Why is iOS Development Costly?

Sticker shock over iOS Development costs? We have to take into consideration; design, functionality, programming and ultimately Apple, let’s take a look.

Why is iOS Development Costly?

Image Source: Apple

It is normally seen that iOS apps are more costly than compared with other platforms like Hybrid, Android, Windows and several more.

According to Clutch, the average cost for Swift app development for iOS with US and UK-based companies is $50,000. However, the actual price of your app can depend on multiple factors like the technology stack, architecture, scalability plans, and possible user journeys.

The apps are generally inexpensive; but it’s the design and engineering that is costly. If you look in the App Store, you will see millions of different applications. These were all developed by independent developers, yet loads of these applications will never produce a penny.

A different set of applications serves as the bases of billion dollar production. Solo developers usually don’t develop these applications; instead they are manufactured by a group of designers and developers. These groups range in size from small 3 person teams to big enterprise groups that hire hundreds of engineers.

Like hundreds of engineers at Twitter, Facebook, FitBit, Google, and many other widespread groups of the applicant industry.

They require hundreds of well talented designers and developers, but it does not matter with all kinds of businesses. I have seen many small companies that are comprised of applicant developers that are also widespread in the extensive market.

But, my purpose from this article is concerning “Why is iOS development costly”?

To understand it well, take a glance on below stated reasons: –

1.    DEVICE AND OS

Developing an application for internal users, where you’ve control over platforms and devices will be supported, is of course less costly than doing so in a BYOD (bring-your-own-device) or external surroundings.

For BYOD or external users, you should accept that the application will have to work through every mobile handset and platform. Early, the verdict is focused on which OS you will support; you’ll choose on how to support cross-platform applications later in the development practice.

2.    HTML5 OR NATIVE WEB APP

This is mostly a thin against thick client decision focused on the user understanding. Native applications are developed in the operating system’s specific language (for example, Objective C or Java) while web applications are developed out as web pages and not rely on a particular OS language.

HTML5 web applications are inexpensive to build than OS-specific applications, but they normally result in a very altered and less than ideal user experience than applications in the native Operating System language.

3.    USER AUTHENTICATION

This is particularly significant concern for enterprise applications. Whereas the built expenses for non-secure apps are lower, most enterprise apps necessitate user logins with protected access and a protected integration channel into the company’s LDAP. This needs cooperation and effort amongst the application manufacturing team and the enterprise system development group to confirm unified integration.

4.    INCORPORATION WITH ENTERPRISE SYSTEM

An application can either be integrated or stand-alone within an enterprise system. If your application won’t need enterprise system, enterprise data, or corporate access, or central business logic, the rate will be considerably lower and restricted to only application development.

5.    APPLICATION DISTRIBUTION

There are many sharing channels that will deploy your application, and each has its specific set of expenses. Let’s say, commercial channels like Google Play and iTunes charge almost $100 for developer authorization charges. Obviously, the application needs endorsement by its hosts to guarantee security standards and policies are encountered.

6.    CUSTOM ADD-ONS FOR CONSUMERS APPLICATIONS

For many customer focused applications, you may want to consider profits and traffic producing tools to boost your ROI and improve the user experience.

7.    MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

Mobile application development expenses don’t close with distribution. User response is generally fast and comprises suggestions, problems, and improvement demands. It is a good idea to hold the development group for some time after distribution so there is rapid response to negative response, which may even contain releasing solutions and improvements.

These are the reasons that affect the cost of development practice. iOS apps are no doubt costly, but widely used for multiple businesses. Some features are excellent for business like Higher ROI and revenue, flawless quality standards rendering a high chance for your application to perform impressively, instant global exposure, real-time customers, robust security for business data and information.

The truth is that Android development costs about the same as iOS development. The only thing is that the variety of Android devices and screen sizes make this environment harder to work in and, therefore, Android apps might take a bit longer to develop.

Cost of apps also depends on its complexity, applications having basic features, standard UI components and simple backend predefined templates & analytic features are simple apps. Mid-level apps comprised of custom UI, integration with APIs, real-time messaging and simple back-end defines a mild complexity application. Whereas, complex apps contain custom animation, media processing, real-time sync and complex back-end.