Cost to Build an eLearning App Like Byjus App (MVP to Pro)
Create a powerful, customizable e-learning solution with Miracuves’ Byjus, equipped with high-performance features and next-gen technology.
If you’re planning to launch an innovative learning platform similar to Byju’s, one of the first questions you’ll likely ask is: “What’s the development cost?”
The real answer? It depends—on the features you choose, the platform scope, the tech stack, and whether you’re building from the ground up or customizing an existing solution.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the key factors that influence the cost of developing a Byju’s-like educational platform. We’ll compare the costs between building a minimum viable product (MVP) and a fully-featured version, helping you make smart, informed budgeting decisions whether you’re a founder, an ed-tech startup, or an agency focused on education solutions.
Factors Influencing Development Cost for a Byju's-Like Educational Platform
There’s no one-size-fits-all price tag when it comes to building an educational app like Byju’s. Your total cost will depend on a variety of factors, including the features you want to include, the technology you choose, and the scale of your platform. Here’s a breakdown of the major cost influencers:
Feature Complexity
The more features you add, the higher the development cost. Basic features like video lessons, quizzes, and user profiles are essential for an education platform. However, if you’re integrating advanced functionalities like AI-powered personalized learning, live sessions, gamification, or multi-language support, the cost will increase significantly.
Number of Platforms
Are you developing for iOS, Android, or both? Do you need a web version for desktop users or a backend for teachers and admins? Each additional platform adds to the overall development time and cost. Opting for a cross-platform solution like React Native or Flutter can help reduce the cost by allowing you to maintain a single codebase for both iOS and Android.
UI/UX Design
A seamless, engaging user experience is key to educational platforms. Simple, template-based designs are more affordable, while custom-built designs with interactive elements, animations, and high-quality visuals will require more time and resources. The more polished the design, the higher the cost.
Backend Infrastructure
For features like video streaming, live classes, and real-time interactions, you’ll need a robust backend infrastructure. Cloud services like AWS, Firebase, or Google Cloud, scalable databases, and secure APIs all add to the backend development costs.
Post-Launch Support & Maintenance
After your platform is live, the work isn’t over. Budget for ongoing maintenance, updates, bug fixes, and server costs. Typically, you should allocate 10-20% of your initial development cost annually for post-launch support and maintenance.
Estimated Cost by App Type: Byju’s-Like Educational Platform
To help you plan a realistic budget, let’s break down the typical development costs based on the complexity of the platform you want to build. Whether you’re starting with a lean MVP or aiming for a full-featured, scalable platform, these estimates will give you a clear picture of what to expect.
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App Type
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Estimated Cost Range (USD)
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Description
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|---|---|---|
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MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
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$8,000 – $15,000
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Basic features like student registration, video lessons, quizzes, and dashboard. Ideal for pilot projects or initial user validation.
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Standard Version
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$15,000 – $30,000
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Adds live classes, teacher dashboards, gamified progress tracking, content CMS, and performance analytics. More scalable and monetizable.
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Full-Featured App
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$30,000 – $50,000+
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Includes AI tutor bots, AR/VR content, adaptive learning paths, subscription billing, and multi-language support. Designed for national/global scale.
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Region-Wise Development Cost Comparison
Where you choose to build your Byju’s-like educational platform can have a significant impact on your budget. Developer hourly rates vary widely across regions, but it’s important to note that the quality doesn’t always scale with price. Many startups save substantial costs by partnering with experienced offshore teams without compromising on performance.
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Region
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Hourly Rate (USD)
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Typical Cost for Standard App
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|---|---|---|
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North America
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$100 – $200/hr
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$100,000 – $200,000+
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Western Europe
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$80 – $150/hr
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$80,000 – $160,000+
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Eastern Europe
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$40 – $80/hr
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$40,000 – $90,000+
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India & Southeast Asia
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$20 – $50/hr
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$20,000 – $60,000+
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Why Offshore Development is Popular for Edtech Apps
Lower hourly rates = more development hours for the same budget.
Time zone flexibility = near 24/7 progress.
Specialized edtech talent in regions like India means faster delivery at lower cost.
However, success depends on clear communication, defined scope, and working with trusted vendors. Many startups today build world-class edtech products offshore — without sacrificing quality or innovation.
Cost Breakdown by Development Stage
Understanding how your budget is distributed across different stages of development helps you plan more efficiently and avoid unexpected costs as your project progresses. Here’s a typical breakdown of how the total cost for a Byju’s-like educational platform is allocated across key development stages:
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Development Stage
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Estimated % of Total Cost
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Includes
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|---|---|---|
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Discovery & Planning
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5–10%
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Market research, competitor analysis, defining user personas, feature scoping, technical requirements.
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UI/UX Design
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10–15%
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Wireframing, prototyping, responsive design, visual branding, user experience mapping.
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Frontend & Backend Dev
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40–50%
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Core feature development, database architecture, APIs, payment integrations, dashboard and logic build.
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Testing & QA
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10–15%
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Manual and automated testing, bug fixing, device/browser compatibility checks, performance tuning.
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Deployment & Launch
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5–10%
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App store submission (Android/iOS), server setup, production deployment, performance monitoring tools.
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Maintenance & Updates
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10–20%
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Post-launch bug fixes, new features, server maintenance, user support, compliance updates.
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Tips to Reduce Development Costs Without Compromising Quality
You don’t need a huge budget to build a high-quality educational platform like Byju’s. With a strategic approach, you can save money while still delivering a great user experience and robust features. Here are some effective tips to help you reduce development costs:
1. Start with an MVP
Focus on the core features first. Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with essential functionalities such as video lessons, quizzes, user profiles, and basic analytics. This allows you to launch quickly, test your concept in the market, gather user feedback, and iterate without committing to a full-featured platform right away. It’s a great way to validate your idea before investing more resources.
2. Partner with Offshore Experts
Offshore development can cut your costs significantly, especially if you partner with skilled teams in regions like India or Southeast Asia. The key is to work with experienced developers who specialize in building educational platforms, ensuring you get high-quality work at a lower cost compared to North American or Western European developers.
3. Leverage Open-Source & Ready-Made Tools
Instead of building everything from scratch, consider using open-source tools or ready-made solutions for features like video streaming, messaging, or payment processing. These tools are often well-tested, widely used, and can save you both time and money. You can integrate them into your platform and focus on the unique aspects of your app that will set it apart from competitors.
4. Prioritize High-Impact Features
Skip the extras, such as gamification or advanced AI, in the early stages. Focus on the features that will have the greatest impact on user acquisition, retention, and engagement—like video lessons, quizzes, and progress tracking. This approach allows you to launch quickly and start generating user feedback, which can guide your future feature development.
5. Plan Everything Before You Build
One of the most common causes of budget overruns is mid-project changes due to lack of planning. Invest time in thoroughly defining your project’s scope, creating wireframes, and finalizing the feature list before starting development. A clear vision will help you avoid unnecessary changes and scope creep, keeping your costs under control.
Choose the Right Development Partner
Building an educational platform like Byju’s is not just about writing code—it’s about creating a sustainable, scalable business. The development partner you choose plays a pivotal role in the success of your project. Here’s what to look for when selecting the right team for your platform:
1. Experience with Educational Platforms
Generic app development teams may lack the deep understanding of the specific challenges and requirements that come with building educational platforms. You need a team that has experience in creating similar apps, understands the nuances of online learning, and can help you implement features like video streaming, interactive content, assessments, and teacher-student interaction.
2. Modular, Scalable Architecture
Your platform should be able to scale as you grow. A robust, modular architecture will allow you to add new features, expand to different geographies, or handle more users without rebuilding from scratch. Make sure your development partner designs your platform with scalability in mind, so you’re ready for growth.
3. Fast, Reliable Delivery
In the fast-paced education sector, time is often of the essence. You need a development partner who can deliver quickly without compromising on quality. A partner with ready-to-deploy frameworks, prebuilt solutions, and a well-defined development process can help you launch faster and meet market demand without delays.
4. End-to-End Support
Development doesn’t end with the launch of your platform. After launch, you’ll need continuous support for bug fixes, user feedback integration, updates, and feature enhancements. Your ideal development partner should offer end-to-end support, assisting you with updates and improvements based on real user data.
Conclusion
Now that you have a better understanding of the costs and strategies involved in developing an educational platform similar to Byju’s, it’s time to start planning your project. Whether you’re looking to validate your idea with an MVP or launch a full-featured platform with scalable growth in mind, Miracuves is here to guide you every step of the way.
We offer customizable, white-label solutions that can help you get your educational platform up and running faster, while still offering the flexibility to tailor it to your specific needs. Our experienced team will work with you to create a platform that not only meets your technical requirements but also helps you achieve your business goals.
Don’t let development costs or complexity hold you back. Take the first step toward building a high-performing educational platform that can make a real impact. Contact us today to discuss how we can bring your vision to life, or check out our educational platform development page for more details.
Let’s turn your learning platform idea into reality!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost typically ranges from $8,000 for an MVP to $50,000+ for a fully-featured, scalable platform. The cost depends on the features, platform scope, and development region.
It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for an MVP, and 6 to 12 months or longer for a full-featured platform, depending on complexity and the development team’s efficiency.
Core features include video lessons, quizzes, user profiles, and basic analytics. These allow you to validate your platform and gather user feedback.
Yes, we build scalable platforms that grow with your business. Starting with an MVP doesn’t mean you’re locked into that structure forever. You can add more advanced features as your user base grows.
Yes, we provide end-to-end services including development, deployment, and ongoing support to ensure your platform continues to run smoothly and scales as needed.