How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App In India?

With over half a billion internet users, India is becoming an epicenter of technological advancements and digital marketplaces. As a result, mobile application development has soared, transforming a multitude of sectors. In this post, we aim to shed light on the cost of developing an app in India, using examples of prominent Indian apps to provide a realistic idea of the expenses involved.

Firstly, it's essential to note that the cost of developing an app in India varies significantly, depending on several factors. These include the complexity of the app, the platform (iOS, Android, or both), design requirements, the development team's expertise, the features and functionalities integrated, and the time taken to develop the app.

App Development Cost By Category

E-commerce Apps (Like Flipkart)

Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce platform, has a complex application that provides a seamless online shopping experience. Its development would require integration of multiple features such as payment gateways, push notifications, user registration, product catalogues, review and ratings, shopping cart, etc. Considering these complexities, the estimated cost for developing an e-commerce app like Flipkart in India may range between $10,000 and $20,000 for a basic version, which could rise to $40,000 or more for a more advanced version with extensive features.

Food Delivery Apps (Like Swiggy or Zomato)

An app like Swiggy or Zomato includes user registration, geolocation, search functionality, order tracking, and payment integrations. The cost for such an app can range between $15,000 and $25,000 for a basic app, while a more comprehensive application with advanced features may cost upwards of $35,000.

Cab Booking Apps (Like Ola)

Developing a taxi booking app like Ola requires features like geolocation, fare estimation, driver allocation, in-app chat, and payment integration. An app with such functionalities might cost anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 for a basic version, going up to $50,000 for a more sophisticated version.

Fintech Apps (Like Paytm)

Financial apps need to be ultra-secure and include features like user registration, payment gateway, transaction history, QR code scanning, etc. The estimated cost for developing a fintech app like Paytm can start at $25,000 and could extend beyond $50,000 depending on the complexity of the app.

Summing It Up

These are merely estimates, and the actual costs can fluctuate based on various factors. For instance, using a cross-platform development tool like React Native or Flutter can reduce costs as you'll be creating a single app that works on multiple platforms. On the other hand, custom designs or complex functionalities can increase the overall cost.

In India, the hourly rate for app development can range from $15 to $50. Therefore, a basic app (approximately 600-800 hours to develop) can cost from $9,000 to $40,000. A moderately complex app (800-1200 hours) may cost between $12,000 and $60,000, and a highly complex app (1200-2000 hours or more) can cost anywhere from $18,000 to $100,000.

Remember, the cheapest solution isn't always the best one. Cutting corners in the development phase can lead to subpar performance and increased costs in the long run due to more frequent updates and maintenance. Therefore, it's crucial to focus on quality and consider the return on investment when planning your app development budget.

Lastly, it's crucial to remember that post-development costs such as app marketing, maintenance, updates, and server costs also need to be factored into your overall budget.

The cost of app development in India is relatively more affordable compared to other countries, offering the same quality of service. However, the overall cost depends on the app's complexity, the chosen platform, and the expertise of the development team. Planning your budget well can help ensure the successful and cost-effective development of your app.