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Hire a freelance iOS developer in Europe and work directly with the engineer
I'm Mădălin Săvoaia, an independent iOS engineer based in Romania (EU). I design, build, launch and improve native iPhone and Apple Watch apps in Swift and SwiftUI for startups and businesses in Europe, the UK and the US. I work remotely, and I lead every project and write the code myself.
Who you'd be working with
- Based in Romania, EU (UTC+2/+3): full overlap with European working hours and partial overlap with the US East Coast.
- Languages: English and Romanian.
- Building iOS apps since 2015, with 26+ apps live on the current App Store account.
- Native only: Swift, SwiftUI and UIKit, StoreKit 2 subscriptions, Apple Watch (watchOS) and App Store launch.
What I can help with
- iOS MVP development: a first version from architecture to App Store launch, typically in 4–8 weeks.
- App rescue and modernization: taking over, stabilizing and modernizing an existing iOS app.
- Subscriptions and monetization: StoreKit 2, paywalls, trials and lifetime purchases.
Freelancer or agency?
Both can be the right choice. Here's an honest view of the trade-off.
Working with me
- You talk directly to the engineer who builds your app. Nothing gets lost between a salesperson, a project manager and the developer.
- Native iOS is all I do, so decisions are made with the platform in mind.
- I ship my own apps too, so I know App Review, launch and monetization first-hand.
- Small, focused first versions, with regular TestFlight builds so you see progress as it happens.
When an agency may fit better
- You need iOS, Android, web and backend built in parallel by one team, from day one.
- You need several developers working at the same time to hit a fixed date.
- You want a large vendor with formal account management and round-the-clock support.
How working together usually goes
Pricing
- Fixed price for a well-defined first version: you know the number before work starts.
- Time-and-materials with a not-to-exceed ceiling when the work is exploratory.
- An audit first for existing apps, so the plan is based on the real code.
Delivery
- Start from the single core job the app must do well.
- Regular TestFlight builds you and your testers can install.
- App Store preparation, submission and handling review feedback.
- A clean, documented project you can keep building on, with me or without.
Questions about hiring an iOS developer
How much does it cost to hire an iOS developer to build an app?
It depends mostly on scope and on whether the app needs a backend. Full MVPs I build typically fall in the €4,000–€10,000+ range. The quickest way to get a real number is to describe the one core job the app must do and whether it needs to talk to a server.
How long does it take to build an iOS app?
A first version typically takes 4–8 weeks. A focused app that stores data on the device lands at the short end. Accounts, a backend and payments push toward the long end.
Should I hire a freelance iOS developer or an agency?
If you need a native iPhone app and want to work directly with the person writing the code, a senior freelancer is usually faster and simpler. If you need iOS, Android, web and backend built in parallel by one team, an agency may serve you better.
Where are you based, and do you work with clients outside Romania?
I'm based in Romania, in the EU (UTC+2/+3), and work remotely with clients worldwide. That gives full overlap with European working hours and partial overlap with the US East Coast. I work in English and Romanian.
Do you also build Android apps?
No. I focus on native iOS and Apple Watch. If you truly need Android from day one, I'll tell you honestly that a cross-platform team may serve you better.
Can you take over an existing iOS app?
Yes. I start with an audit to map how the app works, what's risky and what it will cost to change. UIKit and SwiftUI coexist well, so a full rewrite is usually not needed.
Are the apps in your portfolio client projects?
No. The apps on the ISTACK DEVELOPMENT App Store account are my own products, which I design, build, launch and maintain myself. They show how I build, ship and maintain apps.
Looking for an iOS developer?
Tell me what you're building, where you are today, and what you need help with.