Having a mobile app is (almost) always a must, if you run a digital business. Everybody has a phone and that’s arguably the easiest way to reach your customers.
Here comes the hard part: do you build your own in-house team, or do you work with an agency to build the app? There’s no right answer, but the decision depends on what you’re building and what’s most important to your business - speed, cost, or control.
Let’s break this down.
When to build an in-house team?
If mobile is a critical part of your business, building an in-house team isn’t just an option - it's a must. Here’s why committing to your own mobile squad might be the best move for your company:
Full control over development
When you build an in-house team, you have direct oversight of the development process. This means you’re in control of everything. You’re not waiting on an external team’s availability or dealing with miscommunications. With an in-house team, you have direct access to everyone working on the project, making it easier to pivot when needed or make changes based on shifting business priorities. If speed and precision are crucial, this control gives you the agility you need to move fast.
Deep integration with core business
An in-house team doesn’t just build an app - their job is to understand your product, business model, and customers, ensuring the mobile app aligns with your overall vision. Additionally, with closer collaboration between the mobile developers and other departments like marketing and customer support, you can iterate based on real-time feedback from every part of your business.
Long-term cost efficiency
While setting up an in-house team requires upfront investment, the long-term costs can be more predictable. Agencies charge for each project phase, and the costs can accumulate quickly. An in-house team, on the other hand, can be more cost-effective over time, especially when it comes to continuous updates, bug fixes, and long-term projects.
Institutional knowledge
One of the key advantages of having an in-house mobile development team is the retention of product and technical knowledge. Your team members are likely to stay with the company longer, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of your product and its evolution. When an issue arises, your in-house team already has the technical knowledge and historical context to resolve it quickly, without needing to re-familiarize themselves with your product like an outsourced team might.
Faster iterations
Building a mobile app isn’t a one-and-done job. You’ll need to make regular updates, fix bugs, and introduce new features over time. With an in-house team, these iterations happen more quickly because your team is fully dedicated to your app. You don’t have to wait for availability from an external partner.
Strategic advantage
If your app is integral to your business model or customer experience, having an in-house team ensures that you retain control over your intellectual property and technological innovation. This is particularly important if you’re developing unique features or handling sensitive user data.
Things to have in mind when building an in-house mobile team
While building an in-house mobile team has its advantages, there are several challenges you’ll need to navigate. Here’s what to watch out for:
Lack of internal mobile expertise
Mobile development comes with its own set of challenges, and without adequate expertise, your team might struggle to deliver the quality your business needs. Mobile apps heavily rely on native SDKs and components, and creating custom solutions without a deep understanding of these frameworks can lead to unnecessary complexity, delays, and higher costs.
For example, inexperienced developers or product designers may introduce non-standard components or interactions that are difficult to implement or maintain. This can lead to wasted effort and resources, especially if your team ends up reworking these elements later. Investing in skilled mobile engineers and product designers who understand the nuances of mobile platforms is critical.
Additionally, unlike web development, mobile apps have a submission process for updates and releases. Once a version is pushed to production, making changes or reverting to a previous state isn’t as simple as hitting “rollback”. Instead, every change requires a new release and another round of submissions to the app stores. This adds an extra layer of complexity and demands precision.
Time to hire a team relative to delivery deadlines
Building a strong mobile team takes time. Recruiting the right talent isn’t something that happens overnight, and even the best hiring processes aren’t immune to mistakes. If your business has tight delivery deadlines, you’ll need to factor in the time it takes to identify, interview, and onboard top-notch mobile developers and designers.
Unrealistic hiring timelines can lead to rushed decisions, which may compromise the quality of your team - and ultimately, your product. If your project has hard deadlines or high stakes, be realistic about how long it will take to build and onboard your team.
When to outsource mobile development
Outsourcing mobile development is often the right choice for businesses that need to move fast, keep costs low, or focus their internal resources elsewhere. If building an in-house team isn’t practical or aligned with your strategic goals, outsourcing can offer significant advantages.
Cost savings
For companies in regions where tech talent comes with high salary expectations, outsourcing can be a cost-effective alternative. Agencies often operate in regions with lower overhead costs and have streamlined processes that allow them to deliver high-quality apps at a fraction of the cost of building an in-house team. Additionally, working with an external partner means you avoid long-term financial commitments, such as salaries, benefits, and office space.
Access to expertise
Outsourcing gives you immediate access to specialists who are experienced in mobile development. These external teams often stay on the cutting edge of tools, technologies, and best practices.
Faster time to market
Agencies typically have ready-made teams with well-established workflows, allowing them to start projects immediately. Unlike in-house teams, there’s no need for months of hiring or onboarding. This is particularly valuable for businesses with tight deadlines or when a first-mover advantage is critical.
Flexibility and scalability
One of the biggest advantages of outsourcing is flexibility. You can scale resources up or down as your project demands change. This flexibility is especially helpful for startups and businesses with fluctuating workloads.
Focus on core business
Outsourcing allows your internal team to focus on your company’s core competencies and strategic initiatives. While the external team handles the technical details of mobile development, your internal resources can remain dedicated to building your platform, growing your customer base, or driving business strategy. This division of labor ensures that your company’s focus remains on its long-term goals.
Reduced hiring challenges
Finding, recruiting, and retaining top-tier mobile developers can be time-consuming and expensive, particularly in competitive markets. By outsourcing, you sidestep these challenges altogether.
Short-term projects
Not every app needs an in-house team. If your mobile app is not a core part of your product offering, outsourcing can be a low-risk, practical solution. For short-term projects like proof of concepts (PoCs), minimum viable products (MVPs), or seasonal campaigns, external teams can deliver results without requiring the long-term commitment of an in-house team.
Things to have in mind when outsourcing mobile development
Outsourcing mobile development can be a powerful strategy, but it’s not without its risks. To make the most of your partnership with an external agency, you’ll need to approach the relationship thoughtfully. Here are the key considerations to keep in mind:
The agency's experience in building mobile apps
Many agencies are generalists, taking on a variety of projects without deep expertise in mobile development. The result? Apps that feel more like glorified responsive web applications than true native experiences. Mobile development is highly specific, requiring knowledge of native SDKs, platform conventions, and the nuances of user experience on smaller screens. Ensure the agency has at least 5–7 years of experience and a proven track record of delivering high-quality mobile apps.
Support package after app delivery
Building the app is only half the battle. Once it’s live, the real work begins. Mobile platforms like iOS and Android release new operating systems annually, introducing new features, security requirements, and potential compatibility issues. Without ongoing support, your app could quickly become outdated.
Ask the agency about their post-delivery support model:
- Do they offer maintenance plans for updates and bug fixes?
- How do they handle compatibility with new OS releases?
- What is their process for monitoring app performance and resolving issues?
A good agency will offer a clear support strategy, ensuring your app remains functional long after launch.
Handling store submissions
Publishing an app to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store is a crucial step, but it’s often more complex than it seems. Apple, in particular, has strict guidelines that can lead to rejections if not followed carefully. Google Play is more flexible but still requires adherence to certain standards.
To avoid costly delays, ask the agency about their experience with store submissions. Specifically:
- What challenges have they faced with app rejections in the past?
- How did they resolve those issues?
- What measures do they take to ensure compliance with store guidelines?
Experienced agencies will have a clear understanding of submission rules and a track record of successful approvals. They should also provide documentation and guidance on the submission process, so there are no surprises along the way.
In-house vs outsourced: how to choose
Choosing between building an in-house team or outsourcing mobile development is a significant decision that requires careful evaluation of your unique business needs. Here are the key factors to consider to make the best choice for your project:
The nature of your mobile app
Ask yourself: is the app core to your business, or is it a complementary feature?
If the app is central to your product offering or directly impacts your competitive edge, building an in-house team ensures greater alignment with your long-term business goals.
Budget
Evaluate your financial flexibility:
- In-house teams require significant upfront investment in salaries, benefits, and infrastructure. However, they may become more cost-efficient over time, especially for ongoing updates.
- Outsourcing typically involves lower upfront costs, making it ideal for companies with tighter budgets or those looking for quick results without long-term financial commitments.
Consider not just the immediate expense but also the long-term implications of maintaining your app.
Project timeline
How quickly do you need the app delivered? Building an in-house team takes time - hiring, onboarding, and forming an efficient workflow doesn’t happen overnight. If you have a tight deadline or need to capitalize on market opportunities quickly, outsourcing to an experienced agency with ready-made teams may be the fastest route to launch.
Control and confidentiality
How much control do you need over the development process and intellectual property?
- In-house teams provide maximum control, ensuring your vision is fully realized and your IP remains protected. This is particularly important if you’re building proprietary features or handling sensitive user data.
- Outsourcing requires trust in an external partner, but you can mitigate risks by thoroughly vetting agencies and establishing strong contracts to protect your IP.
Long-term plans
Will the app require continuous updates, or is it a one-time project? If your app will need frequent iterations, updates, and new features over time, an in-house team offers the agility to respond quickly. For one-time projects or MVPs, outsourcing can provide a cost-effective solution without the commitment of long-term resources.
Internal expertise
Do you already have someone in-house with expertise in mobile development? Having a technical expert on your team can make a significant difference in the success of your project. They can:
- guide an in-house team effectively, ensuring alignment with your technical vision and goals.
- collaborate with an external agency to maintain quality standards and keep the project on track.
Also, take a close look at your design capabilities. Do your designers have experience crafting mobile-specific interfaces, or are they more focused on web and responsive design? Mobile design requires a deep understanding of platform conventions and user expectations to create apps that feel intuitive and native. Without this expertise, even a strong technical team may struggle to deliver a seamless and user-friendly app.
My take on the topic and how I would decide
When it comes to deciding between building an in-house mobile team or outsourcing development, there’s no universal answer—it all depends on the specifics of your business. To make this decision clearer, I’ve outlined a few scenarios based on common business setups and goals. In each case, I’ll explain which path I’d choose and why.
Starting a mobile-first business with extensive mobile experience
If I were a mobile-first founder with years of experience in iOS and Android development, I’d build an in-house team from day one. Full control over the development process would let me align the product with my vision, leverage my expertise, and create something truly tailored to the business. It’s a no-brainer if mobile is core to your success.
Running a successful b2b SaaS platform
If I had a b2b SaaS product with strong traction and users clamoring for a mobile app, I’d outsource. The focus would be on partnering with an agency that has a proven track record in SaaS apps. By setting clear goals and aiming for a 3–4 month delivery window, I’d meet user demand without pulling internal resources away from critical web platform updates.
Leading an e-commerce platform with heavy mobile traffic
For an e-commerce platform where most traffic is mobile, the decision depends on urgency:
- Need it now? I’d have my Head of engineering oversee an experienced agency to get the app live fast, while simultaneously building an internal team for long-term development.
- More time? I’d focus on hiring and onboarding an in-house team first, ensuring scalability and alignment with the technical vision before starting development.
Non-technical founder with an app idea
As a non-technical founder, I’d work with an agency to build and test the app as quickly as possible. The goal: validate the idea in the market without the overhead of building an internal team. I’d prioritize agencies with portfolios showing successful startup launches. If the idea succeeds, I’d consider scaling up with in-house resources later.
The bottom line
Whether you choose to build an in-house mobile team or outsource the development, the key is aligning your decision with your business’s long-term vision, resources, and goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but by evaluating your needs - control, cost, expertise, and timeline, you can make a choice that delivers a great mobile app and also supports your company’s growth.
.png)
