I ship mobile apps for Rails businesses
I've shipped 25+ mobile apps for clients large and small. Here's how I can help you bring your Rails business to iOS and Android.
Worked with:
37signals · GoRails · The StoryGraph · ClickFunnels · The Conversation · Huntress · Every
Mobile Playbook
For teams not sure what to build yet
I tell you what to build, in what order, and with which tradeoffs, before you write a line of Swift or Kotlin. A kickoff call up front, a week of analysis, and a presentation with the plan your team can hand to anyone.
- Framework: Hotwire Native, native, React Native, or PWA
- Architecture diagram connecting mobile to your Rails app
- App Store opportunity map
- Risk register so you spot landmines before they blow up
- Phased build plan your team can hand to anyone
Typically 1 week · Starting at $2,995
Build
For teams ready to build
I ship your iOS and Android apps end-to-end, so you don't have to hire a mobile team. Your Rails codebase does the heavy lifting, saving time and money on a parallel mobile build, and I handle everything with Apple and Google.
- iOS and Android apps built on your Rails codebase
- Native code where it counts: camera, push, offline
- App Store and Google Play submission
- Apple and Google communication, including rejection appeals
- Codebases your team owns and maintains
- 30 days of post-launch support
Typically 2-4 months · Starting at $25k
Advisory Retainer
For teams building their own app
Ship your own mobile app with me in your corner. Reviews, calls, and pattern recognition from 30+ apps so your team doesn't learn the hard way.
- Unlimited calls
- PR reviews on your iOS and Android code
- Mockups and architecture sketches
- Pattern recognition from 30+ Hotwire Native apps shipped
- Quarterly cadence, renew when it's working
Starting at $10k/quarter
Maintenance Retainer
For teams with an app already live
I keep your iOS and Android apps healthy so your team can stay focused on the web product. Monthly releases, bug fixes, and the Apple and Google work you don't want to deal with.
- iOS, Android, and Hotwire Native version updates
- Native bug fixes and PRs to your Rails codebase
- All Apple and Google communication
- Monthly app releases
- 2-day response time
Starting at $10k/quarter
Case studies
Build
Exodus
Marketing now ships pricing experiments without ever opening Xcode. 3 repeat engagements.
Read
Advisory Retainer
The StoryGraph
A tighter native feel on iOS and Android without expanding the team or growing the codebase.
Read
Maintenance Retainer
Equipe
The team hasn't context-switched into mobile in months, and Equipe has renewed quarter over quarter.
Read
Common questions
- What's the bus factor on a one-person consultancy?
- At the end of a Build, your team owns the codebase, and my book teaches the patterns I use. Advisory keeps me in the loop after delivery if you want it. You don't depend on me to keep the app running.
- Will Hotwire Native really feel native enough?
- Yes for most apps. Basecamp, HEY, ONCE, Strety, and Exodus all run on it, with native sheets, transitions, push, in-app purchases, and Critical Alerts where it matters. Web-driven where it's faster to iterate, and native where users notice.
- What's the difference between Advisory and Maintenance?
- Advisory is for teams building it themselves who want a second set of eyes on the decisions, with reviews, calls, and mockups. Maintenance is for teams whose app is live and just needs to stay that way, with releases, bug fixes, and App Store work. Same quarterly cadence, different jobs.
- Could we just read your book and figure this out ourselves?
- Plenty of teams do. That's what the book and newsletter are for. Consulting is for teams that want to skip the months of trial and error on Critical Alerts, in-app purchases, App Store rejections, and the Android edge cases.
“Joe is the person to go to for Hotwire Native guidance and expertise. Joe has been instrumental in building the Hotwire Native libraries with the team at 37signals.”
“Working with Joe was an absolute pleasure – his expertise and collaborative spirit made him a standout partner. He seamlessly helped us build native apps the Rails way with Hotwire Native.”
“Joe was a fantastic partner. He brought thoughtful documentation, quick turnaround on issues, and a calm confidence that made the whole process feel smooth.”
