App development requires a lot of investment, but it can also yield great returns. You must first understand what is the average cost to develop an iPhone app so that you can create a successful app.
The first step in developing an app is to understand the complexity of the app and its features, app development type (native, cross-platform, hybrid), app platforms (iOS, Android, etc.), app location of the development partner, what expenses are involved and where you can cut back.
The iOS platform is one of the most popular platforms for developing mobile applications for businesses. We've compiled a guide that explains what factors can impact the cost of app development and how exactly you can calculate an iOS app's cost.
Factors That Impact the Average Cost to Develop an iPhone App
The average cost to develop an iPhone app ranges between $10,000 to $1,00,000. iPhone app development prices are determined by the project size, as long as programming services and time are combined.
A business's app size is determined by its complexity and business logic. Estimating the cost of app development depends on a few factors which are:
1. Size and Type of the App
The minimum cost ranges according to the iOS app type:
- Healthcare Apps- $40,000 to $1,00,000
- Video Streaming Apps- $40,000 to $1,00,000
- Food Delivery Apps- $20,000 to $1,50,000
- Dating Apps- $15,000 to $80,000
- Retail Apps- 50,000 to $1,50,000
- Restaurant Apps- $40,000 to $1,00,000
- Learning Apps- $40,000 to $1,00,000
The cost ranges according to the iOS app project size:
- Small-Size App Development: Small-size apps are designed for a single platform and have limited features. Back-end systems and API integration are generally not required for such apps. A text scanner app and a calendar app are suitable examples of small applications (minimum- $10,000).
- Medium Size App Development: The features and functions of such apps can be significantly more extensive than those of simple apps. You can do this by creating a payment gateway, custom UI elements, or both. Medium apps are primarily designed for one platform. Examples are- an expense tracking app and a music app. The average cost to develop an iPhone app is approximately $50k is required, and it takes over two months to complete. (minimum $10,000 to $50,000).
- Enterprise Size App Development: A mobile app that has complex features, a bespoke user interface, and API integrations is considered an enterprise app. In comparison with small or medium-sized apps, building an enterprise mobile application can be significantly more expensive. Examples are Zoom, Slack, and Asana. In the case of a highly complex iOS app with extensive enterprise data, it may take more than six months and cost more than $100K to complete. (minimum $100,000 and more).
Don't have a big budget to build a full-fledged app development? Go for an app development prototype at a low cost, that can help you test your idea and raise investment.
2. App Platforms
Your expenses will also be affected by the platforms your app will be built on. For instance, you can create native apps that work on a single platform, web apps that run on any platform, or hybrid apps that combine native and web apps.
In contrast to the hybrid app, building a native app on one platform requires two development teams: one for iOS and one for Android, this may cost you double. You need to consider where your audience is located when deciding which one to choose.
This in-depth detailed guide on types of application development will help you in choosing the suitable platform for apple iOS app development in 2022.
3. App Design
The design phase is a crucial part of the development process. The process of designing is similar to that of developing; as you add features, the price rises pro rata. A cost estimate based on templates will be conservative, but more customizations in the design will result in higher costs.
The UX of an application relates to how it works. User experience involves creating screens on paper or by using a design platform in order to make the application easy to use for the end user. An app's launch cost will vary according to engagement levels and design complexity.
Eg- button placement, users’ color psychology, and the user’s eye pattern. Apps' user interfaces also influence their iPhone app development cost structure. When compared to a simple and minimal UI with fewer components, integrating complex and interactive UI elements may cost more.
It is followed by creating mockups that allow for a visual representation of the solution while designing an application. Various types of applications require different design solutions. Eg- layouts, screen, colors, fonts, shapes, etc.
If you are a newbie to the design world, then taking help from a UI design company could be the right choice.
4. App Features
Plan the features you want to include while considering the long-term business goals and your target audience's interests.
Adding features like geolocation, multi-language support, and chat to your app directly correlates with its cumulative cost.
- The push notifications feature is crucial to delivering the message to the user's mobile phone directly.
- Third-party integrations occur when businesses use APIs from third parties to power their businesses. You can integrate Google Maps API on your website, for example, to display maps.
- Back-end Infrastructure refers to all of the logical parts of the application, such as components, versions, bundles, and shared components.
- Front-end Infrastructure where a user interacts with everything.
- Incorporating a chatbot into a mobile application will result in the following benefits- Increase user engagement, customer service, and direct payments.
Why Choose Apple iOS App Development for Businesses?
So now you have decided that you want to create an iOS app for your business to reach potential customers/users. The next thing is to know how they can benefit your business:
1. Better Revenue
One of the biggest benefits of Apple iOS app development is its ability to generate revenue. Despite having a smaller global market share than android, iOS always leads the way in terms of revenue generation.
The performance of Apple has been better than that of Android in the past few years. As compared to Android users, Apple users are willing to spend more on facilities and features. In addition, in-app purchases and other monetization strategies can further increase revenue and deliver higher ROI.
2. High-Quality Standards
It is generally accepted that iPhone apps have higher quality standards and are better suited for app stores to distribute your app.
3. Enterprise Data Security
The security and accessibility of enterprise data are one of the reasons why iOS is the preferred choice for business applications. All iOS devices can be easily managed through centralized administration on iOS. Apple offers robust data security for business app users with a high-end encryption layer for protecting against data breaches.
4. Top-Notch User Experience
Regardless of the product, Apple is known for its high standards, whether it is hardware, software, or customer service. They did it with a keen eye on user research before getting their products out in the market. If you haven't yet done it, it's best to reach out to a reliable ux design agency.
5. Time-Efficiency
As compared to Android applications, iOS applications with similar specifications and features usually take much less time. Apps for Android must be tested on several devices in order to check resolution and performance, but apps for Apple do not require such testing, so they work equally well across all devices.
How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Native and Custom iOS App?
Estimate native and custom iOS app development costs anywhere from $10k to $100k. Listed below are the costs associated with native and hybrid app development:
- Native Apps Development: The development of native apps for Android and iOS uses platform-specific languages. The native app cost between $10,000 to $100,000 (approx).
- Hybrid Apps development: In a hybrid app, native features are combined with web functionality. The hybrid app costs between $10000 to $70000. Creating hybrid apps can be more affordable and convenient, but customizing them is not convenient in the long run.
So far, React Native as a hybrid app development tech stack has worked best for a lot of successful apps like Instagram, Facebook Ads Manager, and more. If you are a little aligned toward building your app using a hybrid approach, then you are probably right. This quick article on the benefits of using react native for building your app can help you to become certain about your decision.
Average Cost to Develop an Apple iPhone App for your Business
In a recent survey conducted by Clutch, $171,450 was estimated to be the total cost of developing an app with many functionalities. That survey indicated that the cost of creating an app ranged between $10k and $700k.
iPhone app development costs are influenced by a few factors, including:
- Wireframes
- Feature list
- UX and UI design- typography, images
- User Engagement- push notifications, social media
- Location data
- Third-party integrations
- Payment gateways
- User sign-in
- Live chat
Final Thoughts
Apart from the factors we discussed earlier, there are many other factors that influence the iPhone app development costs of an application. For instance, app infrastructure solutions, the type of database used to store data, AI implementation, security implementation, and so on.
You now have a clear understanding of the cost of developing an app so you can hire a developer to work on it. If you are hiring a firm or developer, make sure that they are competent enough to handle your project. It is important to look at the company's years of experience, portfolio, and dedicated resources when determining a company's expertise.
Every mobile application you create is handled by an agency that has the ability to handle the most complex tasks. As the clutch rated and leading mobile app development company in Dubai, we at Applify can help you estimate the iPhone app development cost, considering your budget. Once your requirements have been evaluated, we will assist you with the best possible solution.
