How Much Does It Cost To Hire Mobile App Developer?

So how much does it cost to hire mobile app developer? Generally, the cost to hire an app developer starts from $25to $150+ per hour. But, being honest at this stage, the answer to this question depends upon multiple factors ranging from the hiring options, the location of the app development team,  the level of competence, their expertise, and skillset. 

In addition to that, the type of app you’re developing and its complexity can deeply influence the cost of creating a mobile application. So if roughly concluding such fact, the average cost to hire a Junior developer in the USA starts from $20 to $40+, while the mid-level mobile app developer can range between $50 to $75+ per hour, whereas the senior app developer in the USA starts from $100 to $150+ per hour.

Above all, if you consider the market survey report of Clutch, the average cost of hiring an app development company on Clutch ranges between $25 to $49 per hour. But if you come to hire a mobile app developer in various locations like the USA, Canada, Australia, UK, and more then it will be ranging from $75 to $150+ per hour. 

So how will you determine the average cost to hire an app developer for your project?

You may have a brilliant app idea to bring to life, but the success of your app majorly depends upon the skills and expertise of your app development that they pour into coding. But it does mean that expensive pricing can assure you that quality. 

As a leading mobile application development company, we compiled the latest information for startups and leading enterprises looking to understand the cost of hiring an app developer. This comprehensive guide will elaborate on various factors impacting pricing and provide you with a clear understanding of the budget you need to set to engage the developer.

Planning to develop an on-demand app that will lead the service market or already sorted out an app idea and looking to hire a mobile app developer? Alcax is here to bring your app idea to life with quality assurance. Let’s connect now for more details!

How To Calculate The Cost To Hire Mobile App Developer?

So how much does it cost to hire an app developer or a dedicated development team? Well, calculating the cost to hire an app developer can be a challenging and complex task especially when you are not aware of the factors that deeply affect the overall pricing. 

Studies claim that the average cost to outsource app developers ranges from $40 to $150+ per hour. But why is there a huge gap between these prices? How has the average cost been calculated?

Well, this is the simple formula to calculate a developer’s hiring cost:

Estimated Cost= Total Development Time (No. Of Hours) X Average Developer Rate  (Hourly)

Now to get the estimation, you need to outline the app development project, what you want to develop, the platform choice, the tech stack, app development team requirements,s and more. And then need an app development time estimate for your project.  

So if we take the average cost to hire an app developer around $20 to $50, with a development time estimation ranging from 3-5 months, then the overall cost to create a mobile application would range between $10,000 to $50,000+. 

However, to accurately apply this formula and decode your project estimations, you need to deeply understand each factor influencing the overall app development cost.

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5 Top Factors Influencing the Cost to Hire Mobile App Developer

When hiring an app developer, various factors come into play that can impact the overall cost. From the app developer’s location to its expertise, app development type to other several variables influence the expenses. So let’s get into each factor to understand how each one can affect the overall cost to hire app developers and let you set the budget.

Factor #1: Cost to Hire App Developer Based on App Type

When determining the cost to hire an app developer, one of the major key factors that deeply influence its hourly cost, is the app type you want to build. Different app types require varying levels of complexity, features, integrations, and expertise which directly affects the cost of hiring a developer and project timeline. Let’s understand the breakdown of the app types and their impact on cost:

• Basic Mobile Apps

Simple apps like calculators, to-do lists, and note-taking apps, are designed with limited features. As they perform basic functionalities, so no complex backend is required. Therefore, hiring a developer for such apps usually involves minimal time and effort and making it an affordable option for investors. You can expect to pay developers anywhere from $7000 to $12,000+ for these types of apps. 

• Data-Driven Applications

Majorly weather apps or new aggregator-type apps fall into this app category, which fetch data from APIs and display it to the users. The average cost to hire an app developer for this app type is a bit high ranging from $35 to $70+ per hour as it requires backend integration, server-side data management, and developers with knowledge of APIs and databases. 

• On-Demand Service Apps

In recent years, on-demand apps have aggressively surged in demand. Whether it be on-demand taxi booking apps or on-demand food delivery apps, various startups are venturing into this app category. However, these apps are more complex, comprehensive, and engaging platforms that require real-time user interaction, GPS tracking, secure payment integration, and multi-platform support. 

So when you hire developers for these app types, you need expertise in user authentication, payment gateway integration, and geo-location services which ultimately impact the cost.

Here is a breakdown of major on-demand app categories and their costs:

App Type	Cost Range	Key Features
On-Demand Food Delivery Apps	$25,000 to $55,000+	User registration, restaurant listing, real-time tracking, multiple payment gateways, reviews & ratings, order history, and push notifications.
On-Demand Grocery Delivery Apps	$18,500 to $35,000+	User profiles, product catalog, search filters, delivery schedules, payment integration, order tracking, promotional offers, and notifications.
On-Demand Home Service Apps	$22,500 to $47,500+	Service provider profiles, booking system, real-time tracking, in-app payments, reviews, service categories, and push notifications.
On-Demand Taxi Booking Apps	$20,000 to $33,000+	GPS-based ride tracking, driver profiles, fare estimation, in-app payments, ride history, SOS button, and rating system.
On-Demand Doctor Appointment Booking Apps	$18,000 to $25,000+	Doctor profiles, appointment scheduling, telemedicine integration, electronic medical records, in-app payments, patient reviews, and reminders.
On-Demand Medicine Delivery Apps	$21,000 to $35,000+	Prescription upload, medication catalog, order tracking, secure payments, reminders, discount offers, customer support, and notifications.

• E-commerce App Development

In the domain of the ecommerce landscape, apps like Amazon, eBay, and Multi-Market online stores are rapidly dominating the market. If you are also looking to hire an e-commerce app development company, then you can expect to pay anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000+ as e-commerce apps involve detailed product catalogs, secure payment gateways, user accounts, and integrated inventory management systems. To create an ecommerce app like Amazon or eBay, you need to hire a developer skilled in security protocol, database management, and designing user-friendly UI/UX of the app. 

• Social Media App Development

Did you know 63% of smartphone users are using any one type of social media app daily and spend an average of 2 hours and 20 minutes? To create a social media app like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, you need to hire a mobile app development company with the expertise of using cross-platform frameworks as these apps provide multi-platform support. Secondly, these apps involve complex user interfaces, real-time messaging, payment gateway integration, and more, which may increase the hourly cost of the developer. 

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Factor #2: The Location of the App Development Team

The geographical location of the app development team plays a significant role in determining the overall cost of hiring app developers. Wondering why there is a gap in the hourly cost of the app developer.

Well, every region has different living costs, market demands, local economic conditions, and competition rates, therefore overall these conditions influence their pricing. Here are typical hourly rates across different regions…

Region	Hourly Rate
North America (USA, Canada)	$50 – $150+
Western Europe (UK, Germany, France)	$70 – $150+
Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland, Romania)	$30 – $65+
Asia (India, China, Vietnam)	$20 – $50+
Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico)	$30 – $55+
Australia & New Zealand	$50 – $150+

Factor #3 Experience and Expertise of the App Developer

Different apps require different levels of expertise and coding experience, and this factor can accordingly shape your app’s cost and performance. 

Choosing a junior app developer might be a budget-friendly option but could come with a learning curve, which ultimately impacts the app quality and project timeline. On the other hand, selecting experienced developers might be expensive but brings a quality. 

Here you can refer to the table to understand the average expenses associated with hiring mobile app developers and how experience levels correlate with pricing dynamics. 

Developer Level	Hourly Rate	Years of Experience	Suitability
Junior Developers	$20 – $50	0-2 years	Entry-level developers, suitable for simpler, smaller projects.
Mid-Level Developers	$50 – $100	2-5 years	Experienced in handling moderately complex projects.
Senior Developers	$100 – $150+	5+ years	Experts in solving complex problems, suitable for high-quality and scalable apps.
Specialized Developers (AI, Blockchain, AR/VR)	$150 – $250+	Varies (Niche Expertise)	Developers with niche expertise, essential for cutting-edge applications with advanced functionality.

Factor #4 Freelancer Vs Hiring in-House Team Vs Outsourcing 

The choice between hiring a freelancer, an in-house team, or outsourcing the app development can significantly affect the overall cost of hiring app developers. Each option has its pros and cons, but the ultimate decision will depend on the project’s size, complexity, and budget.

Hiring freelancers can be one of the most cost-effective options which allows you to easily find skilled developers on an hourly basis for any specific short-term tasks. But with freelancers, you will have limited control over projects as they work as per flexibility. Moreover, there will be communication gaps due to different time zones, which may reflect in the project quality.

Hiring in-house developers involves a hectic recruitment process, training, overhead costs, and timelines are compromised as they work 9 to 5. 

On the other side, outsourcing a mobile app developer can be a feasible option as you can pick your choice team based on flexible engagement models. You will have full access to the team and no requirement for training. Moreover, they assure scalability of the resources as per project requirements to meet the timeline without compromising the quality. 

Option	Cost	Best For
Freelancer	$15 – $80/hour	Small projects, startups, budget-conscious tasks.
In-House Team	$70,000 – $150,000+/year	Large enterprises, long-term continuous projects.
Outsourcing to an Agency	$30 – $150/hour	Medium to large-scale projects, specialized apps.

Factor #5 Cost to Hire App Developer Based on App Complexity

The complexity of the app will have a major impact on the hourly cost of app developers. Depending upon the choice of features, design, and functionalities- app complexity can greatly vary. The higher complex requirements lead to higher development costs. So to help you understand the complexity of the app and its impact on the hourly cost.

• Cost To Hire App Developer For Simple Apps

Basically, these apps are developed with basic UI/UX design, minimal functionality, no backend requirements, and a limited number of screens. It would be ideal for startups, small businesses, or companies who have been looking to extend the functionalities and can hire app developers with simple development skills. It would cost between $7,000 to $12,000+ for the simple apps.

• Moderate Complex Apps 

These are mid-level apps that require complex backend, integration of APIs, custom UI/UX, push notifications, payment gateways, and more. To hire app developers for this level of application, you can expect to pay hourly costs between $50 to $75+.

• Complex Apps With Modern Capabilities

To create an advanced level of application you need to hire developers skilled in designing advanced animations and complex workflows, a strong backend, a large number of screens, and more. The average cost to hire developers with a high level of skills would be $100 to $150 per hour. 

These are the main aspects that have a direct impact on the hourly cost of the developers that you can adjust as per your project requirements. But there are a few hidden factors that you may not include and hold a big surprise for you at the end.

Hidden Aspects That Can Affect The Cost of Hire App Developer

If you are thinking that the cost of hiring an app developer is only impacted by its complexity, location, and developer’s expertise, then you might be surprised by hidden factors that unexpectedly increase the overall app development cost.

Let’s take a look at the hidden aspects that may have a deep impact on the app development cost:

– Cost Involved in Post Launch App Maintenance and Updates

Usually, businesses calculate the app development cost till its deployment, but it’s an ongoing process, and your app requires post-launch maintenance to make it run smoothly and compatible with further updated versions. Usually, it costs around 15 to 20% of its initial app development cost, which is annually charged. 

– Cost To Integrate Third-Party Services

Many apps require third-party integrations like payment gateway, social media platforms, geolocation, cloud services, and more. Each integration adds extra time, development efforts, complexity, and licensing fees and overall increases the cost. The cost of API integration would vary from $1000 to $10,000+ depending upon the services.

– App Testing and Quality Assurance Costing

To ensure success, your app must be bug free. For this, you need to conduct in-depth app testing for different devices, operating systems, and conditions to obtain high-end quality. Generally, it costs between $5000 to $15,000+ depending upon the complexity of the app. 

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Top 6 Tips To Reduce The Cost While Hiring App Developers

Developing an app can be a costly approach if you are randomly getting started. But if it is carefully planned and strategically decided, then you can significantly control the cost of app development without compromising the app quality.

So here are the 6 top tips to reduce the overcost of app development:

•  Get started with clear app requirements and its scope. A clear vision of your app’s features and functionalities reduces the further need for changes and unnecessary alterations in the coding. A well-detailed scope ensures developers work efficiently and avoid cost overruns caused by feature creep.

• Avoid getting started with a full-fledged feature rich application. MVP development can allow you to build a basic version of the app with essential features. It will be further validated with the user feedback and accordingly further scale up without heavy upfront cost.

• Instead of choosing to create native apps, opt for cross-platform applications that support both Android and iOS platforms. By hiring a React Native app developer, you can create a single code that works for multi-platform apps. This practice can save up to 40% cost and 80% codes are reusable. 

• Outsourcing a development team from the cost-effective regions with lower labor cost can help in reducing expenses without compromising on the quality.  All you need to choose developers with strong portfolios and positive client reviews to meet the quality standards. 

• Look for pre-build solutions and APIs to extend the functionality of your app instead of writing the codes from scratch.

• Hire a mobile app development team that is flexible to conduct regular communication and aligned on project goals. This eliminates misunderstanding and costly reworks. 

How To Find the Best App Developers for Hire?

With the increasing demand for mobile applications for your business, many mobile app development companies have mushroomed up in the market to meet the increasing demand. But which is the best mobile app development company for your project?

If you are also confused and finding yourself clueless, then here are the few parameters that you need to consider while hiring app developers:

• Look for the diverse portfolio of the company and its services.
• Analyze their expertise, experience, and knowledge of leading technologies.
• Compare the hourly cost of developers and overall service cost.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for detailed services included in the package price.
• Check for in-house app development team and scope of team scalability.
• Go to third-party platforms including Clutch, and GoodFirms to check reviews and ratings.
• Ask for their app development approach and strategy.
• Confirm their availability and flexibility in different time zones.
• Their commitment to data security and privacy with NDA adherence

Alcax is one such leading app development company, that helps you hire the best choice of app developers with 5+ years of experience on hourly, monthly or fixed billing depending upon your needs. If you have already sorted your business app idea and are looking to hire a team of app developers, then our consultant can analyze your requirements help you set the right estimation, and assign the team that builds high-end quality applications. 

Conclusion 

Mobile applications have become an integral part of everyone’s life. With 7.6 billion people accessing 30-40 apps on average in a month, it seems to be a potential platform for businesses to stay connected with their customers through well-coded applications. But how much exactly does it cost to hire mobile app developer? This question makes many businesses take a step back from creating an app.

If you are also one of those trying to build a mobile app but not sure how to set a budget and timeline for your project, then you can contact us with your requirements to get your project requirements evaluated by experts and get real estimations. 

FAQs

To help you hire an app developer in the US with ease, we have gathered some frequently asked questions and answers to provide better clarity on the topic.