The moment you hit the button to “launch” your app is thrilling, full of months or years of planning, designing, and coding effort. However, the truth is that the launch of the app is just the beginning. When your app goes live, you realize the project is far from over.
App maintenance will always be the key to ensuring that your application continues to function as intended in the long run. Post-launch, your application will be confronted with challenges such as performance issues, bugs, compatibility with new OS versions, and, most importantly, users’ ever-dynamic expectations. In fact, ongoing maintenance is a necessity for application security, good performance, and the retention of users in the long term.
This article talks about the importance of maintenance after the launch of an application, its costs, and why it should be a major part of your post-launch focus. In addition, we will discuss the considerations that affect maintenance costs and common maintenance services, as well as ways to optimize them. By the end, you will understand the idea of having a reliable partner to be with you throughout your app’s success and the services offered by Esferasoft.
What Is App Maintenance?
App maintenance is about processes and actions that keep your app functional, secure, and germane after it has been launched. It includes updating an app, fixing bugs, enhancing features, and ensuring it works well with new platforms or operating systems. There are various types of app maintenance:
- Corrective Maintenance: This procedure is the action taken to repair the bugs and issues that inhibit the performance of the application, such as crashing or malfunctioning of a feature. This corrective maintenance will ensure the smooth running of your application.
- Adaptive Maintenance: The term refers to the update of the application when a new device and OS updates come out as well as when new services by third-party developers are released. Adaptive maintenance is a condition that keeps your app alive on different platforms.
- Preventive Maintenance: This type of work is typically directed toward detecting potential issues before they become visible. Examples of preventative maintenance would include code reviews and improvements, optimizing backend systems, and conducting regular security audits.
- Perfective Maintenance: We develop and upgrade your application with perfective maintenance. By collecting and analysing user feedback combined with recent technological advancements, this kind of maintenance keeps the application up-to-date, competitive, and user-friendly.
All of these maintenance types are essential for every phase of the app’s lifecycle. The app’s long-term value is determined by its maintenance, not its initial launch.
Why App Maintenance Matters After Launch
App maintenance is something that cannot be overemphasized. From the moment an application is launched, the actual work begins. Have a look at why it is most important:
Keeps Your App Secure and Current
Of the numerous reasons for the need to maintain an app, the most urgent is keeping it secure. Hackers and malicious agents are always updating their strategies. Failure to do periodic security updates will leave your app open to attacks. Regular maintenance helps block these security gaps and provides relevance to current requirements or legislative demands, such as the compliance adherence ensured by measures like GDPR or HIPAA.
Ensures Smooth Performance with New OS Updates
Updates for operating systems such as iOS and Android, however, tend to be in place in settings that allow the applications to function as they should. Any application that fails to receive regular updates risks becoming incompatible when new iOS and Android versions are released, potentially resulting in crashes or bugs that degrade user experience. Regular system maintenance ensures your application seamlessly integrates the latest operating system version without causing any disruption to users.
Cures Bugs and Improves User Experience
No application is free from bugs. Even after highly scrutinized testing, unforeseen problems might arise soon after the application launches. Maintenance becomes a necessity to handle such bugs, improve the user experience, and ensure that the application runs smoothly. Otherwise, users will lose interest in an app that lacks frequent updates, significantly contributing to user churn rates.
Improves Features by User Feedback
Once the app is launched, development has only just begun; users continue to give feedback on how the app may be further improved. Maintenance, therefore, gives the opportunity to enhance features, improve the UI/UX, and incorporate new functionalities that the users may want based on their feedback. Such maintenance works enhance not only the app but also the retention and satisfaction of the users.
Facilitates Scalability and Growth
With the growing user base for the application, it may require scaling to withstand increasing traffic, more data storage, or new features. App maintenance makes sure that your application continues to grow with your business, expanding with added features while maintaining performance. This boost in performance is especially important for applications expected to grow, such as in e-commerce, social networking, or service industries.
Key Factors That Influence Maintenance Costs
The cost of app maintenance can vary widely depending on several factors. Here are the key elements that influence maintenance costs:
A. Platform (iOS, Android, or Both)
The platform your app is built for has a significant impact on maintenance costs. If your app is built for both iOS and Android, you’ll need to account for different update cycles, OS compatibility, and testing requirements. iOS apps tend to have more frequent updates than Android, and the update process for each platform differs. Therefore, maintaining an app for multiple platforms can result in higher costs.
B. App Complexity and Feature Set
The more complex your app, the more costly its maintenance will be. Apps with advanced features, such as live chat, real-time updates, or integrated payment systems, require more frequent updates and bug fixes. Third-party integrations and APIs also add complexity and can increase maintenance costs. Simple apps with fewer features will generally be cheaper to maintain.
C. Backend & Server Costs
Most apps rely on backend infrastructure like cloud storage, databases, and servers. Maintaining these components can incur significant costs, particularly if your app experiences increased user traffic. Cloud services often charge based on storage space and usage, so as your user base grows, so do your server costs.
D. Bug Fixes and Updates Frequency
How often you release bug fixes and updates will influence the overall maintenance costs. A monthly update cycle might be pricier than a quarterly one, especially if those updates include significant changes. Hot fixes and emergency patches, which are required for critical issues, can also add to maintenance costs.
E. User Support & Monitoring Tools
User support, crash analytics, and performance monitoring tools are essential for ensuring that your app is functioning well. These tools help identify issues before they affect users, allowing for timely fixes. However, they also come with ongoing costs for licensing, integration, and monitoring.
F. Security Updates
As cyber threats continue to evolve, maintaining your app’s security becomes increasingly important. Compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) can also add costs, as regular audits, encryption updates, and other security measures may be required.
Average App Maintenance Cost Breakdown
App maintenance costs typically range from 15% to 20% of the initial development cost annually. Here’s a breakdown of the average maintenance cost based on the app’s size:
| App Type | Estimated Maintenance Cost | Annual Cost (as % of Development) |
| Small App | Basic features, 1 platform | 15%–18% |
| Medium App | Moderate features, 1–2 platforms | 18%–20% |
| Large App | Complex features, multiple platforms | 20%–25% |
The cost of maintenance can be structured in different ways:
Pay-as-you-go: You pay for specific maintenance tasks only when they are required.
Monthly Retainer Model: A set amount is paid every month for ongoing maintenance and support.
Common Post-Launch Maintenance Services
After your app is live, these services are essential for keeping it updated, relevant, and secure:
- Regular App Updates: Keeping your app current with new OS versions and bug fixes.
- UI/UX Improvements: Ensuring that your app’s design and user experience remain modern and user-friendly.
- Compatibility Testing with New Devices: Ensuring that your app functions properly on new devices and screen sizes.
- Security Patches: Regularly applying patches to protect user data and ensure compliance with security standards.
- Feature Enhancements: Adding new features and improving existing ones based on user feedback.
- App Store Compliance Updates: Ensuring your app meets the requirements of the app stores to avoid removal or penalties.
How to Optimize Maintenance Costs
Although app maintenance is essential, it doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive. Here are some ways to optimize your application’s maintenance costs:
- Build Scalable and Well-Documented Code: Writing clean, efficient, and scalable code can reduce the need for frequent major updates and make it easier to handle future changes.
- Choose Tech Stack Wisely: Selecting the right technologies during the development phase can simplify maintenance later. Some frameworks and tools are pricier to maintain than others.
- Automate Monitoring and Testing: Implementing automated tools for performance monitoring, testing, and analytics can reduce the amount of manual work required, ultimately lowering costs.
- Prioritise Feedback-Based Updates: Focusing on critical user feedback and prioritizing updates based on what they need the most can help reduce unnecessary costs.
- Opt for Long-Term Support Plans: Instead of relying on ad-hoc fixes, invest in long-term support plans with a reliable partner. This reduces emergency costs and keeps your app running smoothly.
Why Esferasoft Is the Right Partner for Long-Term App Support
Esferasoft understands the critical importance of post-launch app maintenance. Our proactive approach ensures that your app stays secure, performs well, and evolves with your business. We offer a range of flexible maintenance packages tailored to your needs, ensuring that you get the support you need without overspending.
With 24/7 monitoring, regular updates, and a performance-first mindset, Esferasoft is the right partner to ensure the long-term success of your app. We’ve built strong relationships with our clients by delivering timely, cost-effective support and have a proven track record of helping businesses scale successfully.
Conclusion
App maintenance is not an afterthought — it’s an ongoing process that directly impacts your app’s success. By planning for maintenance early on and allocating a proper budget, you can ensure that your app continues to perform well and meet user expectations long after launch.
Remember, the goal is continuous improvement. A well-maintained app builds trust with users, enhances retention, and supports long-term growth. Don’t wait for issues to arise — plan for them today. Get A Free Consultation.
