Costs of creating an app

What does it cost to make an app? Often one of the first questions we receive. A question with multiple answers, because the cost of developing an app depends on many different factors. 

In this article we clearly explain these factors, so you get a clear picture of the costs to develop your idea into a future-proof and effective app. 

We would also like to tell you more about our development process and explain how you can already achieve the most important goals with an MVP (Minimal Viable Product) - within the reserved budget.

What costs are involved in app development?

An app can sometimes look so simple, but designing and developing it quickly becomes complex. Developing a user-friendly app that allows users to easily click and swipe toward their goals requires a lot of expertise. 

A strategist helps you focus on the goal, then designers design an effective concept. Then the app is programmed, tested and optimized, which involves several programmers and testers.  

Quality assurance engineers guarantee that the app functions optimally on different platforms, such as Android and iOS. The project manager ensures that the entire development-from strategy, launch to support-goes smoothly and as expected. 

All these experts together ensure that your idea is developed into a user-friendly app, with smart functionalities that contribute directly to achieving your goals. 

What are the pricing factors in app development?

The cost of an app depends on several factors, including the goals, scope and complexity of the app. The technology, templates and tools to be used also affect the hours required to develop the app.

From MVP to a version 3.0

You can make an app as big and extensive as you want, with different functionalities. Or you can first have an app developed with only the functionalities that directly contribute to achieving the main goal. Such an effective first version is called an MVP (Minimal Viable Product).

We always advise our clients to do the latter. This is because an MVP allows you to immediately achieve the desired results and already recoup (part of) the investment. This MVP also allows us to test and optimize the user experience. We can then enrich the app with additional functionalities that contribute to achieving secondary objectives. This is how we continue to build toward version 2.0 and version 3.0.

Minimum Viable Product (version 1.0)

A fully functional version with an optimal user experience and a beautiful design, fitting the target audience and in line with the corporate identity. The MVP is ready to be launched and can be deployed immediately to achieve key objectives. This is how we cost-effectively achieve a short-term launch.

Advanced (version 2.0)

A further developed MVP with enriched - and enhanced - functionalities to achieve secondary objectives.

Premium (version 3.0)

A further developed version 2.0 to suit new ambitions and future objectives.

Size and complexity of the app

Once we have determined together which functionalities are really needed to achieve the main goal, we determine the desired complexity of that functionality.

Take a chat function, for example. One can choose:

1. a simple chat with text messages
2. a chat function with read confirmation
3. the option to send voice messages
4. the option to compress and forward videos
5. or a chat function with encryption
6. One function, multiple versions.

Together we determine which implementation of the functionality is desired or necessary in the first version of the app. In the next phase, the functionality can be enriched if necessary. In this way, we ensure that investments are first made only in the functionalities and versions that yield the most results.

Techniques, tools and templates for an app

The choice of technology also affects the price. For example, you can choose a Native app, a Progressive Web App (PWA) or a Flutter app. The choice of technology depends on the project, future ambitions and budget.

All the techniques, tools and templates we use when developing an app have been extensively tested by us and proven effective. We are happy to give you independent advice and help you determine which techniques can best be used in your case to develop an effective and future-proof app.

Want to know more? Also read about Technology: native, PWA, or Flutter?

How do we get the most out of the earmarked budget?

At DTT, we think it's important to help our clients really use their earmarked budget as efficiently and effectively as possible.

We therefore divide the project into different phases so that we can develop an effective app with clear insights.

We help you invest in what is really needed first, after which we can give you well-founded advice on how to optimize or further develop the app.

A sharp focus on what is really needed

In a preliminary process, we first sharpen the main goal. We determine the strategy with measurable objectives, we come up with a concept and create a first design. Different visual styles are designed, matching the target audience and in line with the corporate identity.

A fully functional and interactive design (a prototype), then allows us to test and optimize the functionalities and user experience even before we actually develop the app.

A transparent budget with an open calculation

Once the strategy is determined and the functional design is solid, we create a transparent budget based on open calculation. In this budget we include the most important functionalities and customer journeys.

Based on this budget, you can - in consultation with us - set clear priorities. For example, you can choose to develop the most important functionality and optimize the most common customer journey first.

Then, step by step, we can develop other important functionalities and optimize other customer journeys.

Want to know more? Read how we use our working method to come up with an effective solution together.

Evidence-based investing with data-driven insights

All decisions during the (further) development process are based on reliable and carefully obtained data. Designs and functionalities are subjected to a variety of tests. This enables us to give you well-founded advice on possible adaptations and enrichments, which we are certain will contribute to the desired result.

With our data- and test-driven strategy, we help you invest the reserved budget with certainty and get the highest ROI (Return On Investement) from your app.

Want to know more? Also read about Data-driven strategy: get more out of your solution

What are the recurring costs of an app or web solution?

Once the app is developed, of course, we make sure it continues to function optimally. We keep the app up-to-date, secure and host it on a reliable - ISO certified - server.

Maintenance and managed hosting naturally also involves time, depending on various factors, such as the size of the app, the platforms (iOS, Android, Web) and any links.

For these annual maintenance and managed hosting costs, you can assume about 15% of the development budget. This is just an estimate. Of course, we will include an accurate cost estimate in a personalized proposal.

Would you like us to offer you more support and help you - and your team - get even more results from the app? As a strategic partner, we will be happy to guide your team digitally and help you reach and engage your target audience. We make separate arrangements for this extra support.

Discuss your project? Nice, we'd love to.

Have an app developed or want to spar about your idea with no obligation? Tell us more about your plans, wishes or challenges. We will think along and answer your most important questions. Feel free to contact us.