How much does it cost to hire an iOS developer?

Senior iOS developers typically charge $150-250/hour for contract work, or $150,000-250,000/year for full-time roles. Rates vary based on experience, location, and project complexity. Nic Laughter offers flexible engagement models for iOS development projects.

Should I build my app in Swift or React Native?

Native Swift development offers better performance, smaller app size, and full access to iOS features. React Native can be faster for simple cross-platform apps but often requires native code anyway. For iOS-first products, native Swift is usually the better choice.

How long does it take to build an iOS app?

A simple iOS app takes 2-3 months, a medium-complexity app takes 4-6 months, and complex apps can take 9-12+ months. Timeline depends on features, design complexity, backend requirements, and team size.

What is the difference between Swift and Objective-C?

Swift is Apple's modern programming language - it's safer, faster, and easier to read than Objective-C. Most new iOS development uses Swift, but many legacy apps still use Objective-C. Experienced iOS developers like Nic Laughter work with both languages.

Do I need a fractional CTO for my startup?

A fractional CTO helps startups make technical decisions, hire engineers, and build scalable architecture without the cost of a full-time executive. It's ideal for seed-stage companies or those needing technical leadership for specific projects.

Welcome to

Laughter Consulting

I'm Nic Laughter - a mobile engineering leader with 20 years of experience building apps for Apple, Google, Rakuten, and high-growth startups.

View My Work Get in Touch

Proven Results

Real outcomes from real engagements

25+

Apps Shipped

$2M+

Revenue Impact

45+

Engineers Mentored

99.8%

Crash-Free Rate

Ship Better Mobile Products, Faster

Senior iOS expertise plus the leadership to scale your team

Native iOS

Swift, SwiftUI, Objective-C, UIKit. My deepest expertise - 20 years on the Apple platform.

Cross-Platform & Android

Kotlin, Flutter, React Native. Hands-on experience shipping on all major platforms.

Architecture & Quality

MVVM, Clean Architecture, modularization. Code reviews, testing, and technical direction.

DevOps & CI/CD

Managed CI/CD pipelines for multiple companies. Fastlane, GitHub Actions, Bitrise, and release automation.

Beyond Code

Leadership and product experience that adds value beyond just engineering

Mentoring

Guide junior developers, conduct code reviews, and foster team growth

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work with designers, product managers, and backend teams

Architecture Decisions

Lead technical discussions and make informed technology choices

Performance Optimization

Ensure smooth UX, low memory footprint, and battery efficiency

EOS & L10 Meetings

Run effective L10s, set Rocks, and drive accountability with EOS principles

Full App Lifecycle

From concept and design to deployment and ongoing updates

Product Roadmaps

Define and prioritize features that align with business goals and user needs

Product Ideation

Translate business requirements into technical solutions and user experiences

Stakeholder Communication

Bridge technical and business teams with clear, actionable communication

Hiring & Interviews

Screen candidates, conduct technical interviews, and build high-performing teams