How much does Augmented Reality app cost?

How much does augmented reality app cost? The question is becoming pretty frequent as more and more researches and surveys show positive trends of AR. We are going to answer this question and provide as many details about Augmented Reality development services as possible. Furthermore, we also talk about what you need in order to create an augmented reality app for Android and iOS.

What are the requirements for and components of AR app development? As is any type of software development, the documentation is important. A project of a mobile application is nothing else than the basis, the draft of a future product. It outlines the business logic and a list of technical specifications. Documentation guides the development team from rough concepts to final scripts. It’s always better to have it finished and ready before contacting any Augmented Reality development companies.

App cost calculator

To give you the opportunity for more accurate app cost estimation, below you may find an interactive calculator tool. There you can indicate the specifications of your project or an app you have in mind, and send data to our app development experts. Our team will contact you shortly after with an exact price quote.

Moving on to technical parts, a great help to augmented reality development is an SDK.

Augmented reality SDK

A software development kit (also known as devkit) is nothing else than a package of software development tools. AR developers need it to make applications by using completed solutions. SDK helps and simplifies the coding phase, especially with AR development, to avoid writing steps from scratch. Popular SDKs to develop augmented reality mobile apps are the following.

• Vuforia

It seems like Vuforia is the most popular SDK around the globe. It provides AR developers with powerful and comfortable tools. By using Computer Vision tech it provides the possibility to recognize and track target images. As a result, the app may project 3D objects or Media in real-time.

Moreover, Vuforia has one of the best characteristics for the minimal angles of the marker recognition algorithm. It also has the minimal requirements for tracker visibility of overlapped targets. Besides, the stability of immovable and movable markers is the best among other SDKs.

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, UWP and Unity Editor.
You can get the source code of Vuforia SDK.

• Wikitude

This SDK is created for mobile platforms originally to work with Wikitude AR Browser. It is also the first SDK that provides a JavaScript API to enhance AR experience. In addition, it supports Native API for iOS and Android. Wikitude gives a wide range of functions, including SLAM technology and geo-location. Unfortunately, while other parameters of this SDK are higher than average, they are still not the best.

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Smart Glasses.
You can get the source code of Wikitude SDK.

• Kudan

Kudan is faster than most frameworks. It also provides an unlimited number of recognized images. Furthermore, Kudan requires less memory storage for its libraries. This SDK could become a good analog of Vuforia and Wikitude. However, developers should know that in some parameters, it is inferior to Vuforia. Kudan also doesn’t have some functions that Wikitude has. For example, it does not support geolocation and cloud recognition.

Supported platforms: Android, iOS.
You can get the source code of Kudan SDK.

Augmented reality development rates

• Northern America – from $50 to $250 per hour
• Western Europe – from $50 to $200 per hour
• Australia – from $40 to $170 per hour
• Eastern Europe – from $20 to $100 per hour
• Southern America – from $15 to $75 per hour
• Asia – from $10 to $50 per hour

Though, due to Augmented Reality technology still being pretty new and evolving, it’s better to partner with companies with verified expertise in AR development.

Initial stages: requirements & planning

Documentation should include as many details as possible. Try to provide developers with details about your product vision, its features, APIs and technical details, dependencies and others. It’s also great if a client can provide some photos, sketches or wireframes to illustrate his or her own requirements.

Project documentation cost for AR app development: $500-$1,000, and it takes 3-10 days.

Note: If you don’t have an AR project draft ready it’s hard to be more specific. Also, it’s almost impossible to make accurate estimation of the cost to develop the augmented reality app.

The planning stage includes communication between a project manager and a client. They solve the main question and discuss every important detail. This phase also includes:

• creating development team and allocating roles and the task of each person
• setting timelines, deadlines and milestones
• making detailed clear estimations

AR development project estimate cost: completely free, but may take 2-5 days. The length of this phase depends on project size and complexity. Obviously, large and complex projects take more time to estimate, so it is likely to cost more. On the other hand, the cost to estimate a project similar to existing applications is cheaper.

Estimation of augmented reality app cost

This phase includes writing the main code architecture and creating application design. Both processes are closely related and interdependent issues. So the main parts of each them are:

Infrastructure:

• The 3-rd party APIs integration
• Access to enterprise data
• Setup and basic controls
• Data storage
• Encryption
• Scalability

An average time is 250-600 hours.

Design:

• Wireframe creation
• 3D graphic models
• UI/UX design
• Visual design
• Animation

An average time is 150-500 hours.

Of course, all cost are averaged and the duration of the development listed are only approximations. The length of each part is highly depended on each and every individual augmented reality application.  It may cost less than average, or go far beyond.

Sidenote: Create your own AR app with ThinkMobiles

There is a great option to build AR apps in a faster and cheaper way. Our developers have constructed a ready-made application for augmented reality, called MyAR, that we can then adjust and make a new one on it’s basis. A project to create an AR app will consist of the following steps:

1. Customize MyAr app
The primary feature of My AR app is to visualize objects/products in augmented reality on any mobile device. So we can amend the way we render items into 3D models for you, create presets, change user interface, make corrections to design, etc.

2. Customize MyAr CMS
For high performance of the app we have also developed a custom content management system (CMS) for it. And we can customize it as well for your AR project! You get the full control in a way you like it, and without any other external services.

3. Create 3D models and upload to your CMS
Do not have virtual models of your products? No problem. Our team of dedicated developers and designers is always ready to help to create professional 3-dimensional models in a matter of hours.

4. Release iOS and Android apps to stores
In such short way we can build your AR app together, and now you can login to your app and demonstrate products in AR. If you want to make a public release, our managers and marketers can help you submit the app to the App Store and/or Google Play.

The cost of such augmented reality app, using MyAR, will be just $3,000.

AR app features

There are many common features that may be added to the application. The most important feature of AR applications is the augmented reality itself. How augmented reality apps work may be experienced in 4 different ways. We will also show examples of some of the top augmented reality apps.

• Gyroscope-based AR

The simplest way to make AR application is the use of device’s gyroscope. According to the information from the gyroscope, applications can place virtual models around the user.

No SDK is required to do such simple features. Example: Vortex Planetarium – Astronomy app uses the gyroscope to place planets, constellations, stars around a user. Average time required is 150-250 hours.

• Marker-based AR

Another way to initiate augmented reality in application is to use trigger-markers in the real world. Markers may be anything from simple QR-codes, icons, cards, images, or even movie posters. Device’s camera captures such kind of triggers. Then application then projects a specific AR model or media onto it.

Marker-based technologies are pretty easy to develop and integrate. However, most of the time is spent setting triggers. Each trigger image should be designed, specialized, scanned and integrated into the app individually.

Vuforia, Wikitude, Kudan and Maxst SDKs allow to create such features. Examples: Inkhunter app, using markers to project tattoo designs, Quiver for 3D models, Layar to scan printed media pictures and generate projections. Average time required to complete such an app is around 200-400 hours.

• SLAM (Simultaneous localization and mapping)

The concept of SLAM was born in the 80s but only modern devices have enough resources to support it. SLAM technology is used by self-driving vehicles, drones and robotic industry. Complex algorithms integrate data from multiple sensors, calculates precisely the user’s position and creates a map of the unknown environment.

Applications use this feature to place different 3D objects in the real surroundings. Advantages of this technology is that it doesn’t require any trigger-markers. Additionally, virtual objects can react with different objects in the real world that appears on the scene. You also may use SLAM to build 3D model of random real objects by simply moving camera around it.

Wikitude, Kudan and Maxst SDKs allow developers to create such kind of feature. Example: IKEA augmented reality app, which with SLAM technology allows users place 3D models of furniture in real environment. Average time required is around 250-500 hours.

• Location-based AR

This type uses the device’s data from GPS, compass and Wi-Fi to augment reality around a user by placing virtual models, media, text info or link in the real world. The user should be in right location with good internet connection to get the best AR experience.

Wikitude SDK allows developers to create this feature. Examples: Pokemon GO app generating digital characters and placing  them in physical environment, Flightradar24 – helping track planes in real time. Average time required is around 400-800 hours.

There are many features that may also be added into AR application if necessary. They can certainly enhance user experience. Additional features can make apps more flexible, personalized, secured or customized. Each feature will take time to integrate and result in increased budget cost. Here is a list of features with their average time required for development:

• Native device features (such as the address book, access to photo gallery etc.) – 80 hours;
• User engagement feature (such as social sharing, push notification etc.) – 32 hours;
• Log-in (email verification, password restoration, social media log-in etc.) – 32 hours;
• Payment gateway integration (one or more) – 40 hours;
• Multi-language support – 40 hours;
• Device hardware usage – 16 hours;
• Sync across device -32 hours;
• Chat and forums – 50 hours;
• Analytics tools – 32 hours;
• CMS tools – 48 hours.

There will be also expenses related to testing, deployment and post-release. Games and apps that need a high level of security require additional attention. Deployment phase is about accounting application and submitting it to the app store. Depending on application size and complexity, post release expenses may vary from 10% to 40% of its total cost per year. Maintenance may include the app’s update, security patches, adding new features, third party fees and other.

Popular genres of AR

AR turns the world around the user into a digital interface. It enhances surroundings with different virtual objects to provide the best user experience. AR may be provided through a wide range of experiences. We can divide all apps that use augmented reality into 3 main categories. Also, check some of the best AR apps – just a quick note.

Augmented Reality 3D viewers. These AR apps allow a user to place and see 3D models of different objects through their device’s camera. Real world environment may expand with virtual objects, with or without the usage of trigger markers. Examples include IKEA, Quiver, Inkhunter.

Augmented Reality Browsers. Common browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Opera are the competition, yet, not getting even close to popularity of those. AR browsers are essentially mobile apps that display different contextual information and show media through a camera. Virtual content may be triggered by marker devices that exist in the real world, or by location-based markers. Examples are Wikitude, Layar.

Augmented Reality Games Apps. These apps use the real environment to enhance the player’s gaming experiences. Such AR applications add virtual objects, items and characters in the real world around a player.

How much does AR Viewer development cost?

It’s all about showing virtual 3D models in the real environment. The complexity of these apps depends on the AR type and client requirements. It may be a simple gyroscope based app or using SLAM technology. 3D models and simple user interfaces are also necessary. Both 3D modeler and UX/UI designer should be engaged in the development process. Their scope of work depends on how many models an app would include, and how many screens it would lie on.

Typical cost range: $35,000 to $70,000.

How much does AR Browser development cost?

To work, augmented reality browsers use location-based and market-based AR features. They also require a stable internet connection, as well as GPS, compass, gyroscope and the device’s APIs. When the core of an app is ready, we may then customize it, adding more features to better the usability.

For example, AR browser owner may cooperate with print media to add augmented reality content to its pages. Such products also may be purchasable directly from the browser. It would require additional payment gateway integration, security measures and 3D models of a product.

Typical cost range: $50,000 to $85,000.

How much does AR game development cost?

Games do not have any standards, so it is hard to say how much it would cost without documentation. Obviously, a large amount of content and in-game mechanic would drive app development time and cost. Popularity of Pokemon Go did not depend on just its brand name and people’s nostalgia. Pokemon franchise releases new games regularly every year.

Additionally, to give a user better a playing experience, there can be some additional in-game features. While it may increase the time and cost of development, it might also make game apps more interesting, and enjoyable. The following list includes popular game features:

• Advanced storytelling with intros and in-game video – 100 hours;
• Player rating and leagues – 32 hours;
• Music and sound effects – 80 hours;
• Real-time multiplayer – 250 hours;
• Achievements – 56 hours.

Typical cost range: $50,000 to $200,000.

Mobile device’s capabilities are becoming more and more advanced each year. It’s just a matter of time when people would start to use Augmented Reality for everyday routines. Therefore, better get ready and be one of the first AR products on the market at the moment customer interest explodes.