In today’s dynamic digital landscape, developing mobile and web applications quickly is important to stay on top of the competition. Therefore, making a robust and secure backend infrastructure for android and ios mobile app development is essential that helps to manage real-time updates, user authentication, and data storage, and other aspects of the process.
There are several cloud-based options available for backend development. Among them, AWS Amplify & Firebase are in great demand. In this blog, we are going to compare AWS Amplify vs. Firebase and explore key aspects of both solutions. Let’s get started.
Shortcuts:
- Definition of AWS Amplify
- What technologies does AWS Amplify support?
- Key features of AWS Amplify
- Amplify pricing plans
- Definition of Firebase
- Key features of Firebase
- Firebase pricing plans
- AWS Amplify vs. Firebase: Complete Comparison
- Final Words
- FAQs
Definition of AWS Amplify
AWS Amplify is a renowned mobile application development powered by Amazon which is designed to simplify the process of full-stack serverless & cloud-based mobile app development. It provides a diverse range of services and features that make this framework a great choice for several application scenarios. As it’s an open-source JS library, AWS Amplify makes app making the process easier and more convenient. Key characteristics of AWS Amplify include:
- Authentication
- Data storage facility
- Offline synchronization
What Technologies Does AWS Amplify Support?
AWS Amplify is designed to support almost every platform available in the market. It also supports various web and mobile app development frameworks. The following platforms and frameworks are commonly supported by AWS Amplify:
For Mobile Apps :
- iOS
- Android
- React Native
- Flutter
- Ionic
For Web Apps :
- React
- Javascript
- Next.js
- Angular
- Vue
Key Features of AWS Amplify
As one of the popular Firebase alternatives, Amplify has a set of unique features that effectively streamline the app development process. Some of the key features include:
1. Authentication: Amplify offers a robust authentication feature with popular authentication provider support like custom authentication flows, social identity providers, and Amazon Cognito. This will make it easier to quickly implement user login, registration & access control in the mobile application.
2. Real-time data: With the AWS Amplify framework, you will be able to make real-time data features by using AWS AppSync. This feature is extremely beneficial for developing chat apps, collaborative applications, live feeds, etc.
3. GraphQL API: This is another unique feature of AWS Amplify that enables you to easily define your data models with the help of GraphQL schema & then generates APIs automatically for the front end. This feature usually helps you configure & manage all your data.
4. Ample storage: The Amplify framework offers excellent options for managing and storing valuable data like Amazon DynamoDB for NoSQL database requirements and Amazon S3 for storing files.
5. Hosting: AWS Amplify provides hosting features for web apps that will allow you to directly deploy frontend codes from your Amplify CLI. It also offers easy AWS CloudFront integration for global distribution and fast content delivery.
6. Serverless Functions: With the AWS Lambda platform, you can smoothly build serverless functions & integrate them into your project. This feature is extremely advantageous for running and managing backend logic without servers.
7. Monitoring & analytics: AWS Amplify offers monitoring and analytics capabilities that will help you focus on your overall application performance and user behavior.
Want to Create an App and Publish It on App Store?
Our experienced developers have successfully developed and published more than 4500 Android and iOS apps on the App Store.
Amplify Pricing Plans
Like other AWS Services, the pricing model of the AWS Amplify platform is very cost-effective and flexible. With Amplify, you pay for the service you’re using only. Usually, Amplify charges based on variables such as data transferred, files stored, builds per minute, etc. Here is a complete AWS Amplify pricing model:
Backend Development: Free to start & pay as you go
Frontend UI Development: No costs
App Hosting (12 months free)
- Build & deploy: Free up to 1000 build minutes/month
- Data storage: Free up to 5 GB/month
- Data transfer out: Free up to 15 GB/month
- Request count: Free up to 500,000 requests/month
- Request duration: Free up to 100 GB hours/month
App Hosting (Pay as you go)
- Build & deploy: $0.01/minute
- Data storage: $0.023 per GB/month
- Data transfer out: $0.15 per GB
- Request count: $0.30 per 1 mn requests
- Request duration: $0.20/hour
Definition of Firebase
Designed by Google, Firebase is a powerful mobile app and web app development platform that is known for its real-time database capabilities & easy features. It offers a comprehensive range of solutions required for front-end developers. Trusted by millions, Firebase hosts services, databases, integration, and authentication for different types of applications including iOS, Android, Node.js, JavaScript, C++, PHP, Java, Node.js, Unity, Java, etc.
Major characteristics of Firebase include:
- Easy to start
- End-to-end app development
- Serverless
- High machine-learning capabilities
- Better security features
Key features of Firebase
Just like AWS Amplify, the Firebase platform also has a number of features that help developers build mobile applications flawlessly. Some of the significant features of Firebase include:
1. Authentication: Firebase offers an excellent authentication system that smoothly supports phone number authentication, email & password, social logins, etc. With this feature, you can easily implement user authentication in mobile or web applications.
2. Cloud Firestore: Cloud Firestore is an excellent NoSQL database of Firebase that offers advanced data modeling and querying capabilities. It can also be considered a great alternative to the Firebase’s Realtime Database.
3. Real-time database: The Realtime Database of Firebase is a cloud-hosted NoSQL database that helps you properly synchronize data in real time. This is a perfect choice for developing applications that need quick updates like chatting apps.
4. Analytics: The Firebase Analytics feature gives valuable insights into application performance and user behavior. It also allows you to understand how a user smoothly interacts with your application & makes well-informed decisions.
5. Cloud functions: With the help of Firebase Cloud, you can smoothly deploy and manage serverless functions. These cloud functions can easily be triggered by several Firebase solutions that offer a flexible backend infrastructure for your application.
6. Hosting: This is a very secure & fast hosting solution for web apps. Generally, Firebase offers the easiest way to develop the frontend structure of your app & it mainly includes a CDN integration feature that helps in faster content delivery.
7. Storage: The storage of Firebase is specially designed to store user-generated content such as files, videos & images. It can be integrated with Firebase Authentication seamlessly for secure and fast access control.
Firebase Pricing Plans
Firebase offers two popular pricing plans including the Firebase Spark plan and Firebase Blaze plan. Each plan has several benefits that help developers build mobile & web applications effortlessly. Here is the complete breakdown of both plans:
Firebase Spark plan: This is known as a free tire plan that gives an ample amount of benefits to kickstart your web or app development journey. Check out the complete list of the Firebase Spark plan:
Realtime Database
- Storage: Up to 1 GB
- No of connections: 100
- Data transfer: 10 GB/month
Firestore
- Storage: Up to 1 GB
- 50,000 reads/day
- 20,000 writes/day
- 20,000 deletes/day
Cloud Functions
- 125,000 invocations per month
- 40,000 GB-seconds per month
- 40,000 CPU-seconds per month
- 5 GB per month of network data
Authentication
- 10,000 verifications per month
- No limits to authentication
Hosting
- Storage: Up to 1 GB
- Data transfer: Up to 10 GB/month
Storage
- Up to 5 GB of storage
- 1 GB per month data transfer
- 20,000 uploads per month
- 50,000 downloads per month
Test Lab
- On physical devices: 10 tests/day
- On virtual devices: 5 tests/day
Firebase Blaze plan:
Blaze is a pay-as-you-go pricing plan that provides higher scalability & flexibility to developers. This plan also offers free tier plans with the same benefits as Spark. Check out the complete list of the Firebase Blaze plan:
Realtime Database
- Storage: $5/GB per month
- Connections: 200k simultaneous connections/database
- Data transfer: $1 per GB (First 10 GB per month is free)
Firestore Pricing
- Document reads: $0.06/100,000 reads
- Document deletes: $0.02/100,000 deletes
- Document writes: $0.18/100,000 writes
- Stored data: $0.18 per GB/month
- Network egress: $0.12/GiB (First 10 GB/month is free)
Cloud Functions Pricing
- $0.40 per million invocations (First 2 million invocations per month is free)
- $0.12 per GB for network data (First 5 GB per month is free)
Authentication Pricing
- $0.01 per verification (First 10,000 verifications per month is free)
- No limits for for other authentications
Hosting Pricing
- Storage: $0.026 per GB/month
- Data transfer: $0.15 per GB (First 10 GB per month is free)
Storage Pricing
- Storage: $0.026 per GB/month
- Uploading: $0.05 per 10K uploads
- Downloading: $0.004 per 10K downloads
- Data transfer: $0.12 per GB (First 1 GB per month is free)
AWS Amplify vs. Firebase: Complete Comparison
Here is a table that outlines the key differences between the AWS Amplify vs the Firebase framework.
Aspects - AWS Amplify - Firebase
Authentication
Better authentication with support for different providers like Amazon Cognito, custom flows, social logins, etc
Simple authentication system with social logins, phone number authentication, email or password, etc.
Real-time data
Supports data features through AWS AppSync in real-time. Best for making collaborative apps & live feeds.
Provides data synchronization with the Cloud Firestore or Realtime Database. Best for collaborative & chat apps.
Serverless functions
Enables serverless function creation with AWS Lambda. This provides good flexibility for the backend.
Firebase Cloud Functions for serverless computing are triggered by different Firebase services.
Hosting
Offers hosting for web apps with smooth integration with AWS CloudFront that helps content delivery.
Firebase Hosting is secure & fast and it comes with built-in CDN integration.
Databases
Offers Amazon Aurora for SQL databases and Amazon DynamoDB for NoSQL
Offers the Realtime Database for data synchronization & Cloud Firestore for NoSQL capabilities
Monitoring & Analytics
Provides monitoring & analytics capabilities to gain valuable insights into app performance & user behavior
Firebase Analytics offers insights into app performance and user behavior
Backend flexibility
Provides good flexibility for complex backend logic and integrates with different AWS solutions
Designed for managing user authentication & real-time data. Not highly flexible for advanced backend logic
Pricing
Pricing is quite complex and it depends on the particular AWS solutions used. Proper cost planning is required.
Simple pricing model that depends on actual usage. This makes it easier to estimate the total costs.
Final Words
AWS Amplify & Firebase are powerful and stable solutions. Therefore, the choice between them mainly varies depending on your project requirements, goals, and team’s expertise. After comparing AWS Amplify vs. Firebase, it is concluded that both offer a set of features for smooth backend development but based on flexibility, skill levels, and use cases, they are slightly different.
Want to Hire App Developers?
Turn your exceptional app idea into reality with our end-to-end app development solutions.
If you’re in search of a user-friendly & straightforward solution with fast & real-time data capabilities, you can choose Firebase & on the other hand, if you need a highly flexible and robust backend setup, AWS Amplify will be the best option for you. For more information, feel free to connect with our professionals.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between AWS Amplify and Firebase?
Amplify & Firebase both provide reliable and better performance for a vast range of mobile applications. Amplify is an open-source framework that works with GraphQL & different databases. This is known for its high flexibility and stability. On the other hand, as a Google BaaS service, Firebase connects NoSQL with the REST API.
Which is best: Firebase or AWS?
Firebase is great for reducing the deployment time & improving the app development process. It also comes with a straightforward pricing model. On the other hand, AWS is the best option for highly sophisticated projects that need extensive customized coding and server-level access. The pricing structure of AWS is also higher than Firebase.
Developing an app is a challenging task, but planning for an app is equally difficult. Before starting with the app development process, you must estimate the cost to develop an app.
Calculating the cost to build an app is not easy as it requires you to understand the several factors influencing it.
In this blog, we will give you in-depth information about the factors that influence cost of an app development cost and how you can calculate it.
How Much Does It Cost to Make an App?
The mobile app development cost depends on a range of factors. According to Clutch, the avg cost of developing an app is $171,450. However, you can build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for $10,000 to $20,000.
Now, in this section, we will discuss the different factors that influence app development cost.
Factors That Affect The App Development Cost
How much does it cost to develop an app? After knowing the factors below, you will easily be able to estimate your app development cost.
Application Type
There are various types of applications like cost calculator app, basic app, data-driven app, etc. The overall app development cost depends on the type you choose for your app development. There are various types of applications, and the app development cost depends on the type you choose for your app development.
Basic App
A basic app is a type of app that includes simple features and requires low-cost platforms for development.
This type of app doesn’t require backend development and takes less time to finish. Calculators, quiz and clock apps are examples of basic apps.
Basic app development cost: $10,000 to $15,000.
Data-driven App
Data-driven apps deal with a lot of information and process it to give it to users. In the last few years, the usage of these apps has reduced as most of their features are built-in devices.
A simple calendar app and maps are an example of data-driven apps. Data-driven app development cost: $10,000 to $20,000.
eCommerce App
The eCommerce apps allow the buying and selling of products/services. They incorporate features like product listing & descriptions, catalogs, chat and contact options, payment gateway, etc.
Examples of eCommerce apps include Amazon, Flipcart, and Myntra.
eCommerce app development cost: $70,000 to $30000.
On-demand Service App
An on-demand service app act as a link between the service provider and the end customer.
They include the features of both eCommerce and Social network apps.
Ola and Uber apps are examples of on-demand service apps.
On-demand service app development cost: $70,000 to $150000.
Marketplace App
A marketplace app offers different types of services and enables users to access the service provider they want. A marketplace app has functionalities of both eCommerce and on-demand apps.
Example of Marketplace app includes TripAdvisor and Policy Bazaar. Marketplace app development cost: $140,000 to $300,00.
Social Network App
Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram are examples of social networking apps. These are robust apps as they handle tons of interactions & chat data and enable users to share information.
These types of apps require strong backend development and a huge investment.
Social networking app development cost: $50,000 to $300,000.
Authentication App
An authentication app has features like sending OTPs, storing user data, and providing information across different devices.
McDonald’s loyalty app is an example of an authentication app. The users first have to log in, and then they can get access to its features.
Authentication app development cost: $30,000 to $80,000.
UI/UX Design
Nowadays, customers have got more many options to choose from. Therefore, it has become crucial for businesses to provide the best user experience to their customers.
You should try to build an attractive and engaging design with simple navigation and good features.
Custom app development services like Sphinx Solutions can help you develop personalized UI/UX design. The complexity of your UI/UX design also contributes to the app development cost.
The Number of Features and Complexity
The app development cost relies on the number of features that you want to include in your app.
Developing the basic features doesn’t take much time, whereas building complex features take time, effort, and cost.
For instance, adding login and subscription features takes up to 20 to 25 hours. However, integrating the payment gateway and illustrative analytic feature can take up to 150 to 250 hours.
Embedding advanced technologies like API integrations, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning adds to the cost of developing an app.
Development
How much does it cost to creating an app? The app development cost depends on the platforms for which you want to create your app. Is it Android or iOS? Both Android and iOS app development cost goes around $50,000 to $170,000.
You can also build an app for both platforms simultaneously by utilizing cross-platform development solutions. However, native mobile app development provides a better user experience, and thus it is in the higher price range.
Native app development requires two separate source codebases for both Android and iOS. This allows the developers to get direct access to functionalities such as the camera and GPS for building more complex features.
To add such functionalities with cross-platform development, the developers need to integrate some more libraries or coding.
Therefore from this information, you can confer that app development cost also depends on the platform you choose for developing your app.
Service Provider
The mobile app development cost varies based on the app development service provider you hire and its location & size.
There are three types of app development service providers: small companies, specialized businesses, and large agencies. Small companies usually have a team of freelancers to develop an app, and their charges are less.
Specialized businesses are firms that solely provide custom software development services.
They have expertise in building custom apps with complex functions. Their pricing range is moderately high.
A large company can offer an array of development services along with an experienced team. But their service charges are on the higher end as they tend to have a more personalized and agile approach. However, they can provide you with the best app that fulfills all your business requirements.
Post-Development Maintenance & Support
How much does it cost to create an app? By considering the above factors, you can estimate the app development cost. But if you think once the application is launched, your app development cost is done, then you are mistaken.
After the app development, you still need to carry out constant maintenance, bug fixing, and updates. This ensures that your customers don’t lose interest and stay with you for a longer time.
The cost of app maintenance is usually around 10-20% of the entire app development cost.
Simple Steps to Estimate Your App Development Project Cost
If you are still wondering how much does it cost to build an app? Then, here we will give you a breakdown of how you can estimate your app development project cost.
Make a List of Tasks and The Needed Resources
The first step for the estimation of app development cost is writing down the project tasks into small tasks. Then, assigning these tasks to the required team members.
Now, you have to evaluate the time needed for each task and the hourly rate of the member required for that task.
Apart from this, you also need to calculate the number of members required to execute that specific task. Capacity planning is an essential part of this process.
Ensure that your app development planning includes enough professionals and resources to carry out the app development process.
Select an Estimation Method
There are different types of estimation methods for calculating the app development cost that we have mentioned below.
Ballpark
The ballpark estimation method is based on prior experience and presumption. This is not a very specific and accurate method to calculate the app development cost.
However, it can give you an idea for deciding the budget for your app development. You can also engage with a software development company to get a ballpark estimate.
Three-point
The three-point methodology involves risk analysis along with estimation. In this process, you have to calculate the three average app development costs.
- Pessimistic value: This cost is calculated by considering all the risks and uncertainties. It gives you an estimate of the worst-case scenario.
- Realistic value: This value gives you a realistic price for your app development by taking into account realistic cases that might happen.
- Optimistic value: This cost is based on the best-case scenario and gives an estimate if things happen ideally.
- Parameter-based
Parameter-based estimation methodology incorporates historical data as well as the actual calculation.
For this calculation, you have to take the previously estimated time of each task and multiply it with team member’s hourly rate.
This method is quite lengthy but can give you an accurate outlook of your app development cost.
Track budgets
Tracking budget is the best way to make sure that your app development cost remains in the decided budget.
You can also utilize an appropriate tracking software to ensure your expenditure remains as per the plan.
App development cost for different types of Apps in 2022
From the above information, you must have understood that app development cost depends on a wide range of factors.
However, the features of the app contribute to the majority of app development cost. Here, we will give you an average pricing range for the different app functionalities.
(Note: Please note that these pricing ranges are based on the developers’ cost in the US & Europe)
Functionality
Description
Time required for development
Pricing range
User registration
This feature allows users to create an account using their email Id or social media accounts.
18-20 hours
$800-$1100
Search Engine
This function enables users to search for a specific entity by utilizing a built-in filter.
10-12 hours
$500 to $600
Google Maps Integration
It helps users to discover the service providers nearby.
20-24 hours
$1,300 to $1,800
Geolocation
It enable users to track vehicles or parcels.
50 -54 hours
$1,500 to $2,500
Video/ Audio streaming
Let’s users view or access video or audio content.
30-32 hours
$2,500 to $3,000
Offline mode
This feature lets users to use the app without the internet.
40-45 hours
$3,500 to $4,000
Payment Gateways
This functionality allows user to pay for their online purchases through different payment methods.
50-55 hours
$2,000 to $2,800
Chat
It allows users to interact with each other and businesses. This includes sending messages, image sharing and receiving notifications.
80-84 hours
$2,500 to $3,500
The Bottom Line
In this blog, we have given you comprehensive information on how much does it cost to create an app. While there are several factors that contribute to the mobile app development cost it is also important that you choose the right software development company.
Sphinx Solutions is a leading and trusted software development company. We have a team of experienced professionals and highly qualified developers that can help you build the best app for your business.
Schedule a call with our experts to get an estimation for your app development project, or email us at sales@sphinx-solution.com.
In the era of digital transformation, the taxi industry has undergone a revolutionary change with the advent of mobile applications. As a result, the demand for efficient and user-friendly taxi apps has surged, leading to the proliferation of taxi app development companies. However, not all development companies are created equal, and choosing the right one can make a significant impact on the success of your taxi business. In this blog, we will delve into the myriad benefits of selecting the right taxi app development company.
1. Tailored Solutions for Your Business:
A reputable taxi app development company understands that one size does not fit all. They take the time to understand your business requirements, target audience, and unique challenges. By opting for a company that provides tailored solutions, you can ensure that the app is customized to meet the specific needs of your taxi business, making it stand out in a competitive market.
2. User-Friendly Interface:
A well-designed and intuitive user interface is crucial for the success of any taxi app. The right development company will prioritize user experience, ensuring that the app is easy to navigate for both passengers and drivers. A user-friendly interface not only enhances customer satisfaction but also contributes to increased app usage and customer retention.
3. Reliability and Scalability:
Reliability is the backbone of any successful taxi app. The right development company will build a robust and scalable app that can handle a growing user base and increased transaction volumes. This ensures that your taxi business can expand without encountering technical limitations.
4. Integration of Advanced Features:
Staying ahead in the competitive taxi industry requires the integration of advanced features. A proficient development company keeps abreast of industry trends and incorporates cutting-edge features such as real-time tracking, secure payment gateways, in-app communication, and analytics. These features not only enhance the user experience but also provide valuable insights for business optimization.
5. Cost-Effective Development:
While cost is undoubtedly a factor, it's essential to focus on value for money. The right taxi app development company offers a balance between cost-effectiveness and high-quality development. They provide transparent pricing structures and work within your budget constraints without compromising on the quality of the final product.
6. Adherence to Industry Standards and Regulations:
Taxi services are subject to various regulations, and non-compliance can lead to legal issues. A reputable development company is well-versed in the regulatory landscape and ensures that the app complies with industry standards and local regulations. This not only safeguards your business but also builds trust among users.
7. Post-Launch Support and Maintenance:
Launching the app is just the beginning. The right development company provides ongoing support and maintenance to address any issues that may arise post-launch. This ensures that your taxi app remains operational, secure, and up-to-date with the latest technologies.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right taxi app development company is a strategic decision that can determine the success and longevity of your business in the competitive ride-hailing industry. By prioritizing factors such as tailored solutions, user-friendly interfaces, reliability, advanced features, cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and post-launch support, you set the foundation for a robust and successful taxi app. In the fast-paced world of technology, aligning with a proficient development partner is not just an investment but a key driver for sustained growth and customer satisfaction.
