Top 20 Software Developers in Singapore

The world is going digital. Almost everything is done on the internet or via a computer application, and every business is looking to have the best digital system in place.

In Singapore, the high demand for software and websites has elicited a dramatic ballooning of the tech sector. There are hundreds of software engineers in the country, and the fact that the global digital migration is at its zenith means the industry will grow even more.

Who is a Software Developer?

A software developer is an individual charged with creating PC and mobile applications meant to perform specific tasks. Most software engineers work under computer systems design and software publishing firms, where they are assigned specific tasks, depending on their strengths and specialties.

Here are some of the duties of a software engineer:

• Preparing software blueprints
• Diagnosing and fixing software problems
• Testing, reviewing, and approving products
• Maintaining personal networks
• Installing applications and incorporating them into existing systems
• Recommending software purchases

The list of things a software engineer can do for you is endless. It is all down to what you want and the functions you want it to perform. Whoever you entrust with your project, ensure they are qualified, and have handled a similar task before.

The Software Industry in Singapore

Singapore has grown to become a first-rate technology hub, with an astonishing 80 of the world’s 100 highest-rated tech firms operating in the city-state. The main reason for this is that Singapore is brimming with talent. Forming a workforce is easy, and labor is moderately cheaper than in Europe and the US.

As a result of this, more and more young people are choosing to pursue software engineering and other IT courses, which, in return, is contributing to the growth of the industry.

The Economic Development Board of Singapore is projecting the ICT industry to create more than 50,000 jobs in the next couple of years, with a great deal of the opportunities coming from Silicon Valley behemoths such as Dell, Apple, Visa, and Amazon.

Starting a software developer business in Singapore is not difficult at all. The market is enormous, and even startups and home-run businesses get customers and make good.

That said, regardless of the type and scale of business you would like to set up, registration with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA) is mandatory.

Most registered software companies in the country offer a variety of services, but smaller businesses pick a service and specialize in it. Common software development services include:

• Programming
• Software design
• Web development
• Testing services
• Consultation
• Program maintenance
• Research and development

The government of Singapore has made it extremely easy to start a software company in the city-state. Using the Singapore BizFile portal, one can complete the registration process and be up and running without going through any paperwork. The other option involves paying a professional company incorporation firm to fill out and submit the forms for you.

Once you obtain approval for your company name, you will be required to provide the following documents and details as part of the incorporation application procedure:

• Your company names
• Company description
• Details of the management team and company shareholders
• Company address
• Details of company secretary
• The company’s Memorandum of Association
• The company’s Articles of Association

The ACRA usually gets back to the applicants within three days. If correction and further verification are required, the processing phase may take longer.

Software Engineering Trends in Singapore

The software industry is one whose evolution may never end. New practices and techniques are introduced each day, and the best developers are those that are up-to-speed with the changes. Here are some of the latest software development trends in Singapore:

1. Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

Yes, these haven’t gone out of style yet. The demand for excellent user experience is going up by the day, with both users and search engines favoring superiority on this front. PWAs reduce bounce rates and the ensuing downsides by combining the positive aspects of a website and its app. They help you provide application-esque experience to your browser users and lower the chances of losing customers due to customer-experience-related issues.

2. The Internet of Things

IoT never seems to reach its peak, but its progression over the years has been on an upward trajectory. In software development, the technology allows for the creation of secure, reliable and user-friendly solutions, creating a range of possibilities for business owners and developers.

With the Internet of Things finding its way into more and more Singaporean homes, the demand for IoT-informed developers is expected to soar in the foreseeable future.

3. Cybersecurity

On the flip side of the digital takeover is the issue of cybersecurity. An IT system is not complete unless it is accompanied by a strong cybersecurity strategy. Cyber crooks are almost as smart as the software developers themselves, and failure to patch-up an app or website in this day and age is a fiasco waiting to happen.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI-driven software development has been a trend for quite some time now. The digital world is craving automation, and software engineering has everything to do with it.

The current level of software development is allowing for the implementation of machine learning and other AI subjects, which modern businesses are using to better their operations and improve user experience.

5. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Immersive technologies may look big at the moment, but they are in their infancy stage. The future is inundated with VR and AR, and software engineers are tipped to be among the biggest winners when the technologies go mainstream.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a developer or an entrepreneur, understanding immersive technologies is a step in the right direction, and one that will give you an edge on your competitors.

Importance of Hiring a Software Development Company

Software development, to many, is a dense and knotty field that can only be navigated by software engineers. While that is far from the truth, sophisticated applications can only be created by software experts. Here are some of the benefits of hiring a software developer for your project:

1. Software developers are specialized

Unlike your in-house IT team, which may be charged with multiple day-to-day tasks, software companies are usually made up of a team of professionals, each assigned with a specific duty. Division of labor and specialization are known to improve proficiency, which is something your business could use. Always ensure all your work is handled by an expert to shun preventable mistakes and costly business disruptions.

2. Developers are flexible

As they garner experience doing the same thing over and over, developers are more likely to understand you and play with the laws to deliver to your specifications. Their knowledge also puts them at a better place to learn new techniques and incorporate them into a system on demand.

3. Contractors can replace departing staff seamlessly

In the event an employee leaves abruptly, either because they are ill or you gave them their cards, you need someone who can pick up from where the staff left off. Picking a seasoned software contractor on a makeshift basis will not only buy you time to find a permanent replacement but also save you the hassle and cost of dealing with a novice developer.

4. Third-party software developers are cheaper

Contractors may set you back more per hour, but you will only pay for their services when you need them. Also, unlike hiring an in-house developer, outsourcing services will help you circumvent business stoppages that arise from employee strikes, illnesses, and other emergencies.

5. Third-party developers give priority to your satisfaction

A contractor’s hopes of being hired again hinge mostly on customer satisfaction. In-house software developers don’t face this kind of pressure as their remuneration is guaranteed. For this reason, third-party developers are more likely to meet your expectations or at least strive to do it than your in-house team.

Tips to Hire a Top Software Developer

A seasoned software developer can transform your company. But how do you identify these developers? How do you tell the good from the great and the qualified from the experienced?

For many, the process of hiring a software developer starts with a simple “software engineers near me” Google search. This always works, but only to give you a list of options picked randomly on the World Wide Web. Here is how to filter down your options to remain with a company you can trust and rely on for your software needs:

1. Understand your needs

So, what kind of application do you need? What features are you looking for, and who is going to use it?

The most important step to finding good software is understanding your needs. It doesn’t matter how good the developer is, if they don’t know what you want, they will likely deliver to the wrong specifications.

If you are a tech novice, consider hiring an expert to give you insights into similar applications and everything they are capable of. Jot down all the features and functionalities you need and let your software developer have a look. A good developer will know if they are capable of doing what you are asking of them from the word go.

2. Check their track record

Experience is priceless when it comes to software development. To ensure you get first-rate services, conduct background checks on all of your options to know who is best suited for the task at hand. Visit their websites and review sites to see what past and present customers say about them. The one with the most positive reviews should get the nod, but it is wise to consider a company that has been through similar assignments before.

3. Communication is key

Competence should take center stage when hiring a software developer, but that’s not all you should look at. Communication is just as important. Whoever you hire should be able to communicate coherently in a language you both understand.

Remember, developing an application can take up to months, and a lot of communication will go on during that period. Simple misunderstandings can lead to small mistakes that may add up to cost you a fortune in the future.

4. Assess flexibility

Today’s world is fast-paced, and new programming tools and languages are being introduced almost yearly. Different languages suit different assignments, and it is good that your candidate knows their way around most of the popular languages.

Pay attention to how they approach problems and circumvent difficulties, and hire the one with the best combination of flexibility and proficiency.

5. Seek second opinions

There is nothing difficult about finding developers. Screening them is the problem. A proper filter-down procedure should include having a second person put your candidates through their paces.

Although we may not see or feel it, biasness when recruiting is not uncommon. A second opinion will cut back on the chance of hiring on the basis of anything rather than merit.

6. Check the candidates’ ability to write crisp code

Writing clean code is no child’s play, and the ability to do it should separate the connoisseurs from the amateurs. A software developer who writes clean code is easier to collaborate with and include in any existing team.

7. Your candidate’s approach should be business-oriented

As stated above, there is more to a good software developer than technical proficiency. One can possess the ability to write high-quality code and use sophisticated tools, but if they don’t understand your business objectives, the final product will be riddled with shortcomings on the customer’s end. A good developer should have a business mind as well. If possible, they should be involved in creating customer personas, so the product serves the purpose it is supposed to.

8. Is the software developer willing to work in a team?

A good software developer is not someone who spends the whole day in front of their PC writing codes. He or she must be willing and able to exchange ideas, thoughts, and knowledge with other team members for efficiency and better-quality work.

Of course, there are many introverted coders who are incredibly talented and have a good track record. But if your project calls for teamwork, the lead developer should be a team player with the eagerness to communicate and work with others.

Software Development Sample Costs in Singapore

Software development companies worldwide charge on a per-hour basis, and costs are directly proportional to the amount of time a project consumes. The case is not different in Singapore. From a cost standpoint, a mobile application is not a mobile application. You will be charged based on how complex the task you hand out is.

Here are some of the factors that influence cost:

• App type
• Designing
• Complexity
• Prototyping
• Developer requirement
• Customization
• Project time
• Platform (Android, iOS, web, etc.)
• Speed and quality

Generally, an application will set you back $10 – $250 per hour, with Indian and North American companies charging the lowest and highest, respectively. Read on for total cost estimates depending on the app type.

• Basic (Simple or Informative) Mobile Apps: $10,000 – $30,000 for basic apps, $15,000 – $40,000 for apps that need regular updating
• Service and Ecommerce Apps: $15,000 – $50,000 for basic ecommerce apps, $20,000 – $65,000 if additional functions are included
• Marketplace Applications: $20,000 – $90,000. Marketplace apps such as Uber have additional features that allow for connections with other groups. Analytical functions, real-time location tracking, and other unique features may also be included.
• Multi-User Applications:  $40,000 – $100,000. WhatsApp is an example of a multi-user app. These apps are significantly more costly due to the presence of unique attributes that make them interactive and user-friendly.
• Game Apps: $80,000 – $150,000 for 2D games and $150,000 – 500,000 for 3D games. A gaming app’s visual quality may also have a sway in the cost of developing it. Gaming apps use the services of a developer, a programmer, a designer, a concept artist, and an animator.
• User Productivity Apps: $15,000 – $30,000. Dropbox is an example of a user productivity mobile app.
• Basic Informational Website: $2,000 – $10,000
• Ecommerce Website: $5,000 – $50,000
• Community Website: $15,000 – $50,000
• Marketplace Website: $50,000 – $300,000
• Listing Site: $20,000 – $50,000
• Custom Software: $250,000 or more

Top Software Development Companies in Singapore

Here are some of the best and highest-rated software developers in the city-state:

Summary

The above software development companies are among the very best in Singapore. Before hiring, it is vital that you conduct in-depth background checks on all your candidates to understand them better.