How to Hire an App Developer: 12 Questions to Ask (and the Red Flags)

Short answer: Hire a developer who has shipped and maintained apps similar to yours, ideally subscription apps live in the stores with real users. Check their apps by downloading them. Ask how they'd cut your scope, how they handle in-app purchases, who owns the code and accounts, and what happens after launch. Avoid anyone who quotes your entire wishlist without questions, can't show live apps, or wants to publish under their own account.

I've been on both sides: hired by startups as a senior developer, and running my own apps. Here's what separates a great hire from an expensive mistake.

Where do you find good app developers?

Referrals from other creators or founders who've shipped apps. This is still the best source.
Search the App Store. Find apps you admire in your niche and look up who built them. Independent developers often list their own apps.
Developer portfolios and blogs. Look for people who write publicly about the things you need: subscriptions, paywalls, ASO, retention.
Curated networks (Contra, Toptal, Gun.io and similar) for vetted freelancers.
Open marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr): possible, but vet very carefully. Quality varies enormously.

What should I check before the first call?

Download their apps. Not screenshots, the real thing. Is it fast? Does it crash? Do the purchases work? Read the reviews.
Check release history. On the App Store, look at "Version History." Regular updates mean they maintain what they ship.
Look for business results, not just builds. Did their apps grow? Did they work on monetisation and retention, or only code?

12 questions to ask an app developer

"What apps have you shipped that are similar to mine?" You want live, similar apps, ideally with subscriptions.
"What would you cut from my MVP?" Good developers push back on scope. If they agree to everything, they're either not thinking or planning to charge for it later.
"What tech stack would you use, and why?" You want a clear reason. For most creator apps that's cross-platform, like React Native/Expo. (Tech stack)
"How do you handle in-app purchases and subscriptions?" Listen for restore purchases, cross-platform entitlements, grace periods, refunds and a tool like RevenueCat.
"Who owns the code, and whose developer account will the app be published under?" The answer should be "you" both times.
"How will I see progress?" Weekly TestFlight builds and demos beat monthly check-ins.
"What happens after launch?" Bug fixes, OS updates, iteration. Is there a retainer? What's the response time?
"How do you set up analytics?" If they don't mention funnel tracking, you won't know what's working.
"What's your experience with App Store review?" Ask about a rejection and how they fixed it.
"Who designs it?" Many developers don't design. That's fine if they partner with a designer they trust, as I do.
"How do you price, fixed or hourly?" Either works. What matters is clarity on what's included and how changes are handled.
"Can I talk to a past client?" Some work is under NDA, but they should be able to share at least one reference.

What are the red flags?

🚩 No live apps you can download
🚩 Quotes a fixed price on a one-paragraph description
🚩 Wants to publish under their own developer account
🚩 Won't give you access to the code repository
🚩 Vague about subscriptions and payments
🚩 No plan for testing or beta
🚩 Disappears for days during the sales process (it only gets worse later)
🚩 Pitches building everything custom when proven services exist

How do app developers price their work?

Fixed price per project or milestone: predictable, and works best with a tight spec.
Hourly or weekly rate: flexible, and works best for evolving products and post-launch iteration.
Monthly retainer: for ongoing maintenance and growth work.
Hybrid with revenue share: sometimes, for creators with proven audiences. (Revenue share deals)

For realistic numbers, see how much it costs to build a fitness app.

Should I hire a freelancer, a dev shop or an agency?

It depends on scope, budget and how much product leadership you need. I compare all three in freelance app developer vs. dev shop vs. agency.

What makes a developer a good fit for creators specifically?

Creators need more than code. Look for someone who understands:

Subscription economics: trials, pricing, paywalls and churn
App Store Optimization: so the app grows beyond your audience
Launch dynamics: coordinated launches and velocity
Brand: your app needs to feel like you

I've built exactly this for my own apps: Escape the Vape (around 10K downloads a month, grown with pricing experiments and ASO), Dry Quest and Drip. It's also the work I do for clients.

FAQ

How do I know if an app developer is good?

Download and use their live apps, read the reviews, check their version history for regular updates, and talk to a past client. Shipped, maintained apps are the best evidence.

Should I hire a developer who doesn't design?

Yes, if they partner with a professional designer or you bring one. Very few people are excellent at both, and a developer with a trusted designer partner is often the best setup.

Do I need a technical co-founder instead?

Only if technology is your business and you'll be building for years. Most creators need a skilled developer partner, not a co-founder who owns half the company.

What should I prepare before contacting a developer?

A one-page brief covering who the app is for, the problem it solves, the core loop, your audience size and sales history, your timeline and a budget range. A rough idea is enough to start a conversation.