Hiring iOS developers to build a mobile app is a great idea to start making money. Why is this?
Here are the top 3 reasons:
- Users spend two times more money on iOS apps than on Android apps (21.5 billion U.S. dollars vs. 12.1 billion U.S. dollars) Luca Maestri (Apple's CFO) boasts of stable growth “in every geographic segment and product category.”
- Apple’s macro trends in 2021 show a 33.26% revenue increase since 2010.
In order to succeed in the competitive environment of Apple’s universe, you must hire iOS developers who know their job well.
In this article, we’ll tell you how. You’ll discover:
- The latest trends in iOS app development
- Exhaustive information on how to hire mobile app developers with proper hard and soft skills
- Check up on iOS app developer salaries - explanation of how much it will cost to make an iPhone app
- 4-Step strategy to hire an iPhone developer properly
- Tips on where to find iOS developers that will offer the best expertise
- Key benefits to expect from hiring dedicated iPhone developers
Read on to learn everything you need to know to hire iPhone developers that will build your next app.
Trends & Tendencies for iOS App Development
Apple Newsroom reports that this summer, their active installed base of devices reached an all-time high resulting in $23 billion in operating cash flow.
What does this mean?
People never stop buying iPhones and downloading new apps. This means that the demand for iOS developers will never fade.
Although, the trends are not the same as they were ten years ago.
To be considered one of the best iOS developers, a candidate should master, or at least know something about recent technologies, namelly:
- Artificial Intelligence – Apple’s Siri was the first mass-market product to showcase what AI is and how to use it. Since the iOS 10 release, iPhone users eagerly search for the flag “Use with Siri” on every new app. BuzzFeed, Twitter, Booking, Uber, and Lufthansa already pamper users with this perk. You can do the same if you hire an iPhone developer familiar with AI integration.
- Augmented & Virtual Reality – Application development for iOS now requires knowledge of AR/VR too. ARki, Warby Parker, and Ikea Places are examples of how businesses profit from AR/VR on iOS. Therefore, many companies try to find iOS developers literate in AR/VR integration.
- Internet-of-Things – Since the number of Apple's smart devices is growing, the demand for bridge applications for smart homes, health devices, toys, and cars has increased too. IoT is a specific domain, but if you are into it, hiring an iOS developer with knowledge of IoT technology will be great.
These trends are not the law, and it is even recommended that you start small.
However, you will scale. To avoid blockers from the start, you should hire an iOS developer from a software development company that will build a scalable product.
Want to build an iOS product that will be highly competitive and effective?
Contact MLSDev - an offshore software development company with significant expertise in building mobile applications for SMBs and start-ups. We will happily provide a costless consultation on your project's specifications, budget, and timeline. As well, our team will share everything you need to know for hiring iOS developers with great experience and expertise!
Everything You Need to Know Before You Hire an iOS Developer
Hiring iOS developers is not about getting new people on the team. Instead, it’s about finding the right fit.
- Tech stack developers use
- Roles programmers perform
- Interpersonal skills for a smooth and timely project flow
In this section, we'll brief you on how to hire mobile app developers with the proper competencies and soft skills.
Hire an iPhone App Developer: Technology Competencies
To hire an app developer successfully, you need some education. Let’s start with technology. Here are the competencies your candidates should have mastered:
1. Objective-C or Swift
Objective-C and Swift are two of the main programming languages needed to code an app. Swift is a newer language explicitly used for iOS devices. So, when you hire an iOS developer, you are hiring a Swift developer. They should know Objective-C as well.
If you are unsure what programming language is better to use in your project, discover the differences, use cases, pros, and cons in the following guide: Swift vs Objective-C. Which iOS Language To Choose for Your iOS App.
The level of competency in these languages influences the price. For example, a starter in the US typically earns 61.6k U.S. dollars a year. A senior Swift developer gets 108.4k U.S. dollars, according to a Salary.com report. These prices vary worldwide. For instance, senior Swift developers in Ukraine make $60,000 U.S. dollars a year.
2. Apple Human Interface Guidelines
Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines provide in-depth information on how to build user-friendly applications. To hire an iPhone developer that can create apps that match Apple’s rules and requirements, check your candidates on their knowledge of Apple’s guidelines.
3. Xcode IDE
Xcode IDE is a productive environment used for building applications for the whole ecosystem of Apple products, including iOS, macOS, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. When hiring iOS developers, check if they are familiar with the benefits of Xcode IDE.
4. APIs
When hiring an iPhone developer, ensure that they know how to work with APIs; otherwise, you might run into problems in the middle of app development. Among the most popular iOS APIs are Google Maps, PayPal, Braintree, Facebook, MailChimp, etc.
5. Back-end support
The back-end application development for iPhone takes a lot of time and effort. You have two options: hire iOS programmers skilled in Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP, Ruby, or Python, or use MBaaS or Mobile Backend as a Service. In any case, your candidate should be able to discuss both options.
6. UX & UI design and databases
Providing users with a seamless and intuitive interface and experience is a must. Although corresponding specialists usually handle UX/UI specifications, it's great to hire iOS developers that understand design language and can contribute to your app concept with valuable tech ideas.
7. Application security
Although iOS developers are not the architects of the app's security, they should know the proper development guidelines and best practices to secure your code.
8. Scaling
Your app should scale seamlessly as your business grows, so it’s best to hire iOS app developers who know how to build scalable apps. An iOS developer makes many decisions that influence scalabilities like the database, architectural pattern, or cloud platform choice.
9. Code review
Quality verification is a complex process that requires knowledge of design, test cases, test plans, and more. It is recommended that you hire an iPhone developer that knows how to:
- Run automated code reviews
- Review code according to the standards and best practices
- Check if the code meets non-functional requirements or NFRs
- Find out if the code is vulnerable to security threats
This way, you can be sure that the deadlines and quality expectations are maintained as expected.
Hiring iOS Developers with the Necessary Roles & Responsibilities
Do all developers do the same job? No.
In application development for iOS, tasks get distributed according to experience level. There are three primary levels of competency:
| Developer’s Level | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Junior iOS developers | Can only work under the supervision of seniors. They can't handle the project independently but could be a great addition to your team. Experience: up to 2 years. |
| Middle iPhone app developers | Don't need round-the-clock supervision and can do complex tasks. However, their work needs an audit from at least one senior specialist. Experience: 2-5 years. |
| Senior developers | Solve complex issues independently. Hiring at least one senior iOS developer for the team is always great. Experience: over 5 years. |
To hire an iPhone developer properly, you should understand which task they will deliver – the development of a single feature or the whole product.
Hiring iOS Developers with the Necessary Soft Skills
Although proficiency guarantees that the iOS developer knows how to do the task technically, the relevant soft skills cater to smooth workflow.
Thus, it is essential to hire an iPhone developer with the following soft skills:
- Communication – streamlines work with remote teams
- Critical thinking – helps solve complex tasks on time
- Time management – essential for meeting deadlines
- Persistence – ensures the solution to bottlenecks and blockers
- Problem-solving – enables innovation
It is also essential to check the following points:
- Overall experience – shows whether the candidate is skilled in certain types of work
- Portfolio – shows the candidate’s business skills
- Cultural fit – helps to avoid communication issues
How Much Does it Cost to Hire an iOS App Developer?
When it comes to money, no one wants to pay more. Consider the options and hire an iOS developer that fits your budget. iOS app developer salaries vary depending on the location.
Developing countries often implement tax subventions to boost IT businesses, so the cost to hire iOS developers in Ukraine is considerably lower than in Germany or the United States.
Below, we compare the salaries of top iOS developers in major countries providing IT services:
| County | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| United States | $100 |
| United Kingdom | $100 |
| Germany | $90 |
| Japan | $80 |
| China | $30 |
| Australia | $80 |
| New Zealand | $80 |
| Argentina | $35 |
| Brazil | $30 |
| Ukraine | $25 |
| Poland | $35 |
| Czech Republic | $30 |
Note: These are the data on the salaries that iOS developers receive working for companies. The rate will include the company's fee if you hire an iOS app development company or any other dedicated development team.
For example, hiring an in-house iOS app developer in Ukraine will cost you $25/hr. Still, if you want to hire a company, you'll also pay for the quality guarantee and administrative support, which means the rate will reach about $40/hr.
So, by now, you should know the primary qualifications and competencies of iOS developers. In the next section, we’ll talk about how to hire mobile app developers with little fuss.
4-Step Process to Hire iOS Developers
Hiring iOS developers is daunting. However, you might find the process more manageable in smaller bites and with a clear structure. We recommend following these four steps:
Step 1. Create a clear project description to determine your needs
Step 2. Decide whether you need to hire a freelance iOS developer, an in-house specialist, or a company
Step 3. Provide a thorough candidate check-up to find the right iOS developers
Step 4. Nail the deal with a strong contract.
Let's review each step more closely.
1. Create a Project Description
To hire an iPhone app developer with the proper skills and experience, you must have the scope of work established beforehand.
Start by creating the project description and focus on the following steps:
- Define needs
You need to define the specialty of an iPhone app developer for hire. Do you need an app with complex prediction algorithms or AR functionality? If so, hire iOS programmers with relevant backgrounds.
- Target audience
Statistics show that iOS users are almost three times more likely than Android users to pay if their apps solve their issues. To build a buyable app, you need to properly define the user's pain points and be ready to discuss how you will solve them technically once you hire an iOS app developer.
If you already have an app and want to port it to another OS, check the details in the guide: How to Convert an Android App to iOS or Vice Versa: 4-Step Process.
- Select the app type
At this stage, you must decide whether you want an iOS app or a multi-platform solution. To hire an iPhone app developer with the proper skills, specify if your app will be native (iOS only) or hybrid (working on different platforms). This decision will define the skill set to search for. For example, native developers are skilled in Swift or Objective-C and hybrid app developers should be familiar with frameworks like React Native or Xamarin.
- Specify the set of features
The feature set is also necessary to define before you hire iOS developers. If your app needs some AI or VR functionality, a developer should have the required skillset (for example, knowledge in Python, C++, R, Java, etc.).
- Decide on monetization
According to statistics, iOS users are more likely to pay for app subscriptions than Android users. Therefore, building a subscription-based app with different monetization models (subscription, advertising, in-app purchases) is wise.
- Set the desired budget and deadlines
When setting the budget, you can better decide on the world region to hire an iOS developer from. For example, the rates for iOS development is two times higher in the US and Western Europe than in Eastern Europe. Yet, the time factor comes into play too. If you need to develop an app quickly, you'd better hire a team in your time zone.
- Include possible peculiarities
Every app idea has its specifics. You may want to develop some features, test them, and then decide on the others. Think about this before you hire iPhone app developers so that you can set straightforward tasks.
After you've done your homework, it's time to think about how you will hire an iPhone app developer.
2. Choose from Among 3 Options to Hire iOS Developers
Generally, there are three options for hiring iPhone app developers:
- Hiring freelancers
- Inviting an in-house team
- Partner with an outsourcing company
Each option has its pros and cons, so let's consider them individually.
- Freelancer
The best time to hire a freelance iOS developer is when you need to solve some particular tasks quickly; this may be fixing bugs or adding new features to a ready-made app.
Hiring a freelancer is financially beneficial. Upwork shows that iOS freelance hourly rates range from $16 – 35 / hr. [OK5]
However, freelancers aren’t the best option for long-term projects or when you need someone to integrate organically into your team.
Pros: availability, lower rates, quick access to the expertise needed
Cons: possible issues with deadlines, not the best option for team extension
- In-house team
Hiring iPhone developers as part of an in-house team is the best option when you already have a viable product on the market. This is how Opera, Slack, Skype, and Uber developed their products.
This is not the best option for small companies, start-ups, or SMBs who struggle to keep their team busy.
Pros: no time or language barriers, the team knows the project in its entirety, fast and effective communication
Cons: paying salaries if you don't have tasks, spending on recruiting and hiring, legal issues, and taxes
- Outsourcing company
An outsourcing company can provide you with any number of iOS developers for hire based on your needs. This is a good option for SMBs and start-ups wishing to start a project from scratch. A dedicated development team will provide proven tech expertise and will support you up to the stage of launch and marketing.
However, this is not the best option if you need minor changes to existing projects.
There are two models of cooperation with an iOS apps development company:
Outsourcing – you hire an outsourcing company that takes care of all the management and development responsibilities based on your requirements.
Outstaffing – you hire the required specialist with the company's guarantee on performance and responsibility, but you take care of all the management. This option is also called team augmentation, as it is most often used to add the needed expertise to the in-house team.
Pros: fast, proven, and economical way to hire an iPhone developer with the needed skills and better success guarantees
Cons: not suitable for small projects
This option is generally most suitable for SMBs seeking quick access to expertise and flexibility.
Interested in hiring an iOS developer from an outsourcing company?
Contact MLSDev for a free consultation and friendly advice! We will explain the details on terms, payments, legal issues, and guarantees.
3. Match with Developers & Conduct Interviews
After you decide where to search for developers, start screening. Check the backgrounds of the companies and professionals that you need. This may include running through their CVs, checking profiles for customer reviews and recommendations, visiting their social media sites like LinkedIn, etc.
In the next step, you have to run an interview with the selected iOS app developers for hire and make the final choice.
4. Finalize the Agreement & Start Working
Ensure all the technical and management specializations are covered in the final agreement and that all sides agree to the conditions. This will save you from unnecessary legal issues if they should ever arise.
6 Benefits Once You Hire an iOS Developer
Statistics show that iOS mobile users have a much higher retention rate on their apps than Android users. So, if you hire an iPhone developer, you'll expand your audience base with loyal customers.
More than this, you can also expect healthier financial returns. A comparison of device usage in developed and developing countries clearly shows that iOS-powered devices prevail in countries with stronger economies like Japan, the USA, the UK, and Germany.
Other benefits from hiring iOS programmers include:
1. Expand Your Business to New Areas
Apple never stops updating its IoT environment with new products like cameras, doorbells, bridges, thermostats, TVs, etc., compatible with iPad, iPods, iPhones, HomePods, and watches. Hiring iOS developers allows you to merge your business with the growing market of Apple's IoT devices.
2. Improve Your Product with an External Opinion
Imagine you have already run an iOS app development project and got stuck. When a lack of expertise becomes a blocker, hiring an iPhone app developer for team augmentation offers a way out. You can hope for a more full analysis of the app development process and get suggestions on how to increase your team’s productivity.
3. Reduce Your Risk of Project Failure
If your team is new to iOS development, hiring iOS developers can prevent disaster scenarios. This will help you ensure that you are meeting your clients' deadlines and quality expectations. The stable task delivery you get if you hire an iPhone developer will also improve your reputation in the eyes of investors and boost your overall business performance.
4. Get Specific Expertise
Innovative projects need constant updates on the latest tech. Even if you have experienced specialists on your team, they can always miss something like the newest compliance regulations or privacy requirement updates. In this case, the best idea is to hire an iPhone developer who possesses the highly specific knowledge you need.
5. Improve Employee Productivity
Nothing provides a boost better than fresh blood. If you hire an iOS developer that can identify your teams' pain points and help you solve them, everyone will win. You are always ready to scale with a high-performing team that functions like clockwork.
6. Reduce Expenses
If you have a team of software developers in-house, you have an idea of all the supportive expenses (medical insurance, company benefits, etc.). These may be reduced if you find an external iOS developer for hire as a contractor. This way, you may only pay for the job to be done and skip the headaches of keeping your team busy during low-load periods.
Based on the perks mentioned, you may consider hiring an iOS developer. At this point, it is essential to do this wisely.
iOS Developer for Hire: Why Choose MLSDev?
If you decide to hire iPhone app developers for team augmentation, you must ensure that you get the candidates with the highest professional qualities.
MLSDev approaches the task of employee selection with much attention paid to the candidate's proficiency, responsibility, and ability to learn fast and stay flexible.
Here is how we select candidates to best meet your needs:
Step 1. We can offer you business analysis services where we collect your business and technical requirements in order to hire an iOS developer that perfectly suits your project and build an ideal employee profile.
Step 2. Each candidate undergoes several thorough tests to validate technical knowledge, skills, and chief business competencies.
Step 3. The final candidates have to meet with your team to let you select which of them will be the best fit for your company’s culture and mentality.
Step 4. Upon selection, we provide smooth candidate integration within your organization. This includes taking care of legal aspects, administration, etc.
Step 5. We use the latest communication methods and technologies and daily reporting ensuring control over the project’s progress, the tracking of deliverables, and timely and successful performance so that you always know that everything is running smoothly and as planned.
Want to hire an iPhone app developer or a team, or would you like to learn more about how MLSDev staffers can help you with your next iOS project?
Frequently asked questions:
How much does it cost to hire an iOS developer?
The cost to hire an iOS developer can range from $15 to $100+ per hour. This significant discrepancy depends on many factors including the location where you search for developers, expertise, years of experience, etc. Freelance developers may seem like the most optimal choice when considering only the price. If you are searching for a wise quality ratio, consider finding IT outsourcing where you can get iOS developers on sub-contract for around $40-$60 an hour. For example, IT outsourcing in Ukraine allows you to save costs on equipment, office space, taxes, employee retention, etc., while accessing the necessary skills during your project. If you want to keep complete control, search for iOS developers locally and hire them in-house, but then expect hirer rates of $70 per hour or more for a capable developer.
How do I find a good iOS developer?
First, decide on your project goals, which will direct you to the criteria necessary for the iOS developer. For example, a capable iOS programmer should know Swift and/or Objective-C programming languages, Xcode IDE, Cocoa Touch, UIKit and interface guidelines, have the ability to work with databases and cover security matters, etc. In the next phase, understand your budget and constraints to decide on the in-house, freelance, or outsourcing sourcing options. Then, you can search online directories like Clutch, Manifest, Upwork, and others to select a few vendors. Lastly, you can finalize your decision on one contractor by conducting in-depth interviews, code reviews, and trial tasks.
How much do iOS developers charge?
On average, an iOS developer charges around $80-100/hr globally. According to the statistics, the average salary in the USA is $120,000 a year. As for other job markets, the compensation varies and depends on the developer's expertise and seniority. For example, a junior iOS developer charges approximately $20-30 an hour, and the charge increases to $100 an hour or more for senior or team lead iOS developers.
What are the benefits of hiring an iOS developer from MLSDev?
MSDev has worked in the IT outsourcing market for more than ten years now. We have worked with SMBs, startups, and big brands like Gopuff, McDonald’s, ESPN, etc. We assist our clients in developing native software from scratch, from the basic idea to the product launch, and through ongoing support and maintenance. In addition, we have a pool of professional iOS developers to advise on the technical implementation of your idea in a way that is cost-efficient and matches business goals. In terms of the timeline, we can create a Minimum Desirable product within just three months and successfully launch it to the market to test your idea and then pivot once needed.