How Much Does It Cost To Develop A Mobile App In Dubai

The mobile app market is booming, and businesses worldwide are taking notice of the opportunities that mobile apps present. A mobile app can help businesses to reach their customers in new ways, provide unique value, and increase engagement with their brand.  Dubai is a hub of innovation and technology, making it an ideal destination for developing cutting-edge mobile apps. With the increasing demand for mobile apps, many businesses in Dubai are looking for cost-effective ways to develop their own mobile app.

However, developing a mobile app can be complex and expensive, especially for businesses with limited resources. The cost of developing a mobile app in Dubai can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the app, the development platform, and the features required. The cost can also depend on the development team you choose to work with and their level of expertise and experience.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the various factors that affect the cost of mobile app development in Dubai. We will provide insights into the different types of mobile apps, the development platforms available, and the features that can impact the development cost. We will also share some tips on keeping the development cost within your budget.

If you are a business owner in Dubai or thinking of launching a mobile app in the region, this article is for you. By the end of this article, you will clearly understand the factors that influence the cost of mobile app development and be better equipped to make informed decisions about your app development project. So, let's dive in and explore the world of mobile app development in Dubai.

Different Types Of Mobile Apps

Mobile applications have proved to be an important asset in any firm as it has become a very productive tool in increasing the business in terms of marketing, usability, and efficiency.

Technically, Mobile Apps are of three types :

Native Applications 

In the Smartphone world, there are two players - Android and IOS, Android is the open-source operating system developed by Google and IOS is the operating system developed by Apple. Almost all the applications in the world are powered by these two. Even Though Android and IOS are rich in features and functionalities, their backend is completely different. These are developed in either Swift/Objective — C for iOS Apps or Java when developing an app for Android. Native Mobile App means, you get an app that is responsive to the Google operating system and uses, interacts with the in-built device features like Camera, Proximity sensors, GPS, etc. The ultimate reason to choose Native app is, it makes sure that the public you are targeting gets an app that has a very low learning curve and offers them a highly instinctive experience.

Basically, we divide Native Apps into three types based on its development complexity and project requirements :

1) Tier 1 (Low Complexity) :

These kinds of applications are easy to develop and need less hardware requirements and optimizations. These are mostly informational applications, booking applications, e-book reader, etc. These applications are normally a part of another, bigger application/website. These kinds of Tier 1 Applications can be developed in approximately 4 weeks and generally costs around AED 25,000 to AED 35,000, the time frame and cost will vary according to the client's exact requirements.

2) Tier 2 (Medium Complexity) :

These are the kinds of applications which doesn't need much hardware requirements but are programmatically complex and contain so many variables that are dependent on each other, these applications may also require payment gateway integrations, subscriptions, User Modules, etc . These are mostly Service booking Applications, Fitness Tracking Apps, etc.

These kinds of Tier 2 Applications can be developed in approximately 6 weeks to 8 weeks and generally costs around AED 35,000 to AED 50,000, the time frame and cost will vary according to the client's exact requirements.

3) Tier 3 (High Complexity) :

These kinds of applications require extensive use of Hardware and are also programmatically very complex. Hardware requirements include tracking location whenever you turn on the app, camera use, audio, sensors, etc. These applications require extensive Research and Development and require proper algorithms and logical planning for many variables. Tier 3 Applications include Taxi booking application - which has two applications - one for the driver and one for the customer, Food Delivery Application, Parcel or Courier delivery applications, etc.

These kinds of complex Tier 3 Applications can be developed in approximately 8 weeks to 12 weeks and generally costs around AED 50,000 to AED 80,000; the time frame and cost will vary according to the client's exact requirements.

Hybrid Applications

We all know that websites are made up of 3 parts, HTML CSS and Javascript, if this is done then there is an amazing way to make an application out of it with a very minimal learning curve required. We can convert the existing responsive websites to apps using a tool called Cordova, by Apache. It was formerly known as PhoneGap, Cordova is a mobile app development framework that integrates the HTML5 code inside a native WebView on the device. Cordova acts as an outer layer wrapped around HTML/JavaScript code and provides a bridge to access device hardware, allowing one to easily write one set of code to target nearly many devices. There is also a framework called Ionic which is based on web components and has styled elements based on the design guidelines for iOS and Material Design for Android. One awesome thing about this framework is that you can write your app with one codebase, but while building for a specific platform, it chooses the matching elements on its own.

For Hybrid Applications, considering the fact that it is less complex, we take approximately 8 weeks to develop and will cost around AED 20,000 to AED 40,000; the time frame and cost will vary according to the client's exact requirements.

 Progressive Web Applications

Progressive web applications are deployed and delivered through the web, built using the very popular techs, including markup language like HTML, styling using CSS and interactive elements and real-time activity using JavaScript. They are programmed to work on any platform that uses any standard web browser. Unlike the normal Native applications, these PWAs are a mixture of normal website pages and Mobile apps, and the word progressive is pitched because it states that PWAs are always up to date and will always have new features, but they behave just like any other applications. So in short, if the requirement is to convert a website to an application or to develop a very minimal application with minimal features, PWA is the best platform as it requires very less time of development and will be cheaper than other platforms!

For Progressive Web Applications, considering the fact that it is simple and less complex, we take approximately 4 weeks to 6 weeks to develop and will cost around AED 20,000 to AED 30,000; the time frame and cost will vary according to the client's exact requirements.

Most Common Factors That Influence App Development Cost

The cost of developing a mobile app in Dubai can vary significantly depending on several factors. Here are some of the key factors that can influence the cost of app development:

• App complexity:  The app's complexity refers to the level of technical and functional requirements involved in the app. A simple app with basic functionality, such as a calculator or a note-taking app, will cost less to develop than a complex app like a social media platform or a gaming app. Complex apps require more coding, testing, and debugging, which increases the development time and cost.
• Development platform:  The development platform used to build the app can also influence the development cost. Developing a native app for iOS and Android requires different skill sets and development tools, affecting the development time and cost. Cross-platform development using frameworks like React Native or Xamarin can be cost-effective but may require additional development time and resources to ensure compatibility across multiple platforms.
• Features and functionality:  The features and functionality required for the app can also impact the development cost. Additional features like push notifications, in-app purchases, and social media integration require additional development time and testing, increasing the development cost.
• Design requirements:  The app's design can also affect the development cost. A highly customized or complex UI/UX design may require additional development time and resources, increasing the cost.
• Development team:  The development team you work with can influence the app development cost. Experienced and skilled developers may charge more for their services, while less experienced developers may offer more affordable rates. Additionally, factors like location, size of the team, and the scope of the project can also impact the development cost.
• Maintenance and support:  The cost of app development does not end with the launch of the app. Ongoing maintenance and support are necessary to ensure the app runs smoothly and remains up-to-date with new technology updates. The cost of maintenance and support can vary depending on the complexity of the app and the level of support required.
• Timeframe:  The development timeframe can also affect the cost of development. Rushing the development process can increase the development cost due to additional resources required to meet the deadline. On the other hand, a longer development period may result in higher costs due to extended development time and maintenance.

How Long Will It Take To Develop A Mobile App

Various factors can impact the development time of an app. Here are some of the key factors that can affect the development time of an app:

Features and functionality:  The more complex and advanced features and functionalities you want to include in your app, the longer it will take to develop. For instance, it will take longer to develop if you want to integrate features such as real-time tracking, payment gateways, or advanced search and filtering options.

Platform:  Developing an app for multiple platforms, such as Android and iOS, can take longer than developing for a single platform.

Technology stack: The technology stack you choose for your app can impact development time. For instance, if you choose to develop your app using native technologies, it may take longer than using hybrid technologies.

Design:  Creating a user-friendly and visually appealing design for your app can also impact development time. The more complex your design requirements are, the longer it will take to develop.

Integration with third-party services:  Integrating your app with third-party services such as payment gateways, maps, or messaging services can also impact development time.

Team size and expertise:  The size and expertise of your development team can also impact the development time of your app. A larger team with more experience can complete the development process faster.

Testing and quality assurance:  Testing and quality assurance are critical to the success of any app. Ensuring your app is thoroughly tested and meets all quality standards can add to the development time.

Overall, the development time of an app will depend on various factors, including the complexity of the features, the technology stack, and the team size and expertise.

A Final Estimate of Mobile App Development Cost In Dubai, UAE:

Now that you know the factors considered when determining the mobile app development cost, here is a rough estimate of the costs associated with each mobile app type, as discussed above.

In the case of native app development, there are three distinct levels, with prices ranging from AED 25,000 to AED 80,000. For hybrid app development, the cost varies between AED 20,000 and AED 40,000. Lastly, the pricing for progressive app development fluctuates between AED 20,000 and AED 30,000.

And we also see that.

1) We can Choose the Native application development platform if the performance is the ultimate target and if using the device’s hardware peripherals is essential.

2) We can Choose the Hybrid application development platform if the time is limited and code reusability is important.

3) We can Choose the Progressive Web Application development platform if the requirement is a website and a similar feature in a mobile app, if it has less hardware usage, and if the time is limited.

Why Choose Royex Technologies for Mobile App Development In Dubai

Royex Technologies has been a leading mobile development partner in Dubai for the past 10 years. As an ISO-certified company with a team of over 60 skilled developers, Royex has successfully developed and delivered more than 300 mobile apps. Many prominent companies in the UAE choose Royex for their mobile app development needs due to their extensive experience and commitment to quality.

Staying up-to-date with the latest industry technologies and trends, Royex delivers exceptional results tailored to each client's unique requirements. By working closely with clients to understand their goals and providing customized solutions, Royex ensures client satisfaction and long-term success. In addition, Royex takes care of maintaining and updating the mobile apps regularly, ensuring seamless performance and data backup.

We have some unique offerings that make us stand out among our competitors:

Dedicated support team in Dubai:  Our support team in Dubai will provide round-the-clock trackable support to our clients.

Post-delivery maintenance: We offer post-delivery maintenance to ensure that the app functions correctly, is secure, and provides a good user experience. 

Annual Maintenance Contract: Our (AMC) outlines the terms of ongoing maintenance and support for the app. This contract is usually signed after the initial development of the app is complete and the app is launched.

Additional value that you will get from Royex to make your app a success:

Investors Club:  Royex Investors Club provides a platform for investors to connect and create investment propositions with emerging and prospective tech startups.

Apps Marketing:  Our marketing agency can help you get the required engagement and reach for your mobile app.

Business Strategies: We will provide support to collab with 3rd party companies to provide business strategies that will support your app’s growth and success.

Intellectual property & patent services: Intellectual property (IP) and patents are essential for protecting the rights of creators and inventors. IP rights protect various creative and innovative works, including inventions, designs, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, and images used in commerce. We can help with acquiring IPs for your app.

Attractive discounts: We collaborate with several delivery companies, payment gateways, and hosting services. So you can avail discounts for these services when working with us. 

Contact us via email at info@royex.net or call us at +971566027916 or +971 45820203  with your requirements.
Let’s make it happen.