Estimating Web App Development Cost: Factors and Insights

Why this is NOT Like Every Other Guide on the Internet

If you Google ‘how much does web app development cost?’ or even ask your trusted guide ChatGPT, here’s what they’ll tell you:

• The cost can vary.
• It depends on multiple factors.
• You can get a web app developed for $5,000.
• But it can also cost $500,000 in some cases.

These are not the answers you are looking for, right?

In this blog, we demystify the complex case of web app development costs.

By the end, you’ll have a definitive number as to how much your web app would cost. It is the Radixweb promise. Dive in.

There are billions of web apps live on the Internet today.

Last year, the web app development market was worth USD 70.6 billion.By 2033, the figure will double to reach a USD 141.49 billion valuation.

This means web apps are popular and expected to remain popular in the coming years.

And yet, when it comes to estimating the cost of web application development, you have to keep guestimating!

As a client, you are correct in demanding cost estimates upfront. But here’s the truth: Building a web app isn’t easy. Neither is it a linear process. And because a lot goes into web application development, it is hard to tell how much it will cost without knowing exactly what you want.

At Radixweb, transparency is a value that we hold very dear. That’s why, we don’t start projects on the basis of estimates. We will give you a final number – the exact amount we expect you to pay – for our web app development services.

Not ready to schedule a call with our web app developers and get a custom quote? No worries, this blog is for you. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a rough estimate around the cost of web app development.

Before you start, make sure you have 2 things ready:

• A calculator (unless your mental Math and memory are strong enough)
• A clear idea about the goal of your web app, what functionalities it will have and how it is expected to work.

Dive in.

How do WE know the correct cost of web app development?

There are a gazillion guides on the Internet claiming to tell you the cost of web app development. Why should you trust us and not them? Here’s why:

• We have been in the market since the year 2000. We aren’t new to the world of web apps.
• We’ve developed 100+ web apps for our clients across the globe. Chances are we have developed an app like yours before.
• We’ve given more web app development cost estimates to clients that we can count. We know the drill and we are ready to teach you that.

So don’t wait, dive right in.

How to use this guide?

Here’s how to use this guide and estimate the cost of web app development:

• The guide lists down various factors that determine the cost of web app development. For each factor, pick the option that you prefer. (Or the one that closely matches your need). Add the individual costs based on each factor to come to a conclusive figure.
• Make sure you answer honestly. (We won’t know if you cheat but then the estimate won’t be accurate!)
• Do NOT consider the lowest cost option to be the worst or the highest cost option to be the best. Consider your requirements and goals.
• Keep margin for variations.
  It is hard (if not impossible!) to distill our 25 years of experience in web app development cost estimates into an Internet guide.

Ready? Dive in.

Factors That Define the Cost of Web Application Development

Having a basic idea is not enough.

The reason a web development consulting company, even if it’s experienced, can’t give you an accurate cost right away is because of these factors we’re going to talk about now.

From the scope of the web app to the size of the development team, there’s a handful of factors that demand the highest attention from your end.

1. Type of Web App

This is the first consideration you should take into account while calculating your web app development cost.

For example, an eCommerce web app can cost from $50,000 to $200,000+, whereas it might go beyond $300,000 to create an enterprise web app.

Let's break it down into different types with examples and their associated functionalities.

These are very broad numbers!!

Yes, they are. But this is just the starting point. Select the category of your web app and keep the ballpark figures in mind. When you factor in the other parameters (discussed below), you’ll have a more ‘closer-to-actual' range.

2. Category of Web App

When determining the custom web application development, understanding the categories provides a clearer picture.

Progressive Web Apps

Combining the best of web and mobile applications, PWAs offer offline access, responsive design, and app-like experiences.

*PWA development services often require more resources, so they’re in the higher cost spectrum, around $20,000 - $300,000.

Single-Page Application

SPAs deliver an unparallel user experience with content displaying dynamically without full page reloads.

*Due to their complexity and interactivity, SPAs generally fall into a higher cost bracket, ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.

Multi-Page Application

These traditional apps, like eCommerce platforms, consist of multiple interconnected pages that load individually.

*Depending on the complexity, the cost to build a multi-page web app can vary from moderate to higher ranges, i.e., $30,000 - $350,00+.

3. Features Required

The difference between a website and a web app is that you can integrate any modern functionality in a web app which websites don’t always support.

Accordingly, the cost varies based on which features you’re implementing as the more advanced the feature, the more time and resources it’s going to take.

Here's a snapshot of all the essential web app features and their costs:

This is the most important step. Add the cost of every feature/functionality you need in your web app.

Which number to pick – the lower or higher end of the spectrum?

Decide that based on the complexity of the feature. For example, if you need basic user authentication, $300 may be enough. But if you have multiple types of users and you want advanced features like two-factor authentication, consider adding the number from the higher end.

4. UX and Design

Creating a custom design for your web app can be a budget eater, no doubt about it.

It involves not just the design itself but also the intricate work of coding with HTML and CSS.

Both of these activities demand considerable time and effort, and time in web app development equates to money.

Sure, you do have the option to opt for pre-made design templates, but settling for mediocrity isn't usually anyone's goal while building a web app.

But let’s return to web app development cost estimation based on U/UX design:

• Wireframing - $1000 - $5000
• UI/UX Design - $3000 - $15,000
• Custom Graphics - $2000 - $10,000
• Animation - $3000 - $12,000
• Prototyping - $2000 - $8000
• Navigation Design - $2500 - $10,000

Don’t need animations? Skip that from the sum. Want high-end navigation to ensure your users get the best experience? Add a bigger number from the range.

Ask yourself:

• Do I need this feature?
• How complex would this be for my app?

Do this for every category of expense.

5. Development Partner

The next factor determining the cost is the web app development partner you choose to engage with.

You have three options here:

1. In-House Team

Benefits: Better communication, complete control, alignment with your company and project’s goals.

Cost: You have to bear fixed costs like salaries, benefits, infrastructure, etc. Naturally, the cost is higher due to these overheads, ranging from $80,000 to $250,000 per team member annually.

2. Freelancers

Benefits: Low hiring costs, fast onboarding, quicker availability.

Cost: Freelancers charge hourly or project-based rates. Starting from $25 to $150/hour. Project-based fees depend on the scope and complexity of the web application.

3. Outsourcing Company

Benefits: Access to a skilled team with diverse expertise, established workflows, different engagement models, and time and cost savings.

Cost: The rate of hiring a web app development outsourcing company varies widely based on location and company reputation. On average, costs range from $50 to $200/hour.

6. Developer's Location

Much like other industries, the cost of developing a web app differs based on where the developer or vendor is from.

To give you an idea, hiring a developer from India is way cheaper than hiring a developer from the States.

Similarly, a San Francisco developer will charge a lot more than a developer based in Burlington.

In a nutshell,

• North America and Western Europe offer expertise and proximity but at higher rates.
• Eastern Europe offers a balance between quality and cost.
• Asian countries provide cost-effective solutions with diverse skills.

For a more nuanced understanding, check out the below table:

Ascertain how many hours it will take to develop the web app – based on features, design, and functionality you need. Multiply that with the average hourly cost of the location from where you are planning to hire resources.

Important:

• If you are hiring teams in-house, don’t forget to budget the hiring costs and infrastructure overheads.
• If you are outsourcing to a development partner, you can either go for
  • A project-based pricing (based on features/functionality and design, which you estimated in previous steps)
  • An hourly pricing (based on the country-wise hourly rate table above)

7. Technology Stack

The choice of tech stack has a profound impact on both the development cost and the success of the web application.

We’ve compiled this list of the best web development technology stacks that hit the mark of cost and quality.

LAMP – Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Python/Pearl

It’s versatile, well-recognized, and has great community support. Since most technologies are open-source, custom web application development cost is really moderate.

MEAN - MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js, Node.js

This tech stack is also very affordable for its open-source nature. MEAN stack is highly efficient for real-time web apps and faster development.

MERN - MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js

The cost of using the MERN stack for web app development is almost the same as the

MEAN stack. React just raises the price a bit due to its popularity.

.NET Stack – Microsoft technologies, ASP. NET, C#, SQL Server

This is the best choice for enterprise web app development services. As a result, it might have higher licensing fees.

Radixweb Tip: It is not advisable to choose a technology for web app development, because it costs less. Instead, do proper due diligence and find the right technology for your web app, before you start to estimate the costs.

By now, you would have had a rough estimate of how much it would cost you to get a web application developed. Still not sure? Get a Free estimate from our web app development team here.

What's the Average Cost of Web App Development?

Want to know what the world is paying to get their web applications developed? Here’s a low down on the averages to help you understand what’s standard.

A simple web application can range from $3000 to $20,000 with minimal features, which include limited user engagement, static design and simple content handling. Generally, the development process can take 1 to 3 months, depending on the requirement. For example, the development cost to create web app like Quizizz with basic features typically ranges around this amount.

For a moderately complex web application cost can vary between $20,000 and $100,000 which includes features like user authentication, security, databases, custom design and basic analytics. It can take around 3 to 6 months to develop. For example, creating a web app like Airbnb with fundamental features might cost you this much.

To develop complex or enterprise-level web applications typically costs between $100,000 to $250,000 or more with 6 to 12 months or longer to build. This cost includes highly complex features such as real-time updates, data storage in the cloud, strong security and technology for better user interaction. For example, building a web application with advanced features similar to Amazon involves a development cost within a similar range.

Now, the next question that you might have is:

Do I have to pay this entire cost upfront?

No. The cost of web application development is usually split into different phases. Even if you go by an hourly rate, the weekly/monthly payout would vary based on the phase of development.

Web App Development Cost for Each Development Phase

Below, we’ve broken down the cost of web app development into the different stages of the web app development lifecycle:

1. Discovery Phase

The cost can vary based on the complexity of the project and the depth of research required.

Cost Estimate: 5% - 10% of the total development cost

Time: 2-4 weeks

2. Design Phase

Complex designs, animations, or custom illustrations might increase the cost.

Cost Estimate: 10% - 15% of the total development cost

Time: 3-6 weeks

3. Development Phase

The cost of coding and development depends on the complexity of functionalities, the number of features, and the technologies used.

Cost Estimate: 40% - 50% of the total development cost

Time: 12+ weeks

4. Testing and Deployment Phase

The overall cost of developing a web app might increase if it needs extensive testing or fixing of issues.

Cost Estimate: 5% - 10% of the total development cost

Time: 2-4 weeks

5. Maintenance and Support Phase

Post-launch phase cost varies depending on the level of support required and any additional features or improvements.

Cost Estimate: Typically, 15% - 20% of the total development cost per year

Time: Ongoing

The breakdown above will help you better allocate and forecast budget and time for each phase.

Hidden Costs of Web Application Development

What's a red flag you should watch out for in a custom web app development company?

It’s their silence on the hidden costs.

These unexpected expenses can definitely catch you off guard and impact your project budget and timelines.

Hence, you must know what truly goes into the financial equation of building a web app, including the following:

Integrating external services or APIs might seem straightforward initially but can lead to additional expenses due to licensing fees, maintenance costs, or unexpected changes in those services.

Implementing advanced security measures beyond the basics adds to the overall cost.

Designing for future scalability incurs additional costs, especially if the initial development doesn't account for potential growth.

Tips to Reduce the Cost of Building a Web App

Besides coming up with an accurate estimation of your project budget, you should also look for ways to reduce web app development costs.

It's a priority you can say without compromising quality.

Let us explain how you can do it:

• Take your time with planning and requirement analysis

as clear, well-defined specifications reduce the chances of scope creeping and minimize extra development costs.

Estimated Cost Savings: Up to 20%.

• Adopt the Scrum Agile methodology

for frequent feedback loops that help in identifying issues early and reduce rework costs.

Estimated Cost Savings: Up to 15%.

• Use open-source technologies and tools

such as React, Angular, or Laravel. It can significantly cut licensing costs.

Estimated Cost Savings: Up to 30%.

• Hire remote developers

since it allows you to work with skilled professionals with lower labor costs.

Estimated Cost Savings: Up to 40%.

• Focus on building an MVP

with essential features to gather user feedback and rule out uncertain features.

Estimated Cost Savings: Up to 25%.

Web Application Development Cost Breakdown at Radixweb

At Radixweb, we keep the process of web application development cost estimation as simple as possible.

Our goal is to maintain transparency and accuracy right from the start.

It's a six-step process that goes like this:

1. You reach out to us with an overview of your project, including its scope, objectives, and any other specific requirements.
2. We engage with your team to gather more general information about your business needs, target audience, and desired functionalities for the web app.
3. Our project consultants conduct initial research to calculate a rough estimate of the development costs and timelines.
4. We provide you with the initial estimated cost and timeline based on the preliminary information.
5. Upon your confirmation and interest, we conduct detailed discussions with you.
6. Our team creates a more precise and comprehensive estimation that covers all the functionalities, technologies, and resources needed for the project.

We deliver a finalized, detailed estimation that incorporates all aspects discussed.

So, How Much Will Your Web App Cost?All the web app development cost estimates we mentioned in this article come from our experience with past projects. While these figures offer a frame of reference, they are approximate and still may not precisely tell your project's budget. For a more accurate assessment, along with personalized consultations and actionable insights, we encourage you to reach out to our in-house experts. As a professional web app development company, we have a highly experienced and friendly team dedicated to helping you figure it all out. Let's connect!