Skip to main content
HomeThe WWS Daily

- News, tips, inspiration you can trust to thrive in today’s digital age.

Search form

Main menu

  • Home
  • News & Features
  • Business & Economy
  • Tech & Trends
  • Health & Style
  • Arts & Culture
  • Contact Us

How Much It Costs to Develop a Business Application

Vinod Subbaiah September 9, 2021

50_0.jpg  Owner of Asahi Technologies, New York.

  WWS contributor

hor-z.png

When it comes to custom web or mobile application development, the size, scope, and needs of your project will ultimately determine the cost.

Female Software Engineer. Photo: ThisIsEngineering/Flickr.

One of the biggest factors in determining how a company does anything is always going to be cost. When it comes to custom web or mobile application development, there is a multitude of factors that can go into determining the cost of the project. 

For example, one of the first questions a business might have is, “Should we hire a team on-staff to handle the project, or should we outsource a third-party to develop the app for us?”

The first option will have a greater cost, obviously, but may be worth it in the long run because of the benefits of having an in-house team of developers always on hand. However, hiring a third party to develop an application has its share of benefits as well. 

Let’s take a closer look into how much it costs to develop a web application, and explain why there are so many factors that can go into those numbers. 

 

Application Development Costs - The Figures

 

While we’d love to throw out a concrete price and say definitively that this is how much it costs to get a custom web application developed, the truth is that number varies wildly.

There are some projects that may only cost $20-$30 thousand, while there are others that can stretch into the hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars. 

If you’re building a brand new application that has sophisticated features and will be used by a very large user base, you might be looking at some of those higher ranges.

If you’re building something small, or you’re building on top of an existing application, those costs might be a little lower.

The important thing is to be realistic and detailed about your needs when talking to a developer to get an accurate picture of the necessary budget. 

 

Factors that Affect App Development Cost

 

The size, scope, and needs of your project will ultimately determine the cost. For instance, what type of web application are you looking for?

Will it be a content driven website? If so, that means that content will have to be hosted somewhere, which means server costs and cloud solutions. 

Think about the following questions about your project and how the answers might affect cost:

  • Can you build on what you have? Building on an existing web application will be a cheaper solution than building something from scratch.
  • Will the web application need to support a large user base? Supporting a lot of users is going to require greater accessibility, more robust security, and more server support than something that is built for a small community or group of users. All of these things will add to the price. 
  • What are the necessary integrations? If your application needs to integrate with credit card payment gateways or share data with an e-commerce engine, that’s something to consider. The same is the case when using Google logins or other third-party platforms. 
  • What sort of features will it need? Think about and make a list of all the tools and functionality your application will require to make it as user-friendly as you want it to be.
  • What will the post-release support look like? Most third party developers have support options to aid you after your application is released. Consider your needs carefully and choose an option that adequately serves those needs. Support is not something to skimp on. 

When you’ve answered those questions, you should be able to get an accurate quote from your custom application developers corresponding with your particular project requirements. Then, you can add or remove functionality and scope as needed before development begins. 

 

Is Custom App Development Worth the Cost?

 

The short answer is yes, it’s worth the cost to have your application developed by a third party. When you hire a developer, you’re getting access to the team’s experience in the field and experience working together as a cohesive unit.

You’re also getting the expertise of development veterans (presumably) who are used to working on projects of various sizes and complexities, and delivering them successfully for different clients. This is something you might not find by hiring an in-house team one at a time. 

Most importantly, when you hire an experienced developer, you’re sure to get what you want. A good developer will be in frequent communication with your people to ensure the project is proceeding in the way that you want and a manner that aligns with your vision. 

The caveat to all of this is that not all developers are equal when it comes to skill, expertise, and experience. Make an effort to find one that has all of those things and more, and has the portfolio to back it up. 

Customer testimonials and reviews speak to the ability of a third party developer's ability to deliver high quality custom web application development services in a manner that satisfies clients’ needs. Reviews and testimonials are very important.

If you or your company is looking to hire a software developer who will give you the most value and best product for your money, be sure to check out their customer reviews and testimonials, then contact them for a free consultation for your project.


Vinod Subbaiah is the owner of Asahi Technologies, a New York-based software development firm that specializes in building bespoke software solutions for the web and mobile platforms.


 

Related stories

 

Common Mistakes When Building a Business Website or App to Avoid

List of the World’s Cheapest Mobile Concepts and Apps You Can Build

What Would It Cost to Develop a Mobile App Like TikTok?

The Key to Effective Mobile App Development

Web App vs Cloud App: What Are the Differences and Benefits?

Things to Consider When Performance Testing SaaS-Based Apps

Hybrid Mobile App Development: Why It's a Great Option for Building Business Apps

 

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER  newsletter icon.png

Get our best content, news, tips, and inspiration in your inbox - free.

No spam. Just great stories. Promise!
 

 

Join Over 20,000 Subscribers!

Get our best content, tips, and inspiration free in your inbox. Subscribe ››

Connect with us:  twitter.gif linkedin-gray.jpg email.gif RSS feed

 

 

 

 

 

Most read this week


5 Reasons to Use SMS for Salesforce in Your Business
5 Reasons to Use SMS for Salesforce in Your Business
Jaya

Foods to Freshen Your Breath
8 Foods to Freshen Your Breath
Dennis Flack

Image for Can Air Purifiers Filter Out COVID-19? Here’s How to Prepare Your AC After the Pandemic
Can Air Purifiers Filter Out COVID-19? Here’s How to Prepare Your AC After the Pandemic
Walter Bennet

Publishers, Tech Giants Agree to Display Standardized 'Trust Indicators' to Help Readers Vet Stories Online
Publishers, Tech Giants Agree to Display Standardized 'Trust Indicators' to Help Readers Vet Stories Online
Alexis Davis

 

Got a story or tip for us?

 

Tips_0_0_0.png

Here's how to submit it →

 

 

 

 

EXPLORE MORE ...

black-nav-bar1.png

News & Features  ›


Steve_Jobs_1955-2011_Quotes_On _Life_Work_Success

15 Timeless Steve Jobs Quotes on Life, Work, and Success

Broadcast Sector in Transition: How Video Over IP Enhance Broadcast Workflows

Broadcast Sector in Transition: How Video Over IP Enhance Broadcast Workflows

How the Cost-of-Living Crisis Is Impacting Business and Trading


Understand and Plan Your Digital Afterlife

The Most Annoying Video Call Habits at Work - Are You Guilty?

The Digital Playground: Creating Safe and Engaging Online Spaces for Kids

hor-line-blue

Tech & Trends  ›


Value of Requirement Gathering in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

The Value of Requirement Gathering in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Laptop_on_desk_ChatGPT

How GPT-3 Chatbot Can Enhance Your Customer Service

Cybersecurity Facts You Need to Know to Protect Your Business [Infographic]


Tech Troubles? 4 Business Strategies To Avoid Tech Disasters

Understanding the Limitations of Antivirus Software

5 Web Accessibility Issues to Avoid
 

hor_line_yellow

Arts & Culture  ›


man-uncertain-fear-doubt-creatives-bane

How to Overcome Uncertainty, Doubt, & Fear - the Bane of Creatives

How to Optimize Your Attention: 11 Lessons in Mindfulness

5 Thoughtful Holiday Gift Ideas for Writers & Authors


What Your Handwriting Says About You

12 Reasons Reading Widely Is So Important for Writers

How Reading More Inspires Better Writing

hor-line-brown

Business & Economy  ›


Best Pieces of Advice for Localizing Your Marketing Campaigns

Best Pieces of Advice for Localizing Your Marketing Campaigns

Image for Does SEO Still Matter? More than Ever! Here’s Why…

Does SEO Still Matter? More than Ever! Here’s Why…

investor-shaking-hands-with-young-entrepreneurs

Angel Investors: Why Investing in Pre-IPO Companies Is a Smart Move


10 Lame Excuses You Probably Use to Procrastinate

10 Ways Resourceful People Build Resilience & Turn Failure to Success

How to Buy a House or Property With Bad Credit

hor-line-green

Health & Style  ›


Why It's So Important for Physicians to Look at the Big Picture

sad-doctor-leaning-wall-medical-malpractice

5 Medical Malpractice Cases that Require an Attorney's Help

7 Herbal Teas That Help to Calm Down Anxiety

hori-3.jpg

Asbestos Hazard: Your Responsibilities As a Property Owner

hori-3.jpg

Blissful Ways to Pamper Yourself at Low Cost

hori-3.jpg

7 Must-Haves for Hiking, Fishing, and Other Outdoor Activities
 

Home | About Us | Contributors | Submissions | Advertise | Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Contact Us

Follow Us:

twitter_e.jpg linkedin-pg.jpg email-updates_icon.jpg

Committed to quality content and journalistic ethics.

RSS rss

Search WWS search-icon-trans_0_1.png

© 2025 The WWS Daily.