The average smartphone owner is using 10 apps every single day, so there is no denying how effective having an app can be for your business.
So, how long does it take to develop an app? Building one from scratch typically takes between five and twelve months, while using app templates can cut that timeline down to a matter of days, or even hours. Which route is right for you depends on far more than speed alone.
The online world is so full of brands competing against each other for users’ attention, so being able to reach people directly through their mobile devices can open up endless possibilities, but only if executed well.
This is why it is so important to make sure the app you build has the right design, features, and functionality needed to stand out from the crowd and offer genuine value to your users.
With so many options available when creating an app nowadays, it can be tough to know which approach is best, and how much time each one really takes, but that’s what we’re here for.
Knowing the Difference Between App Building Options
Before jumping into the development of your new app idea, it’s important that you understand the different options available to you and can make the best decision for your individual needs.
Although the end result of using both app templates and building from scratch is a fully functional app, the entire process, and the time it takes, is very different and will inevitably impact the final product.
Let’s break down the two options and get to know what each of them are used for.
What does building from scratch consist of?
This refers to the traditional app building process that has long been used. It requires the work of an experienced developer or development team who can write the code needed to bring an exact vision to life.
During this process, the developers will have full control over everything from the initial app structure to the finishing touches of the final design. Since the app is being custom built to suit your needs, you can go into the project with incredibly specific requirements.
The majority of medium-sized apps take between five and twelve months to develop from scratch. The process requires a lot of time since every aspect of the design needs to be custom built, meaning the final product will not be ready to launch for some time.
For more complex apps, development time is going to be much longer, but it does give businesses the opportunity to launch all-singing-all-dancing apps that are unlike any other app on the market.
What are app templates?
Unlike building an app from scratch, app templates allow you to skip the majority of the development time since the hard work has already been done. These templates have been designed and built by experienced developers, but are available for you to use as a starting point for your own app.
Many platforms offering app templates have a library of different options which are designed to suit different business needs and functionalities. Once you have selected one you like, you can then use written AI prompts to customize the template to suit your preferences.
Using app templates requires no prior development experience since the technical aspects are handled by the platform, meaning your job is just to focus on the features, images, content, and color scheme you want to use.
These are still a relatively new concept in comparison to traditional development methods, but have opened up countless new opportunities for smaller businesses on a budget. Although the templates used are not going to be unique to your business, being able to put your own touch on them means you are still able to launch custom apps without having to rely on third-party developers.
What Impacts Your App Development Timeline?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how long building an app will take, so you need to be sure that you’re making the right decision for your own individual requirements.
Here are some of the key factors that will affect your timeline when deciding between building an app from scratch and using app templates.
Type of app: The functionality you’re looking for within your app will help determine whether you require a custom solution. For example, if you’re looking to create a straightforward ecommerce app, online booking system, or productivity tracker, there are likely to be plenty of pre-made templates available. However, if you require more advanced features that require third-party integrations, it’s going to require the work of a development team, and add months to the schedule.
Budget: Budget is likely to be one of the biggest factors you take into account when considering launching an app, and there is definitely a notable difference between traditional development and app templates. Many larger businesses prefer to create a custom app from scratch to ensure it meets their exact requirements, but a lot of smaller businesses stick with templates to keep costs low.
Time constraints: The urgency of your app launch is another element that will help determine which is the best path to take. Building an app from scratch is bound to take significantly more time since all of the elements need to be built and tested, whereas templates are already good to go. However, it is important that the testing stage is not rushed when using app templates as this is a key part of the process and launching with errors can damage your brand reputation.
Scalability: It is wise to consider the longevity of your app when picking between different options, making sure you’re not making more work for yourself in the long run. Although app templates offer a cheaper and quicker solution, if you’re looking to scale your app as your business grows, this is going to become tricky. In this instance, it’s more sensible to build a custom app which your development team can expand on as and when needed.
Maintenance: Even after your app is launched, that is not the end of the process. You need to consider that any software updates, security measures, and bug fixes need to be addressed as needed. If you have no technical knowledge, this can be challenging, whereas if you have created an app from scratch, you are likely to have the ongoing support of the development team you’ve been working with.
So, How Long Will Your App Actually Take?
Every project is different, but here is roughly how the app development timeline breaks down for each stage, depending on the route you take:
Planning and discovery: 2 to 4 weeks for a custom build, versus a few days when working from a template, since many of the structural decisions have already been made.
Design: 1 to 3 months from scratch, compared to a few hours of customization when starting from a pre-built template.
Development: 3 to 6 months (or more) for a custom app, whereas template-based platforms handle this stage for you almost instantly.
Testing and launch: 2 to 6 weeks for custom builds, and a few days for template apps, though this stage should never be skipped entirely.
It can always be tempting to just opt for the fastest option, but you need to consider whether the fastest option is actually the right option.
If making a decision based purely on speed, then app templates feel like a no-brainer. Since most of the work has already been done and you’re not at the mercy of your developers’ workload, you can have a brand new app ready to launch within as little as a few hours.
However, a fast launch does not always equal a good launch. Rushing into app development can often result in human error, badly thought-through user flows, and a generic design.
If you are looking for your app to include advanced features that draw in new users, you’re likely going to need the help of an experienced development team. Although this will take longer to build, you need to ask yourself if the quicker launch is worth cutting corners for.
On the other hand, there is no point of adding features for the sake of features. Less can often be more, and instead of getting drawn in by all of the different elements that are available through custom development, consider what is actually providing value to your users.
Before you make a decision, take a step back and jot down the main priorities for your app. Once you know the most important elements, you can then establish whether app templates will give you what you need, or whether it’s best to build from scratch.
Bringing Your App Idea to Life
Weighing up the choice between app templates and building from scratch is going to look different for everyone, so the key is to make sure you know exactly what your end goal looks like, and how quickly you need to get there.
Both app templates and custom-built apps are incredibly popular and effective, so the decision you make needs to incorporate various factors.
Looking to launch an app as soon as possible always gives app templates the competitive edge, but if this leaves you at a dead end in six months’ time if you’re looking to expand, it’s worth reconsidering what is really the right option for you.