Chicago App Design & Development Company

Custom mobile app projects typically cost $40,000 – $150,000. Costs vary considerably based on complexity:

• Basic Minimum Viable Products (MVPs): $15,000 – $25,000
• Custom mobile applications: $40,000 – $150,000
• Complex enterprise applications: $250,000+

Your final cost depends on the level of design, number of features, supported platforms, user types, integrations, and technical requirements.

A relatively straightforward app may take 3–6 months, while feature-heavy SaaS platforms, marketplaces, and enterprise applications can take 6–12 months or longer.

The main factors that affect the timeline are the number of screens, backend functionality, third-party integrations, and testing requirements.

Yes. An MVP includes the essential features needed to launch, test your concept, and collect feedback from real users.

For example, a marketplace MVP might include:

• Customer and provider registration
• Searchable listings
• Booking and payment functionality
• Basic account management
• An administrative dashboard

Advanced features can be developed later, once you know what customers actually use and want. For startups, an MVP can also help validate a business idea, attract early users, and give potential investors something tangible to evaluate.

Not necessarily. Cross-platform frameworks like React Native allow developers to share much of the same code between iOS and Android applications.

Separate native applications may make sense when specialized device functionality or platform-specific performance is a priority.

The main differences involve installation, device access, and development requirements.

• Native apps: Installed through the Apple App Store or Google Play, with extensive access to device hardware and operating-system features.
• Progressive web apps (PWAs): Run through a web browser and can be installed on supported devices without visiting an app store. Some device features and background capabilities are more limited.

PWAs can be less expensive to build and maintain, particularly when a separate native application isn’t necessary.

Our development capabilities include:

• Mobile: Swift, Kotlin, React Native
• Web applications: React, Angular, JavaScript
• Backend development: PHP, Laravel, Node.js
• Cloud infrastructure: AWS, Firebase, Microsoft Azure
• Integrations: REST APIs, Stripe, Google Maps, and third-party business software

Technology choices depend on your application’s requirements, existing systems, and long-term development plans.

Yep. We can review an existing application’s codebase, technical architecture, integrations, and outstanding development requirements.

Sometimes continuing the existing project makes sense. However, we might recommend replacing outdated components or rebuilding certain features, as it may ultimately the better financial decision.

Yes, provided the software supports compatible integrations. Examples include Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Stripe, accounting platforms, inventory systems, and custom databases.

We can develop APIs and backend connections that allow information to move between your application and existing business systems. Any technical limitations will be evaluated during discovery.

Yes. Depending on your business model, we can help you set up:

• Monthly or annual subscriptions
• One-time purchases
• Free trials and paid upgrades
• Customer billing and payment histories
• Marketplace payments and transaction fees

Payment processing may use Stripe, Apple’s In-App Purchase system, Google Play Billing, or another provider. We’ll account for applicable app store payment rules when planning the application.

Yes. We can prepare your application, configure its store information, and handle submissions to Apple and Google.

Both platforms review applications before approving them for distribution. Technical and publishing requirements are accounted for during development and address any requested corrections during the submission process. Final approval rests with the platform.

Ongoing costs depend on your application’s features, traffic, integrations, and hosting requirements. Common expenses include:

• Cloud hosting and database storage
• Third-party APIs and payment processing
• Security updates, bug fixes, and compatibility updates
• New features and improvements

Hexxen also offers optional maintenance plans, with hours and pricing based on the application.

Yes. Once your project is completed and paid for, your custom application and agreed-upon deliverables belong to your business, subject to applicable third-party licenses and proprietary development tools.

You can continue working with Hexxen, hire another developer, or bring future development in-house.

Yes. The requirements depend on what your app collects and how that information is used.

For example, Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) imposes requirements on covered businesses collecting biometric identifiers, including certain fingerprint and facial geometry data.

Healthcare, financial, and other applications may also be subject to federal privacy and security requirements. We’ll account for the relevant technical considerations during discovery and work with your legal or compliance team where necessary.

Yes, but it might not be a great idea or result in a meaningful test beyond seeing if an idea makes sense. AI app builders and coding tools can create working prototypes, simple applications, and internal business tools, sometimes without writing any code yourself.

However, AI can generally only copy what it’s been trained on. More complex applications may require security, payment processing, third-party integrations, scalability, and ongoing maintenance. AI-generated code still needs to be tested, and errors can become expensive to fix as an application grows.

If you’ve already started building an app with AI, Hexxen can review what you’ve created, help resolve problems, and take over development where needed.