Hiring the best mobile app developer is key to turning your billion-dollar app idea into a full-fledged product. However, the cost implication may seem overwhelming.
A startup trying to launch its initial mobile application or a business organization seeking to improve its online presence ought to have an understanding of what they are likely to incur to make good financial plans.
This blog post will disclose major cost drivers when hiring mobile app developers. They include location among others helping you make a well-informed decision that will enable successful investment in your app development journey.
Factors That Affect The Cost of Hiring Mobile App Developers
1. Developer’s Location
The geographical location of mobile app developers significantly affects the hiring cost rate. In North America and Western Europe, developers usually charge between $100 and $200 per hour. While in countries like Ukraine, India, and Brazil the cost can go between $30-$80 per hour. However, the cost savings in hiring developers from these regions should be balanced with quality of work and communication efficiency.
2. Experience and Expertise
The number of years that any programmer has been working or their level of skill can make a huge difference in how much one gets paid for doing certain things. On average junior developers (1-3-year experience) charge less than experienced professionals with middle or senior levels ($100 per hour). On one hand, investing in skilled ones or hire dedicated app developers with specialized skills may charge you additionally.
3. Type Of App And Complexity
The cost of hiring developers is directly linked to the complexity of the mobile application you are developing. Applications with basic functionality such as news readers or calculators require less time for development which means they cost less money in terms of resources invested.
Said differently; simple app ideas involve fewer features than complex ones do. Simple apps like these only need a few development hours hence they are cheaper. On the other hand, more advanced ones include such things as e-commerce platforms, social networking, or AR/VR integrated applications among others which require specific expertise for proper completion hence expensive. Costs for such applications can range from $10,000 for an average program up to $100,000 depending on its complexity.
4. Platform Choice
The choice between developing an application on iOS, Android, or both affects the amount of money one has to pay for it. In general, developing for one platform costs less because fewer resources are consumed by the process.
However, if you decide to use cross-platform technologies like Flutter or react native, it might be more beneficial in terms of cost saving in the long run as you create one single codebase that works on multiple platforms. Consequently, it is costlier to develop multiple platforms at once yet can attract customers in the future leading to higher revenue growth.
5. Freelancers vs. Agencies
Freelance developers are usually cheaper than agencies with hourly rates ranging from $30 up to $150 based on the level of expertise and location. These individuals provide more flexible terms and conditions when compared to big companies which is why they should only be chosen for small-scale projects or businesses having limited funds available for this purpose.
However, in big and complicated projects, hiring an agency may be a better option from the list of top sites to hire mobile app developers. Generally, the cost of hiring agencies is much higher which can go up to $300 per hour but they do provide design developing project management post-launch support among others which ensure a smooth development cycle.
6. Hidden Costs and Maintenance
It is important to consider other expenses related to maintaining applications over time beyond just the initial development costs such as updating or fixing bugs in the app. Typically maintenance costs about 15-20% annually of what was initially spent developing your live app.
So, What is the Cost of Hiring Mobile App Developers?
The cost to hire mobile app developers may go between $50-$200 per hour. But you should also keep in mind that the cost of hiring mobile app developers varies significantly based on several factors including location, experience, the complexity of the app, and whether you hire freelancers or agencies. This table provides a clear view of the different cost factors involved in hiring mobile app developers.
Category | Cost (Per Hour) |
Freelancers | |
- Junior Developers (1-3 years) | $30 - $80 |
- Mid-Level Developers (3-5 years) | $50 - $120 |
- Senior Developers (5+ years) | $80 - $150+ |
By Region | |
- North America | $100 - $200+ |
- Western Europe | $80 - $150 |
- Eastern Europe | $30 - $70 |
- India and Southeast Asia | $20 - $50 |
- Latin America | $40 - $80 |
Final Thoughts
In the end, the cost of hiring mobile app developers is very important because it helps one make informed choices based on their financial ability and the goals of the company. The freelancer agency or in-house team can give you some difficult times in terms of decision-making about cost over quality. But, considering the above factors and estimation you can make a good decision.
Comments