How much should I pay a freelancer to develop an app?

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How much should I pay a freelancer to develop an app?

From freelancer app development costing a minimum of $5,000 to expecting to pay $100 per hour, here are the 10 answers to the question, “How much should I pay a freelancer to develop an app?”

  • It Greatly Depends On the Complexity of Your Project
  • Prepare to Pay
  • A Basic App Can Be Developed for $1,000-$3,000
  • Basic Apps Can Cost Up to $30,000
  • Never Pay by the Hour
  • Eastern Europe is One-third the Cost
  • The Low End Average is Between $5,000 – $10,000
  • Pay by Experience Level
  • Negotiate. Get Someone Reliable. Pay Accordingly.
  • Developing Apps Cost Minimum $5,000 and Often 10x More

how much should I pay a freelancer to develop an app

It Greatly Depends On the Complexity of Your Project

The cost of developing an app depends on the complexity of the features you are looking to include. Generally, you should expect to pay anywhere from $15,000-$60,000 for a basic application and up to $175,000 for a complex one. When deciding how much to pay a freelancer for an app development project, it’s important to consider the experience and skill of the freelancer, as well as their availability. If they have a strong portfolio and are available to work on your project quickly, it may be worth paying more for their services.

Additionally, you should factor in the cost of any additional resources that may be needed to ensure the development process is successful (such as graphic design, content creation, etc.). Ultimately, the cost of an app development project is dependent on your budget and the complexity of the features you are looking to include. Do thorough research and communicate effectively with any potential freelancers before deciding how much to pay for their services.

Michael Fischer , Founder, Elite HRT


Balance passion-driven work and flexibility

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Freelancing is the best way to balance passion-driven work and flexibility – giving people the opportunity to have full autonomy over their career and how they want to work on a day-to-day basis. Whether you’re working at home or on-the-go, freelancers can choose the projects they want to pursue, then craft their work experience around it. As a freelancer, you have the freedom to travel the world, spend time with your family, and manage your own schedule.

As we continue to navigate a volatile economy plagued by layoffs and firings, independent work is a great vehicle for financial security. By not being tied down by a singular employer, you can take on more projects, be your own boss, and further develop your own service offerings with new skills – such as AI. With businesses relying on freelancers more than ever before, freelancers today can expand their horizons and work on projects of all shapes and sizes.

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General Manager, Fiverr Pro


Prepare to Pay

The standard for paying a freelancer to develop an app should be around $400. The coding part isn’t what cost the money. That can be done rather quickly. The real work is in developing the app and that’s where most of the money goes. The exact amount depends on how complicated the app is and what you want it to do. The final price can be negotiated depending on how much time the freelancer puts into it.

Baruch Labunski , CEO, Rank Secure

A Basic App Can Be Developed for $1,000-$3,000

The cost of developing an app varies depending on the features and complexity of the app. A basic app can be developed for $1,000-$3,000, while a more complex app can cost $10,000 or more. When hiring a freelancer to develop an app, it’s important to specify the features and requirements that you want included in the app. This will help to ensure that there are no surprises or hidden costs after the development process begins.

Aviad Faruz , CEO, FARUZO

The Basic Can App Costs Up to 30000 Usd Or More

Developing an app is a complex process that requires dedicated time, effort, and skill. When considering how much to pay a freelancer for such a service, it’s important to look at their credentials, experience, and the size of the project. A basic app may be achievable with a budget of less than $50,000 but more complex applications can cost considerably more. It’s essential to do your research and find the right balance between quality and pricing so that you don’t overspend on what could have been provided within your budget.

Jim Campbell , CEO, Campbell Online Media





There is Quite a Range, but Never Pay by the Hour

There is quite a range when it comes to freelance app development, but the most important rule of thumb is to never agree to an hourly rate. Freelancers can charge anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 for an app development project depending on the complexity and features of the app. To determine a fair rate for your project, it’s important to consider factors such as the quality of work you expect, timeline requirements, and geographical location. You should also factor in any associated costs such as prototyping, design, and user testing. Don’t be afraid to shop around and find the right developer for your project, even if it takes some time to do so.

Asker Ahmed , Director & Founder, iProcess

Eastern Europe is One-third the Cost | Develop An App

Deciding how much to pay a freelancer for app development can be daunting, but there are things to consider that can make it easier. Generally speaking, when you hire a freelance developer from the United States, you should expect to pay an average of $121 per hour to $140 per hour. The rate varies depending on experience and demand, but those are good statistics to keep in mind. Hiring a freelancer from Europe can save you quite a bit of money, with an average rate of about $41 per hour. Ultimately, the amount of money you should spend depends on your budget, the complexity of your app’s features, and the skills and experience of your developer.

Jimmy Minhas , Founder & CEO, GerdLi

The Low End Average is Between $5000 – $10,000

Recent surveys have indicated that at the low end, an app development project will likely cost somewhere between $5000 – $10,000. However, it could be more depending on the complexity and features of the app. It is important to remember that you get what you pay for; hiring a cheaper freelancer may save some money but at the expense of potentially lower-quality work. Furthermore, developers often charge by the hour or day, which can make budgeting for a project with fixed costs more difficult. Ultimately, it is prudent to do your research and find a developer whom you can trust to deliver quality work at a reasonable cost.

Ryan Delk , CEO, Primer





Pay by Experience Level

Depending on what kind of proven experience the freelance has, you could pay them anywhere between $30 to $120 an hour. The typical range is as follows:1. Beginner developers: $30 per hour2. Mid level developers: $60 per hour3. Highly experienced developers: $120 per hourThis all depends on the type of work that the developer will be doing as well.

Celeste Porter , Community Manager, ResumeHelp

Negotiate. Get Someone Reliable. Pay Accordingly.

First off, you need to find someone reliable. You don’t want someone who will ghost you halfway through the project or deliver something that doesn’t work as intended. Do your homework on potential candidates by checking references and reviews from their previous clients. Once you have identified two or three top contenders – get ready for some serious negotiating!

The cost of developing an app depends on a few factors: complexity of design, number of features needed (and desired), platform requirements (iOS/Android), expected timeline etc. It also varies according to region – in North America expect fees ranging between $5k-$15k; whereas in Europe fees are closer to €7-€20k depending on complexity. Keep in mind though that these figures usually cover development only – additional costs may be incurred if any 3rd party tools are required such as payment gateways etc., so make sure all these costs are discussed upfront before signing any contracts with your chosen freelancer(s).

Jamie Irwin , Director, Straight Up Search

Developing Apps Cost Minimum $5,000 and Often 10x More

I’ve been a freelance developer for 10+ years and created dozens of apps. Developing an app is a costly endeavor, even with the rise of no-code and low-code tools. If you’re building a cookie-cutter SaaS app, it’s safe to assume that you’ll spend at least $5,000 for very generic functionality. Most custom apps cost at least 10x that, typically between $50k – $100k for a fully polished product. Games and immersive experiences are the most expensive due to their complexity: expect to spend $100k minimum!

Justin Pincar , Co-founder & CTO, Achievable

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