Best App Development Companies in Houston (2026)
Rates, minimum project sizes and team sizes for 10 Houston app developers, from Clutch data checked November 2026.
Best App Development Companies in Houston: The Short Answer
Quick answer: Superapp is the cheapest way to start, at $25 a month to build a first version of your app yourself. To hire a team, the Houston app development companies below charge from $25 to $149 an hour, with minimum projects from $5,000 to $50,000. Pick a premium studio for a funded, complex product, a mid-priced firm for a first version, and a low-rate firm only if you can manage a distributed team. Every agency figure comes from each company's Clutch profile, checked November 10, 2026.
Superapp is our product, and this guide puts it next to 10 Houston app development companies so you can compare building a first version yourself with hiring a team. Houston's list mixes small local teams of 10 to 49 people with large firms that list a Houston office, at rates from $25 to $149 an hour.
We grouped the companies from highest to lowest hourly rate rather than copying Clutch's order, because Clutch states it may earn a fee for some placements on its lists. Ratings and review counts are Clutch's, from its Houston app developers list.
Top Houston App Development Companies Compared
| Company | Clutch rating (reviews) | Minimum project | Hourly rate | Team size | Office listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superapp (build it yourself) | Not on Clutch (AI app builder) | $0 to start | Pro plan $25 a month | You | Online |
| Serious Development | 5.0 (8) | $50,000+ | $50 to $99 | 10 to 49 | Houston |
| Tevpro | 4.9 (8) | $5,000+ | $100 to $149 | 10 to 49 | Houston |
| Espresso Moon | 4.8 (6) | $25,000+ | $100 to $149 | 10 to 49 | Spring |
| Glorium Technologies | 4.8 (32) | $25,000+ | $50 to $99 | 50 to 249 | Houston |
| Codup | 4.9 (75) | $10,000+ | $50 to $99 | 50 to 249 | Houston |
| Synergy Labs | 4.9 (45) | $25,000+ | $50 to $99 | 50 to 249 | Houston |
| App Maisters | 4.9 (25) | $5,000+ | $50 to $99 | 10 to 49 | Houston |
| TekRevol | 4.8 (84) | $25,000+ | $25 to $49 | 250 to 999 | Houston |
| AppVerticals | 4.8 (29) | $25,000+ | $25 to $49 | 50 to 249 | Houston |
| Liquid Technologies | 4.9 (20) | $10,000+ | $25 to $49 | 50 to 249 | Houston |
Houston App Developers at a Glance
| Company | What it is best for |
|---|---|
| Superapp | Building and publishing a first iPhone, iPad, Mac or web app yourself, for a monthly plan instead of a project fee |
| Serious Development | Larger, funded builds (mobile is 30% of its work) |
| Tevpro | Senior work at premium rates (mobile is 10% of its work) |
| Espresso Moon | Senior work at premium rates (mobile is 30% of its work) |
| Glorium Technologies | A first version at mid-market rates (mobile is 10% of its work) |
| Codup | A first version at mid-market rates (mobile is 10% of its work) |
| Synergy Labs | A first version at mid-market rates (mobile-focused) |
| App Maisters | A first version at mid-market rates (mobile is 25% of its work) |
| TekRevol | Lower budgets, with someone to manage a distributed team (mobile-focused) |
| AppVerticals | Lower budgets, with someone to manage a distributed team (mobile-focused) |
| Liquid Technologies | Lower budgets, with someone to manage a distributed team (mobile is 10% of its work) |
The 10 Houston App Developers in Detail
1. Serious Development
5.0 on Clutch from 8 reviews. Minimum project $50,000+, $50 to $99 an hour, 10 to 49 employees, listed in Houston. Small Houston team with a high $50,000 minimum, which suits larger, defined builds.
- Services mix: mobile app development 30%, custom software 40%, BI and big data 20%.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: dedication, creativity, on-time delivery and responsiveness.
- Share of employees in the Houston area office: 31%, per Clutch.
- Not for: budgets under $50,000.
2. Tevpro
4.9 on Clutch from 8 reviews. Minimum project $5,000+, $100 to $149 an hour, 10 to 49 employees, listed in Houston. Small local firm at premium rates with a low minimum. A fit for smaller projects that want a local team.
- Services mix: mobile app development 10%, API development 15%, enterprise app modernization 15%.
- Average project cost shown on Clutch: $50,000 to $199,999 for mobile app work in Houston.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: technical expertise, reasonable pricing and responsive project management.
- Watch out: Mobile apps are about 10% of a mostly enterprise software mix.
- Not for: tight budgets, since every change is billed at premium rates.
3. Espresso Moon
4.8 on Clutch from 6 reviews. Minimum project $25,000+, $100 to $149 an hour, 10 to 49 employees, listed in Spring. Boutique team in Spring, north of Houston, at premium rates.
- Services mix: mobile app development 30%, custom software 30%, AI development 10%.
- Average project cost shown on Clutch: $200,000 to $999,999 for mobile app work in Houston.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: availability, responsiveness and a straightforward approach.
- Watch out: One client said clearer budget expectations would have helped.
- Not for: tight budgets, since every change is billed at premium rates.
4. Glorium Technologies
4.8 on Clutch from 32 reviews. Minimum project $25,000+, $50 to $99 an hour, 50 to 249 employees, listed in Houston. Mid-priced firm with 32 reviews.
- Services mix: mobile app development 10%, ERP consulting 30%, custom software 15%, digital strategy 15%.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: value for money, punctuality and adaptability.
- Watch out: Some reviewers flagged knowledge transfer and backend code quality.
- Not for: complex enterprise programs that need a large dedicated team.
5. Codup
4.9 on Clutch from 75 reviews. Minimum project $10,000+, $50 to $99 an hour, 50 to 249 employees, listed in Houston. 75 reviews and a $10,000 minimum at mid-market rates.
- Services mix: mobile app development 10%, custom software 30%, ecommerce development 30%.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: communication, responsiveness and project management.
- Watch out: Some clients wanted more flexibility on timelines.
- Not for: complex enterprise programs that need a large dedicated team.
6. Synergy Labs
4.9 on Clutch from 45 reviews. Minimum project $25,000+, $50 to $99 an hour, 50 to 249 employees, listed in Houston. Mobile-focused firm that also lists Miami and Austin. Clutch notes some reviews raise contract adherence, so read the contract closely.
- Services mix: mobile app development 60%, AI development 10%, custom software 10%.
- Average project cost shown on Clutch: $50,000 to $199,999.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: deadline adherence, professionalism and responsiveness.
- Share of employees in the Houston area office: 4%, per Clutch.
- Watch out: About 10% of feedback is negative, about contract adherence.
- Not for: complex enterprise programs that need a large dedicated team.
7. App Maisters
4.9 on Clutch from 25 reviews. Minimum project $5,000+, $50 to $99 an hour, 10 to 49 employees, listed in Houston. Low minimum, and Houston reviewers rate it 5.0 on cost. A fit for a first version on a tight budget.
- Services mix: mobile app development 25%, AI development 15%, custom software 10%.
- Average project cost shown on Clutch: $10,000 to $49,000 for mobile app work in Houston.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: responsiveness, professionalism and cost-effective solutions.
- Not for: complex enterprise programs that need a large dedicated team.
8. TekRevol
4.8 on Clutch from 84 reviews. Minimum project $25,000+, $25 to $49 an hour, 250 to 999 employees, listed in Houston. Large firm at low hourly rates with 84 reviews. Expect a big, distributed team.
- Services mix: mobile app development 40%, IT staff augmentation 15%, AR/VR 10%.
- Average project cost shown on Clutch: $10,000 to $49,000 for mobile app work in Houston.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: communication, project management and technical strength.
- Watch out: About 12% of mentions note missed timelines.
- Not for: founders who cannot manage a remote team day to day.
9. AppVerticals
4.8 on Clutch from 29 reviews. Minimum project $25,000+, $25 to $49 an hour, 50 to 249 employees, listed in Houston. Low hourly rate with a $25,000 minimum. Clutch shows about 3% of its employees in the Houston office.
- Services mix: mobile app development 40%, custom software 30%, AI development 20%.
- Average project cost shown on Clutch: $10,000 to $49,000 for mobile app work in Houston.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: collaboration, responsiveness and proactive project management.
- Share of employees in the Houston area office: 3%, per Clutch.
- Not for: founders who cannot manage a remote team day to day.
10. Liquid Technologies
4.9 on Clutch from 20 reviews. Minimum project $10,000+, $25 to $49 an hour, 50 to 249 employees, listed in Houston. Budget-friendly Houston listing with a $10,000 minimum.
- Services mix: mobile app development 10%, AI development 22%, AI consulting 18%.
- Average project cost shown on Clutch: $50,000 to $199,999 for mobile app work in Houston.
- What reviewers praise, per Clutch's review summary: responsiveness, communication, keeping to timelines and customer focus.
- Watch out: Mobile apps are about 10% of its work; AI is its main focus.
- Not for: founders who cannot manage a remote team day to day.
Which Houston App Developers Fit Your Budget?
A company's minimum project size tells you the smallest budget it will take on. This table matches budgets to the firms whose published minimum fits:
| Your budget | Who fits |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | Superapp, on free credits or the $25 a month Pro plan |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | Superapp, plus Tevpro and App Maisters |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | Superapp, plus Tevpro, Codup, App Maisters and Liquid Technologies |
| $25,000 to $49,999 | Superapp, plus Tevpro, Espresso Moon, Glorium Technologies, Codup, Synergy Labs, App Maisters, TekRevol, AppVerticals and Liquid Technologies |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | Superapp, plus Serious Development, Tevpro, Espresso Moon, Glorium Technologies, Codup, Synergy Labs, App Maisters, TekRevol, AppVerticals and Liquid Technologies |
Meeting a minimum is not the same as affording the app. A minimum covers a small first engagement; the cost section below shows what a full build tends to run.
How Focused on Mobile Apps Is Each Houston Firm?
Clutch shows how each company splits its work across services. A firm that does mostly web design or AI consulting can still build your app, but a mobile-focused team has done more of them.
| Company | Share of work in mobile apps | Other main services |
|---|---|---|
| Superapp | All of it | Builds native iPhone, iPad and Mac apps and web apps, plus a website for the app |
| Synergy Labs | 60% | AI development 10%, custom software 10% |
| TekRevol | 40% | IT staff augmentation 15%, AR/VR 10% |
| AppVerticals | 40% | Custom software 30%, AI development 20% |
| Serious Development | 30% | Custom software 40%, BI and big data 20% |
| Espresso Moon | 30% | Custom software 30%, AI development 10% |
| App Maisters | 25% | AI development 15%, custom software 10% |
| Tevpro | 10% | API development 15%, enterprise app modernization 15% |
| Glorium Technologies | 10% | ERP consulting 30%, custom software 15%, digital strategy 15% |
| Codup | 10% | Custom software 30%, ecommerce development 30% |
| Liquid Technologies | 10% | AI development 22%, AI consulting 18% |
Where Do the Teams Actually Work?
Clutch lists an office for every company, and for some it also shows what share of employees work there. Where it does, the share is often small, which means most of your project would be built elsewhere.
| Company | Share of employees in the Houston area office |
|---|---|
| Superapp | Not applicable: you build the app yourself online |
| Serious Development | 31% |
| Synergy Labs | 4% |
| AppVerticals | 3% |
| Tevpro, Espresso Moon, Glorium Technologies, Codup, App Maisters, TekRevol and Liquid Technologies | Not shown on Clutch; ask on the first call |
Pick It or Skip It
| Company | Pick it if | Think twice if |
|---|---|---|
| Superapp | You want a working first version before paying an agency | You need a custom Android app or a team accountable for delivery |
| Serious Development | You are funded and need a full product team | You want the most senior local team at any price |
| Tevpro | You want a low $5,000 minimum | You want a firm that mainly builds mobile apps |
| Espresso Moon | Your budget is above $25,000 and you want a broader software partner | Reviews flag this: one client said clearer budget expectations would have helped |
| Glorium Technologies | Your budget is above $25,000 and you want a broader software partner | Reviews flag this: some reviewers flagged knowledge transfer and backend code quality |
| Codup | Your budget is above $10,000 and you want a broader software partner | Reviews flag this: some clients wanted more flexibility on timelines |
| Synergy Labs | Your budget is above $25,000 and you want a mobile-focused team | Reviews flag this: about 10% of feedback is negative, about contract adherence |
| App Maisters | You want a low $5,000 minimum | You want the most senior local team at any price |
| TekRevol | Your budget is above $25,000 and you want a mobile-focused team | Reviews flag this: about 12% of mentions note missed timelines |
| AppVerticals | Your budget is above $25,000 and you want a mobile-focused team | You want the most senior local team at any price |
| Liquid Technologies | Your budget is above $10,000 and you want a broader software partner | You want a firm that mainly builds mobile apps |
How Much Does It Cost to Build an App in Houston?
A typical app takes hundreds to thousands of hours. Superapp's app development cost calculator puts its default preset at 1,075 to 2,663 hours of implementation and testing. Multiplying those hours by the rates on this list gives a planning range, not a quote:
| Hourly rate tier in Houston | 1,075 hours | 2,663 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Superapp Pro (you build it) | $25 a month plus Apple's $99 a year | $25 a month plus Apple's $99 a year |
| $25 to $49 | $26,900 to $52,700 | $66,600 to $130,500 |
| $50 to $99 | $53,800 to $106,400 | $133,200 to $263,600 |
| $100 to $149 | $107,500 to $160,200 | $266,300 to $396,800 |
Minimum project sizes on this list start at $5,000, but those are entry points for small engagements, not the price of a finished app. Published agency ranges are higher. Two examples from Miami firms: Trellee lists a typical $30,000 to $80,000 over 12 to 20 weeks for an iOS and Android app, and Bolder Apps says most of its projects run $40K to $150K over 6 to 20 weeks.
Hiring in-house costs more again. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual wage for software developers at $135,980 (May 2025), before benefits, and one developer rarely covers design, backend and testing alone.
What an Agency Quote Usually Includes
Bolder Apps, one of the Miami firms above, lists what its fixed-scope projects cover, which is a useful checklist for any quote:
| Item | With Superapp | In a typical agency quote |
|---|---|---|
| Strategy and scoping | Superapp: you describe the app in plain English | Yes, often as a paid discovery phase |
| UI and UX design | Screens are generated, and you can import from Figma on Pro | Yes |
| Development and QA testing | Generated, then tested by you in the preview | Yes |
| App Store submission | Automated App Store publishing on Pro | Yes |
| Post-launch maintenance | You make changes yourself with credits | Usually a few weeks, then a retainer (Bolder Apps includes 4 weeks) |
Hourly or Fixed Price?
Most firms on Clutch list an hourly rate, but many will quote a fixed price once the scope is written down. Bolder Apps prices projects as fixed scope rather than hourly, and several companies in these lists show fixed-price packages on their Clutch profiles.
| Pricing model | How it works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan (Superapp) | A flat $25 a month on Pro for 50 credits | Credits run out faster on bigger apps; top-ups cost extra |
| Hourly | You pay for every hour logged | Costs grow with every change request |
| Fixed scope | One price for an agreed feature list | Anything outside the list becomes a paid change order |
| Dedicated team | A monthly fee for a set team | You pay whether or not the work is moving |
What It Costs to Keep an App Running
The build is not the last bill. Superapp's cost calculator estimates yearly running costs for its default preset; these are model estimates, not quotes:
| Who maintains it | Estimated yearly running cost |
|---|---|
| Superapp Pro | About $639 a year, as an illustrative budget |
| Freelancer | $2,499 to $5,019 a year |
| Agency | $3,339 to $6,219 a year |
On top of that, Apple's Developer Program costs $99 a year to keep an app on the App Store.
Your Options and What Each Costs
| Option (Superapp is our product) | Upfront cost | Ongoing cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build it yourself with Superapp | $0 to start (free credits in most countries) | Pro $25 a month plus Apple's $99 a year | A first version of an iPhone app or web app you want to test fast |
| Low-rate firm ($25 to $49/hr) | From $5,000 minimum; a full app often tens of thousands | Maintenance hours | Defined projects with someone to manage the team |
| Higher-end Houston firm ($100 to $149/hr) | Often $50,000 or more | Retainer or hourly support | Funded products with complex needs |
| In-house developer | Recruiting time | About $135,980 median salary, plus benefits | Products that need continuous development |
Where Superapp Fits
As a disclosure, Superapp is our product, so weigh this accordingly.
If the quotes above are more than you want to spend before you know whether people will use the app, Superapp lets you build the first version yourself by describing it in plain English. It generates a native iPhone, iPad or Mac app, or a web app, and handles App Store submission and a website for the app. Pro costs $25 a month for 50 credits, and you will need Apple's Developer Program at $99 a year. Run your app through the cost calculator to see the agency estimate next to the do-it-yourself cost.
It is not the right choice for every project. If you need a custom Android app, deep integration with existing company systems, or a team accountable for delivery, one of the Houston firms above is the better fit. You can also start with a version you built yourself and bring it to an agency once it has users.
Decide in Five Questions
- Do you know people will use the app? If not, build a first version with Superapp and test it before paying for a full build.
- Is your budget under $5,000? Then no firm on this list fits yet; build it yourself or hire a freelancer for a narrow scope.
- Do you need Android, or deep links into company systems? Shortlist mobile-focused firms such as Synergy Labs and TekRevol.
- Is your budget above $50,000 and the product complex? Talk to Serious Development.
- Do you want the lowest hourly rate? TekRevol, AppVerticals and Liquid Technologies charge $25 to $49 an hour; plan to manage a distributed team.
How to Choose an App Developer in Houston
- Ask where the team sits. Clutch lists an office, but for several firms only a small share of employees work there.
- Match the minimum to your budget. A $75,000-minimum studio will not take a $15,000 project.
- Ask for two or three live apps similar to yours, and download them.
- Start with a paid discovery or scoping phase before committing to the full build.
- Make sure your company owns the code, the App Store account and the cloud accounts.
- Get the same brief to three firms so you compare scope, not just price.
Red Flags When Hiring an App Developer
- A fixed price given before anyone has asked about your features.
- No live apps you can download and try.
- They want to own your Apple, Google or cloud accounts.
- Most of the payment due upfront instead of by milestone.
- Vague answers about who will write the code and where they are.
- No plan or price for maintenance after launch.
What to Put in the Contract
| Clause | What it should say |
|---|---|
| Ownership (Superapp users own their app) | Your company owns the source code, designs and data |
| Accounts | Apple Developer, Google Play, cloud and domain accounts are in your name |
| Milestones | Payment tied to working, accepted releases |
| Change requests | How extra features are priced before work starts |
| Warranty | A bug-fix period after launch at no charge |
| Handover | Code in your repository, plus documentation |
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AI app builder (for example Superapp) | A tool that generates an app from a plain-English description |
| Minimum project size | The smallest budget a firm lists on its Clutch profile |
| Hourly rate | Clutch's average hourly rate band for the firm |
| Discovery phase | A paid scoping stage that produces the feature list, designs and estimate |
| MVP | Minimum viable product, the smallest version that tests the idea with real users |
| Fixed scope | One price for an agreed list of features |
| Retainer | A monthly fee for ongoing updates and fixes |
| Apple Developer Program | Apple's $99 a year membership needed to publish on the App Store |
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire an app development company in Houston? The firms on this list have minimum projects from $5,000 to $50,000 and charge $25 to $49 to $100 to $149 an hour. A complete app usually costs tens of thousands of dollars; at 1,075 to 2,663 hours, budgets range from about $26,900 to $396,800 depending on the rate.
What hourly rates do Houston app developers charge? On Clutch, the companies listed here charge from $25 to $49 an hour at the low end to $100 to $149 an hour for premium studios.
Are these app development companies actually based in Houston? Each lists an office in or near Houston on Clutch, but some are large firms where only a small share of staff work locally. Ask who will work on your project and where they are.
How long does it take an agency to build an app? Published agency timelines for a first app are often 6 to 20 weeks after scoping, longer for complex products.
Is there a cheaper alternative to hiring an app development company? Yes. You can build a first version yourself with an AI app builder such as Superapp, FlutterFlow or Adalo, or hire a freelancer for a defined scope, then bring in an agency once the app has users.
Which Houston app developers have the lowest minimum project size? Tevpro and App Maisters list a $5,000 minimum on Clutch, the lowest on this list.
Which Houston app developers are the most expensive? Tevpro and Espresso Moon charge $100 to $149 an hour, the top rate on this list, and Serious Development has the highest minimum at $50,000.
Which Houston app development company has the most reviews? TekRevol, with 84 Clutch reviews and a 4.8 rating.
What does minimum project size mean on Clutch? It is the smallest budget a company says it will take on. It covers a small first engagement, not the cost of a finished app.
How much does an app MVP cost with an agency? Published ranges from Miami agencies run from $30,000 to $80,000 (Trellee) and from $30K, with most projects at $40K to $150K (Bolder Apps).
How much does it cost to maintain an app each year? Superapp's cost calculator estimates $3,339 to $6,219 a year for an agency and $2,499 to $5,019 for a freelancer on its default preset, plus Apple's $99 a year. These are model estimates, not quotes.
Should I pay hourly or a fixed price? A fixed price protects your budget once the scope is clear; hourly suits work that will change. Either way, tie payments to milestones you can test.
Who should own the code an agency writes? Your company. Put ownership of the source code, designs and data in the contract, and keep the Apple, Google and cloud accounts in your own name.
Are Clutch rankings paid? Clutch says it may earn a fee for some placements on its lists. Ratings come from verified reviews, but the order of a list is not a pure ranking.
Do I need an Apple Developer account to publish an app? Yes. Apple's Developer Program costs $99 a year, whether an agency builds the app or you build it yourself.
Should I hire a local Houston team or a remote one? A local team makes in-person workshops easier, but rates on this list vary more by firm than by location. Several firms with a local office do most of their work elsewhere, so judge each on its team, not its address.
Can I build an app myself without coding? Yes. AI app builders such as Superapp, FlutterFlow and Adalo let you build without writing code. Superapp generates native iPhone, iPad and Mac apps and web apps from a description.
What does Superapp's Pro plan include? Pro costs $25 a month and includes 50 credits a month, automated App Store publishing, a website for your app and Figma import.
References
- Clutch: Top app developers in Houston (ratings, reviews, minimums, rates, team sizes, services mix, review summaries and office shares; checked November 10, 2026)
- Bolder Apps: Miami app development
- Trellee: Mobile app development in Miami
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Software developers
- Apple Developer Program
- Superapp: Pricing
- Superapp: App development cost calculator
- Related: iOS app development cost, Small business app cost, MVP cost, Best alternatives to hiring an app developer, How to hire an iOS developer