You must be here for either of these two reasons! You already have an idea and are ready to start the development or you are just doing window shopping. So, let’s save you some time and straightaway talk about the cost of developing an app in Singapore.
1. App Prototype: An app prototype costs around SGD $5000 – $7000. It’s important to keep in mind that the cost of an app prototype is just one aspect of the overall app development budget for making an app.
2. Basic Apps: With a less experienced developer, you can build a basic app within SGD 10,000. But a more experienced developer builds the same app within the range of SGD 15,000 – SGD 20,000. This huge difference in the cost reflects in the code quality.
3. On-Demand Apps: You may need to spend up to SGD 45,000 for building an on-demand service app, as multiple users are involved in the process.
4. Complex Apps: If your app has a long list of modules that are complex to build and need custom plugins or APIs to work, the cost can reach up to SGD 80,000 – SGD 200K.
Wondering how to get a rough app development cost estimate for yourself? Precisely, you have three options:
- The best way is to reach out to an app development company for a free consultation.
- The easy way is to use an app cost estimation tool. Here we have compiled a list of app cost calculators that can give you a better idea.
- This is a little complicated as you have to identify and understand the factors that influence the cost of building a mobile app.
Chose the hard way? Worry not, we have got you covered. This article covers all the aspects that you need to know to identify the cost of developing an app in Singapore.
App development is an elaborate process and the total cost to build an app depends on a lot of factors. Again, some of these factors include the type of app, industry, features, technology stack, the experience of developers, and much more.
Before we start talking about the factors that influence the cost of developing an application, it is important to take a look at the app development landscape in Singapore.
The Mobile App Landscape in Singapore
Singapore is one of the most important markets in the South East Asian Region.
- To be precise, Singaporeans are among the most active mobile internet users in the world, with a penetration rate of 93.74 percent.
- 43% of apps developed in Singapore are published on both iOS and Android.
- People in Indonesia and Singapore are spending more than 5.7 hours a day on their mobile phones.
- Singaporeans use approximately 12 apps a day, which is higher than the global average.
With a dynamic market, this country has a strong economic hold in manufacturing, finance, medical technology, healthcare, aerospace engineering, and the clean energy sector. In short, Singapore has a very vibrant mobile app landscape. Apps are now inevitable and lucrative in most parts of the world, with Singapore leading the way.
If you are still going through the product discovery process, it’s best to look up to the latest mobile app development trends. Now, let’s talk about the factors that influence the cost of developing an application.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Building a Mobile App
As mentioned earlier, the cost of an app can vary depending on different factors like technology stack, the location of your development team, the complexity of the app, and more. Let’s break down these factors individually for a better understanding.
1. Size of Your Application
How many user types will your application have? Businesses within food, healthcare, finance, etc may require multiple user types (customer, vendor, admin, super admin) in the application. And similarly for each user type, you may need to build a separate app, which increases the number of required screens and hence impacts the overall number of hours required to design, develop and test the app.
Not to mention, another aspect is the type of app version you choose to create first. For your quick reference, here’s the cost comparison of the different app versions.
2. Use Case of Your App
Considering the current market trends, most of the apps these days have some common features like the option to chat, send push notifications, in-app purchases, payment integrations, etc. But some uncommon features like the use of blockchain technology for added security, AR/VR for immersive user experience, AI for better engagement with personalized offers, etc.
To build such complex features or modules, developers need more time, hence again increasing the overall number of hours required to build the backend of your app.
In case you want to skip reading about the factors that affect the cost of developing an app in Singapore, here’s a quick video for you!
3. Stack of Technologies
To hire developers with experience in certain technologies that are best suited for building powerful applications, you may need to pay more hourly rates.
That’s why most businesses these days prefer building cross-platform apps using React Native or Flutter. But enterprises or startups that have a complex product prefer going with native apps like iOS or Android.
Choosing the right tech stack is usually a tough decision. So, it’s better to take help from experts. Leading the industry for more than a decade, Applify understands what goes into building a successful app. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation.
Apple also has stricter app verification guidelines and higher costs for publishing apps.
Cost of Developing an App in Singapore: iOS vs Android
Here’s a quick app development cost breakdown for building an app with a native approach.
- The cost to build a sophisticated social media app like Facebook and Snapchat for iOS is approximately SGD 70,000 whereas for Android it may cost up to SGD 55,000.
- Uber for iOS may cost up to SGD 85,000 while the Android app development cost would be roughly SGD 65,000.
- An eCommerce application as sophisticated as Amazon may cost you up to SGD 55,000 for iOS and SGD 45,000.
Although the cost of building an app varies depending on many things, Android apps tend to cost less than iOS apps. Simply because the number of hours required to build an iOS app is more in comparison to an Android version.
Apple also has stricter app verification guidelines and higher costs for publishing apps.
4. Location of Your Team
If you don’t have a tech team already, then setting up a team of local developers can be expensive. Of course, you have to pay them more in terms of providing software and hardware support along with other employee benefits.
Whereas, with a plug-and-play model, you can hire app developer as and when required, resulting in reducing the overall cost of development by up to 60%.
Simply, the reason is that the hourly cost of developers varies depending on their location. For reference, the hourly fees of a developer in the USA are five times more than developers in Asia, holding the same expertise.
In reality, that’s why businesses across the West and European regions prefer setting up a remote team in India, the Philippines, and other Asian countries. Even Google and Microsoft have their development centers in India.
Now, let’s compile the list of things required to create a mobile app.
How Much Does it Cost to Run an App?
Once your app is deployed on the market, its lifecycle has just begun. Attracting users means more load on your servers and increased responsibility for your app.
This is where mobile app support and maintenance become essential. Above all, maintenance is one of the most critical stages of the mobile app development lifecycle, so it’s important to set aside a separate budget for app maintenance.
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at how much does it cost to run an app. Let’s dive in!
1. Hosting Services
As a developer, you’re aware that hosting is an ongoing cost that’s essential for your app’s functionality. With this in mind, you can allocate your app maintenance and support budget to get limited-time access to the server.
However, the type of app data you have, CPU memory, supporting media types, and other features offered by the hosting provider will also affect your decision.
Several prominent companies, such as Amazon Web Services and Hostgator, provide exclusive offers and discounts on their hosting services which can ultimately reduce your mobile app maintenance costs.
2. Monitor Traffic With App Analytics
Analytics is crucial for measuring the real growth of your application, and as such, app maintenance and support costs for analytics cannot be avoided. Analytics will require the cost of app maintenance for services such as traffic measures, traffic sources, user behavior, and average app usage time.
Additionally, tools like Google Analytics, Firebase, Mixpanel, etc can help you identify which part of your application is experiencing more growth, allowing you to take inspiration from it or focus on maintaining its growth.
Here is an article with the top trending app analytics tool.
3. Enhancing User Experience
Actively seeking and implementing customer feedback shows their value and increases satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, by incorporating user feedback into their products and services, businesses can create offerings that better meet their customers’ needs and expectations.
This is where UX design comes into the picture and makes your digital product/service more useful for the end users.
If you don’t know this already, check out this guide on the importance of UX design in the digital world.
4. Bug Fixing
Regular updates can swiftly fix bugs and improve the user experience. Most apps require updates, and the cost of updates varies depending on several factors.
For example, fixing a single bug in a line of code may cost around $50, while updating a functional aspect could take a few weeks and cost between $1,000-$2,000. Therefore, the prices are typically based on the size of the app and the nature of changes in functionality.
As an app owner, it’s important to consider the maintenance of such aspects.
5. App Marketing Strategies
Developing and publishing apps is only part of the responsibility. Users must be informed of any changes made to the app to build trust, especially if these modifications impact the privacy, data, or payment information of users.
Plus, promotional activities will need to be done for every new upgrade or modification in the app, incurring costs that cannot be avoided and ultimately increasing your Android or iOS app maintenance costs.
Looking to market your app but don’t know the exact strategy to follow? Our guide on how to market an app can help you build the right strategy.
6. Third-Party Services
When developing your app, you may choose to use licensed technology for a fee. Apps such as Uber and Zomato utilize Gmail account services for seamless feature integration in the app. Therefore, when using third-party services, it’s important to calculate these costs to determine the budget for making an app.
7. Upgrading features and functionalities
You may have noticed that many popular apps add something new to stand out.
For instance, gaming apps like Subway Surfer or Temple Run invest in upgrading their graphics, while food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy incorporate live tracking systems for their orders, which undoubtedly improves user satisfaction.
However, these additions will add to the overall mobile app maintenance costs.
Looking to add more features to your mobile app? Our guide on trending and popular features in mobile app can help you build a featured-packed app.
Checklist to Create a Mobile App for Your Business
Creating an app for your business can be a time-consuming and expensive affair. But if you follow the steps correctly, it’s not that difficult. Let us look at some of the basic things you need to do before getting started.
1. Documentation is key
Before you start creating an app, you must define your app objectives and USPs. You can do this easily by asking yourself why you want to create a mobile app in the first place. The reasons may vary from solving a problem to achieving certain business or personal goals.
This process will help you at different stages in the process:
- Making it easy for developers to understand your vision.
- Ensuring that all your team members are on the same page.
- Preparing the investor pitch for raising funds.
- Creating app marketing strategies.
2. Build your App Architecture
It’s really important to conceptualize how your app is going to work. You can leave the rest for user experience research teams to figure out. With an understanding of app architecture and their research, UX experts can build your app layout that dictates the core functionality and modules of your digital product.
3. UX Design and Wireframing
Once you have defined your app objectives and created a layout, it’s time to create visual guides (wireframes) to represent the app layout and flow between screens. At this stage, if you are just looking for your app idea validation, we’d recommend you consult a reliable mobile app design service partner in Singapore.
4. Design, Build, and Iterate
As soon as your app prototype is ready, it’s time to start designing the UI. The next step is to build a robust backend to support the app functionality. Again, your tech partner can help you in selecting the right technology stack for your app.
5. Test and Launch
An app build includes a lot of modules for which a project manager creates different sprints. At the end of each sprint, a QA will thoroughly test the app and ensure it works smoothly at every step. After the successful completion of all sprints, your app developers can then launch your app in the app stores.
Need expert help to develop a mobile app for your business? Applify is a top-rated digital product development company in Singapore with expertise in building award-winning apps for mobile, web, wearables, and smart TVs.
3 Significant Ways to Reduce Your App Development Cost
The use of the internet has significantly increased in the past five years. And since 98% of the world’s population owns a smartphone, having a mobile app can help you reach a large audience.
That’s why having a digital presence is more than important in today’s digitally advanced world. Not only is it good for your business growth but also reaches a global audience within a short period.
Especially for new startups and small businesses, building a mobile app can make a world of difference. Following are the 6 ways that can help you to stick to your app development budget and cut short any extra costs.
1. Prototype First
Rather than going for app development directly, ask your tech partner to help you visualize your idea first. You can either choose to build an app prototype or an MVP version. There are three reasons to prioritize this:
- Find if your idea is focusing on the user’s pain points.
- Start building a pipeline of early app users and get their feedback.
- Evaluate if your development team is the right fit for building your app.
2. Use Open-Source Technologies
Open-source technologies can be used to build the app, which can save you money on licensing fees. Examples include React Native or Flutter, and Node.js for backend development.
3. Use Agile Development Methodology
Agile development methodology involves building the app in small increments, which can help you avoid costly mistakes and pivot quickly if needed. In case, you want to learn more, read this article about the characteristics of agile software development.
Cheapest Way to Build an App
Developing a mobile app can be a costly endeavor, but it doesn’t always have to break the bank. By employing smart strategies and making informed decisions, you find the cheapest way to build an app without compromising on quality. Here are valuable tips to help you navigate the cost-effective path to successful app development.
1. Determine the Core Features
To keep costs down, it’s essential to define the core features of your app. Identify the functionalities that are crucial for your app’s purpose and prioritize them. This approach will help you avoid unnecessary complexities and development costs associated with additional features that may not be essential at the initial stage.
2. Cross-Platform Development
Developing separate apps for different platforms like iOS and Android can be expensive. Instead, consider cross-platform development frameworks like React Native or Flutter. These frameworks allow you to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms, saving both time and money.
Unlock the potential of cross-platform development and revolutionize your app development process with our ultimate guide on the advantages of cross-platform mobile app development.
3. Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Launching an MVP is an excellent cost-saving strategy. By releasing an app with minimal features, you can gather valuable user feedback and iterate based on user preferences. This iterative development approach not only reduces costs but also ensures that you are building an app that meets user needs.
4. Outsourcing and Freelancers
Consider outsourcing certain aspects of your app development to freelancers or offshore development teams. This option can be cost-effective, as it allows you to tap into global talent pools with varying price ranges. Ensure you carefully evaluate the expertise and reputation of the freelancers or agencies you choose to work with to maintain quality standards.
5. Use App Builders
App builders or no-code/low-code platforms offer pre-built templates and drag-and-drop interfaces, allowing you to create a basic app without extensive coding knowledge. These tools can be budget-friendly option for simple apps or prototypes, although they may have limitations in terms of customization and scalability.
6. Open-Source Solutions
Leveraging open-source technologies and libraries can significantly reduce development costs. Many reputable open-source frameworks, tools, and libraries are available for various functionalities, from UI design to backend development. By utilizing these resources, you can save both time and money while benefiting from community-driven support and continuous updates.
7. Cloud-Based Backend Services
Instead of building and maintaining your own backend infrastructure, consider utilizing cloud-based backend services such as Firebase or AWS. These platforms offer scalable and cost-efficient solutions for data storage, authentication, and server-side functionality, eliminating the need for extensive backend development.
Discover the limitless possibilities of distributed cloud computing with our complete guide.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have more queries? Don’t worry! Here’s the compilation of questions and their respective answers that are commonly asked by people who are in the process of building a mobile application.
1. What are the typical stages of mobile app development?
Mobile app development typically involves the following stages:
- Ideation and planning
- Design and prototyping
- Development and coding
- Testing and quality assurance
- Deployment and launch
- Maintenance and updates
Given that, the exact timeline and processes can vary depending on the complexity and scope of the app. You can refer to our guide to developing a mobile app from scratch for more clarity.
2. What programming languages are commonly used for mobile app development in Singapore?
The most commonly used programming languages for mobile app development in Singapore are Java and Kotlin for Android apps, and Swift and Objective-C for iOS apps. To put it differently, other popular tools and frameworks include React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin for cross-platform development.
3. How do I choose the right mobile app development partner in Singapore?
When choosing a mobile app development partner in Singapore, it’s important to consider factors such as their experience, portfolio, industry expertise, communication and collaboration skills, project management processes, and pricing and delivery models.
You may also want to read reviews and ask for references or case studies to assess their track record and client satisfaction. On the other hand, for your ease, feel free to explore this list of top app development companies in Singapore.
4. What is the time taken to develop a mobile app in Singapore?
The time taken to develop a mobile app in Singapore can vary depending on various factors such as the:
- The complexity of the app
- Features required
- Technology stack
- Your app development team size
- Development methodology
To point out, a simple mobile app with basic features could take anywhere from 2 to 4 months to develop. However, a more complex app with advanced features and integrations could take 6 months to a year or even longer.
5. Will I be updated on the status of my app development project?
At Applify, we keep our clients updated on their app development status via constant communication. Here are some suggestions to ensure that everyone is on the same page:
- Use project management tools: Utilize project management tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira to keep track of the progress of your project. These tools allow you to create tasks, assign them to team members, set deadlines, and track progress.
- Schedule regular meetings: Set up regular meetings with your development team to discuss the progress of the project. You can use video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet to conduct these meetings.
- Use project status reports: Have your team send you regular project status reports that outline progress, issues, and upcoming milestones. These reports can be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly depending on the size of the project.
- Utilize project dashboards: Set up a project dashboard that displays key performance indicators (KPIs) related to your project’s progress. This allows you to quickly see the project’s status at a glance.
6. How much does eCommerce mobile app development cost in Singapore?
On average, the cost of developing an eCommerce mobile app in Singapore can range from SGD 10,000 to SGD 100,000 or more. For a precise app development cost estimate, book a free consultation with our experts.
7. What is the average cost to develop an iPhone app in Singapore?
Hence, the average cost to develop an iPhone app in Singapore is typically between SGD 30,000 to SGD 100,000 or more. For a precise quote, get in touch and our business team will be happy to consult you for FREE. We are an award-winning iOS app development company in Singapore, specializing in creating solutions backed by extensive user research.
Conclusion
However, in a nutshell, app development is a very complicated process. For this reason, the cost of developing an app in Singapore or any other country isn’t set in stone.
Thus, there are very many variables ranging from the experience of the developers to the type of app, complexity, the OS the app will run on, and the size of the development team among many other factors.
It’s, therefore, better to seek the expertise of a mobile app development company in Singapore to be able to get an accurate cost app development cost estimate among other important information like risk factors associated with developing your app.
