How Much Does a Custom App Really Cost? A Developer's Honest Answer

So... How Much Does a Mobile App Cost?

You're probably thinking, "Just tell me the price already!"

That number might make you clutch your pearls, but here's what you need to know: there are a lot of layers involved in building a mobile app.

Mobile App Development Has A Lot of Moving Parts

First, the developer has to create app mockups so both the developer and the client can visualize what the finished product should look like.

Then comes the front end and the back end.

"Ashlee, that's literally three tasks and you developers are asking for an arm and a leg!"

Well, I won't speak for other developers, but I definitely don't want your limbs.

However, creating app mockups alone can take a week.

That includes conversations with the client, understanding exactly what they want, designing the screens, making changes, and making sure they're happy with the direction of the app before development really gets going.

The Front End Can Take Months

The front end is everything the user sees and interacts with.

Depending on the number of screens and features requested, this portion alone can take weeks or even months.

There's the coding, the constant testing while coding, fixing layouts, testing buttons, checking navigation, and of course... bug hunting.

It gets time-consuming.

And guess what?

After the developer completes the front end and the client approves it, the client can still change their mind.

It happens. It's part of the job.

And hey, if I were spending that amount of money on an app, I'd be particular about mine too.

Then Comes the Backend

The backend is where things can get tricky.

The developer has to make sure the app communicates with its database correctly and handles operations like CRUD: Create, Read, Update, and Delete.

For example, if a user creates an account, updates their profile, saves information, places an order, sends a message, or deletes something, the backend has to handle all of that correctly.

If the backend isn't working properly, it doesn't matter how pretty the app looks. The app is useless.

Backend development can take another several weeks or months depending on the number of screens, features, integrations, and amount of data the app needs to manage.

The App Is Finished! ... Right?

Nope.

Now we have to beta test.

The developer has to get testers inside the app to find bugs, broken buttons, confusing screens, crashes, and all the random things that somehow worked perfectly while we were developing it.

App stores may also have their own testing and review requirements before an app can be released publicly. And if the testing doesn't go well? More testing. More fixes. More waiting.

I've been there. I literally cried after my first app rejection.

There is A LOT of work happening behind the scenes of mobile app development.

Okay Ashlee, So How Much Do YOU Charge?

As an independent developer, my pricing is lower than what you may see from larger development companies.

I know what you're thinking:

"Why is she charging less than the average developer?"

Simple. I'm an independent developer.

I don't have a large development team, project managers, designers, executives, office space, and a bunch of other overhead that needs to be built into the price of your project.

You Don't Have to Pay Everything Upfront

Now you're probably thinking:

"Ashlee, nobody is giving you thousands of dollars upfront. We live in a world of scammers!"

I know.

Hey, I wouldn't hand somebody thousands of dollars upfront either, even if I were swimming in money like Scrooge McDuck.

That's why I structure my services around milestone payments.

For example, suppose your app costs $2,500 and the project is divided into five milestones.

After I complete the first milestone, such as the mobile app mockups, a payment is due.

Then I build the front end.

Once it's completed and approved by the client, the next payment is due.

The project continues that way until the app is complete.

That means I'm being paid throughout the development process while the client is able to see actual progress before continuing to the next stage.

And if someone decides they need to back out of the project?

Life happens.

We complete the appropriate termination paperwork and future payments stop according to the project agreement.

Do Your Research Before Hiring a Developer

I understand why trusting an independent mobile app developer you found online isn't always easy.

That's exactly why you should understand the development process, ask questions, look at previous work, review the contract, understand how payments are structured, and research the person you're considering hiring.

A good developer should be willing to communicate with you throughout the process and help you understand what's happening with your project.

I know I will.