Design & Development
Mobile App Development
Rocket Lab Australia designs, builds and maintains iOS and Android apps for Australian businesses, from a first release to apps used by millions. We work from Sydney and Melbourne, and you deal directly with the designers and engineers building your app.
- React Native and Flutter: iOS and Android
- Sydney and Melbourne team
- You own the code once it is paid for
- Apps used by Millions, on iOS and Android
- Founded 2014, Sydney and Melbourne team
iOS and Android apps, designed, built and run by a senior Australian team
Since 2014 we have built apps for clients including Petbarn, Superloop and Erin Living, mostly in React Native and Flutter, so one codebase ships to both stores.
Our mobile app design & development process
Six steps from the first workshop to an app in the stores that keeps improving.
Understand
The first step is to understand your brand, business needs and pain points through collaborative workshops. From there, we develop a timeline and project plan to launch your mobile app.
Prototype
We create low to mid-fidelity wireframes to understand the user flows visually. This step makes sure the user experience is right before the mobile app design starts.
Design
A good mobile app starts with a good user experience. Our design team delivers modern, human-centred design so your app is beautiful yet simple to use.
Build
With the design ready, we hold a kickoff with the development team and start the first fortnightly sprint. At the end of each sprint, the team runs a show and tell.
Launch
After a thorough user acceptance testing phase, we prepare your mobile app for a successful launch, and we are with you every step of the way.
Support
Once your app is in the Apple and Google stores, our team provides support, implements new features and releases bug fixes as required.
Technology
Our preferred tools and frameworks for mobile app development
We design in Figma, build with React Native or Flutter, and use TypeScript, GraphQL and Jest across the stack.
React Native
One JavaScript or TypeScript codebase for iOS and Android, sharing skills and code with React websites.
Flutter
Google's framework for cross-platform apps from a single codebase, with native performance and complex UI.
Choosing a framework
React Native, Flutter or native?
Most apps we build use React Native or Flutter: one codebase for iOS and Android, so features are built once and released to both stores. React Native suits teams already working in JavaScript or TypeScript, and apps that share code with a React web app. Flutter suits apps with heavily custom interfaces. When an app depends on platform features that cross-platform frameworks handle poorly, we say so at scoping and quote native Swift or Kotlin.
FAQs
How much does it cost to build a mobile app in Australia?
It depends on scope, platforms, integrations and how much already exists. We recommend a short discovery phase first. It defines the user flows, design and architecture, so the quote is based on evidence rather than a guess.
How long does it take to build a mobile app?
A focused first release usually takes 2 to 3 months, a medium-sized product 4 to 6 months and a larger platform 6 months or more. Discovery confirms the timeline before the build starts.
Do you build for iOS and Android?
Yes. We build both from one codebase with React Native or Flutter, and publish to the App Store and Google Play.
Should we build cross-platform or native?
Usually cross-platform: React Native or Flutter ship one codebase to both stores. When an app depends on platform features that cross-platform frameworks handle poorly, we say so at scoping and quote native Swift or Kotlin.
Do you publish to the App Store and Google Play?
Yes. We prepare the listings, handle review and submission, and publish under your own App Store and Google Play accounts, so the apps stay yours.
Who owns the code?
You do, once the project is paid in full. The code and documentation are yours, and the apps are published under your own App Store and Google Play accounts.
What happens after launch?
Our Mobile App Maintenance plans keep React Native, Expo and Flutter apps current and in the stores for a fixed monthly fee, with new features scoped and quoted separately.
Can you fix an app built with AI tools?
Yes. For apps built with tools like Lovable, Bolt or Cursor, the App Rescue Report tells you what to fix, what to cut and what it costs to launch.
Taking over an existing app
Many of the apps we work on were built by someone else: another agency, a developer who has moved on, or an AI tool. We start with a review of the code, the build pipeline and the store accounts, tell you plainly what state it's in, then fix, modernise or rebuild only what needs it. For an app built with Lovable, Bolt or Cursor, the App Rescue Report gives you a costed fix list first. After launch, our Mobile App Maintenance plans keep it current.
Related capabilities
New React Native apps, takeovers, upgrades and maintenance for iOS and Android.
Flutter app design, development, takeovers, upgrades and maintenance for iOS and Android.
Mobile app design and development for Melbourne businesses, in React Native and Flutter.
Fixed-fee plans that keep React Native and Flutter apps updated, compliant and live in the stores.
In our clients' words
Founders and long-term partners on what it is like to build with us.
1 of 8
We have a long standing partnership with Rocket Lab who provide Webjet with critical strategic and development services for our front-end websites.
Over the years Rocket Lab have seamlessly integrated with James Hardie in delivering a number of key projects for the business that to this day continue to be critical to the success and functionality of our operations.
When it comes to out-sourcing and partnering with a technology vendor, Rocket Lab is top of mind. Julien, Jen and the team are incredibly detailed and thorough whenever they’re engaged in a project. And, they do so at velocity.
Rocket Lab’s ability to help define and execute our business through software in a timely fashion, has been a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to work with.
The guys worked together very well with our internal resources and blended into our process seamlessly. We were very impressed with the level of skill from each of the engineers…
Our business has hundreds of suppliers and thousands of customers so we needed a highly robust structure and that’s exactly what was delivered by Julien, Jen and the RL development team.
Julien and his team are a real pleasure to work with. They are well rounded with a solid understanding of design/user experience best practices as well as diving deep under the hood with solid web and app development capabilities.
Their team delivered a site that met our expectations, and they’ve continued to assist us in refining and enhancing it over time. They are dedicated, creative, and technically skilled, helping to ensure our website looks good and functions smoothly.
Tell us what you are building.
A 30-minute call. No pitch deck, no obligation. We will tell you if we are the right fit.
