Why US Businesses Should Offshore Mobile App Development

Creating a mobile app is a powerful way for businesses to connect with their customers, enhance user experience, and drive growth. 

However, building an in-house development team can be expensive and time-consuming, often stretching beyond the resources of many companies.

Offshoring is one way to make it possible. When you take your mobile app development offshore, you gain access to skilled developers at rates more likely to accommodate your budget. 

In this guide, we’ll explore why offshoring mobile app development is a smart move for US businesses, how to outsource it effectively, the costs you can expect, and the best platforms to find skilled developers.

Why Offshore Mobile Application Development is a Smart Move

With over 257 billion new app downloads in the past year, the mobile app market shows no signs of slowing down. Jumping into this thriving space can seriously grow your business.

Offshoring—hiring talent from other countries to handle your mobile app development—offers a strategic alternative to in-house teams and local talent shortages. 

Here’s what makes mobile app development offshore such a smart move:

Cost savings

Offshoring significantly reduces development costs compared to hiring locally in the US, where developer salaries are among the highest worldwide. For instance, countries like Brazil and Vietnam have lower living costs, allowing you to save on salaries without compromising quality.

Extended talent pool

As mentioned, offshoring also connects you with skilled, experienced developers from across the globe.

You can choose from the top areas to outsource software development, such as South Asia for the highest cost efficiency, Latin America (LatAm) for time zone compatibility and cultural alignment, or Eastern Europe for technical expertise. 

Focus on core business

Sending your mobile app development offshore allows your in-house team to focus on marketing, operations, and scaling your business while your offshore team handles the app development seamlessly.

This division of labor ensures that your team can channel its energy into growth initiatives without being stretched too thin.

Scalability

Whether your project is rapidly growing or you need someone with specialized skills, you can scale your offshore team up or down to adapt to your needs without the lengthy hiring process for full-time employees or having to lay off workers.

This flexibility is invaluable for startups and businesses with fluctuating demands or challenging timelines.

Faster time-to-market

If reducing development timelines is critical for your business and you already have an in-house team, offshoring can be a game-changer. Offshore developers can take over tasks after your in-house team’s workday ends, creating an around-the-clock workflow that minimizes downtime. This handoff approach ensures steady progress, even outside regular US business hours.

Beyond overlapping schedules, mobile app development outsourcing accelerates time-to-market by giving you access to skilled specialists who can quickly address specific project needs, reducing the learning curve and delays associated with upskilling internal teams. 

Additionally, offshore development teams often have extensive experience with streamlined processes and agile methodologies, allowing them to deliver high-quality results within shorter timelines.

When Should You Offshore Mobile Development?

There are times when offshore app development makes perfect sense for your business:

• When you want to bring on different levels of expertise quickly: The best software engineer staffing agencies can connect you with expert developers, from junior to senior roles.
• When your in-house team lacks specific skills: Offshoring connects you with specialists who can fill the gaps in your team.
• When you have a tight budget: Offshoring is often the most cost-efficient way to get quality development without exceeding your financial limits.
• When you need a quick turnaround: With continuous development cycles, offshore teams can speed up the software development process quite a bit.
• When you’re scaling your app: Offshore teams can grow alongside your project, adapting as your needs evolve.

In some cases, however, keeping development in-house might be the better choice—especially when managing highly sensitive data or if you need full control over the process.

Be sure that you first weigh the pros and cons to determine the best approach for your project.

How to Outsource App Development in 7 Steps

Offshoring app development can be streamlined by following a structured approach. 

Here’s how you can get started:

Step 1: Have a solid outline for an app

Clearly define your mobile app’s purpose, features, and target audience. Aligning your app’s purpose with your broader business goals ensures that the final product effectively supports your company’s growth and customer engagement strategies.

This outline will serve as the foundation for the entire development process, ensuring clarity for both you and your offshore team.

Step 2: Estimate the budget

Set a realistic budget that includes development costs, maintenance, and contingencies. Offshoring can help you save money, but it’s important to have a clear financial plan to avoid being caught unprepared later.

Step 3: Research onshore, nearshore, and offshore mobile app developers

Onshore developers are located within your country and are often the most expensive option of these three. 

Offshore developers are usually from distant countries, which can be the most affordable, but there can be challenges with real-time communication.

The term “nearshore” is used for a certain type of offshoring. Nearshore developers, like LatAm developers, are from nearby countries with time zones similar to those in the US. 

Step 4: Assess mobile app developers

Evaluate the potential developers based on their portfolios, reviews, technical expertise, and ability to handle projects similar to yours. Their familiarity with the latest technologies can make a significant impact, ensuring your app remains competitive and cutting-edge.

A thorough assessment ensures you choose a team that aligns with your vision.

Step 5: Choose the right engagement model

Decide on an engagement model that suits your project: 

• Fixed price for clear, defined requirements
• Time and materials for flexibility in evolving projects
• Dedicated team for long-term collaboration

Each option offers varying levels of control, cost efficiency, and adaptability.

Step 6: Build a strong legal foundation for your project

Draft contracts that include confidentiality agreements, intellectual property rights, and clear deliverables. A clear understanding of the legal aspects of your project protects it from risk and facilitates a smooth collaborative process. 

Step 7: Maintain good communication with developers

Establish clear communication protocols with your offshore team. Regular check-ins, progress reports, and the use of project management tools will enable everyone to stay.

Additionally, understanding and addressing cultural differences can foster stronger collaboration and avoid potential misunderstandings in the development process. on the same page and keep the project on course. 

How Much Does It Cost To Outsource Mobile App Development?

Mobile app development offshore offers cost savings, but the total expense can vary widely. 

For a mid-range developer, hiring locally in the US costs around $117,500 annually. In comparison, the best companies to hire top LatAm developers can connect you with talent of similar expertise for $62,000—giving you hiring cost savings of $56,000.

Finding a reliable partner in the offshoring process ensures that cost savings translate into tangible results, aligning with your project’s goals.

Businesses can optimize their budgets by understanding these cost factors:

• Complexity of the app: A simple apps cost less, while advanced apps with custom features increase expenses.
• Developer expertise: Rates differ based on experience and specialization.
• Team location: Different offshore locations provide different levels of savings based on average local living costs.
• Project scope: Longer projects with ongoing updates require more resources.

In general, we find that by partnering with offshore developers, our clients can usually save 30–70% in salary costs. Savings like these allow you to invest in critical areas like marketing, scaling, or enhancing product features.

Where To Hire Offshore Mobile App Developers

Finding the right offshore mobile app developer is essential, and these platforms and firms can help. In no particular order, this list includes specialized mobile app development companies and recruitment firms with experience finding remote, offshore app developers that can join your team.

Near

At Near, we connect businesses with skilled LatAm developers, saving our clients over 30% compared to hiring in the US market. Thanks to a thriving tech industry and lower living costs in LatAm, you get top-tier remote talent without in-house costs.

Unlike many development companies where developers are assigned without your input, we put you in control. You choose who you want to work with, ensuring that the professionals you hire align with your technical needs, company culture, and long-term goals.

With our deep understanding of both the US and LatAm markets, we make hiring exceptional mobile app developers seamless and cost-effective.

ManekTech

ManekTech, an India-based leader in enterprise software and mobile solutions, offers top-notch mobile developers across industries.

Recognized as a Microsoft Certified Partner, ManekTech delivers custom mobility solutions for fields like real estate, education, and finance. Their extensive experience in scalable and diverse tech solutions ensures quality for a wide range of projects for mobile app development outsourcing.

Upwork

Upwork is a freelancing platform offering access to over 18 million freelancers from around the globe. It’s the go-to for hiring developers with flexible pricing options.

Businesses benefit from Upwork’s vast talent pool and the ability to browse portfolios, compare rates, and engage with developers directly.

Innowise

Based in Poland, Innowise is a trusted software development and consulting firm with over 17 years of experience.

Specializing in custom mobile solutions, their 1,800+ IT professionals leverage the latest tech to create innovative apps tailored to client goals. Their global expertise caters to both IT and non-IT sectors.

Toptal

Toptal is a premium network of freelance talent, claiming to accept only the top 3% of applicants. 

Although Toptal is slightly more expensive than the other options, the expertise of its developers and speed of hiring can be highly valuable, especially for companies that require high-level, high-stakes mobile apps.

Final Thoughts

Moving your mobile app development offshore has the potential to transform your business.

With the right offshore partner, you can overcome local hiring challenges, streamline your development process, and focus on scaling your business.

At Near, we simplify the hiring process by connecting you with qualified LatAm mobile app developers. If you’re ready to accelerate your hiring process, fill out this form today.

We’ll connect you with LatAm developers so you can hire top talent exactly for your needs in under 21 days.