How Much Does It Cost to Hire an App Developer? A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• The cost of hiring app developers starts from $25 to $150+ per hour. However, it may vary depending on the expertise, experience, project size, and platform.
• The approximate cost of a junior developer starts from $25 to $40. While mid-level developers could charge $50 – $100 per hour, and senior developers may charge $100 – $150+ per hour.

Do you have an app idea? Looking for an app developer? Do you want to know how much it costs to hire an app developer? If yes, – then you have landed at the right place.

It’s crucial to choose an app developer from the right platform and at the ideal price. With so many app programmers for hire available across different resources and marketplaces, it can be challenging to identify the right talent within your budget.

As a leading mobile application development company, we know the importance of the ideal app developer for developing mobile apps. Consulting our dedicated developers and consultants, we have written this blog that guides you with the price of hiring developers. After thoroughly reading this blog, you will get an idea of the cost to hire developers considering the various factors.

Let’s get started.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an App Developer? [Quick Cost]

The cost of hiring an app developer differs based on factors such as their level of experience, skill set, and location. To make you understand easily, we’ve created a table that presents the information on app developer costs.

Let’s explore.

Knowing the mobile app developer hourly rate across locations and experience levels helps you hire Android app developers or iOS talent within your budget. Now, it’s time for you to know what skills you should expect from junior, mid, and senior-level developers. You can refer to the points below to understand them easily. You can refer to the below-mentioned points to understand them easily.

Skill Expectations From Entry Level Developers

• Basic understanding of Android or iOS platform for mobile app development.
• Understanding of UI/UX principles for user-friendly app design.
• Proficiency in using collaborative tools like GitHub or Bitbucket.
• Basic knowledge of how to deploy native apps to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Skill Expectations From Junior Level Developers

• Proficient with key frameworks and libraries for Android (e.g., Retrofit, Room) and iOS (e.g., Alamofire, Core Data).
• Proficiency in relevant programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript) and Android SDK for Android app development.
• Skilled in Swift , Objective-C, Kotlin, Java programming languages for iOS and Android app development.
• Experience with testing tools/frameworks: JUnit and Espresso for Android; XCTest for Swift.
• Ability to optimize app performance and identify bottlenecks.

Skill Expectation From Senior Level Developers

• In-depth knowledge of Xcode, including advanced debugging and profiling techniques.
• Expertise in designing resilient and scalable architectures using patterns like MVP, MVVM, or VIPER.
• Skilled in RESTful and GraphQL API integrations, including data parsing, error handling, and synchronization.
• Comprehensive knowledge of app security protocols, including OAuth, JWT, and data encryption techniques. Well-versed in GDPR, CCPA, and other data privacy regulations.
• A deep understanding of both Android (using Java, Kotlin) and iOS (using Swift, Objective-C) development paradigms.

You get the above skills and cost as per a mobile app developer you want to hire. You might be wondering about the credibility and authenticity of the data. Find in the next section about the data that we have taken.

How Reliable is Our Data?

Here’s why you can count on the accuracy of our app developer cost data. We have:

• Analyzed multiple well-known websites such as Clutch and Salary.com to gain an understanding of app developer hourly wages in various countries.
• Went through different freelancers’ profiles on Upwork, Arc, Toptal, Freelancer, and Fiverr which help us to gain insights. On that basis, we calculated the range of cost to hire app developer.

Note: These app developer costs are provided as a reference, however, they may vary or differ depending on the projects, needs, and demand.

Now, let’s discuss the factors influencing the cost of hiring mobile app developers. We explore all factors in detail. Let’s get started.

5 Factors Influence the Cost of Hiring Mobile App Developers

When hiring an app developer, various factors come into play that can impact the overall cost. From geographical location to your app development type, several variables influence the expenses associated with app developers. So let’s check such factors in detail in this section below.

1. Cost of App Developer Based on Location

   We’ve listed the hourly rates for app developers from different locations below. Check the following table to know the average hourly rate of top app development companies for hiring a team of mobile developers. The hourly rate data is taken as a reference from the Clutch website.

   Countries	Approx. Hourly Rates
   USA	$100 – $149
   India	$25 – $50
   UK	$150 – $199
   Canada	$100 – $149
   Australia	$100 – $149
   Philippines	$25 – $49
   Ukraine	$25 – $49
   Poland	$50 – $99
   Spain	$25 – $49
   Mexico	$25 – $49

   Next, we’ll look at another major factor that can influence the overall cost when you hire a mobile app developer.

2. Cost of Mobile Developers Based on Experience

   Experience plays a pivotal role in shaping your app’s cost and performance. Choosing a junior app developer might be more budget-friendly but could come with a learning curve. Selecting an experienced developer might incur cost more but are skilled.

   By referring to the provided table, you’ll gain insights into the average expenses associated with hiring mobile app developers and how experience levels correlate with pricing dynamics. Let’s check the table below.

   Experience Level	Years of Experience	Average Hourly Cost ($)
   Entry-level	0-2 years	$25 – $40
   Mid-level	2-5 years	$40 – $80
   Senior-level	5+ years	$80 – $150

   Now, let’s move on to the next factor influencing the cost of hiring an app developer.

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3. Cost of App Developer Based on the App Complexity

   Factors such as UI/UX design, platform, technology stack, and other aspects play a crucial role in determining hiring costs. Developing a simple app usually requires a lower cost, while creating a high-end app with intricate UI/UX design can lead to higher hiring costs.

   Below, we have provided a table that illustrates how the complexity of app development influences the cost of hiring an app developer. Let’s examine the details:

   App Complexity	Example of App Type	Junior Developer	Mid-level Developer	Senior Developer
   Simple App	Weight tracking app Bill-tracking app Calculator app	$15 to $40/hr	$50 to $70/hr	$80 to $90/hr
   Complex App	Healthcare app Financial or banking app Travel booking app	$20 to $50/hr	$60 to $90/hr	$100 to $120/hr
   Highly- Complex App	eCommerce app Gaming app AI Assistance app	$25 to $60/hr	$75 to $100/hr	$120 to $150/hr

4. Cost of the App Developer Based on the Development Platform

   The mobile app development platform is one of the key factors influencing the cost of hiring a mobile app developer. Here is the table with the cost of hiring iOS app developers, Android app developers, and cross-platform app developers.

   Development Type	Junior Developer (per hour)	Senior Developer (per hour)	Expert Developer (per hour)
   Android App Development	$25 – $50	$50 – $90	$90 – $140+
   iOS App Development	$30 – $60	$60 – $100	$100 – $150+
   Cross-platform App Development	$40 – $70	$70 – $120	$120 – $200+

   As all three platforms require a different set of skills and expertise, design guidelines, programming language, and fragmentation. iOS app development often costs more due to strict design guidelines, specific development tools, and higher App Store fees compared to Android.

   Hidden Costs to Consider When Hiring an App Developer

   Even after setting your development budget, there are extra costs that many app owners do not expect. These added expenses matter just as much as the hourly rate. Planning for them at the start helps you avoid surprises and keeps your project on track. Here are a few hidden costs to watch for when you hire an application developer:

   1. Maintenance and updates

   After your app launches, you should budget for regular bug fixes, performance improvements, and updates for new OS versions. A good idea is to set aside about 15 to 20 percent of your original development cost each year for maintenance. For example, if your app costs $40,000 to build, yearly maintenance can run $6,000 to $8,000.

   2. Hosting and servers

   Apps needing cloud storage, authentication, or real-time data rely on ongoing hosting. Costs can start as low as $10 per month for basic needs, but may reach $100 to $500+ per month for larger apps or higher usage.

   3. Third-party APIs and service fees

   Integrating services like maps, payment gateways, chat, or analytics often comes with their own fees. Many providers have free plans, but paid tiers generally range from $10 to $200+ per month, depending on your usage and features.

   4. App store fees

   Listing your app requires paying platform fees. Apple charges $99 per year for a developer account, and Google has a one-time $25 fee. Both platforms also keep 15 to 30 percent of revenue from in-app purchases or subscriptions.

   5. Security and compliance

   If your app involves payments or sensitive user data, you may need to invest in security measures, encryption, audits, and compliance certifications. These costs can be anywhere from $500 for basic compliance to $5,000 or more for high-security apps or regulated industries.

   6. Project management tools

   Collaboration and analytics platforms like Slack, Jira, or Firebase Analytics often run $10 to $80 per user, per month. Some agencies include these in their fee, but if you’re hiring or coordinating multiple freelancers, you might pay directly.

   7. App marketing and launch

   Attracting users usually involves extra investments in app store optimization, digital marketing, or PR. Even a modest marketing effort can start at $1,000, with strong campaigns often reaching $5,000 or more.

   Pro Tip: Ask your developer or development agency about these potential hidden costs before you start your project. Clarity up front makes it much easier to stick to your budget and avoid surprises down the road.

   Where Can You Find the Best App Developers for Hire?

   There are many app development companies, online marketplaces, and networking sites that help you hire app developers as well as juniors, and freelancer developers easily. With many options available to hire an app developer, you might find it difficult to hire a professional app developer for your app.

   However, to help you find the source easily we have prepared a table that covers different sources for hiring app developers, their advantages, and their suitability for short and long-term projects.

   Source	Why Choose This Source?	Best For
   Freelance Platforms (e.g., Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr)	Access to a global pool of talent. The ability to review portfolios and ratings before hiring.	SWhen you need an app developer for short-term projects and ones with a tight budget.
   Job Boards (e.g., Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn)	The ability to reach a large number of potential candidates. Can target specific skills and experience.	Hiring full-time developers, for long-term projects.
   Developer Communities (e.g., GitHub, Stack Overflow, HackerRank)	Access to specialized developers. Ability to review past work and contributions.	Finding developers with specific skill sets, and contributing to open-source projects.
   Social Media (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter)	Reach passive job seekers. Review testimonials, portfolios, and skills.	Networking, finding developers who may not be actively looking for work.
   Development Agencies like Space-O Technologies	Provides a comprehensive solution from design to development to maintenance. Ensure professional management and delivery.	Large or complex projects, projects where you want a single entity to handle everything from design to development to maintenance.

   We recommend you hire an app developer from a software development company. As app development companies like Space-O Technology have experience in developing 4400+ mobile apps. Having worked with 1200+ clients, the company brings expertise in app development and streamlines your business process.

   However, if you are still having difficulty finding talented mobile app developers or don’t have expertise in finding the right app developer you can refer to our blog on how to find the best app developer. This blog helps ease your task of finding the best app developers and provides all the needed information to find the right app developer for your app.

   Pro Tip: If your project is complex or requires multiple skill sets, you might prefer to hire an app development team rather than an individual developer. Many agencies and platforms can help you assemble the ideal team that matches your requirements.

   However, if you are looking to hire an app developer you can connect with our experts who will help you with your app development process and guide you to build your own app. Now, after finding the method of how to hire an app developer, let’s move to our next section.

   Top 6 Tips to Reduce the Cost While Hiring App Developers

   The 6 tips mentioned in this section are going to benefit you in your app development cost. By implementing these strategies, effectively manage your budget while hiring app developers and ensure a cost-effective development process. Let’s examine the tactics:

   1. Clear Project Scope

      Define your app’s features and functionalities precisely. A well-defined scope helps developers provide accurate quotes.

   2. Prioritize Features

      Focus on essential features initially. You can add advanced functionalities in future updates to manage costs.

   3. Freelancers and Remote Teams

      If you hire developers from a freelance platform consider hiring developers or development teams from regions with lower labor costs.

   4. Offshore Development

      When comparing offshore teams, review their app development services and client feedback to ensure you receive reliable delivery and strong communication.

   5. Negotiate Fixed Price Contracts

      Discuss fixed-price options with developers to set clear budget expectations.

   6. Choose the Right App Development Platform

      Native app developers charge more than hybrid app developers, which can impact your mobile app development cost. Therefore, choose your software development platform wisely.

   Now you know all the factors influencing cost to hire mobile app developers and tips to reduce the app development cost. Let’s address the questions that you might have about the cost for your app development project.

   Get the Best App Developers for Your Budget

   Don’t let development costs hold you back! Hire experienced app developers from Space-O who deliver quality within your budget. Let’s discuss your needs.

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   Here are some frequently asked questions that will help you clear your doubts related to the cost to hire an app developer.

   Frequently Asked Questions About Cost to Hire an App Developer

   How much does it cost to hire an Android app developer?

   The cost of hiring a developer for Android app development ranges from $20 to $150+ per hour.

   However, the cost of developing an app may vary depending on the expertise and experience.

   Junior developers might charge around $5 – $50 per hour, mid-level developers could charge $50 – $100 per hour, and senior developers may charge $100 – $150+ per hour.

   Is it better to hire a freelance app developer or an app development company?

   While you can hire a freelance app developer for small or short-term projects, this approach often comes with limitations in reliability, scalability, and post-launch support. Freelancers may offer lower rates, but freelance app developers’ costs can increase over time due to hidden revisions or a lack of structured project management.

   In contrast, an experienced app development company provides a dedicated team, proven processes, and end-to-end support, ensuring higher quality, faster delivery, and long-term value for your investment.

   Is it preferable to choose an hourly rate or a fixed project fee?

   The choice between hourly and fixed pricing depends on your project’s predictability and scope. An hourly rate is suitable for ongoing or flexible projects, while a fixed fee is often preferred for well-defined, specific projects. Hence, choose your pricing model wisely that does not exceed your app development costs budget.

   How can I reduce app development costs without sacrificing quality?

   To save money without compromising quality, collaborate with affordable app developers who maintain strong technical standards, or hire an app development team from regions offering cost efficiency. Define your project scope clearly, focus on essential features first, and ensure proper planning to get maximum value within budget.

   Want Personalized Advice on App Developer Rates?

   Understanding app development costs can be complex, but this blog has explored essential factors like geography, experience, and app features that influence how much you’ll pay to hire an app developer. You’ve gained a clear overview of what drives pricing and how strategic choices impact your final budget.

   As a mobile app development company with over 15 years of experience, Space-O Technologies specializes in building solutions tailored to your business needs. Our approach blends transparent pricing, skilled teams, and process-driven development, making your cost estimation process easy and dependable.

   If you want more details, custom estimates, or guidance for planning your app project, the Space-O team is here to help. Our experts will explain your options, break down costs, and ensure you start your app journey with confidence, always within your budget and goals.

   Get in touch with us today and start with a free, no-obligation cost estimate for your app project.