Mobile application development

Mobile app development is a complex process that begins with an analysis of business objectives and ends with publication in app stores and subsequent support. Here are the key stages that professional studios go through.:

Research and Analytics (1-2 weeks): In-depth study of your business, target audience and competitors. Interviews with potential users are conducted, a technical specification (TOR) is formed and a minimum viable product (MVP) is determined. This is the basis for future success, as it avoids costly mistakes at later stages.

Engineering and design (2-3 weeks): Create prototypes, custom scenarios, and design layouts. It is important not only to draw "beautifully", but also to provide an intuitive interface (UI/UX) that will be convenient for your customers. The design is tested in focus groups.

Development (8-16 weeks): Direct code writing. It is important to choose the right technology stack here.:

Native development (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android): It provides high performance, full device integration, and a better user experience, but requires separate commands for each platform and is more expensive.

Cross-platform development (Flutter, React Native): Allows you to develop an application for iOS and Android simultaneously in the same language, which reduces development time and budget, but may be inferior in performance and the ability to use all device functions.

Testing (2-3 weeks): Functional, load and usability testing is carried out. Testers look for bugs, check the app's performance on different devices and under different conditions to ensure stability and security before release.

Launch and support (1 week + ongoing): Publication on the App Store and Google Play, which requires compliance with the strict rules of these sites. After the launch, the technical support stage begins: bug fixes, updates for new OS versions, adding new functionality and analyzing user behavior.

The Council: Don't skip the analytics and prototyping phase. A well—developed technical specification and prototype is insurance against misunderstandings with developers and endless expensive edits in the future.

The cost of development is the most common question, and the answer to it is ambiguous. The price is formed from a variety of factors and can range from 500,000 rubles for a simple MVP to 9,000,000 rubles or more for a complex project.

Key factors affecting the cost:

Complexity and functionality: This is the main driver of the price. Applications are conventionally divided into three types:

Simple (informational): Brochures, maps, GPS trackers. They do not have a server side and complex logic. Cost: ~500 000 - 800 000 rub .

Medium complexity: They have a backend, a personal account, a booking system, and online payment. For example, apps for fitness clubs. Cost: ~1 700 000 - 3 700 000 rub .

Complex: They integrate with external systems (CRM, 1C), use complex algorithms, artificial intelligence, or work with big data. For example, marketplaces or fintech applications. Cost: ~5 000 000 - 9 000 000 rub .

Number of platforms: Developing separately for iOS and Android (native) will cost almost twice as much as creating a cross-platform application.

Design: A custom, detailed design with animations is more expensive than template solutions.

Team and geolocation: An experienced studio from Moscow with its own designers, analysts and developers will cost more than a freelancer or a team from the regions. The hourly rate in Russia varies on average from 2,500 to 5,000 rubles.

Hidden costs: Don't forget about the budget for post-launch support (15-20% of the development cost annually), application promotion (ASO, advertising), and fees from payment systems and app stores.

Calculation example: The development of an MVP application for food delivery with basic functionality (catalog, shopping cart, online payment) will cost about 1.5 - 2.5 million rubles and will take 4-6 months.