Hire Mobile App Developers

Why Are Mobile App Developers the Key to Success?

As we said earlier, people use their mobile phones to do almost anything: order food, call a cab, book airline tickets, pay bills, etc., because, with mobile apps, they can do everything with the touch of a finger.

According to statistics, in 2023, there were about 299 billion mobile app downloads for various purposes such as games, education, entertainment, business, etc.

As eMarketer forecasts, “Adults in the US will spend nearly four hours, 30 minutes per day in 2022 on their phones and tablets — more than half the workday for many people.” Searching for some service or online information through a computer is not always convenient. It requires a person to be at home. As a result, mobile applications have a higher conversion rate than the same websites in mobile browsers.

Statista Digital Market Outlook estimates global mobile app market revenue will reach 1.14 trillion by 2025. These statistics make mobile app developers one of the most in-demand specialists on the market. 

So, with a mobile app, your products and services become more accessible and easier to use.

How to Hire Mobile App Developers with the Right Skills?

According to a CareerBuilder report, three out of four employers lose out by hiring the wrong person for a position. To prevent you from facing this situation, we’ve prepared a set of tips designed to assist you in selecting the right developer with the necessary technical expertise.

Step 1. Define the application platform.

There are essentially two different approaches to mobile applications: native and cross-platform. The technical expertise of mobile developers ultimately depends on the app you want to create. Therefore, determine which approach suits you best before searching for a mobile developer. This will help you understand what mobile developer is required to meet your needs.

Native App development approach 

Specific programming languages, development environments, etc., are used to create mobile applications.

A native approach is a good option for you if:

• You do not have budget constraints.
• Your mobile application requires more sophisticated functionality. 
• You need not be in both the Apple App and Google Play Stores. 
• You want to ensure the best possible user experience.
• You plan to scale the application from a long-term perspective (making changes to native applications is easier).

Cross-platform app development approach 

Applications are simultaneously written for several platforms (iOS, Android) using one programming language, which differs from native languages.

The choice between native and cross-platform approaches depends on factors such as your requirements, desired functionalities, target audience, timeline, budget, and other relevant considerations.

A cross-platform solution should be your choice if:

• You have a limited budget.
• You can use a simple mobile application in terms of functionality.
• You need a prototype or an MVP to “probe” the market.
• You plan to market both platforms simultaneously.
• You need a single appearance for all platforms.

Step 2. Define the type of application

The complexity of these features directly affects the developer’s specialization. Hiring a developer for basic features like a calculator is straightforward, whereas complex functionalities such as unique user logins or GPS tracking demand specialized skills. Therefore, the type of application and its feature complexity determine the technology required. It’s crucial to hire an application developer with expertise in the solutions needed for your specific requirements.

Step 3. Searching for a Mobile App programmer

Where you look depends on the goal: 

• If you need full-time developers, ask friends or post your vacancy on aggregators to ensure broad coverage. Advertise on your website, on social networks, or run paid ads. Consider leveraging tech recruiting services.
• I need a developer for a one-off job, so I use freelance platforms.
• Urgent need for developers: contact companies that offer the services of on-demand (dedicated) developers. Additionally, explore options such as IT staff augmentation to swiftly augment your team with qualified professionals.

How to Hire a Programmer for a Mobile App: 4 Options to Choose From

Here are the most common options:

• Hiring freelance mobile app developers
• Assembling an in-house team of app programmers
• Applying to an IT staff augmentation company

Hiring freelance mobile app developers

The first people who come to mind when there is a need to hire a mobile developer are freelancers. There are many good freelance platforms with thousands of mobile app freelancers. These are a good choice if your mobile application is not too complex regarding functional requirements.

When evaluating freelancers for mobile app-related tasks, it’s essential to prioritize traits such as experience, responsibility, and motivation. Opting for the wrong freelancer could potentially lead to administrative and regulatory hurdles that consume valuable time and resources. Thus, it’s prudent to thoroughly assess freelancers to ensure they align with your business objectives and standards.

Other possible problems with freelancers are time zone differences, language barriers, and the freelancer working on several projects simultaneously. These problems can lead to miscommunication and disruptions in business operations. Additionally, freelance platforms may primarily feature specialists adept at handling smaller technical tasks, posing challenges for businesses seeking assistance with larger-scale endeavors.

Pros:

• Cost savings
• A large pool of developers with different skills
• Multiple hiring platforms

Cons:

• Possible language barrier.
• It is quite challenging to manage.
• Disruptions in business operations. 
• Handling numerous tasks simultaneously.

Hiring an in-house team of app programmers

You hire mobile app developers, rent an office, and work as a team. In this case, communication is very high since you are all under one roof. As a result, by choosing “mobile app developers near me,” you have more control over the whole development process and can make changes at any time.

And everything would be fine if it weren’t for the significant expenses that await you. You must rent an office, furnish it, and buy equipment and licensed software. In addition, you have to pay each employee wages, sick leave, and vacation pay.

Unless you are in a country where the pool of mobile developers is large enough, you will compete with companies that lure specialists with huge salaries and numerous benefits.

Another disadvantage is that you may need developers and a person who can manage the team. Hiring a project manager or technical director becomes essential to ensure seamless and efficient progress, particularly if management expertise is needed.

 Pros:

• Complete control over the team.
• Absence of communication difficulties.

Cons:

• Long and complicated hiring process.
• Expensive.
• Managing a team requires skill.

Hiring mobile app developers through tech. recruitment company

Hiring mobile app developers through a tech recruitment company offers an alternative approach. Instead of assembling an in-house team, you can leverage the services of a specialized recruitment firm to source and onboard developers remotely.

By choosing this route, you benefit from access to a broader talent pool beyond your geographical location. Communication remains vital, albeit facilitated through digital channels rather than face-to-face interactions. Despite the geographical separation, you retain significant control over the workflow and can adapt to changes as required.

However, while this approach circumvents the need for physical office space and equipment, it is not without its challenges. Engaging a tech recruitment company incurs fees for their services, adding to the overall cost of hiring mobile app developers. Additionally, managing a remote team requires effective communication and coordination skills to ensure smooth progress and productivity.

Pros:

• Access to a wider talent pool.
• Flexibility in scaling the team.
• Reduced overhead costs compared to maintaining an in-house team.

Cons:

• Dependency on external service providers.
• Potential communication challenges with remote team members.
• Effective management and coordination skills are needed to oversee a distributed team.

Hiring remote or dedicated mobile app developers 

An efficient method for hiring mobile app developers is to enlist the services of established and dedicated professionals tailored to your business requirements. This approach ensures access to top-notch services at a competitive rate without the need for office space or unnecessary expenses associated with in-house hiring. Furthermore, partnering with dedicated software development companies alleviates the time-consuming process of recruitment, as they typically have a roster of proven mobile app professionals readily available.

Like other options, this also has its disadvantages. As in the case of hiring freelance developers, you may encounter a language barrier and a significant time difference. Nevertheless, experienced IT vendors almost always have developers who speak English well and adjust communication times for the client’s convenience.

Pros:

• Cost-effectiveness.
• Wide range of technology suppliers from all over the world.
• You can get any technical expertise you need.
• There is no need for management on your part.
• Quick hiring.

Cons:

• Language barriers and time zone differences can still occur.
• It is a more expensive option compared to freelancers.

Below are the top 10 resources for hiring mobile app developers with the best remote companies. Check them out so you can be sure of hiring a qualified vendor:

• Clutch
• GoodFirms
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Glassdoor
• LinkedIn
• IT firms

IT Staff augmentation

Another remote hiring model entails locating a mobile app programmer proficient in a specific technology precisely suited to your business needs. This targeted approach enables you to identify a developer with expertise precisely aligned with your operational requirements.

You can expand or reduce your team as needed. Hiring is done externally, i.e., from an outside vendor on a contract basis. This option reduces the costs and liability associated with hiring new full-time employees.

Pros:

• Accelerated and streamlined business enhancement.
• Tailored expertise tailored to your specific business needs.
• Reduced costs.

Cons:

• Not suitable for full-time or constant demand.
• Communication problems due to remote conditions.
• Adaptation and management problems.

Where to Hire Mobile App Developers?

There are different kinds of platforms when looking for app programmers. In numbers and statistics, 35% of startups rely on referrals, while 30% of companies use professional platforms. We’ll look at each hiring option to help you choose.

Online platforms

The easiest way. Such platforms collect information about IT companies from all over the world. Using these aggregators, you can hire developers at a reasonable price and rely on the evaluation and reviews of that company. Platforms can be divided into three types, some of which you’ve seen before in our article. 

Platforms for hiring a full-time mobile app developer:

• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Dice

Platforms for hiring freelancers:

• Upwork
• Toptal
• Gun.io
• Fiverr Pro
• Hired

Platforms for hiring remote tech talents (dedicated development companies, it staff augmentation, and talent tech recruiting services):

• Clutch
• GoodFirms
• IT Firms

Ask for references

Perhaps someone in your professional environment can recommend a proven mobile developer. This option needs a long list of professional contacts. The more people you know, the better your chances of finding the right mobile programmer for your unique requirements.

Tech Events

If referral channels for hiring a mobile app developer aren’t for you, you still have specialized tech events or conferences. Such events unite thousands of developers and experts to share experience and knowledge and build business relationships.

By attending such events, you can, if not hire a mobile developer, at least gain valuable contacts that may be useful in the future. 

There are several annual technology events like Google IO and Apple WWDC that you can attend to hire mobile application experts. And others:

• Code Mobile. This is a technology conference for iOS and Android app programmers in the UK.
• DroidCon. This event in Berlin has become the largest meeting of Android-only developers for over ten years.
• Appdevcon. Amsterdam tech event for iOS, Android, and cross-platform developers.
• ÜberConf. It’s a conference in Denver attended by recognized industry experts and experienced mobile developers.
• dotSwift is a TED-like event for iOS developers in a beautiful Parisian theatre. Each presentation is limited to 20 minutes, so no one gets bored. If you’ve seen TED conferences, this format is similar but with expert developers.

THAT Conference. This conference is held in Wisconsin Dells, WI, and brings together a cozy IT community to share experiences.

Interview Tips for Hiring the Right Mobile App Developer

Mobile app developer experience

After you find mobile developers you like, you start the next phase – interviewing. Traditionally, an interview is divided into two stages. The first is a theoretical part of an interview — the second is coding. A coding interview is a technical interview to assess a developer’s programming skills. The complexity and question topics in the theoretical part are determined by the level of mobile developer you are seeking. Levels are divided into junior, middle, and senior.

Examine the Mobile developer portfolio 

The work of the mobile developer speaks for itself; it is why their portfolio is so important. A portfolio offers a comprehensive overview of past experiences, including previous needs, challenges encountered, strategies employed to overcome them, areas of expertise, technology utilized, and other relevant details.

After studying the portfolio, you can download one of the mobile apps that a candidate worked on. Thus, you can evaluate the work of the application from a user perspective: startup speed, performance, and interaction between various application functions.

Mobile developer technical skills 

Even if you don’t have the technical expertise to do the developer’s background check, it isn’t impossible to hire an app developer.

1. If you have no technical background, it’s advisable to enlist the assistance of an independent technical consultant (CTO) to conduct interviews with candidates. This person will help you determine how competent a developer is and help you make the final decision. Alternatively, you can opt for tech recruitment services, which will handle the technical interviewing process according to your specific requirements. While this option may entail additional investment, it ultimately pays off in terms of time efficiency and the quality of hired developers.

2. If you lack the budget for option 1, we have curated a selection of articles to assist you. These resources cover various topics such as understanding the responsibilities of mobile developers, acquiring knowledge about their skills, and assessing their professional expertise:

• Hire Android Developers (native)
• Hire iOS Developers (native)
• Hire React Native Developers (cross-platform)

Depending on your target application and platform, it’s crucial to hire a programmer with experience in specific technologies tailored to the chosen operating system (OS).

Native App

A native application is a program that runs on a specific platform or device, offering businesses the option to choose between Android or iOS platforms.

Native app developer skills

iOS developer:

• Programming languages – Swift, Objective-C
• IDEs – Xcode IDE, AppCode
• APIs – Cocoa Touch, RESTful, OpenGL, Metal
• Frameworks – Core Data framework
• Additional skills – Understanding of UI/UX design standards, Apple Human Interface Guidelines

Android developer: 

• Programming languages – Kotlin, Java
• IDEs – Android Studio, IntelliJ IDEA
• APIs – Retrofit, GSON
• Frameworks – Android UI, Jetpack Compose,
• Additional skills – Knowledge of Material Design Guidelines

Cross-platform application

Suppose you want to cover both iOS App Store and Google Play Store. In that case, hiring a mobile app programmer competent in creating cross-platform apps is an option. The distinguishing feature of such apps is the ability to work on more than one platform or device.

The cross-platform approach has several mobile development solutions: React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, Ionic, etc. The choice often comes down to two frameworks: React Native and Flutter. These are the most frequently used and elaborated frameworks. The chances of finding mobile developers for them are way higher.

Mobile developer soft skills

Soft skills are the personal traits of a candidate. They include communication skills, the ability to learn, work in a team, etc., and are of the same importance as hard skills.

Below, you will see the essential soft skills for hiring a mobile app developer and not making a mistake:

• Understanding customer’s value 

If the developer understands why he is doing what he is required to, he can find the right approach and solution. Time will show which task can be done differently or not done at all. Very often, it is just the opposite. At first, the developer starts to perform the task and doesn’t think about the problems it solves, and as a result, he runs into problems. The developer must understand the client’s goals and requirements. This makes it much easier for him to set priorities, and avoid numerous adjustments.

• Communication skills

Communication makes it easier to cope with challenges. If a mobile app developer lacks strong communication skills, they may encounter difficulties and may even leave tasks unfulfilled in the long run. 

• Teamwork

Regardless of a mobile app developer’s experience, tackling complex tasks can be time-consuming. A team may include specialists from various fields, emphasizing the significance of effective teamwork for achieving success in intricate endeavors. 

• Time management

A mobile developer must be able to prioritize tasks, manage workloads, and meet deadlines. Organizing tasks, staying productive during periods of high workload, and maintaining balance are crucial when creating a mobile app.

• Negotiation skills 

When hiring a mobile app developer, the ability to articulate improvement ideas clearly is crucial for negotiation. Weak communication skills may result in the developer’s suggestions being overlooked.

• Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence has two sides. The first is being able to understand the feelings and emotions of others. The second is the ability to manage one’s own emotions. If a mobile app developer understands his emotions and can control them, he will make the right decisions. Not be guided by emotions that come rushing in.

• Flexibility and creativity 

The main tip when hiring a mobile app developer is to find someone more flexible in solving problems. A specialist can perfectly do any technical task and complex feature by looking at it from different angles and choosing the right approach.

• Proactivity 

How to hire a mobile developer and reduce time to market? Choose a proactive specialist. With this skill, the programmer will work more efficiently, faster, and more easily cope with a large amount of work.

Cost 

Consider the below-mentioned moments when considering a budget:

Model of cooperation

Based on your business requirements, you have the flexibility to opt for a dedicated in-house team or freelancers or leverage talent through tech recruiting services. This enables you to customize your approach based on the scale, duration, and nature of your needs, ensuring efficient resource utilization and effectiveness.

Mobile developer salary

Mobile developers’ rates vary from country to country. For example, rates in Northern America (USA, Canada) are the highest, while in Asia (India, Nepal, and Pakistan), they are the lowest. Regarding costs, Northern Europe (Lithuania) and Eastern Europe (Poland) can be seen as the golden mean, offering a high level of competence at a more reasonable price.

Considerations When Hiring a Remote App Developer with Custom IT Staffing or Staff Augmentation

We mentioned earlier that when hiring remote mobile developers, possible communication issues are worth considering. Whether they will be significant or not depends on three factors:

English Language Level

Effective communication in English is crucial for productive collaboration. When hiring developers, it’s important that they comprehend your requirements and that you can easily receive progress updates. Suppose the developer cannot speak English and has difficulty understanding the language. In that case, it can lead to miscommunication and failure to meet deadlines.

When hiring mobile developers, look for the region with the highest English proficiency index (EPI). The higher the country ranks, the higher your chances of hiring app developers with good English.

Time zone differences and communication tools

If you hire an app developer a thousand kilometers away, communicating with them can be inconvenient. For example, if you’re in New York and your developer is in Lithuania, you’ll deal with a seven-hour time difference.

To solve this problem, tech recruiting firms and IT staff augmentation companies typically schedule all communication sessions with clients to maximize efficiency during meetings and minimize the impact of time zone differences.

Here are some commonly used communication tools to facilitate seamless collaboration: 

• Slack—This application integrates the entire company structure. It allows you to create group chats, download and upload documents in various formats, and more.
• Skype – The program allows you to make voice and video calls, exchange files, and much more. The main thing is to have a stable Internet connection.
• Zoom – You can also make voice and video calls with it. With Zoom, you can join a meeting simply by clicking on a unique link. You can also restrict access to the online conference by setting a login password.
• Microsoft Teams – Like all the solutions mentioned above, this tool suits one-to-one or group communications via messaging, audio calls, videoconferencing, and live group meetings.

Cultural differences

Many people don’t take this communication aspect seriously when hiring mobile application developers. Nevertheless, cultural differences can seriously affect the communication between the two parties and, as a result, the overall effectiveness of your work. The culture can be divided into high-context and low-context. 

To avoid possible problems, choose an app developer from a country with a similar culture to yours.

High-context culture implies deep context, meanings, and different shades. Examples include Central Europeans, Koreans, Indians, Arabs, Africans, Latin Americans, Italians, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, and Japanese.

Low-context culture relies on a straightforward message that leaves no room for ambiguity. Examples: Germans, Swiss, Austrians, New Zealanders, North Americans and Canadians, Scandinavians, Finns, British, Australians, and Slavs.

Where to Hire Mobile App Developers and How Much Does It Cost

When hiring a mobile app programmer, you should know the popular regions best suited for it. To help you choose the right one, we’ve researched mobile application developers in different tech hubs.

Central and Northern Europe for hiring mobile app developers.

Popular tech hubs and cost to hire mobile app developers in Central and Northern Europe

• Lithuania 39$/h
• Romania 30$/h
• Bulgaria 38$/h

This region combines a reasonable average hourly rate of $30 to $60 and a high level of technology ownership among developers. One of the most well-known technology centers in these regions is Lithuania. Its popularity has spread far beyond the area thanks to globally successful companies like Uber, Shopify, Unity, Wix, Oracle, and many others. So, when discussing where to hire mobile application developers, we cannot underestimate Lithuania. It is among the leading countries in project outsourcing and is ranked 11th among 190 IT-friendly countries by the World Bank.

IT professionals and their skills.

According to Statista report, there were 28.7 million software developers worldwide in 2024. Experts forecast the number of developers to grow to 45 million by 2030. Lithuanian technicians are competent and can apply various technologies and solutions to a project.

The number of young and creatively talented people is constantly growing. Lithuania has 36,000 software developers (with continuing natural growth of 5,000 per year), with 10,600 students in dedicated IT schools and up to 2,500 graduating annually. In addition, the country is a leader in English proficiency. Lithuanian IT hubs bring together leading IT companies, local authorities, and educational institutions to develop the IT sector in the region.

Development rates

The Lithuanian IT market is known for its competitive pricing, typically ranging from $40 to $50 per hour, making it one of the most affordable options in Europe.

Transparency

Lithuania has a one-two-hour time zone difference from Western Europe. Regulated tax rates allow large companies to create efficient business models. The absence of double taxation agreements with many regions allows the reduction of operating costs without legislative risks.

Developers in this country share values commonly found in Western countries and adopt comparable mindsets and strategies for managing workflows and tasks.

Western Europe to hire mobile app developers

Popular tech hubs and cost to hire mobile app developers in Western Europe:

• The UK 93$/h
• France 54$/h
• Netherlands 69$/h

Western Europe is known for its comfortable conditions for IT professionals to relocate, created by the Schengen Agreement. Because of this, many experienced IT firms in this region have an average hourly rate of $40 to $90.

South America to hire mobile app developers.

Popular tech hubs and cost to hire mobile app developers in South America:

• Brazil 44$/h
• Mexico 61$/h
• Argentina 61$/h
• Chile 55$/h

A distinctive feature of this region is its geographical proximity to North America, which means only a slight time difference. South America is a growing outsourcing destination due to an average hourly rate of $45 to $70 and the rapid growth of the IT industry.

Asia to hire mobile app developers

Popular tech hubs and cost to hire mobile app developers in Asia:

• India 29$/h
• China 28$/h
• Vietnam 29$/h
• Philippines 28$/h

This region has a low English proficiency index and a high context culture.

Nevertheless, Asia has a lot to offer. Given the large pool of tech talent and an average hourly rate of $25 to $40, you might consider Asia as a region for hiring mobile developers.

Want to hire mobile app developers through JayDevs?

JayDevs is an experienced provider of tech recruiting and IT staff augmentation services, headquartered in Lithuania.

Offering a spectrum of IT-related services, we assist in enhancing workflow productivity, achieving business objectives, and surmounting various challenges. At JayDevs, we empower startups and small to medium-sized enterprises to transform their technological visions into reality with the expertise of our high-quality developers.

Clients partnering with Jaydevs can expect a host of advantages, including:

• Access to a diverse talent pool: We provide access to a diverse pool of highly skilled and experienced tech professionals tailored to meet the specific needs of each client’s business operations.
• Flexibility and scalability: Our services offer flexibility in scaling up or down the team size based on business requirements, allowing clients to adapt to changing needs seamlessly.
• Cost-effectiveness: By leveraging our talent tech recruiting and IT staff augmentation services, clients can reduce overhead costs associated with traditional hiring processes.
• Speedy recruitment process: Our streamlined recruitment process ensures quick and efficient hiring of top-tier talent, saving clients time and effort in finding the right candidates for their operations.

Improved productivity: With access to skilled professionals and support from Jaydevs, clients can enhance their productivity and efficiency, leading to better business outcomes and growth.

Company Certification

We are proud to say that JayDevs’ developers have been awarded AWS Solutions Architect, AWS SysOps, AWS Cloud Practitioner, Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer (1Z0-804), and ICAgile Certified Professional (ICAgile) certifications.

If you’re prepared to commence your business initiative, feel free to reach out to us. We will be happy to help.