How Much Does it Cost to Develop an Educational App

2021 is an evolutionary year for learning platforms. Many learners are switching to distant learning on mobile devices due to the ease of access. According to research, over 46% of American learners indicated that social learning helps with quick task completion and schedule organization. Universities, cooperative organizations, and employees are beginning to invest in remote learning apps.

Factors such as idea complexity, developing team, and location need to be considered when answering how much does it cost to make an educational app. The best way to get the best estimate and maximize your idea is to work with an elearning app development company.

In this article, You’ll gain a deeper grasp of the pricing approach and the components that go into app development expenses. In addition, the most critical features, technical requirements, revenue plan, and techniques to reduce the cost of app development.

Choosing the Best Pricing Model before Estimating the Cost of an Educational App

Cost-based pricing model

Cost-based model is an excellent example of a successful pricing strategy. Markups are added to the cost of supplies and labor to make money. When selecting how to employ this method, consider the average markup, location, and demand. The first step is determining your app’s production costs and then studying the market to determine the markup.

Value-based pricing model

With this pricing strategy, prices are set according to how much the client believes they are getting for their money. You’ll get an idea of what your customers think of your product’s value by using this strategy. Because it does not consider manufacturing expenses, this approach is best suited to e-learning apps where the prices frequently outweigh the costs. Consumers are willing to pay more for a good learning experience or a brand; therefore, pricing may be based on value.

Hourly pricing model

It’s common for this pricing model to consider the provider’s labor costs and any other expenditures that may arise. It’s not uncommon for clients who pay by the hour to request extra documentation detailing precisely what was accomplished during the time they paid for. For example, a developer that charges hourly may have to show the client how much time they spent on each task. This could influence the final cost of education app development.

Fixed pricing model

A clear budget, fixed deadlines, and low risk for the client - are the main advantages of this model.

On the other hand, the vendor is in full control of the development, which may cause poor codebase quality.

For short-term projectors, this model may be the most successful, but when creating large-scale educational platforms, it is better to choose other models that will allow you to be more involved in the implementation and be more flexible in project modifications, budget changes, and deadlines.

Competition-based pricing strategies

The term “competitive pricing” refers to the practice of basing a product’s price on that of the competition. Businesses that sell similar apps often use this pricing strategy because services may differ, but the products themselves do not. People compare software based on price in highly competitive markets. As a result, competitors may be forced to lower their costs to stay competitive.

To maintain tabs on your competitors, you might use pricing monitoring software. More information about your competition can help you better control your prices. A company’s manufacturing costs must be considered, as must the time spent checking competitors’ prices. Internet shopping has made it more challenging to keep track of customers.

Key Factors Affecting the Cost of Developing an Educational App

Complexity of the Application

The Ambiguity of your idea would determine how complex or straightforward the education app would look. The simpler the app, the cheaper its development is. Learning platforms with basic features cost less money and time to create. This is crucial when planning to create a language learning app that is top-notch and quality-oriented.

Platform’s Specification

The specification of the app also affects the budget, especially if the software is created to work with Android and iOS. The cost to create an educational app that works with all mobile devices requires premium features that affect the overall budget. You can decide if your platform needs features like push notifications to make the educational mobile app useful for its users.

Location of the development team

The developer’s location can play a role in the amount spent on building the project. Technicians from Eastern Europe charge approximately 20-50 USD compared to engineers from the United States, who charge three times more. Hiring from a country like Ukraine can reduce the total cost to build an educational app. The Ukrainian developers’ skills and technical education are outstanding, ensuring high-quality work while saving money.

Tech Stack

If you want to make a large-scale project with mouth-watering features, expand or modify it, then you’ll face difficulties if the wrong tech stack is selected. You’ll have to deal with the development of custom plugins, which is costly in terms of man-hours and budget. And as a result, the software can turn out with a lot of bugs and delays. For this reason, we recommend using the following technologies:

1. Front end. In terms of front-end web development, React is the best option. If you compare it to other widely used technologies, it’s easily reusable, modifiable, and faster. For cross-platform app development, React and React Native allow for a single codebase. As a result, the product owner saves 30 percent on labor, money, and time by simultaneously developing software for all platforms.
2. Back-end. Due to its speed-to-flexibility ratio, Node.Js and the NestJs framework are the ideal backend solution for startups. A good option for the MVP stage, especially if you prioritize growth and plan to avoid overloading during the implementation.
3. Database. Priorities for each educational app must be established at the outset of the project. The relational database PostgreSQL is an example of this and focuses on data protection. MongoDB, a popular example of a non-relational database, is popular because of its speed and flexibility. Select a database option that is best suited to your project’s objectives.
4. Cloud Support.AWS offers a one-year loyalty bonus for new applications, which many startups take advantage of. When working on a number of projects at once, AWS proves to be more efficient.

This stack has been tested through experience and has proven to be the most optimized, advanced tech stack for online education. Especially if you plan to create a website like Coursera.

Team size

The size of the development team influences the salary paid by the product owner. Most app building companies consist of

• Project managers,
• UX/UI designers;
• Team leaders;
• Qa engineers:
• Developers.

As a result of outsourcing, it will be easier to find the right team for the job, reduce costs, and avoid organizational issues in the long run. The number of employees involved is a significant factor in determining the cost to develop an educational app. It is essential to consider these factors if you have decided to create an educational website for all target audiences.

Advanced Features that Determine a Learning App Cost

Customization tools

Course developers can customize their products, for example, by setting up an automatic translation of video materials or text highlighting (which is implemented using special plugins). Marketing tools (which allow course authors to promote their products within your platform using discounts, promotional offers, and so on). These unique features decide the final cost of developing education apps.

Licensing and Copyright

Licensing and data protection is an essential part of mobile development services and plays a role in the overall budget. Installing anti-theft software on the apps that teachers and students use can help keep their personal information safe.

Gamification

Advanced gamification tools like 3D graphics, complex game mechanics, VR, AR, and artificial intelligence can be expensive and difficult to implement. While there are simpler and more money-saving tools like reward systems, points, a battle mode, quizzes, tests, achievements, etc., which, despite their simplicity, are great for motivating and attracting players. This could affect the overall costs of educational apps.

How Much Does MVP of an Educational App Cost?

Generally, It takes around $15,000-$50,000 to develop the MVP stage. The factors that determine the final cost includes:

• The type of technology stack used;
• Financial agreement with e-learning development company;
• The complexity of the idea;
• Marketing strategy.

As shown above, many factors are involved when estimating the cost to start an educational app.

Cost of Full-fledged Educational App

The table below describes the different factors determining the estimated cost per hour for building a complete educational app.

A complete teaching app will require 914 and 905 hours to implement on iOS and Android, respectively. It takes roughly 1016 hours to develop a cross-platform on React Native. Generally, it costs an average of $30-50  to hire a Ukrainian developer for your project. You would need approximately $36200 and $36560 to create a Native app for Android, and iOS with developers from Eastern Europe, whereas building a hybrid app for both platforms cost $40640. It’s worth noting that many criteria determine the total cost.

Ways to Reduce the Cost of a Learning App

Detailed Project requirement

Clear technical outlines speed up the development process and reduce the unnecessary explanation time. That’s why it’s critical to clearly define all of your functional requirements before you begin building a mobile app. Customers may not use the product efficiently if the specification is not well documented. Inadequate project plans could lead to missing deadlines. This is an excellent way to reduce the cost to design an educational app.

Reduce the app functionality

The most notable features should be prioritized over the less important ones to save time and money. Developing a mobile app on a budget can be as simple as starting with a prototype. Prototyping software at an early stage helps to clarify the needs of customers. The number of app functionality significantly impacts the education app development cost.

Hiring the perfect app development company

A professional, dependable company has well-defined deadlines, accurate estimates, open terms of cooperation, a wide range of expertise, and established lines of communication. Find out what other customers have to say about a potential partner’s portfolio and terms of development using third-party resources like Clutch.

Early error detection and correction

Correction of mistakes in the final stages of development may be significantly more expensive (by up to 100 times or more) than correction of errors earlier on. It’s less painful and more cost-effective to fix bugs as they arise. To achieve this, the product owner has complete control over the process and can influence delivery in a timely manner using Scrum Agile technologies. This prevents misunderstandings and delays. The cost of educational application development can be lowered through early problem detection.

Intricate design

An extensive amount of time must be dedicated to implementing an excellent design. App developers can save money by following the design rules established for Android and iOS. The limitation does not apply when the mobile application requires a complicated user interface with unique, customizable features. The type of design selected can determine the cost to make a learning app.

Outsourcing

As a result of outsourcing, the owner doesn’t have to spend money and time on setting up an office or recruiting new employees. It also saves money because of the low rate of developers.

Knowing the right ways to reduce expenses is crucial if you want to create an e-learning website.

Choosing the Right Monetization Model for Your Education App

Freemium

This is the monetization model used by popular language apps like Duolingo. The revenue is from everyday users, foundations, cooperative government organizations.

Paid Subscriptions

Another way of generating revenue through the learning app is by offering your users monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription services.

Additional services

Some language software charges for supplementary services such as exercises and tasks within the application. The learning course itself could be free and other aspects of the program paid for.

In-app adverts

Some software contains adverts within its content. You can make money by charging the advert owner. Selecting a good price model can play a significant role in the total learning app cost for developing your mobile app. This is why you need to work with experts with vast experience working on similar projects.

Don’t Forget to Include Marketing Budget in the Total Cost of a Learning App

High-end quality isn’t enough to make a learning app successful. You’ll need a solid plan to market your software efficiently. Organize social media and network promotions to get your educational app out there. About $10,000 should be allocated to this category when planning the cost of developing a learning app.

How Much Does it Cost to Make an Educational App with Codempire?

Generally, According to our business analyst, a training platform might cost anywhere between $20,000 and $100,000 to build. Project size, application complexity, and technology all impact the price tag. Simple local websites don’t demand cutting-edge technology, unlike massive projects requiring more, which take far longer and are more expensive.

Make an appointment with a professional to get a better idea of the cost.

Accurate pricing is vital when planning to start an eLearning business.

Working with Сodempire has several advantages:

• Smart budgeting;
• Versed team;
• Over-the-top tech;
• Unlimited scaling;
• Pro developers;
• 24-hour customer service;
• Clear terms of cooperation;
• Fair pricing;
• Several cooperation schemes;
• Accurate project estimation.

Conclusion

• Many different organizations — universities, cooperatives, and even individual employees — invest in mobile learning apps. An educational app’s cost depends on its idea’s intricacy, how many people are involved in its production, and where the app is developed.
• Cost-based, value-based, hourly pricing, fixed pricing, and competition-based pricing are all typical pricing models for educational apps.
• The cost of an educational app is influenced by factors such as the app’s complexity, the developer’s location, and the size of the team.
• Estimated expenditures for developing a learning app’s MVP stage range from $15,000 to $50,000.
• It is possible to lower the budget for developing a learning app by specifying project requirements, reducing its functionality, collaborating with an experienced reliable team.
• There are a variety of revenue models for e-learning applications, including freemium, paid subscriptions, additional services, and in-app advertisements.
• Codempire charges between $20,000 and $100,000 to design a whole app.