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Ask HN: How much does it cost to outsource iPhone app development?

62 pointsby sendosabout 15 years ago
There is an app that I would like to code up, but if the cost is not too prohibitive, I'd like to outsource it.<p>I searched the web for info on good iPhone dev shops and prices, but couldn't get good answers, so I thought I'd ask HN.<p>Of course, it all depends on the app. How complex, etc. Assume a moderate app, with, say, up to five different views, storing of some user data, and using the location framework.<p>Nothing too complicated. I think it might take me a month or more to code, but it should take a more experienced iPhone coder maybe two weeks.<p>Am I looking at $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, more?<p>Some info:<p>1) I don't want bottom-of-the-line developers. I don't mind paying extra for good developers<p>2) I don't mind paying up to several thousand dollars. My take is that if I can't make that money back from the app, I would prefer to have wasted money than 1 or 2 months of my life.<p>Besides the price, do you guys know of good iPhone dev shops? I take it that the standard procedure is to look on elance.com, odesk.com, etc, but I've never used them and I'm not sure how to use them to find a good developer.<p>I'm in the SF Bay Area, so a good local dev shop would be great, even though I wouldn't mind a dev shop from elsewhere.

26 comments

yishabout 15 years ago
The going rate for a great developer/designer with lots of mobile experience here in SF is in the ~150 an hour range. I've seen this price go up significantly in the last couple months, primarily due to high demand at the moment. You can probably get a little cheaper outside the area and definitely less offshore, but even then a good offshore house will run you $60 and they often don't like doing fixed bids at those prices.<p>My experience is that app development for a medium to high complexity app with location features and accessing a 3rd party API for data would typically take 4-6 weeks including QA but really depends on the complexity.<p>I've done about 30+ mobile apps now so ping me if you need any advice
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NiftyIonabout 15 years ago
Hey. We have a team of wanna-be iPhone app developers made up of ~6 people. We're high schoolers with a few years programming/graphics design experience.<p>We're just starting up. If you're interested in maybe outsourcing something to us, shoot me an email. Since I understand that we're not experienced iPhone developers and maybe not even experienced developers in general (I'd like to think we're pretty decent, but maybe that's teenage arrogance speaking), it would be incredibly cheap.<p>But we're dedicated, have spare time, want to learn, and we would be willing to accommodate changing schedules, weird requests, whatever, if it means we get a chance.<p>My email is &#60;my username&#62; at Gmail.com.
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dotBenabout 15 years ago
Too many variables to be able to suggest a total rate (depends on how much work there is, in addition to the other factors listed).<p>You are probably looking at the equivalent of $100-200/hr for good development, with the higher end for people located in SF.<p>If you are going to out-source development, and you have a design/product background, I would build out a product spec and even a draft list of stories into Pivotal Tracker. It will help you define with your contractor what you want but also help to estimate total job time -- and that will help you arrive at a budget, based on the above hourly rate.<p>[If you don't have a design/product background (or are not a developer yourself) then the success of outsourced is probably going to be mixed]<p>I also tend to shy away from fixed bid because it doesn't work with an agile approach. You may not know completely what you want and as you get building and can get a better picture, being able to add extra components into the mix will cause friction with a fixed bid contract.<p>Better to agree a budget so that everyone is clear what the limits and goal posts are.
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gte910habout 15 years ago
This is what I do for a living (in Atlanta though).<p>Depends a <i>lot</i> on the complexity.<p>For non-game apps: Some smaller, simple apps are 2-3k, more complex stuff runs in the 10-15k range. Past that you're doing something A&#62; Really Hard, B&#62; New, C&#62; On the edge of what Apple allows or D&#62; Heavily involved with a complicated server component.<p>I'd happily send you a fixed fee quote for your app if you'd like (see profile for an email address to contact me).<p>One thing to see: See if they'll set you up on your mac getting you compiling and signing for submission to the store. Lots of overseas shops don't get you through that last part, and it is pretty tricky to do right.
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koevetabout 15 years ago
A couple of months ago I had an idea for an iPhone app that requires a client and server component. I decided to focus on the backend development and outsource the front-end. I have posted my tender on <a href="http://www.getappsdone.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.getappsdone.com/</a> and in a very short amount of time I have received several offers from shops and individuals from all over the planet, mainly US, UK and India. I have replied to every contact asking for a portfolio and I ended up with a couple of candidates. I also received all sort of prices, from suspiciously low (40US/hour)to rip-off high (&#62; 200/h). I have based my choice on the quality of the portfolio, on the similarity of apps already developed by the shop to mine and, of course, on the overall price.
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edsterabout 15 years ago
I'll be happy to talk to you about your app. I've been developing freelance iphone apps since day 1 of the beta. I've had apps featured at the All Things D conference, NY Times, all of the gadget websites and one of my apps was chosen as one of the top 20 apps of 2009 by a prominent magazine.<p>I live an Ann Arbor MI, but I've done several projects from companies in CA including a prominent app for a San Jose based company.<p>Please contact me via email and I'll turn all of this theoretical stuff into real names and places.<p>&#60;edit&#62;My rate is $75 per hour, which is why I think many CA firms don't mind working with a remote resource&#60;end edit&#62;
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rickharrisonabout 15 years ago
I started up a small development shop about a year ago with a couple other people from Hacker News, and we have done a lot of iPhone development. I would be glad to talk with you about your project. We deliver quality work, and charge much less than some of the more well known shops.<p>We just launched two iPad apps this past weekend, and they are in the top 100 in both overall categories (free and paid). And they are a #2 and #3 app in their respective subcategory. Send me an email (its in my comment).
adriandabout 15 years ago
We're a development shop that focuses on web development, not far from Toronto. We're dipping our toes into iPhone and iPad development - we have someone who is trained, but no app in the App Store yet. We're working on a new app right now that we intend to be free, just to build credibility. But I'd be happy to quote on your project. I'd cut you a deal given that it'd be great exposure and experience for us.<p>I realize that stating up front that we have limited experience in the area probably doesn't inspire confidence. However, we're a high quality shop with excellent design skills. We produce quality software, and wouldn't let you down.<p>Contact info in my bio if you're interested.
tzmabout 15 years ago
I'm in Raleigh, NC. I develop iPhone / iPad and Android apps for a small dev firm. We price our apps on a fixed rate basis, typically starting at $3k, for full service work (graphic design to app store distribution); 2-3 week lead time.<p>Although we could bill $100 - $150/hr, we find clients respond better to fixed rate pricing, which seems to be a more manageable on both ends.<p>We focus heavily on providing excellent design and rich UI/UX. We often work with agencies behind the scenes or with enterprise customers, brands, publishers and entrepreneurs with an "idea". Pretty much all types of customers.<p>We also build the web service infrastructure, which may include social, geo and eCommerce capabilities and/or integration.<p>Btw, we've had iPhone apps approved in as little as 2 days.<p>Your app seems like some of the apps that we've developed for $2-3k, assuming you have a workflow / spec draft and initial design consideration.
grinichabout 15 years ago
I do freelance iPhone/iPad dev work. I'm in Boston. grinich@mit.edu<p>For reference, I built this: <a href="http://michaelgrinich.com/hackernews/" rel="nofollow">http://michaelgrinich.com/hackernews/</a> The rest of my portfolio isn't yet online. Send me an email and I can show you more.
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tarouterabout 15 years ago
I remember having read this story about a girl who outsourced her app to canada for 800$ and earned upwards of 8000$ selling it. The app was about a popular game played by girls. I know I'm being too vague but I specifically remember this - 1) Canadian developer 2) Was developed for 800$ 3) It was a popular game app for girls I hope that provide some useful data points to consider. It was published in one of hacker/entrepreneurship related websites/blogs which probably many of you frequent and might have seen the story. Anyone got a link?
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jason_slackabout 15 years ago
Whatever you do, dont use Craigslist. You get what you pay for!<p>And incidentally, are other just dumbfounded by those that advertise "Develop my iPhone app, no compensation" ads? How can they realistically think someone might do that?<p>I can understand why they advertise, in hope, but I would rather be working on my own company and my own apps for FREE.
BSousaabout 15 years ago
I develop iPhone/iPad apps in-house for the enterprise market, but when I take side projects, I usually take around 70-80 dollars an hour (depending on the whole scope of the project).<p>But it is hard to quote a fixed price without knowing much about the application. An application with two custom views with a lot of logic can easilly take 10x as much time as a CoreData 10 view application that is just drilling data.<p>Send me an email at brunomtsousa@gmail.com if you need any advice/help.
glenabout 15 years ago
I'm using rent-a-coder to develop an iPhone app for an automatic thought record -- a tool that clinicians use to help people challenge irrational thoughts with evidence and rational thoughts. I put the bid out at $300 just to see what happened. I had 3 bids and ended up choosing one w/60+ reviews and a 9.7 (out of 10 rate) for $250. Feel free to email me with any questions. I'd be happy to share the project plan they developed.
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Mankhoolabout 15 years ago
I got a very rough quote from a Toronto firm to do a location based app for web, iPhone and Android for approximately $370,000. I just talked to a Vancouver developer who charges $120/hr. As others have mentioned there are numerous variables, but most developers will usually be happy to do an initial free consultation to learn more about your project so that they can at least ballpark a figure to you.
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wallflowerabout 15 years ago
I would pick a development team here and have some small part in the codebase. Be willing to pay a little more for people who are willing to answer your questions and keep you accountable for small tasks. That is the basic framework (minus the pay) for a long-term iPhone bootcamp that I will be starting with a long-distance friend soon. Everything will be done over Google Wave and Github-like sites.
faramarzabout 15 years ago
Thanks for the question. I'll be monitoring this thread, because I'm entertaining the thought of outsourcing my iPad app. development as well.<p><i>Upvoted</i>
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byoung2about 15 years ago
I've worked with Take 5 Labs (<a href="http://takefivelabs.com/" rel="nofollow">http://takefivelabs.com/</a>) for iPhone app development. They developed an app for the last company I worked for (<a href="http://www.veritasprep.com/iphone-gmat-practice-quiz/" rel="nofollow">http://www.veritasprep.com/iphone-gmat-practice-quiz/</a>). That app was in the $5-10k range.
austonabout 15 years ago
Might I recommend that you make it a web app?<p>All of the facilities you have listed are available in Safari (client side storage, location data).
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callmeedabout 15 years ago
A friend and I went to a few dev shops with an iPhone app idea. We got bids from $10k up to $50k.<p>I really like the work these guys do: <a href="http://www.ubermind.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.ubermind.com</a><p>You might also post in 37signals' job board–they have an iPhone category.
pkrishnakabout 15 years ago
Hi,<p>I am the CEO of Chaitu Systems. We focus on developing iPhone and iPad applications only, with a team in India that has already delivered some projects. Please connect with me at krishna.kumar@chaitusystems.com if you want to discuss your outsourcing requirements.<p>Regards,<p>Krishna Kumar
catch23about 15 years ago
Since you're in the SF Bay Area, you should hang around the Hacker Dojo and see if there are any takers. Generally speaking, there are pretty good developers there and they don't charge and arm&#38;leg for development.
jm3about 15 years ago
<a href="http://theymakeapps.com" rel="nofollow">http://theymakeapps.com</a> - a directory designed to answer exactly the question you're asking. They also won a Best-of-Web award at SXSW last month.
bobwaycottabout 15 years ago
If you think you can do it in a month, then save yourself the money. I don't think you'd really get any app worth it's salt in two weeks, no matter who is doing the coding.
pkrishnakabout 15 years ago
I am sorry, I forgot to mention I live in the Bay Area, and am contactable locally. Please send an email, and we can connect.<p>Regards, Krishna Kumar CEO, Chaitu Systems
mkramlichabout 15 years ago
I wrote the Postabon iPhone app (heavy location-based features), and wrote and shipped about 8 other iPhone apps before that. Your dev time expectations sound approximately right (without knowing more details), but I can't speak to current prices, they fluctuate quite a bit.<p>Any other questions, ping me.