Are you worried about making an app, but not sure how much it will cost?
In this article,A detailed explanation of the average cost of app development from a professional perspectiveI will.
Examples of different uses, common misconceptions,How to stay on budgetWe will also introduce you to
Eliminate the worry of "how much will it cost in the end?"
This content will be useful for both those who are requesting development and those who are thinking of creating it themselves.
What is the basic breakdown of app development costs?
Conclusion: Development costs are determined by "manpower x unit price"
The cost of developing an app isRequired amount of work (man-hours) and labor costs (unit price)It depends on:
Example of configuration:
- Design (requirements definition, screen configuration design)
- Development (front-end/back-end)
- Testing (operation check, bug fixing)
- Maintenance (updates, corrections)
An example of the market price:
- Simple memo app: Approx. 300,000 to 500,000 yen
- Apps that require membership registration or login: 1 million yen and up
- Apps with online payment and chat functions: From 2 million yen
Public data:
According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "IT Human Resources White Paper 2023," the development cost per unit for small and medium-sized enterprises isAverage of around 850,000 yen per person/monthIt is said that...
Source: https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/it_policy/jinzai/itjinzai2023.html
Cost range by app type
Conclusion: Costs vary based on features and target users
Examples of common types of fees (Japan):
- Business card management, ToDo management, etc.: 300,000 to 800,000 yen
- E-commerce app (shopping): 1.5 million to 3 million yen
- SNS-type apps: Over 2 million yen
- Game app (2D): 3 million yen and up
Decision points as needed
- Is there an external API connection?
- Is server processing required?
- Presence or absence of an administration screen
- Is it compatible with both iOS and Android?
What is the cost difference between outsourcing and doing it yourself?
Conclusion: DIY is cheaper but takes more time
Outsourcing (corporate/freelance)
- High initial cost, but high degree of completion
- Technical capabilities and reliability
- Maintenance support also available
Self-made (individual development)
- Money can be saved
- That takes time and skill.
- There may be a higher failure rate
Estimated learning time required for self-development
- For programming beginners, it will take at least 100 to 200 hours
- Relatively fast development when using Swift or React Native
5 Tips to Stay on a Budget
Conclusion: Eliminate unnecessary features and aim for a minimum MVP
- First, create a prototype with the minimum necessary functions (MVP method)
- Use a no-code tool (such as Adalo or Glide)
- Use design templates
- Utilize overseas freelancers (Upwork, etc.)
- Learn at a programming school and make your own
Summary of common misconceptions and points to note
- "You can make it for free" is a big misconception
- "I can do everything by myself" is often unrealistic
- "Cheap" does not necessarily mean "safe" (problems with maintainability and quality)
Summary: Develop with a cost that suits your purpose
- Simple apps can cost as little as a few hundred thousand yen
- Multi-functional models are expected to cost over 1 million yen
- Think carefully about whether to make it yourself or outsource it
By making a thorough estimate and identifying features in advance, you can develop an app without any regrets.
English 
Japanese