What is a web browser app?
A web browser is a software application that enables users to browse the internet. Web browsers are available for desktop computers, mobile devices, and some smart home appliances. They receive content from servers via HTTP or HTTPS connections and convert it to human-readable formats like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Web browsers are very similar to mobile web browsers, which are themselves very similar to mobile web search apps. Many mobile web browsers are also similar to general purpose app launchers, as they provide a means for users to open other apps on their device. Popular examples of mobile web browsers include Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera Mini, and Microsoft Edge.
Examples of web browser apps built with Crowdbotics:
- A marketplace for NFTs with a wallet and MetaMask shell that allows users to view inventory and make transactions in ETH and USD.
What is the typical cost to build a web browser app?
A web browser 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. A web browser 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 web browser app price quotes from Crowdbotics:
How long does it take to build a web browser app?
A web browser app usually takes 667 hours to build. However, a web browser app can be built in as few as 333 hours, or in as many as 1000 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 web browser 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 web browser application
Web browsers are often used by many different users at once, but they usually have a single, ongoing user. Web browser apps are generally used to access services on the web, which means that they typically attract new users by reducing switching costs for existing users.
Risks and challenges of building a web browser application
A web browser app faces security risks associated with third-party ads, malware, and user impersonation. To protect users from malicious content, you will want to conduct periodic manual or automated security audits on your app’s third-party ad content. You should also consider implementing a layered defense approach that includes strong encryption, authentication, and authorization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to your backend servers.
