Breaking Down the Costs of Building a React Native Mobile App in 2023

With the burgeoning popularity of using React Native for app development, it's no wonder why so many companies are opting for this framework. However, no matter which technologies or tech stack you choose to go with, it's necessary to know how to budget the project correctly and be aware of potential expenses beforehand — to make sure that you can successfully get your product to the release date.

In this article, we'll take a look at the cost of developing a React Native application. Plus, we’ll explain some budget optimization techniquesthat could help you save resources without compromising the product quality.

1. Why React Native Is Considered a Cost-Effective Framework

First, let's start with identifying which factors make app development with React Native such an attractive option, especially for startups. One of the main reasons is its cross-platform capabilities — you can write code once and run the product flawlessly on both iOS and Android. This means the team doesn’t need to write code separately for each system.

Another great advantage of this framework is that it is relatively easy to learn and has very strong community support, allowing developers to find solutions to their problems fast. React Native features component-based architecture which is great when it comes to scalability. It also has a rapid-prototyping nature, allowing developers to introduce changes to code in real time. This is just a quick run through the main pros of this framework. For more about its advantages read this article.

2. Factors That Impact React Native App Development Costs

App complexity

The level of product complexity is determined by various factors, including the number of features, screens, overall app architecture, third-party integrations, etc. Developing a complex app with multiple features will require more time, resources, and expertise, leading to higher development costs. At the same time, if we're talking about a simple app with a limited number of features, it will be less expensive to develop.

UI/UX

The user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design of your app will also have an impact on the cost of React Native application development. On one hand, you can go with a custom-built interface that features various visual effects, animated objects, complex transitions between screens, etc. In this case, the UI/UX may cost a pretty penny, easily stretching above 200+ hours in development.

On the other hand, a basic interface with 2-3 screens and minimal visual load may be what your app needs, especially in the early stages of the development process. So, keep that in mind when planning your project.

Third-party integrations

As with the abovementioned components, the more you add to your app, the more time and money it will take to put everything together. Social media sharing, payment gateway, geolocation services, push notifications, communication tools, and APIs — all these will add to the overall cost of developing a React Native app.

Here we'd suggest avoiding adding "everything everywhere all at once" and concentrating only on those integrations that are critically important for delivering the app's core value. Thus, at the very beginning, avoid dispersing your resources on the secondary functionalities that do not influence the performance of your business model too much.

Maintenance and support

This is an inevitable part of the project expenses that any product will come across after the launch. What you can influence here is the amount of effort put into these activities, hence the amount of project resources needed.

In one of our articles, we've already touched on the different types of maintenance and support expenses that your project may encounter. These normally are split into two groups — technical (server maintenance, hosting, domain, etc.) and non-technical ones (marketing, customer support, taxes, etc.). While you can still find ways to adjust both, we don't recommend trimming down the budget too much here as it may influence the performance of your product in the long run.

Development team costs

The cost of building a React Native app will also depend on the size of the development team needed to carry out your project and the development approach you choose to follow. Here you can opt to assemble the in-house team or outsource the project to an experienced software development company. The former approach gives you greater control over your project as all activities from planning to execution to project launch can be supervised in-house.

With the latter, however, you can greatly save on development costs (especially when working with teams from Eastern Europe) and can get your project to the market faster. Such professional software development teams already have all business processes established and know how to deliver projects fast, without wasting time on mundane tasks or those of low efficiency.

3. React Native Application Development Cost Breakdown for 2023

So, how much does a React Native app cost? To better understand how the React Native pricing for app development gets formed, let's break down the project into several components and examine the price of each.

As you can see, by simply adding or removing specific features or integrations we can significantly influence the final budget. Such features like geolocation, IoT, and ML/AI take a lot of time to integrate and thus, will be among the most expensive features.

Note, these are the average numbers and each particular case should be examined separately. This means the price estimation for your project could be below the suggested total range, or above it if you want features in your app not presented in this table.

4. Cost Comparison: Native vs React Native Apps Pricing

Now, let's compare two common development approaches when it comes to the app platform, and see how much it costs to develop native and React Native apps.

Native app

Native app development involves building separate apps for each platform — iOS and Android — using platform-specific programming languages like Swift/Objective-C for iOS, and Java/Kotlin for Android. Such apps typically require more development time and effort as separate codebases need to be created and maintained.

Consequently, the cost of such development will be higher since it requires platform-specific expertise, longer development timelines, and potentially separate development teams if you're building a product for both platforms simultaneously. The cost of a native app on average may sit in the range of $20,000 to $300,000.

React native app

React Native is more cost-effective compared to native app development as it eliminates the need to write separate code bases and allows for the same code to be shared across different platforms. Thus, the development time can be shorter with React Native compared to native apps. The average React Native app development pricing ranges from $10,000 to $100,000. However, these numbers are rough and are presented for informational purposes. To get a precise estimate, it's better to consult professionals first.

5. Cost of React Native Mobile Apps: Real Life Examples

To delve further into the estimation of React Native app development costs, here are the approximate development costs for three well-known apps that were built using React Native framework.

Buffer

Buffer is a social media management platform that helps individuals and businesses schedule and publish posts across various social media networks. Buffer was built using React Native, and on average, the price tag for this type of app starts from $30,000.

Bloomberg

Bloomberg is a renowned provider of financial news, data, and analytics that also offers a software platform used by finance specialists for real-time market information and analysis. As of today, the approximate cost estimation for creating a similar solution with React Native would be $40,000 and more.

Discord

Discord is a widely used communication tool developed with React Native. Being initially created for gamers, it has expanded to encompass a diverse range of audiences and thus, was able to greatly increase its market reach. As to the development of such an app with React Native, the price range can be anywhere from $30,000 to $70,000, depending on the requirements.

6. React Native App Development Сost Optimization Strategies

Use open-source libraries

One of the effective cost-saving measuresfor your React Native project is using open-source libraries. These libraries can help you save time and money providing you with pre-built functionalities that are already tested and optimized. Some popular open-source libraries for React Native include Redux, React Navigation, Axios, WebView, Gesture Handler, etc. These libraries can help you quickly build features, manage data, implement navigation and routing, handle network requests, responses, and so on.

Go with pre-built components

Similar to open-source libraries, the pre-built components are pre-designed UI elements that you can integrate into your app. So, instead of prototyping, designing, and developing every component from scratch, you can simply use pre-built components to reduce the development time and costs while still maintaining a high quality for the end product.

Some of the most widely used are React Native Starter Kits which provide login screens, navigation menus, social media integrations, etc; NativeBase, a UI library that provides buttons, forms, cards, and sliders, and Expo, a development platform that provides functionalities such as in-app purchases, push notifications, location services, and so on.

Outsource your project to the right team

By outsourcing your project, not only do you save time and money on app development but you also get access to a specific expertise or set of skills. Plus, you mitigate potential risks — imagine spending time assembling and managing an in-house team for a project that flops after the launch or doesn't meet the appropriate level of customer demand.

With outsourcing companies, all you need to get a professional team on board is to know what qualities to look for in your potential technology partner, and which questions to ask. Here are a few of those to help you out:

• How long have you (team/company) been in software development and what industries have you worked with?
• Can you provide an example similar to our project you have successfully delivered?
• Can you provide references from your previous clients?
• How do you ensure code quality?
• How frequently will we have project updates?
• How do you handle project documentation and knowledge transfer?
• How do you determine the project cost and pricing structure?
• Are there any additional costs or fees that we should be aware of?
• What is your risk mitigation strategy?

7. How Lunka Tech Can Help in Developing Cost-Effective Solutions

At Lunka.tech we understand the value of the resources, both time and budget. This is why our team works closely with the client every step of the way to optimize resource allocation, ensuring that every dollar put into the project comes back with the maximum ROI.

Our team consists of skilled professionals with extensive knowledge and programming expertise in a wide range of technologies. This allows us not only to recommend the most cost-effective development ways for the client's project but also to deliver solutions within that budget frame, on time.

With every project we develop, our team maintains effective communication with the client, providing them with regular updates, enabling effective cost management and decision-making for the project. If you're looking for a reliable team of professional developers, contact Lunka.tech today!

8. Key Takeaways

So, what key takeaways should you have regarding React Native app development cost from this blog? First, be aware of the key factors that may influence your project scope, and as a result, its budget. Make sure to allocate resources for further app maintenance, support, marketing activities, etc. Launching an app in the market is only one part of the process, and the other one is keeping it up and running for your target audience.

Try to assess which development approach would fit your project better — in-house or outsourced custom mobile app development. Aside from that, it's important to know how you can optimize your project budget so on one hand you don’t 'cut corners' too much, and, on the other, make sure you can get the product you want at the budget you can afford.

Additionally, if you're working on something similar to what already exists (scale-wise), try to assess the expenses that the developers of that product account for. Research the information to understand which tech stack they use, what integrations they have, and how much approximately it costs them.

Obviously, you might not get a complete picture of the React Native app price, but it will help you better prepare for the development of your own project. If you want to get a precise cost estimate for building a React Native app or are looking for a free consultation for your project, you can always contact us at Lunka.tech!

FAQ

Is React Native cost-effective?

Yes, React Native is considered to be a cost-effective framework due to its code reusability capability. This helps to reduce the time needed to develop a project that would work on multiple platforms. Additionally, React Native offers a wide range of open-source libraries and pre-built components that can accelerate development, saving both time and resources.

How much does React Native app development cost?

The cost of creating a React Native app can greatly vary depending on the complexity of the app, number of features, design requirements, the hourly rate of the developers, etc., etc. This is why it's difficult to give a concrete answer to this question. In practice though, the final numbers can be anywhere from $10,000 to $300,000 and beyond, if you're aiming to create a more complex product.

How can I decrease the cost of React Native application development?

Some of the most common cost optimization tips are reducing the number of features of your app, using pre-build components and UI elements, and outsourcing your project to an off-shore team. However, when trying to optimize the development cost of React Native mobile apps, try not to overdo things and keep product quality your top priority.

Should I develop a native app or go with a cross-platform product?

The choice here depends on multiple factors such as the target audience, the desired level of app performance, budget, and development timeframe. While native apps will give you the best level of performance, frameworks like React Native can provide access to the device's native components and come up with a product that runs smoothly, just like the native app does.

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