Real Project-Based Educational App Development Cost Breakdown

As digital learning continues to grow in popularity, educational apps have become a significant area of investment, generating $5.93 billion in revenue in 2023 alone. However, one of the most pressing concerns for businesses considering this venture is understanding the cost of educational app development. How much should you allocate for each stage of app development, from design to deployment?

To help answer these questions, GoodCore, a leading provider of software development services for education, offers a detailed cost breakdown based on a real-life project we undertook: an online corporate training platform. This article will provide insights into the financial aspects of educational app development cost, enabling you to make informed decisions about project feasibility, resource allocation, and potential returns on investment.

6 Factors Influencing the Cost of Educational App Development

When it comes to determining the cost of educational app development, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each project is unique, with varying business needs and models that can significantly influence the overall expense. To get a precise estimate tailored to your requirements, it’s best to consult directly with experts, like the team at GoodCore. We can provide detailed calculations and insights, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what to expect. 

However, to get a ballpark estimate of how much does it cost to make an educational app, it’s crucial to first understand the factors that influence the cost. By understanding these cost-affecting factors, you can determine an approximate cost estimate for your app. Let’s take a look at the major factors:

App Complexity

The complexity of an educational app significantly impacts its development cost, largely due to the range of core functionalities it must support. The more advanced and feature-rich the app, the more resources it requires in terms of design, development, and testing. Here’s a breakdown of how app complexity can vary:

• Low Complexity: Apps with basic features such as flashcards, quizzes, and simple content delivery fall under this category. These apps are generally easier and quicker to develop, requiring minimal backend infrastructure and a straightforward user interface.

• Medium Complexity: Apps that offer additional functionalities like progress tracking, personalised learning paths, and basic gamification elements are considered medium-complexity solutions. These apps require a more robust backend to manage user data and provide personalised content, increasing both development time and cost.

• High Complexity: High-complexity educational apps include advanced features such as adaptive learning algorithms, AI-powered tutoring, social interaction capabilities, and content creation tools. These platforms require sophisticated backend infrastructure, complex algorithms, and high levels of interactivity, making them the most costly to develop.

To help you better understand how these factors translate into development costs, the following table provides a detailed comparison of app complexity levels, core features, and their cost implications.

App Platform

Educational apps can be developed for various platforms. The platform you choose significantly impacts the overall budget and timeline of your project, as well as its reach and user experience. Here’s a closer look at the main platforms available for educational apps:

• iOS: Apple’s iOS platform is popular in countries like the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. iOS apps are known for their smooth user experience and strong security features, but they often require a higher development budget and longer development time due to the need for specialised knowledge and adherence to Apple’s strict guidelines.

• Android: Android is the most widely used mobile operating system worldwide, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It offers a larger potential audience but also requires testing across a wide range of devices, which can increase development time and costs.

• Web-based: Web-based educational apps are accessible via browsers on any device, making them highly versatile. They are generally less expensive to develop than native apps and offer quick updates and maintenance. However, they may lack the performance and offline capabilities of native apps.

• Hybrid: Hybrid apps combine elements of both web-based and native apps. They are built using web technologies but run on multiple platforms, including iOS and Android. This approach can reduce development costs and time, but may not fully leverage the native features and performance capabilities of each platform.

Here is a detailed comparison table to help you understand the differences between these platforms:

Number of Features

The set of features you choose for your educational app will significantly impact the overall development cost. While some features are considered essential and are typically included in most educational apps, others are more advanced and can add complexity and expense to the project. 

The following table presents a detailed breakdown of the features and their development time and costs. The costs are based on GoodCore Software’s average hourly rate of £30 per hour. 

When planning to develop an educational app, it’s often more beneficial to start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that includes only the most essential features. An MVP allows you to deliver core functionalities that meet the immediate needs of your users while keeping development costs and time in check. 

By focusing on the must-have features, you can launch your app quickly and begin gathering valuable user feedback. This approach not only helps in refining the app based on real-world usage but also reduces the risk of investing in features that may not be well-received. Once the MVP is validated in the market, you can gradually introduce more advanced features, ensuring efficient use of resources and a better ROI.

Technology Stack

The technology stack you choose for your educational app will directly influence development costs, scalability, performance, and maintenance. The stack includes front-end and back-end technologies as well as additional tools that enhance functionality. Depending on the chosen platform (iOS, Android, Web-based, or Hybrid) and the necessary features, your technology stack may vary, affecting the overall cost of development.

• Front-End Technologies: The choice between native development (e.g., Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) and cross-platform frameworks (e.g., React Native, Flutter) will impact costs. Native development usually requires separate teams for iOS and Android, increasing costs due to duplicate efforts. Cross-platform solutions, while more cost-effective, may have limitations in utilising device-specific features fully.

• Back-End Technologies: The cost of back-end development depends on the complexity of the app’s functionality, data management needs, and integration requirements. For instance, using robust frameworks like Django or Ruby on Rails can speed up development with their built-in features, but they may have a steeper learning curve, leading to higher initial costs. On the other hand, simpler back-end solutions like Node.js can be cost-effective for less complex apps.

• Additional Tools and Services: Integrating third-party services like Firebase, AWS, or Azure can add significant value to your app by providing essential functionalities such as cloud storage, real-time databases, and analytics. However, these services often come with ongoing costs that can increase based on usage, such as data storage, bandwidth, and computing power.

• Maintenance and Scalability: A well-chosen technology stack ensures your app can scale effectively and is easier to maintain. However, the initial setup cost might be higher for a scalable architecture using technologies like Kubernetes or Docker, which can add complexity but reduce costs in the long term by making your app more adaptable to changes and increasing its lifecycle.

Design and User Experience

The design and user experience (UX) of an educational app play a critical role in the overall budget. The more advanced and interactive the design, the more it will cost to develop due to increased complexity and the need for specialised skills.

A simple app with basic features like flashcards or quizzes may have a straightforward, minimalist design, resulting in lower development costs and faster deployment. However, as you add more advanced features, such as augmented reality (AR), adaptive learning paths, or gamification, the design complexity increases. This not only enhances the user experience but also requires more design time and expertise, leading to higher development costs.

Here’s a table outlining various design elements and their impact on cost:

Development Team

When it comes to finding and hiring development resources, you generally have two options: hiring in-house or engaging with a bespoke software development company.

In-house development team

If you go the in-house route, you need a multifaceted technical team to deliver the front end and the back end of your application working on both the application’s code and interface.

An ideal software development project team would include the following roles:

• Software developer
• UI/UX designer
• Solution architect
• DevOps engineer
• QA expert

In-house hiring requires investing time in hiring and managing these diverse professionals. The process is time-consuming and requires a solid understanding of what each role entails. Also, depending on your location, the salaries of these technical specialists can be very high. 

Bespoke software development company

Engaging with a bespoke software development company, such as GoodCore Software, offers a more flexible and cost-effective solution. We provide several cooperation models tailored to your needs:

• Outsourcing Model: In this model, we assume full responsibility for the development process from start to finish. This means we handle all aspects of the project, including planning, design, development, testing, and deployment. This model is ideal for businesses that want to leverage external expertise while focusing on their core operations. It allows for predictable costs and timelines, as our experienced team ensures a streamlined development process.

• Dedicated Team Model: The dedicated team model provides a more collaborative approach. We assemble a team of experts tailored to your project’s requirements, including developers, designers, QA specialists, and project managers. This team becomes an extension of your in-house capabilities, working closely with you to achieve your project goals. You maintain a high level of involvement and control while benefiting from the expertise and scalability of an external team. This model is particularly beneficial for companies looking to expand their development capabilities without the overhead costs associated with hiring full-time employees.

For a deeper dive into the topic of application development cost, check out our guide: How Much Does It Cost To Develop an App in 2024

Building Blocks of a Corporate Training App Developed by GoodCore

To illustrate the practical application of our development process, let’s take a closer look at an educational software development project we undertook for AKD Solutions, a learning and professional development consulting firm based in the UK.

AKD Solutions offers a training program called “Equally Yours,” originally delivered via an interactive board game designed to promote open-mindedness and inclusivity among corporate staff. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, this game was played in person, fostering engaging discussions and learning experiences. However, with the onset of the pandemic, AKD Solutions needed to adapt to the new normal and decided to digitise the “Equally Yours” training program to continue offering it in a remote setting. 

They approached GoodCore to transform their in-person board game into an engaging web app, allowing organisations to conduct their training sessions online effectively.

Implemented Features

Here are the key features implemented in the corporate training app developed for AKD Solutions:

1. Role-Based Access: The app supports three distinct roles: AKD admin, facilitator, and participant, each with specific permissions and access levels.

2. User Management: Administrators can add, edit, or remove users at any time and view complete user data, ensuring efficient management of participants.

3. Client Management: Tools are provided to the AKD admin for managing their client list, allowing seamless organisation of different corporate clients.

4. Content Management: AKD administrators can modify question card packs by adding, editing, or deleting questions. The app supports content uploads in image and text formats, as well as the addition of video URLs.

5. Reports: Facilitators and administrators can access detailed data within the system. Facilitators can view details of past sessions they have conducted, while administrators have access to comprehensive data on all completed sessions.

6. Multilingual Support: While the app’s default language is English, facilitators can choose from other available languages to conduct training sessions, accommodating a diverse user base.

7. Interactive Elements: The app features GIFs to animate actions such as dice rolls, token movements, and card flips. It also includes an option to switch to high-contrast visuals to enhance accessibility.

8. Real-Time Interaction: The app allows real-time updates for all users during active sessions, including moving tokens and updating team scores, ensuring an engaging and interactive training experience.

For more information, check out our blog: Online Corporate Training Platform Feature

Development Team

To successfully develop the corporate training platform for AKD Solutions, we assembled a 5 member project team to ensure the platform was completed efficiently and met all client expectations. 

• Project Manager: Led the project from start to finish, coordinating tasks, timelines, and communication between the client and the development team to ensure all milestones were met.

• Technical Lead: Oversaw the technical aspects of the project, making key decisions about the technology stack, architecture, and development best practices to ensure a scalable and robust application.

• Business Analyst: Worked closely with AKD Solutions to understand their needs and translate those into detailed project requirements, ensuring the final product aligned with the client’s business goals and objectives.

• Senior Software Engineer: Focused on the development of the core functionality of the app, including both front-end and back-end coding, to bring the envisioned features to life.

• Senior QA Engineer: Responsible for maintaining high-quality standards by thoroughly testing the application throughout the development process.

Technology Stack

The choice of technologies was driven by the need to deliver real-time interaction, manage complex data structures, and provide a smooth user experience. Here is the list of technologies we used and the rationale behind each choice:

• React: React was chosen as the front-end framework for its flexibility, speed, and robust component-based architecture. This JavaScript library is well-suited for building interactive user interfaces, which was crucial for creating an engaging training platform that mimics the experience of playing a board game. React’s efficient rendering capabilities helped us build a responsive and dynamic user interface, ensuring a seamless experience for all users.

• PHP: We used PHP for server-side scripting to handle various aspects of content management, user management, and role-based access controls. PHP is a well-established language with a strong ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, making it an excellent choice for building a reliable and secure back-end for web applications. Its compatibility with various databases and ease of integration with front-end technologies like React made it a perfect fit for this project.

• Node.js: Node.js was employed for building the real-time communication aspects of the app. Its non-blocking, event-driven architecture allows for handling multiple connections simultaneously, which is essential for applications requiring real-time updates and interactions, like moving tokens on a virtual board or updating team scores. 

• Socket.io: Socket.io was selected to facilitate real-time, bidirectional communication between the client and server. This was crucial for the interactive elements of the app, such as rolling dice, moving tokens, and updating game states in real-time. By using Socket.io, we ensured that all participants in a session could see updates and interact with the application without any delays, creating a cohesive and engaging experience for users.

GoodCore’s Corporate Education App Development Cost Detailed Breakdown

In this section, we will provide a breakdown of the time and cost involved in developing the “Equally Yours” web app for AKD Solutions. Please note that we cannot disclose the exact figures due to confidentiality agreements with the client.

Project Timeline

The project took 4 months (approximately 16 weeks) to complete. The following table provides a detailed overview of the project timeline and the allocation of the total budget across different stages. 

Development Team Time

For the development of the corporate training app, AKD Solutions chose to collaborate with us using the outsourcing model. This model allowed AKD Solutions to entrust the entire development process to our team, from initial planning and design through to final deployment and maintenance. 

To provide a clear understanding of how our team’s time was allocated throughout the project, we have detailed the involvement of each team member below.

Are you looking to develop an LMS for your educational institution? You’ll find our following blog useful: An Ultimate Guide to Learning Management System Development

GoodCore’s Tips to Reduce Educational App Development Cost

Here are some tips based on our expertise to help you manage and reduce the cost of developing an educational app:

• Clearly define the app’s purpose and audience: Start by outlining your app’s purpose, target audience, and core functionalities. This clarity will help prevent scope creep, keeping the project focused and within budget.
• Start with a minimum viable product (MVP): Focus on developing an MVP that includes only the most essential features. This approach allows you to launch sooner, gather user feedback, and iterate without investing heavily in non-essential functionalities.
• Visualise the app’s structure early: Map out the app’s architecture and user flow from the beginning. This helps identify potential challenges early on and ensures a more streamlined development process.
• Leverage open-source tools: Utilise open-source libraries, frameworks, and APIs to speed up development and reduce costs. These tools can provide robust functionalities without the need for expensive proprietary software.
• Assess development models: Carefully evaluate whether to outsource or use in-house development based on your project’s needs and available resources. Each model has different cost implications, so choose the one that aligns best with your budget and goals.
• Create a comprehensive budget plan: Develop a detailed budget that includes all aspects of the project—development, design, testing, and marketing. This will help you track expenses and avoid unexpected costs.
• Prioritise feature updates strategically: Focus on updates that meet user needs and have the most significant impact. Regular updates can be expensive, so prioritise enhancements that add real value to your users.

Read also: 10 Best Free Educational Apps for Students

Key Takeaways

Developing an educational app involves careful consideration of various factors like features, design, technology stack, and more all of which impact the overall timeline and cost of making an educational app.

With years of experience in creating custom education software solutions, GoodCore Software is well-equipped to bring your app idea to life effectively. Whether you’re building a corporate training platform an e-learning app or a LMS, our expert team can guide you through every step of the process. 

FAQs 

What is the average cost to develop an educational app?

The average cost of making an educational app can vary widely based on factors like complexity, features, platforms, and the development team’s location. For a basic app with essential features, costs might range from £15,000 to £30,000. More advanced apps with features like AI-driven personalisation, real-time interactions, and multimedia content can cost upwards of £50,000 or more.

How can I estimate the cost of my educational app project myself?

To estimate the cost of your educational app project, start by outlining the core features, target platform (iOS, Android, web, or hybrid), and design complexity. Next, determine if you’ll need advanced functionalities like AI, real-time interactions, or multimedia content. Research the hourly rates of developers in your region or outsourcing partners, and estimate the development time based on the complexity of each feature. Don’t forget to factor in costs for design, testing, and future updates. Building an MVP can also help you get a more accurate estimate by focusing on essential features first.

Is it cheaper to develop an educational app in-house or outsource?

Outsourcing app development is often more cost-effective than building an in-house team, especially for short-term projects. With outsourcing, you avoid the overhead costs of hiring full-time employees, such as salaries, benefits, and training. Additionally, outsourcing companies typically have specialised expertise and can scale teams as needed, allowing for faster development. 

How much does it cost to add features to an existing educational app?

The cost of adding features to an existing educational app depends on the complexity of the new features, the app’s current architecture, and the development team’s rates. Basic features like quizzes or user management may cost a few thousand pounds, while advanced functionalities such as AI-powered personalisation, real-time interactions, or gamification can significantly increase costs. Additionally, integrating new features might require updating the app’s design, backend, and testing, which can further impact the overall cost.

How can I monetise my educational app?

You can monetise your educational app through various strategies, depending on your target audience and app model. Popular options include offering in-app purchases, such as premium content, courses, or resources, and using a subscription model where users pay a recurring fee for access to exclusive features or content. You can also implement a freemium model, where the basic version is free, but advanced features require payment. Additionally, ads and affiliate marketing partnerships can generate revenue, and for corporate training apps, licensing the app to businesses can be an effective monetisation strategy.

What is the potential (ROI) for an educational app?

ROI is influenced by factors such as the app’s target audience, the problem it solves, and its scalability. The potential return on investment (ROI) for an educational app can be substantial, especially as the e-learning market continues to grow. With educational apps generating billions in revenue globally, a well-executed app can offer significant financial returns through monetisation models like subscriptions, in-app purchases, and licensing.