How Much Time is Needed to Develop a High-Performing Mobile App?

NeoITO
6 min readFeb 17, 2023

One of the most commonly asked questions in mobile app development is, “How long until the mobile app is market-ready?” The challenge of making a mobile app must be taken seriously. The entire process of creating an app involves a wide variety of moving parts.

It’s akin to constructing one’s ideal dwelling. More detailed requirements mean more work and cost for you. As a result, answering this question clearly might be a challenge for app developers. We want you to take advantage of today’s mobile revolution and have as much fun making apps as you would building your ideal home.

This article will discuss the time it takes to create an app for iOS, Android, and other mobile platforms. I said, “Shall we?”

How long does it take to develop an app?

We are well aware that each app has its characteristics. The time it takes to build an app is difficult to pin down. Furthermore, the entire process of creating a mobile app is broken down into several phases according to the app’s needs.

Occasionally, applications take as little as four weeks to complete. Due to complicated features or unforeseen challenges, some applications took 12–18 weeks to complete. It often relies on the nature of the app and the expertise of the development team in charge of the project.

The steps collectively account for most of the time spent on the mobile app. But keep in mind (mainly because you’re spending your money) that the price of your mobile app will increase directly to the time it takes to create it. Therefore, thoroughly analyse each step’s duration in app development and the total time needed to release the app.

Which stages of app development are the most time-consuming?

Depending on your app’s complexity and the overall design of your project, you may expect a development timeline of anywhere from three to nine months. In general, the following steps take the most time:

  • One to two weeks are required for the writing of a project brief.
  • It will take four to five weeks for the developers to research your suggestions.
  • Sprints in design can last anywhere from six to twelve weeks.
  • A prototype and development time of six to twelve weeks is typical.
  • Timing for release in the app store(s): up to two weeks
  • Enhancement constantly: At Any Pace
  • Assistance after release is permanent.

Remember that it is crucial to have your app’s development team walk you through each step of the process, provide an estimate of how long each stage will take, and account for testing, feedback, and iterations.

Time is taken in mobile app planning (2–3 weeks)

So, you have an idea for an app and think you’ve found the ideal partner to help you make it a reality. So what? A short outlining your mobile app idea is essential. It takes time to craft the perfect brief for mobile app development since you need to inform the developer about your vision for the app and how you want it to function. Understanding the business’s target demographic, outlining its objectives, and settling on necessary features are accomplished within the application’s design context.

Design sprints (2–3 weeks)

Approximately how long does it take to create an app from scratch? The time required to develop a mobile app may change depending on how complicated the app is. When you give the app development business the go-ahead, they will begin the design phase. It might take less time if you’ve been specific about the design goals you’ve laid for the designers. Instead, this process might drag on for a few more weeks if designers have to start fresh with the design and the idea.

Before digging into the aesthetics of a mobile app, it’s common practice for designers first to develop flow control and frameworks for the app. They start wireframing. It gives them insight into the flow of the app and the number of screens required for a specific mobile app. Some designers swear by digital design software like Sketch or Adobe XD, but most still rely on pen and paper for their first concept sketches. Wireframing an app usually takes around three to four days to finish.

Development (12–14 weeks)

Programming that is free of errors is essential to the development of helpful software. The app’s development phase is one of the most time-consuming but also one of the most important. In addition, before beginning to code, a detailed strategy and schedule should be agreed upon to ensure that the code is error-free.

For instance, we use an agile process to ensure the software is released on time and as planned. It helps us save time and adapt quickly when it’s needed to maintain a smooth operation.

“Sprints” and “Milestones” are standard terms in the developer community. They start working on different aspects of the project according to their areas of expertise.

One may find two distinct specialisations in the development realm: backend and front. Let’s look at the next steps in the development process to estimate how long it will take to create an app.

Testing (3 weeks to 4 weeks)

The final and most crucial phase of app creation may begin when the developers are through with their work. You guessed it: we’re talking about testing, the process of looking for and fixing errors that may otherwise render your software useless. Quality analysts are often involved here to ensure that your app is streamlined and completely functional at the end of the process. Before moving on to more advanced testing, QA does preliminary testing, sometimes known as “Alpha testing,” to eliminate some of the most fundamental issues and complexity. For the most part, testing is done to ensure that the programme performs as intended. You are checking if the app’s features warrant the planned layout. However, it has yet to be ready for market release based on these results.

Deploying to the app store (up to 1 Week)

You’ve finished that app! You’ve completed the examination process. So what? Many people have wondered how long it takes to get an app to users. The question is whether you anticipate hiccups in publishing your app. Unfortunately, that sort of action only receives immediate approval. Do you advise me? If you want your app to be published on Apple’s App Store, you’ll need to follow their stringent standards. You must also comply with the Android Playstore’s guidelines.

Post-launch support and continuous improvement

It’s trickier to foretell the outcome of this one. After the app is out, you will still need to invest effort in it for bugs, updates, and maintenance. The backlog of app ideas and features might be of any length, any priority, costing time and expense to build, making it impossible to predict how much time would be eaten up by continual upgrades. This discussion, however, should have happened by now. App developers should have a general notion of how much you are willing to invest in constant updates and round-the-clock support.

To sum up

To get an accurate response to the question, How long does it take to develop an application? When taking into account the phases known as “Discovery,” “Design and Development,” and “Pre-launch,” the average amount of time necessary to develop an application ranges from seven to twelve months. you may now go to an outsourcing company for assistance with app development, knowing what to anticipate.

We discovered the app development process and found that larger teams sometimes resulted in slower development time. But there’s always a method to cut down on waiting time. If you have previously done market research or have a solid understanding of the industry, we can skip the research and validation phases. Both design and development are crucial, with the most efficient methods linked to increased interaction between the two. You need well-defined criteria, prompt replies, and shared accountability to get an app off the ground. Just shoot us a message if you’d like a more in-depth quote for your project.

We look forward to assisting you; this may be the start of a fruitful working relationship.

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NeoITO

Build, Grow, Scale. | We support founders on their journey from validation to multi-million valuation and beyond. Visit us : www.neoito.com