Getting an App Built.
The comprehensive guide for businesses looking to develop their own app. From the idea to technology choices to launch – everything in one guide.
Key Takeaways
Investment from € 15,000
A professional app starts at approximately € 15,000 for a cross-platform solution. Native apps for iOS and Android start at € 30,000+. Price heavily depends on feature scope.
Cross-Platform as Standard
React Native and Flutter enable one app for iOS and Android with a single codebase. This saves 30–40% of development costs with minimal quality compromises.
3–6 Months Development
From concept to store launch, an app project typically takes 3–6 months. An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) can be ready in 8–12 weeks.
Do You Really Need an App?
Not every business needs its own app. Before investing in development, honestly assess whether an app delivers the desired value. An app makes sense when your users return regularly, when you want to send push notifications, or when you need device features like camera, GPS, or offline access.
For many use cases, a Progressive Web App (PWA) or responsive website is the better and more cost-effective choice. A PWA offers app-like experience in the browser without an App Store download. Critically evaluate your use case before committing to a native or cross-platform app.
- App makes sense: Regular usage, push notifications, device features needed
- PWA often sufficient: Occasional usage, content-based, no store download needed
- Responsive website enough: Purely informational content, infrequent visits
- Key question: Would your users actually open the app regularly?
Native vs. Cross-Platform vs. PWA
The technology decision has massive impact on costs, development time, and quality. Native development (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) delivers the best performance and user experience but requires two separate codebases. This doubles development, testing, and maintenance.
Cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter enable one app for both platforms with a single codebase. Quality is virtually indistinguishable from native apps for 90% of use cases. We use React Native because it's based on React – the same framework we use for websites – and has a huge ecosystem.
- Native (Swift/Kotlin): Best performance, highest cost, two codebases
- React Native: One codebase, 90%+ native quality, React ecosystem
- Flutter: One codebase, custom UI system, growing ecosystem
- PWA: Browser-based, no App Store needed, limited device features
Costs and Timeline
App development is a significant investment. A simple cross-platform app with basic features (login, database connection, a few screens) starts at approximately € 15,000. More complex apps with backend integration, real-time features, or payment functionality range from € 30,000–80,000.
Don't underestimate ongoing costs: App Store fees (Apple € 99/year, Google € 25 one-time), server/backend costs, regular updates for new OS versions, and bug fixes. Plan 15–20% of initial development costs as annual maintenance budget.
- Simple app (from € 15,000): 3–5 screens, login, basic features
- Medium-complex app (€ 30,000–50,000): Backend, API, payment, push notifications
- Complex app (€ 50,000+): Real-time features, chat, complex logic, admin panel
- MVP approach: Start with core features and expand iteratively
Finding the Right Agency
App development requires specialized expertise. When choosing an agency, look for demonstrable app references in the relevant app stores. Ask about the tech stack, team size, and whether design and development come from one source. Agencies that only develop but don't design (or vice versa) often lead to coordination problems.
Demand a clear project plan with milestones and define upfront what's in scope and what isn't. Fixed-price projects provide planning certainty, agile billing by effort allows more flexibility. For most projects, we recommend a hybrid: fixed price for the defined scope with optional change requests.
- Check portfolio: Download and test live apps from the stores
- Ask about tech stack: React Native, Flutter, or native? Why?
- Design included: Ideally UX/UI design and development from one source
- Clarify contract: Scope, milestones, fixed vs. agile, IP rights
The Development Process
A professional app development process begins with discovery and conception. In 1–2 weeks, user flows, wireframes, and a clickable prototype are created. This helps validate the app before development and avoid costly changes during implementation.
Development happens in sprints (typically 2-week cycles) with regular demos. You see progress in real-time and can provide feedback. After development comes an intensive testing phase on real devices before the app is submitted to the stores. Apple's review process can take 1–7 days.
- Week 1–2: Discovery, user research, wireframes, clickable prototype
- Week 3–4: UI design, style guide, design system
- Week 5–16: Development in sprints, regular demos and feedback
- Week 17–20: Testing, store submission, launch, first iterations
Launch and Marketing
The App Store launch is just the beginning. Optimize your store listings (ASO – App Store Optimization): An appealing title, meaningful screenshots, a compelling video, and relevant keywords are crucial for discoverability. The first ratings and downloads in the first weeks strongly influence ranking.
Plan a launch strategy: teaser campaign before launch, email to existing customers, social media announcement, and optionally PR. After launch, regular updates are important – not just for bug fixes but also to show store algorithms that the app is actively maintained.
- ASO: Optimize app title, keywords, screenshots, and video for store ranking
- Launch campaign: Teaser, email blast, social media, optional PR
- First reviews: Actively ask for 5-star reviews (in-app prompt)
- Regular updates: At least monthly – new features and bug fixes
Checklist: Getting an App Built
- Validate use case: Do your users really need an app, or is a PWA/website sufficient?
- Define core features: What must the app do in version 1? (MVP approach)
- Plan budget: Development + design + ongoing costs for at least 12 months
- Choose agency: Check references, test live apps, discuss tech stack
- Launch strategy: Plan ASO, marketing campaign, and feedback loop
Related Services
Frequently Asked Questions
01.How much does app development cost?
A professional cross-platform app starts at approximately € 15,000. Medium-complex apps with backend and payment range from € 30,000–50,000, complex applications from € 50,000+. Add annual maintenance costs of approximately 15–20% of development costs.
02.React Native or Flutter – which is better?
Both are excellent cross-platform frameworks. We recommend React Native because it's based on React (same codebase as our web projects), has a huge ecosystem, and is actively developed by Meta. Flutter is also a great choice, especially for heavily animated UIs.
03.How long does app development take?
An MVP can be completed in 8–12 weeks. A full app with design, development, and testing typically takes 3–6 months. Complex projects with many features can take 6–12 months.
04.Do I need a separate backend?
For most apps, yes. The backend stores data, manages user accounts, and communicates with external services. We use Node.js or Laravel for backend development. For simpler apps, Firebase or Supabase can serve as backend-as-a-service.
05.What does the app cost after launch?
Expect € 200–500/month for hosting and servers, € 99/year for Apple Developer Account, plus maintenance effort for updates and bug fixes. We recommend planning 15–20% of development costs as annual maintenance budget.
06.Can I manage the app myself?
Yes, for content updates we build an admin panel or CMS. For technical changes (new features, bug fixes) you'll need a developer. We offer maintenance and development packages to keep your app well-maintained long-term.
Ready for Your Own App?
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