Applications are becoming essential tools to businesses and startups alike can leverage and enjoy the benefits of the cutting-edge industry. In Singapore, the mobile app development market is growing at a significant rate of 10% in the last year.

Also to portray the extent of mobile apps in Singapore, App Annie, the mobile app and data analytics Company, lists Singapore as one of the leading nations where application penetration is at a 90% rate.

A 2019 report dubbed, ‘The State of Mobile,’ also confirms this notion by recording that Singapore’s mobile users install. Hence, the average number of apps were over 100 on their smartphones, with over 40 of these finding use daily.

Such a survey confirms the reports of Singapore possessing the highest app penetration rates, not just in Asia but also in the rest of the world.

TechTIQ Solutions, a leading mobile app development company in Singapore publishes this in-depth research to guide you on how to calculate app development price in Singapore. Hope that helps!

How much does it cost to develop an App in Singapore for Startups? Is the price fixed?

While apps remain great sources of convenience for most businesses and startups in Singapore. However, they still have the underlying question is ‘How much is the cost of developing an app in Singapore?.’ Since each application is to possess different functionality, purpose, and structure. Therefore, it remains complicated for people to make a precise budget for their mobile app development.

It seems like a frustrating experience. To sum up, all it takes is to understand the crucial aspects. And, that go into developing an app and ultimately, figuring out the budget.

How much does mobile app development cost in Singapore?

In our endeavor to gauge the most appropriate costs of development price for different apps. And, we found an array of similar elements. Thus, these factors seem to cut across in terms of determining the expense associated with mobile app development.

Here are the multiple factors which ought to influence the cost of developing an app in Singapore.

I. Intended app use

The functionality and expected app purpose are perhaps the most critical considerations. So how simple or complex the app is help determine the final value of the mobile app development process.

While a simple, informative app with educative features for the target audience may seem less expensive. However, opting for an interactive app that utilizes real-time technology to provide results is a significant burden to budgeting. Similarly, the critical perspective to remember is always to ensure you are conversant in the different types of app functionalities. And, all of them should be available for your kind of app.

Besides, most of Singapore’s developers can figure out the app functionality for you. Whatever the case, identifying the essential functions and features would indicate a rough estimate of the total cost for the mobile app development process gauging by past similar complex apps projects.

II. Platform

Different smartphone operating systems hold Singapore’s application market. And, from assessment, these different operating systems would need different budgets depending on the app’s platform.

For example, mobile app development for Android commands a higher cost of development despite having over 80% of the smartphone market with its Android OS. Additionally, iPhone follows suit with a lesser charge for mobile app development, with a build rate of 28% faster than the Android apps.

There are also hybrid apps that do not confine to any specific platform but instead combine the best of mobile and web apps. Generally, these hybrid apps take a lot of time to develop but primarily have a cheaper cost compared to the native apps working on specific platforms.

III. Device configuration

App incompatibility and performance plague are just some of the challenges. Also, these challenges can end up influencing the final cost of mobile app development. Moreover, the configuration measures present in the hardware and software aspects of the application. Since apps operate on different OS platforms, the costs of mobile app development differ.

For instance, any changes to Android would increase the app development costs. Namely, because the process will need custom development to match the configurations of different devices having the OS.

The IOS configuration is, however, less of a headache since apps on the OS platform only operate on a few devices. Therefore, the device configuration is essential in determining the cost to be incurred by the mobile app development client.

IV. UI Design

A catchy user interface is a significant recommendation that could win app users.

However, the use of graphics or visual elements for the apps indicates a higher investment in the app’s development process. Perhaps, this is a first indication as to why we would witness a large budget for present-day mobile games, simulative or user-interactive apps.

The developer would need to deploy sophisticated code functionalities, utilize additional time. And, resources to ensure the UI matches the design of the client.

Ultimately, this is a significant indicator as to why the user interface and design are a primary consideration in determining the cost of the mobile app development phase in Singapore.

V. Service cost

The app developer’s service rate in Singapore being comparatively cheap. But, we have to confess that there are additional costs even after the app deployment.

There is a need to loop the mobile app development company into the maintenance, and enhancement plans of the app. In fact, matters user feedback analysis, bug reporting, and enhancement requests. So, the client incurs additional costs to cater to these issues.

There is also an additional cost of app submission, legal copyright fees, and marketing expenses to provide for after the deployment of the app. Then, these services are often necessary for giving the app the last capacity and go-ahead to become a fully stable usable app.

VI. Developer’s rate

Ultimately, what the app developer charges for the process makes up the largest share of the final app cost.

The cost of developing an app in Singapore differs among developers; depending on the time taken, project complexity, and type of apps in question. Also, the charges of the app developer may depend on other parameters. For example, the urgency of the app project and even his/her experience in the app subject matter.

However, app development vendors in Singapore charge on an hourly rate basis for their services, with additional vendors basing their charges on multiple factors. For instance, the device platform, usage of the app, and its functionality.

What different apps command in terms of app development cost in Singapore

While our findings indicate the cost of mobile app development as being dependent on some factors, there still exist the average market costs for developing an app among Singapore’s service vendors.

Yes. The cost of developing each app is different and does not entirely depend on the various factors aforementioned.

However, in our assessment of the app development market within Singapore, we found several mobile applications and the respective application development costs you can expect to fork out.

I. E-commerce or marketplace apps

Any startup intending to sell merchant products or digital services online, aside from a website, can opt to develop an e commerce app that caters to Singapore customers.

An e-commerce or marketplace app would entail having features such as a payment gateway, product sections, a checkout feature, and synchronization, etc. to ensure the app is stable and operable. Especially, an app requires time, effort, and resources for the app developer to finalize working on a mobile e-commerce app.

Usually, Singapore’s app development market would price an ecommerce mobile app development price range from $15000 to $50,000 on an average basis. Besides, depending on the level of complexity of the project, you can expect the e-commerce mobile app development cost to hit a range of $20,000-$65,000 or more.

Some of the apps falling into the e-commerce category include location-based online stores, free classified applications, and reservation systems among others.

II. Functionality apps

As the name suggests, functionality apps are apps developed to enhance a company’s process or improve process productivity.

For instance, a Human Resource Management app would see a company improve on its handling of employees and their welfare. Generally, such apps would command more in regards to the cost, efforts, and period necessary to build such kinds of apps.

Again the ultimate development cost of these functionality apps in Singapore will depend on the project’s complexity, structure, and process of the startup company. However, the general value of these apps among Singapore’s developers typically fetches from $20,000-$60000, depending on the business process automation in consideration.

Apps made for much complex business workflows with multi-module functions would require a budget of $50,000 to upwards of $150,000 for large-scale mobile app development projects.

Overall, the complexity of the enterprise-level processes and systems makes the functionality apps extremely costly not just to develop, but also enhancing or making any changes to the apps.

III. User-based apps

User-based social apps are a growing trend within Singapore.

With features such as a chat option, user signup/login, and messaging options, these apps can assist users in engaging instantaneously. However, these in-built functions between users require plenty of efforts and costs to be put in place by the app developer. Typically, such social apps need a lot of development work, and this is perhaps why they are quite costly in the process.

Singapore’s market skill commands charges of $40,000 to $60,000 for developing these user-based apps. Again, more complex social apps would see the mobile app development costs reach $70,000 or upwards if special features are necessary.

IV. Informative apps

Informative apps within Singapore would often present the app user with information through the available options and features that redirect to additional materials on the topic.

In general, these apps are meant to only showcase information and the services on offer about a company. Judging from this, the informative app requires less effort in terms of app development.

You can expect Informative app development costs in Singapore to reach as low as $10,000 if the app embodies simple specifications such as a standard UI and no backend. Equally, informative apps that require real-time information updating, data extraction, and their own database will, however, cost from$14,000 to $28,000.

It is wise also to note that the development cost of an app may reach upwards of $41,000 if the startup looks to incorporate complex designs, integration, and synchronization with web services or other apps.

V. Game apps

Any startup looking to develop a game app should recognize that these apps are the most expensive of all mobile applications.

While game apps remain fun, they usually have to deploy complex systems that can incorporate social media integration, 3D graphics, and other complex effects to give the final application. Certainly, a scenario would entail hiring special mobile app development talents in the likes of game designers, programmers, concept artists, and animators.

In the end, this is perhaps where most of the game application costs lie. In Singapore estimation, the cost of developing a game app for mobile is at $80,000 for a game featuring the minimum animations and designs.

However, a much complex game with built-in features, multiple users, sophisticated visuals, or API integration would have the development costs jumping to over $150,000.

Getting to minimize app development costs in the Singapore market

As aforementioned, the cost of startup mobile app development in Singapore requires determining the number of factors that are applicable.

However, as one of the most affordable destinations to outsource app development, Singapore is bound to offer budget-friendly options you can consider for app development work.

Instead of recurring unjustifiable expenses for app development, you can explore the following options and hopefully reduce the cost of the app development procedure:

Explore different app vendors and identify the best quote among them. This would allow for price, experience, service, and skill comparison for the client.
Identify the features and designs to allow for adequate app development planning.
Avoid changes during the app development phase since they end up increasing the overall costs and efforts.
Establish a working relationship with different developers to improve your bargaining power during the process.
Be candid with the rate and time of development, to avoid the potential of hidden charges.

Bottom line

It is evident that mobile apps are a crucial tool for any startup looking to do business within Singapore today. Moreover, most entrepreneurs may assume having an app is a costly affair, but this notion remains particularly wrong.

The ever-growing tech-savvy population in Singapore is always looking to connect through apps, and this means startups may have to opt into developing apps to stay ahead of the competition. Hopefully, this article will guide any aspiring startup through the right aspects that will help it determine the appropriate costs of developing their application, be it web or mobile. Here, The list compiled by BestInSingapore shows some of the most respectable mobile application developers in Singapore and other software development needs.

If you have any questions or are looking for additional insights, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our app development team at TechTIQ Solutions.