Getting a mobile app developed is more involved than most people expect. It is not just about writing code — it involves planning the user experience, designing interfaces for different screen sizes, setting up backend infrastructure, integrating with existing systems, testing on multiple devices, and navigating the app store approval process. Choosing the right app development company determines whether this process is smooth or painful.
Native vs Cross-Platform — The First Decision
Native Apps (iOS + Android separately)
Native apps are written separately for each platform — Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android. They offer the best performance, full access to device features, and the most natural user experience. The downside is double the development time and cost since you are building two separate codebases.
Cross-Platform Apps (React Native / Flutter)
Cross-platform frameworks let you write code once and deploy to both iOS and Android. The performance is close to native for most applications, and the cost savings are significant — typically 30-40% less than building two native apps. For business apps, e-commerce apps, and utility apps, cross-platform is usually the better choice.
Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
A PWA is a website that behaves like an app — it can be installed on the home screen, send push notifications, and work offline to some extent. It costs the least to develop but has limitations in accessing device hardware and cannot be listed on app stores. Good for internal tools or supplementary apps.
Mobile App Development Process
Discovery and Planning
Define what the app needs to do, who will use it, and how it fits into your business. Create user stories — “As a distributor, I want to see my genealogy tree so I can track my team growth.” These stories become the development requirements.
UI/UX Design
Design the screens, navigation flow, and interactions. This is done in tools like Figma and results in clickable prototypes that you can test before any code is written. Changing the design at this stage costs nothing. Changing it after development starts costs a lot.
Development
Frontend development (what users see and interact with) and backend development (servers, databases, APIs) happen in parallel. If the app connects to an existing system — like an MLM software backend — API development or integration happens here.
Testing
Testing on real devices, not just simulators. Different screen sizes, different OS versions, different network conditions. Edge cases like what happens when the network drops mid-transaction, or when the user receives a phone call while the app is processing something.
Deployment
Submitting to the App Store and Google Play. Both stores have review processes that can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. The app needs to meet their guidelines — proper permissions handling, privacy policies, content rules — or it will be rejected.
App Development Cost in India
| Type | Price (INR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Simple app (5-10 screens, no backend) | 50,000 – 1,50,000 | 3 – 6 weeks |
| Medium app (10-20 screens, API integration) | 1,50,000 – 4,00,000 | 6 – 10 weeks |
| Complex app (20+ screens, custom backend) | 4,00,000 – 15,00,000 | 10 – 20 weeks |
| E-commerce app | 2,00,000 – 6,00,000 | 6 – 10 weeks |
| MLM/Network marketing app | 1,50,000 – 5,00,000 | 4 – 8 weeks |
Planning to Build a Mobile App or Custom Software?
We build iOS apps, Android apps, cross-platform apps, custom CRM, ERP and business automation software. Tell us your idea and we will turn it into a working product.
What to Prepare Before Starting App Development
- A clear list of features — prioritize them as must-have, should-have, and nice-to-have
- Wireframes or sketches of the main screens (even hand-drawn is fine)
- Any existing backend systems the app needs to connect to
- Your Apple Developer Account ($99/year) and Google Play Account ($25 one-time)
- Content for the app — text, images, icons
- A realistic timeline — good apps take time, rush jobs cut corners
