Need a Custom App Built? Here’s How to Outsource It

Imagine buying an off-the-shelf kitchen. You bring it home, but the stove doesn’t quite fit, the cabinets need adjusting, and it’s obvious where you bought it. It works, but it doesn’t feel unique to your space. Off-the-shelf apps are the same; they do get the job done but rarely fit your business needs perfectly.

If you’ve decided to go custom instead, you’re making a smart move that can set you apart from the competition. Now, the challenge is finding the right team to bring your vision to life.

Outsourcing to a custom app development firm lets you tap into top talent and cut costs without sacrificing quality.

This guide is here to help you find the perfect partner, explore your outsourcing options, and give you a step-by-step approach to successfully outsource your custom app development.

Why Outsource Custom App Development?

One of the biggest benefits of outsourcing your custom app development needs is cost efficiency. Most companies are already aware of this, and it’s typically the main reason they go this route. 

However, there’s a lot more to consider, like your current team’s workload, the project’s duration, and how fast you realistically want to get the app to market.

So why is outsourcing your custom app development such a smart move?

You get access to talent you can’t find locally

Good mobile app developers are getting harder to find, especially with big tech companies poaching the best talent.

But here’s what most people miss: great developers aren’t limited to Silicon Valley, NY, or somewhere else in the US. There are extremely talented developers in Latin America, Eastern Europe, and everywhere else in the world who have the same skills and speak fluent English.

Outsourcing gives you access to a global talent pool. These are app developers who are just as skilled and qualified as those in the US.

Developers working as contractors or at app development outsourcing companies worldwide are fluent in the same programming languages your project needs, whether it’s React Native, Java, Kotlin, or Python.

The difference? The cost to work with them is a fraction of what you’d pay in the US, not because they’re less skilled, but simply because their cost of living is lower.

Get specialized skills without full-time commitment

One of the challenges with in-house teams is the need to constantly upskill or hire for specialized roles. 

When you outsource, you can bring in a UX expert for two months, or a security specialist for just the weeks you need them. Once they’ve finished their part, you’re not stuck with a full-time salary for skills you rarely use.

This means you can be more strategic about where you spend your money, focusing on the permanent skills your team actually needs day to day.

Faster time-to-market (without burning out your team)

Deadlines are always tight, especially when you’re racing to launch before a competitor. One of the major advantages of outsourcing is the ability to scale your team quickly. 

Need more developers to speed up a feature release? Outsourcing lets you bring in additional talent on demand, so your project keeps moving forward without delay.

Using time zones to your advantage

Some people worry about big time zone differences when outsourcing to companies in offshore locations. But they can also work in your favor. By collaborating with skilled developers across the globe, you can keep the development cycle running 24/7. 

This offshore development “follow-the-sun” approach lets you push updates faster and resolve issues while your in-house team is off the clock. It’s a strategic way to accelerate time-to-market without burning out your local team.

But if you prefer everyone working the same hours, nearshore development teams in Latin America can seamlessly join your daily standups, participate in real-time code reviews, and communicate instantly when roadblocks appear.

You can either augment your existing team with additional remote developers (perfect when you need more hands on deck quickly) or hand off the entire project to a full-service development company with proven processes already in place. Either way, you’re speeding up delivery without the friction that comes with drastically different working hours.

The bottom line? Outsourcing isn’t just about saving money (though that’s a significant benefit). It’s about getting your app to market faster, accessing skills you can’t find locally, and building a more flexible development process that adapts to your business needs—not the other way around.

Essential Traits to Consider When Choosing an Outsourcing Partner

Technical ability will make up a huge chunk of what you’re initially going to be looking for in an outsourcing partner. However, you will need to look beyond these and find a dedicated team that not only understands your vision but can pull it off.

These are the main traits you need to put under the microscope when looking at a potential domestic or offshore custom application development service.

Proven technical expertise and relevant experience

Your outsourcing partner should have a strong background in custom app development, with a portfolio of successful projects similar to what you’re aiming to build.

Here’s how to evaluate their expertise:

• Tech stack compatibility: Make sure they’re experienced in your chosen tech stack. If starting from scratch, gauge their tech stack suggestions for long-term viability. 
• Relevant industry experience: If you’re building a healthcare app, look for expertise in HIPAA compliance and secure data storage. For e-commerce outsourcing, for example, they should have experience with payment gateways and inventory management systems.
• Scalable architecture: Verify if they design apps that can handle growth. This is particularly important for apps expecting high user traffic or rapid feature expansion.

A common challenge here is hiring a team without relevant experience. This often leads to delays and technical debt. Asking for detailed case studies and client references can help you weed out partners who have experience and those who just claim they do.

Clear communication and project management practices

Miscommunication and project delays are common pitfalls when outsourcing. To avoid this, ideally look for:

• Adaptable collaboration approach: They should use standard remote work tools and be willing to adapt to what your team already uses. A partner who can slide into your existing workflow (rather than forcing you into theirs) will be much easier to work with.
• Effective project management methodologies: Opt for teams that follow Agile or Scrum methodologies for iterative development and regular feedback loops.
• Workable time overlap: While teams across distant time zones can absolutely work (with the right async processes), having at least a few hours of overlap makes certain collaboration tasks easier. Latin American teams offer a sweet spot with their natural 3–8 hour overlap with US working hours, but what matters most is having a clear plan for how you’ll handle communication across whatever time difference exists.

Transparent pricing and post-launch support

Pricing surprises can derail your budget. To avoid this, check for:

• Clear payment models: Understand if they charge a fixed price or use a time-and-materials model.
• Detailed milestones and deliverables: Make sure they provide a breakdown of costs by feature or development phase.
• Post-launch support: Confirm they offer maintenance, updates, and bug fixes after the app goes live. This will help your app stays functional and competitive.

Hidden development costs can quickly inflate your budget. Requesting a detailed proposal with transparent pricing helps reduce the likelihood of runaway budgets.

How to Outsource Your Custom App Development

Outsourcing custom app development is a great way to build high-quality apps while saving time and money. To get the best results, you need a clear plan. 

Here’s how to do it right.

1. Define your project requirements and goals

Before searching for an outsourcing partner, clearly define your project requirements and goals. This means outlining your app’s features, target audience, and technical needs. 

The more detailed you are, the easier it is for potential partners to understand your vision and provide accurate quotes.

For example, if you’re building a custom fitness app, your requirements might include:

• Key features: User registration, workout tracking, nutritional logging, push notifications, wearable device integration (e.g., Fitbit, Apple Watch), and social sharing.
• Tech stack: Cross-platform development using React Native or Flutter.
• Timeline and budget: Completion within six months, with a budget of $50,000–$70,000.
• Additional requirements: User-friendly design, data encryption, and security.

Having a well-defined project scope makes it easier to communicate your needs and expectations with an offshore custom mobile app development company. It also helps them provide a more accurate project proposal and timeline.

2. Search and shortlist potential partners

Once you have a clear project scope, start looking for the right outsourcing partner. 

Search for offshore custom application development companies with experience in building similar apps, or you can work with specialist recruitment or staffing firms to hire offshore developers. 

Check their portfolios for relevant projects and see if they have expertise in your chosen tech stack (e.g., React Native, Flutter, or native Android and iOS development).

Read client testimonials and reviews on sites like Clutch or G2. Request case studies to see how they’ve handled similar challenges, and even contact past clients to get the real low-down on how they performed. 

Shortlist 3–5 companies that match your technical needs, communication style, and budget.

3. Further evaluate your shortlist

Now, it’s time to dig deeper. Set up video calls to discuss your project in detail. Ask questions like:

• Have you built similar custom apps before?
• What’s your approach to project management and communication?
• How do you handle quality assurance and testing?
• Do you offer post-launch support and maintenance?

This helps you evaluate their technical expertise, project management style, and cultural fit.

If you’re working with a recruitment firm like Near, ask about their developer sourcing and screening process.

4. Assign the project and set communication protocols

After you’ve selected your ideal outsourcing partner, assign them the project with detailed requirements and specifications. 

It’s best to establish clear communication protocols from the start, including the primary point of contact, communication channels (e.g., Slack, Zoom, or Jira), and meeting frequency.

Remember to maintain transparency and set realistic expectations. Agree on timelines, deliverables, and milestones to track progress. Basically, make sure everyone is on the same page from day one.

5. Development and continuous monitoring

During the development phase, maintain regular updates and feedback loops. Agile methodologies are ideal for custom app development as they allow iterative progress, continuous testing, and quick adjustments based on feedback. 

Schedule weekly or bi-weekly check-ins, depending on the project’s complexity, to address any issues or changes promptly. 

Participate in code reviews, quality assurance, and any critical decisions related to the project to make sure it meets your requirements.

6. Handover and post-launch support

When development is complete, the service provider should provide a thorough handover, including all necessary documentation, source code, and deployment instructions. 

Make sure the outsourcing partner also offers post-launch support and maintenance to handle future updates, bug fixes, or enhancements.

Outsourcing custom app development definitely doesn’t end at the launch celebration. So before the pizza and snacks are gone, you should make sure you have a long-term maintenance plan to keep your app functional, secure, and competitive.

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing custom app development gives you cost efficiency, flexibility, and access to specialized talent. With the right partner and a clear outsourcing process, you can bring your app vision to life faster and more efficiently.

Ready to explore your options? If you need to build an iOS app, check out our guide to find the top outsourcing partners for iPhone app development. And if you need an Android app, our guide on offshore Android development also has a list of companies.