Scrums.com logomark
SovTech is now Scrums.com! Same company, new name.
Read more here

How much does it cost to build an app like

How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Dropbox?

Scrums.com is revolutionizing the way growth companies scale their engineering teams. Our platform offers access to top-notch remote software engineering teams at an affordable subscription price.

Get started
Tick box
World-class development teams
Cube icon
Flexible subscriptions
How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Dropbox?
SovTech UK software development
SovTech UK icon clock
statistics

Don't take our word for it

The stats are in our favour. Scrums.com doesn't just help you with your software development teams, we get you results that last.
95%
Sprint completion
82
Net promoter Score
1,200+
Projects delivered
13
Years of software specialistion
SovTech UK software development
SovTech-UK-Leading-Software-Development
SovTech graphic leaf
pricing

How much does it cost to build an app?

How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Dropbox?

App Feature 01
App Feature 02
App Feature 03
App Feature 04
App Feature 05
App Feature 06
Get in touch
Arrow
App development

Develop Credibility and Trust

World-class app development that allows you to start, run and grow your business.

Building a custom app can boost your brand's trust and credibility, ultimately benefiting your business in the long run. We will discuss the following topics:

1. Reputation Management
2. Customer Support and Engagement
3. Data-Driven Decision Making
4. Demonstrating Social Responsibility

A well-made custom app can dramatically improve your brand's marketability and reputation. A trustworthy app will show that you are dedicated to providing top-notch goods and services. As a result of knowing they can rely on you, your clients and business partners will have more faith in you.

A custom app also strengthens your brand identification by demonstrating your professionalism and attention to detail.

Customer Support and Engagement
Blue plus sign

A custom app enables you to offer personalized customer support and engagement, helping you address the unique needs and pain points of your African target market. 

By incorporating in-app support features, such as chatbots, help centres, or direct communication channels, you can provide timely assistance to your users, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty. 

This level of support also encourages users to share their positive experiences with others, further boosting your brand's credibility.

Data-Driven Decision Making
Blue plus sign

You may get useful user data through custom app creation, giving you insights into user behavior and preferences. You may improve your app and broader business strategy by studying this data and making wise decisions.

Delivering a more individualized experience for your users is made possible by a data-driven strategy. This helps to increase their faith in your brand and ultimately ensures that they will stay visiting.

Demonstrating Social Responsibility
Blue plus sign

Putting money into a customized app that caters to your target market's needs demonstrates your commitment to social responsibility.

You can showcase your brand's dedication to having a beneficial influence by developing an app that takes into account regional difficulties, environmental issues, or social issues that are pertinent to your audience.

This thoughtful approach to app creation not only strengthens the integrity of your brand, but it also appeals to customers who value companies with a clear sense of mission.

Custom App development

Benefits of Custom App Development

World-class app development that allows you to start, run and grow your business.

Imagine custom app development as an expert chef crafting a personalised menu for their restaurant. Just as a meticulously planned and executed meal can leave diners with a memorable culinary experience, a custom app is specifically designed to cater to your business's distinct needs and objectives, leaving a lasting impression on your users. 

Investing in custom app development offers several advantages, including:

  1. Improved user experience
  2. Increased efficiency
  3. Competitive advantage
  4. Higher profitability
  5. Seamless Integration with Existing Systems
  6. Enhanced Flexibility and Adaptability
Improved user experience
Blue plus sign

A custom app allows you to create an interface that is tailored to your target audience, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience. By focusing on the preferences and expectations of your users, you can craft an app that not only meets their needs but also delights them with personalized features and intuitive navigation.The best part? If you develop an app that your users love, you ensure that they keep coming back for more and turn them into lifelong customers.

Custom apps can be designed to streamline business processes and boost productivity. By automating repetitive tasks, integrating with existing systems, and providing real-time data access, custom apps empower your team to work more efficiently and make informed decisions quickly, just like a well-tailored suit that enables effortless movement and comfort.

A unique app helps you stand out from the competition and attract more customers. In a world where off-the-shelf solutions are abundant, a custom mobile app acts as a distinctive and exclusive suit that sets you apart in the crowd, showcasing your brand's personality and commitment to providing a superior experience.

A well-designed app can generate increased revenue and improve customer retention. By offering a memorable and engaging user experience, your custom app encourages users to continue using your services and make purchases. It's akin to wearing a sharp, tailored suit that not only grabs attention but also instils trust and confidence in your brand, ultimately resulting in increased profitability.

Custom app development enables seamless integration with your existing systems and third-party applications. This ensures a smooth flow of data between various platforms, enhancing communication and collaboration within your organization. The ability to integrate effortlessly is like having a versatile tool that easily connects and works in harmony with other components in your business ecosystem.

As your business evolves, a custom app can be easily modified or expanded to accommodate changing requirements and market trends. This adaptability is like having a dynamic strategy that can be adjusted and fine-tuned to suit your business's changing needs, ensuring continued relevance and success in an ever-changing environment.The benefits don’t just stop there though. If you want to build trust and credibility with your customers, a custom app is a great way to do so.

App development

Pivoting and Iterating

Investing in custom app development can be expensive, but being open to pivoting and iterating based on market feedback is crucial to ensure long-term success. By adapting your app to the ever-changing needs and preferences of your target market, you can stay ahead of the competition, increase user satisfaction, and maximize your return on investment.

Encourage users to provide feedback and reviews, which will help you identify pain points and areas for improvement. By addressing these concerns, you demonstrate your commitment to serving the unique needs of your users, enhancing your app's credibility and increasing user satisfaction. Tools like in-app surveys, app store reviews, or social media can be used to gather feedback and gauge user sentiment.

Iterate Based on User Data
Blue plus sign

Analyze user behaviour and engagement data to understand how your app is being used and identify potential bottlenecks or areas of friction. By making data-driven decisions, you can prioritize improvements and new features that will resonate with your audience, maximizing the impact of your development budget and efforts.

As you adapt your app based on market feedback, be prepared to allocate resources for ongoing updates and improvements. While this may increase your app's overall cost, the benefits include increased user satisfaction, reduced churn, and ultimately, higher long-term profitability. Regular updates also demonstrate your commitment to delivering a high-quality app experience tailored to your users' needs.

Adopt a flexible, agile development methodology that enables prompt iteration and change in response to market feedback.

Your app will stay relevant and helpful to your target market if you are receptive to user needs and can swiftly pivot and make adjustments.

By prioritizing products and enhancements that have the greatest impact, an agile methodology can also assist you in managing development expenses more successfully.

While it's essential to iterate and adapt your app based on user feedback, it's also crucial to balance this with innovation and forward-thinking. Continuously explore new technologies, trends, and market opportunities to ensure your app stays ahead of the curve and caters to the evolving needs of your user base. By striking the right balance between adaptation and innovation, you can maintain a competitive edge and secure long-term success for your app.

App development

The Importance of UX and UI

Creating an outstanding user experience and design is crucial for a successful app. A well-designed app should be visually appealing, intuitive, and user-friendly.

  1. Consistency: Consistent design elements throughout the app, such as typography, colours, and button styles, create a unified look and feel. This consistency reduces the cognitive load on users, helping them navigate your app with ease and understand its functionality more quickly.
  2. Simplicity: A simple and uncluttered interface reduces distractions and makes it easier for users to focus on the tasks at hand. Strive for a minimalistic design by eliminating unnecessary elements, using whitespace effectively, and prioritizing essential features.
  3. Feedback: Providing feedback, such as visual cues and confirmation messages, helps users understand the results of their actions. This can include animations for button clicks, success messages for completed tasks, or error messages when something goes wrong. Clear feedback enhances user satisfaction and encourages continued use of your app.
  1. Understand your target audience: Research your users' demographics, needs, preferences, and behaviours to tailor your app to their expectations. Conduct surveys, interviews, and usability testing to gather insights that help shape your app's features and design.
  2. Use clear navigation: Intuitive navigation is essential for a positive user experience. Implement well-organized menus, easily accessible search functions, and recognizable icons to help users find their way around your app effortlessly.
  3. Optimize for performance: Fast loading times and smooth performance are critical for user engagement. Optimize your app's code, reduce file sizes, and use efficient algorithms to ensure your app runs quickly and seamlessly on various devices.
The Impact of Good Design on App Adoption and Retention
Blue plus sign

Higher app adoption rates and greater client retention result from spending money on excellent design and user experience. A well-designed app has a higher likelihood of being passed along by users and being used again, which leads to better ratings, word-of-mouth advertising, and long-term success.

App development

Security Considerations for App Development

In today's interconnected digital world, app security is paramount. We take a look at some vital security considerations.

The Privacy Act of 1974 is the primary privacy regulation in America that regulates the sharing of data. The Privacy Act governs how federal agencies may gather, utilize, and disclose personal information. Individuals are given specific rights under it, including the ability to access and update their personal information, and federal agencies are required to protect such data from illegal disclosure.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for health information, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) for financial information, and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) for children's online data are just a few federal laws that deal with privacy and data sharing in addition to the Privacy Act. Additionally, each state has its own privacy laws that could offer additional protections.

Keep up with the latest security threats and best practices, such as incorporating multi-factor authentication, securing APIs, and using secure coding practices. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can help identify potential weaknesses and protect your app from emerging threats.

Working with Trusted Vendors
Blue plus sign

Select a reputable development partner with a proven track record in security best practices, like Scrums. A reliable vendor will prioritize security throughout the development process and help you build a secure app that meets industry standards and best practices.

Scrums.com provides high quality engineering teams to scaling enterprises at lower costs. Scrums.com designs, builds, deploys and maintains custom software that gives scale-ups the opportunity to grow world-class businesses.

Scrums.com provides high quality engineering teams to scaling enterprises at lower costs. Scrums.com designs, builds, deploys and maintains custom software that gives scale-ups the opportunity to grow world-class businesses.

How much does it cost to build an app?
Blue plus sign
testimonials

Don't take our word for it

Hear it from global businesses like yours
Officebox
"Scrums.com is the best solution for any business who does not have the capacity to scale engineering internally."
Fincheck
FinCheck
"I have found the teams to be extremely obliging when taking on projects. Would highly recommend."
Repobot
"My experience with Scrums.com has been a delight. I look forward to the many more projects together."
MACS Software
“The engineering team I worked with was extremely experienced. They knew exactly how to solve my problems, and did so effortlessly.”
Officebox
"Scrums.com is the best solution for any business who does not have the capacity to scale engineering internally."
Fincheck
FinCheck
"I have found the teams to be extremely obliging when taking on projects. Would highly recommend."
Repobot
"My experience with Scrums.com has been a delight. I look forward to the many more projects together."
MACS Software
“The engineering team I worked with was extremely experienced. They knew exactly how to solve my problems, and did so effortlessly.”
Officebox
"Scrums.com is the best solution for any business who does not have the capacity to scale engineering internally."
Fincheck
FinCheck
"I have found the teams to be extremely obliging when taking on projects. Would highly recommend."
Repobot
"My experience with Scrums.com has been a delight. I look forward to the many more projects together."
MACS Software
“The engineering team I worked with was extremely experienced. They knew exactly how to solve my problems, and did so effortlessly.”
Scale Your Development Team
Faster With Scrums.com
Get in touch and let's get started
Book a Demo
Tick
Cost-effective
Tick
Reliable
Tick
Scalable
Scrums.com logomark
SovTech is now Scrums.com! Same company, new name.
Read more here

How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Dropbox?

Explore the cost-driven factors behind building an app like Dropbox in the U.S., focusing on various features.
How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like... Hero Image
Reliability

95%

Quality user stories into production rate

Happy customers

82

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

Consistent delivery

1,200+

Successful projects delivered

Work with experts

13

Years of software specialisation

In today's digital landscape, cloud storage apps like Dropbox are integral for personal and business file management. Whether it's for backing up personal files or collaborating on work documents, Dropbox’s versatility has made it a go-to service for millions. Developing an app like Dropbox, however, is far from a simple task. The app needs to handle large data transfers, provide secure cloud storage, and offer a seamless user experience across various platforms.

When building an app similar to Dropbox, several unique complexities arise that influence the development cost. From data security and cloud storage management to multi-platform compatibility and user interface design, each factor needs to be addressed with precision. Understanding these factors will help you grasp the significant costs associated with building and maintaining a Dropbox-like app.

This guide will walk you through the various factors that impact the development cost of a cloud storage app, focusing on key areas such as platform choice, app features, security requirements, and ongoing maintenance, all tailored for the U.S. market.

Platform and Device Compatibility

When developing an app like Dropbox, choosing the right platforms (iOS, Android, web) is a major determinant of development costs. The Dropbox app is available on various devices, and ensuring cross-platform compatibility adds complexity and expense to the custom app development process.

iOS vs. Android vs. Cross-Platform:

The two major mobile platforms in the U.S. are iOS and Android. iOS has a more affluent user base, while Android holds a larger overall market share. Depending on the target audience for your Dropbox-like app, your platform choices may affect development costs.

  • iOS: iOS development typically requires more specialized resources for design and development, leading to higher upfront costs. However, iOS users tend to engage more consistently with premium services, which might be beneficial for a cloud storage app that relies on user subscriptions.
  • Android: Android apps need to be compatible with a broad range of devices, which increases testing and optimization time. Development for Android may be more cost-effective upfront, but the higher variability in devices may require additional development efforts.
  • Cross-Platform Development: Using cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter can help build apps for both iOS and Android simultaneously, saving time and money in development. However, cross-platform apps may lack the fine-tuned optimizations that platform-specific apps offer.

Web and Desktop Versions:

For an app like Dropbox, which relies heavily on file storage and management, a web-based version is also essential. Many users access Dropbox via desktop computers for ease of file transfers. Developing a web app can add costs because you have to account for both mobile and web interfaces while ensuring they sync perfectly for a unified user experience.

Additionally, your app might need integrations for other devices, such as smart TVs or wearables, depending on the specific use case. Offering apps for other platforms beyond just mobile can increase development time and costs.

Basic Features
Plus icon
Intermediate Features
Plus icon
Advanced Features
Plus icon
Looking for the most value for money app development?
Join over 400+ companies already growing with Scrums.com.

Design and User Experience (UX/UI)

A seamless user experience (UX) and attractive user interface (UI) are essential for Dropbox-like apps, as they directly affect user engagement and satisfaction.

U.S. User Preferences

In the U.S. market, users expect simple, intuitive designs that make tasks like file uploading, downloading, and sharing quick and easy. Key UX/UI elements to consider include:

  • Intuitive Navigation: Clear, easy-to-understand menu structures, folder navigation, and file management.
  • Responsive Design: The app should work seamlessly across different devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Customizability: Offering users the ability to organize their files according to their preferences enhances engagement.

Investing in a clean, user-friendly design ensures that users return and continue to use the app regularly, leading to better retention and fewer drop-offs. However, focusing heavily on design can increase UI/UX costs due to the need for specialized design teams and additional revisions.

Integrations with Third-Party Services or External Systems

For a cloud storage app like Dropbox, third-party integrations are essential for enhancing functionality and meeting user needs.

Payment Systems:

To monetize a Dropbox-like app, you will need to integrate secure payment systems. Popular third-party options include:

  • Stripe
  • PayPal
  • Apple Pay

Integrating these services ensures that your app can handle subscriptions, payment processing, and billing, but it also increases development time and costs.

Cloud Storage APIs:

Dropbox’s key feature is its cloud storage, which is powered by sophisticated cloud APIs. For your app, integrating with services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud is essential for hosting data. You’ll also need to ensure that your app can scale efficiently to store large amounts of data without sacrificing performance.

These third-party APIs and integrations can add complexity and costs due to the need for specialized expertise and ongoing maintenance.

Database & Back-End Infrastructure

The backend infrastructure is the backbone of a Dropbox-like app, handling everything from file storage to syncing across devices. This includes:

  • Cloud Storage: Choosing between AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure based on the requirements for scalability, security, and performance.
  • Real-Time Syncing: Ensuring that data is synchronized seamlessly in real-time across all user devices.
  • File Management Systems: Efficient database management systems are needed to track file metadata and ensure proper storage, retrieval, and access rights.

Building a scalable, reliable, and secure backend is often the most costly part of developing an app like Dropbox.

Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

Maintaining a Dropbox-like app is an ongoing cost that includes:

  • Regular Updates: Keeping the app up-to-date with new OS versions for iOS and Android, ensuring compatibility with the latest devices and features.
  • Security Updates: As security threats evolve, ensuring that your app is protected against data breaches is crucial, particularly for apps that handle sensitive user data.
  • Cloud Storage Management: Managing cloud costs and maintaining an efficient, scalable storage solution is essential.

These ongoing maintenance efforts often account for 15-20% of the total development cost annually.

Team Expertise and Location

Developing a Dropbox-like app requires expertise in various domains:

  • Cloud Infrastructure Developers: To set up and manage scalable cloud storage solutions.
  • Mobile App Developers: For iOS and Android development, depending on your platform choices.
  • Security Experts: To implement secure encryption and user data protection systems.
  • UI/UX Designers: To create a seamless user experience across devices.

Teams based in the U.S. tend to have higher hourly rates, but they offer an advantage in terms of local knowledge and compliance with U.S. data regulations. Offshore teams might be more affordable but may face challenges in communication and regulatory adherence.

Hidden Costs & Miscellaneous Factors

QA & TestingA Dropbox-like app requires extensive quality assurance (QA) to ensure that all functionalities are working properly across devices. Given the app's reliance on cloud storage, performance testing and stress testing are essential to prevent downtimes and ensure seamless file management.

App Store Fees and Guidelines: Launching a Dropbox-like app on the App Store or Google Play involves submission fees, as well as compliance with each platform's guidelines. Apple charges a yearly fee for app submission, while Google Play charges a one-time fee for developer accounts.

Legal and Compliance Costs: As a cloud storage app, you’ll need to comply with U.S. data privacy laws such as CCPA and GDPR if you plan on handling international data. Hiring a legal team for compliance checks adds significant costs to your app’s development.

What Makes This App Category Unique in Terms of Development

Building an app like Dropbox requires specialized expertise in cloud storage, real-time data synchronization, and secure file management. Additionally, with the increasing importance of data privacy in the U.S. market, ensuring GDPR and CCPA compliance adds to the complexity and cost of development.

As cloud storage continues to play a larger role in personal and business data management, having a clear understanding of user needs, efficient scaling strategies, and secure data handling is key to ensuring the app’s success.

Want to turn your Dropbox-like app idea into reality? 

At Scrums.com, our expert team specializes in developing custom cloud storage apps, ensuring they are secure, scalable, and built to succeed in the U.S. market. Whether it’s building a secure cloud storage system, creating a seamless user experience, or integrating third-party services, we are here to help. Reach out for a custom development estimate today!