How Much Does A Mobile App Cost In Singapore?

mobile apps design and development in singapore

Do you want to know the mobile application development cost in Singapore? Do you want to know the breakdown of mobile app costs? Do you also want to see what affects and how you can save on app development costs? If yes, you’ve come to the right place. 

The cost of creating a mobile app in Singapore may start at SGD 8,000 and can go up to SGD 75,000 or more. 

Here, you will learn about the different factors that affect app development costs in Singapore, the various types of mobile applications, and their development costs. It also explains how you can save on app development costs.

Low cost mobile app development in Singapore

Below are some of the significant determinants of mobile app development costs in Singapore:

Determinants of App Development Costs

App Complexity

If you need a simple mobile app with a limited number of screens to showcase a basic feature, such as some calculations or booking forms, then the cost of your app would be lower compared to an app with medium complexity and more complex apps. Creating an eCommerce mobile app can be considered a medium complex app; however, if you want to make an app that needs real-time updates or automated flow with different user logins, it will be considered a highly complex mobile app.

App Platform

The app development platform you or your app developer choose will also affect the overall cost of your mobile app development in Singapore. Creating cross-platform applications using technology like Flutter or React Native can cost less than building a mobile app using native technology. This is because in case of Flutter app development, your developer don’t need to create two separate codebases (for Android & iOS), like in the case of a native app development.

App Design

Suppose your app developer decides to use readymade templates available for developing mobile applications. In that case, the cost of your app may be reduced compared to the cost of creating an app using custom UI designs. With the template design, your developer can customize them according to your business/brand.

Features & Functionalities

Do you need simple features such as user logins, simple forms, notifications, profiles, etc., or advanced features such as real-time GPS tracking, social media features, chat, etc.? The selection or requirement of features will significantly affect the overall mobile app development costs in Singapore.

Third-party Integrations

If your app needs third-party integrations through API, you may have to pay more to your app developer due to the additional effort they make.

App Developer

You will find many options for hiring app developers in Singapore, most of which will quote you different prices. Go with the one who quoted you a reasonable price but has a sound understanding of your project.

Now that we know about some of the crucial determinants of mobile app development costs in Singapore, let’s explore the different types of mobile apps and their respective costs.

Types of Apps & Their Costs

1. E-Commerce Mobile Apps

Building a basic eCommerce mobile app in Singapore may cost around SGD 12,000.

Below are some standard features of a basic eCommerce mobile application:

  • Product catalog: A robust product catalog on the app that can be managed by the admin from the backend.
  • Search & filter: Your app developer can also add great features like a search bar and filter options (based on price, size, colors, etc.) to enable app users to find their desired products easily.
  • Checkout: Users can add items to their cart and checkout to pay and place their orders online.
  • Payment gateway integration: Integration of payment gateways to allow users to pay using their credit/debit cards.
  • Push notifications: The admin can send promotional messages to app users using the backend.
  • Order tracking: The admin can change order status from the backend, and users can check their order status using the app.
  • Product ratings & reviews: The users can post ratings & reviews for the products they bought.

Depending on the requirements, adding advanced features like third-party integration, loyalty programs, digital wallets, etc. can increase your app development cost to SGD 40,000 or more.

#2 On-demand Service Apps

Some examples include ride-hailing apps, tutor apps, handyman apps, food delivery apps, and more.

The development cost for on-demand mobile apps in Singapore may start at SGD 25,000.

Below are some basic features that an on-demand mobile may have:

  • User registration: The ability for users to sign up using their emails or their social login.
  • Real-time GPS tracking: The users can track their orders, rides, etc., in real-time through GPS.
  • Payment gateway integration: The ability for the users to pay for their services/products.
  • Booking and scheduling: Users can book or reschedule their required services or appointments.
  • Push notifications for updates: The ability for the admin to send out promotional push notifications and for the app to send out auto push notifications for each event associated with the user’s experience.

#3 Social Networking Apps

Social networking mobile apps are considered advanced. They may have many complex features like newsfeeds, chat, connections, etc.

The cost of building a social networking mobile application in Singapore can range between SGD 20,000 & SGD 50,000.

Below are some of the basic features that a social networking mobile app should have:

  • User profiles and friend connections: Users can sign up, create their profile, and get recommendations for friend connections.
  • Newsfeed or timeline: A newsfeed/timeline for the members to see the recent activities performed by them and their connections.
  • Chat and messaging features: The ability for members (connected) to chat or send messages.
  • Media upload (photos, videos): This feature allows app users to upload images or videos that will be saved in their activities and shown on their and their connections’ newsfeeds.
  • Push notifications for interactions: Push notifications are very important for social networking mobile apps for each interaction member’s experience. 

#4 Education/E-learning Apps

There has been a rise in online education, e-learning, and on-the-go learning apps. If you also plan to create an education/e-learning mobile app in Singapore, it may cost you between SGD 20,000 & SGD 60,000.
An education mobile app in Singapore must have the following features:

  • Course content management: The ability of admins and trainers to manage their course contents for the students.
  • Video streaming and webinars: Your app developer can also integrate live webinar features or video streaming to provide users with a self-paced learning experience.
  • Quizzes and assessments: Most education/e-learning mobile apps have separate modules for quizzes and assessments. Students are given certificates based on their performance.
  • User progress tracking: Users can track their course progress. This helps them view, at a glance, how much is remaining and how much has been covered.
  • Payment gateways for course purchases: Users can purchase and pay for their desired courses online. 

#6 Health & Fitness Apps

Health and fitness have become a primary topic of concern for most people, especially after COVID-19. Since then, there has been a sharp rise in the number of downloads and installs of mobile apps related to health and fitness. If you are a health expert or health enthusiast and wish to build a mobile app around this idea, here is good news. 

The cost of building a health and fitness app in Singapore may start at just SGD 15,000.

Below are some basic yet essential features a health mobile app should have.

  • Activity tracking (steps, calories, heart rate): Your app developer must add an activity tracking feature to allow users to monitor their steps, calories, heart rate, etc.
  • Workout plans or diet tracking: The health and fitness mobile app must also have workout plans for users with different health statuses. For example, there should be a different plan for users with diabetes and a different one for users with cardiovascular problems.
  • User progress dashboard: To make it easier for the users, the app should have a progress dashboard to let users watch & monitor their activity progress.
  • Notifications and reminders: Your app developer must also add a push notifications feature so users can receive reminders about their upcoming and pending activities based on their workout plans. 

Conclusion:
Not all apps are the same. Therefore, to get an exact quote to develop your mobile application in Singapore, you must list the features and discuss them with your mobile app developer, who can help you prepare a proposal and transform your business idea into a mobile application.

save on e-commerce website design

Save Your App Development Costs

The cost of creating a mobile application in Singapore is higher than the cost of website development. The effort required to build a mobile app is more than that required to create a website. Your developer will need to take care of both Android and iOS devices and their specific requirements for the app to function smoothly.

However, there are a few ways in which you can reduce your app development cost. Below are some of the tested & proven ways to create an affordable mobile application in Singapore:

Choose Cross-platform App

Building a cross-platform mobile app is more affordable than creating native apps. It’s because, in the case of a cross-platform app, your app developer will just have to work on a single codebase that can be used to deploy both Android & iOS apps. However, when working on a native technology to build mobile apps, the developers have to work on two separate codebases (for iOS & Android). It’s not just about the cost of creating the app. But when it comes to maintaining or upgrading the apps, cross-platform mobile apps are easier & cost-effective to scale up as compared to native apps. Flutter & React Native are the best examples of cross-platform application development.

Ensure Requirements

Having exact requirements for your mobile app will also save you development costs. When you know precisely what you want, your app developer suggests some of the best ways to reduce development costs. However, if you are still determining your requirements and you get started with the app development and try to add more features during the app development, it can cost you more than your expected budget. Also, adding new requirements during app development can create conflicts with your developer. So, it’s good to write down all your initial requirements for your mobile application before you hunt for an app developer.

Go For MVP

If you are a startup and wish to spend less on mobile app development, go for an MVP (minimum viable product). An MVP version of your app will have the minimum requirements to launch and test your idea in the marketplace. If your mobile app idea works well in the market, you may gradually add more features. Most small businesses and startups go for an MVP to save their app development costs.

Choose Readymade Templates

Choosing a readymade template instead of a custom design can help you save more than 25% of your overall app development costs. Of course, your app developer can customize some of the areas of your template design, but it will still be a cost-effective way to build a mobile app compared to creating a custom design from scratch.

Hire Affordable Developers

App developers play an important role in the success of your mobile app business. Therefore, you must take time to shortlist them and hire the best app development team to create your mobile application. You must consider that you don’t need an investment just to develop & launch your app. But you will also need to spend on the updates & maintenance of your apps. So, you must decide to hire affordable app developers from the beginning.

Get Complimentary Items

Check out with your shortlisted app developers about the complimentary/free items they can provide. At Innomedia, with all our app development services, we provide our clients with free logo design, free web hosting for web services, free landing page design, and free support for 6 months. Getting multiple items free of cost can also reduce your overall app development costs in Singapore. 

Get A Mobile App Quote!

Mobile App Maintenance Charges

iOS App Renewal Charges

As of November 20, 2024, the annual cost to renew the Apple Developer Program is USD 99. The Program allows you to host your iOS apps.

Android Application Charges

As of November 20, 2024, the cost to deploy and publish your Android app to the Google Play Store is USD 25 (one-time). 

Web Hosting Renewal Charges

Most mobile apps use the web backend to manage the database and API. The cost to renew your web server’s hosting could start at $250 per annum. 

Additionally, if you are also using a domain name, it may cost you an additional $20 per annum.

App Maintenance Charges

The cost to maintain a mobile app depends on the complexity of your app, the number of hours you need every month, and the hourly charges of your app developer. The annual cost to maintain a mobile app may start at $1000 per annum.