Top App Development Companies (2025)

What are the top mobile app development companies on the market I should get in touch with? You may be asking yourself this question: whether you need to create an app for iOS, Android, or Windows Mobile or build a cross-platform one. By any stretch, it’s not a trivial question, and to make the right choice, you need to see many options on a single list to compare and make an informed decision.

Because of the nature of the app development process, the top Android and iOS app developers can be found scattered across the globe, from California in the USA to Europe and Southeast Asia. In many cases, these companies split their office between multiple locations. For instance, they may open a headquarters for sales and marketing, let’s say in the US, and their design and development arm in India or Eastern Europe (e.g., Ukraine, Belarus). On the other hand, there are strong agencies that are wholly located in India and Latin America too, and the UK always has a good proportion of the top app developers.

This guide rounds up the best app development companies from multiple geographies. To save you time and effort, we selected companies with a proven track record and a diversified portfolio. Most of the top app development companies here can code for iOS, Android, or Windows Mobile, or go cross-platform to build a hybrid app. We looked at the strength of their UX/UI design and their willingness to dabble with new tech like wearables, AR, VR, Blockchain, Amazon Alexa and conversational bots. Finally, we did not discriminate by size, as small studios can compete with larger companies on all quality metrics.

Our database contains hundreds of app development agencies, but you also need to know how to choose one. Brand names and awards are not enough as the app developer needs to be right for you, your business and your app idea. This brief guide helps you make a more informed choice.

Types of app developer

There are four main types of app developers, though you can find many subsets within these (such as specialisation in a particular vertical or platform). Broadly, Enterprise-level companies tend to cost more but have the strongest and quickest means to develop your app, while boutiques are more like small artisans, and the final category is sole freelancers.

Enterprise (in-house): Large companies that generally do everything from designing your app to building, testing and publishing it. They tend to require the largest budgets, and their designers and coders are mostly employees.

Enterprise (outsource): The main difference between these and the companies above is that these employ freelancers to work on your project. This allows for more flexibility – maybe you already have a User Interface, or have coding skills, but would like something designed. It also drives costs down – app development through these companies is generally cheaper.

Boutiques: These studios can be as small as a two-person team. They take on fewer projects and deliver high levels of polish, and also tend to be highly specialised in particular types of apps or industry verticals.

Freelancers: You may find one person willing to do everything (design, coding, testing, publishing), but truth be told, the people who can do all of this and do it well are few and very expensive. It’s not impossible to build an app with freelancers, but it does add a lot of work and uncertainty.

The best app development companies

App development companies are specialised firms that design, build, and maintain software apps for mobile devices, web browsers, desktops, and other digital platforms. Their teams typically include product strategists, UI/UX designers, software engineers, QA testers, and project managers who work together to turn an idea into a functional, user-friendly app.

Beyond the initial build, app development companies typically provide ongoing services, including updates, performance optimisation, security patches, and long-term maintenance. Many also offer analytics integration, cloud deployment, and support for app store submissions. Whether working with startups or large enterprises, their role is to deliver custom digital solutions that solve problems, improve operations, or create new revenue streams.

We’ve listed the best app development companies below.

1. Chop Dawg

Chop Dawg is an award-winning web and mobile app agency. For over 17 years, they have helped entrepreneurs, startups, growing businesses, Fortune 500s, nonprofits, and government agencies transform bold ideas into scalable, profitable apps and custom software. More than just an app development company, Chop Dawg becomes your dedicated team, handling every aspect of your app so you can focus on running your business.

Overview

Since 2009, Chop Dawg has launched over 500 apps that have impacted more than a billion users worldwide. Their 92% client retention rate speaks to the long-term partnerships they build, with most partners continuing to work with them for years beyond their initial project. The team operates across the United States, Brazil, and Pakistan, offering flexible options to balance cost savings without sacrificing quality.

Chop Dawg has earned recognition from Inc. 5000, Clutch, Forbes, Fast Company, TechCrunch, The New York Times, and NBC, and has supported organizations including NASA, The White House, the U.S. Navy, University of Pennsylvania, Hilton, Siemens, Wawa, Six Flags, and Mister Softee. Their apps have ranked in the Top 10 on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store within 24 hours of launch.

What sets Chop Dawg apart is their proven process and unwavering commitment to transparency. Every project includes a dedicated project manager, daily Slack communication, weekly Zoom meetings, and comprehensive documentation that future-proofs your success. From complimentary 45-minute consultations to fixed-monthly-rate pricing with clear timelines, you always know exactly what to expect.

Services

Chop Dawg provides its customers with the following services:

• Designing and building custom mobile apps for iOS, Android, tablets, wearables, CarPlay, and Android Auto
• Developing scalable web applications, eCommerce platforms, WordPress sites, and enterprise software
• Creating user-centric UI/UX designs, wireframes, high-fidelity prototypes, and complete branding assets
• Building AI-powered solutions, blockchain applications, smart contracts, and AR/VR experiences
• Providing ongoing maintenance, support, DevOps services, and long-term partnership for continuous growth

2. Slashdev.io

Slashdev.io is an app development company that connects businesses with top-tier remote software engineers. They offer flexible freelance contracts at competitive hourly rates, enabling companies to focus on their core competencies.

Slashdev.io wants to bring people together while they consume content, allowing them to interact, participate in live events, and form lasting connections with creators and fellow viewers.

Overview

Slashdev has shipped production software for startups racing to launch and enterprises that can’t afford downtime. Their developers architect solutions that scale, ship features users actually want, and deliver apps that define what’s possible.

Every engineer brings 5-10 years of shipping real products. Every project receives the execution quality that sets market leaders apart.

Services

Slashdev.io provides its customers with the following services:

• Offers end-to-end solutions, helping businesses design, develop, and deploy scalable apps
• Creates mobile apps that boost engagement and reach
• Provides access to top-tier remote engineers to extend in-house teams

3. Trango Tech

Trango Tech is a tech services and app development company that helps businesses enhance their digital presence, streamline operations, and innovate their products. Their team comprises over 200 developers, each boasting an average of 8 years of experience spanning various industries.

Their overarching mission is to propel organisations toward exponential growth, helping them navigate technological disruption and actively shape solutions to tomorrow’s challenges.

Overview

Trango Tech is a full-stack digital transformation company providing unlimited 360-degree software solutions.

With over 200 talented in-house developers averaging 10 years of diverse industry experience, they’re here to help.

Services

Trango Tech provides its customers with the following services:

• Offers cloud-based solutions for data storage, scalability, and infrastructure management
• Develops software that enhances enterprise-level systems and helps with automation, integration, and data
• Provides customised platforms to help businesses sell products online effectively

4. NMG Technologies

NMG Technologies combines strategy, design thinking, and the latest technology to deliver app-based solutions, supported by an in-house team of over 150 web and mobile developers.

They are goal-oriented and provide personalised solutions for complex business processes and customer engagements.

Overview

NMG Technologies is a global full-cycle software development company building advanced websites, software and mobile apps using the latest technologies since 2008.

They are proud to build strategies and processes that help their clients achieve their goals.

Services

NMG Technologies provides its customers with the following services:

• Develops tailored software to meet the specific needs of businesses, such as enterprise resource planning
• Creating wireframes and prototypes to visualise app and website structures before development
• Designing seamless, engaging experiences that prioritise user satisfaction

5. Designli

Designli is a U.S.-based app and software development studio in Greenville, South Carolina, focused on helping non-technical founders and businesses build custom mobile and web apps and digital products with clarity and confidence.

Overview

Designli works with clients ranging from startups to growing enterprises, offering dedicated product teams rather than a scattered group of contractors.

Each team includes product owners, designers, engineers, and QA specialists. They emphasise responsive communication, transparent processes, and agile delivery.

Whether starting from scratch, recovering a poorly built product, or scaling an existing product, Designli seeks to deliver polished software that reduces friction for clients.

Services

Designli provides its customers with the following services:

• Creating interfaces, interaction flows, and prototypes to validate product direction and delight users
• Developing web-based applications, internal tools, dashboards or SaaS-type platforms with scalable, maintainable architectures
• Building native-feeling apps for iOS and Android, often using cross-platform tools when appropriate

6. App Maisters

App Maisters specialises in mobile app development and digital solutions. The company can develop apps that meet the specific needs of large organisations.

Leveraging a deep technical acumen and highly refined development processes, App Maisters provides an ultra-rapid and cost-effective delivery cycle, a key success factor in such a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Overview

Based in Houston, Texas, App Maisters Inc. is recognised as one of the Top Digital Solutions Providers in the US.

App Maisters brings digital transformation and solutions to startups, enterprises, and government agencies. It offers a wide array of business solutions to help clients achieve a sustainable competitive advantage through expertise in mobile apps, artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, business intelligence, big data, and other enterprise applications and integrations.

Services

App Maisters provides its customers with the following services:

• Crafts intuitive, attractive, and functional app designs
• Builds apps that work across multiple platforms (iOS and Android) using frameworks such as Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin
• Develops prototypes to visualize the app before full-scale development begins

7. Orangesoft

Orangesoft is a mobile app and web development company that creates custom software solutions for businesses. The company serves various industries, helping clients build high-quality digital products with a particular focus on the user experience.

Orangesoft has notably helped numerous startups and develops custom mobile apps for both iOS and Android.

Overview

Orangesoft is a full-cycle software development company that helps healthcare and fintech companies turn bold ideas into secure, scalable digital products.

They specialise in building custom web and mobile software that meets strict compliance standards and delivers value.

Services

Orangesoft provides its customers with the following services:

• Creating responsive, interactive user interfaces using tech like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Building robust back-end systems with Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails, and other server-side tech
• Using frameworks like React Native and Flutter to develop apps that work on both iOS and Android

8. Light IT Global

Light IT Global is an app development company that delivers innovative web and mobile solutions for startups and enterprises. With over 18 years of experience, they have completed over 500 custom projects.

Their team includes specialists with diverse experience and skill sets, as well as their best Light Academy graduates.

Overview

Light IT Global is a Data Science company that provides custom web and mobile software development services, including IT consulting, design, market research, quality assurance, post-release support, and more, delivered worldwide.

Even though they began as a software development team, over the years of providing solutions, they evolved into a Data Science company that specialises in Big Data, Data Mining and Processing, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Business Intelligence, and many other tech fields that change the present and the future.

Services

Light IT Global provides its customers with the following services:

• Crafts visually appealing designs that enhance the user experience and boost engagement
• Developing robust, secure, and scalable platforms that integrate with payment gateways
• Designing and building mobile apps for iOS and Android

9. Dev Technosys

Dev Technosys is an app development company that helps startups, scaleups, and enterprises turn digital ideas into fully-featured mobile and web applications. With more than a decade of experience, the company delivers end-to-end development services that support businesses across multiple industries and markets.

Dev Technosys focuses on building scalable, secure, and user-centric products, combining technical execution with practical business understanding. Its teams work closely with clients to deliver applications that support growth, performance, and long-term product evolution.

Overview

Dev Technosys has delivered production-ready software for businesses ranging from early-stage startups to large enterprises operating at scale. The company specializes in building custom mobile applications for iOS and Android, as well as complex web platforms and enterprise systems.

Its development teams are experienced in handling end-to-end product lifecycles — from discovery and UI/UX design through development, testing, launch, and post-launch support. Dev Technosys also works with emerging technologies, helping companies integrate AI, blockchain, IoT, and other advanced capabilities into their digital products.

Services

Dev Technosys provides its customers with the following services:

• Designs and develops custom mobile apps for iOS and Android
• Builds cross-platform and web applications tailored to business needs
• Delivers enterprise software and scalable backend solutions
• Develops on-demand, fintech, e-commerce, and social platforms
• Integrates emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT

10. Konstant Infosolutions

Konstant Infosolutions is a leading global tech company specialising in mobile app development, web solutions, and emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain.

Their mission is to create world-class digital experiences across industries such as healthcare, travel, eCommerce, logistics, finance and retail by integrating advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Generative AI, IoT, Cloud, and Enterprise Mobility.

Overview

Konstant Infosolutions is a globally recognised mobile and web app development company trusted by startups and Fortune 500 companies to transform their vision into success-driven solutions.

They focus on delivering scalable, intelligent, and future-ready solutions that not only meet business goals but also enhance end-user experience and efficiency.

Services

Konstant Infosolutions provides its customers with the following services:

• AI development, ML development, web development
• AR/VR development, cloud consulting, IoT development
• Mobile app development, web development, Swift, React Native, and Objective-C

11. iQlance Solutions

iQlance Solutions operates on the principle that nothing is impossible in this world, because the word itself says ‘I’m possible’.

iQlance is a team of highly passionate and creative designers, developers, and testers who strongly believe in a culture that encourages you to pursue your passions and advance your career. They have designers who bring your vision to life and developers who make it a reality.

Overview

iQlance develops mobile apps for Android, iOS, and Windows (Native and Cross-Platform). They also provide web services in PHP, Ruby on Rails, Joomla, Magento, MVC, and WordPress.

iQlance has been recognised in the market for delivering lasting outcomes, leaving its clients impressed.

Services

iQlance Solutions provides its customers with the following services:

• End-to-end design and development of tailored web platforms and enterprise software
• Native and cross-platform apps for iOS, Android, and hybrid ecosystems
• AI/ML development, IoT integration, AR/VR apps, and cloud technology consulting

12. 3 Sided Cube

3 Sided Cube is an app developer specialising in creating impactful and innovative mobile apps.

They are a trusted technology partner for world-changing organisations and are on a mission to use technology to change millions of lives for the better. They build custom software with global organisations including The American Red Cross, UNHCR, Global Forest Watcher, UNESCO and World Resources Institute.

Overview

3 Sided Cube is an ISO accredited software organisation that develops the best possible tech solutions to solve a comprehensive scope of global problems, such as the fight against natural disasters, combating deforestation, creating solutions to overcome the shortage of blood donations, and helping to reduce the impact of plastic pollution.

Their team supports impact-driven organisations through all stages of their project journey, from product scoping and user testing to design and UX, build, launch, and ongoing support.

Services

3 Sided Cube provides its customers with the following services:

• Early-stage design processes that help visualise the app’s functionality and flow
• They work with clients to define the app’s purpose, target audience, and key features, ensuring the app aligns with business goals
• Research to understand user needs, the competitive landscape, and industry trends to inform an app’s development

13. TechGropse

TechGropse has established a digital presence across numerous business sectors, achieving a 92% client retention rate since 2015. Their project accomplishments in the UAE, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and key business cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, NYC, Manchester, Toronto, and London are among the best globally.

The strong identity thrives on the use of advanced tech, including AI, Machine learning, Blockchain, Big Data, the Metaverse, AR/VR, and IoT, to craft unique digital products and user-focused experiences.

Overview

TechGropse is a recognised mobile app development company that transforms your ideas into a development cycle, led by a team of experienced experts capable of tackling complex technical challenges.

They work hand in hand with clients to ensure the project they deliver meets every expectation and delivers real value.

Services

TechGropse provides its customers with the following services:

• Android, iOS, and cross-platform apps
• AI apps that leverage high-level analytics and automation for better results
• Industry-focused, budget-friendly, and user-friendly solutions

14. AppMakersUSA

AppMakers is an award-winning firm of 30 experts that specialises in delivering quality apps on time and on budget. 

Their engineers come from MIT, Stanford, and UCLA and are based in the USA. Together, they specialise in technologies including React, React Native, Flutter, Node.js, Swift, Android, AWS, GCP, and more.

Overview

AppMakers’ award-winning firm specialises in delivering beautiful apps on time and on budget.

Their work ranges from wild startup ideas dreamt up by the likes of the NFL’s Austin Ekeler, to complex, robust enterprise systems built for rockstar companies like Los Angeles Apparel.

Services

AppMakers provides its customers with the following services:

• Full UI/UX design, mobile and web development, custom software and infrastructure
• WordPress, Wix, Shopify, and modern frameworks including React, React Native, Flutter, Node, Swift, Android, AWS, and GCP
• Engineers with backgrounds from MIT, Stanford, and UCLA, delivering high-quality, scalable solutions

15. Tech Exactly

Tech Exactly is an app development company delivering end-to-end mobile app development solutions across iOS, Android, and cross-platform ecosystems. For over 9 years, they have delivered 800 digital solutions for startups, enterprises, and global organisations.

With a team of over 100 skilled engineers, they specialise in secure, scalable, and regulatory-compliant mobile app development and are trusted by 50M users worldwide.

Overview

Tech Exactly is an award-winning Indian digital product engineering company dedicated to empowering Financial Services, Medical Device Manufacturing, and Biotech organisations with transformative digital solutions.

They partner with a diverse global clientele—from established enterprises to emerging innovators—to drive competitive advantage and operational efficiency.

Services

Tech Exactly provides its customers with the following services:

• UI/UX design and digital product strategy
• Mobile and web app development
• Custom software, backend systems, and cloud infrastructure development

16. Ailoitte

Ailoitte is a full-stack software development and IT staff augmentation company. Though bootstrapped, Ailoitte has grown through client success and innovation, building a diverse portfolio of digital products, platforms, and experiences for startups and enterprises worldwide.

With a focus on performance, scalability, and intelligent automation, Ailoitte develops next-generation digital products that empower businesses to grow faster and operate smarter.

Overview

Ailoitte combines strategic consulting, design-led thinking, and agile engineering to deliver scalable, high-performance digital solutions.

The company operates under a hybrid delivery model, with onshore project management and offshore engineering execution, ensuring both client proximity and cost efficiency.

Services

Ailoitte provides its customers with the following services:

• Staff augmentation and dedicated developers
• AI-powered software solutions
• UI/UX design and product strategy

17. Binary Studio

Binary Studio is a boutique software development agency with more than 20 years of experience.

They differentiate themselves by building strategic, long-term partnerships with their clients and delivering exceptional-quality services across all stages of the app development lifecycle.

Overview

After starting with just two developers in 2005, Binary Studio has become one of the best IT employers in Lviv and a reliable partner for dozens of companies all over the world.

Services

Binary Studio provides its customers with the following services:

• Native and cross-platform mobile app development for iOS and Android
• End-to-end mobile app delivery from discovery and design to launch
• Dedicated development teams and ongoing maintenance support

18. Limeup

Limeup is a global app and software development company that partners with startups and enterprises worldwide. They build impactful mobile and web applications that combine technology, design, and strategy to help businesses scale and innovate.

The team focuses on understanding each client’s unique goals to create high-performance, user-centric applications.

Overview

The team’s accumulated experience helps them deliver flawless products and experiences where functionality meets aesthetics.

As a tight-knit team of creatives and thinkers, they also seek long-term relationships with their partners.

Services

Limeup provides its customers with the following services:

• AI development
• UI/UX design
• Web design and development

19. Emizen Tech

Emizen Tech delivers cutting-edge mobile app development solutions that deliver results for clients worldwide. As a globally recognised mobile app developer, they develop futuristic mobile software for businesses of all sizes while delivering high customer satisfaction.

The team is a passionate, skilled group of professionals who sketch, develop, and support innovative custom mobile solutions, helping clients consistently achieve their business goals.

Overview

With over a decade of industry experience, the company brings proven expertise and reliability to every project it delivers.

The team has successfully delivered more than 500 projects and is backed by over 250 certified technology experts. With a global presence across India, the UK, the USA, and the UAE, the company is well-positioned to support clients worldwide.

Services

Emizen Tech provides its customers with the following services:

• Mobile app, website, and eCommerce development
• Custom CRM and ERP solutions
• Scalable digital solutions for business growth

20. GeekyAnts

GeekyAnts is a global technology consulting and product development company specialising in digital transformation, custom software solutions, and end-to-end app development.

They are passionate about building cutting-edge digital products using modern technologies such as React, React Native, Flutter, Next.js, Node.js, Python, and GraphQL. Their approach combines AI integration, open-source innovation, and strong design thinking to deliver scalable, user-centric solutions.

Overview

The team’s mission is to combine human expertise with modern technologies to deliver innovative, scalable solutions.

The industries they specialise in include Healthcare, Fintech, Restaurant and Hospitality, Real Estate, Manufacturing, and more. Their expertise spans frontend (React Native, Flutter, Next.js), backend (Node.js, Python, GraphQL), databases, quality analysis, design, and microservices.

Services

GeekyAnts provides its customers with the following services:

• Digital product consulting, AI strategy, MVP acceleration, and enterprise modernisation
• Product design, UI/UX, dashboards, and data visualisation
• Web and mobile apps, custom software, agentic AI, DevOps, QA, and IoT solutions

App development platforms

Years of fierce competition resulted in a duopoly of mobile operating systems. Right now, there are two major well-established platforms – iOS (Apple’s mobile operating system for iPhones, with several branches – the iPadOS for iPads and the watchOS for Apple Watch) and Android OS (Google’s mobile operating system that runs on various hardware from Samsung to Xiaomi and Huawei smartphones).

There’s also Windows 10 Mobile, although that has less than 1% of market share in the US and in all other markets is under 10%. As of October 2017, Microsoft announced that it would discontinue the platform’s active development. with no new software and hardware features to be developed.

App developer locations

As with most tech industries, major cities are the main hubs for app development because of an advantageous combination of universities that graduate qualified app developers, designers and such and venture capital to power app development companies. Some boutique studios can be found in smaller communities, but the general rule applies.

USA

California is the number one hub for mobile app developers, with San Francisco and Silicon Valley being the main ones, and Los Angeles not far behind. New York is probably the second biggest US city for app development, with some big-name studios located there, followed by Chicago and Boston.

UK

London is the major hub here, with a very high concentration of app devs; the north also offers some excellent studios, however, chiefly in Manchester and Newcastle.

India

India is a very large hub for app development, and the majority of devs are concentrated in three cities: Bengaluru, Hyderabad and the New Delhi metropolitan area.

Eastern Europe

Ukraine is the strongest contender for the “central hub” title of app developers in Eastern Europe, with big app development powerhouses in Kyiv, Odessa, Lviv and Dnipro. And there are plenty throughout the region, with some of the best ones being in Poland, Bulgaria and Romania.

App development pricing and costs

The price of an app can vary massively depending on how complex the app is, whether it’s just Android or iOS, if it’s native or hybrid and especially on the developer you choose.

Estimates range from as little as $3000 to $150,000 for more complex apps made by high-end developers.

Costs also change according to country, and here we see the range from $10 – 50 an hour in India to $60 – 125 an hour in the United States.

If you’d like to know more about app development costs, you can also check our guides on how to choose an app developer in the US, UK and India.

How to select an app developer

Checking out the app developer’s portfolio is always a good idea. Previous experience in your field or business sector might not only get you a better app, but a cheaper one too: the challenges tackled and resolved in making prior apps will reduce the development time for yours, and it also helps if your chosen app developer knows the ins and outs of your specific industry.

Reviews and recommendations are also a valuable resource – if you know a business similar to yours, find out who made their app and whether it works and read the reviews for it in the app store.

You can also check out our marketplace for app developers, and read our in-depth guide on how to choose one.

App Developers FAQ

Our answers to the most frequently asked questions about finding, choosing and engaging with an app development company or agency.

How much does it cost to develop an app?

It depends on a wide variety of factors, from the type of app and its features and the developer you choose. The lowest price point hovers around $40,000, while larger apps can cost as much as $125,000. Some estimates for an Uber-like app go up to $300,000. In this guide, we break down the cost of app development to show you where the money goes.

A good tool to estimate an approximate cost for your app idea can be found here.

How long does it take to make an app?

According to the Cleveroad app development cost calculator, it takes between 1,000 and 2,000 hours to develop a mid-complexity mobile app. Once again, this greatly depends on the type of app and your developer, but this range includes the majority of development times for medium-sized apps.

How can I find an app developer?

There are a large number of resources online. You can start by looking through Business of Apps’ directory. Other app developer directories to check out are TheManifest, GoodFirms, and Clutch.

If you’re looking specifically for freelancers, then online platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and We Work Remotely.

Where can I find a developer partner for a startup app?

Meetup is a great tool for this, and developer meetings can often be found on the platform, as well as platform-specific ones for iOS and Android.

How many app developers are there?

A lot. In 2019, the most recent estimates put the number of app developers at 26.4 million globally, of which around 6 million develop solely for Android, and 2.8 million focus on iOS.

In 2014 , Asia held the highest number of app developers with 760,000 (32.9% of total app developers at the time), swiftly followed by Europe and North America with 29.7% and 29.4% of devs. Keep in mind, however, that since then, around 800,000 new developers have entered the market per year.

How should I choose an app developer?

There are a number of criteria to keep in mind when choosing your app developer. The first one is, of course, your budget, but beyond that, you should:

Review portfolios

This is a standard procedure, and most companies will proudly show their app development portfolio on their websites. Keep in mind that while app building is a skill unto itself, development for particular sectors (for example, healthcare or games) can be very specific. Check to see if the developer specialises in your industry, and especially if they cover the specific platform (iOS, Android or Cross-platform) that you’re targeting, as well as specific mobile tech, for instance, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, IoT.

Ask for References

Digging a little deeper, you can always contact the companies the studio has developed apps for and find out what their experience was like. If a development studio is trusted time and again by operators in a certain industry, then they must be doing something right. Which leads on to:

Check their app’s reviews on the App Store or Google Play

It may not be obvious at first, but you can always read user reviews for published apps on their app stores to see what people think of the studio’s work. Just remember the negativity bias: people have more incentive to write a review when they dislike something than when they like it. One hundred bad reviews aren’t so bad if the app has tens of thousands of active users.

When reading app reviews, keep in mind that some app developers engage in the deceptive practice of buying fake reviews unrelated to objective app evaluations. A good indicator of a fake reviews case is that if the bulk of the reviews have either 5 or 1 stars, meaning the app in question has serious issues, and its developer simply purchases fake reviews to improve its rating without fixing the problem.

Questions you should ask an app developer

What platforms do you develop for natively? Do you develop cross-platform apps?

You want to make things clear right from the get-go: for which devices can your chosen studio develop an application? Do they specialise in iOS, Android or crossplatform (apps that work on both and other platforms by using “generic” coding as opposed to platform-specific coding). How will the apps be converted from one platform to another? If the app is linked to a website, will the website be optimised for mobile phones? Keep in mind as wide an audience as reasonably possible for potential users of your app, both in terms of demographics and in the devices used to access it.

Do you cover every stage in the development cycle?

Some studios only offer user experience or user interface design. Others do the development and coding, but post-launch maintenance is considered to be an additional cost. If your app requires a back-end (servers and software), not all studio developers include that in their services. It vastly depends on the kind of app you are designing, but make sure the studio you go with covers all the steps of the app development cycle, or can point you to companies whose services integrate well with the ones they offer.

How can my app generate revenue?

This should be part of your business plan as well as the conversation with your chosen development studio. Will your app make money via advertising? If so, it needs to be optimised for that purpose. If your app is a storefront or just driving traffic to your website where the money is made, how will it engage users to come back after their first visit or first transaction? Remember that one of the major problems app developers are facing today is the user churn – a small portion of the app users continue to use the app after 30 days since they downloaded the app. This is the kind of conversation that you need to hold with your app developer and make sure you are absolutely on the same page. It will also be one of the first questions a serious app developer will ask you.

How do you communicate during the development process?

A key part of the development process is keeping the client in the loop about how the process is going. The best studios make this really transparent, with constant (sometimes even daily) updates. Ensure your chosen app developer communicates as often and in ways that you are comfortable with.

What kind of testing will you do?

This is sort of the opposite of the question above: it’s the nitty-gritty, the necessary whittling process which turns a good idea into a streamlined app. There are many types, from stress to A/B testing, and while not all of them will be relevant to all apps, some will be necessary for yours. Ask your developer what testing methods they use, what they’re for and how they help your app improve. As well as what third-party app performance monitoring platform they use.

Is submission to app stores included?

Submitting an app to the store isn’t too hard if you know what you’re doing. Only subscribed developers can submit an app to Apple’s iTunes App Store, and the Cupertino company has strict guidelines on what can and cannot be published. The Android Google Play Store is more liberal in its guidelines, but it also requires registration and a fee. Some developer studios do this, others do not: make sure you find out first, and whether the submission fee is part of the price you’re paying.

What’s the latest tech you’re using?

Beacons, GPS, deep linking, Wi-Fi-Bluetooth integration: the great thing about the app development world is that there’s always something new being developed or a ground-breaking idea being explored. If you want your app to be cutting-edge and really set the standard for those that follow, ask your developer what ideas or technology they’re playing with right now. The development process includes a lot of experimentation, and an exchange of ideas with your devs could lead to the next big thing or a memorable app.

Having laid out the types of app developers, their locations, and app development costs, and explained how to select an app development company, we now present the list of app development companies that led the field in 2025.

List of mobile app development companies