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. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 estimate of your cost 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. 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 app, 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 a nutshell, 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 app.
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 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.
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.
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 estimate of 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. As you have to pay them more in terms of providing the 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 is five times more than developers in Asia, holding the same expertise.
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.
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 that it is working 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, first, ask your tech partner to help you visualize your idea. 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. To learn more, you can read this article about the characteristics of agile software development.
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
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. 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. 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
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 estimate, book a free consultation with our experts.
7. What is the average cost to develop an iPhone app in Singapore?
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
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.
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 estimate among other important information like risk factors associated with developing your app.
