How Much Does it Cost to Hire an App Developer?

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In this digital world, mobile apps have become a dominant form of digital interaction. With the growing number of users accessing the internet via smartphones, mobile app development gives the unique ability to ensure you are always in their pockets.

Bill Gates once said, “If your business isn’t online, you better be out of business.”

Business from all corners of the world is offering a diverse range of products and services. So, business owners have started migrating from the physical world of handing out leaflets, printing ads to the mobile realm. 

If you are someone who owns a business and finally decide to build a mobile app, the first thing that comes to mind is what will be the cost to hire an app developer? Also, what will be the overall development cost of the mobile app?

Hire Mobile App Developer (Location and Experience Matters)

Mobile app developers from different countries charge different rates to the customers as per their living standards.  

When you plan to develop an app via an offshore company, it is important to rely on a tech partner that has a team of experienced developers. Hiring a highly skilled and experienced mobile app developer with UI/UX experience having expertise in different languages and platforms turns out to be very beneficial. In addition to this, they will also advise you on how to scope your project and what developers you need. 

Geographical location plays a major role in the rates when you hire a developer from an offshore development center. Most companies follow a retainer model to hire developers. The price of the mobile app is calculated on a weekly basis. It includes 5 working days and 40 hours a week. This approximately ranges to 160 hours a month. 

Have a Look at the Hiring Cost of Developers based on Location: 

Indian Developers

• iOS app development cost: $18-$40 per hour
• Android app development cost: $20-$35 an hour

Note: To determine the actual financial cost of outsourcing, you just need to know the required number of developers and their approximate hourly rates. If you have this information, you can determine the cost right now using our outsourcing ROI calculator.

US Developers

• iOS app development cost: $100-$150 per hour
• Android app development cost: $120-$170 an hour

Ukraine Developers

• Android developer: $60 per hour
• iOS developer: $30 per hour

Australian Developers

• Android developer: $200 per hour
• iOS developer: $150 per hour

Russian Developers:

• Android developer: $60 per hour
• iOS developer: $50 per hour

Recommended Read: Why Hire Top Developers From India?

This clearly depicts that Indian iOS and Android developers are one of the best when it comes to developing a mobile app. Next, you should know where to find someone you will hire to make your app.

Where to Find the App Developer?

Every entrepreneur has a dilemma as to where an experienced mobile app developer should be hired. 

As you move ahead and go deeper into the hiring process, you should look for places where you get dedicated app developers. Get the best developer who will make your business possible in a mobile-friendly environment by searching for them in platforms like:

• Toptal
• Your Team In India
• Fiverr 
• Upwork
• Indeed
• Get Apps Done
• They Make Apps
• LinkedIn

Estimated Cost and Time to Hire Developers for your Mobile App Development Project:

The top mobile app development companies estimate the developer’s rate as per their experience and skills. This clearly depicts that Android developers are costlier than iOS developers. The complete development process and testing take a great deal of time. So, choose wisely. 

Hiring the developers within the perimeters of the same time zone as beneficial as they can work 24 hours around the clock. The professional mobile app developers from different geographical locations are extremely talented and enormously successful in delivering an efficient app. 

Freelancers or Mobile App Development Company: Which is Better?

When you are looking to hire an app developer for iPhone or Android app development, it is better to take the help of an offshore development team.

App development solution from a company is more reliable as they have far better resources, experience, and expertise at hand. 

1. The One-Stop Destination for Comprehensive Solution:

Whether you are a start-up, mid-sized, or an already established brand, the best mobile app development company offers you benefits no one can. Having a skill set spanning various technologies and verticals to industry tested business acumen, you get everything that you expect from their services. The best part is the complete package is wrapped in a professional manner. Plus, you can take their help to seek monetization strategy before the launch of the app. 

2. Entire Technical Expertise at One Place:

With freelance mobile app developers, you are unsure of the standard of the tools they use. That is not the case with the offshore development company. Whether you are looking for iPhone app developers or iOS or cross-platform developers, you find all the experts at one place. Moreover, development companies maintain a standard of services that require them to keep up-to-the-minute tools, licenses, certificates, and software. This saves you from falling into legal pitfalls. 

3. Round the Clock Team Availability:

Hiring a developer from a random freelance portal can be a risky affair. There may be times when they don’t have the availability of time due to health or personal issues. On the contrary, remote companies make sure developers are dedicatedly working on your project, and there is someone to attend you whenever you need assistance or support. So, you can reach out to them, any time of the day. 

4. Security and Reliability:

There may be a case when freelancers stop connecting with you maybe because they are unable to complete your project. This leads to a huge loss as they have confidential information about your company. Best app development companies are conscious of their security standards, and for this reason, they ensure that the client data and application is highly protected. 

Your in-house team has to be oriented trained and might take a little amount of time to get settled. On the other hand, the app development company is all set to start yours as soon as the project is given into the experienced hands. 

Considerations Before You Hire the Developers:

Now that you got the idea about the cost of developers from different countries to take care of the following considerations before you hire the developer:

Your business app will certainly serve as a door for your ideas to become viable and tangible. If you have a business and want to create an app from scratch, the initial step is to define your app development requirements.

1. Prepare an App Requirement Document/Brief

You want your mobile app developer to be a part of the design, coding, APIs, testing, and back-end integrations. Hire mobile developers who are experienced having an understanding of design aspects like UI & UX and actual programming. Whether it is all about API integration or coding in a specific cross-platform network.

Describe the project requirement in detail to Indian developer and get an accurate price and time estimate. Preparing an app requirement document also means that it is creating a job description. 

Benefits of Clearly Defining the Requirements:

• Clear goals and objectives
• Better understanding
• To have a better estimate of time, cost and resources
• To ensure the quality end-result

Requirements are the compass for the project to consider before setting sail. You have to ensure the mobile app developers start off in the right direction, and there is a good chance that the project will end up in the right place. 

For each requirement that you jot down for the mobile app developer:

• Use clear, simple and concise language
• Use easily understood terminology
• Explicitly state the need
• Have on interpretation
• Use direct active statements
• Express one idea per statement
• Articulate a unique

Establish the project requirement in as much detail as possible so that the developer gets a clear picture of what you expect from him. Make sure to Include these Details in the Requirement definition:

• Your Company’s Information: Provide background information and a brief history of your company to let the developer get a better understanding of your business. Tell them about your products. Include the links to your website, referenced and any other material that might be useful. Give your company’s email address, phone number and whatever you feel is required. 
• Project Scope: What the project is all about? How it will help the customers. Do you need a corporate identity kit? Describe the development and design work to be done.

2. Mobile Platform

Characterize what type of app you need: iOS, Android, both or cross-platform. Your choice is critical because every platform entails a different development approach.

If you want to have a good performance, native mobile app development is the best choice. When you are building an MVP and want to launch a basic product quickly, consider cross-platform. 

Tell the development team how you want your app to be released in the app store. If you don’t have an account in the app store, notify your developer and they will help you to create one.

3. Define Technical Requirements

Selecting the right mobile app platform is just the beginning. Consider all the system needs of your app and mention the same in the document. All the technical requirements are directly related to your features and target audience. 

4. Mobile App Functionality

Analyze all the required features like push notifications, geolocation acceptance, payment gateway integration, and social media platforms. 

You may also have plans to monetize your app. As per your monetization strategy, developers will have some features. You may add advertising support, registration and authorization and access to in-app purchases or additional premium subscription.  

Also, specify what type of content you prefer for the future: video, animation, RSS. It is always good to describe in brief all the features you want to get embedded in the app so that the developer has an idea of what you expect from him.

5. Mobile App Design Specification

You can add information which is crucial for the user interface. If you have the flowchart, provide it to the developer in the PSD file. If you are clueless regarding the design, discuss with the developer and your collaboration will create amazing products. 

In addition to all these, mention the below-mentioned points as well in brief:

The Target Audience: The mobile app developer should know which section of people you are aiming for. 

Deadlines and Milestones: Specify the timeline in brief itself. 

List Stakeholders: Name the people you’d like the developer should contact.

The app requirement document acts as a roadmap for the development team. It displays the work direction and specific goals you want to achieve. 

Now, as you have laid out project specifications, here are the additional factors that can affect the cost.  

The App Development Platform:

You are looking for Android, iOS, Windows, cross-platform development, or hybrid apps? The development platform affects the cost to hire an app developer because of many reasons. 

• First and foremost, having a native app binds you to a specific platform. You create a codebase that is for the mobile platform exclusively. Developing a mobile application for different operating system adds up the timeline, budget of the project.
• Secondly, if you wish to own an app business app that runs on multiple platforms, you choose from hybrid or cross-platform options that are available. Having one version for all the devices helps you save time and money. Furthermore, it is easier to update the app whenever required.

Recommended Read: Choosing the Best Technology Stack for Mobile Apps

Mobile App Features

Laying out the features of the app helps you determine deliverables, phases, and the total time it will take to complete the project. The complete development time may range from one to six months depending on the designs, integrations, and other features. 

Additional Categories that Influence the Cost to Hire an App developer:

1. Simple Apps: Built with drop-down menus and templates

Estimated building time: 100 hours

2. Database Supported App: Data sorted on database/server integration and employs a BaaS

Estimated development time: 190 hours

3. Gaming App: Built for single and multiplayer

Estimated development time: 500 hours

4. Enterprise App: Business integration and data stored on the device

Estimated time: 230 hours plus

With this, you must have got the estimate of the app developer cost per hour.

Here are the Types of App you can Create while Hiring a Developer:

• Utility
• Entertainment
• Games
• News
• Productivity
• Lifestyle
• Social networking 

How to Hire a Mobile App Developer?

While accessing through the portfolio and resume of the developer, you should also study the creativity they imbibe within themselves. Checklist before hiring iOS and Android app developers!

Luckily there is no shortage of app developers across the globe. You will get the required skill set and experience as per your company’s requirements. So before you begin, take care of the important principles you should stick to:

1. Understand the Basics

Know what programming languages are used to develop mobile apps. Don’t dive deep but have a basic idea about the platform. At the same time, be aware of your target audience. The app complexity determines the language of code used. A good mobile app development company will discuss your project and tell which platform and style would work for you. 

2. Check the Experience:

No one wants to hire someone who is a fresher just passed out of the university with no experience. It is natural for you to look for an experienced mobile app developer or company. You are also free to ask for a portfolio, samples of the code, and the details of the work they have previously done in this field. 

3. Evaluate Creativity:

As a business owner, you will like your app to stand out from others. Therefore, innovation plays a major part in choosing the app developer. Your interpersonal and communication skills come to the forefront here. Look for a developer or development company that is ready to walk the extra mile along with you. This certainly helps in building up a tremendous rapport. 

4. Payment Terms:

Before creating the mobile app, you would have your budget in mind. After reading the complete article, you must have got an idea about the estimated amount the developer or the development company would charge. Does it synchronize with your budget? It is always better to clarify things beforehand.

Make sure the company doesn’t have hidden costs or other issues like an additional cost for developing the security system. Remember the cheapest option is not the best. Quality always comes with some cost, so never compromise on quality standards. To avoid conflicts later, sign a brief contract and NDA with your team of developers.

5. Communicate Project Requirements:

If the app developers perform well during the interview, don’t forget to guide him to your business needs. A dedicated mobile app development team or company knows exactly how to design and develop apps, but they have no idea about your business and customers. Therefore, it is important to communicate regarding business and also your competitors. If you feel there a few applications you look up to, let them now.

Note: It is important to know that a well-rounded mobile app developer should be aware of front-end and back-end design and development. 

iOS Developer for iOS App Development:

The main requirement of an iOS developer is the knowledge of programming languages like Object C and Swift and have to be proficient in the following:

• XCode
• Cocoa & Cocoa Touch
• Apple UIKit Framework
• Appcelerator Titanium
• Table View
• Key-Value Coding 
• Auto Layout Element
• View Controllers
• Storyboard

Recommended Read: A Complete Guide to Hire iOS Developers

Android Developer for Android App Development:

The main requirement for an Android developer is the knowledge of Java, Scala, and Kotlin. Other requirements include:

• XML
• Android Studio 
• Android SDK
• API
• SQL
• Material Design
• Native Script
• Flutter
• Litho

Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring a Developer:

1. Where can I find your previously developed apps?

2. What team size companies have you worked with? 

3. What types of mobile apps have you developed?

4. Do you have a good understanding of the business and target audience?

5. How you plan to enhance design & user experience in an app?

6. Can you give a list of your current and previous clients?

7. What platform are you most comfortable in?

8. Can you handle app testing?

9. Do you have a developer account?

10. How will you ensure my app will be secure from hackers?

11. What quality assurance process you follow?

12. Can you recommend any additional feature for the app?

13. When will you be able to submit the app on the app store?

14. Do you believe in signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement?

Parting Thoughts

A mobile app is definitely a standard component of your business today and tomorrow. 

Before diving headlong into mobile app development, consider all the aforementioned factors, and then make the final move. Associating with experienced and leading mobile app development company can prove to be very helpful as it will provide you with comprehensive and detailed blueprints of the entire project.  

We hope the article has given you an idea of how much will it cost to hire a mobile app developer. If you want to have a quote of your mobile app development, contact Your Team In India Now!

 

This blog has been originally posted on Your Team in India.