Android App Development Cost Analysis- Key Factors to Consider

Android App Development Cost Analysis- Key Factors to Consider

Calculating the Android app development cost can be a challenging task, especially if you’re new to the mobile app development world. As a leading Android app development company India, we have compiled all the relevant information into this cost analysis guide to make things simpler for you. But before we jump into the topic, let’s first understand the benefits of Android mobile app development.

Why Do Businesses Prefer to Invest in Android App Development?

Android app development is gaining a lot of popularity amongst business founders. Almost 8 out of 10 mobile devices are powered by Android OS in today’s digital landscape. Android application development platform is royalty-free and open-source. Hence, it is not limited to the Android market only. Developers are free to experiment and innovate to build next-gen applications on Android. Moreover, Android applications can be easily installed from third-party marketplaces. This increases the potential of Android application development.

Besides these advantages, businesses enjoy various other benefits such as:

  • Quick and Easy App Acceptance

  • Compared to Apple App Store, publishing applications on Google Play Store is much easier and faster. Google takes lesser time than Apple to publish applications. It is more flexible in understanding and allowing developers to launch their applications on the Play Store.

  • Lower Google Play Store Publishing Fee

  • Another reason why it is beneficial to choose Android for mobile app development is that Android app development costs are more economical than Apple. While the cost of publishing an app on the Apple App Store is $99/year, which is renewable, the cost of app publishing on the Google Play Store is a one-time fee of $25

  • Access to a Larger Audience

  • Android has more than 2.8 active users, which makes a 75% of the global market share. There are over 1300 smartphone brands that use Android as their operating system. Therefore, with Android application development, you can gain access to a larger global user pool.

  • Easy Technology Adoption

  • Android applications are built using two native programming languages – Java and Kotlin. Most of the Android developers you hire prefer to use Java for building user-friendly Android applications. Java is a mature, tested, robust, and scalable programming language. You may compare Java vs Kotlin to see which language fits your needs. Native Android app development in Java allows you to port the app to other operating systems including Ubuntu, Blackberry, Symbian, etc. Therefore, with Android mobile app development, you don’t only target the Android marketplace, but also other platforms as well.

    So, if you have a mobile app development project in mind, it’d be great to hire Android applications developers for your project.

    How to Calculate the Android App Development Cost?

    As an entrepreneur, the very first question for building an Android mobile application would be – What is the cost of Android app development? While the Android app development cost may vary according to various factors, there are certain primary cost factors that you need to consider before you hire Android app developers.

    Android app development cost = App development time x Hourly rate of the developer

    If you want detailed and the most accurate Android application development cost estimation, you may request a free quotation from us right away.

    Key Factors Affecting the Android App Development Cost

    For calculating the cost of native Android app development, you need to consider several factors before planning your budget. Below are the key factors that will affect your overall Android app development cost.

    1. App Size

    The size of your application will affect the overall pricing naturally. Large-scale and long-term projects demand a lot of resources, effort, and time for development and maintenance. And, the smaller the size, the lower will be the cost of app development.

  • Small-sized apps with 5 key app feature pages, static content, and login/signup pages cost around $4000 to $10,000.
  • Medium-sized apps with 7-10 primary feature pages, static content, and login/signup pages cost around $10,000 to $50,000.
  • Enterprise-grade apps with 12-18 app feature pages, static content, and login/signup pages cost more than $50,000.
  • 2. Online vs Offline Android Apps

    Building an online Android application requires more development time, effort, and resources, which leads to higher Android app development costs. Online Android app development is an expensive and time-consuming process compared to offline Android app development.

    You should opt for online Android application development if you need access to real-time data and content updates, higher flexibility, and handling different transactions through online connectivity.

    Offline Android app development is a good choice if you need to quickly present data (as it uses cached recordsets), continuous operation without depending on the internet connection, and gain customer loyalty.

    3. Number of App Features

    Another factor that determines the Android app development cost is the number of features you want to add to your mobile app. The more the number of features, the higher will be the cost of app development. Therefore, you must create a list of all the features you need on your mobile app and consult with an Android app development company. The professionals will evaluate your requirements and suggest the best features for your app.

    4. App Complexity

    The addition of more features increases the complexity of the app, resulting in higher Android app development costs. The cost of developing a basic Android app like a photo app with features like filters, crop, aspect ratio, and editing tools is usually lesser than a full-stack, scalable Android application like IKEA Furniture, PokemonGo, etc. that need cognitive technology integration.

  • A basic application for a single platform costs around $60,000. For example, Photo editing apps, Cameras, To-Dos, etc.
  • A basic application for multiple platforms costs between $60,000 and $150,000.
  • The cost of complex applications like Uber, IKEA, or PokemonGo is more than $300,000.
  • 5. Application Type

    The cost of Android app development may also depend on the type of application you choose to build. It may be a native app, a cross-platform app, or a progressive web app (PWA).

  • Native Android App Development
  • Native apps are built using platform-specific programming languages. Android apps are generally built using Java or Kotlin. You should go with Native Android app development if you need high-performing and reliable apps, a sharper user experience, unique app features, a higher ranking on the Play Store, and enhanced scalability. Additionally, Android native apps allow you to leverage the full potential of mobile device hardware. Native app development is not a good option if you have less budget and time.

  • Cross-platform Android App Development

  • Cross-platform applications can run on multiple platforms. Several cross-platform app development frameworks like Flutter, React Native, etc. allow you to build apps that can be deployed on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

    Cross-platform Android app development is suitable if you want to save time and cost, need quicker time to market, and use a single codebase for multiple platforms. However, cross-platform applications have slower performance, functionality limitations, and limited user experience. You can opt for cross-platform application development if you do not require a responsive Android app, if your app does not contain complex animations or logic, or if you’re trying to test your product in the niche app market.

  • PWA Android App Development

  • Progressive Web Applications allow you to build a native Android app-like experience that is fast, intuitive, and reliable. It is a perfect combination of design and functional elements of a native Android application and brings it to end-user’s mobile browsers. This reduces the time and cost of Android app development.

    Some of the reasons to choose PWA Android app development include

  • Progressive – It is suitable for every end-user and browser

  • Native Android app-like – It delivers a native Android app-like user experience

  • Highly responsive – The app easily fits in different screen sizes and devices

  • Security – It utilizes HTTPS protocol for avoiding connection from showing or changing the information

  • Updated – Information can be easily updated

  • It is good to avoid PWA Android app development as it

  • Has higher battery usage

  • Not all mobile devices support PWA Android features

  • Has limited offline mode support

  • Cannot be linked to the Play Store

  • Has limited access to users’ mobile phones’ hardware

  • PWA Android application development is a good choice if

  • You’re just starting your business and need a simple Android app for your users

  • You have limited time and budget

  • You want to enhance your brand awareness and SEO

  • 6. App Design and No. of App Screens

    The cost of Android application development also depends on your app’s UI/UX design and the number and kind of screens you need for your application. App screens with numerous graphic elements and animations may increase the cost of app development. Furthermore, the number of app screens is directly linked to the app features and coherence between them. If your application contains too many features that do not have a logical coherence with each other, you will need to create an application with different screens.

    It’s always better to hire Android applications developers who can help you make the right choice and reduce the overall development cost.

    7. API Integration

    API integration is a mediator that establishes a seamless connection for organizations to automate various business operations. It connects two or more applications via APIs for effective data exchange. There are several instances when you need API integration to add various features to your application.

  • Payment API Integration

  • If you want to build an eCommerce, you will need to integrate payment systems like net banking, wallets, UPI, and other payment options to allow customers to make payments easily. Some of the payment gateways available in the market include PayPal, Stripe, Braintree, Square, etc.

    All these payment systems come with their own transaction and currency conversion charges which add to the cost of overall Android mobile app development. So, make sure you choose the payment options wisely to ensure minimal app development costs.

    Usually, the cost of adding this feature ranges from $2400 to $5000.

  • Third-party API Integrations

  • As an Android app developer, you may want to integrate popular third-party APIs to utilize their data and resources for your app. Some of the third-party integration services include:

  • Google Maps ($800) – For navigation and geographical location access
  • Booking API ($800) – To access accommodation inquiries, facilities, prices, and other information from hotels worldwide
  • Facebook APIs ($600) – For authentication and authorization purposes
  • Movie Database API – To access movie titles, release date, runtime, IMDB rating, plot, awards, etc.
  • Skyscanner API – For flight search, ticket fairs, and live quotes for traveling.

  • 8. Application Development

    The end-to-end app development process involves various stages that need to be accomplished. You can approach an experienced Android app development company to get a reasonable quote for your project.

    The different stages of mobile application development include:

  • Strategy Building

  • Analysis and Planning

  • UI/UX Design – Wireframing, Style Guide Selection, Mockups, Prototyping

  • Mobile App Development – Frontend, Backend, and API

  • Testing – UX Testing, Functional Testing, Performance Testing, Security Testing, Platform and Device Testing

  • Deployment and Support

  • The average Android application development cost may range from $9,280 to $15,440.

    9. App Categories

    The cost of Android app development also depends on the app category you choose. Here are some of the app categories that you can choose from, along with their average cost of development:

  • Ecommerce Apps – $30,000 to $70,000

  • Social Media Apps – $30,000 to $50,000

  • Travel Apps – $25,000 to $55,000

  • Healthcare Apps – $45,000 to $100,000

  • Gaming Apps – $20,000 to $250,000

  • On-Demand Apps – $20,000 to $60,000

  • AR/VR Apps – $50,000 to $300,000

  • BFSI Apps – $60,000 to $150,000

  • 10. Location of the Developer

    The location of the developer or the company that is building your Android application also affects the development cost. Different geographical locations have different average development costs based on the pay scale and skill set of developers.

    Here are the top countries to outsource your Android app development project:

  • India – $18 – $40 per hour

  • United States – $100 – $150 per hour

  • Australia – $200 per hour

  • Russia – $60 per hour

  • Ukraine – $60 per hour

  • Why Should You Approach an Android App Development Company India?

    An Android app development company India can help you build Android applications at cheaper rates, compared to other countries. India is the hub of professional developers and one of the top IT outsourcing countries. Therefore, partnering with a reputable Android application development company India can help you save costs significantly while receiving top-notch Android app development services for your unique business needs.

    Consider the Hidden Android App Development Costs

    In addition to the above-mentioned cost factors, there are several hidden costs you need to be aware of. They include:

  • Hosting – The average cost ranges from $70 to $320 per month

  • Monitoring and Maintenance – $5,000 to $10,000

  • Updates and Version Upgrades – $1,000 to $50,000

  • Licensing – $25 one-time investment

  • SMS Notifications – $20 per month

  • Effective Tips for Reducing the Android App Development Cost

    As we have discussed all the possible factors that may affect your development costs, you may be wondering how to cut down the cost of Android app development. Below are some of the effective ways to reduce the Android application development cost.

  • Prepare a Product Requirement Document (PRD)

  • Effective planning is crucial for successful product development. A Project Requirement Document (PRD) gives a structural understanding of your application features and the projected technology stack you will need to develop your app. An Android app development company or individual developer can gain a better understanding of your product and its requirements. Your PRD should have details such as company background, the purpose of your app idea, app features, timelines, platforms, UI/UX design specifications, and budget.

  • Decide on Your App Features

  • Instead of overloading your app with too many features, discuss with the app development team to filter out the irrelevant features and add features that add value to your Android app. Run the test application in the market to obtain feedback from the users and see how you can make further enhancements.

  • Build an MVP

  • It’s wise to start with an MVP version of your final product. Building an app with basic essential features can not only help you reduce the development cost significantly but also test your app idea in the market. This approach is suitable for concept-based applications that can be experimented with and do not have sufficient resources to analyze market risks or trends.

  • Outsource to an Offshore Android App Development Company

  • As discussed earlier, it is best to choose an offshore Android app development company for your Android mobile app development project. This approach is beneficial if you’re a startup or small-scale business as this will reduce the cost of building an in-house development team.

  • Partnering with an Experienced Android Development Company

  • Working with an experienced Android development company can get you solutions that are robust, innovative, custom-made, and secure. They offer premium Android app development services and deliver solutions within your budget and timeline.

    Wrapping Up

    Opting for Android mobile app development can bring numerous business benefits, especially for startups and small-medium-sized businesses with time and budget constraints. We hope this detailed Android app development cost analysis guide has helped you understand the various cost factors and how you can reduce the cost significantly.

    As a top-notch Android app development company India, we are here to help you make the most out of the Android platform and obtain solutions that do not burn a big hole in your pocket. Get in touch with us to discuss your Android app project today!

    FAQs

    Q.1. Which is better for Android application development – Java or Kotlin?<
    Ans. While Java is the most popular language for Android application development, there are certain limitations within the language that impede Android API design. In most instances, Kotlin’s benefits outweigh the drawbacks of the language. Kotlin is lightweight, clean, and less verbose, in terms of writing callbacks, getters/setters, and data classes. Before you hire Android applications developers for your project development, make sure to compare Java vs Kotlin to see which language suits your needs.

    Q.2. What are the industries that you work with?
    Ans. As a renowned Android app development company, we deliver industry-specific Android app development services and solutions to meet your unique business needs and goals. Some of the leading industries we serve include:

  • Real estate

  • Automotive

  • Healthcare

  • Manufacturing

  • Energy

  • Smart cities

  • Agriculture

  • Education

  • Entertainment

  • Hospitality

  • Education and E-learning

  • On-demand Services
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  • Gaming

  • Have More Questions? Feel Free to Ask Our Expert Android Developers