iOS App Development Cost: Understanding Crucial Aspects

Quick Go-Through – Developing an iOS app needs a lot of strategic thinking as it's essential to take care of every instruction Apple provides. However, investors only stress one thing - the cost of developing an iOS app, as Apple is expensive. This blog will help you explore everything you need about iOS app development costs. Enjoy reading!

As per Business Insider, iOS users highly opt for in-app purchases and invest more money on applications than their Android correspondents. No wonder startups today opt for the iOS operating system to develop their mobile or web applications. And if you have decided to move forward with the iOS app development venture but are wondering about the next step, this blog is for you.

The next and most crucial step is determining the development cost of iOS solutions. It is one of the first questions asked by clients who approach us with their different iOS app ideas. Well, the average iOS app development cost ranges between USD 10,000 and USD 250,000. However, it can vary in different aspects. Wondering how?

This blog here will guide you about the A-Zs, including all the crucial aspects contributing to the overall price of developing iOS applications. Here, you'll learn about the components that impact the iOS app development cost, including hidden fees, different app categories, and many more.

Want to strike a balance? Continue reading.

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What are the Different iOS App Categories?

There are multiple types of iOS applications, and the development cost depends on their categories to the utmost degree. And every category comes with its features, safety criteria, etc. Listed below are some critical iOS app categories:

• On-Demand iOS Applications - An on-demand app consists of three versions- first for users, second for the employees delivering these services, and third for the business. It includes features like real-time payment, chat support, etc. Hence, the cost of on-demand iOS app development automatically increases compared to other apps.
• Social Networking iOS Apps - Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, etc., take different amounts of time to develop, considering other properties of each application. These apps must have robust scalability, increasing the average app development cost.
• M-Commerce iOS Applications - These m-commerce apps, or mobile commerce apps, face multiple challenges in achieving all the features and functionalities. It is also crucial for these applications to serve millions of users promptly and perform flawlessly in real-time, increasing the overall cost.
• Custom iOS Apps for Companies - These apps are customized according to business requirements and specifications. Business applications should come with room for modifications and align with company changes. Hence, building a successful iOS application dedicated to specific business objectives is a bit costly.
• Standalone iOS Applications - This iOS app category does not need third-party application integration to be independent of any device functionality. One of the best examples of standalone iOS mobile apps is Google Health. Therefore, developing these apps is inexpensive and less complex.

The following table presents the general cost breakdown of developing an iOS app based on different categories segmentation:

Factors that Determine Cost of iOS App Development

We must consider several factors when determining the overall cost of iOS application development. It's crucial to take account of these factors and consult your development partner to get an exact cost estimate for your specific app needs.

• App Design and User Interface

It's essential to focus on the design and user interface of your iOS app as it influences the overall development cost. Going for visually appealing and interactive designs will need more resources and effort, thus maximizing the cost.

• Backend System Integration

Backend integration requires API development, ensuring consistent data flow between the backend infrastructure and your app. Hence, integrating existing backend solutions in your apps will eventually increase the overall costs.

• App Testing and Quality Assurance

App testing and quality assurance are the most crucial phases. Assigning adequate time and resources for out-and-out testing is essential to deliver top-quality apps, adding to the iOS app development price.

• App Maintenance and Updates

After the launch of your app, regular updates and maintenance are necessary to keep it secure, up-to-date, and compatible with the recent iOS versions. Hence, app maintenance fees are crucial when estimating the overall iOS app development cost.

• Hiring Developers

When you hire iOS app developers, it's essential to take care of aspects like their expertise, location, and experience. Experienced developers might charge higher rates but will deliver superior outcomes efficiently. So, consider the knowledge and skills you need for your iOS app and assign the proper budget for your developer's expenses.

Apart from developers, you must hire other professionals who eventually contribute to the overall iOS app development cost breakdown.

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iOS App Development Cost Estimation Formula

The overall app development cost, whether Android or iOS, is evaluated based on the total hours it will take to develop an app and multiplied by billable hours of the spent resources. Hence, the iOS app development cost estimation formula appears something like this:

iOS app development cost = Platform-wise development hours + UI/UX development hours + (Backend server development time * Developer’s hourly rate)

Moreover, examining every teeny-tiny component, you'll find multiple factors, like developer’s location, app complexity, etc., at play. This adds up to the overall cost of your iOS app development.

Hidden iOS App Development Costs

While some app development costs are evident, some hidden expenses are unavoidable. Let's look at them:

1. Quality Assurance & Accessibility Testing - Once you go through the design and development stages of the application development lifecycle, the app needs to be tested rigorously. These tests ensure that the app delivers a first-class user experience, including to individuals with disabilities. And here app development service providers may charge extra for quality assurance and accessibility services.

2. Growth Marketing - Even the best iOS app for business won't succeed if no one knows about it. So, for app promotion and user acquisition, you must invest in growth marketing tactics such as content marketing, search engine optimization, and social media advertising.

3. Maintenance Program - After the launch, app maintenance and continuous updates are crucial to ensure the app remains compatible with new iOS versions. The iOS app maintenance typically covers around 20% of the overall app development cost annually.

4. App Store Charges - Apple charges an annual fee of around USD 99 to publish an iOS application on the App Store. This charge is taken irrespective of whether your app generates revenue or not.

iOS Application Development Cost Breakdown

The cost-impacting factors ensure the iOS app has the potential to meet the requirements of your business and clients. However, it's essential to understand the cost breakdown of these factors. So, let's learn the step-by-step process of breaking down the iOS app development cost:

Step 1: Ideation

The first step of developing an app is the ideation step. The step covers the issue you're willing to solve and any hurdles to overcome with your iOS application.

Besides these, there are other aspects as well, such as:

• Market Capitalization - This is a critical aspect of the ideation phase, which determines the revenue generation capability of your application.
• User Experience - Today, most organizations struggle to provide their clients with a top-notch user experience. Hence, it is essential to consider the user's needs and requirements before starting the app development.
• Competitor Analysis - Doing extensive market research at the initial stages is crucial. So, take your time because this analysis will include examining your competitors' apps, what their app's USP is, the features they offer users, and where they lack

Step.2: iOS App Scaling

After finishing the ideation phase, it's time for the second crucial aspect, which analyses the scale of your iOS application. This refers to determining the best programming languages for developing iOS apps, the framework to use, features and functionalities to integrate, and the look and feel of the app.

This phase also comprises two incredibly significant aspects – app type and complexity.

Step 3: iOS App Design

It's another vital component when determining the iOS application development cost. There will always be a variation in the overall cost of application development due to the teeny-tiny tweaks or modifications to the design concept.

App design, whether web or mobile, is significant as it helps utilize the user experience for your customers. Moreover, there are ample tools your app developers can use to convert the apps into a high-fidelity design.

Step 4: Testing and Maintenance

Your development team's work does not end with just the design and development of apps. They must also focus on app testing and maintenance, another essential factor in breaking down iOS app development costs. In this phase, developers must ensure that their iOS app is free from any vulnerabilities and functions as required.

Step 5: Location

The last aspect that impacts the average iOS app development cost relies on the location where the app is being developed. It is a known fact that every app development provider charges a different fee for building iOS apps worldwide.

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How to Reduce iOS App Development Cost?

Developing an iOS app for business can be expensive, but don't stress; we will discuss strategies to minimize app development costs in the following section. Enlisted below are the four best ways to do it:

1. Simple App Design - Always go for a clean and straightforward design, considering it meets your target audience's demands. You can hire app developers experienced in curating simple designs or directly use pre-built design templates to save time and money.

2. Choose the Right Platform - Building multiple platforms also maximizes development costs and time; you can develop a cross-platform app to avoid this. Choosing ideal cross-platform app development frameworks is more affordable and helps you reach a larger audience with a single codebase.

3. Team-Up with Experienced Development Team - Choosing experienced developers helps provide valuable insights into your project and can guide you in minimizing development costs. So, look for a team with a successful app development track record.

4. Optimize for Scalability - Keep scalability in mind and utilize scalable infrastructure and technologies for your apps. You can opt for microservices architecture or cloud-based solutions to help your app outshine.

How Can Radixweb Help You with iOS App Development?Ultimately, estimating the accurate cost of building an iOS application relies on your business and project requirements. When you decide on the development approach, app type, UI/UX design, and service provider, you can easily estimate your iOS app development cost. Also, prepare yourself for any unexpected expenses during the development process.You can also join hands with Radixweb, a reputable iOS app development company, to assist in better planning, managing, and estimating the cost of developing your iOS app. We house highly skilled and experienced iOS app developers with good know-how and technical expertise. Our development team will help you with app design, prototyping, development, QA, and deployment.Contact us today to find out more about our iOS app development services.