BLOG — APP DEVELOPMENT
You have an idea for an app. Or maybe a process that's begging to be digitized. But where do you start? What does it cost? And how do you avoid spending €30,000 on something nobody uses?
Honest question, because not every problem requires an app. We regularly see entrepreneurs convinced they need an app, while a well-built web application (a responsive site you pin to your home screen) achieves the same thing for half the budget.
An app is the right choice when you need features that are only available natively: push notifications that work reliably, offline data access, camera integration, location services, or when you want users to open your product daily from their home screen. Think of an ordering app for a restaurant chain, a scheduling system for field technicians, or a customer portal with real-time updates.
Not sure? We're happy to help figure it out. A short conversation is often enough to determine whether an app, a web app, or a combination is the best route.
The line between apps and websites is blurring, but there are clear scenarios where a native app adds value:
Web push exists, but native push is more reliable and has higher open rates. If you depend on timely notifications to users — think orders, appointments, or messages — an app is the better choice.
Technicians on-site without signal, salespeople at a trade show, staff in a warehouse. If your app needs to work without an internet connection, you need native. A website stops when wifi disappears.
Camera, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, biometric login. If your app needs to communicate with device hardware, native development offers the most reliable and fastest experience.
Building an app used to mean building it twice: once for iOS in Swift, once for Android in Kotlin. Two codebases, two teams, double the cost. Those days are over.
We build with React Native. That's Meta's framework (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) that lets you write one codebase that runs on both platforms. The result feels native — smooth animations, fast response times, access to all hardware features — but you don't pay double.
One codebase, two platforms, no compromises on quality.
The difference with true native development? For 95% of apps: zero. React Native is used by companies like Shopify, Microsoft, and Discord. The remaining 5% are intensive gaming or AR applications where native is indeed the way to go. For business apps, portals, ordering platforms, and internal tools, cross-platform has become the standard.
Building an app isn't rocket science, but it requires a clear process. Here's how we approach it:
1
We map out your idea, target audience, and technical requirements. Result: a clear project document with scope and priorities.
2
Wireframes and UI designs. You see how the app looks and works before a single line of code is written.
3
We build in two-week sprints. After each sprint, a working version you can test on your own phone.
4
We test on real devices: iPhone, Android, various screen sizes. Plus automated tests for stability.
5
We handle App Store and Google Play submission, configure analytics, and make sure everything runs smoothly.
We've seen enough apps fail — not because of bad code, but because of bad decisions upfront. These are the most common:
Too many features in version one
The biggest trap. You want to include everything: chat, payments, a dashboard, notifications, an admin panel. The result: it takes months, costs a fortune, and by the time you launch, your market has changed. Start with the core. The rest comes in version two.
No validation of the idea
Don't build an app based on a gut feeling. Talk to your potential users first. Create a simple prototype or landing page to measure if there's actual demand. A week of research can save you tens of thousands of euros.
Choosing the wrong partner
Offshore teams charging €15 per hour sound attractive, until three months later you're stuck with code nobody understands and an app that crashes with every update. Choose a partner who thinks along, not just executes. And always ask for references.
Forgetting maintenance
Building an app is the beginning, not the end. Apple and Google release new OS versions annually. Frameworks get updated. Users find bugs. Count on monthly maintenance costs and budget for them from day one.
We build apps with React Native and Expo — a combination that allows us to iterate quickly without compromising on quality. Our developers have experience with both consumer apps and complex business applications with integrations to ERP systems, payment platforms, and real-time databases.
What makes us different: we always start with the question whether an app is the right solution. Sometimes we recommend a web app, sometimes a combination. We don't earn our money with the most expensive projects possible, but with long-term client relationships. That starts with honest advice.
Curious what we can build for you? Check out our app development service.
A simple app with basic functionality starts around €10,000. A more complex app with user accounts, payments, and backend integrations sits between €20,000 and €50,000. The exact cost depends on the number of screens, the complexity of features, and required integrations. After a discovery session, we always provide a fixed price, no open end.
An MVP (minimum viable product) can be live in 6 to 8 weeks. A full app with all features takes an average of 3 to 5 months. We work in sprints, so you see progress every two weeks and can adjust course.
That depends on the type of change. Content, text, and configuration can often be managed through an admin panel we build alongside the app. For new features or technical changes, you need a developer. We offer ongoing maintenance packages so you can always act quickly.
We've built apps for hospitality, healthcare, logistics, retail, and professional services. The technology is the same — the difference lies in understanding the business. That's why we start every project with a thorough discovery phase.
That's more of an advantage than a disadvantage. It means there's demand. The question is whether you can do it better, faster, or more specifically for your target audience. The best apps aren't the first ones, but the best ones for a specific niche.
We're happy to think along about your app — no strings attached. No sales pitch, just an honest conversation about whether an app is the right solution and what it would cost.