How Much Does It Cost To Make A GPS App?
Since the inception of smartphones, many different types of applications have had their fair share of screen time. However, when it comes to GPS navigation apps, they are prevalent and helpful and will remain for a long time. After all, no one would want to get stuck in an unfamiliar place with no help.
Location-directed companies nowadays are fulling taking advantage of these app developments, as it helps their business to locate, monitor accurately, and control their employees and valuable assets to reach their set destination without any obstructions. The ultimate foundation of a GPS app is to provide real-time tracking.
When was the last time you stopped and asked someone for directions? It must be quite long ago as now a whole GPS in your smartphone; you can survive anywhere. So, in these times, how many people are solely dependent on GPS apps?
“This statistic illustrates the share of people who used their cell phone for maps/GPS navigation (in the last four weeks) in the United States as of 2018. The results were sorted by age. In 2018, some 54% of respondents aged 18 to 29 years stated they used their cell phone for maps/GPS navigation” (Statista).
If you’re thinking of developing a GPS app, do not hesitate, as it is one of the most profitable, growing markets according to a report by BIS Research report, “Global Automotive Navigation Systems Market, 2017-2021“. They have reported that the global automotive navigation systems market is estimated to reach $34.56 billion by 2021.
As there aren’t many navigation apps in the market as one would expect in today’s tech-savvy world, there are no significant competitors either, except one. You guessed it, Google Maps, hitting over 5 billion downloads and 154.4 million users.
Source: Statistica
BENEFITS OF DEVELOPING A GPS NAVIGATION APP
DOORSTEP DELIVERY BUSINESSES
From ordering a bookshelf on the internet to ordering food online out there, every big or small business is marking its presence online with well-rounded services to hire mobile application developers. So, to provide your customers with a satisfactory top-level experience, a GPS feature is a must-have in your app. It helps the delivery person to get to your customer’s doorstep, following accurate routes, and making the delivery within time. Having a GPS feature will ensure your product is delivered in time and build customer relationships, resulting in revenue growth.
OPTIMAL FLEET MANAGEMENT
Say, 40 years back from now, who would’ve imagines booking a cab with just a finger touch? In today’s age of automation, daily commuting has become a vital part of it. The location tracking feature in your GPS app in your smartphones offers a better and cheaper approach from purchasing and installing a whole other GPS device, as the GPS application can be installed in the user’s smartphone for easy manoeuvring.
PROMOTING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The best part about a GPS app? You can never get lost. So, why limit the usage of the application to just business and professional worlds. On the contrary, adventure lovers get inclined towards such kind of apps. If your GPS app shows no adventure or theme parks near your location, you can make your own! You can plan an adventure course with an estimated reaching time and hold outdoor navigation games.
BASIC FEATURES IN A GPS APP
AUTHORIZATION
This feature is mainly for social apps like Ola, Uber. It is usually imperative in these kinds of apps to provide the user with registration. This authorization element will help the user rate a ride, track a ride, review trip histories, communicate with the cab driver, and save regular travel details.
VOICE DIRECTIONS
Voice direction is the earliest recruited feature in GPS navigation applications. Of course, Google Maps initiated it. Later on, Google Maps API (Application Programming Software) lets developers employ a set of real-human voices in detailed turn-by-turn directions for any route the driver may take. It is a must feature as it enables the driver to keep his eyes on the road while driving and still follow directions.
GEO-LOCATION
Along with voice direction, geo-location is one of the primary features to be developed while outlining a GPS app’s process requirements and aspects. With geo-location assistance, a device’s location can be traced, and different services nearby can put forward offers for you accordingly. All these transitions into reality via satellites as it achieves information about a specific location.
OFFLINE TRACKING
Unless you reside in an internet efficient part of the world, it can be hard to rely on mobile data connections, especially if you’re traveling to remote, dense areas. So, having offline maps when travelling alone on unfamiliar routes is exceptionally crucial. Maps updates always make sure that you’re driving down an existing road. The core features of having a GPS app are to find the best route to your destination while still knowing where you are, even if your mobile internet connection is lost.
ROUTE PLANNING
Planning a route is the most basic and the most straightforward task a GPS app should be able to do. A navigation system offers different courses based on your preferences for the cheapest, the fastest, and the most suitable route. With the help of the system, you’ll have options to avoid tolls and highways, etc. The course will reroute you to the correct path in case you digress from the original way. Additionally, you can also review your previous trips and follow them up again.
COST OF MAKING A GPS APP
It would be best if you started with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to test your product with the audience and analyze the market. The core features for an MVP of your GPS app would be:
USER PROFILE + AUTHORIZATION:
Social applications like Ola should provide user registration feature via email and social networks.
Integration: Facebook SDK (Software Development Kit), Twitter Kit
Time: 36+ hours
GEO-LOCATION + NAVIGATION:
Geo-location detects the user’s location. And navigation helps the user to determine the route to the destination.
Integration: Google Maps, Here Maps, Skobbler SDKs, MapBox SDK, MapFit
Time: 60+ hours
VOICE DIRECTIONS:
This feature empowers the app so that users can focus on driving without looking at the map.
Integration: Google Maps Directions API, Google Cloud API, API.AI
Time: 60+ hours
SOCIAL NETWORK INTEGRATION:
Users can review trips, track rides, save details, etc. It is recommended to incorporate your app with social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.
Integration: Facebook API, Sendbird Chat SDK, Layer SDK
Time: 50+ hours
Calculate how much your GPS app may cost using the following formula:
Hourly rates of developers * Number of hours spent on developing
The hourly rates may vary from the experience of the developers you hire to their location. Following are some average rates of mid-tier developers, which will give you a better idea about the cost of your app:
USA and Australia: $132 to $240
Eastern Europe: $25 to $80
Asia: $15 to $60
CONCLUSION:
A lot of businesses are seeking navigation systems in their apps hence the ever-growing demand for GPS apps. However, it is not an easy and quick development process. It takes time, a lot of thought processing to implement something unique and dedicated. The cost of your application will also differ depending on the complexity of the features implemented. You will now be able to develop a GPS application with the information we have provided. If you have a project in mind, do not hesitate to contact us, as we will provide you with swift and cost-effective solutions.
