Developer rates can vary widely, anywhere from $10 to $100 per hour, depending on several factors. But does a higher rate guarantee better quality? Or should you aim for something middle-of-the-road to hit the sweet spot?
By Isabella Harris
Verified Expert In Development
3 Years Of Experience
Isabella Harris is a skilled Content Writer at Bitswits, renowned for her storytelling abilities and deep tech knowledge. She creates engaging and accessible content that effectively communicates
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There is no answer; every project is going to be different and you can only make an informed decision by understanding the factors that will contribute to your pricing.
Ever wondered why some apps become viral sensations while others fade into obscurity? That’s because it’s not just about the app idea, but also the execution of the app project.
Hiring the right app developer can make or break your project, but how do you determine what’s reasonable to pay?
This blog will break down the true cost to hire an app developer and variables that may influence the rate- experience, location, and project complexity.
By the end of the process, you will probably have a pretty good idea of what to expect for more informed choice-making.
Let’s first start with the average rate of app development in the United States of America.
As of September 24, 2024, ZipRecruiter reports that the average hourly pay for an app developer in the U.S. is $52.64. Most developers earn between $42.31 and $60.58 per hour, with the highest earners making up to $84.86.
These pay differences depend on factors like experience, location, and skill level, offering plenty of opportunities for growth in the field.
The prices also increase if the app requirements are more complex.
However, the hourly rate alone doesn’t give you the full picture. To really understand the cost of a developer, you need to look at both their hourly rate and the time it takes to complete a project. Here’s the formula:
Developer hourly rate × total development time = total project cost
For example, two developers may have different hourly rates, but the one with a higher rate might finish the job faster:
$40 × 180 hours = $7,200
$50 × 140 hours = $7,000
In this case, even though Developer B charges more per hour, the overall project cost is lower due to their efficiency.
Now, you must be thinking: how does this apply when choosing between a mobile app development company and a freelancer? While the hourly rate is important, efficiency can make all the difference in the total cost.
How much does it cost to hire a mobile app developer company or freelancer per hour?
A mobile app developer company charges between $50 to $200 per hour, while freelancers typically charge between $25 to $150 per hour depending on their expertise.
But as we’ve seen, the total project cost depends not only on the hourly rate but also on how quickly the developer can complete the work. A higher rate might actually save you money if the job is done more efficiently.
Attention: The costs mentioned in this blog are rough estimates and should not be taken as exact figures. The actual cost of your app development will depend on the specific requirements and complexity of your project. For a more accurate estimate, it’s important to consult with developers or agencies based on your unique needs and scope.
Read a detailed breakdown of app development costs.
Calculating the cost to hire an app developer depends on the specific needs of your project. The level of developer you hire should align with the complexity of the tasks to be performed, your project timeline, along with the quality control you are looking for.
Before getting into how much does app cost to develop, be sure to define:
What exactly will the developer need to build? Is it a basic app, or will it involve complex features such as integrations, real-time updates, or security measures?
How quickly do you need the app completed? Faster turnaround times may require more experienced developers who can work independently, which can increase costs.
Do you want to be hands-on with the development process, or would you prefer to trust an experienced developer to make decisions? Higher-level developers typically require less oversight and can manage tasks on their own.
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There are some factors that will affect the final cost when you decide to hire a mobile app developer. The best news is that you do have control over these costs.
Let’s go through some of the top factors that may have a big impact on the cost of hiring an app developer.
There are usually five levels of app developers categorized based on their experience, capabilities, and tasks. Here is the estimated app developers’ cost.
We analyzed data from platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and StackOverflow, which showed a clear pattern in salary differences across developer levels:
Developer Level |
Developer Hourly Rate ($) |
Annual Salary ($) |
Suitable For |
Junior Developer |
$31 – $45 |
$50,000 – $75,000 |
Basic apps or simple tasks |
Mid-Level Developer |
$50 – $75 |
$80,000 – $100,000 |
Moderate complexity apps, core features |
Senior Developer |
$70 – $100+ |
$105,000 – $150,000+ |
Complex apps, independent work |
Lead Developer |
$90 – $130+ |
$120,000 – $180,000+ |
Large projects with a team |
Architect |
$120 – $150+ |
$150,000 – $200,000+ |
Full project planning and complex architectures |
In major tech hubs like San Francisco, these rates can be significantly higher due to demand and cost of living. Meanwhile, in regions like Germany or Eastern Europe, salaries tend to be more uniform, and hiring costs may be lower for the same level of expertise.
The mobile platform you are planning to develop will play a key role in the pricing. Developing an app for iOS, Android, or cross-platform requires different approaches.
iOS app development is typically quicker because it has fewer customization options and a more standardized environment. On the other hand, Android app development takes more time due to the need for compatibility with a wide range of devices globally.
Cross-platform app development means developing an app for both platforms. It is more costly because developer will build and test the app for two separate platforms. However, tools like React Native & Flutter can save much time and cost coming through enabling cross-platform development.
Platform |
Development Speed |
Customization Level |
Testing Effort |
Estimated Cost |
Common Languages |
iOS |
Quicker due to less customization |
Limited |
Less testing needed due to fewer device variations |
$30,000 – $50,000 |
Swift |
Android |
Takes longer due to more customization |
High |
More extensive testing for compatibility with various devices |
$40,000 – $70,000 |
Kotlin |
Cross-Platform |
Takes longer as it covers both platforms |
Moderate across both platforms |
Requires testing on both iOS and Android environments |
$60,000 and above |
React Native, Flutter |
The nature of the application you will develop will have a significant role in dictating the costs. Some apps, like gaming or other applications that need sophisticated features like 3D graphics, complex animations, or real-time interactions, will be more expensive to build compared to the simpler versions with just basic functionalities.
App Type |
Features |
Development Time |
Estimated Cost |
Examples |
Simple |
Basic functionality, few features (e.g., information display or form submission) |
2-3 months |
$10,000 – $30,000 | Basic calculator, content display app |
Medium |
Moderate functionality, includes API integration, databases, user logins |
4-6 months |
$30,000 – $70,000 |
E-commerce app, booking app |
Complex | Advanced features, custom designs, real-time updates, or multiple integrations | 6 months and above | $70,000 and above |
Gaming app, real-time messaging app |
For example, a simple productivity app with a handful of standard features will undoubtedly cost less than an e-commerce or gaming app with user accounts, in-app purchases, or a custom UI.
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Hire ExpertMobile app developer costs heavily depend on where your developer is located. Developers who live in North America, Western Europe, or Australia charge much higher rates because they live in places with higher costs of living. People who live in countries located in Eastern Europe, Asia, or Latin America are willing to charge much less in most cases.
While it’s nice you’re saving money to hire a developer or outsource from a low-cost region, consider the problems that include language issues, time zone differences, and low service quality.
Key countries: USA, Canada
In North America, developers are some of the most expensive in the world. Here’s a breakdown:
This higher cost reflects the region’s strong economy, high living costs, and demand for skilled developers.
Key countries: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico
Developer costs in Latin America are more affordable compared to North America but still offer quality services.
Mexico stands out slightly for its proximity to the US, influencing its rates.
Key countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland
Rates in Western Europe vary slightly depending on the country, but are generally high due to the region’s strong economies.
Key countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland
In Northern Europe, the developer rates are quite similar to Western Europe, reflecting the region’s high standard of living.
Key countries: Spain, Portugal, Italy
Southern Europe offers more affordable developer rates compared to Northern and Western Europe.
While the rates are lower, you can still find highly skilled developers in these countries.
Key countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Serbia
Rates in Central Europe are competitive and can offer significant cost savings while maintaining quality.
Key countries: Belarus, Ukraine, Russia
Eastern Europe is known for providing skilled developers at competitive prices.
Many businesses outsource to Eastern Europe to save costs while maintaining high-quality development.
Key countries: Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco
Developer rates in Africa are among the lowest, making it a cost-effective option for certain projects.
While prices are low, businesses should carefully vet developers to ensure quality.
Key countries: Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Rates in the Middle East vary widely, with Israel being the most expensive due to its advanced tech industry.
Key countries: India, Pakistan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Singapore
Southeast Asia is known for offering some of the lowest development rates in the world, particularly in countries like India and Bangladesh.
While Singapore has higher rates, it still offers more affordable rates compared to Western markets.
Key countries: China, Japan, South Korea
Eastern Asia’s development rates are slightly higher than Southeast Asia but still lower than Western countries.
The cost to hire app developers can vary greatly depending on its category. Each type of app has unique features, user demands, and security needs, which directly influence the overall development cost. Below are some common app categories and their estimated costs:
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While app development has many visible costs, such as paying for development hours, design, and testing, there are several hidden costs that businesses often overlook. Understanding these hidden costs upfront can help you budget more effectively and avoid surprises later in the development process. In this section, we’ll cover some of the common hidden costs that can impact your app development budget.
When publishing an app, especially for platforms like iOS and Android, there are licensing fees that need to be paid to the respective app stores. These fees are usually minimal but essential for launching and maintaining your app on the platforms.
While these fees are relatively small compared to overall app making charges, they are recurring or required for the app to be live on these major platforms.
Many apps require cloud-based services to store user data, manage databases, or handle backend functionality. The cost of these services can vary depending on the size of the app, the number of users, and the volume of data being stored or processed. Examples of cloud service providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
While these costs are often ongoing and scale with the size of the app’s user base, they should be factored into your long-term budget.
One of the most significant hidden costs of app development is maintenance. After the app is launched, it will require regular updates to fix bugs, introduce new features, and stay compatible with updated operating systems (iOS and Android often release annual updates).
On average, app maintenance costs range from 15% to 20% of the initial development cost per year. For example, if your app costs $100,000 to develop, you should budget an additional $15,000 to $20,000 per year for maintenance and updates.
If your app collects sensitive information—such as health data, financial details, or personal identification—you may be required to comply with industry regulations. Implementing security measures and ensuring compliance can add to development and ongoing costs. Common examples include:
Ensuring that your app is secure and compliant with regulations not only protects your users but also prevents potential legal issues, fines, or reputational damage.
Getting your app in front of users is a key part of making it successful. Marketing your app, whether through paid advertisements, social media, influencer partnerships, or SEO (search engine optimization), involves additional costs that are often overlooked during the development phase.
While marketing is critical for app success, it’s important to budget for these efforts early on to ensure that you can scale your user base once the app is live.
If your app requires significant backend resources, such as a server to store and process data, you’ll need to factor in the cost of hosting. The cost of hosting varies depending on the amount of traffic your app generates and the complexity of its backend.
Once your app is live, offering customer support is critical to addressing any issues users may encounter. Many businesses provide in-app customer support through chatbots or customer service teams. While this isn’t a direct development cost, it’s worth considering if your app will need ongoing user support.
Hiring app developers doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. With a strategic approach, you can balance quality and cost-effectively. Here are some practical tips to help you find the right developer within your budget.
Instead of hiring a full-time team for the entire duration of the project, consider hiring developers for specific phases of development. For example:
This targeted hiring ensures you’re paying for expertise only when it’s needed, optimizing your budget.
Begin your project with skilled professionals today! The team at BitsWits is here to develop, launch, and fine-tune your app with care and accuracy.
Hire Expert
When it comes to hiring app developers, the costs can vary widely based on multiple factors such as location, experience level, project complexity, and the type of technology used. While it might be tempting to opt for cheaper options, it’s important to remember that quality often comes at a price. However, by strategically managing your hiring process—whether through outsourcing to lower-cost regions, choosing the right tech stack, or building a minimum viable product (MVP) first—you can control expenses without sacrificing quality.
Hiring an app development agency may come at a higher rate compared to freelancers, but it offers the advantage of comprehensive project management, accountability, and a structured process that can save you time and money in the long run. Agencies bring together teams of designers, developers, and testers who collaborate to ensure smooth development, faster delivery, and ongoing support, providing more value in the long term.
Yes, the cost depends on the app's complexity: Simple apps: $10,000 to $60,000. Medium complexity apps: $60,000 to $150,000. Complex apps: Start at $300,000 or more The final price can also vary based on the development team’s location.
Freelance developers charge $25 to $49 per hour. Agencies and outsourcing companies charge between $50 to $250 per hour or more.
Yes, a good mobile app development company helps manage your project efficiently and within budget. They offer expertise, support, and high-quality results, making them a valuable investment for successful app development.
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Isabella Harris is a skilled Content Writer at Bitswits, renowned for her storytelling abilities and deep tech knowledge. She creates engaging and accessible content that effectively communicates
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