Type 01
Customer-facing apps
Booking, ordering, loyalty, marketplaces, content delivery. The app is the product or the storefront.
- · User accounts and profiles
- · Push notifications
- · Payments (Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- · Real-time data and chat
Technology · Mobile Apps
One codebase. Both stores.
Cross-platform mobile apps built in Flutter — native performance on iOS and Android, half the development time of native, single team to maintain. Built for SMBs that need real tools and startups that need to ship.
The honest math
Native is great. It's also twice the cost.
Go native and you build the same app twice — once in Swift, once in Kotlin. Two codebases, two teams, two maintenance streams, two release cycles. You don't need an app twice. You need one app that works on both phones.
Flutter does that without compromise. Google maintains it, companies like Toyota and BMW ship on it, and for the vast majority of apps the performance difference is invisible to users. One codebase compiles to native iOS and native Android. One team. One release to both stores.
~50%
Less development time vs native iOS + Android separately
1 fix
A bug gets fixed once, not once per platform
1 team
Same engineers ship to both stores, fix bugs once
When native is the right answer, we'll tell you. For most projects, it isn't.
What we build
Apps that do real work.
Type 02
Operational apps
Field service, delivery dispatch, inventory check-in, sales rep tools. Apps your team uses to do their job.
- · Offline mode and sync
- · Camera, barcode, GPS
- · Forms and signatures
- · Connection to your ERP/CRM
Type 03
Startup MVPs
Lean, focused first versions for startups testing a hypothesis. Built to validate, iterate, and grow.
- · Core flow first, polish later
- · Analytics from day one
- · Architected to scale
- · Ready to demo to investors
Type 04
Companion apps
Mobile companions for existing web platforms — letting your customers or staff access the system from their phone.
- · Shared backend with web app
- · Mobile-optimized flows
- · Push notifications and alerts
- · Quick actions on the go
Type 05
Internal team apps
Apps for warehouse staff, drivers, technicians, sales teams. Distributed via private channels, not public stores.
- · Enterprise distribution (no app store)
- · Role-based access
- · Custom workflows per team
- · Direct integration to internal systems
Foundation
Backend & API
Every app needs a backend. We build it in Python or Node.js, hosted reliably, integrated with the rest of your stack.
- · REST APIs and webhooks
- · Authentication and security
- · Database and storage
- · Connection to your existing systems
How we build
Designed for users. Built for stores.
Principle 01
Native feel on both platforms
iOS users expect Cupertino interactions. Android users expect Material Design. We respect platform conventions where it matters and use shared design where it doesn't. The app feels right on each phone.
Principle 02
Built for the App Store gauntlet
Apple and Google reject apps for vague reasons all the time. We know the patterns: privacy permissions, data handling, sign-in requirements, in-app purchase rules. Apps we build are designed to pass review the first time.
Principle 03
Offline-first when it matters
Drivers in dead zones, warehouse staff in steel buildings, sales reps on a flight. Apps that need to work without internet need to be designed that way from the start. We architect offline mode into the data model, not as an afterthought.
Principle 04
You launch with visibility
Instrumentation ships with the app: what users tap, where they drop off, what fails. Especially critical for an MVP, where understanding behavior is the entire point of shipping.
The stack
Modern. Stable. Yours to own.
Mobile
- Flutter
- Dart
- iOS & Android
Backend
- Python (FastAPI, Django)
- Node.js
- REST APIs
Data
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- Local SQLite for offline
Authentication
- Custom JWT
- OAuth providers
- Sign in with Apple/Google
Payments
- Stripe
- Apple Pay / Google Pay
- In-app purchases
Distribution
- App Store
- Google Play
- Enterprise / TestFlight
Honest guidance
Should you actually build an app?
Not every business needs a mobile app. Sometimes a mobile-friendly website does the same job for one-tenth the cost. We'll tell you the truth on the discovery call. Here's our honest framework:
Build an app if…
- Your users open it weekly or daily (not just once)
- You need camera, GPS, push notifications, or offline mode
- Your customers expect an app (booking, delivery, loyalty)
- Your team works in the field and needs purpose-built tools
Skip the app if…
- ×Users would only open it occasionally — a website is enough
- ×You don't need any device-specific features
- ×You're not ready to maintain it long-term (apps need ongoing care)
- ×You're building it because a competitor has one — not because users asked for it
Common questions
What people ask before signing.
Why Flutter and not React Native or native development?+
Flutter gives you near-native performance on both iOS and Android from one codebase. React Native is fine for simpler apps but struggles with complex UI and animations. Native development (Swift + Kotlin) is twice the work and twice the cost — only worth it for apps with deep platform-specific requirements. For most SMB and startup use cases, Flutter is the right choice. We'll tell you honestly when your app is one of the exceptions that genuinely needs native.
How long does a mobile app take to build?+
A focused MVP with 5 to 8 screens takes 6 to 10 weeks. A mid-complexity app with custom logic, payments, and integrations takes 10 to 16 weeks. Larger apps with offline mode, complex sync, and platform-specific features can range 16 to 24 weeks. We give you a clear timeline after the discovery call.
Do you handle App Store and Google Play submission?+
Yes. We handle the full submission process to both Apple App Store and Google Play, including the screenshots, store listings, privacy policy compliance, and review feedback. App Store rejections are common — we know what to avoid and how to respond when they happen.
What about updates and maintenance after launch?+
Mobile apps need ongoing maintenance — iOS and Android push major updates yearly that can break apps. Every project includes 30 days of post-launch support. After that, we offer monthly retainer plans for continuous maintenance, feature updates, and OS compatibility. You can also call us on demand.
Do I own the code?+
Yes. The Flutter source code, backend code, design files, and deployment configurations are all yours from day one. Your App Store and Google Play developer accounts are registered in your name, not ours. If we ever stop working together, you can hand the project to any other Flutter developer and they can continue from where we left off.
Free discovery call · 30 minutes
Tell us what your app needs to do.
We'll tell you if it should exist.
30 minutes. No pitch. We map your users, your goals, and your budget — then tell you honestly whether an app is the right answer or whether something simpler would do the job.
Book the discovery callOr email us at cs@ink-stains.com