How Much Does It Cost To Hire An App Developer?

Planning to develop an on-demand app that will disrupt the service market or have a unique idea that you are sure the world has never seen before?

In either case, there’s one thing common in all app development scenarios.

You need to hire dedicated developers.

This begs the question “How much does it cost to hire an app developer?”

On average app developer’s hourly rate is between $20 and $150 per hour. But it totally depends on the complexity of the project, the developer’s experience, the type of app you are developing, and so on.

Calculating the total cost to hire app developers and build an app can be a pretty big headache

Understanding, Cost To Hire App Developers

So, how much does it cost to hire an app developer or a dedicated development team?

Well, figuring out the cost to hire an app developer is a little more complex than app development cost estimation.

The average cost of hiring app developers ranges from $20 to $150 per hour (app developer hourly rate).

Now, this depends on a lot of factors covering everything from the experience of the developer, and their location to your project idea, complexity, and type of app you are developing. In fact, that’s what makes it so hard to calculate a developer’s hiring cost.

With this out of the way, apply this formula:

Estimated Cost = Total Development Time (hours) x Average Developer Rate (hourly)

For this, you first need to draw an outline of the app development project, what you want to develop, the platform, the tech stack, and so on. Then get an app development time estimate.

So, considering the average cost to hire an app developer is between $20 and $150, with a development time estimate being around 3-4 months, you can expect to pay app development cost between $10,000 and $150,000.

However, to accurately apply this formula, you should first understand the factors.

Therefore, let’s discuss the different factors that affect the cost of hiring an app developer in detail in the section below.

Developer Team Structure & Associated Cost

Before we move forward with anything else, let’s look at the team structure required to develop a mobile app.

In other words, these are the mobile app developers, designers, managers, and analysts involved along with the cost to hire dedicated developers.

This is, as mentioned below:

With this out of the way, it’s time to look at the different ways to hire mobile application developers and how it affects the cost.

Outsourcing vs In-House (vs Augmentation): Cost to Hire Developers by Hiring Model

The first thing you need to do is find an app developer.

And that’s where the biggest factor that affects cost to hire mobile app developers comes in, the hiring model.

As is common knowledge, there are various ways to hire app developers.

Namely, outsourcing to app development company, assembling in-house team, or staff augmentation if you have an existing development team.

Let’s see, how these compare:cost to hire mobile app developer

A] Outsourcing to App Development Company| $30 – $50 Per Hour | $32,000 – $100,000

Let’s start with the most popular method, outsourcing.

Here’s how it works: development outsourcing is when you hand over the development work to an on-shore or off-shore company that specializes in development.

Since outsourcing often involves working with companies with established teams, you can expect rates towards the higher end of the range.

App developer’s hourly rate when outsourcing app development ranges between $30 and $50 per hour. So, for the sake of simplicity, let’s assume the average cost to hire app developers here is $40 per hour.

• Development Time

This depends on the project’s complexity. To illustrate, let’s consider two scenarios:

• • Simple App (3-6 months): Assuming a 4-month development time (160 hours/month x 4 months = 640 hours).
  • Complex App (9+ months): Assuming a 12-month development time (160 hours/month x 12 months = 1920 hours).

• Estimated Development Cost

  • Simple App: Total development time (hours) x Hourly Rate = 640 hours * $40/hour = $25,000
  • Complex App: Total development time (hours) x Hourly Rate = 1920 hours * $40/hour = $76,000

But always keep in mind, more important than finding an outsourcing is, finding the right outsourcing partner.

And that’s where Nimble AppGenie comes in. With over 700 projects and 95% client satisfaction, we have what it takes to deliver the next best.

B] Assembling In-House Team| $40 – $70 Per Hour | $32,000 – $100,000

It’s time to look at a lucrative yet expensive way to acquire a development team, but beware, the estimated cost of hiring app developers might show you.

Here’s the catch: You might be able to find developers at slightly lower rates than outsourcing companies, but there are additional overhead costs to consider.

Let’s assume an average base rate of $50 per hour, with a 20% overhead cost for factors like office space, equipment, and benefits (adjusted rate = $50 * 1.2 = $60 per hour).

• Development Time

  • Simple App (3-6 months): Assuming a 4-month development time (160 hours/month x 4 months = 640 hours).
  • Complex App (9+ months): Assuming a 12-month development time (160 hours/month x 12 months = 1920 hours).

• Estimated Development Cost

  • Simple App: Total development time (hours) x Adjusted Hourly Rate = 640 hours * $60/hour = $38,400
  • Complex App: Total development time (hours) x Adjusted Hourly Rate = 1920 hours * $60/hour = $115,000.

Also Read: In-house vs. Outsourced

C] Staff Augmentation | $20 To $30 Per Hour

Lastly, we have staff augmentation.

Here’s how it works: when you have a development team, but lack specific skills or need a helping hand. You can hire dedicated experts via augmentation.

Now, the app developer hourly rate under staff augmentation is $20–$40/hr.

To get more info on this, it’s advised that you consult a development firm that provides staff augmentation services.

Now that we are done with this, it’s time to look at the different factors that affect the cost estimation of hiring app developers and how it actually works in the next section.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Hiring App Developers

Now, it’s time to look at the factors that affect the cost to hire mobile app developers.

Understanding these factors is a big part of understanding the estimated cost of hiring app developers at a greater level.

That’s why, we shall be discussing each point in detail.

Let’s get right into it:

1. Experience

One of the most important factors when calculating the cost of hiring a mobile application developer is experience.

As a general rule of thumb, the more experienced a developer is the more they charge. and that’s a good thing, the reason being that experienced developers deliver quality, and consistency, and maintain communication.

Speaking of which, let’s look at how it affects the average cost of hiring app developers:

Now that we are done with experience, it’s time to look at another big factor.

2. Complexity

Whether you want to estimate cost to hire android app developer or cost to hire react native app developer, this factor highly affects the same.

We are talking about, Complexity.

It is big factors that highly affect cost to hire mobile app developer.

How? Well, the more complex an app is, the more development time it requires along with more experienced developers, giving us overall higher cost.

Here’s an easy-to-understand version of the same:

In the world of app development, the most expensive app ever developed is said to be Apple’s “Siri,” which cost over $200 million to develop. While not all apps require such an investment, having a clear cost estimation helps in planning and allocating resources efficiently.

3. Tech Stack

Tech stack, for those who don’t know, refers to programming languages, frameworks, toolkits, and all the other technologies used in app development.

Now, every developer specializes in their own tech stack combination.

Let’s look at a few popular ones and costs associated with hiring developers. These are, as mentioned below:

This clearly shows how and why the cost to hire AngularJS developer is so different from, let’s say, the cost to hire a blockchain developer.

Now that we are done with the different tech stack and associated cost estimation of hiring app developers, let’s move to the next big factor…

4. Location

If you have ever planned to hire a developer or consulted them, you may have noticed cost to hire app developers highly differs throughout the world.

Why? There are various reasons behind it, from standard of living to local currency, demand, and so on.

Speaking of which, let’s look at how much it costs to hire an app developer at different locations.

The very first app ever downloaded from the Apple App Store was “The Fancy Brick,” a simple game that did…well, nothing fancy. But it marked the beginning of a mobile app revolution!

5. Skills

As it turns out, Skills also highly affect the total price.

And this is a constant, whether you are figuring out the cost to hire iOS developers or even the cost to hire NodeJS developers.

In any case, here’s how it works:

6. Type of App

The market is filled with various forms of mobile app development.

Covering everything from on-demand apps to more stoic fintech apps, the market is filled with app ideas.

When you are hiring an app developer, the cost to do so will highly depend on the app type. The reason is that different types of apps require different technologies and skill sets.

In any case, an estimate of the cost to develop different types of apps is, as mentioned below:

Hidden Factors Affecting Cost to Hire App Developers

Apart from the factors that we discussed above, there are several hidden factors that most definitely add to the total cost of hiring mobile application developers.

So, here are these hidden factors.

• Onboarding Expenses

Apart from the initial cost to hire an expert app developer, you should also expect, additional charges.

Bringing a new developer onto a project isn’t just about their salary or hourly rate.

Onboarding involves training and the time it takes for them to get up to speed with your project’s specific requirements, coding standards, and team dynamics.

This period of reduced productivity can be a hidden cost.

• Equipment and Software Licenses

Depending on the arrangement, you might need to provide the app developer with the necessary hardware and software to get the job done.

This includes computers, smartphones for app testing, and any specialized software or tools that are critical for development.

Licensing fees for development environments, databases, and other tools can add up quickly.

• Team Integration and Collaboration Tools

Lastly, we have development and collaboration tools.

You see, effective collaboration in software development projects is crucial. And this often requires specialized tools for version control, task management, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and communication.

While some of these tools have free tiers, more comprehensive or enterprise-level features come at a cost.

In addition to this, the effort to integrate a new developer into your team’s workflow and get them acquainted with your tools and processes can also incur hidden costs to hire an app developer.

Believe it or not, in 2008, an ape named Bubbles created the first app by accidentally arranging icons on an iPad left in her enclosure. While the app wasn’t functional, it proves anyone can be an app developer…sort of.

How To Hire the Right Mobile App Developers?

Now, that we are done with the cost of hiring app developers, it’s time to learn,

“How to hire the right app developers?”

There are a lot of considerations and things to keep in mind when doing so. And here we shall be going through exactly that.

Let’s get started with the first step:

1. Define Your Project Requirements

• Clearly outline your app’s concept, goals, and functionalities.
• Determine the platforms (iOS, Android, cross-platform) your app will support.
• Consider any specific technologies or frameworks (e.g., React Native, Flutter) you prefer.

2. Look for Relevant Experience

• Seek developers with experience in building similar apps or working within your industry.
• Review their portfolio to assess the quality and scope of their previous projects.

3. Evaluate Technical Skills

• Ensure the candidates are proficient in the necessary programming languages (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android, etc.).
• Look for experience with relevant development tools, platforms, and methodologies.

4. Consider Soft Skills and Compatibility

• Communication skills are vital for understanding requirements and providing updates.
• Evaluate their problem-solving abilities and creativity.
• Consider their ability to work within your team’s culture and workflow.

5. Check References and Reviews

• Contact previous clients or employers to inquire about their experience working with the developer.
• Look for feedback on their professionalism, reliability, and the quality of their work.

6. Discuss and Define the Collaboration Model

• Decide whether you need a freelancer, a full-time employee, or a development agency.
• Discuss and agree on the terms of engagement, including timelines, milestones, payment terms, and confidentiality agreements.

7. Plan for Effective Communication

• Establish regular check-ins and updates to monitor progress.
• Use project management and communication tools to facilitate collaboration.

8. Test Their Skills and Compatibility

• Consider giving a small test project or task related to your app idea to evaluate their skills in a practical context.
• Observe their problem-solving approach, adherence to deadlines, and ability to incorporate feedback.

9. Understand the Total Cost

• Beyond hourly rates or project fees, consider the total cost of engagement, including any additional expenses for tools, licenses, or special requirements.

10. Prepare for Long-Term Engagement

• Think about the app’s lifecycle beyond the initial launch, including updates, maintenance, and support.
• Consider whether the developer or team can provide long-term support and their availability for future projects.

Nimble AppGenie – Hire Dedicated Developers

Do you want to hire mobile app developers?

Finding the right app development partner at the right cost can be a daunting task. But what if we told you can have the best of both worlds?

Nimble AppGenie, a market-leading mobile app development company lets you hire expert, experienced, and professional app developers at optimal rates.

We are recognized as one of the best in the world by platforms like Clutch.co, TopDevelopers, DesignRush, GoodFirms, and many more.

With over 700+ projects, we drive 95% client satisfaction. The best part is, we have been doing this for over 7 years.

So, if you are looking for a team of dedicated and experienced developers, we have got you covered.

Conclusion

The cost to hire an app developer varies widely based on factors like project complexity, developer experience, location, and specific skills. Rates range from $20 to $150 per hour, with total costs influenced by project scope and collaboration model. Choosing the right hiring approach and understanding hidden costs are key to successful app development.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.