“How much will it cost to get my MVP developed?”

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The million-dollar (well, hopefully not that much) question: “How much will it cost to get my MVP developed?”

This is probably the question we get asked the most, and well, it’s arguably one of the hardest questions to answer. However, we’re all about breaking through the waffle and noise, so in this post, we aim to give you a much clearer picture of the costs involved in developing your MVP.

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How development companies charge for development

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The first thing you need to understand is that not all development companies charge the same. Here are some common pricing models:

  1. Fixed Cost: Some companies provide a fixed cost against a fixed specification. This means that once the specifications are set, the price remains unchanged regardless of any potential challenges or delays.
  2. Time and Materials: Others charge on a time and materials basis, meaning you pay for however long the development takes. This can be advantageous if your project has evolving requirements, but it can also lead to higher costs if the project takes longer than expected.
  3. Templated Apps: Some companies offer a lower price if you use one of their templated apps, customised to meet your brand, with additional charges for functionality outside the template. This option is appealing for early-stage companies but comes with the caveat of potential IP issues. You may have to give up all IP rights to the templated app, possibly necessitating a rebuild in the future.

At AppLaunch, we charge a monthly fee for each month your app is in development. Before we start a project, we provide an estimate of how many months of development it will take. Combine this with our fixed monthly price, and you can quickly see what your development costs will be. Don’t worry, we’ll give you this estimate upfront.

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How your app is built

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Not all apps are built equal. For example:

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Off-the-Shelf No-Code Editors: Apps built using no-code editors will likely be quicker and cheaper. You can build quickly using a template, but this approach is more restricted in functionality based on what the platform can do.

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Custom Development: Apps programmed from the ground up offer more freedom and flexibility. While they may cost more, you’ll be able to build exactly what you want, how you want it.

You need to determine if your MVP can be achieved with a no-code solution or if you need a development partner from day one due to the limitations of off-the-shelf tools.

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What does your app do?

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Ultimately, the cost of developing your app will always come down to what your app needs to do. The scope and complexity of the required functionality directly influence the overall cost. More advanced and or number of required features generally translate to higher development expenses. 

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A crucial part of the MVP journey is rigorously determining which features are essential and which are merely nice to have. Our experience shows that approximately 90% of feature requirements are not crucial for an MVP. Instead, the true value proposition of your app is typically tied to a small, focused set of core features that solve the key problem for your target audience. By honing in on just these vital features and setting aside non-essential functionalities for later iterations, you’ll streamline your development process and significantly reduce both time and financial costs. This strategic focus ensures that you launch a viable product swiftly, providing the foundation for future growth and refinement based on real user feedback and evolving market demands.

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Conclusion

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In summary, the cost of developing your MVP will depend on various factors, including your development partner's pricing model, the approach to building your app, and the specific functionalities you need. By understanding these elements and prioritising the core features of your MVP, you can make informed decisions and manage your development costs more effectively.

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Want to speak to us about your project? Let’s get a call booked in.

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