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How Much Does It Cost to Hire an App Developer?

Q: Q3. How to get cheap app developers?

You can hire cheap mobile app developers from trustworthy platforms such as Upwork or Fiver. Business owners can also search for talented developers on Clutch, goodfirms, and other sites. By exploring these platforms, you can get better options at affordable prices.

23 June, 2025

You have got an incredible app idea that could solve a major problem for thousands of users out there. Probably, you will get excited to take action, and then… reality hits! Your mind continuously pops with one question, how much does it cost to hire app developer and bring my idea to life?

In today’s tech-driven age, hiring an experienced app developer is not a major factor in setting your budget limits, but it’s one of the most crucial investments to succeed. But there are so many factors that come into the picture, so how a business owner can navigate the costs without compromising on the project quality?

If you are an entrepreneur or planning to run a startup, you must know the app development cost breakdown. In this blog, you will learn the cost to hire app developer that will give you a better idea. By the end of this blog, you will also get a complete knowledge of what to expect when hiring an app developer.

This will help app owners make more informed decisions, budget wisely, and successfully turn their app dreams into a reality. So, let’s dive into exploring how much does it cost to hire an app developer for your app development project:

Table of Contents

Factors Affecting The Cost of Hiring an App Developer

When you hire a dedicated mobile app developer, several factors come into the picture that directly impact the overall cost of app development. You can have control over the mobile app development cost by understanding some key factors. So, here we are mentioning some of the major factors that influence the cost to hire app developer. Keep a note of them for your next project.

1. Geographical Location of The Developer

The hourly rate of app developers depends mainly on their geographical locations. Experienced mobile app developers in areas where the cost of living is quite high usually charge more to develop a feature-loaded app. Thus, the location of the developers also plays a crucial role in determining their rates or estimating a budget for your project. It can be costly to hire mobile app developers in USA because the region provides costly services. To make you understand in a better way, here is a tabular presentation of the cost of hiring mobile app developers based on geographical location.

Geographical Location	Developer’s Hourly Rate (Approx)
North America (USA & Canada)	$80- $120+
Western Europe (UK, Germany, France)	$60 – $100
Eastern Europe (Poland, Ukraine )	$30 – $60
Asia (India, Vietnam)	$25 – $50
Australia & New Zealand	$60 – $130
Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico)	$30 – $50
Africa (South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya)	$20 – $50
Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt)	$40 – $90

However, you must note that the above-mentioned rates are just an estimated price, and if you have a low budget, then you shouldn’t need to hire remote developer in USA. To know the accurate application development cost, you can use a simple formula:

Total cost of app development = ( Total Development Hours ) x (Hourly Rate) + Additional Costs

This formula will help you to know the overall budget for your development project. Moreover, feel free to directly speak to a leading mobile app development company in India for an accurate estimation to build an app.

2. Experience and Expertise of Developers

Some businesses wonder about how much does it cost to hire app developer with more expertise and experience because these factors increase the cost to hire the developers. You should always choose to hire application developer with experience and a proven track record. Business owners who look for beginners or junior app developers may hire them at budget-friendly prices, but they may lack the required knowledge or expertise. On the other hand, if you are hiring a senior mobile app developer, you may need to bear higher costs.

The main reason is that they bring their knowledge and expertise to your project. Moreover, they have some relevant skills, such as proficiency in emerging technologies like AI or blockchain, which further increases the cost to develop an app.

Experience Level	Average Hourly Rate
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$15 – $30
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$30 – $70
Senior-Level (6-10 years)	$60 – $100

For this, you must have an idea that entry-level developers are generally more cost-effective but may lack the expertise for complex projects. However, senior and expert-level developers come with higher costs but provide extensive experience. They ensure premium project quality and more efficient development. Therefore, you can hire mobile app developers according to your specific project requirements. If your app needs more expertise from developers, then choose to work with mid-level or senior-level developers.

3. Complexity of the App

The next factor is related to the complexity of the app. It includes the app features, functionalities, and platform compatibility (iOS, Android, or both). The app’s complexity directly impacts the application development cost. If someone is building a simple app with basic minimal features, it will cost less than a complex app.

This is because it will include custom functionalities and incorporate several technologies. The complexity of your app is also defined by the customized features you want in your app, the incorporation of the latest emerging technologies, and many more.

App Complexity	Entry Level	Mid Level	Senior Level
Simple App	$15 – $30	$30 – $50	$50 – $80
Medium Complexity	$20 – $40	$40 – $70	$70 – $100
High Complexity	$30 – $50	$50 – $90	$90 – $120

If you want to build a higher-complexity app, your project requires more skilled developers, which increases their hourly rate. So, that’s why, it’s crucial to understand your project requirements and then hire mobile app developers accordingly.

4. Mobile App Development Platform

The cost to hire app developer also depends on the mobile app platform you choose. Before choosing the platform, you need to understand how much does it cost to get an app developed for different platforms. Working on different platforms requires a unique set of expertise, technologies, design guidelines, and instructions. Therefore, the application development cost can vary accordingly.

Development Platform	Average Rate (Per Hour)
iOS	$40 – $100
Android	$30 – $80
Cross-Platform	$50 – $110
Web Apps	$30 – $60

The above-mentioned rates can vary according to the specific requirements of the project, the developer’s expertise, and the region in which the development is taking place. Moreover, building a cross platform development tends to have higher rates due to the complexity and versatility required.

5. Project Timeline

The urgency of your development project can also affect the cost of developing apps. Sometimes, you need to develop an app within a tight deadline. So, in that case, you need to hire a app developer offering budget-friendly services because developers may charge a premium for expedited services.

Project Timeline	Average Rate (Per Hour)
Short-Term (1-3 months)	$40 – $80
Medium-Term (4-6 months)	$30 – $60
Long-Term (6+ months)	$25 – $55

Short-term projects demand quick development and faster delivery. That’s the reason developers might charge a premium for the tight schedule. Whereas, medium-term projects give enough time for the development process and balance the cost of developing apps and time efficiency. Whereas, if you opt for long-term projects, it will involve extended development cycles. Therefore, you can expect lower hourly rates to hire developers.

6. Type of Apps

The specific industry you want to build an app in also affects the cost to hire app developer. That’s why, you should always mention the features and industry-specific requirements of the app. For instance, if you are looking to build advanced software, you need to explore how much does it cost to hire a software developer. And that’s why you need to know the development cost for different industry apps, but it can indirectly increase your app development costs.

Type of App	Average Rate (Per Hour)
Simple Apps	$20 – $60
E-commerce Apps	$25 – $60
Social Media Apps	$30 – $70
Gaming Apps	$40 – $90
Enterprise Apps	$30 – $80
Healthcare Apps	$40 – $90
Education Apps	$25 – $49
Financial Apps	$25 – $49

From the above tabular presentation, you can have a fair idea that the average rate of hiring a developer lies between $25 -$49 for any specific industry. However, before getting your project started, it’s crucial to discuss the application development cost directly with the developers.

7. Engagement Model

The cost to hire app developer also depends on the engagement model you choose- hourly rates, fixed price, or dedicated team. All these model has their pros and cons which affect the overall budget differently.

Engagement Model	Average Rate (Per Hour)
Fixed Price	$20 – $70
Dedicated Team	$30 – $80
On-Demand	$40 – $100

Read Also: Engagement Models for App Development: Choosing the Right One

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an App Developer?

You must be wondering how much does an app developer cost. It’s a highly searched question by startups and businesses stepping into the digital product space. On average, the hire app developer cost can range from $15 to $150 per hour, depending on several factors. If you are planning to partner with the cheapest app developers, then the whole project cost will be low, as $10,000 to $15,000. For scalable and feature-rich mobile applications, the cost to hire a mobile app developer can range up to $50,000 or more.

If you want to know how much does building an app cost, then you can use our cost app calculator to know the actual cost of creating your app.

Cost-Saving Tips & Tricks for App Owners

Understanding the hire an app developer cost is crucial for businesses planning a mobile app. But it’s important to take a look at the tips & tricks that can help you reduce the app development cost. The below tips will help you to manage your budget effectively.

1. Define Your Project Requirements Precisely

You need to have a well-defined project scope outlining your app’s features & functionalities. This can help you to avoid unnecessary expenses during the later stages of development.

2. OPT for an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

App owners should always start their projects by launching MVP which allows you to test the market and gather valuable user feedback. When you launch a beta version of your app, you don’t need to invest heavily. Therefore, you can easily add new features based on what your target users need.

Read More: Building Minimum Viable Product- An Ultimate Key To Turn Your Idea Into Reality

3. Consider Outsourcing

You can choose to outsource your development projects to regions with lower labor costs which can significantly reduce your overall expenses. However, as an app owner, you need to ensure that the quality of work is not compromised. So, before you make an informed decision, check out the portfolio of the developer you will hire. This will help you to give a better idea of their work.

4. Use Pre-built Solutions

To reduce the cost to hire app developer, you can leverage pre-built templates, plugins, and various frameworks as per your project needs. This will help you to cut down on app development costs and time, especially if you want only common features in your app.

Read Also: Factors that Will Determine Mobile App Development Cost in 2025

Where Can You Find the Best App Developers for Hire?

Finding the best app developer for hire depends on your project goals, budget, and the level of involvement you expect from the development team. You can explore various hiring platforms to hire app programmer, developer, or any other expert.

Freelance Platforms: You can use freelance platforms like Upwork and Freelancer as they offer flexibility and low upfront costs, which make them popular for startups looking to build smart apps with a budget-friendly cost. On these platforms, app developers cost less upfront, but the quality and consistency can vary depending on the experience and reliability.
Online Platforms: You can also find developers on online platforms such as LinkedIn, Clutch, or GoodFirms, where verified client reviews help you hire application developers with confidence. You can also explore some online tech communities to hire reliable and experienced developers for your project.

These places can help you find the right talent to help you enjoy all the benefits of hiring mobile app developers. However, these are not the only places that offer very low cost to hire app developer. To help you find the source easily, we have mentioned a table that covers different sources to hire a app developer, their advantages, and suitability.

Platform/Source	Pros	Cons	Best For
Freelance Platforms	Cost-effective, Flexible contracts, Wide global talent pool	Quality varies, requires active management, risk of unreliability	Small projects or MVPs on a tight budget
Dedicated Agencies(like RipenApps)	End-to-end support, reliable team, scalable & secure solutions	Higher upfront cost, More formal onboarding process	Startups & businesses needing full-cycle app development
Job Portals	Access to full-time talent, control over selection	Time-consuming hiring process, which requires in-house project management	Companies are building internal development teams
Tech Communities(GitHub, Stack Overflow, Reddit)	Highly skilled developers, great for technical validation	Hard to assess availability, often an unstructured approach	Finding niche or open-source-focused developers
Clutch / GoodFirms	Verified reviews, vetted development companies, and transparent case studies	Mostly agency listings, which are less freelance-focused	Businesses seeking top-rated development partners

Common Mistakes To Avoid While Hiring Mobile App Developer

By avoiding some common mistakes while hiring mobile app developers, you can reduce the cost to hire app developer to a great extent. The first mistake you need to avoid is to overlook the post app development costs. Business owners should take account of post-launch costs like maintenance, updates, and marketing. All these are equally crucial for the app’s success. Still, several app owners overlooked this during the budgeting phase of their project.

Another mistake to avoid is choosing cost over premium quality. As a business owner, you might be looking for the cheapest option, but do remember quality should never be compromised. If you are developing a poorly designed app, it can lead to higher app development costs in the long run. The main reason is that you have to bear the charges for regular fixes and potential damages over time.

Conclusion

Hiring an experienced mobile app developer is a significant investment for every app owner or entrepreneur. However, by following the right approach and knowledge, you can easily optimize the app development costs without compromising on quality.

You need to understand various factors that directly influence the cost to hire app developer. After that, you can leverage cost-saving tips by avoiding common mistakes. This will ensure you a smooth app development journey. So, whether you are going to build a simple app with basic features or a complex app, following a strategic approach to hiring developers can set you on the path to success.

FAQ’s

Q1. How much does it typically cost to hire an app developer?

The cost to hire app developer ranges from $20 to $100+ per hour. It depends on the developer’s location, expertise, and other factors. For fixed-price projects, the cost can range from $10,000 to over $100,000+. You can hire app developers as per your specific needs.

Q2. Is it more cost-effective to hire a freelance developer or a mobile app development agency?

Freelance developers can be a budget-friendly option for smaller projects while leading mobile app development agencies offer comprehensive services and are better suited for complex or large-scale projects.

Q3. How to get affordable app developers?

You can hire affordable mobile app developers from trustworthy platforms such as Upwork or Fiver. Business owners can also search for talented developers on Clutch, goodfirms, and other sites. By exploring these platforms, you can get better options at affordable prices.

Q4. How do I ensure quality while hiring an app developer on a budget?

You can ensure the quality of your work by conducting thorough research, checking developer portfolios and client reviews, and ensuring clear communication of your project scope and expectations. Discussing all these will help you to maintain the premium quality of your project within your budget.