Cost to Outsource iOS Development and 5 Locations to Make Your Budget Go Farther

So you’re thinking about outsourcing your iOS app development. Smart move. The question now is: Will the savings actually be worth it?

The short answer is yes—but it’s more strategic than just cutting costs. When done right, outsourcing iOS development isn’t about finding the cheapest developers.

It’s about making your budget work smarter. The right overseas talent can deliver the same quality code at a fraction of the price, letting you invest those savings back into growing your business.

The reality is that hiring iOS developers in the US can easily cost you $130K+ per year. Meanwhile, equally skilled developers in other markets might charge half that or less—with no compromise on quality.

In this guide, we’ll break down what actually affects iOS development costs when outsourcing and which locations give you the best value (not just the lowest rates).

Why Outsource Your App Development Project for iOS

You’ve likely already heard how outsourcing can save money, especially when it comes to hiring developers outside the US.

The numbers back this up—with developer salaries typically 30–70% below US rates in regions where lower living costs translate into lower labor costs (e.g., Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia).

But it’s not just the salary costs that make the cost of outsourcing iOS app development often significantly lower than hiring in-house. 

Outsourcing gives you flexibility that in-house hiring simply can’t match. Need to scale your team up for a three-month push? Then scale back down? With outsourcing, you’re not stuck with permanent headcount or severance packages. You can adjust your resources based on what your project actually needs right now.

And let’s talk talent pools. The specialized skills needed for iOS development—from SwiftUI expertise to Apple’s latest frameworks—are in high demand everywhere. By looking beyond your local market, you gain access to developers who might be impossible to find domestically, no matter what salary you offer.

And that’s why over 80% of executives are maintaining or increasing their outsourcing levels, using it as a strategy to stay competitive.

Breaking Down the Cost of Outsourcing iOS App Development

Hiring developers is one of the biggest expenses in iOS app development, and costs can vary dramatically based on location, expertise, and outsourcing model. 

Whether you’re working with a full-service development agency, bringing in freelancers, or augmenting your existing team, knowing what drives pricing helps you get the most out of your budget.

What affects the cost of iOS development?

Several factors influence app development costs, from the complexity of your app to the experience level of your developers. 

Below is a breakdown of the factors that affect the cost the most.

1. Developer experience level:

• Junior developers (0–2 years) $: Handle simple tasks or work under senior guidance.
• Mid-level developers (3–5 years) $$: Capable of independent feature development but may need oversight for architecture decisions.
• Senior developers (5+ years) $$$: Lead engineers who design app architecture and solve complex technical challenges.

2. App complexity and features:

• Basic apps (e.g., simple utilities, to-do lists) require minimal coding, keeping costs lower.
• Mid-tier apps (e.g., social media, e-commerce) need API integrations, custom UI, and backend support.
• Enterprise-grade apps (e.g., fintech, healthcare) demand strict security, compliance, and scalability, increasing development costs.

3. Advanced technologies (AI, AR, Blockchain, etc.):

• AI-driven personalization, ARKit-based augmented reality, and blockchain security all increase costs due to specialized expertise.
• Complex features like facial recognition or cryptocurrency payments require niche skills, driving up developer rates.

4. Native iOS vs. cross-platform development:

• Native iOS apps (Swift, Objective-C): Offer the best performance but require higher development investment.
• Cross-platform apps (React Native, Flutter): More cost-efficient but may not be fully optimized for Apple’s ecosystem.

5. Outsourcing models and pricing differences:

• Freelance platforms (Upwork, Toptal, etc.) $: Suitable for small projects but less suitable for long-term work.
• Staff augmentation $$: A flexible approach for scaling teams without in-house hiring burdens.
• Full-service development companies $$$: Handle design, development, and testing but come with the highest price tag.

6. Hidden costs to consider:

• Project management & coordination: Offshore teams may require extra communication and oversight.
• Ongoing maintenance & updates: Expect continued costs for bug fixes, OS updates, and feature improvements.
• Code quality & scalability: Poorly written code often leads to expensive rework down the line.

By understanding these cost factors, you can make smarter decisions about your iOS development outsourcing strategy.

But here’s what actually matters when you’re looking at the cost: how much value will you get?

A developer who costs half as much isn’t a deal if they take twice as long to build things.

Look at the whole picture: how fast can they get up to speed? Will they write code that’s easy to maintain? Can they suggest better solutions based on experience? Good developers pay for themselves—wherever they’re located.

Going with cheaper, less experienced developers can actually cost you more in the long run. Junior developers might take three times as long to build something, and you’ll likely need to budget for fixes later. Experienced developers cost more upfront, but they work faster, write better code, and help you avoid expensive mistakes. Plus, they can often suggest better solutions because they’ve solved similar problems before.

Don’t underestimate the value of overlapping working hours, either. A developer who’s available during your workday can solve problems in real time, saving you days of back-and-forth emails.

This is where nearshore options like Latin American countries really shine—you get substantial cost savings compared to US rates, but with most or all of your working hours overlapping.

That collaborative advantage often delivers better results than the lowest-cost option in a completely opposite time zone.

The key is finding the sweet spot where quality, ease of communication, and cost align with your project requirements—not just choosing the lowest bidder on paper.

Cost Comparison: Outsourcing vs. In-House Development

Salaries for iOS developers vary significantly by region, impacting the total cost of outsourcing.

Below are what iOS engineers can earn annually in key outsourcing destinations. 

The numbers from Mexico and Brazil are from our own experience, and the others are from Levels.fyi, where developers report their own earnings (so they need to be taken with a grain of salt as they will include contract and salaried work, but they are still a good indicator of how rates vary by region). 

Next, we’ll apply these figures to a real-world development project.

Hypothetical project: A 6-month iOS app development timeline

In this example, a company needs two senior iOS developers to build a feature-rich e-commerce app.

Hiring costs in the US:

• Two senior iOS developers ($133,000 each/year) = $266,000/year
• 6-month cost = $133,000
• Additional costs: Benefits, office space, and equipment add 20–30% overhead, bringing the total to $160,000+.

Hiring costs in Brazil:

• Two senior iOS developers ($78,000 each/year) = $156,000/year
• 6-month cost = $78,000/year
• Additional costs: Even with management fees or infrastructure expenses, the total cost is likely to remain under $100,000.

Outsourcing to Brazil saves over $60,000 in just six months, all without sacrificing any quality.

Top 5 Budget-Friendly Locations to Outsource iOS App Development

When choosing where to outsource your iOS development, cost is just one piece of the puzzle. The ideal location balances affordable rates with technical expertise, communication ease, and time zone compatibility.

While Asia offers the lowest labor costs, many US companies find themselves gravitating toward closer locations to minimize communication challenges and time zone differences. After all, having a developer who’s awake when you need them can save days of project time—even if their hourly rate is slightly higher.

Each region brings its own strengths to the table. Latin American countries offer significant cost savings with time zone alignment to the US. Eastern European nations provide deep technical expertise with moderate time differences (and although there are some great choices to consider there, they haven’t made this list). And South and Southeast Asian countries deliver the most competitive rates, though with more substantial time zone challenges.

Below, we break down five locations that consistently deliver strong results for iOS development projects. Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil offer time zone alignment with moderate cost savings—ideal if real-time collaboration matters to your project. The Philippines and India maximize your budget with the lowest rates available, making them better fits if you’re comfortable with asynchronous communication and can build well-defined project requirements.

(Note: Salary information for the Philippines and India has been sourced from levels.fyi and is based on the salary for a mobile app developer. The salaries for LatAm countries are based on our experience sourcing developers in those countries.)

1. Argentina: A strong nearshore option for US companies

Argentina has built a reputation as a nearshore hotspot for development, with salaries ranging from $60,000 to $78,000 per year. 

Its booming startup scene has fueled growth in its developer talent pool, making it easy to find experienced tech talent. Government-backed tech education programs lead to a steady pipeline of qualified professionals.

And with a time zone that closely aligns with the US, real-time collaboration is smooth—no waiting overnight for updates or bug fixes. Argentina’s GMT-3 time zone means it’s 1 to 2 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (it fluctuates as they don’t have Daylight Savings Time), eliminating scheduling issues and resulting in a large overlap of working hours with much of the greater US.

2. Mexico: Ideal for nearshoring with a strong IT industry

Mexico’s tech industry is growing rapidly.

In our experience, an iOS developer in Mexico expects to earn between $78,000 and $90,000 annually, offering a lower-cost alternative to US-based teams while keeping real-time collaboration simple. Mexico spans all four US time zones, with most of the country falling within Central and Mountain time. 

Thanks to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), cross-border business operations are streamlined.

To learn more about outsourcing software development in Mexico, have a look at our article “Nearshore Software Development in Mexico: Benefits, Challenges, and Salaries.”

3. Brazil: A large talent pool with competitive pricing

With average iOS developers’ salaries between $60,000 and $78,000 per year, just like Argentina, Brazil is a major player in Latin America’s outsourcing industry.

The country’s strong fintech and e-commerce sectors create consistent demand for mobile developers, fueling a growth in highly skilled talent. 

Brazil’s well-established IT infrastructure and large talent pool make it a reliable choice for businesses needing scalable, high-quality development.

Brazil shares the same time zone with Argentina, meaning they are only 1–2 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). 

4. The Philippines: Cost-effective for iOS app development

For businesses focused on affordability, the Philippines is a standout option, with developer salaries ranging from $17,800 to $40,000 per year. 

English fluency is a major advantage, making communication easy, while the country’s tech sector has seen rapid expansion—tripling in size between 2014 and 2024. 

The Philippines is an excellent choice for MVPs, startup prototypes, and simpler app builds where keeping costs low is the priority.

Of course, the major downside of working with developers in the Philippines is the large 12 to 16 hours of time difference, depending on where you are in the US. But many feel the trade-off between low cost and ease of communication with Filipino talent is worth it. 

5. India: The most budget-friendly option for large-scale projects

India is one of the most cost-effective destinations for iOS development, with salaries ranging from $13,500 to $66,100 per year. With a huge talent pool and many developers trained in iOS technologies, India is a global leader in software development outsourcing, particularly for large-scale and complex projects. 

Businesses aiming to build feature-rich apps at lower costs often turn here, though managing time zone differences (9.5 to 10.5 hours ahead of EST) and ensuring strong project oversight is crucial for success.

The right location choice for your iOS project

Each of these locations offers different advantages, from cost savings to real-time collaboration. The best choice depends on the complexity of your app, your budget, and how closely you need to work with your development team.

Once you’ve identified the best location for outsourcing, the next step is choosing where to hire.

There are many development companies and specialist recruitment companies that connect businesses with offshore iOS developers, making it easier to find the right fit for your project.

We have a list of companies to consider in our article “7 Most Trusted Sites To Hire Offshore iOS Developers.”

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing iOS development is one of the smartest ways to cut costs without cutting corners.

The key is being strategic about where and how you outsource. Define what matters most for your project—whether that’s maximum cost savings, overlapping working hours, specialized expertise, or some combination—and choose your location accordingly.

For US-based companies, we think nearshoring development to Latin America offers the best of both worlds: cost savings over hiring within the US with real-time collaboration—without sacrificing quality.

If you’re considering LatAm for your iOS development, fill out this form, and we’ll send you a custom shortlist of pre-vetted top-tier developers you can interview for free.