How Long Does It Take To Make An App?

Usually, many companies worry about how much it will cost to develop a mobile application. However, immediately after this, another thing arises – how long will this process take? Many things affect development timing, which we will consider in more detail below.

Read our guide on all the intricacies of app development and how you can speed up the process without losing quality.

How Long Does It Take To Develop an App?

1. Simple App

A simple app is one that has a basic design and feature set. It is frequently less expensive to design and deploy than a more complicated app. A simple app takes around 4 months to develop.

Example of a Simple App

Simple apps feature no more than five screens, no data interaction with other systems’ databases, no analytics of user stories and actions, and no email registration. Examples of basic applications include to-do list apps, note-taking apps, task management apps, and habit monitoring apps.

2. Average App

The average app is a mid-level application with basic features and capabilities that can be created in 6 months. A medium complexity app may include features such as a shopping cart, a payment gateway, a chatbot, or a more difficult user interface with many panels and navigation controls, which extends the development time.

Example of an Average App

An average app may contain several processes. User accounts, the ability to search and explore material, the ability to store and share content, and access to notification settings are all average app features. Social networking apps, news apps, streaming apps, and commerce apps are examples of applications featuring these functionalities.

3. Complex App

A complicated app is one that has a lot of features and functionalities. Depending on the scope of the project, the time required to build a complicated app might range from 9 months to more.

Example of a Complex App

Complex apps typically include features such as user authentication, advanced search functionality, complex navigation structures, and real-time data processing. Examples of complex apps include social networks, interactive games, online stores, and financial management apps.

App Development Timeline During Different Stages Process

I. How Long Does It Take to Conduct Market Research for the App?

Market research is a necessary basis for understanding the needs and interests of your target audience, as well as identifying potential competitors. Market research may also assist you in identifying the essential elements of your app that will be most appealing to consumers, as well as any possible hazards. Depending on the nature of the project, market research for an app might take anywhere from a few days to 4 weeks.

II. How Long Does It Take to Prototype the App?

A prototype app normally takes between one and two weeks to create. This schedule might vary based on the app’s complexity and the development team’s expertise. The prototype phase’s major goal is to sketch out the app’s structure, features, and basic operation.

III. How Long Does It Take to Design the App?

An app can take anything from 3 to 4 weeks to a few months to create. Creating user interface designs, mock-ups, and wireframes is part of this. While building an app, UX designers should pay attention to the needs of the users and provide them exactly what they want while keeping to the overall business aim. The more screens you need for your app, the longer it will take the development team to create them.

IV. How Long Does It Take to Code the App?

An app’s development is separated into two stages: the front end and the back end. The user sees and interacts with the front end of an app while using it. The back end, on the other hand, refers to all the background operations that occur when using an app. Generally speaking, it takes from three to nine months on average to code an app, depending on the complexity of the app and structure of your development team.

V. How Long Does It Take to Test the App?

Before releasing the app to the public, it is critical to properly test it in order to detect any potential flaws or defects that may influence the user experience. Depending on the complexity of the app and the sort of tests being run, app testing normally takes two to four weeks. User acceptability testing, unit testing, integration testing, and system testing are all examples of this.

VI. How Long Does It Take to Launch the App?

During the launch preparation process, the app is typically released in two stages: the alpha and beta releases. The alpha release is typically an early version of the app, usually tested internally by the organization’s testers, while the beta release is usually tested by the end users. This process can last anywhere from two weeks to a month.

VII. How Long Does It Take to Build an Android App?

Building an Android app may be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. The development timeframe will depend on the complexity of the app, the features it provides, and the experience of the developer with object-oriented programming and Android development. A typical Android application usually takes to 6 months to develop.

VIII. How Long Does It Take to Build an iOS App?

Most mobile app developers claim that developing an iOS app is less difficult than developing an Android app. A basic Android application typically takes 5 months to develop. It is feasible to produce a high-quality iOS app in a reasonably short period of time with the correct tools and a devoted development team.

Tips to Develop an App in Decided Timeline

• Create a clear timeline that is both realistic and practical.

• Break the development process down into manageable activities and assign timescales to each.

• Set up a project management tool to track progress and ensure that deadlines are fulfilled.

• Identify possible hazards and make plans to reduce them.

• Run frequent tests during development to ensure the software is working properly.

• Invest in quality assurance to guarantee that the app satisfies expectations.

• After launching the app, monitor its performance and make modifications as needed.

What Slows Down The App Development Process?

Unclear requirements

No matter what professional developers you have and no matter what huge budget you are ready to invest, unclear requirements are the biggest obstacle to a successful app development process. Carefully planned requirements and structured development process are the key to a fast and smooth development process.

Lack of resources

If there are not enough developers available to work on the project or a sufficient budget allotted for the project, it can lead to development delays and lengthier completion dates. It is important to calculate all the risks and additional costs at the initial stages of planning the development of the application.

Poor communication

Establish a person responsible for communication with the development team. Try to conduct calls in Slack, Zoom or Skype often to understand what stage of development, you are in and if there is anything else needed for productive work of developers.

Lack of experienced developers

Inexperienced developers may lack the skills required to design complicated features or debug problems rapidly, resulting in development delays. It might be tough to design a trustworthy, safe, and efficient product without the help of skilled developers.

Complex architecture

Machine learning, artificial intelligence, VR/AR, and other technologies slow down the mobile app development process. This is because the technologies are sophisticated and take time to integrate into the app.

How to Speed Up The Time of Application Development?

Here are some pointers to assist you shorten the time it takes to design an application:

• Set priorities and start with the most crucial ones.

• Use an agile development technique to accelerate progress.

• Use collaborative platforms like Slack or Trello to improve communication.

• Automate testing and other procedures to decrease human labor.

• Use pre-built components and modules to accelerate development.

• To boost productivity, divide the development team into different teams.

• Use version control and Git to monitor changes and make cooperation easier.

How can Leobit help you with iOS or Android app development?

Leobit can assist you with iOS or Android app development by offering full-service mobile app development. We specialize in creating iOS and Android apps with technologies like React Native, Flutter, and Ionic, as well as other frameworks. Furthermore, we have vast expertise designing applications for a wide range of sectors and can assist businesses in developing unique mobile apps that will help them achieve their objectives. Check out our portfolio!

Questions you can ask your mobile app development company

Here are some questions you may want to ask your mobile app development company the right questions in order to ensure that you get the best possible service:

1. How the process of mobile app development will be managed?

2. How do I assess the business application’s success?

3. How frequently should I update my app?

4. How do you handle security and privacy?

5. What is your approach to user experience and design?

Conclusion

Depending on the features and technical stack, building an app can take anywhere from 7 to 12 months. To expedite the process, it is important to provide precise specifications, respond quickly, and ensure that responsibilities are shared between the development team and the client. With the Leobit team, you can rest assured that your app will be developed with care and responsibility.