Human life is surrounded by many useful mobile apps. Apps are everywhere, making our lives easier—from grocery shopping and staying fit to managing our finances and trading stocks. Businesses can't afford to miss out on this trend. Creating an Android app can be a game-changer for growth, though it involves various costs and considerations. Embracing this technology can truly set a business apart! The cost of building Android apps for businesses involves a great deal of factors.

The global mobile application market has been experiencing exponential growth, soaring from $228.98 billion in 2023 to $567 billion in 2027. With a CAGR of 14.3% from 2024 to 2030 and increasing to 19 billion by 2030, the mobile app market. In 2023, mobile users globally spend 16 billion hours using mobile apps, up 24.5 percent from 2022. From 2020 to 2023, global users' time spent using and engaging with mobile apps increased steadily.

Android has become the dominant competitor in this space, with over 3 billion active users and a sizable market share. If you're thinking about developing a mobile application for Android, you ought to comprehend the costs involved. Here's an overview of the main factors driving Android app development expenses in 2024.

 Image Source: Statista

The android app revenue as per the above image data, according to the Statista information, shows a gradual increase in the revenue generated from the android mobile applications. Are you wondering if developing a business Android app would be profitable or not? We have tried to cover this query for you;

Is Android App Profitable?

Yes, developing an Android app can be highly profitable due to several reasons. You can monetize your app and increase your earnings from its users. By providing in-app purchasing, advertising, and subscription features. Adding more features to your app can make it more useful for its users and also protect the app from becoming outdated as per modern users needs. With the Google Play Store providing robust app distribution and optimization facilities, it offers revenue growth possibilities for your app to reach a wider audience. Despite facing competitive challenges, the potential for profitability in Android app development for business profitability. Other than this, your business app can reach a larger audience through platforms like Google AdMob and Facebook Audience Network.

Android Development Cost Estimation For Business Purpose

Budgeting for Business Apps? Let’s check out the cost estimation for building Android apps, but first we must start with knowing the average hourly rate of Android App

What Is the Hourly Rate of Android Dev?

The hourly rate of developing an Android mobile application usually costs around  $28 to $65 dollars. This cost may vary as per the experience level of the Android app developer and the region you are hiring the app developer from. This cost can go up when you hire an app developer from a region with a high cost of living.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Mobile App Development?

The cost of app development varies based on various factors, including the types of features of the app, whether it's designed for one or both platforms, its visual quality, and whether you engage freelancers or agencies. Backend requirements involving databases and servers can contribute to the overall cost of developing a mobile app. Regular maintenance, testing, ensuring compliance with regulations, and launch and post-launch marketing efforts will all have an impact on the entire cost of making a business app.

How Much Is the Developer Fee for Android?

The sign-up process for the Google Play Store requires a Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement after review and acceptance of the developer fee for the Android app. Android developer fees usually cost around US$25. This is a one-time registration fee, which can be paid online.

Key Factors for Estimating the Cost of Android App Development

Estimating the cost of Android app development for business purposes involves several key factors:

App Complexity

Mobile app development expenses depend on the complexity of the design of the app. This is the reason why developing simple apps costs less as compared to developing complex mobile apps. Its because complex mobile applications require the addition of multiple advanced app features.

Custom Vs Basic App Design

The custom Android app development cost is high as they require high-end design, whereas simple mobile applications require not only less time but also less budget.

Platform Choice

Depending on the type of your app requirements, impacts the platform choice. Using frameworks like Flutter, React Native, Ionic, Xamarine, Native Script, etc. also leads to varying app development costs. If your approach is to seek expert advice regarding Android app development, then contacting a well reputed android app development service provider for your app idea consultation would be a perfect approach. Moreover, their team of expert Android app developers would also be helpful with your app refinement ideas.

Development Team

The cost of hiring freelancers for app development may seem like a favourable choice in the beginning if your budget is less, but it is a challenge to hire a dedicated freelancer for developing a mobile application. This is why businesses rely mostly on well reputed Android app development agencies for their application needs. This cost may also vary on the basis of the agency's location.

Backend Infrastructure

Includes server and database needs, which affect overall expenses.

Marketing

Budget for promotion before and after the app launch.

App Maintenance

As per the user's demands and technological advancements, regular app updates and support add to the long-term costs related to mobile applications.

Application Testing

Automated app testing is less costly when compared with manual testing.

Security and Compliance

Adding extra security features to an app and meeting the app regulations of the app stores also impacts an app's development cost.

Understanding these factors allows developers to accurately estimate the app development costs for your business app.

Conclusion

Mobile app development expenses, as per the above Android development cost estimation and app development cost analysis, depend on the type of frameworks you choose, the kind of app developer you hire for developing business apps. Apart from these factors, the custom Android app development cost is a bit high as compared to an app with regular app features. Your Android app development budget may change as per the region, agency location, app features, and framework you choose for your mobile app. But the average Android app development cost can range from $20,000 to over $300,000, depending on your app requirements.