If you’re looking for Kotlin developers, one of the first decisions you’ll face is how to build your team. Should you hire developers in-house, work with dedicated developers through a partner, or fully outsource your project?
Each option has its advantages depending on your goals, timeline, and budget. Choosing the right model will help you save time, optimize costs, and set your project up for success.
Regularly ranked among the top custom software development companies on Clutch, our team at Volpis has spent years providing Kotlin development services to businesses worldwide. In this article, we’ll walk you through the three most popular software development engagement models:
- In-house hiring
- Dedicated developers (outstaffing)
- Outsourcing model
We’ll explain the pros and cons of each approach and help you choose the best fit for your project.
What to choose when hiring Kotlin developers: in-house vs dedicated vs outsourcing models
Let’s take a look at these three options closely.
1) In-house development: full control and knowledge retention
Building an in-house team means you recruit Kotlin developers directly into your company. Kotlin app developers become your full-time employees, follow your internal processes, and grow inside your company culture. In house software development model gives you full control over the development team and software development activities, but it also comes with high recruitment costs, slower hiring timelines, and operational risks.
Pros:
- Full control over in house team structure, processes, and technical decisions.
- Strong cultural integration with the existing team.
- Long-term internal knowledge retention.
Cons:
- Slow recruitment cycles (can take 3–6 months).
- Significant investment: salaries, benefits, HR, taxes, office space, equipment.
- Hard to scale quickly if a project needs change.
- Full operational risk on your side (churn, retention challenges).
Cost: Mid-level Kotlin developers in the US typically cost $150,000–$180,000/year. Hiring from Europe can cut this cost to $70,000–$90,000/year.
Typical use cases:
- Enterprises with strong HR and long-term mobile strategy
- Companies investing heavily into proprietary technology
- Organizations that require maximum IP security and internal knowledge building
2) Dedicated developers (outstaffing): flexibility and cost savings
Working with a dedicated team (outstaffing) means you hire Kotlin app developers from a trusted vendor like Volpis. They work full-time on your project, follow your development process, but are officially employed by the vendor. A dedicated team model gives you flexibility, fast hiring speed, and significant cost savings — without HR overhead.
Pros:
- Fast access to skilled Kotlin app developers (within weeks).
- Direct daily management control.
- High flexibility: development team size can grow or shrink with 30 days’ notice.
- Vendor handles HR, legal, taxes, and administration.
- Cost-efficient compared to in-house hiring.
Cons:
- Requires internal management for task planning and leadership.
- Cultural integration may require extra communication early on.
- Vendor reliability is critical.
Cost: If you plan to hire dedicated Kotlin developers from Europe, it will cost about 40–60% less than hiring in-house in the US, with similar quality.
Typical use cases:
- Fast-scaling startups needing engineering capacity fast
- Businesses optimizing development team size based on dynamic market conditions
3) Full offshore outsourcing: exceptional technical expertise, intellectual property protection and ongoing support
Full outsourcing means you hand over the entire responsibility for your Kotlin development project to a trusted vendor. When delivering software solutions, the outsourcing company handles development team composition, project management, delivery, quality assurance, and deadlines — while you focus on your business strategy.
Pros:
- Minimal management load — focus on results.
- Predictable budgets (fixed-price or milestone contracts).
- Fast setup with ready cross-functional teams (Dev, QA, PM, UX).
- Lower risks related to development process & operational activities.
Cons:
- Less direct control over software developers’ daily work & app development tasks involved.
- Requires clear project scopes, specs, and communication processes.
Cost: Outsourcing typically costs between $15 to $150 per hour, depending on the location, with rates of $15 to $40 per hour in Asia, $30 to $60 in Eastern Europe, $25 to $60 in Latin America, and $80 to $150 in North America and Western Europe.
Typical use cases:
- Companies launching MVPs and entering new markets fast
- Enterprises needing temporary full project teams without internal hiring
- Businesses that lack internal mobile expertise and want turnkey delivery
Which option is best for your Android app development project? Balancing business strategy and development cost
Choosing the right collaboration model is not just about development cost — it’s about what your business needs today and how you plan to grow over the next 6–24 months.
| When in-house hiring makes the most sense | When dedicated Kotlin developers are the best choice | When outsourcing software development is the best fit |
| – Long-term mobile development plans – Strong HR and tech leadership in place – High budget and willingness to invest in building internal teams | – Need to start fast without building from scratch – Budget optimization matters (save 40–60%) – Flexible team scaling needed – Managing tasks directly but avoiding HR complexity | – Small and well defined projects – No mobile development team internally – Prefer predictable budgeting and minimal daily management |
How developers at Volpis use Kotlin to create custom applications with over a million downloads
The Volpis team has been leveraging the power of Kotlin to build robust applications and assist business owners in achieving unparalleled milestones. One recent example is the Holy Quran app.
The Holy Quran is a popular non-profit mobile app for Android and iOS. The app’s main objective is to provide accurate knowledge about Islam and serve as a platform for studying the Quran. A few years ago, the app needed significant updates.
Our team focused on performance optimization, UI/UX improvements, and backend maintenance.
The app has become a trusted resource for the Muslim community and those interested in Islam. Today, the app has a 4.8-star rating, over 11,000 reviews and has surpassed 1 million downloads.
Why companies trust Volpis with custom Kotlin app development
At Volpis, we help businesses move smarter and faster by offering both dedicated Kotlin developers and full project outsourcing. Consistently recognized as one of the top custom software development companies on Clutch and acknowledged among the top 10 Kotlin development companies in 2025 by AppDevelopmentCompanies, our team at Volpis has rich experience in Android mobile app development with Kotlin.
Read more reviews from our valuable customers on Clutch
We invite you to explore our portfolio for a detailed look at the innovative applications we have developed for our clients.
Why clients choose us:
- Deep expertise in Kotlin programming language and Android app development
- Flexible engagement models (dedicated, outsourcing, hybrid)
- Transparent communication and proactive project management
- Focus on building long-term partnerships, not just delivering code
Whether you’re looking to expand your internal team with dedicated engineers or outsource a full mobile product — Volpis can tailor the right solution for your business. If you need to hire Kotlin app developers, you can reach out to us via info@volpis.com with any questions or to explore how we can be part of your journey.
Hire experienced and reliable Kotlin developers today
We would be happy to answer all your questions and help make your project a total win!
FAQs
When weighing an in house development model against outsourcing software development, consider your long‑term goals, budget, and need for control. An in house team gives you direct oversight and cultural integration but comes with higher salaries and slower hiring cycles. Outsourcing can tap into a global talent pool rapidly, offering predictable budgets and minimal HR overhead. If you need to scale quickly or focus on core business activities, outsourcing service providers often deliver faster time-to-market. However, clear project requirements and strong communication processes are essential to mitigate communication challenges. Ultimately, the right choice balances technical expertise, cost efficiency, and strategic priorities.
Collaborating with external teams can introduce communication challenges related to time zones, language nuances, and differing work cultures. Establishing overlapping working hours and using robust project management tools helps synchronize distributed teams. Regular stand‑ups and clear documentation of project requirements ensure everyone stays aligned. Assigning a dedicated project manager can bridge gaps between your own team and offshore developers. Emphasizing transparent development processes builds trust and accountability. With proactive planning, you can turn potential hurdles into streamlined workflows.
Reputable outsourcing service providers prioritize IP protection with legal frameworks, NDAs, and secure development environments. While an in house model inherently feels more controlled, experienced vendors implement strict access controls and use reputable software licenses. You can negotiate contractual safeguards to mirror the protections of your own team. Regular code audits and transparent development processes further bolster security. By selecting a partner recognized for technology solutions and compliance, you can safeguard your IP without the overhead of maintaining a full in-house developers roster. This balance lets you focus on innovation rather than administration.
Engaging an outsourcing partner that provides a seasoned project manager reduces administrative burden on your side. The project manager coordinates sprint planning, tracks milestones, and facilitates daily check‑ins across time zones. Clear documentation of project requirements and agreed‑upon development processes keeps everyone accountable. Leveraging collaboration platforms and regular demos helps catch issues early. Combining these practices with transparent reporting ensures you stay informed without micromanaging. This structure empowers you to focus on core business activities while your partner handles delivery.
Absolutely—by delegating development tasks to expert outsourcing service providers, you free up internal resources to advance your strategic initiatives. Established vendors handle recruitment, HR, and infrastructure so you can concentrate on product vision and market growth. Their technical expertise, from functional programming mastery to mobile proficiency with kotlin app developers and experienced android developers, ensures robust deliverables. Fixed‑price or milestone contracts deliver predictable costs, aligning with your budget planning. With a dedicated partner overseeing the development process, you minimize operational risks and accelerate time‑to‑market. This partnership model supports both innovation and efficiency.
Seek candidates with proven experience in production Kotlin applications, including kotlin app porting and backend integrations. A senior Kotlin developer or senior developer should demonstrate strong understanding of functional programming principles and Android SDK nuances. Verify their track record through portfolio reviews and client testimonials—ideally from recognized technology solutions providers. Ensure they’re comfortable with your chosen development process, whether Agile sprints or hybrid methodologies. Confirm their availability aligns with your time zones and communication preferences. Prioritizing these qualifications helps guarantee a seamless collaboration and outstanding results.
Kostya Khuta, the CEO of Volpis, is an expert in crafting custom software solutions for the Fleet Management, Logistics, and Transportation industry. With over 8 years of experience, he leads the way in delivering innovative and tailored solutions to meet industry-specific needs.
