What an app costs to keep alive
Launching is a one-off. Keeping an app healthy is a monthly job.
Fixed costs
Apple's developer program costs $99 a year and Google Play charges a one-time $25 registration fee. Then come hosting, databases, email, analytics and other services that grow with your users.
The yearly cycle
Apple ships a major iOS release every autumn, and Google requires apps to target a recent Android version to keep publishing updates. Plan time every year just to stay current.
The hidden work
Expiring certificates, outdated libraries, policy changes and support requests. None of it ships a feature. All of it keeps you in the store.
- Checklist
- Budget for the yearly OS updates
- Monitoring on crashes and running costs
- One owner for store policy emails