One of the most common (and most important) questions people ask us is “how much does it cost to develop a mobile app?”. The answer depends on the scope of the project, including features, functionality, server costs (if applicable) and tech requirements.
App development costs have a very wide range depending on the complexity of features, front end and back end requirements, and which platforms you’d like to distribute to (Apple, Google, and/or Web).
How much does a Winnona Partners app cost?
Most of our apps fall within the $30,000-$100,000+ range. However, we also specialize in developing prototypes and smaller full-production apps that cost closer to $5,000-$15,000.
Consider starting with an MVP
We encourage all of our clients to develop an MVP (minimum viable product) prototype before spending too much on full production.
If you are an entrepreneur or are just starting your own business, you want to make sure that the features you’ve decided to develop are what your intended customers really want, and are willing to pay for.
An MVP is an effective way to start out because you can get the app of your dreams in the hands of real people to collect invaluable feedback, or showcase your product to investors.
Furthermore, in most cases the majority of what you spend on the MVP can go directly towards the full app development cost.
MVPs can vary significantly depending ion your project, but most fall within the $5,000-15,000 range. You can learn more about MVP costs in our blog post here.
Other costs associated with app development
Apple and Google Developer Account fees
The current rate to have an Apple Developer account is $99/year. This is a recurring annual fee that Apple charges everyone who wants to publish apps on the App Store.
In addition, Google Play charges a one-time $30 developer account fee.
Annual Recurring Maintenance Payments (If Applicable)
We’ll outline this amount in the first Statement of Work, but it’s usually no more than $500-1,000/year. These payments offer coverage for continual bug fixes and maintenance. This cost essentially acts like insurance to cover the likely event that Apple or Google requires updates to your app.
Monthly Recurring Payments (when applicable)
Usually $200-500+/month but the cost varies significantly and is subject to change over time depending on user activity. If your technology requires a server for hosting content or performing tasks, Winnona Partners fully manages this for you.
Making sure your app is functioning properly and scaling appropriately is essential to providing your users with a good user experience. You can find specifics about recurring payments in your Statement of Work.
Additional Resources
For more information about the app development process and what to expect, please check out some of our other resources: