Educational App Development: Comparing In-House vs. Outsourced Development Model

• By 2025, the global online learning market will hit the $325 billion mark.

• Between the years 2020 to 2025, the market will see a 200% growth rate.

• 63% of US students use online learning tools every day. 

• 'Watching online movies' and 'playing online games' are the favorite learning method according to 45% of school-going students. 

The figures make it clear that students are loving educational apps. And the market is set for exponential growth.

Also, the educational app market isn't limited to students. 

The corporate online learning market is also set to reach a valuation of $50 billion by 2026. 

With such a wide market available at your disposal, it would be foolhardy to not get an educational app developed for your business. 

You can find an idea that can be monetized using an educational app.

You can carry out epic marketing and get your app popular.

And with engaging features, you can build user loyalty as well.

However, the real struggle is deciding on a development model for the app development process. You can either get the app developed in-house. Or you can outsource the task to expert educational app development companies.

Both development models have their own pros and cons. And finding the right model depends on your unique needs and requirements.

In this blog, we will walk you through the pros and cons of these educational app development models. And also help you choose the one that suits your needs better. Let's get started.

In-House Development

Advantages of in-house development	Disadvantages of in-house development
1. Greater customization control as your team will make changes in the methodology as per your requirements.	1. Expensive process as you need to invest in infrastructure, tools, and human resources.
2. Complete application ownership including the source code, intellectual property rights, documentation, etc.	2. Lack of expertise in your in-house team as the team may not have all required skills result in delays or poor quality.
3. Control over budget and timelines as the team works in-house and you are incharge of their schedule, etc.

Outsourced Development Model

Advantages of outsourced development	Disadvantages of outsourced development
1. Cost-effective option as no investment is needed in terms of infrastructure, tools, and human resources.	1. Requires effective communication between your organization and the third-party company, which can be challenging.
2. Access to specialized expertise that may not be available in-house.	2. Limited customization and quality control as the third-party development company may not involve you in every step of the process.
3. Faster time-to-market as the third-party company has experience and expertise in developing similar apps.

Note: The disadvantages of outsourced development can be overcome by looking for reliable educational app development companies. Companies with expertise, experience, and robust communication will ensure you face no issues and have complete control over your educational app development process. 

Factors to Consider While Choosing Between In-House and Outsourced Educational App Development

When deciding between in-house and outsourced development, educational organizations should consider the following factors:

1. Project scope and complexity

2. Budget and resources

3. Time constraints

4. Intellectual property concerns

5. Availability of in-house expertise

The comparison table will help you compare the two models on these factors and choose the better-suited one. 

Factor	In-House Development	Outsourced Development
Project scope and complexity	Best for simple apps	Best for complex apps
Budget and resources	Expensive	Cost-effective
Time constraints	Time-consuming	Faster time-to-market
Availability of in-house expertise	Require specific skills	Access to specialized expertise
Intellectual property ownership	In-house ownership	May have to negotiate ownership

Ultimately, the choice between in-house and outsourced development depends on your unique requirements. 

But remember: If you choose specialized educational app development companies, look for partners who are transparent, and efficient. They should also have a proven track record of success and robust communication expertise.

With the right educational app development partner, you will be able to reap the cost and expertise advantage which not compromising on quality and control.