How Long Does It Take to Build An Android App? [Complete Guide]

This is the mind-boggling question that any company asks before developing an Android app.

We understand that the Android development timeline directly impacts the project’s cost.

However, there is no one-size-fits-all for the answer.

But, this article aims to help you untangle this long-decade question.

Let’s dive deep into how long does it take to make an app for Android!

How Long Does It Take to Develop an App for Android: A Quick Estimation

Typically, building a fully-fledged Android app requires 1 to 6 months.

To help you make an informed decision faster, here is a rough breakdown of how long it takes to develop an application for Android.

Now, let’s look into the requirements to build each type of app, and how such factors affect the development length.

Simple and Low-Complexity App

A simple app is a program that is usually based on a template and requires minimal custom coding.

Most of the apps that are registered in the Android app store fall into this category as it is generally accessible in terms of development threshold, including for beginner developers.

A low-complexity Android app is most often characterized by a straightforward user interface (UI) with a minimalistic design and basic functionality.

Android apps of this kind may not have any Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) either, as they are sophisticated to develop.

In other words, this type of app is unable to transfer, receive, or synchronize data to integrate with cloud solutions or other systems.

Therefore, all data is hosted and stored locally.

Due to the app’s simplicity, it generally only takes 1 to 3 months to develop.

Example: A “weather app” that comes with a clean interface to inform users of weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc) and forecasts (sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc).

Medium-Scale and Medium-Complexity App

A medium-complexity Android app is similar to the simple version but with richer features and a customized UI.

It comes with integration capabilities through their external APIs, such as with social media to enable users to log into their accounts or with cloud services for database storage.

A huge differentiation of a medium complexity app is its native features such as camera and GPS.

Medium-complexity apps will take 4 to 6 months to develop.

Example: An “E-learning platform” with online courses, lectures, and resources.

This app normally combines content management, user interaction, as well as multimedia streaming.

Large-Scale and High-Complexity App

Complex and large-scale apps are those with sophisticated features, advanced backend architecture, and high-scale performance as well Android app security standards.

These applications often involve integrations with multiple systems with cloud services.

Such end-to-end synchronizations are necessary to provide next-level user interactions including real-time data exchange and secure payment processing.

Large-scale and high-complexity apps also come with state-in-the-art Android app development tech stack to provide users with comprehensive functionalities.

Some examples of Android app features found in large-scale apps are in-depth algorithms to handle large volumes of data and maintain high-level data encryption as well as security protocols.

The user experience (UX) in this type of app is also more dynamic and interactive, requiring the implementation of Android app development frameworks to enable live updates, personalized content delivery, and rigorous UIs.

To develop this kind of app, hiring a team of app experts or going with experienced Android mobile app development services such as Intelivita will be imperative to speed up Android mobile app development as it generally takes 7 months or more.

Example: A healthcare management app with all-encompassing features for various healthcare needs, integrating end-to-end healthcare services, health record management, and patient engagement.

How Long Does It Take to Make an App for Android Based on the App Types

Aside from the complexity of the app, the time it takes to make an Android app also depends on the type of the app.

If you are creating only an MVP to present to the investors and gain funding, it will only take 1 to 3 months.

For the full app to be developed, it may take even more.

Here, we give an example of the most common Android apps.

Games/Entertainment App

A game or entertainment app is a type of mobile application primarily to amuse the users.

Across all mobile app categories, the game market is the highest and largest earner, generating 50% of the total revenue worldwide.

In other words, it is a potential niche to step into.

This kind of app usually has the following features:

• Interactive Gameplay: immersive mechanics suited to the game’s genre (puzzle, strategy, action, or adventure).
• Graphics and Sounds: high-quality graphics, sound effects, and background music to enhance experience.
• Levels and Stages: progression with increased difficulties and challenges and unlockable content.
• In-App Purchases: add-ons, customizations, or characters that can be purchased with real or digital money.

Popular examples of game/entertainment apps include Free Fire, Valorant, Netflix, and Spotify.

As this app requires more complexity, the length to create this app usually takes at least 7 months.

eCommerce App

An eCommerce app is probably the most used app right now, based on the latest trends in Android development, as it allows users to buy and sell daily goods or services.

The market share for eCommerce is also one of the most substantial.

Famous players such as Amazon and Alibaba have reached a market cap of USD 1,735 billion and USD 614.8 billion respectively.

Here are the key features of an eCommerce app:

• User Registration and Profile: personalized profile for shipping addresses, payment methods, wish list items, purchase history, and order management.
• Product Catalogue: a list of products categorized for seamless navigation, with high-quality images, descriptions, prices, and customer reviews.
• Shopping Cart: a virtual cart for users to add, remove, or manage selected items before checking out.
• Secure Payment Gateway: a secure and reliable payment solution that offers a wide range of payment options (credit/debit cards, net banking, digital wallets, or cash on delivery (COD)).

eCommerce apps are also on the more complex side of the spectrum as your development team needs to build both buyer- and seller-facing features.

The overall project may span over 8 months.

Social Networking App

A social networking app is also one of the apps most visited by users.

It facilitates users to connect, interact, and share with one another.

The social networking market itself is projected to grow by 7.30% with a market volume of US$ 189.50 billion in 2027.

If you are thinking of creating a Facebook or Twitter alternative, or better yet, an even stronger competitor, consider adding the following features:

• Connection and Networking: connect or follow or request friends with other people who have similar interests
• News Feed or Timeline: a central feed to keep users up-to-date that can be tailored based on personal preferences
• Content Posting and Sharing: the ability for users to post any type of content, be it in the form of a text, photo, or video
• Marketplace Integration: allow users to buy and sell items with targeted advertising.

Surprisingly, this app is rather easy and fast to make, requiring around 3 months of dedication.

The timeline and Android mobile application development cost may extend if you are integrating a marketplace feature.