Hire the Best Windows App Developers

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Esteven D.

Panama, Panama

$12/hr
5.0
15 jobs

• Software development in C# (.NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET) with more than 11 years of experience. • Desktop application development in C#, primarily using WPF and WinDev. • Mobile application development using Flutter and Dart with 4 years of experience. • General knowledge of ASP.NET, Blazor, JavaScript, TypeScript, React, jQuery, Python, PHP and PowerShell scripting. • Advanced WPF application development using the MVVM architecture, including advanced Data Binding, creation of complex User Controls, control styling and templating, Dependency Properties, Attached Properties, and the use of components and frameworks such as DevExpress, Prism, Handy Controls, and ModernWPF. Experienced in debugging and visual inspection using Snoop. • Knowledge in Radzen Blazor and MudBlazor frameworks for web applications. • SQL databases: SQL Server, SQLite, PostgreSQL, and MySQL, with 11+ years of experience: Database design and implementation; Performance optimization through indexing and normalization; Stored Procedure design and development; Integration using Entity Framework 6 and Entity Framework Core. • REST API integration, including OpenAI API, Spotify Web API, College Scorecard API, DomainBox API, InternetBs API, Dreamscape Reseller API, and Hexonet API. Also experienced in maintenance, troubleshooting, and enhancements of ASP.NET Web APIs. • Use of AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding tasks and solve unfamiliar technical challenges, including GitHub Copilot, Codex, ChatGPT, and Gemini. • Advanced querying using LINQ and Lambda Expressions. • Asynchronous programming (async/await), background threading and use of Cancellation Tokens. • Source code management and version control using Git, GitHub, and Azure DevOps. • Implementation of authentication and authorization integrations with BambooHR (Auth0-based). • Processing, serialization, and deserialization of JSON, XML, and CSV data. • Excel (.xlsx) file generation and manipulation using ClosedXML. • Development of Google Chrome extensions using JavaScript. • Implementation of data encryption mechanisms for files and text. • Integration with Active Directory and Azure Active Directory through .NET libraries. • Task automation using Windows Task Scheduler and .NET libraries. • Experience with POS systems and peripheral device integrations with serial port communication (COM). • Previous experience with C++ and the Qt Framework, as well as basic Linux administration and Linux command-line usage. • Use of Adobe Photoshop to assist in application design tasks, including logos, UI mockups, and layout designs. About me: Software developer with over 11 years of experience designing and developing software across multiple programming languages, primarily .NET C#. Experienced in SQL database implementation, software debugging, troubleshooting, quality assurance testing, and technical documentation. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for identifying and solving complex problems through efficient technological solutions. Committed and passionate about continuous learning, research, and process improvement, with the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and work environments. Note: Not all projects are in my Portfolio. I mostly worked on private projects so is hard for me to show everything on what I've worked

  • .NET Framework
  • C#
  • SQL
  • Entity Framework
  • Windows Presentation Foundation
  • Bug Fix
  • Database Design
  • Application Improvement
  • XAML
  • Model View ViewModel
  • Flutter
  • .NET Core
  • GitHub
  • Dart
  • DevExpress
Junian T.

Surabaya, Indonesia

$25/hr
4.9
174 jobs

• Also known as Windows and macOS App Developer Expert • 5+ years of experience • I work on backend, frontend, databases, and Linux server administration • Main stack: .NET (C# / Visual Basic) and TypeScript / JavaScript • I build web and multi-platform desktop/mobile applications 📚 Technologies • My main tech stack is .NET (C# or Visual Basic .NET) and TypeScript / JavaScript • For .NET, I work with ASP .NET, Blazor, WPF, Windows Forms, MAUI (formerly Xamarin), Avalonia UI, and more • For TypeScript / JavaScript, I prefer React, but I can also work with Angular, jQuery, or vanilla JS • I can also develop macOS and iOS apps using Swift and Objective-C 🗼 Server Administration and DevOps • Familiar with Debian-based Linux distributions like Ubuntu • Able to handle VPS baremetal or Docker-based setups • Able to automate workflows using Bash, Python, GitHub Actions, and similar tools • Experienced with cloud services such as AWS and Azure 📊 Database • Microsoft SQL Server • MySQL / MariaDB • SQLite • PostgreSQL • Microsoft Access 💡 Skills • Strong in algorithm design and analysis • Great ability to solve programming and system trouble • Great at optimizing software performance • Flexible work style • Adaptive team player 📖 Self-Update • I regularly study new technologies to stay up to date. 🕰️ Flexible Availability • Open to collaborate across multiple time zones (US, CA, UK, EU, APAC, etc.) ✅ I’m not a robot. • I’m a real human and a solo freelancer, not an agency 🙌 Let’s Connect! • My name is Junian and I’d love to help bring your ideas to life • Feel free to reach out so we can discuss how I can support your project • Not a Vibe Coder, but use AI-Assisted Programming tools to solve problems • Linus Torvalds once said, “Talk is cheap. Show me the code.” So go ahead and check out my GitHub code. 🛠️ Common Tasks and Roles • Known as the Apple / macOS / iPhone guy • Build Windows app with .NET Framework & Windows Forms (WinForms) / Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) / WinUI / Avalonia UI / MAUI / Xamarin • Build Windows Installer MSI / EXE from existing Windows App by using Wix / WixSharp • Build macOS app with Swift UI or .NET & Avalonia UI / MAUI / Xamarin • Build, sign, and notarize macOS app installer (PKG / DMG / ZIP) • Build web app with ASP .NET & Blazor / React / Angular / Vanilla JavaScript • Deploy and configure existing web apps by using Docker container to VPS / Cloud providers like AWS, Azure, or GCP • Ethical decompile / reverse engineer / source code retrieval / deobfuscation of existing .NET EXE / DLL / MSI or NinjaTrader Trading Indicator / strategy • Automate Windows UI tasks • Web scraping to retrieve online data / PDF / Images / any other files • Expert macOS system and app troubleshooting 🙋‍♂️ What I'm not • I'm not a Vibe Coder. Don't get me wrong, I use AI to build software, but I don't solely rely on it.

  • Windows App Development
  • Desktop Application
  • .NET Framework
  • C#
  • Docker
  • JavaScript
  • macOS
  • Windows Presentation Foundation
  • Windows Forms
  • ASP.NET
  • Database
  • TypeScript
  • Node.js
  • Linux System Administration
  • Web Development
  • .NET Core
  • ASP.NET Core
  • iOS Development
  • Flutter
  • Xamarin
Kaushik D.

Kolkata, India

$18/hr
5.0
4 jobs

We have been a successful player in the online sector for about 12 years now. Our primary objective is to ensure optimum quality standards and maintain the team's level of performance as well. Our Content Development team is a staggering 9 years old, empowered by about 10 dedicated members, who are constantly trying their best to meet your needs. We aim to guarantee that you are delivered nothing short of the most user-friendly services. We are very flexible in terms of accepting any type of project. ➤ I provide my services to the following industries: ======================================= ✅ B2B. ✅ B2C ✅ Multi-Vendor Marketplace. ✅ On-Demand Service Provider. ✅ Real-Estate. ✅ Tours & Travel. ✅ Educational Based. ✅ Corporate Site. ✅ Classified Site. ✅ Job Recruitment Portal. ✅ Restaurant & Hotel Industry. ✅ Food Industry. ✅ Directory Listing ✅ Hotel Industry ➤ Web Design Tools: ================= ☛ Photoshop. ☛ Figma. ☛ illustrator. ☛ Sketch. ☛ InDesign. ☛ In-vision Tool. ➤ Front-End Technologies: ====================== ☛ HTML 5. ☛ CSS 3. ☛ Bootstrap 4. ☛ jQuery. ☛ React.JS ☛ Angular.JS ☛ Ajax. ☛ Vue.Js. ☛ Express.Js. ➤ Back- end Technologies: ===================== ☛ CorePHP/Custom PHP ☛ Laravel. ☛ CodeIgniter. ☛ Node.JS ☛ ASP.NET. ☛ WordPress. ☛ Magento. ☛ Shopify. ☛ C#, ☛ WooCommerce. I hope all the above-mentioned information will help you a lot to select us as your team. If you have anything on your mind, then feel free to connect with me. I would love to assist you with the best solution at a very affordable price. I look forward to building a mutually beneficial relationship with you. Best Regards

  • PHP
  • Laravel
  • Drupal
  • Mobile App Development
  • Web Design
  • ASP
  • WordPress
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Web Development
  • Node.js
  • AngularJS
  • React
  • React Native
  • React VR
  • Magento 2
  • Magento
Hemant V.

Bengaluru, India

$35/hr
5.0
5 jobs

Available to start immediately. I build and fix real .NET & C# software. Click on Invite button to start conversation I’m a .NET Developer and C# Developer with 13+ years of experience working on production systems built in C#/.NET. Most of my work is focused on helping teams make their existing software more stable, scalable, and easier to evolve without risky rewrites. I’ve worked in long-term roles as a C#/.NET developer, often joining projects where the codebase already exists and needs structure, performance improvements, or careful modernization. 🧠 How clients usually come to me Very often, teams reach out to me as a .NET developer when they already have a product written in C#/.NET, but something isn’t working as it should. Changes are slow, bugs appear in unexpected places, or the architecture feels fragile. In those cases, I step in as a C# .NET Developer who understands how real systems grow over time and how to improve them without breaking production. Depending on the scope, I work either as a backend developer focused on logic and performance, or as a .NET Full Stack Developer when both backend and UI decisions need to be handled together. ⚙️ What I do in real projects Day to day, my work as a .NET Developer is very practical. I write and refactor C#/.NET, clean up .NET architecture, improve async flows, and make sure the application behaves predictably in production. In many projects, this naturally turns into .NET full stack work handling backend services, APIs, and UI integration where I step in as a .NET Full Stack Developer. When teams want a modern .NET Full Stack direction without splitting the codebase, I build new features or full applications using .NET MAUI/WPF/WinForms. I’ve worked with .NET apps both for new products and for migrations from older stacks like, where stability matters more than speed. 🧩 Types of systems I’ve worked on Over the years, I’ve worked as a .NET Developer, across different environments: 💻 Desktop software written in C#/.NET 🌐 Web platforms where I worked as a full stack developer on .NET backends 📱 Cross-platform apps built with .NET MAUI (Windows & Android only) 🧱 Larger products that required a true full stack developer approach 🔗 Mixed systems where .NET AI integration was part of the stack 🎮 Internal tools and simulators developed with C# 🤖 Careful use of .NET AI where it actually added value In several projects, I worked in React .NET setups, connecting React frontends to .NET backends while keeping responsibilities clean and clear. 🛠️ How I work with teams and data I’m comfortable joining existing teams and reading unfamiliar C#/.NET codebases. I focus first on understanding why decisions were made, then improving things step by step. I regularly work with SQL server, collaborate with Azure Data Engineer roles, and support data-heavy systems where performance & reliability are critical. This mix of responsibilities often places me in a .NET Full Stack Developer role even when the original task starts as pure backend work. 🛠️ Tech Stack .NET Framework, .NET 6 / 8 / 9 / 10 App Development - WPF, WinForms, WinUI, Blazor, .NET MAUI, MVVM Concurrency & Performance - Multithreading, async/await, Task Parallel Library Hardware & Protocols - Serial, Bluetooth LE, TCP/IP, UDP, RS232, RS422 Architecture & Quality - Clean Architecture, OOP, refactoring, performance tuning Security & Testing - Unit testing, Polaris, Coverity, SAST, DAST, threat modeling Data & Cloud - SQL Server, Azure Tooling - Visual Studio, VS Code, GitHub, GitHub Actions, Docker ✅ Why clients choose to work with me ✨ I think like a long-term .NET Developer, not a short-term task runner ✨ I write C# code that other C# developers can actually maintain ✨ I’m comfortable owning systems as a .NET Full Stack Developer ✨ I communicate clearly and avoid surprises ✨ I leave .NET full stack codebases cleaner and more stable than I found them 📌 Availability ✅ Available now 🌍 Remote-only ⏱️ Open to long-term collaboration If you’re looking for a .NET Developer, who can step into an existing system and improve it safely let’s chat. 👉 Send a message and we’ll review your setup together.

  • Desktop Application
  • Windows Presentation Foundation
  • .NET Framework
  • Universal Windows Platform
  • Windows Forms
  • Standalone Application
  • Application Improvement
  • C#
  • Python
  • Microsoft Visual C++
  • Docker
  • Ubuntu
  • GitHub
  • Android App Development
  • Bash Programming
  • Microsoft Windows PowerShell
  • Prototyping
  • Microsoft Azure
  • PostgreSQL
  • Angular
Vikram S.

Mohali, India

$15/hr
4.9
42 jobs

✋Hello, I am a Mobile App Developer specializing in building scalable, high-performance iOS and Android applications with modern UI/UX, clean architecture, and seamless user experiences. I help startups, businesses, and enterprises transform ideas into fully functional mobile products using Flutter, React Native, Swift, Kotlin, Firebase, and cloud-based technologies. With strong experience in cross-platform and native mobile development, I develop mobile applications that are visually polished, technically reliable, and optimized for long-term scalability. My focus is not only on writing clean code, but also on creating intuitive user experiences that improve engagement, retention, and overall business growth. I specialize in: • Mobile App Development • iOS App Development • Android App Development • Flutter Development • React Native Development • UI/UX Design for Mobile Apps • SaaS and Startup MVP Development • AI-Powered Mobile Applications • Firebase & Cloud Integrations • API Development & Third-Party Integrations • Subscription & Payment Systems • Real-Time Features & Notifications I build a wide range of mobile applications including: • Booking & Appointment Apps • Marketplace Platforms • AI Chat & Productivity Apps • Healthcare & Telemedicine Apps • Education & E-Learning Platforms • Logistics & Transportation Apps • Fitness & Wellness Applications • Social Networking & Community Apps • Ecommerce Mobile Apps • On-Demand Service Platforms My technical expertise includes Flutter, Dart, Swift, Kotlin, Java, React Native, Firebase, Node.js, REST APIs, GraphQL, Google Maps API, Stripe, PayPal, RevenueCat, OpenAI API, Push Notifications, Geolocation Systems, and cloud infrastructure solutions. I have experience building mobile apps with: • Authentication systems • Subscription models • Real-time chat and notifications • Payment gateways • GPS and route tracking • AI integrations and automation • Admin dashboards • Scalable backend architecture • Analytics and performance optimization I strongly focus on performance, scalability, and user experience throughout the entire development lifecycle. Every application is developed with clean architecture, responsive design, optimized performance, and maintainable code standards to ensure future scalability and smooth deployment. My development process includes: • Product strategy and planning • Wireframing and UI/UX optimization • Agile mobile app development • API and backend integrations • QA testing and performance improvements • App Store & Google Play deployment • Ongoing maintenance and feature expansion I value clear communication, realistic timelines, and long-term collaboration. Whether you need an MVP for a startup, a scalable SaaS platform, or a feature-rich enterprise application, I can help bring your vision to life with modern mobile technologies and user-focused development. My goal is to build mobile applications that are not only technically strong, but also intuitive, scalable, and impactful for users and businesses alike. Thanks, Vikram

  • Mobile App Development
  • iOS Development
  • Android App Development
  • Flutter
  • Kotlin
  • Swift
  • Native App Development
  • API Integration
  • Firebase
  • React Native
  • App Store Optimization
  • App Design
  • Figma
  • FlutterFlow
  • AI Agent Development
  • AI App Development
  • Native App
  • Hybrid App
  • Mobile App Redesign
  • App Feature Development
Ann N.

Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine

$30/hr
5.0
23 jobs

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘈𝘯𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮. 𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮." 🤝 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞, 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭. 👋 Hi! I’m Ann an Android & iOS mobile app developer Swift Kotlin mobile app development expert with 8+ years of experience building high-performance iOS apps, Android apps, and scalable cross-platform solutions with React Native. 🚀 Android & iOS Mobile App Developer | Swift • Kotlin • React Native | Mobile App Development As a Top Rated Plus Android & iOS mobile app developer Swift Kotlin mobile app development specialist on Upwork with 30+ five-star reviews and a 100% Job Success Score, I’ve helped 60+ companies and startups transform ideas into scalable, future-proof mobile products. Whether you need a native iOS app with Swift, a native Android app with Kotlin, or a cross-platform solution, I deliver Android & iOS mobile app development using Swift and Kotlin with precision, creativity, and enterprise-grade quality. From e-commerce, fitness, and healthcare to fintech, streaming, logistics, and wearable apps, my experience as an Android & iOS mobile app developer Swift Kotlin mobile app development professional spans 15+ industries and 50+ published apps. ✅ Why Partner with Me as Your Android & iOS Mobile App Developer: 8+ years of hands-on Android & iOS mobile app development using Swift, Kotlin, React Native 50+ successful iOS and Android apps delivered in Fitness Mobile App (Coaches, Gyms & AI Meal Plans) 10+ successful iOS and Android apps delivered in Fintech industry A strong mobile app development team of 50+ experts 100% Job Success Score and consistent 5-star reviews on Upwork Streaming, TV apps GPS and Map-based apps ( GPS trackers, MapBox, Google Maps integration) AI Mobile App Development MVP App Development for Wellness and Hospitality Platform Dating Mobile App Social Media App Development Mental Health Social Platform Enhance an Android, IOS mobile apps Figma designer. UX/UI designer Real Estate mobile apps Full-cycle Android & iOS mobile app development — from idea to App Store & Google Play launch AI App Expert specializing in Swift Kotlin mobile app development, on-device ML, real-time image & text processing, and LLM API integrations 🔧 Services I Provide as an Android & iOS Mobile App Developer (Swift & Kotlin): Native iOS app development with Swift & SwiftUI Native Android app development with Kotlin & Jetpack Compose Android & iOS mobile app development using Swift Kotlin architecture React Native app development for cross-platform solutions UI/UX design for iOS and Android apps (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) Secure API integrations & cloud services (AWS, Google Cloud) Scalable backend connections & microservices Wearable app development (Apple Watch, Wear OS, Bluetooth) Performance optimization & offline-first mobile app development 🎯 Industries I Specialize In as an Android & iOS Mobile App Developer (Swift Kotlin): 📦 E-Commerce | 🍔 Food & Drink | 📚 Education 💪 Health & Fitness | 💘 Dating | 🎬 Entertainment & Streaming 💼 Finance & Banking | 🌍 Travel | 📱 SaaS Platforms ⌚ Wearables & IoT | 🚚 Logistics & Booking Apps All powered by Android & iOS mobile app development with Swift and Kotlin. 🚀 Advanced Features I Build with Swift & Kotlin Mobile App Development: ✔️ Social login (Google, Apple, LinkedIn) ✔️ Real-time chat, WebRTC video calls & push notifications ✔️ Offline mode & smart data synchronization ✔️ GPS, geolocation, Bluetooth & geofencing ✔️ ARKit & advanced AR features ✔️ Firebase & cloud integrations ✔️ Monetization (AdMob, Meta Ads) ✔️ Voice assistants (Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa) ✔️ TV apps (tvOS, Android TV) & wearable tech (Garmin, Monkey-C) 💬 Why Choose Me as Your Android & iOS Mobile App Developer (Swift Kotlin): I bring deep expertise in Android & iOS mobile app development using Swift and Kotlin, focusing on clean architecture, scalability, performance, and business impact. Whether you’re a startup building an MVP or an enterprise scaling globally, I’m the Android & iOS mobile app developer Swift Kotlin mobile app development expert who can turn your vision into a successful product. 📱 Let’s connect and build a powerful Android & iOS mobile app with Swift and Kotlin. 🚀 Your trusted Android & iOS mobile app developer Swift Kotlin mobile app development partner is just one click away. UPD: 05.06.2026

  • Mobile App
  • Kotlin
  • iOS Development
  • Swift
  • Mobile App Development
  • Smartphone
  • Android
  • React Native
  • Android App Development
  • Flutter
  • Web Development
  • App Development
  • React
  • Mobile App Testing
  • iPad App Development
  • iOS
  • User Authentication
  • API Integration
  • In-App Purchases
  • Full-Stack Development

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How to Hire Top Windows App Developers

How to hire Windows app developers

Windows is the most popular operating system (OS) for personal computers. A Windows app developer can help you build software for platforms running Windows OS.

So how do you hire Windows app developers? What follows are some tips for finding top Windows app development consultants on Upwork.

How to shortlist Windows app development professionals

As you’re browsing available Windows app development consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:

  • Technology fit. You want a Windows app developer who understands the Microsoft technologies and third-party integrations needed to bring your software project to life. 
  • Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., leveraging WinUI to build a dash for your business intelligence app).
  • Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular Windows app developer.

How to write an effective Windows app development job post

With a clear picture of your ideal Windows app developer in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.

Job post title

Create a simple title that describes exactly what you’re looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample Windows app developer job post titles:

  • Windows app developer needed to help build an app for Microsoft Surface
  • Seeking a Windows app developer to help build a custom Outlook add-in
  • Need help building a Microsoft app with Universal Windows Platform (UWP)

Windows app development project description

An effective Windows app development job post should include: 

  • Scope of work: From apps to third-party integrations, list all the deliverables you’ll need. 
  • Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project. 
  • Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, technologies, or Windows app development platforms, mention this here. 
  • Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.

Windows app developer responsibilities

Here are some examples of Windows app developer job responsibilities:

  • Design and develop software for Windows and Microsoft devices
  • Handle third-party integrations with Microsoft software and hardware
  • Troubleshoot issues and provide routine maintenance, testing, and updates

Windows app developer requirements and qualifications

Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications you’re looking for in a Windows app developer. Here are some examples:

  • Experience with your desired Windows app development platforms (e.g., UWP, Win32, WPF, Windows Forms)
  • Experience with specialized Windows technologies (e.g., Windows AI, Windows Ink, Cortana)
  • Experience with specialized Microsoft technologies and hardware (e.g., HoloLens, IoT Core, Xbox One)
  • Working knowledge of desired programming languages and technologies (e.g., C/C++, C#, ASP.NET) 

WINDOWS APP DEVELOPERS FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Windows app development?

Windows app development is the practice of developing software for Microsoft’s Windows operating systems and devices. 

How much does it cost to hire a Windows app developer?

The first step to determining the cost to hire a Windows app developer will be to define your needs. Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.

Cost factor #1: project scope

The first variable to consider when determining scope is the nature of the work that needs to be completed. Not all Windows app development projects are created equal. Creating a simple add-in for Outlook will typically take less time than developing a video game for Xbox One. 

Tip: The more accurately your job description describes the scope of your project, the easier it will be for talent to give you accurate cost estimates and proposals.

Cost factor #2: Windows app development experience

Choosing the right level of expertise for the job is closely tied to how well you determined the scope of your project. You wouldn’t need an advanced Windows app developer to build a simple UI for your business app. On the other hand, developing an enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) app using Microsoft Azure and Windows AI will require more-specialized skills. Beyond experience level, you need to consider the type of experience the talent possesses. 

The following table breaks down the rates of the types of Windows app developer you can find on Upwork.

Rates charged by Windows app developers on Upwork

Level of Experience

Description

Hourly Rate

Beginner

Windows app development fundamentals including your desired development platform (e.g., UWP) and desired application development language (e.g., C++, C#, Visual Basic).

$30-60+

Intermediate

Beyond fundamentals, experience with specialized libraries, tools, and technologies (e.g., experience developing mixed-reality apps for the HoloLens).

$60-90+

Expert

Seasoned programmer and professional who has the leadership and project experience needed to lead a team of developers in a Windows app development project.

$90-120+


 

Cost factor #3: location

Location is another variable that can impact a Windows app development cost. It’s no secret that you can leverage differences in purchasing power between countries to gain savings on talent. But it’s also important to factor in hidden costs such as language barriers, time zones, and the logistics of managing a remote team. The real advantage to sourcing talent remotely on Upwork is the ability to scan a global talent pool for the best possible person for the job. Location is no longer an obstacle. 

Cost factor #4: independent contractor vs. agency

The final variable regarding talent cost is hiring an independent contractor vs. an agency. An agency is often a “one size fits all” model, so you’ll often have access to a designer, a project manager, an engineer, and more. When hiring individuals you have total autonomy regarding who is responsible for which part of the project, but you’ll need to source each of those skills separately.

The trade-off between hiring individuals vs. hiring an agency is the level of administrative overhead you incur personally in coordinating tasks among all members of the team. Project scope and personal preference will determine which style is a better fit for your needs.

Windows App Development Tips and Best Practices

Choose your UI development technology wisely

The user interface (UI) is the part of your app that the end user actually sees and interacts with. It’s the buttons, forms, search bar, content, layout, and other visual aspects of your app. The Windows app development ecosystem gives you many options for designing a UI. Here are some of the most popular:

  • UWP is short for Universal Windows Platform, which was designed to make it easier to build apps for any Windows device including computers, Xbox One, and HoloLens. Apps built with UWP are deployed through the Microsoft Store. 
  • WPF is short for Windows Presentation Foundation, a part of Visual Studio. WPF was designed for creating line-of-business apps for Windows. 
  • WinForms was around before UWP and WPF. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create apps with simple UIs, such as creating a graphical user interface (GUI) to allow non-developers in an organization to view business intelligence.
  • Electron is a framework for using web technologies (JavaScript, HTML, and CSS) to create a web view in desktop form, resulting in cross-platform desktop apps. 

These are just a handful of the libraries Microsoft provides for Windows app development. How you design the UI will ultimately determine the user experience (UX), so it’s important to pick the right technology to design the front end of your app. 

Consider adopting a continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipeline

CI/CD can save you serious headaches down the road if you can successfully implement it within your software development lifecycle (SDLC). The advantage to integrating your development and operations teams, also known as DevOps, through automation is not to be understated. With CI/CD tools such as Jenkins and Azure DevOps, it’s possible to:

  • Ensure developers and testers are always working with the latest code repository
  • Make code compilation, error checking, and unit tests available at each step of the SDLC
  • Create installation packages you know will work on target platforms
  • Deploy your application and keep it up-to-date on your end users’ machines
  • Streamline the feedback loop of information between developers and operations

The above bullets are just some ideas of what CI/CD can do for an organization. There are plenty of DevOps tools out there to help you build a custom automation solution for your needs. 

Make software maintenance and troubleshooting easier with the right logger

Because desktop apps live on the machines of the end user (as opposed to cloud-based applications and websites), it’s especially important to get error logging right. This will make it easier for your company’s IT and support staff to troubleshoot issues a user might encounter when using your project. 

Common logging solutions for Windows apps include:

  • Logging to file, which involves recording an event log to a file local to the machine using a library such as log4net or NLog. 
  • Saving dump files, which entails recording details of a crash (such as which process was executing and which modules were loaded) to a file local to the machine.
  • Logging to Windows event logs is fast and reliable; the only downside is that they can be difficult for your organization to retrieve. 
  • Remote error reporting, in addition to keeping local logs, gives the end user the option to send a report to your servers when a problem occurs so that your support team can log and process the issue. This can be a valuable tool for getting customer feedback integrated into your next patch. 

Logging is an important part of software development, and there are plenty of tools and libraries out there to help you do all of the above and more.