Augmented reality (AR) is becoming an increasingly popular technology in a variety of industries. From retail to entertainment, AR has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with digital content and each other. However, as with any new technology, there are many questions surrounding its development and implementation. One of the most common questions is how much it costs to develop an AR application. In this guide, we will explore the various factors that can affect the cost of AR development and provide some real-life examples to help you better understand the process.
Factors Affecting AR Development Cost
There are several factors that can impact the cost of developing an AR application. These include:
- Complexity of the Application
The complexity of the AR application will have a significant impact on its development cost. Applications that require more advanced features, such as object recognition or 3D modeling, will be more expensive to develop. Additionally, applications that are designed for multiple platforms, such as iOS and Android, may also increase the development cost due to the need to create separate codebases for each platform.
- Expertise Required
The level of expertise required to develop an AR application can also impact its development cost. Developers who are proficient in AR technologies will command higher rates than those who lack experience. Additionally, the availability of skilled developers in your area may affect the cost of hiring them.
- Platform and Tools Used
The platform and tools used for AR development can also impact its cost. Some platforms, such as Unity or ARKit, are more user-friendly and require less expertise to develop on. However, these platforms may have limited capabilities compared to more advanced platforms, such as Vuforia or Wikitude. The cost of licensing and integrating these more advanced tools can also increase the development cost.
- Hardware Requirements
The hardware required to run an AR application can also impact its development cost. Applications that require high-end hardware, such as smart glasses or tablets with powerful processors, will be more expensive to develop due to the need for specialized software and hardware components.
Case Studies and Personal Experiences
To better understand the cost of AR development, let’s look at some real-life examples.
- IKEA Place
IKEA Place is an AR application that allows users to preview furniture in their homes before purchasing it. The development of this application required a team of experienced developers with expertise in AR technologies. Additionally, the use of Unity as the primary platform for development made it easier to create and deploy the application across multiple platforms. IKEA Place was launched in 2011 and has since been downloaded over 50 million times.
According to a report by Tearsheet, the development cost for IKEA Place was estimated to be between $3 million and $5 million.
- Snapchat Filters
Snapchat filters are AR features that allow users to add digital content to their photos and videos. The development of these filters required a team of skilled developers with expertise in AR technologies. Additionally, the use of ARKit as the primary platform for development made it easier to create and deploy the filters across multiple platforms.
According to a report by Business Insider, the development cost for Snapchat’s AR filters was estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million per year.
- Pokémon Go
Pokémon Go is an AR game that allows users to hunt for virtual creatures in their real-world surroundings. The development of this application required a team of experienced developers with expertise in AR technologies. Additionally, the use of Vuforia as the primary platform for development made it more complex and expensive to create and deploy the game across multiple platforms.
According to a report by TechCrunch, the development cost for Pokémon Go was estimated to be between $20 million and $30 million.
Expert Opinions
To get a better understanding of how much AR development costs, we also spoke with some experts in the field.