- How do you choose which agencies to list?
- We research firms with verifiable portfolios, a track record of three or more years, and public business information. Each one is reviewed by hand for an active website, real client work, and an accurate profile. Standard listings are never sold.
- What does the 'Verified' badge mean?
- Verified means we confirmed the agency's website is live, their portfolio shows real client work, and their stated location, team size, and services match public records. It is a check on existence and accuracy, not an endorsement of quality.
- Do featured agencies pay for placement?
- Yes. Featured listings are a paid option and are labelled 'Featured' everywhere they appear. Paying does not change the data we publish or the verification standard. The directory's filterable table and rankings are never sold.
- How often is the directory updated?
- Profiles are reviewed monthly and new agencies are added as they meet the criteria. Each profile shows the date its information was last verified, so you can judge how current it is.
- Should I just pick the cheapest agency?
- Rarely. A $50/hour team can take twice as long and need far more oversight than a $150/hour team, so the cheaper rate often costs more in total. Match the agency's minimum project size and expertise to your project, then compare total cost — not the hourly figure alone.
- How much does it cost to build an app in 2026?
- Simple apps run $25,000–75,000, medium-complexity apps $75,000–150,000, and complex apps $150,000–500,000 or more. The agency's hourly rate, your feature set, and design depth drive the number. See the app development cost guide for a full breakdown.
- Does location actually matter for app development?
- It affects price and overlap, not capability. US and UK teams cost the most but share your timezone and culture. Eastern European teams balance quality and cost. Asian teams have the lowest rates but usually need more project management on your side.
- What's the difference between iOS, Android, and cross-platform agencies?
- iOS specialists work in Swift and SwiftUI for the Apple ecosystem. Android specialists work in Kotlin and Java for Google Play. Cross-platform agencies use React Native or Flutter to build both apps from one codebase, usually 20–30% cheaper than building each natively.