The Cost of Developing an App in Houston: Factors, Pricing Models, and Tips
Houston has always been the home to skilled labor in the United States. But lately, the “Energy Capital of the World” has managed to join the ranks of San Francisco and Austin with next-gen innovators and entrepreneurs. Thanks to a rising number of startups, Houston is fast becoming a strategic location for tech investors.
Take mobile app development, for instance. Houston witnesses a rising demand for mobile apps across all categories, including energy, sustainability, health, gaming, and entertainment. That alone brings us to a vital question, ”How much does one pay to develop a mobile app in Houston?”
Tell you what, there’s no definite answer. From design to features, things vary from one app to another. This article will help you understand the factors that affect the cost of mobile app development, different pricing models, and the best tips for hiring the right mobile app development company in Houston. Keep scrolling!
Key Factors that Impact Mobile App Development Costs
From UX design to pricing, mobile app development is a different ball game. At the center, though, the objective remains the same-creating a positive customer experience. Let’s take a closer look at the key factors driving the cost.
App Market Selection
The platform on which one chooses to release a mobile app always impacts the cost. Typically, iOS apps are a tad bit pricey than Android due to the specific coding to match Apple’s unique ecosystem. Sure, developing an iOS app demands more investment. But don’t let that cloud your judgment. Android is not inferior to iOS. In fact, it has a broader reach with more users.
These days, hybrid apps are in vogue, which means they are available on both the Apple Store and Google Play. It’s a no-brainer that a hybrid mobile app is expensive, as it requires extra time and effort to create and maintain separate codebases.
Third-Party API Integrations
Any newly developed app that needs to connect to other services will rely on a third-party API. For example, Facebook and Instagram use APIs to allow seamless in-app purchases. Creating APIs means extra time and effort, leading to additional costs. On the other hand, using a third-party API for your app will incur a charge per integration.
UI/UX Design
Design language is paramount for a mobile app’s success, but it adds to the development cost. The math is simple; a straightforward, minimalist UX design takes less effort and, hence, costs less. On the other hand, an advanced UX design with complex graphics and animations always costs more.
As an investor, though, you shouldn’t look at the UX design charges as expenses. Consider them an investment in making your app popular across the target audience. Once your app hits the popularity charts, you can reap maximum ROI.
Location and Skillset of a Mobile App Development Team
Largely overlooked, the location and skillset of a developer can dramatically impact mobile app development costs. For example, a mobile app development company in Western Europe and North America will always charge higher compared to Asian markets. The table below offers a rough estimate of hourly mobile app development costs across different regions.
| Region | Average Mobile App Development Rate (Hourly) |
| Asia | $25-50 |
| USA | $100-120 |
| Australia | $70-90 |
| UK | $80-1000 |
| Western Europe | $50-70 |
These days, you can find decent talent with a few clicks online. Hiring a mobile app developer is no different either. To get the best bang for your buck, always consider hiring a local mobile app development company in Houston.
The Complexity Level
Similar to UX design, the level of complexity is an essential factor affecting mobile app development costs. Simple pay-to-order apps generally have fewer features and thus involve fewer back-end processes. In contrast, finance mobile apps that include payments and consolidation demand complex integrations, which increases the total development cost.
Pro tip: Discuss your objectives with the mobile development team in your first meeting. This will help find the most befitting option for both parties.
Support and Maintenance
Mobile app development is one thing. App maintenance is another. It includes fixing technical issues, removing bugs, ensuring app security, and a lot more. Together, they help keep things functional and updated. However, things are easier said than done because they involve complex backend processes. Several external integrations also add to the expenses.
Finding the Right Pricing Model For Mobile Apps
Once the mobile app is ready for launch, it’s time to price it right. Now, one might think tagging a low price would keep you ahead in the game. But that’s not a practical decision at all, especially after one has incurred heavy expenses. That’s where the pricing model comes in.
When it comes to mobile apps, the pricing model comprises four different options, namely Free, Freemium, Paymium, and Paid. Each pricing model is based on a specific strategy and is driven by factors like business goals, purposes, value, and target market. Other external factors include competitive pricing, market conditions, and perceived value,
The table below offers an insight into different pricing models and their pros and cons.
| Pricing Models | Pros | Cons |
| Free | Attracts more downloads Helps generate easy revenue using in-app ads Has more room for testing and improvement | Has poor user retention rate Prone to negative reviews Can breach trust due to data monetization opportunities |
| Freemium | Allows upselling features to convert normal users into premium Allows companies to explore valuable revenue streams like data monetization | When there’s a large number of users, it can add to customer service expenses Boosts cash burn given the heavy demand for supporting infrastructure Can dilate the perceived value of a mobile app |
| Paid | Immediate revenue generation allows boosting of recouping development costs Offers a predictable income opportunity for both app publishers and developers Offers a higher perceived value to users Allows for more marketing opportunities, including special limited time offers | Can witness lesser downloads compared to free apps Upfront fee slows down traction rate Can attract negative reviews especially from users with high expectations after using free version |
| Paymium | Guarantees steady revenue generation Offers attractive incentive for developers and publishers alike | Suffers from poor user retention rate Requires multiple advanced features to justify upfront charges |
Tips To Hire The Best Mobile App Development Company In Houston
Hiring a mobile app development company to save time and money can be tricky. Fret not! We’ve got a handful of smart tips to get you started.
- Skills and experience matters: Always hire a mobile app development company that has at least five years of industry experience. Additionally, check out their portfolio in detail and ensure they are well-versed with key skills like PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Effective collaboration is the key: Make sure the app development company you pick is available during your desired hours of the day. This will help improve communication on all fronts and speed up production. Ask proactively whether they use modern-day collaboration tools like Trello or Slack to monitor daily progress.
- Budget comes first: Before you sign the contract, understand the payment terms in detail. Make sure the charges are transparent with no hidden costs. If they would like a milestone basis, get that mentioned in the contract.
- Industry recognition is vital: Awards and accolades are good, but if a company fails to deliver what you want, they’re not good. So, always dig deep and ask for past client info to check their capability. Google My Business is a good place to start, as they generally have honest reviews. Check for the lowest ratings first and drill down to find out if there’s a significant reason.
Time to Get The Show on The Road With Best-In-Class Mobile App Development Company
Undeniably, hiring a leading mobile app development company is expensive. But it’s worth every penny for a tech investor. From identifying core client objectives to designing a flexible production process, a professional mobile app development company checks all boxes. The result is a high-quality mobile app that is ready for a successful launch and maximizing your ROI.
