How much does it cost to make an app?

We understand that most of your quest to find the right app developers for your dream application often fails. Finding affordable app development services that deliver quality work is becoming increasingly difficult. As a Thailand digital product development leader, we would like to walk you through the essentials of app development costs to help you launch your dream digital product. 

App development cost breakdown/ Factors affecting app development cost

One of the most common issues we encounter when clients ask for app development advice is that they know very little about app development. Often, clients will come in with their million-dollar idea for an application in e-commerce or fintech. Our app development specialists are responsible for offering insights into app development costs that come with each product.

• Project complexity and limitation 

You should ensure that you and your client are on the same page when it comes to the practicality of each project. They need to understand the challenges and limitations of this collaborative project, which include everything from the number of features and functions to design complexities.

• App development platform 

The app development platforms that you choose (iOS, Android, or both) also affect the cost of app development since more time and resources go into developing cross-platform applications than native applications that do not have the same shared features.

• Web app, hybrid, or native app?

Nowadays, app development can be divided into 3 categories. Web application is a browser software that doesn’t need to be installed onto your device. Native application is designed to be a stand-alone program that can be downloaded straight onto your device. The Hybrid application combines the properties of web and native applications– and can be used on both iOS and Android mobile devices. 

• User experience and design (UX/UI) 

Aesthetics , including ease of use and simple app design, are one of the most important indicators for success in any app development. However, aesthetic UX/UI design comes with additional cost. Things like on-screen animation, including mobile-first design that favors seamless interaction, can require more effort and resources to bring into fruition.

• Choice of stack technology 

Your choice of tech stack or programming language, app development framework, and other essential tools affect an app development cost. While certain stack technologies come with a pricey registration fee, others require input from technical specialists to operate, which inevitably affects the timeline and cost of app development. 

• Third-party API integration 

If your application requires constant collaboration with third-party services, your app development cost will increase automatically. Third-party API integration or other external databases involve complications with app integration and additional license registration fees. 

• The size of your app development team 

Your app development team is made up of developers, designers, project managers, and QA specialists. The larger your team, the higher the cost of app development. This is especially true if you have specialists on your team. 

• App testing and quality assurance 

To ensure an uninterrupted user experience since its official launch, your app has to go through several quality assurance procedures. Complex testing procedures, including mobile compatibility, performance, and security testing all affect the cost of app development and production timeline. 

• Constant maintenance and updates 

Application costs do not disappear after the product launch. Software updates and other maintenance costs remain present. Therefore, you must make software updates and long-term app maintenance plans covering the whole app to ensure seamless operation and protection from external malignancy.

10 Important job positions for successful app development 

Now that you understand what contributes to app development cost, let’s get to know the team responsible for a successful product launch. There are a total of 10 different roles in an app development team.  

• Project Manager

A project manager is responsible for overseeing all of the app development process, from managing time, budget, and resources to coordinating between clients and app developers or stakeholders.

• Product Owner

A product owner is responsible for defining, prioritizing features on the app, listening to the customer feedback, getting inputs, changing the direction of the product and adapting it to the market changes to make sure that the product perfectly matches user demands before launch.

• Development Team

In app development, developers include front-end developers, back-end developers, and mobile app developers. They are the ones that piece everything together into perfect, ready-to-use apps.  

• Designer

A designer’s job is to ensure that visual components like graphics, menu bar, and other interactive features offer the best user experience and reflect the brand's uniqueness. 

• Quality Assurance Specialist

QA specialists are responsible for verifying that applications function smoothly according to the goals set out at the beginning of the project. Quality assurance testing, including tests for functionality, usability, and performance, can be achieved under the heavy use of QA to ensure that they are of the highest quality before reaching the hands of real-life users. 

• Business Analyst

Without a business analyst who analyzes business requirements after client negotiations, nothing can get started. A business transforms client demands into requirements during app development processes, providing assistance for project managers, product owners, and those able to define the project’s goal and requirement. 

• System Architect

The main role of a system architect is to design the overall application layout and infrastructure by working closely with developers in setting various technical requirements that are crucial to an effective app development. 

• DevOps Engineer

DevOps engineers are those providing assistance in integration and usage of various development tools. They are also responsible for adapting system automation. This helps reduce the workload for the developers and ensure that everything aligns with set goals. 

• Business development and marketing team 

Whether the application receives positive feedback from users is also significantly influenced by the marketing team. They play a vital role in the success of the app by developing comprehensive marketing strategies during the launch phase, as well as creating content to promote sales and various campaigns that encourage users to try the app and continue using it over an extended period.

• Clients or stakeholders

Clients or stakeholders also help determine application success by communicating their expectations for the app including long-term goals and future feature add-ons during the development and testing phase. They provide app developers with important information that increases the probability of success for their applications. 

Build an economical app for your business with Thailand’s leading digital product company. 

Different types of applications have varying startup capital for app development, starting from millions to ten millions of baht, depending on client demands. App development cost is not the single factor that is worth considering when thinking of building your own app. It is essential that you consider the factors mentioned in this article in order to develop an effective and high-quality app that delivers not only the best user experience but also strong business outcomes.

Are you looking to build your own digital product? Contact us at Seven Peaks to get started on your app development journey.

Seven Peaks is a leader in software development based in Thailand.