How Much Does it Cost to Develop a News App Like Khaleej Times?

Are you considering entering the digital publishing space but unsure of the investment involved? As a business owner, you know that customer behavior is shifting. People expect instant access to news that is relevant, personalized, and available in multiple formats. News apps like Khaleej Times have successfully delivered this experience by combining strong editorial content with powerful mobile technology.

If you are planning to build a similar platform, understanding the cost components is essential. From choosing the right app type to deciding on the features and technologies, every decision impacts your final budget.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Developing a News App

1. App Type: Aggregator or Resource-Based?

There are two common types of news apps: aggregators and resource-based platforms.

Aggregator apps pull stories from third-party sources using APIs and RSS feeds. These require strong content filtering, licensing management, and personalization features. On the other hand, resource-based apps publish original content and need a full content management system.

Choosing between the two will determine your app’s structure and influence both the initial and long-term development costs.

2. Platform Selection: iOS, Android, or Cross-Platform

The platform you choose affects user reach and development cost.

iOS apps offer better monetization potential but are limited to Apple device users. Android apps reach a broader audience, especially in regions like the UAE, but require additional time for device testing. Cross-platform tools like React Native allow you to serve both platforms with a shared codebase.

Making the right choice here will help you align your product with your target audience and budget.

3. Development Team Location: Offshore or Nearshore

Development costs vary greatly depending on where your team is located.

Offshore teams offer lower hourly rates and access to a wide talent pool. However, time zone differences and communication gaps can slow down the process. Nearshore teams are easier to collaborate with and often provide better alignment with your vision, but they come at a higher cost.

It is important to assess not just cost, but also the quality and speed of delivery when selecting your team.

4. Use of Advanced Technologies

Advanced technologies can significantly improve user engagement but will increase development costs.

AI and machine learning help deliver personalized news recommendations. Augmented reality can enhance storytelling by making content interactive. Features like voice search and real-time translation also add value for a multilingual user base.

If these technologies are part of your vision, you must plan for higher development effort and longer timelines.

Key Features to Include in a News App Like Khaleej Times

Building a successful news app involves more than just publishing content. The app must deliver a seamless, personalized experience that keeps users engaged daily.

Understanding which features to include will help you plan development costs, prioritize functionality, and ensure the app meets user expectations.

1. Basic Features Every News App Must Have

• Login and Registration

Allow users to sign up using email or social accounts. This step is vital for saving preferences and syncing user activity across devices.

• User Profiles

Give readers the ability to set preferences such as categories, language, or content format. A tailored experience increases retention.

• Push Notifications

Timely alerts help increase app visits and content engagement. Notifications should be relevant, segmented, and non-intrusive.

• Offline Reading

Enable users to save articles and read them later without an internet connection. This is essential for users on limited or costly data plans.

• Social Sharing

Allow sharing of articles across platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter, and LinkedIn. This drives organic growth and helps spread brand awareness.

2. Advanced Features That Add Value

• Live Streaming

Offer real-time video coverage for breaking news or events. This increases user engagement and encourages repeat visits.

• Audio Content

Convert articles into audio clips for users who prefer listening while commuting or multitasking. It adds an inclusive experience.

• Video Integration

Integrate video reports alongside articles. Embedded video helps deliver visual context to complex stories.

• Customizable Text

Allow users to adjust font size and style. This small detail improves readability and accessibility for a broader audience.

• Personalized Content Feed

Let users filter their feeds by interests, topics, or region. Personalized experiences are proven to increase user session time.

3. Multilingual and Localization Support

If you are building for a diverse audience, especially in the Middle East, offering multilingual support is essential.

Arabic and English should be default options. Each language version must be culturally adapted, not just translated. This includes direction of text, image formats, and user flow.

Localization also involves time zones, currency formatting, and regional news curation. These adjustments impact development costs but are necessary for relevance and retention.

The 7 Stages of Developing a News App Like Khaleej Times

App development is a step-by-step journey. Each stage has its own focus, timeline, and cost. Understanding the process helps you set the right expectations and allocate resources wisely.

From early concept to post-launch support, every stage contributes to the app’s long-term success.

1. Conceptualization and Market Research

This is where your idea takes shape. Start by defining your goals, target users, and content focus.

Research your competitors, analyze successful apps, and identify unique value you can offer. This ensures the app has a clear market fit before development begins.

2. Planning and Strategy

Once the idea is validated, the planning begins. Define the features, technology stack, and project milestones.

At this point, decisions about platform choice, monetization model, and compliance requirements should be finalized. A detailed roadmap saves both time and cost later.

3. Design and Prototyping

Wireframes and prototypes bring your app’s structure to life. This stage focuses on creating a user-friendly interface.

UX and UI design teams build clickable prototypes that show the user journey, navigation logic, and branding elements. Clear visuals help avoid costly rework in development.

4. Development

Now the core build begins. This includes front-end interfaces and back-end systems such as databases and content APIs.

The developers integrate features like push notifications, offline access, and language settings. Code is written, tested, and compiled in sprints to ensure each module functions as planned.

5. Testing and Quality Assurance

Before launch, rigorous testing is required. Every function, screen, and flow is tested for bugs, speed, and security.

Manual and automated testing ensure that the app works smoothly on all devices and operating systems. Accessibility, privacy, and data protection should be thoroughly checked.

6. Launch and Deployment

With testing complete, the app is ready to go live. You submit the app to Google Play and Apple App Store.

Proper launch planning includes preparing store assets, optimizing descriptions, and ensuring compliance with publishing guidelines. A soft launch helps gather early feedback before wide release.

7. Post-Launch Maintenance and Updates

The work does not end after launch. You will need to fix bugs, release updates, and respond to user reviews regularly.

Ongoing maintenance ensures the app stays compatible with OS updates, user expectations, and evolving trends. A stable update cycle improves user trust and long-term ROI.

Cost Breakdown of Developing a News App Like Khaleej Times

App development costs depend on several variables like platform choice, features, region, and team structure. Below is a detailed cost table based on three development levels.

Table: News App Development Cost Estimates

Development Stage	Description	Estimated Cost (USD)
MVP (Basic News App)	Core features like login, profiles, article feed, and push notifications.	$15,000 – $20,000
Standard App with More Features	Includes offline reading, social sharing, user preferences, and analytics.	$25,000 – $35,000
Advanced App with Rich Media	Adds live streaming, AI recommendations, multilingual content, and video.	$40,000 – $60,000+
Custom UI/UX Design	Tailored mobile UI, dark/light modes, and interactive prototypes.	$3,000 – $7,000
Cross-Platform Development	Using tools like Flutter or React Native to build for iOS and Android.	$18,000 – $30,000
AI-Powered Personalization	Machine learning to recommend articles based on user behavior.	$8,000 – $15,000
Third-Party Integrations	Integrating ad networks, social media, or payment gateways.	$2,000 – $6,000
Testing and QA	Performance, compatibility, usability, and security testing.	$3,000 – $6,000
Deployment (App Stores)	Publishing to Google Play and App Store with compliance.	$1,000 – $2,000
Maintenance & Updates (Annual)	Ongoing support, security patches, and new features.	$8,000 – $12,000

These are approximate costs based on industry benchmarks and client case studies. Actual costs can vary depending on your app’s scale, UI complexity, and development location.

Factors Influencing The Cost of App Development like Khaleej Times

As previously discussed, several variables might impact your spending plan and change the cost to build a custom news mobile app like Khaleej Times. 

Let’s learn more about it in depth:

1. Feature Set and Complexity

A news app with essential features like news feed, search, and categories won’t break the bank. On the other hand, premium news applications with advanced features like text-to-speech, push notifications, offline reading, and augmented reality integration will be expensive.

This shows unequivocally that creating news applications similar to Khaleej Times would cost more if you add more features or complexity.

2. Development Methodology

You may create your app in-house, use staff augmentation, use freelancers, or outsource to a dedicated mobile app development company. However, outsourcing is a financially viable option for obtaining competent developers, particularly for companies with limited resources.

3. UI/UX Design

It is crucial to understand that the design cost will increase for an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interface with unique animations or micro-interactions compared to a plain design.

We advise you to choose a minimalist approach, which will also help you limit the costs of developing an app like Khaleej Times. Make sure the design is in line with the intended target audience. 

4. Ongoing Maintenance and Support

You know that user adoption is achieved long-term through maintenance and support. Over time, you may fix bugs, glitches, and performance concerns to ensure a seamless user experience.  However, if you ignore this, you may have to pay more later to develop a news app like Khaleej Times because of the increased cost.

As we have learned, mobile app development cost is undoubtedly a significant aspect of building a news app. On the plus side, let’s discuss how to make your app profitable and successful.

Best Practices for Building a High-Performing News App

To succeed in the mobile news space, your app must do more than deliver headlines. It must engage, retain, and convert users across multiple devices and platforms.

1. Understand Your Target Audience

Audience research must go beyond basic demographics. Understand their reading habits, language preferences, interests, and time zones.

Segmented content delivery allows your app to deliver news that feels personally relevant to each user. This improves reading time, return rate, and overall loyalty.

2. Content Quality and Editorial Curation

The credibility of your news app depends on the quality of its content. This means factual accuracy, timely updates, and editorial integrity.

Use a combination of automation and human editors to ensure high editorial standards. Your CMS should support rich media uploads, scheduled publishing, and real-time revisions.

3. Prioritize Security and Data Privacy

Your app may handle sensitive data like user preferences, subscriptions, or payment details. Security must be built into every layer of your app.

Use encrypted APIs, multi-factor authentication, and secure payment gateways. Comply with global privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA to protect user data and avoid legal risks.

4. Testing, Feedback, and Continuous Improvement

Launch is just the beginning. Regular A/B testing, bug tracking, and performance monitoring must be in place from day one.

Feedback mechanisms such as in-app surveys and rating prompts allow users to guide the next update cycle. Treat every update as an opportunity to strengthen your product’s market position.

How Can SparxIT Assist in Launching Your Next-Gen News Application? 

Are you interested in creating an app similar to Khaleej Times? Work with a reliable news app development company like SparxIT to build a secure, value-driven, and customer-centric news app. 

We have developed a cutting-edge news app, AM News, with real-time updates, personalized content, and a seamless user experience.  Our developers are skilled in building apps with top-notch performance and the highest possible return on investment. 

We go above and beyond to ensure your app increases user engagement and helps you reach your business objectives. Therefore, if you have an app idea, hire mobile app developers and turn your dream project into reality. 

Conclusion

Building a mobile news app like Khaleej Times involves more than just a clean interface and engaging headlines. It requires detailed planning, strategic development, and a clear understanding of both technical and business needs.

As a business owner, you must consider content delivery, platform choices, feature sets, and the long-term cost of maintenance. A well-planned app can provide consistent engagement, generate revenue through subscriptions or ads, and establish authority in a competitive digital space.

From choosing between iOS, Android, or cross-platform, to incorporating AI-driven personalization, every decision influences your app’s performance, cost, and user experience.

Partnering with a reliable news app development company helps you navigate technical challenges and accelerates your go-to-market timeline.