App Development Cost – 5 Key Factors That Directly Impact the Price

Many businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of having a mobile application to serve customers, optimize operations, and boost revenue. However, one of the most common questions before getting started is: “How much does it cost to develop an app?” or “Is building an app expensive?”

In reality, there is no fixed number for app development costs. The price depends on various factors — from the chosen platform and features to the design and post-launch upgrade strategy. Below are five key factors you should know to estimate your budget more accurately.

1. App development platform (iOS, Android, or cross-platform)

Costs will vary depending on the platform you choose:

• iOS or Android only (native apps): Developing natively for each operating system delivers the best performance but is more expensive since you’ll need two separate codebases if you want both iOS and Android versions.
• Cross-platform apps: Using frameworks like Flutter or React Native can save time and reduce costs, although sometimes with slight limitations compared to fully native development.

Engma’s experience: For most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), cross-platform development is a cost-effective choice that still ensures a smooth user experience.

2. Basic and advanced features

Features directly affect the app development price:

• Basic features: User registration/login, profile management, product/service listings, shopping cart, maps, push notifications.
• Advanced features: Real-time chat, AI-based recommendations, personalized experiences, video calls, user behavior analytics, IoT connectivity…

The more complex the features, the longer the development and testing process — which means higher costs.

3. UI/UX design — First impressions matter

A well-designed interface and smooth user experience don’t just attract users but also reduce app abandonment. High-quality UI/UX requires multiple steps: customer behavior research, wireframing, prototyping, and professional visual design.

Note: Designing separately for iOS and Android may increase costs compared to a unified cross-platform design.

4. System & third-party integrations (APIs)

Modern apps often need to connect with other systems:

• Online payments: Momo, ZaloPay, Stripe, PayPal…
• Data & CRM management: Integrations with ERP and CRM systems like Odoo, Salesforce…
• Maps & location services: Google Maps API, GPS tracking…

Each integration requires research, development, and testing time — significantly impacting the overall app development cost.

5. Maintenance and upgrades after launch

The cost doesn’t end once your app is live. After launch, businesses need to:

• Maintain: Fix bugs, update security patches, and ensure compatibility with new iOS/Android versions.
• Upgrade: Improve performance, add new features as business needs evolve.

Planning a recurring maintenance budget helps you stay proactive and avoid interruptions to the user experience.

Engma — Cost-optimized & effective mobile app development

At Engma, we don’t just code apps — we strategically advise on cost optimization while ensuring high performance, scalability, and alignment with your business model.

• Recommend the right platform (iOS, Android, or cross-platform)
• Professional UI/UX design for seamless user experience
• Flexible system integrations (CRM, ERP, payments, APIs)
• Continuous maintenance & feature upgrades to maximize ROI

???? Contact Engma today to get a detailed quote and tailored mobile app development plan that fits your budget:
Website: www.engma.com.vn
Email: info@engma.com.vn
Hotline: +84 938136444