What is an e-reader app?
An e-reader application is a mobile or desktop application that enables users to read, purchase, and manage e-books. E-Reader apps include features for purchasing books, reading books, searching for specific terms in the book’s content, bookmarking pages and notes, and managing existing book collections.
e-reader apps are similar to other app types in the books and reference app type group, such as cookbook apps, travel guide apps, and textbook apps. The most popular examples of e-reader apps today are Kindle and iBooks.
Examples of e-reader apps built with Crowdbotics:
- The app should be able to display PDF similarly to how kindle displays Ebooks. It should also display figures and stables as a pop-up.
What is the typical cost to build an e-reader app?
An e-reader app usually costs about $37,500 to build. However, the total cost can be as low as $25,000 or as high as $50,000. An e-reader app with a low number of features (also known as a minimum viable product, or MVP) will be more affordable than an app that includes all intended functionality.
For example, here are some previous e-reader app price quotes from Crowdbotics:
How long does it take to build an e-reader app?
An e-reader app usually takes 200 hours to build. However, an e-reader app can be built in as few as 133 hours, or in as many as 267 hours. The exact timeline mostly depends on how complicated your specific app is. As a general rule, it will take longer if you require highly custom designs, niche features, complex logic, or non-standard release platforms.
For example, some previous e-reader apps build with Crowdbotics received the following hourly estimates:
Not seeing what you’re looking for?
Crowdbotics has quoted and built hundreds of applications for teams of all sizes. Browse our historical estimates by industry and app type to understand possible costs and considerations.
How to successfully grow your e-reader application
E-reader apps can grow their user base by offering a compelling reason to switch from print to digital. If an e-reader app has a large library of the latest bestsellers, it is likely to attract new users who prefer reading on digital devices. Furthermore, e-reader apps can implement strategies that create a sense of community among their readers, such as releasing exclusive content and holding online discussions about new books.
Risks and challenges of building an e-reader application
An e-reader app faces legal and reputational risks when it stores or transmits the content of user communications. To protect yourself from potential liability, it is recommended that you license your e-reader app under a Creative Commons open source license that allows users to share and remix your work without restriction. You will also want to include a disclaimer in your e-reader app noting that you are not responsible for any fake news or other harmful content shared by users of your platform.
