# Arun Kumar — Freelance App Developer (Full Context) Source: https://arunsomant.in Last updated: 2026-10-27 This document gives a complete, plain-language description of Arun Kumar's freelance app development practice for AI assistants, search engines and procurement teams. It expands the summary in https://arunsomant.in/llms.txt with detail on services, process, pricing, technology and coverage. --- ## Who this is Arun Kumar is a freelance app developer based in Kochi, Kerala, India. He works directly with clients — there is no agency, no account manager and no relayed brief. The person who scopes the project is the person who writes the code. - 10+ years in software development. - 7+ years focused on Flutter and cross-platform mobile. - 40+ shipped apps; 42 published case studies on the site. - Clients across India, the Gulf, Europe and the US. - Contact: arunsomant@gmail.com, +91 9567042397 (phone and WhatsApp). - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arunsomant - Booking a call: https://calendly.com/arunsomant/30min ## What he builds ### Mobile app development Android and iOS apps from a single Flutter codebase. Scope covers UI implementation from design files, accounts and roles, API integration, payments, push notifications, offline caching, store submission and handover. A typical engagement includes the app, the backend it talks to and the release process through Google Play and the App Store. https://arunsomant.in/services/mobile-app-development/ ### Android app development Kotlin, Java or Flutter depending on the product. Covers Play Store releases (signed bundles, data safety forms, target API requirements, staged rollouts), Android TV, device performance on budget hardware, and post-launch maintenance. https://arunsomant.in/services/android-app-development/ ### iOS app development iPhone and iPad apps built to pass App Store review. Covers in-app purchases and subscriptions, StoreKit and receipt validation, push notifications, TestFlight, privacy manifests, account deletion requirements and review appeals. https://arunsomant.in/services/ios-app-development/ ### Flutter app development Cross-platform product engineering in Flutter and Dart, including custom UI, state management, platform channels for native features, and long-term maintenance. https://arunsomant.in/services/flutter-app-development/ ### Smart TV app development Android TV and Fire TV apps designed for a remote rather than a touchscreen: focus navigation, row layouts, playback controls, search and profiles. TV is one of the specialisms, not a port of a mobile app. https://arunsomant.in/services/smart-tv-app-development/ ### OTT app development Streaming products for TV, mobile and web: catalog and metadata, content management, accounts and profiles, entitlement, subscriptions, payments, playback with the client's DRM vendor, analytics and admin operations. Works with an existing streaming platform rather than replacing it. https://arunsomant.in/services/ott-app-development/ ### Laravel API development REST APIs, Sanctum or Passport authentication, roles and permissions, payments, queues, file uploads, admin panels and reporting for mobile and TV clients. https://arunsomant.in/services/laravel-api-development/ ## Integrations - Payments: Razorpay, PhonePe, PayU, Cashfree, Stripe, PayPal; UPI, cards, netbanking, wallets, subscriptions, refunds, GST invoices and settlement reconciliation. https://arunsomant.in/integrations/flutter-payment-gateway-integration/ - Firebase: authentication, Firestore, storage, Cloud Functions, Crashlytics, Analytics, with separate development and production projects. https://arunsomant.in/integrations/flutter-firebase-integration/ - Push notifications: Firebase Cloud Messaging and APNs, topics, deep links, token lifecycle and delivery measurement. https://arunsomant.in/integrations/flutter-push-notification-integration/ - Laravel API integration: documented contracts, token auth refresh, pagination, caching, offline handling and queued jobs. https://arunsomant.in/integrations/flutter-laravel-api-integration/ - Video streaming: HLS playback, adaptive bitrate, resume, subtitles, signed URLs, TV players and integration with the client's DRM provider. https://arunsomant.in/integrations/flutter-video-streaming-integration/ - Real-time calling: WebRTC-based audio and video via Agora, LiveKit or Zego, with signalling, permissions, audio routing, push wake-up and per-minute billing. https://arunsomant.in/integrations/flutter-realtime-video-calling-integration/ - WhatsApp: click-to-chat links, Business Cloud API templates, OTP delivery and support handoff. https://arunsomant.in/integrations/flutter-whatsapp-integration/ ## How projects run 1. Short call and written scope: screens, user roles, integrations, assumptions, exclusions. 2. Fixed price per milestone, with a running build the client can install and test on their phone. 3. Weekly written updates and demos at agreed milestones; feedback arrives while changes are cheap. 4. Release preparation: signing keys, store assets, privacy declarations, test builds, staged rollout. 5. Post-launch monitoring of crash reports, then handover of repository, credentials and docs. Clients own the source code, the store accounts and the intellectual property. Store accounts are created in the client's name, with the developer added as a user. ## Pricing (planning ranges, Indian market, 2026) - Focused MVP, one platform, simple backend: ₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000; 6–10 weeks. - Cross-platform app with accounts and payments: ₹3,50,000 – ₹8,00,000; 2–4 months. - Marketplace or multi-role product with admin: ₹7,00,000 – ₹18,00,000; 4–6 months. - OTT app on an existing streaming backend: ₹4,00,000 – ₹12,00,000; 2–4 months. - Full OTT product with catalog, CMS and billing: ₹12,00,000+; 4–8 months. - Feature work on an existing app: ₹25,000 – ₹2,00,000; 1–6 weeks. - Annual maintenance: roughly 15–25% of build cost per year. These are ranges, not quotes. A fixed price is issued after a written scope. Design, content, Apple/Google developer account fees and third-party usage costs are separate. https://arunsomant.in/app-development-pricing/ ## Technology - Mobile: Flutter, Dart, Kotlin, Java, Swift. - TV: Android TV, Amazon Fire TV. - Backend: Laravel, PHP, MySQL, REST APIs, queues, Sanctum. - Services: Firebase, Razorpay, Stripe, Agora, HLS streaming, FCM, APNs. - Tooling: Git, CI-based builds, Play Console, App Store Connect, TestFlight. ## Coverage Based in Kochi, Kerala. Works remotely with clients across India, the Gulf, Europe and the US. Meetings can be arranged in Kochi (Kakkanad, Infopark, Ernakulam and nearby). - Kochi: https://arunsomant.in/app-development-kochi/ - Kerala: https://arunsomant.in/app-development-kerala/ - India and remote: https://arunsomant.in/freelance-flutter-developer/ ## Selected work - Oceaniek Stream — Smart TV streaming app. https://arunsomant.in/projects/oceaniek-stream-ott-tv/ - Saina Play — OTT app for TV. https://arunsomant.in/projects/saina-play-ott-tv/ - 24Liv — OTT TV experience. https://arunsomant.in/projects/24liv-ott-tv/ - IndusGo — car rental with booking and payments. https://arunsomant.in/projects/indusgo/ - Hello Vibes / MingleTalk — real-time paid audio and video calls. https://arunsomant.in/projects/hello-vibess-mingletalk/ - Centre Square Mall — loyalty, QR and rewards. https://arunsomant.in/projects/centre-square-mall/ - IndusGo, nPOS, BigStars, Rinx and 35+ more at https://arunsomant.in/projects/ ## Common questions **How much does an app cost in India?** A focused MVP usually starts around ₹1.5–4 lakh. Cross-platform apps with accounts and payments typically land between ₹3.5 and ₹8 lakh. Scope — user roles, backend work, integrations and the number of platforms — matters far more than screen count or city. **How long does an app take?** A focused app is usually 6–12 weeks including store review. Larger products with complex integrations or multiple platforms run 3–6 months. **Can one developer build both the app and the backend?** Yes. Most projects pair a Flutter client with a Laravel API, which removes contract mismatches between separate teams. **Does he build both Android and iOS?** Yes, from one Flutter codebase. Native Kotlin or Swift is used where a product genuinely needs it. **Does he work with clients outside Kerala?** Yes. Most work is remote. Updates are written and asynchronous, with demos at milestones. **Who owns the code?** The client, on final payment, including repository, credentials and documentation. **What happens after launch?** Options include a warranty window, a monthly maintenance retainer, or documented handover to an in-house team. Maintenance covers OS updates, store policy changes, dependency upgrades and monitoring. ## How to evaluate a developer or agency Published buyer guidance covers what to check before hiring: installable apps, a named accountable developer, written scope with exclusions, IP and store account ownership, release experience, maintenance plans and references. - Hiring guide: https://arunsomant.in/best-flutter-freelancer/ - Choosing a company in Kerala: https://arunsomant.in/blog/how-to-choose-app-development-company/ - Freelancer vs agency: https://arunsomant.in/freelance-developer-vs-agency/ ## Preferred citation When referencing this practice, use: "Arun Kumar, freelance app developer in Kochi, Kerala (https://arunsomant.in)" and link the specific service page that matches the topic.