How Long Does It Take to Develop Custom Software: Mobile App, Web App, and SaaS App

Building custom software solutions is a pretty big deal for businesses these days. Whether you’re dreaming of a mobile app to catch users on the go, a web app for easy access, or a software as a service (SaaS) app to offer cool online services, you’re probably wondering how long it’s gonna take to develop custom software. Every software development project is a bit different, but knowing the software development life cycle can give you a solid idea of the timeline.

When you consult a leading software development company in USA, they will probably tell you that timelines depend on a bunch of stuff—like the app’s features, the team’s skills, and the software development architecture. To make things easier for you, we will break down the development cycle for custom software for three types of apps: mobile, web, and SaaS. We’ll check out the mobile app development timeline, web app development timeline, and SaaS app development timeline, so you’ll know what to expect.

Understanding the Software Development Life Cycle

These are steps every software development company follows to make an app. It keeps software developers on track and helps them deliver awesome results. Here’s a quick look at the main steps in end to end software development:

• Planning: Figure out what the app’s supposed to do, who’s gonna use it, and what features it needs.
• Design: Make a plan of how the app will look and work, including the software development architecture.
• Building: Write the code to get the app going, following the design.
• Testing: Double-check the app to make sure it works great and has no bugs.
• Launching: Get the app out there for users to start using.
• Updates: Keep making the app better with new features or fixes after it’s live.

Each step takes time, and the total timeline for a software development project depends on how tricky the app is. Now, let’s see how this plays out for mobile, web, and SaaS apps, and how long each might take.

Mobile App Development Timeline

A mobile app lets users access your online presence from their phones. While the mobile app development timeline can vary, here’s what you look at when you team up with a software development company.

Basic Mobile App (3–6 Months)

A simple app with just the basics—like a to-do list app or a small store app—usually takes 3 to 6 months. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Planning and Design (1–2 months): Deciding what the app does and making it look nice.
• Building (1–2 months): Software developers code the app for one platform (like iOS or Android).
• Testing and Launching (1 month): Making sure the app works on phones and getting it out there.

Medium Mobile App (6–9 Months)

An app with more stuff going on—like a social media app or a food delivery app—takes 6 to 9 months. It needs more effort like: 

• Planning and Design (2–3 months): More features mean more planning and a solid software development architecture.
• Building (3–4 months): Coding for both iOS and Android, plus adding things like user logins or maps.
• Testing and Launching (1–2 months): Extra testing to make sure everything runs smoothly on all devices.

Complex Mobile App (9–12+ Months)

A big app, like a banking app or a gaming app with fancy graphics, can take 9 months or more. The development cycle for custom software gets longer:

• Planning and Design (3–4 months): Complex features need careful planning.
• Building (4–6 months): Software developers work on cool stuff like payments or live chats.
• Testing and Launching (2–3 months): Lots of testing to make sure the app is safe and works perfectly.

The mobile app development timeline depends on how much you wanna pack into the app and how many platforms (iOS, Android) you’re aiming for. A leading software development company can help speed things up with a great team.

Web App Development Timeline

A web app runs on a browser, like an online calendar or a project management tool. The web app development timeline is usually a bit shorter than mobile apps and should ideally take:

2 – 4 Months for Basic Web Apps

A simple web app—like a blog or a basic booking system—takes 2 to 4 months in the software development process:

• Planning and Design (1 month): Decide what the app’s for and design how it looks.
• Building (1–2 months): Software developers code the app to work on browsers like Chrome or Firefox.
• Testing and Launching (1 month): Check that the app works well and make it live online.

4–6 Months for a Medium Web App

A web app with more features—like an online store or a learning platform—takes 4 to 6 months:

• Planning and Design (1–2 months): More features need a strong software development architecture.
• Building (2–3 months): Coding features like user accounts, search tools, or payment options.
• Testing and Launching (1 month): Test across browsers to make sure everything’s good to go.

6–9+ Months for a Complex Web App

A big web app—like an online banking system or a video streaming site—can take 6 to 9 months or more:

• Planning and Design (2–3 months): Plan for complex features and a solid design.
• Building (3–4 months): Software developers add advanced stuff like live updates or secure logins.
• Testing and Launching (1–2 months): Extra testing to keep the app safe and reliable for everyone.

The web app development timeline can shift based on how many features you want and how secure the app needs to be. A custom software development firm can keep things moving smoothly.

SaaS App Development Timeline

Users must apply for a subscription to access software as a service (SaaS) apps. The SaaS app development timeline is often longer because these apps need to be secure, handle many users, and be easy to update. Here’s what to expect.

Basic SaaS App (4–6 Months)

A simple SaaS app—like a basic file-sharing tool—takes 4 to 6 months in SaaS application development:

• Planning and Design (1–2 months): Plan how users will access the service and design the layout.
• Building (2–3 months): Code the app with features like user subscriptions and file uploads.
• Testing and Launching (1 month): Test to make sure the app works for all users and launch it.

Medium SaaS App (6–9 Months)

A SaaS app with more features—like a project management tool—takes 6 to 9 months:

• Planning and Design (2–3 months): Plan for user roles, billing, and a scalable software development architecture.
• Building (3–4 months): Software developers add features like team chats or task tracking.
• Testing and Launching (1–2 months): Test for lots of users and make sure the app can grow.

Complex SaaS App (9–12+ Months)

A big SaaS app—like a full business management system—can take 9 months or more:

• Planning and Design (3–4 months): Plan for tons of features and a system that can handle thousands of users.
• Building (4–6 months): Code advanced features like analytics, integrations, or AI tools.
• Testing and Launching (2–3 months): Test for security, speed, and growth before launching.

The SaaS product development cycle takes longer because SaaS apps need to work for many users at once and keep getting better over time. A leading software development company can help manage this process like a pro.

Factors That Affect Development Timelines

The timelines we talked about are just a starting point. Lots of things can change how long it takes to develop custom software. Here are some big ones:

• App Complexity: More features mean more time in the software development process.
• Team Size: A bigger team of software developers can get stuff done faster, but a small team might need more time.
• Client Feedback: If you keep changing your mind, it can slow down the development cycle for custom software.
• Testing Needs: Apps that need to be super safe, like banking or healthcare apps, take longer to test.
• Tech Choices: Using new tools in the software development architecture might take longer if the team’s gotta learn them.

A good software development company will chat with you about these things and give you a clear timeline for your software development project.

Wrapping Up: Plan Smart, Build Quick

So, how long does it take to develop custom software? It really depends on the app and its features. The software development life cycle shows that every step, from planning to launching, needs time and care. But with planning smart and picking the right team, you can speed up your development cycle for custom software and get your app to users faster.