How Much Does it Cost to Build an iOS or Android App in the US?

Hence, most businesses are looking to create their own apps to get their products and services out to customers. The price of building an iOS or Android app can vary widely depending on the kind of app you’re building. Most estimates say that building an app can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $300,000.
Here are certain factors you can use to determine how much it will cost to develop an iOS or Android app in the USA.
App Complexity Determines Labor Costs

App complexity, meaning the number of features it provides, and the nature of its features changes its cost vastly. Simple apps like calculators and camera apps don’t require much coding or optimization. However, more complex apps like photo and video editors or games, or food ordering apps require tons of coding.
The more complex your app, the more it will cost to code for, design, and optimize. Assuming a 40/hr coding labor cost, simple apps will cost $40k-$60k. However, highly complex apps can cost over $200,000 to build. The same can be said for the app development timeframe. Simple apps take about 2-3 months, while complex apps can take more than a year for full development.
Simple apps interact with just a few elements of your smartphone or tablet. They don’t require consistent communications with cloud databases or cloud-based APIs. Complex apps, however, require constant access to those things.
For example, Google Maps requires access to Google’s own map database as well as several calculation algorithms. Most of the app’s functionality relies on constant communication with a cloud-based API. Hence, the complexity involved is much, much higher than for simple apps like calculators.
App Type Determines Overall Costs

There are 3 types of apps. Native apps are built using native code and APIs. Web apps are mobile versions of a website built to look like an app. Hybrid apps are combinations of native and web apps and are suited for a large audience.
Hybrid apps are easier to code for since a single code structure is imported to all platforms. However, web and native apps are coded using very specific tools and are built for specific platforms. This means that they require adherence to more strict rules and expertise in specific coding languages.
This is why hybrid apps are on average, cheaper to design than web and native apps. However, native apps are more difficult to build since they are built using only tools native to a single platform. They require high optimization. These are apps like games or graphics heavy AI engines.
App Development Region Determines Hourly Rates

Platform Costs

Outsourcing vs. In House Development Costs

However, developing an app in-house will be more expensive since you’ll have to invest in a team. This will include programmers, backend developers, designers, testers, etc. Of course, the maintenance and operational costs will also be a part of this expense. Overall, the cost to build an iOS or Android app in house will be hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Design and Optimization Costs

Hidden Costs

Let’s help you get started on your new app today. Reach out to the Luminous Tec team, and together, let’s explore how we can collaboratively construct an app that will propel your business into a forward-looking future!