How Much Does It Cost To Hire An App Developer? 2025 Guideline

What Affects The Cost Of Hiring An App Developer?

Not all developers charge the same, and for good reason. Here are the three most important factors that shape what you’ll pay:

• Experience level
• Location
• Platform specialization

Let’s break each one down.

Experience Level

Experience doesn’t just change the rate. It changes the rhythm of your entire project. A junior developer might cost less up front, but needs more support. A senior dev may charge more, but get things done faster and cleaner.

• Junior developers are best for simple tasks. They’re great for getting started, but need guidance, and shouldn’t carry key product decisions alone.
• Mid-level developers can handle major features on their own. They know the app lifecycle and usually work well with designers and product managers.
• Senior developers see the big picture. They write scalable code, anticipate edge cases, and cut through complexity, which often saves time and money in the long run.

→ Tips: Pay less per hour and you’ll likely pay more in time. Pay more per hour, and you’ll ship faster and cleaner.

Next, let’s see how much it costs to hire an app developer based on their location.

Location

Where your developer is based still plays a big role in what you’ll pay, even in a remote-first world. Rates are shaped by the local cost of living, the depth of the tech talent pool, and the maturity of the regional software market.

For example, hiring in San Francisco or London can cost two to three times more than working with someone equally skilled in India or Vietnam.

If your team’s already remote (and most are), choosing the right region can help you access top-tier developers at a much lower rate, without sacrificing quality.

→ Tips: Southeast Asia, and Latin America offer strong cost-to-skill advantages.

Next, let’s compare how much an app developer costs based on the platform you’re building for.

Platform

The platform you choose — Android, iOS, or cross-platform — also affects both hourly rates and total development time. That’s because each platform has its tooling, design guidelines, performance quirks, and testing requirements.

If you're building for one platform only, you’ll hire either an Android or iOS specialist. If you're launching on both, you can either hire two separate developers or opt for a cross-platform expert who can build once and deploy across both systems.

Here’s how platform-specific developer rates typically compare:

→ A few key differences to keep in mind:

- iOS developers generally charge 10–20% more than Android developers in the same region.

- Android apps often take longer to test due to device diversity, which can raise your total cost, even if hourly rates are lower.

- Cross-platform frameworks like Flutter or React Native allow you to build once and ship across both platforms, saving time and cost, especially for MVPs or early-stage products.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire An App Developer Based On Hiring Model?

Choosing the right developer is only half the equation. How you hire them matters just as much. Different hiring models come with different price points, timelines, and trade-offs.

Depending on your platform and the hiring model you choose, how much it costs to hire an app developer can vary significantly, from $20/hr to over $150/hr for top-tier senior developers.

In this section, we’ll look at the most common hiring models, and what you can expect to pay with each.

Freelance Developers

Freelancing is one of the most accessible and flexible hiring options. You can find developers in days, start projects quickly, and avoid long-term commitments.

But pricing can vary dramatically depending on the platform you use and how well the developer is vetted. Some sites prioritize cost, while others focus on quality and screening.

Here’s a snapshot of the most popular platforms:

• Upwork offers a massive talent pool, but it’s up to you to vet candidates and manage the work.
• Toptal pre-screens developers and matches them to your needs. It’s pricier, but the talent is curated.
• Fiverr is best for small, task-based jobs (e.g. “build a login screen in Flutter”), not full-scale app development.

→ Freelancers are a smart choice for quick turnarounds or one-time features. But for core product builds, communication gaps and missed deadlines can add unexpected risk and management overhead.

In-House Developers

Hiring developers in-house gives you the highest level of control and team integration. But it’s also the most expensive and time-consuming approach, especially if you don’t already have an internal engineering team.

According to the Stack Overflow 2024 survey, global averages range from $61,700 for Android developers to $75,200 for iOS developers, with large variations by country.

Below is a comparison of average gross annual salaries for iOS and Android developers across key regions:

But salary is only part of the picture. With full-time employees, you’ll also need to budget for:

• Recruitment (job listings, interviews, onboarding)
• Benefits and payroll taxes
• Workspace, hardware, and dev tools
• Onboarding time (expect 1–3 months until fully productive)
• Retention programs (bonuses, training, etc.)

→ Hiring in-house works best when you have ongoing development needs, want close collaboration, and are prepared to invest long-term in team building.

Contract Developers (Staff Augmentation)

Staff augmentation offers a flexible middle ground. You get access to experienced developers through a vetted provider — while keeping full control over their day-to-day work.

Unlike freelancers, contract developers usually come with commercial experience, and the provider handles the sourcing, contracts, and legal overhead.

Here’s what hourly rates typically look like:

BHSOFT, for example, based in Vietnam, and clients hire mid-to-senior mobile developers in the $25–$50/hr range. The developers integrate directly with your team, while BHSOFT contracts, admin support, and payroll, so you don’t have to.

→ IT staff augmentation services are ideal when you need to move fast, scale flexibly, or extend your internal team without the commitment of full-time hiring.

Tips To Hire An App Developer Without Breaking The Budget

You don’t have to choose between saving money and building a high-quality product. The key is to know where to spend, where to streamline, and how to hire smart from the start.

Here are five practical ways to lower your app development costs without sacrificing delivery speed or code quality.

Start With S Clear Scope

The better you define your product upfront, the less time you’ll waste mid-project. Document your must-have features, user flows, and platform targets. Even basic wireframes or user stories can help align everyone early and prevent costly changes down the line.

Prioritize Relevant Experience Over Seniority

A developer who’s built similar apps to yours will work faster and make better decisions, even if they have fewer years in the field. Always ask for real-world examples, app store links, or case studies to match past work to your current needs.

Choose High-Skill, Lower-Cost Regions

Rates vary by 2–3x across regions, but that doesn’t always reflect quality. Developers from places like Vietnam, Poland, or Argentina often deliver just as well or better than higher-priced talent from the U.S. or Western Europe. Focus on communication skills, experience with international clients, and time zone overlap.

Use Staff Augmentation to Reduce Overhead

If you don’t need a full in-house team, staff augmentation gives you the flexibility to scale quickly and cut costs on things like benefits, recruitment, and retention bonuses. You get experienced developers who integrate into your workflow, without the hiring commitment.

Start Small, Then Scale

Don’t overbuild in version 1. Launch with an MVP focused on your core value. Once you validate demand and user feedback, you can scale your product (and your team) with far less risk and a clearer roadmap.

Final Thought

The cost of hiring an app developer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on where you hire, who you hire, and how you structure the engagement. Rates can vary widely, but behind every number is a trade-off between speed, quality, and flexibility.

Whether you’re building an MVP on a tight budget or scaling a global product with a senior team, the smartest hires are always the ones that fit your goals, not just your spreadsheet.

Still unsure how much it cost to hire an app developer for your specific app idea? We’ll help you break it down based on your goals, timeline, and platform.

BHSOFT helps businesses like yours find vetted mobile app developers who match your needs, budget, and culture.

 Contact us today to get a tailored estimate and start building smarter.