How Much Does It Cost To Hire App Developers?

In today’s era of cut-throat online competition, having a mobile app is no longer an option but a necessity for businesses. Not only do mobile apps help businesses grow, but they also help boost their brand visibility. With that said, while mobile app development has become essential for businesses around the globe, navigating the world of app development pricing can be confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with the diverse range of services and their associated costs.

Regardless of the budget, everyone wants to find a cost-effective option that keeps quality high. Generally, hiring a mobile app developer will cost you around $20-$150 per hour, whether you go for a freelance app developer or a mobile app development company. Simple mobile apps typically cost $10,000 to $50,000, while moderately complex apps range from $30,000 to $150,000. The final cost of the mobile app depends upon its complexity. 

Needless to say, app development is a complex process, and creating a successful app can burn a hole in your pocket without proper cost estimation. Besides, many business owners get confused and ask themselves, “How much does it cost to hire an app developer?”

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty and understand the cost of hiring an app developer and all the factors that go into it.

How to Calculate Hourly Rate

Whether you want to create a mobile app from scratch or improve an existing application, calculating the hourly rate of the mobile app developer is vital. To calculate the hourly rate for hiring a mobile app developer, you must first determine the number of working hours in a single day, which varies from freelancer to full-time. There is no definite number of working hours for a freelance mobile app developer, but for a full-time mobile app developer, it is defined as 8 hours. To get the hourly rate, you must multiply the total number of working hours by the total number of working days in a year to get a realistic estimate of the cost of hiring a mobile app developer. After that, you must divide the total salary by the number you have got. 
Suppose a mobile app developer makes approximately $110,375. To find the actual hourly rate, you need to divide this figure by 2008 (8*251=2008, where 8= working hours in a day and 251= number of working days in a year). The resulting hourly rate is approximately $54.96.

How the Mobile App Developer Price is Composed

In today’s digital age, having a mobile app for your business can largely boost your brand visibility and recognition. However, hiring a developer to build a mobile application comes with its own set of expenses. 

Generally, a mobile app developer’s cost depends on two factors: 

• Hourly Rate
• Total Development Time. 

Here’s the formula for calculating the total mobile app development cost 

 Hourly Rate X Development Time = App Development Cost.

Let’s calculate the cost of hiring an app developer. If the hourly rate of a developer is $30 and they can complete a project in 180 hours, the total cost would be $5,400. On the other hand, if an app developer charges $40 and it takes them around 120 hours to complete the project, the total cost would be $4,800. Needless to say, the cost of hiring an app developer will not always be higher if developers charge a higher hourly rate.

The Cost of Hiring a Mobile App Developer

In today’s digital landscape, understanding app developer costs is essential for businesses seeking to engage customers and enhance their services through mobile applications. The cost of hiring a mobile app developer can vary significantly based on several factors that businesses must consider when planning their app development strategies. These factors ensure that the cost of hiring an app developer is not a one-size-fits-all figure but rather a flexible calculation that aligns with specific business needs and goals. 

Let’s explore some of the elements that influence the cost of hiring an app developer.

Experience Level

Experience in any type of craft is a vital tool that an individual can possess, and mobile app development is no exception. Even though experienced developers may charge a higher price, the codes and the mobile app that they will deliver will be of superior quality. Junior developers complete the same job with less money, but it takes more time to complete the application. Furthermore, developers with mid-level experience charge an average amount.

According to Indeed, the hourly cost breakdown on the basis of experience level is as follows.

Regions

In addition to the experience of the app developers, where your app development is done can also have a significant impact on the cost. Developers living in higher economies and having higher standards of living define the app development fees they charge. For example, the annual salary for a mobile app developer in the USA is about $90,000, while the annual salary for an app developer living in India is around $6,500.

Here, the annual salary of mobile app developers from major economies is listed.

Platform Used

When it comes to building a mobile app, choosing a platform can drastically affect the cost of hiring a mobile app developer. Building an application for different platforms requires distinct skill sets, including various programming languages, frameworks, and software technologies. For instance, developers use Coroutine, Kotlin, and clean architecture for an Android App, while iOS developers are well-versed in Swift, Redux, and MVVM. 

The diversity in the skill set required for different mobile app development also defined the pricing and development time. The cost of hiring mobile app developers is also based on the platform on which your mobile app is built. Here, you can find the cost variation based on the platform.

The cost of cross-platform development is higher than that of both iOS and Android mobile app development, as cross-platform mobile apps can work effectively on both platforms and are best suited to cater to users of both types of mobile operating systems. If you are building a mobile app for iOS and Android and want to incorporate native features, it will cost you a huge amount of money. However, you can opt for cross-platform development. Cross-platform apps are cost-effective and ideal for launching your MVP.

How App Developers Calculate Their Rates

When it comes to billing a client for app development, developers employ various types of billing methods, each suitable for different types of mobile apps. To get the best rates when hiring a mobile app developer, it’s essential to understand the different billing models they use. Some developers are flexible, while others are rigid, and you anticipate the cost for the whole project.

There are basically three prominent billing models that app developers usually employ, and they are as follows:

Hourly Rates

One of the most common billing models employed by app developers is hourly billing, where developers charge based on the work done on app design, coding, or performing any task. On an average mobile app developers charge around $30- $75 /hr. 

The advantage of this kind of billing is that you can change the project requirements and monitor the work progress in a timely manner. However, this billing doesn’t facilitate estimating the final cost of development.

Project Based

Do you want more control over app development costs? Well, then look for app developers who offer a fixed price for the entire app development project. In this method, you need to provide all the requirements and specifications of the mobile app, and they will assess your project requirements, analyze them, and propose a fee for the whole project. This model helps customers to have better control over development costs.

The disadvantage of this project-based approach is that you can’t change the requirements during the project, and the developer can take a longer time to map out the whole development process and provide a quote. Furthermore, specifying your requirements becomes important, and you have to specify all the details of your projects clearly. Otherwise, this will lead to revising the road map for the development and will ultimately increase the development cost. If you want to make out the best from a fixed-price billing model, use it for smaller projects where you can define all the requirements and specifications clearly and easily.

Retainer Agreements

Whether you are building an app that requires continuous updates or changes in the features, hiring an app developer on a retainer basis will be your best bet. 

The retainer approach is somewhat similar to hiring a mobile app developer on a full-time basis for a fixed period of time. You have full control over the cost, and you can adjust the requirements from time to time. This also provides stability for your project and helps to control all the operations in a timely manner.

Key factors that Affect App development costs

From payment gateway development costs to app maintenance costs, there are a number of factors that affect the cost of hiring an app developer. To save some bucks, you need to understand these factors more carefully. Here are seven factors that you must consider when hiring an app developer.

Type of Platform

Whether you want to build your mobile app on iOS, Android, or Cross-Platform, each will require a different set of skills, languages, structure, and testing processes. This completely changes the cost of building an app and ultimately affects the cost of hiring a mobile app developer. Developing a mobile app for both platforms or cross-platforms will increase costs because it requires expertise in different languages, testing procedures, and feature integration.

Technical Skills and Specializations

It goes without saying that building an app requires different skill sets, and some are more in demand than others. Most developers are proficient in commonly used tech stacks, such as Java, React, and Python. However, it’s harder to find developers skilled in emerging or niche technologies, such as AI, blockchain, and fintech. So, be prepared to pay more when hiring talents that are in short supply.

Features and Complexity of App

Generally, apps can range from simple, single-purpose tools to complex, multifunctional platforms. The complexity of an app’s functionality, such as integrating various features or requiring real-time data synchronization, directly impacts the development cost. Apps with complex features, intricate backend integration, intuitive design, and real-time data processing will incur higher app development costs.  

You can manage the cost by conducting a thorough analysis of all the potential features, important integration points, and design intricacies during the early stages of planning. This helps you to build an app that truly defines your business requirements with all the important features.

Timeline for Development

One of the major factors affecting the cost of hiring a mobile app developer is the timeline for completing the development process. Furthermore, the total number of working hours required for the project can significantly increase the cost of mobile app development. If your mobile app requires complex features, intriguing designs, and user-friendly interfaces, it will take a lot of time in the development, design, and testing phases. On the other hand, if you need a basic app, it will take little to no time to develop. 

Needless to say, the longer the mobile app development takes, higher the cost of hiring a mobile app developer and vice-versa.
Also Read: How Long Does it Take to Build a Mobile App?

Team Size and Composition of Developers

The size of the team and the constitution of the developer also affect the cost of hiring a mobile app developer. A team with large members specializing in different skill sets will cost you more; on the other hand, an individual developer or a small team will save you some bucks in the beginning but will take time to complete the project. However, a team with large members will smooth the development process and complete the mobile app in a shorter time with efficient and quality code.

Communication and Project Management

Without a doubt, a crucial factor that can affect the cost of hiring a mobile app developer is making sure you properly communicate the project requirements and manage the project with utmost care and perfection. You must have proper tools and communication channels to share the details of the project on time and avoid delays. 
Lack of communication occurs when there is a language barrier and you are unable to properly define your requirements to the developers. This ultimately leads to a lack of project management and increases the cost of app development.

Support and Additional Services

Maintenance is pivotal for ensuring the smooth functioning of an application, involving checking for bugs, security threats, and overall performance. While implementing excellent security measures may impact the pricing of app development, it ensures the safety of user data, which is of utmost priority. This step sometimes takes time, but if your developers are highly skilled, the high-quality code will avoid delays. Developers can also offer an upfront price for additional services and support on a fixed price basis, a retainer agreement, or hourly rates. You can opt for the best possible model and manage the cost overall.

Also Read: 20 Best Mobile App Development Companies in the United States (USA)

How to Estimate The Cost of Hiring an App Developer: 4 Key Steps

No matter what type of mobile application you use, its associated expenses will likely change throughout its life cycle. While you may not be able to predict final expense requirements, an accurate cost estimation can help you prepare for any changes or unexpected costs. Listed below are the five key steps that you can follow to minimize the cost of hiring a mobile app developer.

Step 1: Describe Project Scope

When it comes to estimating the cost of hiring an app developer, make sure you properly define the project scope, including the type of app you want to craft and listing down the features your app includes. This makes the development process free of confusion, avoids unnecessary delays, and ensures successful and timely completion. 

Step 2: Find a Suitable App Developer

Once you have defined the project scope, you need to find an app developer who fits your requirements and has suitable skill sets. A mobile app developer with expertise and experience will take less time and deliver quality solutions on time compared to entry-level developers who need time to meet the requirements and start the project.

Step 3: Analyze the Portfolio and Reviews

Online reviews are a great way to learn about the quality of services that a mobile app developer offers. Before choosing an app developer, browse the Internet and go through all the reviews that you come across. Furthermore, you should also look for forums and dig deeper into these forums to find information that will not always come up in search engines. This will help you gain a better idea of the developer’s capabilities and the time taken to complete the project.

Step 4: Choose a Suitable Pricing Model

Finally, select a pricing model that best suits your mobile app development requirements. This step will help you control the project’s price and manage the app development process. Furthermore, you can choose the best pricing model for your app development, from an hourly rate to a fixed rate.

Hidden Costs of Hiring in-house App Developers

While creating a mobile app is an essential aspect of establishing any business today as part of a comprehensive strategy for acquiring customers both online and offline, many business owners make the mistake of hiring in-house developers and end up spending a fortune. While paying a salary might seem more economical than outsourcing to an app development company,  unforeseen expenses can add up quickly, leading to financial strain and, in many cases, leading to the full potential of the mobile app as a branding, sales, and marketing tool not being realized. 
Read on to find out the hidden costs that are always associated with hiring an app developer, and you must be aware of them.

Expenses During Onboarding

Did you know that onboarding an app developer may cost you around $1000-$5,000? You will also have to provide all the necessary details and requirements for your project, and they will also require training before truly starting the project. After the project requirements are stated carefully, they will need time to assimilate and analyze the whole scenario. This whole process consumes time and money.

Cost of Equipment

Unlike collaborating with an outsourcing partner, you need to provide your developers with a computer, workspace, infrastructure, and software development tools. However, this makes the whole process much more capital-intensive and ultimately increases the cost of developing a mobile application.

Cost for Project Management

Let’s face it, no matter how experienced and skilled developers you hire for your app development project, you will be responsible for ensuring they collaborate efficiently. You also need to invest in supporting staff and data security. These additional investments will ultimately increase the cost of your app development.

Cost of Hiring an Android App Developer vs. an iOS App Developer vs. a Cross-Platform App Developer

Whether you want to develop a native app for iOS or Android or want to build a cross-platform application, the cost associated with them can differ significantly. This variation impacts the cost of hiring an app developer, as cross-platform mobile apps are increasingly sought after in the market due to their multifunctional capabilities. Let’s compare the costs of different app developers who use platforms like iOS, Android, and Cross-Platform.

Hiring Cost of an Android App Developer

Android App Developers are most proficient in Kotlin or popular Java, Android Studio IDE, and Android SDK. Their hourly rate ranges from $28 to $65, depending on the region and experience level.

Hiring Cost of an iOS App Developer

An iOS app developer’s skill set consists of Swift, Xcode IDE, and Objective-C, and their average hourly rate generally ranges between $34 and $79. This rate is generally higher than that of Android app developers due to higher demand and fewer developers.

Also Read: Five Things You Need to Consider Before Submitting an iOS App to Apple App Store.

Hiring cost of a Cross-Platform Developer

The cross-platform app developers are proficient in React Native and Flutter, which facilitates their creation of apps that run on both Android and iOS operating systems. Hiring cross-platform app developers helps you save money, as you won’t require individual developers for each operating system.

Tips for Hiring App Developers at a Good Cost

With a plethora of mobile app developers flooding the market today, choosing the right one that fits your budget can be a daunting task. Not to mention, you have to take into consideration a number of factors before making the final decision. Read on to find out some tips and tricks for hiring app developers at a good cost.

Select Suitable Hiring Model

One of the major factors that you need to consider for hiring the right app developer at a good cost is making sure you hire a mobile app developer with a suitable pricing model, which helps you control the development process and monitor the progress of your mobile application. Apart from in-house developers, freelance app developers may cost you cheaper, but the projects they deliver sometimes prove to be of poor quality. To tackle this, you can hire a mobile app developer company with a team of expert developers to work on your app, and one such company is APPWRK.

Negotiate the Best Rates

Apart from choosing the right hiring model, you also need to negotiate the best rates when hiring a mobile app developer. Some mobile app developers may seem to be expensive in the beginning, but you can negotiate the price. You can lower the average hourly rate or fixed rate a little by clearly stating your project scope and requirements. This will help you maintain the quality and save you some money as well.

Ensure Quality Within Your Budget

While cost may be high on your priority list when choosing a mobile app developer, make sure your decision is not entirely based on that alone. Check for red flags before you hire a mobile app developer, as sometimes developers with low hourly rates are not able to communicate well in English, which can lead to a lack of communication, ultimately reducing the quality of your app.

Also Read: 15 Steps You Must Take Before Starting Mobile App Development

App Developer Cost by Region

The total cost to create an app is not fixed; it depends on a multitude of important factors, and one of the most influential of these factors is geographical location. If the app developer is, a resident of a developed country or a developing the cost of app development varies drastically. The cost of hiring an app developer living in the US will be higher, but the developer living in India will have a reasonable hourly rate. Let’s explore the cost of hiring a mobile app developer more with each region.

1. Cost to hire app developers in North America

Located in the Northern Hemisphere, the North American region primarily includes Canada and the United States of America. The hourly rate of app developers in Canada is between $31 and $65, whereas in the USA it is $37 and $77.

2. Cost to Hire App Developers in Latin America

Consisting of Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia, the Latin American region is full of highly skilled and seasoned app developers. The cost of hiring an app developer in Brazil is $21–$52/hr; in Argentina, it is $19–$49/hr; in Mexico, it is $18–$60/hr; and in Colombia, it is $18–$50/hr.

3. Cost to Hire App Developers in Western Europe

The Western European countries consist of France, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Ireland. The hourly rate for hiring an app developer in France, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Ireland is $26-$60, $26-$60, $28-$60, $32-$56, $38-$72, and $30-$60, respectively.

4. Cost to Hire App Developers in North Europe

Often referred to as Nordic countries, North Europe consists of Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. The cost of hiring a mobile app developer in Norway is $32-$58/hr, Finland is $30-$52, Sweden is $26-$52, Denmark is $32-$58, and Iceland is $29-$52.

5. Cost to Hire App Developers in South Europe

The South European countries consist of Spain, Portugal, and Italy where you can find a wide array of app developer with the best possible prices. The cost of hiring an app developer varies drastically; in Spain, it is $21-$49/hr, in Portugal it is $19-$48/hr, and in Italy it is $20-$50/hr.

6. Cost to Hire App Developers in Central Europe

The rising market demand for mobile apps has led to a hike in hourly rates in the region of Central Europe, which includes Poland, Serbia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Romania. The hourly rate for hiring an app developer in Poland is $23-$59, Serbia is $20-$50, Hungary is $21-$48, the Czech Republic is $22-$50, and Romania is $22-$50.

7. Cost to Hire App Developers in Eastern Europe

The increasing craze for mobile app development in the Eastern European region, which includes Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, has led to a hike in demand for app developers. This increases the hourly rate in Ukraine to $19- $50, in Belarus to $20- $48, and in Russia to $22- $55.

8. Cost to Hire App Developers in Africa

African countries like Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco are also competing in the mobile app development market with their experienced app developers. The cost of hiring an app developer in Egypt is $13-$38, in Tunisia is $15- $40, and in Morocco is $16- $42.

9. Cost to Hire App Developers in the Middle East

Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, and Israel are experiencing a rise in the mobile app development market. This has led to an increase in the hourly rate for hiring mobile app developers in Saudi Arabia, which is $19-$39; in Turkey, $19-$45; in the UAE, $26-$48; and in Israel, $31-$75.

10. Cost to Hire App Developers in Southeast Asia

Located east of the Indian subcontinent and south of China, South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam are also competing in the mobile app development market. The hourly rate in India is $8-$45, in Philippines is $8-$48, in Singapore is $26-$60, in Vietnam is $10-$40, and in Bangladesh is $8-$38.

11. Cost to Hire App Developers in Eastern Asia

Eastern Asian countries are comprised of developed countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, and they have flourishing app development markets. The cost for hiring app developers in China is $29-$55/hr, in South Korea is $17-$40/hr, and in Japan is $15-$45/hr.

12. Cost to Hire App Developers in Oceania

Together, Australia and New Zealand form the region of Oceania, where mobile app development is rapidly growing. The cost of hiring an app developer in Australia is $33–$65, and in New Zealand, it is $29–$60.

Cost of Hiring Mobile App Developers: Final Thoughts

Building a mobile app can be a significant investment, but the benefits it can bring to your business are worth considering. From improved customer engagement to increased brand visibility and revenue generation, mobile apps have the potential to transform your business. By understanding the average cost of app development, the roles involved in the process, and partnering with a reliable development company, you can turn your app idea into reality and set your business on the path to success in the digital landscape.

Are you thinking of building a mobile application with the latest technological features? At APPWRK IT Solutions, App Development & AI-Driven Digital Transformation, our team of seasoned mobile app developers will help build your mobile app at a reasonable cost with utmost perfection. We are committed to delivering mobile apps that truly define your vision and help your business grow in no time. 

Contact Us today for your exceptional mobile app development project to grow your business exponentially and engage users beyond your reach! 

FAQs

What are the average rates charged by mobile developers?

The average rates charged by mobile developers vary based on multiple factors but generally fall within these ranges:

• Hourly Rates: $18-$39 per hour is a common range for freelance mobile app developers.
• Project-Based Rates: Project costs can range from $5,000 to $500,000 or more, depending on complexity.
• Experience Level: Entry-level developers charge $16-$27 per hour, mid-level developers charge $30-$60 per hour, and senior developers charge $75-$150 per hour.
• Platform: iOS developers typically charge $45,000-$100,000 per project, Android developers $45,000-$120,000, and cross-platform developers $75,000-$150,000.
• Region: North American developers tend to charge $31-$77 per hour, while rates in other regions like Eastern Europe or Asia may be lower.

How much do app developers cost by work format?

You can hire a team of mobile app developers as an in-house or freelance developer. Both of them have their own pros and cons. Freelance developers will cost you less, but the quality of work has no guarantee. On the other hand, house developers will cost you more. The hourly rate of freelance developers ranges from $18 to $60.

How much do app developers cost by level?

The cost of an app developer by their experience level is listed below:

• Entry Level: $16-$27/hour
• Mid-Level: $30-$60/hour
• Senior Level: $75-$150/hour

App Developer Cost by Technology

The cost to develop an app depends on many factors, including the app’s complexity, features, and the platform it’s built for. Here are some estimated costs for different types of apps: 

• Simple Android app: $10,000–$20,000 
• Medium complexity Android app: Up to $50,000 
• High-end feature-intensive complex Android app: Up to $75,000 or more