How much does it cost to build an app? The difference between free and $150K apps.
Find out what using a no-code app builder and/or working with freelancers costs, based on your use case and background.
The rise of no-code app builders makes many entrepreneurs and designers wonder: do I still need developers to create an app? Could I save the money and do it myself?
In other words: how much does it cost to build an app from scratch when you don’t know how to code?
And the answer is… 🥁🥁🥁… it depends.
Not the most satisfying answer, I know. But let’s find out what you should expect based on your project’s specs and your personal background.
How much does it cost to build a DIY app?
From $0 to $150 per month
Even if you’ve never looked at a line of code in your life, you can absolutely build a functioning native or web app yourself, using a drag-and-drop builder.
The learning curve will depend on the complexity of your app. The more features you want, the more you’ll need to get into a programming mindset — meaning you’ll have to understand how users interact and how you need the app to respond.
New generation app builders now allow users to customize everything down to the pixel while building advanced workflows. Dynamic content, user authentication, publication to the app stores: you can do it all. It is just a matter of picking the right app builder and dedicating enough time.
Most app builders offer a free plan, which usually comes with vendor branding and limited traffic and functionalities. Paid plans are typically between $25 to $150 per month.
For instance:
- Native app plans with Designware range from $23/month to $79/month
- Web app with workflows with Bubble range from $25/month to $115/month
- Simple work apps with Glide start at $32/month
Katie and Dennis are a great example of two non-technical entrepreneurs who built and launched a professional app on their own.
“The first day, I had no idea what I was doing. But I was able to figure things out,” said Dennis Ashford. “But in the end, we built a functioning app ourselves in 5 months and for just $270.”
You can download FytFeed for iOS and Android and see their fantastic work.
You should consider building your app yourself if:
- You know what you want your app to look and feel like and just need to execute on your vision
OR
- Your app concept is straightforward and can be built with templates
How much does it cost to hire a designer to build an app?
From $3,000 to $15,000
The most common misconception about app development is that it’s all about coding. At Designware, we say that people engage with design, not code.
What makes apps go viral is the quality of their interface and user experience. Is it pretty? Intuitive? Memorable? And while machines can write code for us, they cannot invent unique, sophisticated user experiences. That’s what makes UI/UX design necessary.
If you’re building a customer-facing app for the very first time and want it to look legit, then I recommend you hire a designer to help. Which doesn’t mean you have to break the bank.
If your budget is tight, your best option is to hire someone to create high-quality mockups that you can then recreate in your app builder. But if you’re short on time, there are more and more freelancers and agencies specializing in no-code platforms who can design and assemble your entire app.
For a typical ten-page native app with simple features like user authentication, user profiles, widget integrations, and customizable content feed, here’s what these (highly recommended) professionals would charge you:
• Denis Merg: charges up to 400$ to create interactive (as in clickable) app mockups. His deliverables include a sitemap and detailed user flow, in addition to the prototype.
• Tanveer: charges $5,000 to build your app from scratch, over two weeks
• Low/Code Agency: charges $3,000 to build your app from scratch over a four to six weeks period
Feel free to try some of the apps they’ve built to get an idea of what they can create.
The cost will typically vary depending on:
- The quality of the design: always look at portfolios to make sure you like the provider’s style.
- The number of pages you need: how many unique page designs are required, regardless of the content.
- The functionality you need: make a comprehensive list of the widgets, integrations, and workflows you require before reaching out to the designer.
You should consider hiring a designer to build your app if:
- You want your app to look unique and professional but have limited design skills
OR
- Don’t have the time to figure out a new app builder and do it yourself
How much does it cost to hire a developer to custom code an app?
From $20,000 to $150,000
That’s right — $150,000. But let’s take a closer look at what you can get for this budget. According to the research company GoodFirms:
- A simple app — with user account creation flow, a CMS, and push notifications — costs about $24,830 to $59,150
- A complex app — with additional features such as eCommerce, third-party integrations, and activity feeds — costs from $36,107 to $85,150
- An advanced app — with cutting-edge features such as augmented reality or machine learning — costs between $59,507 to $137,150, on average. There’s no actual limit to what a custom-coded app might cost.
That’s the thing with custom code. Each additional feature takes hours to develop and test and makes your project costs grow exponentially.
But it can be worth it if:
- You need deep integrations to a complex technology stack
OR
- You need unique and tech-forward features or animations that aren’t natively available in app builders
Getting the best value for your money
No-code platforms are a formidable vector of democratization. Regardless of your project goals and technical background, you can now build an app faster and for far less money than ever before.
Not only does it de-risk the whole process, but it allows app creators to free-up time and money to invest in UI/UX. Make your app look like a million bucks. With the help of no-code builders, you can afford it.
