Setting Realistic Expectations
One of the most common questions we hear from Perth entrepreneurs is: "How long will it take to develop my app?" The answer depends on many factors, but understanding typical timelines helps you plan your project, budget, and go-to-market strategy effectively.
Many first-time app developers underestimate how long development takes. A common mistake is thinking an app will take 2-3 months when it realistically takes 4-6 months. This article breaks down realistic timelines for different app types and helps you understand what drives development duration.
Development Phases and Timeline Breakdown
App development typically follows these phases. Understanding each phase helps you understand the overall timeline:
Phase 1: Discovery & Planning
Define requirements, create wireframes, plan architecture, and establish project scope. This phase is critical—rushing through it leads to problems later.
Phase 2: Design
Create high-fidelity designs, prototypes, and design systems. For simple apps, 2 weeks. For complex apps with custom design, 4 weeks.
Phase 3: Frontend Development
Build the user interface and implement user interactions. Timeline depends on app complexity and number of screens.
Phase 4: Backend Development
Build server infrastructure, databases, and APIs. Simple apps with minimal backend take 2 weeks. Complex apps with extensive backend take 6+ weeks.
Phase 5: Integration & Testing
Connect frontend and backend, conduct comprehensive testing, fix bugs, and optimize performance.
Phase 6: App Store Submission
Prepare app store listings, submit for review, and handle any review feedback. Apple review typically takes 1-3 days.
Timeline by App Complexity
| App Type | Complexity | Timeline | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Utility | Low | 6-8 weeks | Calculator, note app, timer |
| MVP (Minimum Viable Product) | Medium | 12-16 weeks (3-4 months) | Business app, lifestyle app, community app |
| Full-Featured App | High | 20-24 weeks (5-6 months) | E-commerce app, social platform, complex business app |
| Enterprise Platform | Very High | 26+ weeks (6+ months) | Large-scale platform, AI-powered app, complex integration |
Factors That Extend Development Timeline
Several factors can extend your app's development timeline beyond estimates:
Scope Creep
Adding features during development is the #1 cause of timeline delays. Each new feature adds 1-2 weeks to the timeline. Stick to your MVP scope and plan additional features for version 2.0.
Unclear Requirements
Vague or changing requirements force developers to rework features, adding 2-4 weeks to the timeline. Invest time upfront in clearly defining what you want to build.
Complex Integrations
Integrating with third-party services (payment processors, analytics, social media) adds 1-3 weeks depending on complexity. Plan for this in your timeline.
Device Testing
Testing across multiple devices and OS versions adds 1-2 weeks. This is especially important for Android due to device fragmentation.
Performance Optimization
Optimizing app performance, reducing load times, and minimizing battery drain adds 1-2 weeks. Don't skip this—performance directly impacts user satisfaction.
Approval Delays
While Apple typically approves apps within 1-3 days, occasional rejections can add 1-2 weeks. Build buffer time into your launch timeline.
Team Communication
Poor communication between team members, unclear feedback, and slow decision-making can add weeks to the timeline. Establish clear communication processes.
Timeline by Platform Choice
iOS Only
Developing for iOS only is the fastest approach. Fewer devices and consistent specifications mean faster development and testing. Typical timeline: 3-4 months for MVP.
Android Only
Android development takes slightly longer due to device fragmentation. More devices and screen sizes require additional testing. Typical timeline: 3-4 months for MVP (similar to iOS but with more testing).
iOS + Android (Native)
Developing separate native apps for both platforms roughly doubles the timeline. Typical timeline: 5-7 months for MVP (two separate 3-4 month projects).
Cross-Platform (Flutter/React Native)
Cross-platform development reduces timeline by 30-40% compared to native dual-platform. Typical timeline: 3.5-4.5 months for MVP on both platforms.
Real-World Timeline Example
Let's look at a realistic example: a medium-complexity business app for Perth (like our Plumber Invoices app).
- Week 1-2: Discovery, requirements gathering, architecture planning
- Week 3-4: Design and prototyping
- Week 5-8: Frontend development (main screens and user flows)
- Week 9-11: Backend development (database, APIs, integrations)
- Week 12-14: Integration, testing, bug fixes
- Week 15: Final polish and app store submission
- Week 16: App store review and launch
Total: 16 weeks (4 months). With a 20% buffer for unexpected issues: 19-20 weeks (4.5-5 months).
Accelerating Development Timeline
If you need to launch faster, consider these strategies:
Reduce Scope
Focus on core features only. You can add features in version 2.0 after gathering user feedback. This can reduce timeline by 30-40%.
Use Existing Solutions
Leverage third-party APIs and services instead of building everything from scratch. This saves 1-2 weeks of development time.
Increase Team Size
Adding developers can accelerate development, but with diminishing returns. Adding one developer typically accelerates by 20-30%, not 50-100%.
Prioritize MVP Launch
Launch your MVP quickly, gather user feedback, then iterate. This is often faster than trying to perfect everything before launch.
Use Cross-Platform Development
If you need both iOS and Android, cross-platform development is faster than native dual-platform development.
Discuss Your Project TimelineFrequently Asked Questions
Only for very simple apps with minimal features. A 2-month timeline is extremely tight and requires perfect planning, no scope changes, and a small, experienced team. Most realistic projects take 3-4 months minimum for an MVP.
For a simple app with limited features: 6-8 weeks. For an MVP with core features: 12-16 weeks (3-4 months). Anything faster than 6 weeks is unrealistic unless the app is extremely simple.
Adding developers helps, but with diminishing returns. Adding one extra developer might accelerate by 20-30%, not 50%. Communication overhead between team members can actually slow things down if not managed well.
Apple typically reviews apps within 1-3 days. Google Play review is usually faster, often within hours. However, if Apple requests changes, the review process can take longer. Build 1-2 weeks into your timeline for app store submission and review.
Launch with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). This gets your app to market faster, lets you gather real user feedback, and reduces initial development cost. You can add features in subsequent versions based on user feedback.
Conclusion: Plan Realistically
App development takes time. A realistic timeline for a medium-complexity app is 3-4 months. Building in a 20-30% buffer accounts for unexpected issues and keeps your project on track. Focus on launching your MVP quickly, then iterate based on user feedback.
The fastest apps to market aren't always the best. Taking time to plan properly, design thoughtfully, and test thoroughly results in better apps that users love.
Plan Your App Timeline