Best App Development Companies in Melbourne for iOS & Android Projects
Nov 27, 2025
Melbourne has grown into one of Australia’s most active tech hubs. From finance and health to logistics, education, and government, businesses here are turning to iOS and Android apps to streamline operations, improve customer experience and unlock new revenue.
The challenge isn’t deciding whether to build an app anymore. It’s figuring out which Melbourne app development company you can trust with your idea, your budget, and your roadmap.
This guide is written for:
- Founders planning an MVP or second-generation product
- Product leaders looking to modernise internal systems
- Enterprise and government teams needing reliable, secure mobile solutions
You’ll find a shortlist of Melbourne-focused app development partners, with quick comparison data and deeper notes on where each one fits best.
What Melbourne Businesses Should Look For in an iOS & Android App Partner?
Before jumping into the list, it’s worth being clear on how to shortlist the right team for your project:
- True iOS + Android capability: You want more than “we can build on both platforms”. Look for teams that talk about Swift, Kotlin, Flutter or React Native, and can explain why they’re choosing a specific tech stack for your use case—especially when iOS currently holds a slight lead in the Australian mobile OS market.
- Product thinking, not just coding: Melbourne’s best app teams don’t just ship screens. They help you refine your features, user journeys, monetisation model and analytics so the app supports real business outcomes—acquisition, retention, revenue or efficiency.
- Industry experience & case studies: If you’re in health, finance, logistics or government, you’ll want partners who understand compliance, security and integrations in that space.
- Local presence + remote capability: Many of the best teams have Melbourne offices and distributed teams. That mix often gives you strategic proximity with cost-effective delivery.
- Long-term support: Apps aren’t “set and forget”. You’ll want a partner that can handle post-launch optimisation, OS updates, new features and scaling as you grow.
With those criteria in mind, here are some of the best app development companies servicing Melbourne iOS and Android projects.
Quick Comparison: Top Melbourne App Developers at a Glance
Use this table like a shortcut before you dive into the detailed profiles.
| Company | Avg Rating | Best For | Strengths | Typical Cost (AUD) | Melbourne Presence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Technologies (Rank #1) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0) | Startups + Enterprises | AI, SaaS, blockchain, complex apps, AI integrations | $5k–$50k+ | Serves Melbourne |
| Wave Digital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9) | Enterprise UX, Gov, Health | Human-centred design, polished UX | $80k–$250k | Melbourne HQ |
| EB Pearls | ⭐⭐⭐ (4.7) | Startups & SMEs | Large team, multi-service delivery | $50k–$150k | Melbourne office |
| Flexbox Digital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9) | SMEs + Branding-strong apps | UI/UX + clean visual design | $40k–$200k | Melbourne |
| App Boxer | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2) | Founders building MVPs | Rapid prototyping | $25k–$150k | Melbourne |
| Hitori | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5) | Healthcare + Enterprise systems | Cloud + AI-enabled digital products | $100k+ | Melbourne HQ |
| Applickable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0/5) | Growing companies | Modern UI, native iOS/Android, clean product delivery | $40k–$150k | Brisbane team |
| DreamWalk | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5) | Brand-heavy consumer apps | Award-winning design, premium UX, enterprise polish | $80k–$250k | Serves Melbourne |
| AppNative | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5) | SMEs + small business apps | Affordable mobile solutions | $15k–$60k | Melbourne |
| Appetiser | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8) | Scaleups + rapid growth apps | Strong design + product thinking | $50k–$200k | Melbourne |
Use our quick cost calculator to get an accurate estimate based on features, complexity, and your growth stage.
Top 10 Mobile App Development Companies in Melbourne
1. Sunrise Technologies – Full-Funnel Mobile App Partner for Melbourne Businesses
Best for: Businesses that want an end-to-end partner (strategy → UX → build → AI → long-term support).
We are an Australian software company specialising in mobile apps, AI solutions, backend systems, blockchain and SaaS platforms. Our team supports Melbourne-based SMEs, enterprises, and funded startups that need scalable technology and a long-term product partner.
What We Do
We help Melbourne businesses with:
- Custom iOS & Android apps (native + cross-platform)
- Product strategy & roadmapping – feature planning, market-fit guidance, and tech-stack decisions
- AI-powered mobile apps – chatbots, recommendation systems, predictive analytics, fraud checks, automation tools
- Backend development & integrations – APIs, POS systems, legacy systems, logistics platforms, payment gateways
- Ongoing support & optimisation – updates, performance monitoring, analytics setup, and continuous feature improvement
Our focus is always on building products that grow with the business, not just apps that launch and fade.
Strengths
- 1. Deep experience with Melbourne businesses
We’ve worked closely with industries that are strong in Melbourne—health, hospitality, retail, logistics, fintech, community services and events. Our solutions include integrations with local payment providers, logistics systems, and multi-lingual user experiences suited to Melbourne’s diverse audience. - 2. Strong mix of mobile + AI capabilities
We don’t build simple apps—we combine mobile development with AI-powered automation, fraud detection, vision tools, and intelligent workflows. For teams that want smarter digital products rather than static apps, this end-to-end capability is a major advantage. - 3. Transparent communication & long-term partnership
We prioritise clarity in communication, realistic timelines, transparent costing, and ongoing post-launch support. Many Melbourne clients rely on us for updates, analytics, optimisation and scaling long after the initial build. - 4. Proven work across multiple industries
Our portfolio includes solutions for healthcare, logistics, food & events, retail, training, community platforms and enterprise operations—with measurable outcomes such as higher engagement, stronger conversions, reduced manual work, and operational efficiency. - 5. Wide technical stack for scalability
We use modern stacks like Swift, Kotlin, Java, React Native, Flutter, Node.js, cloud architectures, AI/ML frameworks, and blockchain tools. This helps businesses plan not just for launch—but for durability, integrations, and long-term technical growth. - 6. Longevity in mobile engineering
With 10+ years of development experience, we’ve built through multiple generations of mobile frameworks and OS changes—from early native approaches to modern cross-platform ecosystems. This gives us strong insight into stability, future-proofing and performance.
Good fit if you:
- Need a mobile app with backend systems, AI automation, or multi-platform integrations
- Prefer having one partner for strategy, UX design, development, QA, AI integration, and maintenance
- Are unsure whether you need native vs cross-platform vs PWA
- Want post-launch optimisation, analytics tracking, and continuous feature rollout
- Need a long-term partner capable of managing security, scalability and user growth
2. Wave Digital – Strategy-Led App Development for Startups, Business and Government
Best for: Organisations that want a partner with a long Melbourne track record.
Wave Digital is frequently described as one of Melbourne’s top mobile app developers. Their own site highlights that they have been ranked as a top development company in Melbourne and Australia several times by Clutch.
What they do
- iPhone and Android app development (core service)
- Web app development and API integrations
- Digital product strategy and UX design from idea to launch
Strengths
- Long history in mobile: They’ve been building iPhone/iPad apps since 2009 and also focus heavily on Android, giving them depth across the mobile ecosystem.
- Strategy-first approach: Their marketing emphasises product strategy, discovery, and identifying the right technology (mobile vs web app) before coding, which suits organisations with complex requirements.
- Experience with startups, businesses, and government: Public content shows they work with a range of client types, from innovative startups to government departments.
Good fit if:
- You need help clarifying requirements and business model before building.
- You’re a government or enterprise organisation wanting a vendor familiar with formal processes and governance.
3. EB Pearls – Large-Scale App & Software Engineering Powerhouse
Best for: Complex, large-scale projects needing a big engineering team and deep delivery experience.
EB Pearls positions itself as Australia’s most experienced app development agency, with a very large in-house team (320+ developers across AI, web, and mobile) and hundreds of completed mobile apps and websites.
What they do
- Custom mobile apps (iOS and Android)
- Web development and digital platforms
- AI app development, UX/UI, and digital marketing
Strengths
- Scale & capacity: They’re built for large and multi-phase projects.
- Award recognition: EB Pearls notes that they were voted 2022–23’s #1 mobile app developer in Melbourne and Australia, with a good rating.
- User research focus: Their process emphasises user research and data-driven UX, which is useful for consumer-facing products competing in crowded app stores.
Good fit if:
- You’re planning a large, multi-platform product with long-term roadmap.
- You value formal processes, documentation, and user research.
4. DreamWalk – Award-Winning, Design-Heavy App Studio
Best for: Startups and brands where UX, visual polish, and market impact are top priorities.
DreamWalk is an award-winning Australian app development company based in Melbourne, known specifically for having more #1 charting apps in the App Store than any other Australian developer.
What they do
- iOS and Android app design and development
- Consumer-facing apps with strong UI/UX emphasis
- AR/VR experiences and immersive apps
Strengths
- Track record with top-ranking apps: They highlight App Store chart-toppers like Jam for iPhone and others—demonstrating a strong understanding of consumer engagement and retention.
- Design-first culture: They emphasise engaging design and high-impact experiences, making them well-suited for B2C apps and creative products.
Good fit if:
- You’re a startup or brand building a consumer app where aesthetics and engagement matter as much as functionality.
- You want an agency experienced in launching high-visibility apps.
5. App Boxer – Startup-Friendly App Partner with Commercialisation Support
Best for: Founders and businesses needing both product development and go-to-market support.
App Boxer is a Sydney-based app development company with a strong Melbourne presence via a dedicated Melbourne developers page. They highlight their focus on innovative mobile apps for startups and enterprises, as well as support across design, funding, and commercialisation.
What they do
- Mobile app design and development
- UX/UI, product strategy, and commercialisation planning
- Support for funding, launch, and growth strategies
Strengths
- End-to-end startup support: They openly promote help with funding, go-to-market strategy, and commercialisation—not just development.
- Award recognition: App Boxer points to being ranked #1 App Developers and Designers in Australia on Clutch, which can reassure early-stage founders.
Good fit if:
- You’re a first-time founder wanting guidance on both product and funding.
- You need a partner who understands MVPs, investor expectations, and iterative releases.
6. Flexbox Digital – Full-Service Digital Agency with Strong UX & Web + App Delivery
Best for: Businesses that want a single partner across web, mobile, and broader digital marketing.
Flexbox Digital is a full-service digital agency based in Melbourne and Sydney. Alongside mobile app development, they provide UX/UI design, web development, CRM implementation, marketing automation and cyber security services.
What they do
- Mobile app design and development (iOS, Android, hybrid)
- Web and eCommerce development
- UX/UI, SEO, CRM and marketing automation
- Cyber security services
Strengths
- Holistic digital approach: Because they do UX, web, e-com, CRM, and marketing, they’re ideal if your app is just one part of a broader digital ecosystem.
- SME-friendly: Their content emphasises startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses; they’re used to working with smaller teams and more modest budgets.
Good fit if:
- You want website + app + CRM + marketing aligned under a single team.
- You’re planning an app that needs tight integration with a marketing funnel or eCommerce store.
7. Hitori – Digital Product Studio for Modern Mobile & Web Apps
Best for: Businesses wanting a long-term digital product partner with strong technical foundations.
Hitori is a Melbourne-based app developer and digital product studio that’s been building mobile and web apps since 2011. They specifically highlight work with clients across industries on digital transformation and modernisation.
What they do
- Mobile app development (iOS/Android, cross-platform)
- Web app development and modernisation
- Strategy and design for digital products
Strengths
- Experience with modernising legacy systems: They explicitly mention revamping outdated platforms and desktop software, which is crucial for enterprises with older systems.
- Cross-platform expertise: Hitori favors modern cross-platform approaches, enabling clients to reach both iOS and Android efficiently.
Good fit if:
- You’re upgrading or replacing legacy software with a modern app and web interface.
- You want a long-term product partner rather than a one-off build.
8. Applickable – Melbourne Team Focused on Locally Built, Transparent Projects
Best for: Clients who value a fully local team and transparent development process.
Applickable is a Melbourne-based app development company with more than 15 years of experience building custom apps and websites across different industries. They emphasise that they do not outsource development outside Australia and that clients get full visibility into the project.
What they do
- Custom mobile app development (iOS, Android)
- Web application development
- Digital product strategy
Strengths
- Fully local development
- Transparent process
- Longevity in the industry
Good fit if:
- You prefer working with a 100% local engineering team.
- You want ongoing access to project tools and incremental builds.
9. AppNative – UX-Centric Mobile & Web Product Studio in Melbourne
Best for: UX-driven products that depend heavily on user flows and interface quality.
AppNative describes itself as a “crazy good UX Design & App Development agency in Melbourne,” focusing on building apps, websites, and software in React, React Native, and Python, with a strong emphasis on user experience.
What they do
- Mobile app development (React Native and related tech)
- UX design and product design
- Web development and software in modern stacks (React, Python, etc.)
Strengths
- UX + development under one roof
- Central Melbourne location
Good fit if:
- You’re building an app where user flows, clean UI, and usability are critical.
- You prefer a modern JS/React-based stack.
10. AppNative (Global) – For Comparison with Overseas Teams
You listed appnative.com.au in your inputs, which we’ve covered above. There’s also a Canadian entity focusing on digital solutions. For Melbourne-specific work, most readers will care about the Melbourne-based AppNative team, but if a company is open to distributed teams, they can compare local vs international cost and capability trade-offs by reviewing both.
If this section feels confusing for your audience, you can remove it and keep the list strictly to Melbourne-based entities; the main value is reminding readers to check where teams are actually located and who works on their project day-to-day.
How to Choose the Right Melbourne App Development Company for Your Project?
Seeing a list of names is helpful, but most readers are really asking: “Which one should I pick?” Here’s a practical framework you can include so the article truly satisfies user intent.
Step 1: Clarify your project type and stage
Before contacting anyone, be clear on:
- What you’re building:
1. Customer-facing app (B2C)?
2. Internal tool (operations, field staff, logistics)?
3. Marketplace, fintech, health tech, or something more niche? - Your stage:
1. Idea only / no wireframes (you’ll need strong strategy + UX support – e.g., Sunrise, Wave Digital, App Boxer).
2. Validated MVP you want to rebuild properly (Hitori, Flexbox, Sunrise, AppNative).
3. Mature product that needs ongoing features and maintenance (EB Pearls, DreamWalk, Sunrise, Applickable)
Step 2: Match based on strengths
- AI / advanced features:
Sunrise Technologies and EB Pearls both highlight AI-powered apps and large engineering capacity. - Design-heavy, user-facing apps:
DreamWalk, AppNative, Wave Digital, and Applickable place strong emphasis on UX and visual design. - Startups needing strategy + commercialisation:
App Boxer is explicit about helping with funding, IP, and go-to-market. Sunrise also offers cost calculators and strategy calls that are useful at idea stage. - Legacy systems and enterprise modernisation:
Hitori and Flexbox are strong candidates if you’re modernising existing systems or need web + app + CRM + integrations together. - Local-only development:
Applickable explicitly says they don’t outsource outside Australia; Sunrise positions itself strongly as an Australian-registered consultancy with local presence.
Step 3: Shortlist 2–3 companies and compare on specifics
Encourage readers to check:
- Similar projects in portfolio
Do they show case studies in your industry or with a comparable level of complexity? - Engagement model & transparency
Do they provide fixed-price, time-and-materials, or both?
Can you see progress weekly (sprints, beta builds, or access to project tools)? - Post-launch support
The best partners treat launch as the beginning, not the end. For example, Sunrise openly discusses 8 weeks of free app maintenance and ongoing support for Melbourne apps, while agencies like EB Pearls and Flexbox stress long-term relationships and continuous improvement. - Team composition & location
Who will actually work on your project—senior engineers, designers, or mostly juniors?
Are they based in Melbourne or distributed?
Does that align with your preferences for workshops and communication?
Step 4: Ask the right questions on your discovery call
To help your readers further, you can add a short checklist like:
- “What recent app have you built that’s similar to ours?”
- “How do you validate features and avoid building things we don’t need?”
- “How will you help us measure success after launch (KPIs, analytics, A/B tests)?”
- “What does your typical maintenance and support plan look like for Melbourne clients?”
Conclusion
Melbourne offers some of Australia’s best mobile app development talent, ranging from boutique UX studios to large enterprise engineering firms. By reviewing each company’s strengths, pricing range, tech capabilities, and Melbourne presence, you can find the partner that aligns with your product’s goals.
If your business needs a reliable, end-to-end development partner for mobile, web, backend, or AI automation, Sunrise Technologies remains a top choice because of its strong technical expertise, multi-industry delivery, and clear commitment to long-term client outcomes.
Whichever agency you choose, be sure to assess past work, development process, communication quality, and post-launch support—those factors will have the biggest impact on your app’s success.
We actively work with Melbourne-based startups, SMEs, and enterprises. A lot of our projects are for Victorian businesses in health, retail, logistics, fintech, education and professional services. We’re comfortable working fully remote, hybrid, or with on-site workshops in Melbourne when needed.
For most Melbourne projects, typical ranges look like:
- Simple MVP or utility app: ~$5k–$15k AUD
- Mid-complexity app (logins, APIs, payments, dashboards): ~$25k–50k AUD
- Complex / enterprise / AI-heavy app: $50k+ AUD
These ranges line up with broader Australian market guides, which often quote $10k–$200k+ depending on scope and complexity.
We’ll always scope your project first, then give a realistic estimate rather than a generic “one price fits all”.
Roughly:
- MVP with core features: 8–12 weeks
- Standard app with integrations: 3–5 months
- Complex / multi-module or AI-heavy platform: 6–9+ months
Timeline depends on how clear the requirements are, how many decision-makers are involved, and how complex the integrations are (e.g. payments, logistics, legacy systems, AI services).
Yes. A lot of Melbourne clients come to us with ideas, sketches, or a business problem rather than a full technical brief. We can run:
- Discovery workshops
- User journey mapping
- Feature prioritisation and scoping
- Wireframes and clickable prototypes
- A phased roadmap (MVP → V2 → V3)
You don’t need to speak “tech” — we translate business goals into a clear build plan.
We do both, and we help you choose based on your goals:
- Native (Swift / Kotlin): best for performance-critical, device-heavy, or long-term complex products.
- Cross-platform (Flutter / React Native): great for startups and SMEs who want one codebase for iOS + Android, faster and often more cost-effective.
We’ll discuss your budget, timeline, feature set and long-term roadmap before recommending an approach.
Yes — integration is one of our core strengths. For Melbourne clients we often integrate with:
- CRMs, ERPs, booking and POS systems
- Custom or legacy databases
- Payment gateways
- Logistics and mapping APIs
- Third-party SaaS tools (auth, notifications, analytics, etc.)
We design the backend + APIs + app together so everything works as one system rather than a collection of disconnected tools.
We specialise in AI-enabled apps and automation, especially for businesses that want to reduce manual work or make better decisions. Common AI use cases:
- In-app assistants or chatbots
- Smart recommendations (content, products, actions)
- Fraud checks, anomaly detection, or risk scoring
- Predictive analytics for operations, scheduling, or logistics
- Intelligent alerts and workflows
We always start with the business problem first, then decide where AI actually adds value (instead of forcing it everywhere).
Yes. We treat launch as the start, not the end. Our support usually includes:
- OS and framework updates
- Fixes, small improvements, and performance tuning
- New feature rollouts in planned sprints
- Crash monitoring and analytics dashboards
- Security patches and infrastructure updates
We can work on fixed support packages or ongoing retainer models depending on how fast you want to iterate.
Sam is a chartered professional engineer with over 15 years of extensive experience in the software technology space. Over the years, Sam has held the position of Chief Technology Consultant for tech companies both in Australia and abroad before establishing his own software consulting firm in Sydney, Australia. In his current role, he manages a large team of developers and engineers across Australia and internationally, dedicated to delivering the best in software technology.
Disclaimer:
The rankings provided on this website are based on publicly available data from reputable sources such as Clutch, Goodform, and Google keyword rankings. These rankings are subject to change and should not be considered an endorsement. Users are advised to conduct their own due diligence before making any business decisions. We do not accept responsibility for any outcomes resulting from the rankings or competition.
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