Have you wanted to develop an app for years but never knew how to get started? Consider finding a developer to create a React Native mobile app and how much it will cost you.
Developing a good app isn’t cheap, but it doesn’t have to cost more than you can afford.
Read on to learn what can affect the cost of React Native mobile app development and why the cost is worth it.
What Is React Native?
React Native is a mobile app framework using JavaScript. Developers can use it to create natively rendered apps, and they can deploy the apps to Android and iOS.
You use the same codebase to develop apps for multiple platforms, which can save time. React Native uses the React library within JavaScript, and it’s useful for front-end developers.
If you want to develop an app for multiple platforms, you should consider React Native app development. However, you need to know how much it will cost you.
How Much Developing a React Native Mobile App Costs
You should prepare to spend anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000 to develop a React Native mobile app. The exact cost depends on many factors, so you may need to spend more or less than that range.
If you’ve developed an app before, your next one may not cost the same, even if it has the same features. A lot of things can affect your total bill, and you should know those factors to help lower the cost.
As you set your budget for developing a mobile app, think about how you want your app to run. Then, you can determine if your budget is realistic.
Features
App complexity and features can have a huge effect on the overall cost of an app. While you may only need to pay $20,000 for a simple app, an app with more integrated features could cost double or triple that.
Think about if you want to develop a free app with in-app purchases or if you want to use third-party integrations. Those and other features may increase the cost of React Native app development.
You should think about how many features you want to add and what types of features. Then, you can get a more accurate quote when looking for a mobile app developer.
Logins
One feature many apps have is a login feature, which is useful for social networks and subscription-based apps. Like other integrated features, a login requirement can take time and money to develop.
Even if the rest of your app is simple and only has a few pages, you’ll need to budget more for the cost. Some developers may charge more or less for the addition of a login feature.
If you don’t want to pay more, consider if logins are necessary. You may be able to get away without having people log in at first, and you can incorporate the feature into a later app update.
Design
You should also consider the overall design of the app, such as user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). UI and UX design can make your app easier to use, which can increase user engagement.
Then, you can get more positive reviews, which may result in more downloads and users. Even if you have all of the features you want, a poorly designed app won’t be fun for users.
Make sure you budget time and money for the design process as well as the backend development. That will help you create an app that works well and makes you money.
Category
You also need to consider the category or type of app you want to develop. For example, the cost to develop a calculator or another app with only one page will be relatively low.
On the other hand, an app that you want to operate as a mobile store will require more features. Even within a category, the cost may vary based on the app’s complexity.
For example, there are some simple games with only one or two games you can play. Others have hundreds or thousands of levels, so they’ll require more time and money to create.
Maintenance
You may have the right amount of money to afford to build a React Native mobile app. However, don’t forget about the cost to maintain and update the app after you launch it.
App maintenance can cost about a fifth of the overall cost of app development per year of updates. So if your app costs $50,000 to develop, you might need to spend another $10,000 a year on maintenance.
Be sure to account for that cost when choosing a developer. That way, you’ll be able to have enough money to keep your app up and running for the foreseeable future.
Hardware
App hardware can affect app complexity, therefore affecting the development cost. The most common example of this is building Internet of Things (IoT) apps.
If you have an IoT app and another type of app with the same amount of features, the IoT app can cost more to develop because it relies on specific hardware.
Consider if you want to use specific hardware to create an app. If not, you may be able to save money on the design and development process.
Location
You should also think about the location of the developers you want to hire. While hiring a local developer can be nice, you may need to pay a premium.
However, you can look for remote developers in companies like Kuwait. If you hire a developer or team somewhere with a lower cost of living, you might not need to pay as much for the same service.
Remote developers can still create an excellent app, so don’t let that affect your hiring decision. You may end up with an app you like better than if you’d hired someone in your city.
Group
Along with the location, you should decide if you want to hire an individual or a group of developers. Hiring an individual might be cheaper than hiring a company, but you’ll rely on that one person to do everything.
If you hire a mobile app company, multiple developers will work on your app. So if one takes time off, that shouldn’t affect the timeline of your app development.
And you’ll have more people to contact when you have questions or need an update. You won’t have to worry about a freelancer ending their development services and needing to find someone else to maintain your app.
Experience
You should also look at how much experience a developer or company has. Consider how long they’ve developed apps and if they’ve developed apps like the one you want to launch.
If they have more experience, you can expect to pay a bit more. They have more knowledge regarding app development, so you’re paying for that knowledge and quality.
While newer developers may charge less, they might not know how to develop a complex app. And they could take longer, which could increase your total cost if they charge per hour.
Distribution
The last factor you need to think about is the cost of distributing your React Native mobile app on different platforms. Google Play charges a one-time fee of $25 per developer account. Apple charges $99 per year for a developer account.
If you want to launch your app with your developer account, the cost could add up. Letting your developer launch the app for you can save you money, but you may sacrifice some control.
While distribution isn’t the most expensive part of developing an app, you should consider it. That way, you won’t face sticker shock when you’re ready to launch.
Benefits of Using React Native
Despite the high potential cost, there are many reasons to use React Native to develop an app. You can use the different factors to help lower your bill, so you can still afford the project.
Still, you may not be able to lower the bill as much as you want. But that doesn’t mean React Native isn’t the best option for your mobile app.
If you’re unsure about creating a React Native mobile app, consider the following benefits. Then, you’ll be able to decide if the technology is right for you.
Faster
If you want to release your app on the App Store and Google Play, React Native is an excellent option. Your developer can use the technology to create one app that works on both platforms.
When using other methods, you would need to pay to create two versions of the app. That means you may need to pay double for the project, and it could take twice as long.
As long as you hire developers who know how to use React Native, you can save a lot of time. Then, you’ll be able to get your app to the public much sooner.
Cheaper
Along with saving time, using React Native can save you money on your app development. You don’t have to pay for an iOS app and an Android app, which will save you money now and in the future.
Since you use the same technology to create the app, updates may also cost less than separate updates. Your developer may need to make adjustments to be compatible with software updates.
However, the total cost won’t be as much as if you paid someone to develop separate apps. You can then invest that money into more updates or features.
Less Work
Creating a React Native app is also easier for the developer. They can have a few specialists to focus on things like:
- Creative design
- App development
- Quality assurance
- Project management
You and your developer won’t need tons of people to work on the various elements of the app. That can help lower the cost without sacrificing the quality of the final product.
A lighter workload may also mean you don’t have to wait as long for a developer to have time to start on your app. Then, you can get your app ready to launch in less time.
Uses JavaScript
JavaScript is one of the most common programming languages, so many developers can use it. Since React Native uses JavaScript, the technology is easy for more developers to learn.
You don’t need to limit your search to developers who’ve learned and practiced with a less common language. That means you have more choices regarding who you hire for app development.
More choice means you can look for developers and companies within your budget. And you might not need to sacrifice as many features to be able to afford the app.
Open Source
Something is open source if anyone can work on the technology and improve it. React Native is an open-source technology, which is great for you and your developer.
If your developer needs help with the project, they can interact with members of the React Native development community. And you can also ask for help if you have questions that your developer can’t answer.
Since it’s open source, React Native is also free for anyone to use. You don’t have to worry about your developer charging more to learn or use the technology.
Easy to Update
The work doesn’t stop when you launch a React Native mobile app. One of the most significant advantages of the technology is that you or your developer can easily update your app after the initial launch.
You don’t have to download the app to work on it and make updates. That can help you save a lot of time and resources when working on updates.
If you choose to outsource updates to your developer, it can save them time. Then, they can pass that off to you in the form of a lower bill.
Is a React Native Mobile App Right for You?
Developing a React Native mobile app can be an excellent option, but it may be expensive. Be sure to consider what you want your app to do and if you want to hire a freelancer or mobile app development company.
Then, you can get an idea of how much the process will cost, and you can get a quote for a more specific amount.
Do you need help developing a React Native mobile app? Check out the services we offer to learn how we can help.
