a never-ending question with no definite answer. Choice of the platform must be made based on the target audience, location of the target audience, the budget of the project, and such factors. Both have their own benefits and hence are best in their own way.

5) Why should businesses choose the Android platform?

Some of the best reasons for choosing the Android platform are:

• Wide user base
• Easy integration
• Cost-effective
• Liberal app publishing guidelines