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Mobile App Development Cost in Dubai – Simple Budgeting Tips

Mobile App Development Cost in Dubai

So, finally, you have decided to develop an app for your business.

What is the first thing that comes to their mind?

Mobile app development cost in Dubai

There is no denying that cost is the number one deciding factor when business owners consider large-scale investments such as mobile app development. However, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to building a mobile app. It is difficult to determine how much does it cost to build an app. Mobile app development cost in Dubai is dependent on several factors such as app type, the complexity of functions, development platform, the level of UI, and much more.

Obviously, you can’t get a high-quality app within a few dollars. Similarly, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete your mobile app development project doesn’t make any sense. Therefore, creating a budget for your mobile app development project is a sensible approach to build a robust and intuitive mobile app.

If you want to know the mobile app development cost, here are some easy tips you can follow to create a budget for your app development project and ensure your app success.

Let’s begin.

How to Create a Budget for Your Mobile App?

–          Determine the Type of App You Want

When it comes to setting aside a budget for your app development project, it is important to determine the type of app and a set of functionalities, timeline, and the goal of developing your app. Mobile app development costs depending on the complexity and the type of app. As the complexity and features increase, so does the cost.

If you want to integrate all the advanced functions into your app, it will make the development process more complicated and expensive. Furthermore, the cost of building a mobile app also depends on some other factors, including:

–          UI design

–          Backend development

–          Security features

–          Architecture

–          App testing

For instance, the design and development of a fintech app or gaming app is more expensive than building a simple app with basic features and functionalities. Before starting your android app development project, it is advised to finalize the type of app you want to develop for your business.

There are a number of popular categories available in the app store; choose the one that best suits your development, budget, and business needs.

  • Games
  • Business
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Utilities
  • Travel
  • Health and Fitness
  • Book
  • Food and Drink
  • Productivity
  • Music
  • Finance
  • Photo and Video
  • Reference
  • Sports
  • Social networking

Once you find the type of category you want to build, it will make it easier to decide the features and design elements you can add to your app. When you know your app’s core functionality and complexity, it will make it easier to create a budget for your app and decide the mobile app development cost.

Understanding the App Development Approach

The app development approach is one of the most important factors that greatly influence the cost of building an app. If you choose to develop a native app that can work only on a specific operating system, it might cost you more, as you need to develop an app for the number of platforms you want to target.

However, opting for hybrid or cross-platform app development is a worthwhile approach as it can save you hundreds of dollars by developing one application that works smoothly on all the platforms. If truth be told, hybrid apps are less expensive than native apps. App developers in Dubai can launch hybrid apps for Android and iOS platforms simultaneously, which will eventually reduce the development time and allow you to reach your target market quickly.

Even though hybrid apps are less expensive and build faster, many iOS app development companies still recommend a native app development approach. Native apps offer smooth performance, a great user experience, fewer dependencies for bugs, and the freedom to access the full feature set of devices such as GPS, camera, and contact list.

Mobile App Development Cost in Dubai in 2021

How much does it cost to build an app in 2021? Undoubtedly, your app idea, your business necessities, development approach (mobile, web, hybrid, native), number of platforms (Android, iOS, web), complexity, and the number of features – all these factors influence the mobile app development cost.

But the question is how to estimate the cost of building a mobile app? You can create a budget for your mobile app development process by using this formula:

Total Development Time X Hourly Rate = COST

Whether you hire a mobile app development company or a freelancer, before the development process begins, it is advised to ask your development partner for a mobile app development cost estimate. Your development partner estimates the development cost by considering your project description, technical requirements, features you want to integrate, and the complexity of the project and infrastructure changes.

Usually, mobile app development companies in Dubai use the following pricing models:

–          Fixed Charge

You can opt for a fixed charge pricing model if you are working on a smaller project with a well-defined scope of work and an estimated timeline. This pricing model will allow you to set aside a dedicated budget for your development project – no need to pay additional costs.

–          Time and Material

This pricing model is based on the timeframe and material required for the development project, and the cost is calculated at an hourly rate. This pricing model is a perfect choice for a complex and large project, as it gives more flexibility throughout the development process. The time and material option allows you to control the budget due to its flexible nature and develop a functional end-product.

App Development Timeline and Average Cost

According to a survey conducted by Outsystems, more than 80% of mobile apps take more than three months, while 40% of apps are developed within six months.  However, there is no fixed cost to build an app; the cost of mobile app development varies according to the features, platform, rate per hour, complexity, and expertise of the developers. However, building a smaller app with basic functions can cost from AED 3400 to AED 8000.


Type of Application
App development cost Timeline (in months)  
Basic app > ~$15,000 ~1 month  
Data-driven app ~$15,000+ ~1-1.5 months  
Authentication app ~$60,000+ ~3-6 months  
Social networking app ~$60,000 – $300,000+ ~3-6 up to 9+ months  
E-Commerce app ~$60,000 – $300,000+ ~3-6 up to 9+ months  
On-demand app ~$70,000 – $100,000+ (basic, per platform) ~5-7+ months  
Marketplace app (multilevel web platform) ~$300,000+ ~9+ months  
IoT & Hardware app ~$60,000+ ~3-6 months  

Key Takeaways

What is the average mobile app development cost in Dubai?

Hopefully, now you get the answer to this question. Remember, building a mobile app is expensive. If you have a limited budget, consider developing a hybrid app. Businesses with a sufficient budget can hire a mobile app development company to build a successful app.

Muneeb
Muneeb
Muneeb Qadar Siddiqui, surely a blogger/Digital marketer from Mars making some waving on this earth. Writing for 8 straight years, Muneeb is equipped with digital knowledge like no one else. Mostly he writes about mobile app development Dubai, custom mobile app development, corporate branding, e-commerce tips and tricks, Entrepreneurship, and web design company Dubai . He loves drinking Tea and has a passion for innovating, educating and motivating people to live life to its fullest. Connect with him on: Twitter | LinkedIn

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