How Much Does It Cost To Hire An App Developer?

Last Updated on July 19, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

The cost to hire an app developer varies depending on several factors, such as their experience, location, project complexity, and platform (iOS, Android, etc.). Freelancers might charge between $50 to $150 per hour, while app development agencies’ rates can range from $100 to $250 per hour. For small to medium-sized apps, total costs may be around $5,000 to $50,000. More complex or feature-rich apps can cost $100,000 or more.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire An App Developer?

Hiring an app developer is a significant step in bringing your app idea to life. However, the cost of hiring an app developer can vary greatly depending on several factors. In this article, we will explore the average cost of hiring an app developer and some key factors that influence the price.

1. Hourly Rates:

• The average hourly rate for app developers varies worldwide. Here are a few examples:
  • North America: $100 – $250 per hour
  • Western Europe: $80 – $200 per hour
  • Asia: $30 – $100 per hour

2. Development Time:

• The complexity and scope of your app project significantly impact the overall cost. On average, it can take anywhere from 500 to over 1,000 hours to develop a fully functional app.
• Simple apps with basic features may cost between $5,000 and $20,000.
• More complex apps with advanced features, integrations, and custom designs can range from $20,000 to $100,000 or more.

3. App Platforms:

• The choice of app platform can affect the development cost. The two main platforms are iOS and Android:
  • iOS: Developing an app for iOS tends to be more expensive compared to Android due to the need for specialized skills and the range of Apple devices.
  • Android: The development cost for Android apps is relatively lower due to the platform’s open-source nature and wider device compatibility.

4. Developer Location:

• The location of the app developer also plays a crucial role in the cost. Hiring developers from regions with higher living costs generally results in higher hourly rates.
• App developers from North America and Western Europe typically charge a higher fee compared to those from Eastern Europe, Asia, or Africa.

5. Experience and Expertise:

• App developers with extensive experience and a successful track record tend to charge higher rates.
• Highly skilled developers are more likely to provide a quality product but may come with a premium price tag.

6. Additional Costs:

• Apart from the hourly rates, there are other expenses to consider when hiring an app developer:
  • UI/UX design: The cost of designing an engaging and user-friendly interface can range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on complexity.
  • Backend development: If your app requires server-side development or complex backend architecture, it may incur additional costs.
  • Maintenance and updates: Ongoing app maintenance and updates are essential for long-term success and can add to the overall cost.

Factors Affecting the App Developers’ Cost

The cost of hiring an app developer can be influenced by several factors, including:

1. Experience and Expertise: Developers with more experience and expertise tend to charge higher rates. Skilled developers can offer efficient and high-quality solutions, leading to better overall results.
2. Location: The developer’s location impacts the cost significantly. Developers in countries with a higher cost of living, like the US or Western Europe, generally charge more than those in countries with lower living costs, such as India or Eastern Europe.
3. App Complexity: The complexity of the app’s features, functionalities, and design affects the cost. Simple apps with basic features are generally less expensive to develop compared to complex, multi-functional applications.
4. Platform and Devices: Creating an app for multiple platforms (e.g., iOS and Android) or optimizing it for various devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets) may increase the cost due to additional development efforts.
5. Design and User Interface (UI/UX): Creating a visually appealing and user-friendly interface requires specialized skills and may contribute to higher costs.
6. Back-end Development: Apps that require sophisticated back-end infrastructure or server integration may have higher development costs.
7. App Security: Implementing robust security measures to protect user data and prevent vulnerabilities may increase the development cost.
8. Testing and Quality Assurance: Comprehensive testing to ensure the app’s stability and functionality may add to the overall cost.
9. Post-launch Support: Providing ongoing support and updates after the app’s launch may incur additional charges.
10. Timeline and Urgency: Developers may charge more for projects with tight deadlines or requiring immediate attention.

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

Country	Cost of Hiring an Android App Developer	Cost of Hiring an iOS App Developer	Cost of Hiring a Cross-Platform App Developer
United States	$80 – $200 per hour	$90 – $250 per hour	$80 – $200 per hour
United Kingdom	$70 – $150 per hour	$70 – $180 per hour	$70 – $150 per hour
Germany	$60 – $140 per hour	$70 – $160 per hour	$60 – $140 per hour
Australia	$70 – $160 per hour	$80 – $180 per hour	$70 – $160 per hour
India	$20 – $50 per hour	$25 – $60 per hour	$20 – $50 per hour
Ukraine	$25 – $60 per hour	$30 – $70 per hour	$25 – $60 per hour

Key Points to Consider:

• In the United States, the cost of hiring an Android app developer ranges from $80 to $200 per hour, while hiring an iOS app developer ranges from $90 to $250 per hour. Hiring a cross-platform app developer falls within the same range as Android developers.
• The United Kingdom offers similar rates to the United States, with hiring costs ranging from $70 to $150 per hour for Android and cross-platform developers, and $70 to $180 per hour for iOS developers.
• Germany follows a lower cost range, with rates ranging from $60 to $140 per hour for Android and cross-platform developers, and $70 to $160 per hour for iOS developers.
• Australia’s hiring costs are comparable to those of the United Kingdom, with rates ranging from $70 to $160 per hour for Android and cross-platform developers, and $80 to $180 per hour for iOS developers.
• India provides significantly lower rates compared to the above-mentioned countries. Hiring an Android app developer in India can cost between $20 and $50 per hour, while an iOS developer may charge between $25 and $60 per hour. Cross-platform developers maintain the same cost range as Android developers.
• Ukraine also offers lower costs compared to Western countries, with rates ranging from $25 to $60 per hour for Android and cross-platform developers, and $30 to $70 per hour for iOS developers.

How Much Does An App Cost To Create: Time And Money Issues

For a satisfactory answer to this issue, we have to understand that the available mobile applications are not alike. It isn’t solely based on the platform they are designed for. The lowest point of iOS app development, in addition to one for Android applications, can be weighed by the amount of time required to build certain features. Let’s make a distinction according to the moderate requirements for time.

• An app with basic design and functions requires between 500 and 800 hours of development and takes three months to build.
• A middle-complex app requires between 800-1200 hours and could take anywhere from 5 to 9 months to complete.
• A complicated and time-consuming application typically exceeds 1200 hours and can take between 8 and even longer to create.

How Do You Calculate An Hourly Rate?

For this, you must calculate the hours you are working per day (8 per day for a full-time worker) and then multiply these by the number total of workdays in a year (250 by 2021 for the United States).

Then Divide the annual salary by the number.

Based on the annual salary data of Indeed, the hourly average for developers cost in the US is $110,390/ (8 + 250) = $55/hour.

How Does The Price Of The Software Developer Formulated?

First of all, you must be aware that the price should be considered in the framework of the developer’s work.

The figure of $55 an hour is not significant. To fully comprehend the cost of software creation, it is necessary to look at the bigger picture and know the exact nature of what developers do.

Your goal is not to find developers. It’s about resolving some issues by using the software. It is the software developer, regardless of who is working on this issue. As an example, they could be creating a mobile app.

The Price Of Software Development Is Comprised Of Two Parts:

Hourly rates for developers * development time = cost of application

The second aspect completely alters the concept of cost. A developer who initially appeared to be more expensive could invest less time developing an application. Thus, the cost will be less in the end, and that’s not even mentioning how good the application code is.

• 40 ($/hour) + 180 (hours) = $7200
• 50 ($/hour) (hours) * 140 (hours) = $7000

Types of additional costs that you may incur when contracting an app developer include:

• Legal fees – To have a legal agreement drafted between you and the developer.
• Marketing expenses – For promoting your new app.
• Royalties – If you choose to release the app under a Creative Commons license, the developer may charge a royalty fee.

The cost of hiring an app developer can vary greatly depending on the project’s complexity, the developer’s location, and experience level. However, as a general guide, you can expect to pay somewhere between $10-50 per hour for a freelance developer or $75-200 per hour for a development team.

So, if you were hoping to get an app developed for around $1,000, you would need to be prepared to budget around $10,000-$50,000. Of course, this is just a ballpark estimate, and the final cost could be significantly higher or lower depending on the specific requirements of your project.

If you’re not sure where to start when looking for a developer, there are several online resources that can help. Sites such as UpWork and Freelancer allow you to search for developers based on their skill set, location, and price. You can also post a job description outlining your requirements and see who applies.

References:

https://procoders.tech/blog/cost-to-hire-app-developers-and-hourly-rate/
https://buildfire.com/hire-mobile-app-developer-cost/