How Much Does It Cost To Test An App In 2024?

In 2020, there were reportedly more than 5.5 million apps worldwide. The leading app store, Google Play itself had 2.9 million mobile applications. This is followed by the Apple App Store which has approximately 1.96 million apps. It is safe to say that the numbers have only skyrocketed since then. 

As the world is going fully digital, people have started depending on mobile apps for every task. Fortunately, this trend has opened up endless avenues for businesses and startups. 

Apart from the developing process, all mobile apps should go through an important stage: the testing phase. If you want to prevent negative user reviews and keep your app within a 4-star rating, you must optimally test your app. 

People who work in app development can sometimes overlook the functioning of the app, especially from a user perspective. When developing an app, coders must keep in mind that not all users are tech-savvy. This kind of overconfidence can prove to be disastrous for the company. 

Therefore, it is important to check the functional quality of the app and validate its features before release. In today’s blog, we have provided a detailed outline of how much does it cost to test an app in 2024. Read on! 

The Stages Apps Need to go Through Before Release

Developing and releasing an app is a lengthy process. Each stage comes with specific rules and challenges. This means that each stage has different costs associated with the work that needs to be done. 

Here are some of the stages that one has to move through to release a mobile app:

1. Discovery and gathering requirements. 
2. Designing the algorithm, wireframing, and prototyping. 
3. The developing or coding process. 
4. App testing and quality assurance. 
5. Store publication and deployment. 
6. Post-launch service, marketing, advertising, sales, maintenance, etc. 

The cost of testing an application also depends on these stages. 

What Are The Steps of Testing That Validate The Quality of an App?

An app has to go through a series of testing procedures before it can be deemed fit for release. Here are the 9 basic steps:

1. Outlining the process 

First things first, the developer has to decide which use case they will be testing manually or automatically. This involves outlining a list of all the cases that have to be tested. The developer typically creates a test plan for the mobile application with all the use cases and briefly plans the tests that they intend to run, and the expected result they want to achieve. 

2. Selecting the Type of Mobile Tests to Run

After the use cases have been chosen, it is important to determine whether a test will be conducted manually or automatically. This can be a pretty challenging choice to make. 

Automated testing is usually administered in the following scenarios:

• If you run a use case Frequently: If the app requires running routine tests on a regular basis to check functionality, it is best to automate them. Automating routine tests is not only more practical in the long run, but it also saves time and money. Besides, automated tests can prevent potential errors caused by repetition. 
• To check compatibility on Device Fragmentation: These days, there’s massive diversity in devices and screen dimensions. If you want to check your app’s compatibility with each array of hardware, several tests need to be run. Conducting all these tests manually can become challenging, thus, it is wiser to automate them. 
• If a Test has a Predictable outcome: Test automation should be the go-to choice for conditional testing. This means when a test has predictable results, there is no need for the developer to manually monitor the outcome or oversee the testing process. 

3. Preparing Test Cases for Different Functionalities

When defining the cases one will be writing tests for, there are two broad approaches:

• Requirement-based testing
• Business scenario-based testing

Further, application tests are divided into functional and non-functional. Functional testing includes system testing, interface testing, unit testing, regression testing, integration testing, and beta/acceptance testing. Non-functional testing refers to volume testing, performance testing, security testing, reliability testing, stress testing, load testing, compliance testing, localization testing, etc. 

4. Manual Testing

Although some developers prefer automated testing over manual testing, in some cases, it’s recommended to use a combination of both. This is especially true of the Agile testing framework. 

To kick-start a testing sprint, it is important to start with exploratory manual testing. 

5. Automated Testing

After manual testing sessions have been conducted and the patterns of outcome detected, it’s time to proceed to automate routine and predictable tests. In the case of performance testing, stress testing, spike testing, and load testing, testing automatically is the common practice. 

During automated testing, it is crucial to choose the right tool. Since there is no dearth of available options in the market, here are some features to look for in the right fit:

• The testing tool should support a wide range of platforms. 
• The testing tool should have rich features, that is, a tool that conveniently supports recording and playback of tests. 
• The testing tool should allow the tests to be change-resistant and re-useable. 

6. Usability and Beta Testing 

Contrary to popular opinion, beta testing cannot be a substitute for usability testing. Although both pinpoint similar issues, it is worthwhile to perform each. 

• The usability testing session is helpful in getting exposure from real users. This also allows the developers to showcase potential features and understand the ones that were well-received by the audience. 
• The beta testing session is helpful when the product is ready and the developer wants final feedback before the launch. This allows developers to understand which direction the app will take in the future. 

7. Performance Testing

It is imperative to assess the performance of each application feature-by-feature as well as the entire system. This is where the requirement for performance testing comes in. Performance testing helps in evaluating speed, stability, and scalability, and also checks the apps for errors. 

8. Security and Compliance Testing

An app has to meet a number of data security guidelines before its release and store publication. Depending upon your app’s features, here are some of the most common security guidelines that must be implemented:

• FFIEC: This is a set of guidelines that require financial institutions to initiate control that protects sensitive financial data. 
• PCI DSS: This is a set of data security requirements that allow mobile apps to accept online payments. 
• HIPAA: These are security requirements for healthcare apps that allow them to collect, process, and store patient medical data. 

Apart from security and compliance testing, the app should also meet the industry standard. 

9. Final Version Release

After all these steps have been covered, the developers run final end-to-end testing that ensures that the application works efficiently both at the back-end and the server level. This marks that the application is ready to be uploaded. During this step, major bugs are identified and fixed. 

How Much Does it Cost To Test an App in 2024?

The total app cost usually depends on how one estimates it. It is difficult to provide an exact number or estimation. It is easier to propose a cost breakdown based on conformance. 

Conformance testing refers to all the activities that are handled by the release. These include: 

• Test planning
• General reviews
• System testing
• Acceptance testing
• Program testing
• Related costs such as hardware, software, and employees. 

Non-conformance testing includes the services required after the launch. These include: 

• Major and minor app corrections
• Recovery after terminal issues
• Redesign and bug-fixing after the launch 
• Costs related to user issues and failures
• The next round of testing if necessary 
• Related costs such as hardware, software, and employees.

When it comes to predicting real numbers, there can be varied estimations. The combined cost of the testing and deployment phase usually ranges between $5000 to $25,000 or more. 

In some cases, there are also hidden testing costs during the Quality Assurance phase which may add additional expenses. 

The cost of testing an application is estimated in two categories or phases. The first phase, which is direct or conformance testing, can cost around 25 percent of the total project’s spending. Whereas, the second phase of indirect or non-conformance testing, may cost around 75 percent of the total spending. 

Conclusion

Here is everything you needed to know about app testing cost in 2024. If you are looking for a service provider for mobile app testing and quality assurance, consider Appsierra. 

Appsierra is a leading software testing company with over 15 years of industry experience. With our competitive rates and comprehensive testing, we have tested more than 470 projects and released 120 mobile apps. 

Appsierra clients are also eligible for a 7-day free trial and easy exit policy. With our streamlined approach and a dedicated team of developers, team allocation is completed within a day. As one of the fastest-growing app testing companies in the United States, Appsierra provides full-funnel software testing and QA services across several software types. 

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