Progressive web apps (PWAs) are gaining immense traction as an alternative to pure native mobile apps for brands looking to expand their mobile presence. By combining the accessibility of websites with native-like capabilities, PWAs offer the best of both worlds.
But how much does it actually cost to build one? What factors impact the price and how long does it take?
In this guide, we’ll break down the key considerations around PWA costs including:
- PWA Development Process
- PWA Types and Features
- Pricing Range Factors
- Development Timeline
- Cost Saving Benefits
- Example Scenarios
Let’s explore the full picture.
PWA Development Process
First, it’s important to understand the core PWA development phases which influence cost.
- Discovery – This phase involves strategy planning, competitive research, use case definition and technical scoping. The required effort depends on project complexity.
- Design – Creating responsive UI/UX design across different device sizes. More platform variations means more design work.
- Development – Coding the front-end app logic and integrating APIs, databases, and other back-end systems. The bulk of the build cost.
- Testing – Ensuring cross-browser, cross-device compatibility. More test coverage equals more test cases and tools.
- Deployment – Hosting the PWA for production access and implementing updates. Infrastructure considerations.
- Maintenance – Continued improvements and feature expansions post-launch to grow the PWA over time.
The development stage tends to consume the biggest portion of budgets, while discovery, design, testing and deployment make up smaller but still significant pieces. Maintenance costs recur during the lifespan of the app.
PWA Types and Features
PWAs can take many forms depending on the use case and required functionality. More complex apps demand higher price points.
Some key variables:
- Simple brochure vs advanced web app – Informational vs highly interactive
- Number of views/pages – Layouts required
- Media usage – Photos, videos, animations
- Integrations – eCommerce, logins, APIs, databases
- Custom designs – Basic templates vs bespoke UX/UI
- Analytics – Basic vs advanced tracking
- Native integrations – Push notifications, install prompts, offline use
- Performance – Caching strategies, compression, code splitting
- Security – Data protection, authentication
- Testing – Browser, device, accessibility, user flows
Generally, a simple brochure-style PWA starts around $25,000, while a custom e-commerce site with advanced functionality can surpass $100,000.
But the possibilities across this spectrum are endless. Let’s analyze pricing factors more closely.
Also Read: 5 Benefits of Building Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
PWA Cost Range Factors
PWA costs fluctuate based on various development parameters:
- Project Scope – Informational vs transactional capabilities
- Design Complexity – Basic templates vs high-fidelity custom
- Technical Complexity – Integrations, performance, security needs
- Development Team – Hourly rates, location, experience level
- Testing Requirements – Browsers, devices, users, flows
- Hosting Needs – Infrastructure costs, scalability needs
- Location – Developer hourly rates in region
- Timeline – Immediate vs gradual scaled development
Scope, complexity, quality and speed all push pricing higher. Costs trend lower for templated designs, MVP feature sets, offshore teams, flexible timelines and shared hosting plans.
Let’s analyse these factors across three common PWA scenarios:
As shown above, costs scale up significantly for transactional sites that require greater security, scalability and stability. Investing more upfront saves long-term.
Of course, projects may involve additional costs beyond the initial build as well:
- Monthly hosting fees starting around $50/month
- Annual maintenance contracts around 15-20% of project cost
- Ongoing enhancements typically quoted per request
Now let’s look at typical development timelines.
PWA Development Timeline
Development speeds depend largely on scope, team size, and prioritization of core vs secondary features.
Some sample timeframes:
- Simple brochure site – 4-8 weeks
- Robust web app – 2-4 months
- Complex ecommerce app – 4-8 months
Shorter timelines are possible but incur greater costs for expanding team size or accelerating certain phases. Tradeoffs exist between budget and speed.
A phased rollout focusing on foundational features first is recommended for managing scope creep. Core functionality ships first, then enhanced capabilities get layered atop the strong base.
Benefits and Business Value
The upfront investment required for PWAs pays dividends through:
Increased user engagement – Higher conversions and retention via app-like experience
- Reduced hosting costs – No app store fees, efficient caching and hosting
- Faster development – Leverage web skills with fewer native codebases
- Improved discoverability – Search engine crawlable, web linkable
- Expanded reach – Use across all devices and browsers with web access
- Quicker updates – Changes deploy instantly without app store review
For many brands, allocating budget to build a proper PWA foundation results in greater customer acquisition and revenue growth over time compared to DIY or template solutions.
Prioritizing UX and performance early on fuels continued enhancements in the years to follow.
Example PWA Cost Scenarios
To make things more concrete, here are two sample PWA projects with estimated costs:
E-Commerce PWA Example
An e-commerce company selling monthly cosmetic subscriptions wants to build a PWA to complement its native apps. Goals include:
- High quality UI matching brand style
- Integration with inventory and payment systems
- immersive browsing and transactions
- Testing across 10+ browsers/devices
Given the transactional nature and custom designs, the project takes 4 months at a cost of $120,000.
Breakdown:
$18,000 – Strategy and UX/UI design
$72,000 – Development (integrations, security, performance optimization)
$15,000 – Testing and deployment
$15,000 – Project management and support
The PWA drives a 21% increase in mobile conversions in its first year.
Informational PWA Example
A non-profit organization needs a simple PWA brochure site covering:
- About us, programs, news
- Donation information
- Contact page and newsletter signup
- Responsive design
With a more basic scope focused on content delivery and conversion, the PWA gets built in 6 weeks for $22,000.
Breakdown:
$3,000 – Strategy and wireframes
$12,000 – Development
$2,500 – Testing
$2,500 – Deployment
$2,000 – Project management
The delivered PWA provides a modern digital presence at a fraction of a native app cost.
Also Read: Why Businesses Need Progressive Web Apps
Why Choose BitCot for Progressive Web App Development?
Choose BitCot for Progressive Web App Development company to redefine your digital landscape. Our seasoned experts bring a wealth of experience, ensuring PWA solutions that seamlessly blend performance, responsiveness, and user engagement. At BitCot, we prioritize innovation, leveraging the latest technologies to create progressive web applications that exceed expectations. With a client-centric approach, we tailor solutions to your unique business needs, emphasizing speed, reliability, and a compelling user experience. Trust BitCot for cutting-edge PWA development that enhances your online presence, drives user satisfaction, and positions your business at the forefront of digital excellence.
Key Takeaways
To summarize key learnings:
PWA costs vary widely from $15k – $150k+ based on scope, complexity, integrations and design needs
- Timelines range from weeks to months depending on requirements
- PWAs require less upkeep than native apps long term
- Investing in UX and performance drives results over DIY solutions
- Budgeting for core features first enables iterative enhancements
- PWAs deliver native-app benefits at a web cost structure
While each project is unique, allocating resources upfront for design, development and testing pays dividends via higher quality experiences that fuel continued growth.
Hopefully this gives a clearer picture of the full process and costs involved in bringing PWAs to life so you can evaluate options for your mobile initiatives. For those seeking a dependable and experienced PWA and Flutter app development company, BitCot is the ideal solution. Get in touch with us today to discover more about our services.!
