Software Application Development Estimator
Web Application (Basic)
Mobile App (Single Platform)
Cross-Platform (iOS & Android)
Desktop Enterprise Software
Minimalist (Standard Components)
Custom UI (Branded Elements)
High-End (Animations & 3D)
Estimation Result
Total Hours
0
Total Budget
$0
Est. Timeline
0 Weeks
Understanding the Application Development Calculator
Planning a software project requires a deep dive into technical requirements and resource allocation. This calculator provides a data-driven estimation based on industry standard development cycles for various platforms and complexities.
Key Factors in Application Costing
- Platform Choice: Developing for a single platform (like iOS or Web) is generally more cost-effective than cross-platform solutions, though cross-platform offers better market reach per dollar spent.
- UI/UX Complexity: High-fidelity designs with custom animations require significantly more frontend development hours than standard native components.
- Feature Density: Backend integrations such as secure authentication, payment processing (Stripe/PayPal), and real-time push notifications add layers of logic and testing.
- Development Velocity: We estimate a standard development week at 30 productive hours, accounting for sprint planning, QA testing, and code reviews.
Example Estimation Scenarios
| App Type | Screens | Est. Hours | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Web Portal | 5 | 160 hrs | ~6 Weeks |
| E-commerce Mobile | 12 | 450 hrs | ~15 Weeks |
| Enterprise Dashboard | 20 | 700+ hrs | ~24 Weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this include maintenance? No, this tool estimates the initial build (MVP). Post-launch maintenance typically costs 15-20% of the initial development cost annually.
How accurate is the screen count metric? Screens are a proxy for UI complexity. A "screen" includes the design, data fetching logic, and error handling for that specific view.