React Native cross-platform development has changed the game for app owners and entrepreneurs in recent years. The core reason is that companies can create cost-effective, scalable, and industry-ready apps with React Native. The framework uses a single codebase to create user-friendly cross-platform applications. As a result, it guarantees a native-like user experience and shortens time to market. Therefore, React Native offers unparalleled flexibility and lowers mobile app development cost for business owners and developers.
Like you, every budding business entrepreneur wants to know the cost of developing a cross-platform application. Our main topic will be the cost of developing a React Native app.
This blog will help you understand the essential aspects of React Native app development if you plan to create a cross-platform React Native application. Learn the elements that contribute to the cost of a React Native app and those that reduce it. Let’s begin by outlining React Native and its benefits for your commercial application.
What is React Native App Development?
React Native is an open-source framework that uses JavaScript and React to create native mobile applications. It has been used to create some of the most well-known apps we use daily, including Instagram, Facebook, Uber Eats, Airbnb, Pinterest, Discord, Tesla, Skype, Soundcloud, and Walmart.
React Native is popular and a favorite among developers because it comes with unique and user-friendly features.
- It can create cross-platform applications, and developers must write code only once. They can deploy it on iOS and Android platforms.
- Because React Native employs native components, unlike other cross-platform frameworks, its apps function similarly to native apps.
- With this functionality, developers don't have to rebuild the entire program to view their changes.
- Finding answers and help is made simpler by React Native's robust library and tool ecosystem and its sizable developer community.
- Meta (previously Facebook) is responsible for maintaining React Native. This guarantees ongoing enhancements and upgrades.
- It is flexible to different project requirements because developers can utilize any library, SDK, or native code.
Top Factors That Influence the React Native App Development Cost
A trustworthy mobile app development team and careful preparation are essential. You can partner with a trustworthy React native app development company to create stellar mobile applications for your business.
App Complexity
The cost of developing a React Native app increases with the number of features and functionalities it offers. The complexity of a React Native app depends on several factors, including the quantity of features, integrations, and interactions. It usually takes longer to design apps with intricate workflows, unique animations, or real-time data processing, and the total cost of development rises. Similarly, small apps with few functionalities use fewer resources and may be developed more quickly.
As a result, the cost of developing native apps is reduced. As an entrepreneur, you must thoroughly assess the app idea and comprehend its complexity before beginning development. Determine any obstacles and bottlenecks so that you may make well-informed choices that will maintain the project’s progress. A phased approach is one efficient way to manage app complexity and keep costs under control.
At this point, you should concentrate on the most important features for the first release and add more features in later iterations. This approach makes the process more affordable by distributing the development expenditures over time. The tentative cost breakdown based on app complexity can be considered as below:
| Type of App | Estimated Cost | Estimated Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Simple |
$15000 to $35000 |
3 to 6 months |
|
Medium |
$35000 to $80000 |
6 to 9 months |
|
Complex |
$80000 to $300000 |
9-12 months |
Type and Domain of an Application
The kind of project you’re constructing has a big impact on the complexity of the React Native app you intend to make. The varying functionality requirements of different app types directly impact the complexity and cost of the development process. For instance, creating a basic timer or calculator app requires some basic functionalities.
These applications typically have a simple purpose, such as counting down time or performing arithmetic calculations. This indicates that the architecture and underlying code are rather straightforward. Complex integrations, real-time data processing, and user interaction beyond simple inputs and outputs are not necessary. These apps are, therefore, easier to create and less expensive to maintain.
Features - Main and Additional
The development process becomes much more complicated when creating a more complex app, such as a mobile commerce (m-commerce) app. User identification, product catalogs, shopping carts, payment gateways, order tracking, and push alerts are just a few of the features that an average m-commerce app may have. These characteristics necessitate smooth connection with external systems in addition to more complex coding.
Smartphones include numerous functions, such as Bluetooth, GPS, Nearby, and barometers. To make an interactive app, utilize its full capability. Nevertheless, enhancing the app’s performance raises the total cost of the React Native application.
Design Complexity
Your app design will produce the UI/UX design based on the app category, features, functioning, and other particular needs. A well-thought-out design plan incorporating interactive user flow, animations, and transitions may guarantee user engagement with your mobile app. Because designers and developers require more time and effort, a feature-rich app design will cost more to produce as a React Native application.
App Maintenance
An essential step in the app development process is app maintenance. To ensure it continues working as intended, an app created using the React Native framework needs to be extensively tested on the appropriate devices. Therefore, it is advised that you work with a React Native app development business that thoroughly tests your application to enhance its functionality. The app maintenance procedure incurs extra costs and includes bug patches, design modifications, and updates.
Team Size
The cost of developing a React Native app depends on the number of developers, designers, and other experts involved in the project. Project managers, front-end and back-end developers, quality analysts, UI/UX designers, business analysts, and account managers are just a few of the roles and duties that your app development team will have.
Agency Location
Depending on your needs and financial constraints, you have numerous alternatives for engaging a development workforce to build your app. For example, you can hire an in-house team or contract with a mobile app development company.
You have to manage extra expenses when you have an in-house staff, such as monthly salary, medical insurance, electricity bills, hiring resources, professional training, etc. However, since you do not have to handle these additional costs, outsourcing an agency has a more affordable price. However, the agency’s location also affects how much it costs to hire a React Native app development company.
| Country/Region | Hourly Cost |
|---|---|
|
North America |
$100-$150 |
|
South America |
$60-$120 |
|
Eastern Europe
|
$30-$100 |
|
Western Europe
|
$40-$120 |
|
India
|
$20-$90 |
|
Australia
|
$60-$100 |
Development Timeline
The time needed to build an application is the next important factor influencing the cost of developing a React Native app. It takes longer to design software with more features, API integrations, and complexity than a basic app. In addition, one crucial element that can lengthen the development time is testing. As a result, you need to ensure your development team follows the schedule and precisely defines the scope of your program.
How To Reduce the React Native App Development Cost
Because you don’t have to concentrate on developing an app for both platforms independently, React Native app development makes budgeting for app development quite simple. As a result, time and money are saved significantly.
Create an MVP First
When developing software, concentrate on MVP. This rudimentary version of your app contains only the most necessary functionality. This enables you to launch your app swiftly and obtain insightful customer feedback before spending money on more sophisticated features.
Reusable App Components
Reusing components throughout your project and even between platforms is one of the best features of the React Native framework. You won’t have to write new code for every feature, which can speed up the development process. You can save money and time by using it.
Use Open Source Libraries and Tools
Many open-source React Native modules and tools are available to assist you in implementing popular functionalities without having to start from scratch. In addition to being freely available, these materials are updated frequently by a large React Native development community.
Outsource React Native App Development
You can save money by outsourcing your development to areas where qualified developers charge less. In places like India, talented developers from a mobile app development company are available. They can deliver top-quality work at a lesser cost than in European and American countries.
When Should You Choose React Native To Build Your Mobile Application
You Need MVP
An excellent choice for MVP development services is React Native. Because it is a cross-platform framework, you can create iOS and Android apps simultaneously, which expedites the process. This is quite beneficial for startups or companies that need to launch rapidly to test their ideas in the market. React Native’s hot-reloading functionality enables real-time updates, enabling you to release your MVP more quickly, gain feedback, and improve rapidly.
You Have Native Apps
If you already have native apps, you can move to the React Native platform. React Native allows you to reuse a large portion of the existing code, which speeds up and lowers the cost of the conversion process. For instance, if you have an Android app and want to make an iOS version, you can use what you’ve already created rather than beginning from scratch. It will save time and money while helping you maintain consistency across both platforms.
You Have A Web App
If your company already has a web application, it makes sense to use React Native for your mobile app. You can save time and money by using a large portion of the code from your online application in your mobile apps. This is especially true if your online application was developed using React.js since your development team will have no trouble switching to React Native. This method guarantees a uniform user experience across web and mobile platforms while expediting development.
Conclusion
React Native is an excellent option if you’re looking for dependable and reasonably priced mobile app development services. Because you don’t have to maintain separate codebases for iOS and Android, React Native can help you lower the cost of developing apps.
We at Whitelotus Corporation are always prepared to take on the challenge of creating a React Native mobile application for you. With more than ten years of experience, we have developed many scalable, user-friendly, and responsive mobile apps. Are you curious about the advantages of developing apps using React Native?
Get in touch with us about the benefits of utilizing this framework and how we can assist you in developing a feature-rich yet reasonably priced solution.
