Every week, thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs face the same dilemma when they're ready to bring their app idea to life—should they hire an individual app developer or work with a development company? It's a decision that can make or break your project, and there's no universal right answer. The choice depends on your specific needs, budget, timeline, and the complexity of your app vision.
Having worked with clients across both routes, I've seen brilliant successes and costly mistakes on each side. Some projects thrive with a talented freelance developer who becomes deeply invested in the vision; others need the robust team structure and diverse expertise that only a development company can provide. The key is understanding what factors matter most for your particular situation.
The biggest mistake I see is people choosing based on price alone, without considering the full picture of what they're getting—or what they might be missing
This guide will walk you through the real differences between individual developers and development companies, help you assess your project requirements, and give you practical frameworks for making this decision. By the end, you'll have the knowledge to choose the right development partner for your app project—one that aligns with your goals, budget, and timeline while giving you the best chance of success.
What's the Difference Between Individual Developers and Development Companies?
Right, let's get straight to it—the main difference between hiring an individual developer and a development company comes down to scale and resources. An individual developer is exactly what it sounds like: one person who codes your app from start to finish. A development company, on the other hand, is a team of specialists including designers, developers, project managers, and testers who work together on your project.
Individual developers are brilliant for smaller projects or when you need someone who can wear multiple hats. They're often more flexible with their approach and can adapt quickly to changes. The downside? If they get sick or go on holiday, your project stops. They also might not have expertise in every area your app needs—design, backend development, testing, and so on.
What Development Companies Bring to the Table
Development companies offer a full team of specialists. When you work with us at Glance, for instance, you get designers who focus purely on making your app look gorgeous, developers who live and breathe code, and project managers who keep everything running smoothly. Here's what you typically get with a company:
- Multiple specialists working on different aspects of your app
- Backup coverage if someone is unavailable
- Established processes and quality assurance
- Ongoing support and maintenance teams
- Experience across various industries and app types
The trade-off is usually cost—companies typically charge more than individual developers, but you're paying for reliability, expertise, and peace of mind. Understanding who can develop your app idea will give you a clearer picture of all your available options.
Understanding Your App Project Requirements
Before you even think about whether to hire app developer talent or choose app development company options, you need to get crystal clear on what you're actually building. I can't tell you how many times I've had clients come to me with a vague idea and expect miracles—it just doesn't work that way.
Start by writing down exactly what your app needs to do. Not what would be nice to have, but what it absolutely must do to solve your users' problems. Are you building a simple utility app that does one thing really well, or a complex platform with user accounts, payment processing, and real-time features? The complexity of your project will massively influence your app developer selection process.
Technical Requirements Matter
Think about the technical side too. Do you need your app on both iPhone and Android? Will it connect to existing systems you already use? Does it need to work offline? These aren't just nice technical details—they're make-or-break decisions that affect everything from timeline to budget.
Write a one-page summary of your app's core purpose and main features before speaking to any developers. This will save you hours of confused conversations later.
The clearer you are about your requirements upfront, the better equipped you'll be to decide between individual developers and development companies, and the more accurate quotes you'll receive from potential partners. Knowing what an app developer will need from you beforehand will streamline this entire process.
Budget Considerations for Different Development Options
Let's talk money—because that's what everyone really wants to know, isn't it? Individual developers typically charge between £30-80 per hour, whilst development companies usually sit somewhere between £60-150 per hour. Now before you start doing the maths and thinking "right, individual developer it is then!", hold your horses.
The hourly rate tells you nothing about the total cost. A solo developer might take twice as long to build your app compared to a team of specialists. They're brilliant at what they do, but they can't be everywhere at once. Companies have designers, developers, testers, and project managers all working together—which means your project moves faster but costs more per hour.
What affects your total budget?
- App complexity and features needed
- Number of platforms (iOS, Android, or both)
- Design requirements and custom graphics
- Timeline and how quickly you need it done
- Ongoing support and maintenance
Here's something most people don't think about—the hidden costs. Individual developers might quote you £15,000 for your app build, but what happens when you need updates? What if they get sick or take on another big project? Companies usually include some support in their packages and have backup developers ready.
My advice? Get detailed quotes from both options before making your decision based purely on price.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Each Approach
Right, let's get down to brass tacks. After years of working with both individual developers and development companies, I can tell you that each approach has its own set of benefits and drawbacks—and honestly, there's no one-size-fits-all answer when you're looking to hire app developer talent.
Individual Developers: The Personal Touch
Working with a solo developer often means lower costs and direct communication. You'll speak to the same person throughout your project, which can make things feel more personal. But here's the catch—if they get sick or go on holiday, your project stops. Plus, most individual developers specialise in specific areas, so you might need multiple people for a complete app.
Development Companies: The Full Package
When you choose app development company services, you're getting a team with different skills working together. They can handle everything from design to testing to launch. The downside? It costs more, and sometimes communication can get a bit muddled when you're dealing with multiple team members.
The best choice isn't about finding the cheapest option—it's about finding the right fit for your specific project needs and timeline
Your decision should really come down to your project's complexity, budget, and how much support you need. Simple apps might work brilliantly with individual developers, whilst complex projects often benefit from a company's diverse expertise and resources. Learning about choosing the right app developer will help you navigate these important considerations.
Finding and Evaluating Potential Developers or Companies
Right, you've figured out what you need and roughly what you can spend—now comes the fun part of actually finding someone to build your app. I'll be honest with you, this bit can feel overwhelming at first. There are thousands of developers and agencies out there, all claiming to be the best. But don't panic; with the right approach, you can separate the wheat from the chaff.
Where to Start Your Search
Most people jump straight onto Google or freelance platforms like Upwork, but that's just scratching the surface. Sure, these are good starting points, but I'd recommend casting a wider net. Check out app development directories, browse through app stores to see who built apps you admire, and don't underestimate the power of asking for recommendations from your network—someone you know has probably been through this process before. Our detailed guide on where to look for the perfect app developer covers all the best places to search.
What to Look for When Evaluating
Once you've got a shortlist, here's what really matters:
- Portfolio quality—do their previous apps look professional and work smoothly?
- Client testimonials and case studies that tell the full story
- Communication style during initial conversations
- Technical expertise that matches your project needs
- Realistic timelines and transparent pricing
Trust me, spending time on this evaluation phase will save you headaches later. The cheapest option rarely turns out to be the best value, and the most expensive doesn't guarantee the best results either.
Managing Your Development Partnership
Right, so you've chosen your app developer or development company—brilliant! But here's where the real work begins. I've seen too many projects go sideways because people think they can just hand over their idea and disappear until launch day. That's not how good apps get built, trust me.
Communication is your best friend here. Set up regular check-ins from the start—weekly calls work well for most projects. Don't wait for your developer to reach out; be proactive about asking questions and requesting updates. If something doesn't make sense, ask. If you're worried about progress, speak up. Most developers actually appreciate clients who stay engaged rather than those who vanish for months.
Setting Clear Expectations
Get everything in writing. Scope, timelines, payment schedules, who owns what—all of it needs documenting. I've watched brilliant partnerships turn sour over simple misunderstandings that could have been avoided with clearer upfront agreements.
Create a shared project dashboard or use tools like Slack or Trello to track progress. Visual updates help everyone stay on the same page and catch issues early.
Handling Changes and Challenges
Things will change during development—they always do. Maybe you'll spot a better way to handle user registration, or perhaps Apple releases new guidelines that affect your app. The key is managing these changes properly rather than treating them as surprise additions that derail everything. Understanding what makes the difference between average and stellar apps will help you make the right decisions when these situations arise.
Conclusion
So there you have it—the choice between hiring an individual app developer or a development company isn't a simple one-size-fits-all decision. I've worked with both types of clients who've made either choice successfully, and I've also seen projects go wrong on both sides of the fence.
What matters most is that your choice aligns with your project's complexity, budget, timeline, and your own comfort level with managing the development process. A solo developer might be perfect for your straightforward app idea with a tight budget, whilst a development company could be the right fit if you need multiple skill sets and comprehensive project management.
The real secret—and I can't stress this enough—is doing your homework before making any commitments. Check portfolios, speak to previous clients, and trust your gut feeling during those initial conversations. Whether you choose an individual or a company, you'll be working closely with them for months, so that relationship needs to feel right from the start.
At the end of the day, both individual developers and development companies can create brilliant apps. The best choice is simply the one that matches your specific needs, budget, and project goals. Take your time with this decision; your app's success depends on getting it right.
