You may come across the name "Google" or even "Android" at least once a day, if not more. It is the extent of its popularity.

Play Store statistics reveal that Google Play's revenue for 2018 estimate at $34.4 billion, a rise of 27.8% in the last year's amount. It evidences enough of the strange growth of the Play Store, previously known as the Android Market. To add to its top, the Play Store sees the daily app downloads of almost 250 million.

If you need more hard reasons as to why Android apps are famous among the developers and businesses alike, then let's head towards the benefits of developing an Android app.

Table Of Content:

• Why Business Opt for Android App Development?
• Method to Estimate Android App Development Cost
• Parts Contributing to the Cost to Develop Android App
• An Example of Android vs. iOS App Development Cost

Why Business Opt for Android App Development?

A Vast Customer Base

You are not a stranger to the reputation of the Android platform among the users. This place support by the fact that the app downloads of Android for 1H 2018 and 2019 risen by 16.4%, amounting to 41.9 billion downloads. It implies that as a business, your app can enjoy the exhibition to a million users and will ultimately attract more powerful ROI.

Highly Cost-effective

It is a recognized fact that Android in opposition to Apple is more cost-efficient, so obviously, this feature also passes down to the cost to develop an Android app. Android apps are cost-effective as there is a one-time payment of $25 at the point of registration. What is more, there is a broad range of libraries and tools available for app development, which moreover makes the entire development process less expensive.

Easy Integration

The android platform grants inside app integration along with useful customization matching the need of the business by providing the required tools. These apps are simple to integrate with third-party APIs, which helps in minimizing the development time.

Devices and Compatibility

Another advantage of developing Android apps is that they are compatible with a myriad of tools accessible in the market. Because Android rules the market, there are a significant fraction of manufacturers (One Plus, Samsung, etc.) developing devices for the Android platform. One of the essential reasons behind this is the affordability of Android-powered devices in relating to that of Apple.

Highly Customizable

Android applications are extremely customizable because Play Store guidelines give a lot of room for innovation. As a business, your app should reflect your business vision, and this precisely can be achieved with Android mobile app development. Android renders excellent scalability as well, which is a vital point for any startup or still a fully-grown company as well.

Now, if you are fascinated with the Android platform, you would want more data before accepting it for your mobile app development needs. So simply, the next thing you will remember about is the vital question of  “How Much Does an Android App Development Cost?”

Though it is difficult to assign a fixed number, we can work our way about some prominent parts that heavily contribute to managing the cost of every Android app. But ere that, let's see how the Android application development cost analyzing method looks.

Formula to Estimate Android App Development Cost

To effectively forecast the cost of Android application development, a way has been curated. It includes the price of time (in hours) taken in the Android app development, which increases with the billable hours of the resources consumed in the whole development process.

Factors Adding to the Cost to Develop Android App

Process of App Discovery

It is the beginning and also a critical stage in the process of app development. App Discovery is the process of validating and justifying the app idea. There are several methods and ways used by the Android application builders to accomplish this task, and one of them is Design Sprint. This process can last up to 5 days, if not more.

Let's have a look at the ways employed in the App Discovery process leading up to the final development cost of the android app.

Research and Analysis of the Market

Numerous activities make up this process, which significantly contributes to the cost of developing an Android app. The investigation of the market includes competitor analysis. In this, we focus mainly on areas such as devices used by clients, in-demand and appreciated features, and also the parts posing as a hurdle in excellent user experience.

By analyzing the applications alike to the app idea, here we set our expectations regarding what features may get included in the app.

Setting User Personas

Creating user personas is an essential cog in the machinery of active Android app development. By determining the reasons behind the decisions and actions of the users, it will become easy to establish factors such as app size, UX/UI of the application, must-have features, and a lot more extra. Doing this ridiculous helps in the Android app development cost analysis.

Market Capitalization

It is at this step, we put a calculation on the app idea, in terms of its market value. Some of the significant contributors to defining the market value of the price are:

• The potential of the app to bring users
• Create revenue and higher ROI
• The cost of funding can increase.

In short, the complete process of App Discovery is bound around the attributes and features any Android application must have to defeat its contenders.

Android Application Scoping and Analysis

This process consists of reliable decisions that are made about the application, such as its features, tech-stack, functionalities, etc.

Level of App Complexity

One of the features which contribute to an application considered as "Efficient" and ridiculous is the diversity of the features it has. So, let's have a look at some essential elements that add up to the Android app building cost.

• Model of Deployment Architecture

telling of backend development, it consists of two kinds – Custom and BaaS.

In the Baas development, you will provide a readymade backend architecture, allowing less room for modified. On the other hand of the table, Custom backend development gives an architecture that is built from scratch, complementing a specific application. 

• Integration of Third-Party App

A lot of times, applications require to interact with other third-party applications to execute particular functions. These functions can be anything from using Facebook or Google to sign up to interact with a commercial application for in-app buying. Services such as these make third-party integration apps a necessary feature.

• Construction of Admin Panel

An Admin Panel is an essential part of any application as it provides the users to have a record of the activities and functions performed in the app, analyze statistics related to the app, and also update the content on the application without affecting the Android app developers.

• In-app Purchase Functionality

Several apps nowadays allow users to perform financial transactions from within the application with the guidance of in-app purchases, which reduces the app's dependency on other modes of payment. So, doing this is going to increase the development cost of an android app.

• Using Device’s Hardware

Sometimes, applications need access to the hardware's functionality. Say, the applications may demand to use some functions like GPS Bluetooth for that thing. In which situation, it is a vital feature to add and will provide to the rise in the cost of Android application development.

Category and Type of App

The price of Android app development relies on what kind of Android app is being created. There are several categories we can divide the Android applications in, and they all come with their functionalities, demographics, security criteria, and more.

• M-Commerce Apps

M-Commerce applications are at the top of their popularity and continue to stand high in the market. These applications have decreased the need for brick and mortar websites and stores to a significant amount.

Now, all this was possible because of these apps load with various features that allow the app to perform effectively in real-time, handle millions of users at once, and have robust security. It is evident that due to such features, the price for m-Commerce is a little abrupt.

• Stand-Alone Apps

Stand-alone apps are the ones that do not want third-party integration, meaning they are not reliant on any device's functions and features. To state an example, apps like Clock, Calculator, Calendar,  and more come under this category. These applications are straightforward, so by default, the cost of app development is low.

• Enterprise Apps

Enterprise applications are more specific. It is because they cater to a particular user demographics, i.e., employees of any organization to act out specialized functions. These applications highly need scope and scalability for changes and to be in coordination with the differences in the companies. Due to this, the cost of business apps tends to be on the pricier view.

• Social Networking Apps

No surprise, social networking applications are all the trend nowadays as they perform numerous functions. They are developed with third-party combinations and provide the capability to access hardware functions such as audio recorders, Cameras, etc.

What is more, social networking apps are incredibly scalable, for they have to support millions of users at a point. As an outcome, their cost tends to be higher than the price of some complex Android apps.

• Hardware-dependent Apps

All the IoT-based applications serve to be highly dependent on hardware devices for executing actions like sending commands or extracting data for an appropriate response. This function is enabled by implementing specific ROMs, hence affecting the ultimate cost of Android mobile app development.

• On-demand Apps

Even the most naive of on-demand applications has three versions- for users, for individuals giving services, and for the company.

Some essential features of on-demand apps include in-app payments, chat support, real-time tracking, and data syncing. So, as an output, the price to develop an Android app based on the on-demand design ranks raised.

Android App Animation and Design

The design and animation of any Android app are again important factors affecting its development price. There are designs and animations out there; the costs for implementing them can vary depending on the quality and type of these designs.

• UI Design

Material Design is the kind of design that is utilized for the development of an Android app to add a sense of creativity and simplistic boldness in the mobile app prototypes. Whereas, for iOS, Flat Design is absolute. So evidently, the price of Android app design is another groove in the belt that provides to the final cost.

• Wireframing

To create compelling user experience features and maps, Wireframing employs by the developers. Specialized tools like Photoshop, Balsamiq, and MARVEL is using. What is more extra, wireframes are always client-approved to generate an application screen flow.

• Animation

Animation has become a remarkable way to make certain aspects of any application exciting and intuitive. More often than not, social media and gaming applications employ animations to a high degree. However, the design and coding in animations is a complicated process, marking an increase in the price of any Android app that practices it.

App deployment on Play Store

Everything leads up to this obvious point. Successfully tendering an app on the Play Store plays an indispensable role in the successful fulfillment of the development process. However, particular requirements must be recognized. Play Store guidelines to need to be followed.

Additionally, there is a single-time fee of $25 that Google prices for submitting applications.

Android App Maintenance

The process for app development does not finish with the application successfully getting announced on the Play Store; there is much more advanced to do, i.e., App maintenance. However, extraordinary this step is, the support cost of Android apps ultimately adds up to the ultimate amount of total price.

• Version Updates

Your app will become stagnant and mostly obsolete if it does not get updated with the latest updates in the operating system. Modernizing the application will assure that it is compatible with the latest changes in the OS and is performing well.

• Improvising App Design

The changes in technology and the preferences of the users, we lead to change a lot of things for the more reliable, so why not app design? There is a high requirement for improving the app design to meet users' needs and deliver the perfect user experience.

• Squashing Bugs

Bugs are the one tricky part that can enter your application even when you take earnest attempts for prevention. In this case, it is essential to continually check for issues in the app that are becoming an obstacle in a smooth user experience and correct them as soon as detected.

Size of Development Team

The total price of developing the Android app massively depends on who you prefer for app development. There are two options at hand – a freelance developer or a proficient app development company.

If you are selecting a startup development organization or even a group of freelance Android app developers, the price of the developed app will amount to below. The reason for it is they will entirely focus on improving their portfolio, and financial gains will come next in the priority record. 

An organization with a bigger team capacity will concentrate on customers who can pay more extra as it has a lot of sounds to feed. However, the quality of the end outcome will be deserving of it and will be better for that of freelance developers. It is because an institution has entree to the latest tech-stack and experts who work diligently in creating the applications the most beneficial it can be.

However, some remarkable Android development companies are delivering excellent mobility solutions at a low cost, posing as a perfect fit for startups.

It is how a team size flow of significant capital Android app development organizations looks.

Android Application Development Location

The location factor also performs a focal role in preparing the overall cost of app development. The same services can vary vastly in price and quality around the world, because of various factors governing all-region.

The change is necessary to notice within the west and the east, as shown in the map below. It is seen that the Android app development cost in India is way less if associated with the USA or any other western country.

A Comparison of iOS or Android App Development Cost

Cost As Per Hourly price

Well, the cost of every application depends on how many times it needed to develop a particular application and also the technology used in the process. Now, Android apps produce using the Java programming language, whereas iOS applications base on Objective-C and Swift. It is seen that the developers of the following words can charge from 10% to 15% more in comparison to Java developers. It shows that Android apps less price than iOS in this respect.

App Designing

The difference between the time given on developing engaging and inherent UI Design for both iOS and Android apps is minimal.there is a lot of room for innovation and experimentation in the Android application development due to the adjustable guidelines of Google.

Testing Process

When it comes to the examination of Android apps, it can be a challenging responsibility for the developers. As denied to the iOS app development, an Android application wants to be tested across various screen resolutions and displays to get a more centralized and enhanced user experience. 

App Launch

Due to the austere Apple Guidelines, it becomes difficult for developers to get the application realized. Whereas Google does not have limited entry. However, the updated Google policy may recommend some limitations in the process of app adoption. Additionally, Apple costs a total of $99 per year, which is way more than $25 of Google Play as a one-time fee.