With over 3.96 billion active mobile users and a market projected to surpass $610 billion by 2025, businesses across industries are increasingly embracing mobile apps to enhance operations and boost sales.
However, one common question is: How long does it take to develop a mobile app? While there’s no single answer, development time varies based on business needs, app complexity, and features.
Before diving into development timelines, it’s essential to understand the types of mobile apps businesses can create to align with their objectives.
Types of Mobile Apps for a Business
The time to develop a mobile app largely depends on its complexity. Mobile apps typically fall into three categories:
Simple Apps
Developing a simple mobile app typically takes 2 to 4 months. These apps have around five to six pages, minimal features, and no data exchange between networks. They focus on providing basic business information and may include email subscriptions or simple service sign-ups without complex integrations or analytics.
Average Mobile Apps
Developing a mobile app for standard business use takes 4 to 6 months. These apps have more than five screens, basic integrations like social media logins, and user dashboards. While they manage moderate tasks, they may lack advanced eCommerce features or handle large data volumes. Examples include booking apps or payment services.
Complex Mobile Apps
Complex mobile app development can take 6 months to a year. These apps integrate with payment systems, social media, and eCommerce platforms, handling data exchange across multiple networks. They often support downloadable content, animations, and rich media. Examples include Super Apps, eBanking platforms, and social media apps like Instagram or Twitter.
Factors Affecting App Development Timelines
Now that we’ve covered the types of mobile apps, let’s explore the key factors that influence development time. The following sections highlight the major elements that can impact how long it takes to build a mobile app.
Procedural Complexity
Developing simple apps takes less time than complex, feature-rich ones. Unique or custom-built apps often require more time compared to conventional apps that reuse existing code and frameworks. This is a key factor influencing mobile app development timelines.
Business Requirements
Aligning app development with a business’s vision and goals greatly impacts timelines. Simple apps showcasing products or services are faster to build, while apps requiring geo-location or financial data take longer due to compliance and security requirements. Complex backend systems ensure efficiency and regulatory adherence, extending development time.
Additional Integrations
Additional third-party integrations, like cryptocurrency wallets or chatbots, can extend mobile app development time. While some businesses have clear goals, adding complex features increases the overall timeline, especially for apps like eCommerce platforms.
Platform Used for App Development
Standard apps can often be built with no-code tools or simple programming, but more complex apps may need multiple environments to separate backend systems from frontend user experiences. Native Android apps may not run on iOS, and developing cross-platform apps requires advanced programming, increasing development time.
Stages to Develop a Mobile App
To develop a mobile app that performs in the long run, there are several stages that the app development team must go through. The most pivotal ones have been discussed below:
Ideation and Research
The initial phase of mobile app development is crucial and time-consuming. Providing a clear brief, including app goals, brand materials (fonts, logos, colors), budget, and milestones, helps streamline the process and reduce delays.
Planning and Design
During this phase, the development team designs a low-level wireframe of the app’s pages with placeholder content for business review. The timeline varies based on app complexity and how quickly feedback is provided.
