Topic guide · 28 pages

How do you choose who builds your app?

Updated 5 November 2026 · every page on this topic, checked against our own builds

Quick answer

Decide the model first, then the team. A freelancer suits a small, well-defined job; a studio suits a product that needs design, engineering and launch together; an in-house team suits a product you will develop for years. Whoever you pick, start with a paid, fixed-scope first step, such as a Discovery Sprint, before committing to the build, and ask the questions in this guide.

We are a studio of 2 to 5 core people per project, from a team of 10 in Bengaluru. These pages compare the options honestly, including when a studio like ours is the wrong choice.

Start here

01ComparisonsFreelancer vs Agency vs Studio
02Fixed-price offersDiscovery Sprint
03PagesHow we work

Every page on choosing a development partner

Comparisons

ComparisonsFreelancer vs Agency vs StudioWhich kind of team fits which kind of project
ComparisonsIn-House Team vs Outsourcing to IndiaHiring your own team or working with one in India
ComparisonsFixed Price vs Time and MaterialsFixed price or paying by the hour
ComparisonsNo-Code vs Custom DevelopmentWhen a no-code builder is enough
ComparisonsReact Native vs Native AppsOne codebase or two native apps
ArticlesFlutter or React Native? Our Decision Table, Bias IncludedFlutter or React Native for a new app
ArticlesWebsite or Web App? How to Tell Which You NeedWhether you need a website or a web app
ArticlesOff-the-Shelf ERP or Custom Software? How to DecideBuying software or building your own

Before you sign

ArticlesQuestions to Ask an App Development Agency Before SigningThe questions that separate a good agency from a risky one
Fixed-price offersDiscovery SprintA fixed-price first step with a scope, prototype and price
ArticlesWhat a Discovery Phase Should Produce Before a BuildWhat a discovery phase should hand you
PagesHow we workHow a project runs with us, stop by stop
PagesPricingHow we price, and how to compare quotes
ChecklistsAgency Handover ChecklistHandover terms to agree before work starts

About the studio

PagesAbout CountryDevsWho we are, how we work and the questions we ask before we say yes
ServicesMobile App DevelopmentAndroid and iPhone apps, with the backend and console behind them
ServicesWeb App DevelopmentWeb apps, portals and dashboards
ServicesSaaS PlatformsSubscription products with tenants and billing
ServicesWebsite Design & DevelopmentCompany websites with an editable admin
ServicesCustom Business Software & ERPERP and operations software built around your process
ServicesUI/UX DesignFlows, prototypes and screens before code
ServicesBrand IdentityLogos and visual systems for new products
PagesPortfolioReal screens from apps we built
PagesBuild timelinesHow long our real builds took

Projects to judge us by

Case studiesPakka LogisticsA delivery platform with two apps, a portal and a console
Case studiesTrainrA trainer marketplace, built and handed over to the client's team
Case studiesStorafleetOur own live SaaS product
Case studiesLetSlicA social app with group chat and stories

Questions people ask about choosing a development partner

Is a cheaper hourly rate the best way to compare development teams?

No. Compare the total for a written scope and how the team handles changes. A low rate on an unclear scope usually costs more than a fixed price on a clear one. See fixed price vs time and materials.

What should a first meeting with a development studio cover?

Who the product is for, the one journey that must work at launch, your deadline, and what the studio would need to give you a fixed price. A good studio asks more than it pitches.

How can I check a studio's work before hiring them?

Install their apps from the stores, open their live sites, and read case studies that name a stage and a result. Ask to speak to a past client. Our work lists each project with its real stage.

Who should own the code and accounts when an outside team builds the app?

Get it in the contract: source code, store accounts, cloud accounts and the domain should be in your name. The agency handover checklist lists what to agree before work starts.

Is working with a team in India risky for a client in the UK or UAE?

The usual risks are time zones, communication and quality control, and each has a fix: agreed overlap hours, written weekly updates and test builds you install every milestone. See working with us from the UK and from the UAE.

When is a studio the wrong choice?

For a tiny fixed task a freelancer is cheaper, and for a product you will develop for many years an in-house team may be better long term. Our comparison explains where each fits.