The short answer is between $50,000 to $250,000. But this figure is just a general estimate. It’s a broad average, and you’ll still need to come up with a budget that considers various factors related to software development.
Keep in mind that software can be a simple calculator or an enterprise inventory system for millions of users. So, to get a more accurate estimate of the costs you’ll incur, consider the following factors.
Project Complexity
Complexity refers to the logic of the software and the features it must have. More complicated logic and more features mean higher complexity. And with higher complexity comes higher pricing.
Consider common features such as push notifications and payments. Push notifications cost around $625 to $875, while a payments feature costs around $1,500 to $1,875.
Features will also differ in terms of hours needed to finish: push notifications can go between 25 to 35 hours, while payments can go between 60 to 75 hours.
A good software development company in San Diego could help you estimate these more correctly.
Project Size
Apart from the complexity of the software, you also need to consider its size. In this context, size refers to the number of screens or pages you have.
Screens refer to anything that your end-users see when they first access your software. You also count the unique screens they see for every button or menu click. More screens and pages mean more work, therefore higher pricing.
Small apps and software range between 10 to 25 screens, medium ones are between 25 to 40. Anything more than 40 is considered large.
Here’s a general pricing range according to software size:
- Small – $50,000 to $75,000
- Medium – $75,000 to $200,000
- Large – $250,000 and up
Software UI Design
Custom software designs let your software stand out. It gives a unique experience to your end-users. As such, it may constitute a large part of your total costs.
In this context, software design refers to the custom illustrations, animations, fonts, colors, palettes, and images. You can go for a simple design, go fancy, or adopt something in between.
A budget of between $8,000 and $16,000 can cover custom design costs. However, if you go back and forth and consume more design time, or if you want more unique, custom work, that price can go up.
Platforms
Consider, too, the types of platforms you want your software to work on. For instance, if you want the software to work on mobile devices, choose between iOS and Android (or both). Maybe you want it to work as a desktop tool, but web-based services also have merits.
Each of these platforms has pros and cons. Consider them very carefully when choosing to maximize your benefits. The more platforms you choose, the higher your software development budget should be.
Integration and Migration
Most software pieces nowadays require integration with existing systems, which may be external or third parties. Examples include maps, ERP, and CRM. Some integrations are straightforward, while others can be complex and time-consuming. Generally, the more complex and time-consuming the integration, the more expensive it will be.
You may also have data in a system that you need to migrate to your new software. Migration can be simple and straightforward, but you must run the migration a few times to ensure the new software is using the data correctly. Figuring out such performance quality can take time and cost more money.
Budgeting for Software Development
Having a better understanding of these factors is imperative to know just how much you need to develop your idea into software. With the correct budget in mind, you’ll know how much you can expect from the project and how fast or slow you can go from planning to executing. Having clear expectations about these factors also ensures you won’t waste your resources.
