A Guide to Hire App Developers in 2023: Roles, Responsibilities, and Cost

With the sudden increased demand for mobile applications in the market, there is also an epic rise in demand for hiring software developers for various projects. A 2021 survey shows there are nearly 25.6 million developers across the globe. However, this vast yet impressive number is spread across various segments, qualifications, locations, and domains.

It highlights the need for entrepreneurs to carefully assess their specific requirements and find developers who possess the necessary skills and expertise for their particular projects. Now, as we find ourselves in 2023, the question arises: How much should entrepreneurs pay to hire an app developer? Well, this blog will help them find the answer to this query.

Firstly, let’s understand the job role of a mobile app developer. Who is a mobile app developer?

An app developer is a person who understands and can implement various programming languages to develop a running application for one or more mobile devices.

A mobile app developer should be comfortable working in various OS environments and solving respective queries. He/she should have knowledge about UI/UX principles and be able to work in cooperation with the app development teams.

App developers may choose to work either with a software development company or be on contract or work as a freelancer.

A mobile app developer should be able to brainstorm an application idea and craft a smart code for the same. He/she should also be able to update/maintain the application as per the requirement.

In all, an app developer is a complete package responsible for a healthy release of an application.

Talking about the cost of hiring app developers, well, determining the cost can be a complex task, as it depends on several factors such as the developer's experience, skills, location, project complexity, and market demand.

Let’s talk about the first big factor that influences the cost of hiring developers.

The Developer’s experience:

While headhunting a developer to accomplish your project execution, you will find developers having a few months of experience to years of experience in the app development field. Meaning, you will have to choose between junior, middle, and senior developers.

The cost of hiring is also distributed accordingly. Because what a senior developer can accomplish might be a tough task for a junior developer.

Who is a junior developer?

A junior mobile app developer understands the design, ACID properties, API integration, and OOP. He/She is well versed with any one of the programming languages or many times two.

Junior developers do not have hands-on experience with tough projects with high levels of complexity which is why their charges are quite less.

For hiring a junior developer, you can consider an hourly charge of $5-$9. Yes, you can hire them at such a cheap rate, however, it may or may or guarantee the ability to solve complex solutions.

Who is a Middle developer?

A middle developer has considerable years of experience in the field of mobile app development. They can mentor junior developers, and have the capability to solve projects with mid-level complexity to high-level complexity.

A middle developer can handle multiple projects and data management systems at a time. he/she has deep knowledge of basic APIs and can effectively execute any assigned task.

Middle developers can make changes in the code and detect errors to develop a best-fit solution.

Now for hiring a middle developer, you can hire a middle developer by paying an hourly rate of $12-$20. Hiring a middle developer is suitable for a mid-sized project, where the budget is not much stringent, as well as the timelines.

Who is a senior developer?

A senior developer is an experienced developer of all, say a minimum of 8-10 years of experience in the given field. A senior developer possesses a deep knowledge of programming, assessment, coding, testing, and everything. The main purpose of hiring a senior developer is problem-solving and guiding the juniors and mid-levels.

Coming to the cost of hiring a senior developer, you can hire a senior developer at the cost of $15-$25 per hour. We suggest every project development team should have at least 2 senior developers in their team for better results.

The next confusion is,

Whether you should hire an in-house developer, or freelancer, or outsource the entire task of application development.

The answer to this question is a very personal choice. The reason being, each of the given choices has its own set of pros and cons and prices also vary accordingly.

We will begin the discussion with

Hiring in-house teams:

This term refers to employing developers of any level who would work directly with your team and on your premises. They would work as an employee and utilize resources, and facilities and abide by the company’s rules.

The close proximity provided by in-house hiring is one of its key advantages. Working within the office enables easier collaboration and communication among team members. Face-to-face interactions foster camaraderie, promote knowledge sharing, and facilitate a cohesive work environment.

Also, they would be able to leverage all the social benefits the company will provide them with. In-house hiring will give you complete control over the project as you would be able to receive immediate updates and give feedback timely.

However, in-house hiring comes with considerations and potential drawbacks. The company needs to allocate resources for office space, equipment, and infrastructure to accommodate its in-house employees. This includes expenses related to rent, utilities, furniture, and technology infrastructure. Additionally, the company may need to invest in training and development programs to enhance the skills of its in-house team members.

Freelancer hiring:

Freelancers are self-employed, they work at their designated hours and their selected projects. Freelancers often provide a wide range of services for application development.

The freelance industry is thriving globally, making it an attractive option for many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and even some enterprises.

However, hiring freelance developers can offer certain advantages such as,

Firstly, freelancers often have flexible schedules and can adapt to project-specific needs, making them well-suited for short-term or specialized projects.

They can be hired on a per-project basis, allowing businesses to scale their development resources based on current demands.

Additionally, the freelance market provides access to a diverse pool of talent from all over the world. Businesses are not limited to hiring locally, which expands the possibilities for finding app developers with specific skills, expertise, or niche knowledge. This global talent pool allows companies to seek out the best fit for their project requirements.

Having said that, you need to assess freelancers' expertise, portfolio, and reviews before hiring them. If you hire the wrong one, your business is often put at risk.

Third is,

Outsourcing the entire mobile app development:

Outsourcing mobile app development refers to the process of assigning the entire app development task to a third party. This company is responsible to carry out all the operations and handle the query. The hired party has to report to you on a daily basis about the project milestones.

Outsourcing app development is another cost-effective option that grants you access to a pool of talented professionals. By outsourcing, you can delegate the development of your app to an external team, allowing you to focus on other deliverables while they take care of your project.

Outsourcing app development can be a cost-effective solution. Outsourcing companies are often located in regions with lower labor costs, which can result in significant savings compared to hiring an in-house team. Additionally, outsourcing eliminates the need for investing in infrastructure, equipment, and additional human resources, further reducing costs.

Another advantage is the flexibility and scalability that outsourcing provides. You can easily scale the team up or down based on the project requirements, allowing for efficient resource allocation. Additionally, outsourcing allows you to meet tight deadlines and complete projects within specified timeframes by leveraging the dedicated resources of the external team.

Now that we are clear with the nuances of the developers and hiring models, let’s figure out the cost of hiring app developers for your project.

As mentioned above, the cost of hiring application developers depends on many factors such as location, expertise, hourly rates, complexity, etc.

Let us discuss the location-wise cost distribution in brief.

An app developer from the UK costs you higher than hiring from any other country. The costs range from $50,000 to %1,00,000 a year which includes their taxes and insurance, etc.

Now, from Germany or the Netherlands, the hiring cost ranges between $35,000 to $70,000 a year.

Talking about India or other Asian countries, the cost of hiring app developers is around $10,000 to $25,000.

We suppose, hiring from India or Asian countries is a better option to opt for. Because with this price, you will get skills, expertise, commitment, and completion.

Coming towards the end:

In conclusion, the hiring of mobile app developers is a task that demands time and commitment before the commencement of application development. Once you have decided on the developer or the team, you know you are in good hands and the things will be taken care of.

With the expertise, scalability, and flexibility offered by hired developers, you can effectively bring your app idea to life and meet your project goals.