First, decide whether you need an app at all
Before looking for a vendor, ask a plain question: why would a customer install your app? If people visit once or twice to browse a catalog or leave a request, a fast website or a Telegram bot will do. Customers in Uzbekistan are used to messaging on Telegram, paying with Click or Payme, and finding products on Instagram, OLX and marketplaces like Uzum.
An app earns its cost when usage is regular: a personal account, repeat orders, delivery, a loyalty program, courier or staff workflows. If a website solves the problem, it is usually simpler and cheaper. Turnkey websites are what markdev builds, so we only recommend an app when a site genuinely will not cover the need.
Types of mobile app development companies
The market is uneven, and comparing prices only makes sense once you know what kind of vendor you are dealing with.
- Freelancer: flexible and often cheaper, but usually covers only part of the work, leaving design, code and testing coordination to you.
- Small team: starts quickly, though some tasks may go to subcontractors.
- Agency with in-house staff: designer, developer and tester work together and responsibility sits in one place; that cost is built into the budget.
- Single-platform studio: strong in Android or iOS, but the second version has to be ordered separately.
What a good proposal contains
A solid proposal is split into stages: task analysis, screen flows, interface design, development for the platforms you need, testing, and publishing to Google Play and the App Store. A single line saying “app development” with no detail is a reason to start asking questions.
Judge the first meeting as well. A company that quotes numbers immediately is probably working from a template. A healthy conversation starts with questions: who the audience is, who the competitors are, what load the backend should expect, and what you have already tried. Afterwards you normally receive a brief or a list of clarifications, not a ready price tag.
How to check a portfolio
Screenshots prove nothing. Find the apps in the stores and look at reviews, the date of the last update, and how stable they are on different phones, including the budget models common outside Tashkent.
Ask for a case close to your task: a personal account, orders, logistics, payment through Click or Payme. Then ask who maintains that app today. Regular updates suggest the product was not abandoned right after launch.
What drives price and timeline
Prices between companies can differ several times over, and greed is not always the reason. The final sum depends on the scope and the team behind it. In-house designers and developers are priced in from the start, while with a freelancer those costs often land on you.
Ask for a breakdown by stage. Honest timelines are not given without a brief either: an exact date in the first message signals a template, not confidence.
- number of screens and complexity of logic
- one platform or both
- integrations: Click, Payme, SMS, maps, CRM, accounting
- backend and admin panel
- template or custom design
- testing on different devices
The contract and life after release
An app without maintenance ages quickly as Android and iOS update. Discuss this before signing: how long bug fixes stay free after release, how change requests are handled, and who is responsible for updates.
Put the handover of source code and access credentials in the contract. Developer accounts in Google Play and the App Store are better registered to your company, not the contractor. Otherwise even a small edit ties you to one studio.
Red flags and where to start
Be cautious if you run into any of the points in the list below. None is a verdict alone, but together they point to a template approach.
Start with a short brief: the app’s goal, the audience, key features, examples of apps you like, and a budget range. With it, comparing several companies becomes much easier.
If you are unsure whether you need an app, or you would rather launch a turnkey website first to collect requests and test real demand, talk it through with markdev. We can help you weigh the options before the budget is spent.
- an exact price and deadline given without a brief
- no source code handover in the contract
- no stages and no questions about your business
- no live apps from the portfolio in the stores
- silence about support after release
FAQ
How is an agency different from a freelancer for app development?
An agency runs the project as a team: designer, developer and tester work in sync and answer for the result within one structure. A freelancer usually covers part of the tasks, and coordination falls to the client.
How can I tell if a development price is inflated?
Ask for a breakdown by stage: design, development for each platform, integrations, testing. A company that explains what makes up the sum is generally more transparent than one that gives only a total.
Should I ask the developer for the source code?
Yes. Handover of source code and access should be written into the contract in advance. Without it, any future changes can only be ordered from the same company.
Should I choose an app, a website or a Telegram bot?
It depends on the scenario. For one-off requests and catalogs, a website or bot is often enough. An app makes sense when customers or staff use the service regularly and you need a personal account, notifications or device features.
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