Thinking about having an efficient and high-performing mobile app for your business? Always a smart move. A well-built app can drive real value for your customers and your business.
Likely, the first questions you may have — what about the cost?
You’ve probably come across a wide range of price tags online, but here’s the thing: app development costs aren’t one-size-fits-all. The final price depends on several factors—like the type of app, its complexity, infrastructure needs, development approach, your budget, team size, launch timeline, and more.
Here’s the kicker: no reputable tech partner can give you an exact figure right away. Why? Because they need to fully understand your expectations, assess what you already have in place, and figure out the best way to take you from where you are now to where you want to be.
Let’s break it all down and uncover what really goes into that price tag to help answer your questions and set clear expectations. An app development cost breakdown will help you understand how various factors like team rates and project complexity influence the overall expenses of app creation.
App Development Cost Influential Factors
Being honest here, it’s impossible to give an accurate cost without knowing your goals and what you want to achieve with your app. There’s a big difference between building a simple app, like a fitness calculator, and developing a complex one with extensive data (which your tech partner will need to assess, store, clean, and integrate), VR/AR, predictive analytics, third-party integrations, and technologies like AI and ML. The list of possibilities goes on.
So, back to the question: “What is the cost of mobile and web app development?” The answer varies greatly and app development cost depends on several factors, including the scope of work, the complexity of the app, features and functionalities, and the hourly rates of developers based on their location and expertise. To help you better define your requirements and approach app development companies, here are some key questions to consider:
What type of app are you building? Start by mapping out the app’s core functionality and purpose. This will help you understand its complexity. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry—your tech partner can help you sort it out.
Which platforms and devices will it support? Are you building for iOS, Android, or both? And which devices do you want to cover? For example, will it run on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, or maybe even tablets?
Do you need a specialized team?If your project requires specific expertise, like native app development for iOS or Android, you might need experts. If you’re aiming for a faster launch, cross-platform development might be a better fit.
Will your app need third-party integrations? Think about if your app will connect to tools like HubSpot, Zapier, Salesforce, or any other platforms. These integrations can add functionality but might also affect the budget.
Will your app use smartphone features? Are you planning to include features like GPS, NFC, AR, or motion co-processors? Using built-in hardware can add exciting functionality but may also impact development time and costs.
What’s the maintenance plan? Launching your app is just the beginning. You’ll need ongoing updates to fix bugs and add new features. At Intellectsoft, we provide end-to-end support, so your app stays fresh and functional long after it’s live.
What’s your timeline? How soon do you need to launch? Knowing your deadline will help you and your development partner set clear priorities and work efficiently.
What’s your budget? Your budget will guide the development approach—whether it’s native or cross-platform. Keep in mind, native apps usually cost more but can offer higher performance for specific platforms.
How much support do you need? Are you just looking for help with the Discovery and Development phases to build an MVP? Or do you need full-cycle support for a large, enterprise-level app?
How important is UX/UI design? A great app needs great design. Decide how much effort you want to put into creating a user-friendly and visually appealing experience.
Let’s Talk Hours and Rates
Building an app takes time, and time equals money—especially when you’re talking about development hours. In the U.S., the average hourly rate for an app developer starts at $100, according to Salary.com. That means even a relatively simple app can quickly become a major investment.
Outsourcing app development can be a game-changer. Many businesses turn to regions like Eastern Europe or Latin America, where you’ll find top-notch developers offering competitive rates. App developers in these regions have proven their reliability, delivering high-quality apps for some of the world’s leading companies.
If you’re looking to balance cost with quality, we offer expert outsourcing options and dedicated development teams to help you bring your app to life—efficiently and cost-effectively.
App Complexity Matters
App complexity heavily impacts the cost of mobile app development. The complexity of an app can be grouped into three types: simple, medium, and complex.
These are just estimates—your tech partner will need to understand your specific requirements before providing an accurate quote.
Simple Apps: These apps have a basic set of features and functionalities, such as user profiles, navigation, and a simple user interface. They are straightforward to develop and typically take around 2-3 months to complete. For example, basic fitness trackers or calculators.
Medium Apps: Medium complexity apps are more challenging to create as they contain more sophisticated features, interactive elements, and a larger amount of content. Such as social networking apps, e-commerce platforms, and online learning tools. The development time for medium apps is usually 4-6 months.
Complex Apps: Complex apps come with advanced features, responsive design, extensive navigation, third-party integrations, and a high level of complexity. Some of these are custom-built EHR/EMR systems for healthcare organizations or large-scale enterprise solutions. Developing a complex app can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. These apps often need strong backend infrastructure, data processing, and security measures.
App Development Cost Benchmarks
To give you a clearer picture of how your development team calculates a price tag, we’ve pulled together some stats from Clutch and Salary.com. Keep in mind, pricing can vary between companies and is often negotiable. Typically, your tech partner’s estimate will include factors like team size, hours worked, salaries, hardware, and other resources.
The chart below, based on data from Business of Apps and Clutch, gives a clear picture of how companies typically divide their budgets across key stages—Discovery, Design, Development, and Testing & Deployment. If you want to dive deeper into how it all works, check out our blog on the software development lifecycle.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the cost brackets and percentages for each stage.
Create high-end software solutions for your company with Intellectsoft
Discovery Stage (10–15%)(Optional: If you already have the requirements, you can skip this stage) Focused on requirement analysis and project scoping to lay the groundwork for development.
Design Stage (20–25%) Here, your tech partner brings the visual side to life with UI/UX design, wireframes, prototypes, and mockups, crafting an app that’s both functional and attractive.
Development Stage (40–55%) Unsurprisingly, the largest share of the budget is allocated to coding, backend infrastructure, and feature integration, bringing the designs to life as a fully functional app.
Testing Stage (15–20%) This important stage involves rigorous QA testing, including unit, system, and regression testing, to identify and fix bugs for smooth app performance.
Deployment Stage (5–10%). Focuses on launching the app in stores, ensuring post-launch maintenance, updates, and ongoing functionality.
According to Clutch, most companies spent between $5,000 and $10,000 on the Discovery stage, which made up about 10% to 20% of their total budget. For those in the highest spending range—$40,000 or more—it only accounted for 5% to 10% of the overall budget.
When it comes to the Design stage, costs fall into a few brackets. The range of $5k–$10k took up 10%–15% of the total budget. Moving up, the $10k–$25k range accounted for 20%–25%, similar to the $25k–$50k bracket. The highest tier, $50k+, made up about 15%–20% of the budget.
Development takes the largest share of the app development process, covering the coding of all features. It typically consumes 40%–50% of the budget, with costs falling into these ranges: $30k–$70k, $70k–$150k, and $150k–$300k.
The collaboration with tech partners doesn’t stop at Development—Testing and Deployment are essential to ensure a bug-free, smoothly launched app. Because let’s face it—nobody wants their shiny new app to crash right after launch.
Companies typically spent $5k–$50k on this stage, with simple apps costing $5k–$15k, mid-complexity apps $15k–$30k, and complex apps $30k–$50k—each accounting for 10–15% of the budget.
What are the hidden costs in app development?
1. Post-Launch Maintenance
The app maintenance cost doesn’t end when the app is launched. Ongoing updates, bug fixes, and compatibility adjustments (e.g., for new OS versions) are essential to keep the app running smoothly.
2. App Store Fees
Publishing your app on platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play comes with fees.
3. Third-Party Services and Integrations
If your app uses third-party APIs or services (e.g., payment gateways, geolocation, analytics tools), those come with costs. Stripe Gateway for payments, Google Maps for geolocation.
4. Cloud and Hosting Services
Apps that rely on cloud storage or backend services require ongoing hosting costs. AWS, Google Cloud, Firebase.
5. Security and Compliance
Be sure your app is secure and compliant with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA - it can be a hidden expense. Cost depends on the level of security and industry requirements.
6. Scaling and Performance Optimization
As your user base grows, you’ll need to scale your infrastructure, optimize performance, and handle higher traffic, all of which contribute to app maintenance costs. Consider these factors as well. Adding servers, load balancers, or optimizing databases.
Chatbots are game-changers for customer engagement and 24/7 support. But integrating AI and natural language processing (NLP) isn’t always quick or cheap. It’s an investment that pays off in better user experiences.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is a must-have for strong security these days. From biometrics to token-based logins, it boosts trust and compliance. Yes, it adds to costs, but your users (and regulators) will thank you.
Targeted Push Notifications
Personalized push notifications keep users coming back. But making them truly effective takes advanced data segmentation and analytics integration, which can complicate and stretch the budget.
Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)
AR and VR bring next-level experiences to retail, gaming, and more. They also need specialized tools and expertise, making them pricier to implement.
AI is revolutionizing development. It handles repetitive tasks, optimizes processes, and delivers insights that wow. But getting AI right takes effort—clean data, training models, and expert integration all add up.
Mobile Cloud Computing
Cloud tech enables seamless scaling—no huge upfront costs, just flexibility when you need it. Still, integrating and managing cloud solutions can add complexity to your project.
Data is gold if you know how to use it. Analytics turns raw numbers into actionable insights. But it needs clean, well-prepped data from skilled engineers to work its magic.
These trends push boundaries, but they also push budgets. Planning an app development budget is crucial to manage costs effectively. With the right strategy and a trusted tech partner, you can balance innovation and cost, delivering solutions that make a real impact.
How to Prepare for App Development Cost Estimation
1. Define Your Goals and Scope
For mobile apps, it’s important to define:
The app’s primary purpose and type (e.g., e-commerce, social networking, or healthcare apps).
Core features like user authentication, push notifications, GPS tracking, and payment integration.
Platforms: Will the app be built for iOS, Android, or both?
2. Understand Development Costs
In mobile app development, these factors are relevant:
Frameworks: Using cross-platform tools like React Native or Flutter is often more cost-effective than building separate native apps.
Team Expertise: The app's complexity, including features like real-time data processing or AR/VR, may require senior developers, whereas simpler apps might rely on a smaller team or junior developers.
3. Account for Infrastructure Expenses
Apps rely heavily on backend infrastructure:
Cloud Solutions: Scalable cloud services like AWS or Firebase are often the go-to for mobile apps. They enable efficient data storage and real-time updates.
Scaling Needs: As app downloads and active users grow, you’ll need robust backend support, including databases, APIs, and server load management.
4. Prioritize Security
Mobile apps often handle sensitive data (e.g., user profiles, payment details). Key considerations to have in mind:
Implementing secure APIs for data transfer.
Adding encryption to protect user data on both the device and the server.
Complying with mobile-specific regulations like Apple’s App Store guidelines or Android’s Play Store policies.
5. Plan for Long-Term Costs
Mobile apps require consistent updates for:
Adapting to new operating system versions (iOS and Android release updates annually).
Bug fixes and performance enhancements based on user feedback.
Adding new features as user expectations grow.
Planning ahead for scalability, security, and regular updates is key to building a budget that supports both the app’s launch and its long-term success, ultimately affecting the final app development cost.
Wrapping up: So How Much Does It Cost to Make an App for My Business?
Building a mobile app is a game-changer for businesses looking to deliver value to their customers and stay competitive. But when it comes to cost, there’s no universal answer. The price of mobile app development depends on a variety of factors—like the app’s purpose, complexity, platforms (iOS, Android, or both), and the level of features.
If you’re planning to develop a simple app, prototype, or MVP, the costs will be significantly different from building a feature-rich app with advanced functionalities like AI, AR, or real-time data processing.
Long-term considerations like regular updates, scalability, and security should also factor into your budget.
Feeling unsure about where to start? Don’t worry. At Intellectsoft, we specialize in mobile app development and can help you navigate the entire process—whether it’s defining your app’s goals, choosing the right features, or building within your budget. Our team is here to guide you from idea to launch and beyond.
The hospitality industry depends a lot on keeping customers happy, but it’s getting harder to attract and keep them. The pandemic hit this industry hard, and now market competition is tougher than ever, with competitive offerings swaying customers. Hospitality businesses are willing to spend big to win customers back. The main questions for many are: how can we stay ahead of the competition, keep our customers, and increase revenue? Keep reading—we’ve got some answers.
Customers today have so many options that getting their attention is a real challenge. It’s not easy to make them choose your business over others. What worked 10 years ago doesn’t work the same way now. Back then, people often chose businesses based on reputation. But with new types of businesses (boutique hotels, craft cafes) popping up or big enterprises getting a new strategy, expectations have changed. The good news is these businesses have shown what works: great customer service. They focus on personalizing the experience, making things easy for customers, offering loyalty programs, and using smart technology.
In this article, we’ll explore these tech strategies and show you how they can help your business grow, and double the revenue. Keep reading to learn more!
The Importance of Customer Satisfaction in the Hospitality Industry
Customer satisfaction, which equals exceptional customer experience, is the backbone of the hospitality industry. It plays a central role in driving revenue and loyalty, as satisfied customers are more likely to return and recommend a hotel, restaurant, or other hospitality business to others. In fact, a study by the Harvard Business Review found that a 1% increase in customer satisfaction can lead to a 0.5% increase in revenue. Moreover, loyal customers are more likely to forgive mistakes and continue doing business with a company, even if they experience a negative encounter.
Let's quickly review the challenges the hospitality industry is facing right now so we can move on to the solutions and our case studies.
Challenges in Hospitality
As businesses navigate the changes in the hospitality industry, there are some key areas where a little improvement can go a long way. From improving customer service to embracing digital transformation and tackling labor shortages, we’ll take a closer look at today’s biggest challenges—and, more importantly, how technology can step in to help. Let’s get started!
Poor Customer Service
Even with strong and high-quality business offerings, poor customer service can drive potential customers and existing customers away. Common issues include:
Long wait times in customer service queues (it is worth remembering that our attention spans 8 seconds, and we live in a very busy world, so quick and efficient responses are more important than ever.)
Poorly trained customer service representatives
Lack of follow-up
Services not being done properly or quickly
Recall issues that require multiple service calls
These problems can frustrate customers. But, at Intellectsoft, we believe that the right approach, combined with technology, can address them effectively.
Digital Transformation Gaps
Approximately 50% of hotels are adopting new technologies, with 43% automating repetitive tasks and 39% upgrading existing systems. Source: workstaff.app
While many businesses are adopting digital solutions, some still struggle with outdated systems and fragmented data. Legacy companies often face chaos when trying to manage their data and create new systems or add features.
Some of the recent examples include clients coming to us to create AI solutions for their services while their data simply was not ready for the advanced tasks. We advise stepping back, communicating with a company objective, and working on keeping the data clean (centralized, structured, and segmented).
When we’re asked to create advanced systems using AI, we always emphasize the importance of organized data. To train AI and build such complicated systems that truly work, you need to start from the very beginning—collecting, storing, centralizing, and organizing it. We encourage our clients to align all departments to work internally on the data so we can create a unified digital system that delivers personalized experiences.
If you’re unsure where to start with your data, we can help. Collecting feedback at various touchpoints along the customer journey is crucial for gaining insights into customer satisfaction and loyalty. Book an IT consultation with us, and our experts will guide you in mapping out a path to get more from your data and build a system that works for your business and team.
Reskilling Staff
The pandemic hit hard in early 2020, especially for the hospitality and travel industries. Even five years later, many businesses are still feeling the impact. Recruiting and retaining skilled staff has become a major challenge post-pandemic.
Reskilling to address technology’s impact is of utmost importance, as about 40% of hotel General Managers place it among their top three workforce challenges.
We strongly believe that adopting the right technology can help. For example, creating an app to train your staff not only saves time but also ensures consistency in learning. AI assistants can also work alongside your team, helping with tasks like recruitment (providing industry insights, crafting emails) and staff training. Imagine having an app dedicated to making your team’s work easier and more efficient!
How Technology Tackles These Challenges and Supports a Customer-Centric Hospitality Culture
Automation, AI, and similar technologies may threaten many. However, the debate about replacing humans isn’t about that—it’s about cooperation and working hand in hand with technology to achieve the highest standards and establish brand-new “golden standards.” Technology is here to assist staff in listening to and collecting customer insights from data.
Let’s review some of our cases to see examples of how technology helps improve customer experience and supports customer service.
Examples of Intellectsoft projects
Property management systems (PMS)
We created a web platform and mobile app that makes managing daily tasks easier and offers extra services to improve residents’ experience. It gives a clear overview of daily activities and helps with managing units and users. Residents can easily book amenities, submit service requests, and report incidents. The platform also includes features for equipment management, key instructions, workflows, and custom permissions. This makes it easier for staff to stay on top of equipment and ensure residents have all the information they need. Plus, tools like announcements, quick votes, a forum, and a community calendar help build a connected and engaged community.
Guest Experience Management App
Our next app helped our client improve their guest experience by replacing printed marketing materials and the need for phone calls with a smart solution. Now, guests can easily order in-room dining, make reservations, and interact with staff— through a simple tablet in their room. The solution includes three parts: a custom in-room tablet with a variety of services, an admin panel for hotel staff and service providers, and a backend system that connects everything together. This approach makes things easier for guests and staff, improving both convenience and efficiency.
Existing Customers First: Building Loyalty with Personalized Touchpoints
Keeping existing customers is not just a strategy; it’s well-known that retaining existing customers is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. In fact, research shows that it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one. KPMG named customer retention as the number one revenue driver for the company.
Moreover, a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profits, showing the significant impact loyal customers can have on a business’s bottom line. Retention strategies, like personalized experiences and loyalty programs, can foster long-term relationships and generate recurring revenue, ultimately making them an invaluable part of any business model.
Personalization: How Technology Can Help?
Everyone loves to feel special—it’s part of being human. In hospitality, personalization has evolved from being a luxury to an essential standard. With the right technology to manage your data effectively, you can deliver those “wow” moments that guests won’t forget.
More than half of hotel chains are already using personalization features on their websites, booking platforms, and apps, and another 39% are planning to follow suit soon. They’re tailoring experiences to fit guest preferences perfectly.
Source: Deloitte
How does technology make it happen?
CRM Systems: They help you keep track of guest preferences, booking history, and special requests so you can offer services tailored just for them.
Loyalty Programs: Personalized rewards and offers show your guests that you value them, keeping them coming back for more.
AI Personalization: AI analyzes guest data to predict what they’ll love (from room upgrades to local recommendations) before they even ask.
IoT Gadgets: Smart room features like voice-activated assistants, or temperature controls adjust to your guests’ preferences, making their stay more comfortable.
With tech-powered personalization, you’re building loyalty and maximizing the lifetime value of every customer.
Our Case Study: Smart Hotel Management & Loyalty Program
For one of our clients, we created a smart room solution, complete with a custom IoT system. Guests can use a mobile app to control services, explore amenities, and find resort information-- with a special touch to their suite type. For the client’s entertainment business, we improved their legacy software by running a full IT and code check, fixing issues, and making the system better for customers.
Along with that, we developed a mobile app for the loyalty program, allowing businesses to effortlessly reward their customers and keep them engaged with exclusive benefits.
Our solutions not only helped the client with special experiences for guests; it also improved operations, cutting costs by eliminating inefficiencies. Here's what our experts shared:
"We transitioned away from ESB (Enterprise Service Bus) systems, which previously cost millions, and replaced them with more efficient, self-managed solutions. Similarly, we’ve implemented Device Farms that improved operations and saved resources."
Leveraging Software to Increase Upsell Opportunities
Here are some examples of tech tactics that will help your team sell more and introduce new offerings to existing customers, improve overall efficiency leaving your team grateful:
Dynamic Pricing Algorithms
For finance and marketing teams, manually calculating pricing by segment to introduce your clients can be incredibly challenging. AI-powered tools can strongly optimize these strategies by analyzing your database in detail.
Upselling via Apps
Boosting revenue in the hospitality business often comes down to personalized experiences. Imagine this: a guest books a room, and then your app suggests a spa package or a room upgrade at just the right moment. Later, it nudges them to book a dinner reservation or a guided tour designed to their preferences. With apps offering these personalized recommendations during and after bookings, you’re not just increasing your revenue per guest but also skyrocketing their experience. And you do it in a sustainable way, not by speculating, but by offering what your customers desire based on their previous experiences. It’s a win-win: seamless, helpful, and far from pushy.
Inventory and Resource Management Software
Making every resource count in your hospitality business is key. Inventory and resource management software allows you to effortlessly track everything from linens to room availability, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Having real-time insights to reduce overstock, avoid shortages, and optimize operations assists sustainably keep everything under control and know what you need to focus more. It helps maximize room occupancy by aligning bookings with available resources, ensuring every room and item is used effectively. This approach leads to smarter management, better guest experiences, and a noticeable boost to your bottom line.
Adopting these strategies not only optimizes your operations but also drives business growth. Ready to discover how technology can elevate your goals? We’re here to create a tailored solution for you.
Steps For Implementing a Customer Service Technology Solution
Improving customer service in hospitality doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right technology, you can smooth the path of your operations, speed up response times, and elevate the overall guest experience. Here’s where you can make it happen:
1. Understand Your Needs
Start by identifying the challenges your business is facing. Are you struggling to manage high volumes of inquiries, track customer feedback, or personalize the guest experience? Pinpointing your needs will guide you to the best solutions.
2. Pick the Right Tools
Choose technology that aligns with your goals. Look for solutions that are scalable, easy to use, and integrate effortlessly with your current systems. Options like CRM software, live chat tools, or a guest experience app can make a difference.
3. Equip Your Team
Technology is only as effective as the people using it. Train your staff to make the most of the new tools, so they can deliver exceptional service and resolve issues quickly. Confident, well-equipped staff creates happy, loyal customers.
4. Keep Improving
Once implemented, monitor how well the solution works. Are response times improving? Are customers more satisfied? Regular evaluations will help you fine-tune your approach and keep things running harmoniously.
Some Tech Ideas for Hospitality Businesses
CRM Software: Manage customer interactions and preferences.
Guest Experience Apps: Delight guests with personalized experiences right at their fingertips.
Amenity Management Systems: Simplify operations for everything from room service to facility bookings.
Live Chat Tools: Offer instant support and answers.
Social Media Management Tools: Keep customer interactions engaging and organized.
Integrating these strategies will not only improve your customer service but also deliver unforgettable customer satisfaction, loyalty, and, ultimately, your bottom line. Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation with our experts.
Conclusion
To wrap up everything we've discussed, customer satisfaction and experience are at the heart of hospitality. Retaining customers is more than just keeping them around—building strong, long-lasting relationships and consistently meeting their evolving needs. By understanding their pain points and offering personalized solutions, you can inspire loyalty and drive progress. With the right technology and continuous improvement, your business can stay ahead, let go of what no longer serves you, and keep growing.
At Intellectsoft, with over 17 years of experience in software development, our expert team is ready to help. We create everything from mobile apps to full-fledged portals and systems, leveraging the latest technologies like AI, Cloud, and Machine Learning. With deep experience in the hospitality industry, we’re here to craft personalized solutions that bring your business unforgettable customer experience and retain your valuable clients.
Ready to double your revenue and level up your customer retention strategy with personalized technology? Contact our experts, and we look forward to working hand in hand with you to build or revitalize the perfect app or system for you.
We have sent an email to acknowledge receipt of your request. In the event that you have not received our email, we kindly suggest checking your spam folder or alternatively, contacting us directly at info@intellectsoft.net
We will send a short email notifying you that we successfully received your request and started working on it.
Our solution advisor analyzes your requirements and will reach back to you within 3 business days.
We may sign an optional mutual NDA within 1-2 business days to make sure you get the highest confidentiality level.
Our business development manager presents you an initial project estimation, ballpark figures, or our project recommendations within approximately 3-5 days.
Request a Free Quote
4.9
Our rating on Clutch
5
Our rating on Business of Apps
We have offices in:
San FranciscoOsloNew YorkLondon
Contact usRequest a Free Quote
Thank you for your message!
We will get in touch with you regarding your request within one business day.
