App developers in Auckland for mobile and web apps
If you need an app built, the first decision is what kind of app. Sometimes separate iPhone and Android apps are the right answer. Often a cross-platform app does the job from one codebase, and sometimes a web app that runs in the browser is all you need.
We're app developers in Auckland. We build mobile apps with Flutter, React Native or native code, desktop apps with Electron, and web apps, and then publish, host and look after them.
Native, cross-platform or web app: which do you need?
| Native app | Cross-platform app | Web app | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Separate apps built for iOS and Android | One codebase that builds for iOS and Android | Runs in the browser on any device |
| In the App Store and Google Play | Yes | Yes | No |
| Access to phone features | Full | Most, through plugins | More limited, and depends on the browser |
| Updates | Through store review | Through store review | Instant, no review |
| Suits | Apps that lean heavily on the device | Business apps that need to be in both stores | Internal tools, portals and apps used on computers as much as phones |
When a web app is enough
A web app is often the cheaper and simpler choice when:
- your staff or customers use it on a computer as often as on a phone
- you don't need it listed in the App Store or Google Play
- you want every update to reach everyone straight away, without a store review
- the phone features you need, such as the camera or location, are available in the browser
If that sounds like your project, our custom software page covers how we build web apps and portals.
Mobile app development in NZ: the toolkits we use
We pick the toolkit to suit the app, not the other way round:
- Flutter and React Native, for cross-platform apps that run on both iOS and Android from one codebase
- native development, when an app depends heavily on the device or the platform
- Electron, for desktop apps on Windows, macOS and Linux
Publishing to the App Store and Google Play
We prefer to publish apps under your own developer accounts, not ours. That way the app, its store listing and its reviews belong to your business from day one, and you're never stuck if you change developers.
To publish, you'll need:
- an Apple Developer Program membership, which costs US$99 a year (Apple shows the price in local currency when you enrol)
- a Google Play Console developer account, which has a one-time US$25 registration fee
Both stores review apps before they go live, and updates go through review too. We handle the submissions for you, under your account.
App development in Auckland, backend and hosting included
Most apps need more than the app itself: accounts and logins, a database, notifications and an admin area for your staff. We build that backend too, and host it where you choose: on-site, in a cloud account or in a data centre you pick. Deployment and hosting run through our DevOps service.
What happens after launch
Phones, operating systems and store rules keep changing, so every app needs looking after. We handle maintenance as it comes up, or you can keep us on a retainer.
App development questions we get asked
How much does it cost to build an app?
It depends on what the app needs to do, so we don't publish prices. After we've been through your requirements, we propose a solution with a fixed price and a time frame for each stage.
Should we build a native or a cross-platform app?
Cross-platform toolkits such as Flutter and React Native let one codebase run on both iOS and Android, which usually means less to build and maintain. Native makes sense when the app depends heavily on the phone itself. We'll recommend one once we know what the app has to do.
Whose account is the app published under?
Yours, by preference. Publishing under your own Apple and Google developer accounts keeps the app and its listing in your business's hands.
Do you build desktop apps?
Yes. We build desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux with Electron.
Do you look after the app after launch?
Yes. We handle maintenance as it comes up, or you can keep us on a retainer.