Cost to Hire an iOS Developers: Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• The cost to hire an iOS developer typically ranges from $20–$100 per hour, depending on skill, experience, and region.

• Hiring professional iOS developers ensures better performance, smoother UI/UX, faster delivery, and long-term scalability.

• Developer cost varies widely based on experience level, app complexity, tech stack, security needs, and industry-specific requirements.

• Choosing the right hiring model (freelancer, in-house, or dedicated team) can significantly impact overall development cost and efficiency.

• Dedicated developers provide the best balance of cost, quality, and flexibility, making them ideal for scalable iOS app development.

• JPLoft offers cost-effective, skilled, and scalable iOS development talent, helping businesses reduce hiring costs while ensuring high-quality app delivery.

Curious about how much does it cost to hire an iOS developer for your next project? The cost usually falls between $20–$100 per hour, depending on skills, experience, and location. 

Understanding the cost is essential because it directly impacts your overall budget, app quality, and development speed. Whether you’re building a simple MVP or a fully scaled iOS application, knowing what influences the cost can save you time, money, and unnecessary complexity. 

With the rising demand for high-performing iOS apps, choosing the right developer has become more important than ever. So, this guide will walk you through the pricing structure, key cost factors, and smart ways to hire efficiently so you can make confident decisions without feeling overwhelmed.

Why Hiring Professional iOS Developers is Important?

Hiring professional iOS developers is crucial if you want your app to perform smoothly, scale efficiently, and deliver a seamless user experience. 

Skilled developers bring the right mix of technical knowledge, problem-solving ability, and platform expertise that most DIY or low-skill approaches cannot match. 

Here’s why choosing professionals truly matters:

• Market Growth Advantage: Investing in professional iOS developers is crucial. According to Cognitive Market Research, the global market is projected to grow from $8,044 million in 2021 to $11,582.3 million by 2025.

• Expert Understanding of Apple’s Ecosystem: They ensure your app meets Apple’s strict design principles, performance standards, and App Store guidelines.

• Thriving User Base & Monetization Potential: As per Demand Sage, in 2025, iOS holds roughly 25.7% of the global smartphone OS market, offering high-value users and strong revenue opportunities for well-developed apps.

• Advanced Technical Skills: Professionals work with Swift, Objective-C, Xcode, and the latest iOS frameworks to build secure, feature-rich applications.

• Efficiency & Faster Development: Experienced developers streamline the development process, reducing bugs and speeding up delivery.

• Strategic Use of No-Code Development: They know when no-code tools are suitable and when custom development is essential for performance and scalability.

• Better UI/UX Implementation: Professionals focus on intuitive interfaces, smooth animations, and engaging interactions that users expect from iOS apps.

• Long-Term Support & Scalability: They ensure your app can grow with future updates, added features, and increased user load.

Hiring the right talent makes it easier to create an app that stands out in a competitive market. With professionals on your side, you can expect better quality, long-term reliability, and an app that users truly enjoy using.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an iOS Developer?

Hiring iOS developers typically costs between $20–$100 per hour, depending on their expertise, region, and project complexity. Junior developers usually charge on the lower end, while highly experienced or specialized iOS developers fall in the premium range.

Understanding these costs also helps you estimate the overall cost to develop an app more accurately. 

Below is a simplified breakdown to help you compare iOS developer rates across different experience levels and regions:

These cost ranges give you a realistic idea of what to expect when planning your iOS app development budget. Choosing the right developer depends on your project size, timeline, and the quality you want to achieve. 

With the right approach, you can balance cost and expertise to build a high-performing iOS app efficiently.

Factors That Influence the Cost to Hire iOS Developers

Understanding the cost before hiring an iOS developer is essential when planning your overall iOS app development budget. Many businesses ask, “How much does it cost to hire an iOS developer?” but the truth is, there’s no fixed answer. 

The pricing depends on multiple factors, including experience, skills, location, hiring model, and project complexity.

Below is a complete breakdown of all key factors affecting iOS developer cost, along with cost comparison tables after each section to help you estimate your budget accurately.

1. Developer Experience Level

The developer’s experience has the biggest impact on the iOS developer hourly rate. More experienced developers deliver high-quality code, handle complex tasks, and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

They also bring industry-best practices, making your development process smoother, faster, and more reliable. Their ability to foresee potential issues early can also help reduce future rework and added expenses.

2. iOS Developer Rates by Region

Location plays a major role in determining the average cost of hiring an iOS developer. Developers in North America and Western Europe charge more due to higher living and operational costs, while offshore regions offer equally strong talent at budget-friendly pricing.

Choosing the right region can significantly impact your overall iOS app development budget, especially for long-term projects. For businesses targeting the US market, you can hire mobile app developers in the USA to ensure familiarity with local standards, user expectations, and compliance requirements.

Refer to the below table for more clarity.:

3. Hiring Model (Freelancer, Full-Time, Remote Team)

Your hiring model directly affects your iOS app development cost and project efficiency. Freelancers are cost-effective models for small tasks or short-term work. Flexible but may have limited availability and inconsistent delivery. 

Full-Time Developers are reliable for long-term projects but come with high salaries, benefits, and onboarding costs.

A dedicated remote team can be the best choice. When you hire dedicated developers, you get focused professionals working exclusively on your project. They offer faster development, better accountability, and scalability without the overhead of full-time employees. 

4. App Complexity & Features

The complexity of your app is a major factor in the cost to hire an iOS developer. Simple apps with basic UI and few screens are easier to build and cost less. Medium apps with API integrations, dashboards, and real-time features require more skilled developers, increasing the iOS app development cost.

High-complexity apps, featuring AI app development service, AR/VR, fintech-level security, or IoT connectivity, need senior developers with advanced expertise, making the cost significantly higher.

Check the table for iOS developer hourly rates.

5. Technology Stack & Skills Required

The mobile app technology stack and required skills greatly affect the cost to hire an iOS developer. Developers with expertise in advanced tools and technologies naturally charge higher rates. 

Mastery of Swift and SwiftUI ensures modern, scalable apps, while advanced animations enhance interactive UI. 

Integrating AI/ML with the help of an ML app development company, managing API-heavy functionality, designing robust database architecture, and implementing cloud integration for real-time data all add to the cost.

6. App Security & Compliance Requirements

Apps requiring strong mobile app security, data encryption, GDPR/CCPA compliance, or integration with background verification systems increase the project complexity and developer cost. 

Ensuring robust security protects user data and builds trust, which is critical for apps handling sensitive information like finance, healthcare, or personal details. 

Additionally, compliance with regional regulations may require specialized expertise, further impacting the overall iOS app development budget.

Below is a quick view:

7. Type of App (Industry-Specific Needs)

Industries like fintech, healthcare, enterprise apps, eCommerce, or AI-driven apps require developers skilled in complex security and advanced features. 

The more specialized the app, the higher the cost to hire an iOS developer, as these projects demand experienced talent and strict compliance with industry standards. 

Choosing developers familiar with your industry ensures faster development, fewer errors, and a smoother launch.

8. Pre-Development & Post-Development Needs

Many businesses often overlook the costs associated with pre-development and post-development activities, which can significantly impact the overall iOS app development budget. 

Pre-development tasks such as conceptualizing the best mobile app ideas, creating detailed wireframes, prototyping, and selecting the right tech stack are crucial for ensuring a smooth development process and reducing rework later.

Post-development efforts are equally important, including ongoing maintenance, fixing bugs, implementing new feature updates, and conducting regular app testing to ensure optimal performance. 

9. Timeline & Urgency

Short timelines require more developers or overtime work, increasing your iOS app development cost. Rushed projects may also lead to higher hourly rates, as developers prioritize urgent tasks over regular schedules. 

Planning realistic timelines not only helps control costs but also ensures better code quality, fewer errors, and smoother project management. 

For complex apps, allocating sufficient time is essential to avoid unexpected expenses and maintain long-term scalability.

See the table below:

Multiple factors, from experience and region to complexity and timeline, affect the cost to hire iOS developers. By understanding these variables and reviewing the cost tables after each factor, you can plan a realistic iOS app development budget. 

Choose the right hiring model, and make confident decisions aligned with your business goals.

Dedicated Developers vs. In-House Developers: What’s Better?

When deciding between in-house and dedicated developers, it’s important to consider not just the immediate costs but also expertise, flexibility, and long-term scalability. 

While in-house teams can provide consistent availability, they often come with higher overhead and limited specialized skills. 

On the other hand, dedicated developers offer a cost-effective, flexible, and highly skilled alternative for building complex iOS apps.

As the table shows, dedicated developers provide the ideal balance of cost, expertise, and flexibility, making them a superior choice for businesses aiming to build high-quality, scalable, and secure iOS applications. 

By choosing dedicated talent, you can optimize your iOS app development budget, reduce development time, and ensure access to specialized skills tailored to your project needs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring iOS Developers

Hiring the right iOS developer is crucial for your app’s success, but many businesses make avoidable mistakes that can increase costs, delay timelines, and affect app quality. 

Here are the most common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Ignoring Experience Level: Failing to consider the developer’s experience can lead to poor code quality and increased maintenance costs. Always check past projects to gauge their expertise in AI/ML integration, API-heavy functionality, and advanced mobile app features.

• Overlooking Regional Rates: iOS developer hourly rates vary by region. Not factoring in iOS developer rates by region can result in unexpected budget overruns.

• Choosing the Wrong Hiring Model: Opting for an in-house developer or freelancer without evaluating your project scope may inflate the iOS app development cost. Hire mobile app developers for complex or long-term projects to ensure consistency and expertise.

• Neglecting Security and Compliance: Failing to prioritize app security, GDPR/CCPA compliance, or proper testing can compromise user trust. Always plan to protect your platform from background verification issues.

• Skipping Pre-Development Planning: Not investing in app wireframing, prototyping, and right tech stack selection can lead to scope creep and higher costs.

• Ignoring Post-Development Support: Apps need ongoing maintenance, updates, and testing. Failing to plan for this increases long-term iOS app development budget.

• Not Considering Industry-Specific Needs: Different industries, like fintech or healthcare, require specialized knowledge. Choosing a generic developer may impact app performance and compliance.

• Lack of Vision for Growth: Developers should align with your long-term plans. Always hire talent that can scale with your project, especially if you aim to build a super app.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can optimize the iOS app development cost. It ensures high-quality app delivery, and maintains security, compliance, and scalability.

Tips to Reduce the Overall Cost to Hire iOS Developers

Before you begin hiring developers, it’s important to understand how to keep your budget optimized without compromising on quality. With strategic planning, smart execution, and the right development approach, you can significantly reduce the overall cost. 

Below are some practical, business-friendly tips that help you hire efficiently and maintain long-term scalability.

A] Choose a Skilled but Flexible Hiring Model

Instead of hiring a full in-house team, try to hire developers on hourly or part-time models. This reduces upfront investment while still giving you access to expert iOS talent. It also helps you scale the team only when required.

B] Use No Code Development for Basic Features

If your app requires simple workflows, forms, or prototype-level features, no code development can significantly reduce cost and development time. You can let developers focus on complex iOS functionalities while saving money on repetitive or non-technical tasks.

C] Start With a Solid UI/UX Foundation

Investing early in a polished design through a UI/UX design service minimizes iterations during development. When developers receive a clear design system, component library, and interaction flow, coding becomes faster, reducing total development hours.

D] Build a Feature-First Roadmap

Instead of trying to launch every advanced feature upfront, start with an MVP. This approach helps you validate the concept, adjust based on real user feedback, and expand cost-effectively.

E] Reuse Components & Follow Apple’s Guidelines

Encourage developers to reuse existing components and follow Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines. This minimizes custom coding work and accelerates development timelines.

F] Automate Testing Early

Automated mobile app testing detects bugs before they become expensive issues. It ensures faster fixes, smoother performance, and reduces time spent in QA cycles.

G] Plan Maintenance in Advance

Setting up a clear post-launch maintenance plan prevents sudden expenses and keeps long-term costs predictable.

H] Avoid Unnecessary Custom Features

Stick to essential functionalities first, adding too many custom features early increases cost and slows development.

By applying these cost-optimized strategies, you can build a high-quality iOS app without overspending. A well-planned approach not only saves money but also ensures a smoother and more scalable development journey.

JPLoft – Your Trusted Partner to Hire iOS App Developers

Choosing the right development partner can make or break your app’s success, and this is where JPLoft stands out. Whether you're building a simple MVP or a full-scale enterprise application, we offer top-tier expertise with a flexible and cost-effective approach. 

If you are looking to hire iOS App Developers, JPLoft’s skilled team brings years of hands-on experience across Swift, SwiftUI, AI/ML integrations, cloud systems, fintech-grade security, and more.

We provide dedicated developer hiring models that give you complete control, transparency, and the ability to scale your team anytime. With JPLoft, you don’t just get developers, you get a reliable, long-term technology partner committed to building powerful, secure, and performance-driven iOS apps.

Our structured development process ensures faster delivery, error-free coding, and seamless communication throughout every stage. From strategy to deployment, we follow industry-leading practices to help you achieve measurable success. 

Partner with JPLoft and turn your iOS app idea into a high-quality product that stands strong in the competitive market.

Final Wrap-Up

Understanding the cost to hire an iOS developer is essential for planning your budget wisely and making informed decisions that support your overall app strategy. From hourly rates and hiring models to skill requirements and industry-specific needs, multiple factors shape the final cost. 

The right developer can deliver exceptional quality, speed, and long-term value, while the wrong choice may inflate expenses and slow down your growth. 

By choosing expert, dedicated developers and following a strategic hiring process, you can build a high-performing iOS app without overspending. With the right approach, your investment becomes a long-term asset rather than a recurring challenge. 

Ultimately, smart hiring decisions today ensure faster launches, fewer risks, and a more scalable future for your app.