Researched agency ranking
Best Growth Marketing Agencies for Mobile Apps (2026)
9 growth marketing agencies compared on app experience, pricing and reviews, picked from the 14 we track for mobile apps, 8 of which list apps as a vertical.
- Agencies reviewed
- 14
- Median minimum
- $10,000/mo
- Typical hourly rate
- $150–$199
- Offer AI search
- 36%
On this page
- Quick answer
- Key takeaways
- Comparison table
- The 9 best growth marketing agencies for mobile apps
- Best growth marketing agency for mobile apps by need
- How much growth marketing agencies for mobile apps cost
- How we ranked them
- How to choose a growth marketing agency for mobile apps
- Agency vs freelancer vs in-house
- What a growth marketing agency for mobile apps does
- FAQ
- More agencies
- Related rankings
Which growth marketing agency for mobile apps is best?
The best growth marketing agencies for mobile apps in 2026 are Moburst for full-service app growth, Admiral Media for paid user acquisition with in-house creative, App Guardians for acquisition, ASO and retention, Phiture for ASO and CRM strategy and AppAgent for mobile games. UltraGrowthMedia is the pick for teams that want SEO, outbound and AI search from one accountable team. Eight of the 14 agencies we track list mobile apps clients, and the median minimum is $10,000 a month.
Key takeaways
- 8 of the 14 agencies in our directory list mobile apps clients, and six of them are app-led specialists, so the best growth marketing agency for mobile apps is now a clear category. Two adjacent picks cover consumer tech where you need broader channels.
- The median minimum engagement is $10,000 a month, and 57% of the agencies we track sit in the premium tier above $5,000; Phiture and AppAgent list $25,000.
- The most common hourly band is $150 to $199, quoted by 55% of the 11 agencies that publish rates, and Phiture lists $200 to $300.
- 36% of these agencies offer AI search work (AEO or GEO), and several of the app-led specialists list app store optimisation, which is the app-specific discovery channel to ask about.
- Apps live and die on retention. Prefer agencies that cover lifecycle messaging and measure payback by cohort, not just installs.
Best growth marketing agencies for mobile apps compared
| # | Agency | Best for | Min. budget | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moburst | Overall for full-service app growth | $5,000 | ★4.9 (44) |
| 2 | Admiral Media | Paid UA with in-house ad creative | $5,000 | ★4.9 (49) |
| 3 | UltraGrowthMedia | Growth across SEO, outbound and AI search | $3,000 | ★4.9 |
| 4 | App Guardians | UA, ASO and retention in one team | $10,000 | ★4.8 (30) |
| 5 | Phiture | ASO, CRM and mobile growth strategy | $25,000 | ★4.9 (21) |
| 6 | AppAgent | Mobile game marketing | $25,000 | ★4.9 (34) |
| 7 | Gummicube | ASO technology and testing | $5,000 | ★5.0 (7) |
| 8 | Demand Curve | Consumer tech option outside app shops | $7,500 | ★4.8 |
| 9 | Right Side Up | Lifecycle and paid together | $10,000 | ★4.8 |
Ratings are public Clutch, G2 or Google averages with review counts in brackets. Minimums are monthly unless stated.
The 9 best growth marketing agencies for mobile apps in 2026
Each agency below leads a specific category. Start with the one that matches your situation rather than reading top to bottom.
#1Best overall for full-service app growth
Moburst
Mobile-first marketing agency for app growth, ASO, paid media and creative
Moburst is a New York agency of 51 to 200, founded in 2013, built on mobile and app store optimisation and now spanning app marketing, media buying, SEO and AEO, conversion optimisation, influencer work and creative production. It names Samsung, Reddit, Uber and Calm in case studies and uses proprietary AI tools for social intent scanning and ad analysis. It holds 4.9 from 44 Clutch reviews and lists a $5,000 minimum.
Notable clients
- Samsung
- Uber
- Calm
- Discovery
- Deezer
Watch out
Its breadth means it is less specialised than app-only user acquisition shops, and some Clutch reviewers noted communication delays.
#2Best for paid UA with in-house ad creative
Admiral Media
Performance marketing and AI creative agency for mobile apps, games and ecommerce
Admiral Media is a Dubai agency of 11 to 50, founded in 2019, that makes the ads and buys the media for mobile apps, games and ecommerce. It covers mobile user acquisition, paid social and search, app store optimisation, CRM and retention, and MMP and incrementality measurement. It names Fastic, NeuroNation, ChatPDF and TIER, and holds 4.9 from 49 Clutch reviews with a $5,000 minimum and AI creative packages priced per ad.
Notable clients
- Fastic
- NeuroNation
- BIGVU
- ChatPDF
- Azar
- Miles
Watch out
Its focus is paid acquisition rather than product positioning, pricing beyond the creative packages is not listed, and the team is spread across time zones.
#3Best for growth across SEO, outbound and AI search
UltraGrowthMedia
Full-stack marketing for ambitious growth-stage brands.
UltraGrowthMedia is one accountable growth team for seed to Series B companies: SEO, content, cold email, LinkedIn outreach and GEO run from a single plan instead of five contractors. Testimonials from the CEOs of Insidea and Cenports praise its responsiveness and organisation, and one client reports a 60% drop in cost per lead within 90 days. Founded in 2022 by Tushar Dey, the 27-person remote team works in weekly sprints, clients talk directly to the practitioners doing the work, and progress shows up on live reporting dashboards. Retainers start at $3,500 a month.
Watch out
It is a newer team, founded in 2022, with few named case studies or third-party reviews, so ask for references and a walkthrough of a live client dashboard before signing.
Run by our team.
#4Best for UA, ASO and retention in one team
App Guardians
Mobile-first advertising and growth agency for app user acquisition, ASO and retention
App Guardians is a Vancouver agency of 11 to 50, founded in 2018, with about 70 percent of its Clutch service mix in app marketing. One team covers paid user acquisition, Apple Search Ads, UGC creative, app store optimisation, retention and subscription revenue, and it publishes case studies with ROAS and install figures. It names Keap, Alma and Amwell, holds 4.8 from 30 Clutch reviews and lists a $10,000 minimum.
Notable clients
- Keap
- ThinkUp
- Alma
- Sentry Parental Control
- Amwell
- Live Well by Zurich
Watch out
Typical projects run $25,000 to $100,000 per Clutch, and some reviewers found creative deliverables such as screenshots weaker than the growth work.
#5Best for ASO, CRM and mobile growth strategy
Phiture
Mobile growth consultancy for app teams across ASO, performance marketing and CRM
Phiture is a Berlin mobile growth consultancy of 51 to 200, founded in 2016, with a published Mobile Growth Stack framework and a mobile-only focus. It combines app store optimisation, performance marketing, retention and CRM, creative and subscription revenue work with proprietary tools. Clutch reviewers name Bumble, Yelp, SoundCloud and Tubi. It holds 4.9 from 21 Clutch reviews, with a $25,000 minimum and an hourly band of $200 to $300.
Notable clients
- Spotify
- KAYAK
- Opera
- Headspace
- Wargaming
- Vevo
Watch out
Clutch cost scores are lower than its other scores, with some reviewers calling it pricey, and pricing is not published on its site.
#6Best for mobile game marketing
AppAgent
Mobile game marketing agency for user acquisition, ASO, creative and monetisation
AppAgent is a Lewes, Delaware agency of 11 to 50, founded in 2016, that works only on mobile games across user acquisition, app store optimisation, creative production and monetisation. Its GamePlan audit gives a clear starting point, and it names Supercell, Scopely and Square Enix, with App Growth Awards wins in 2018, 2020 and 2022 per Clutch. It holds 4.9 from 34 Clutch reviews and lists a $25,000 minimum.
Notable clients
- Supercell
- Scopely
- Goodgame Studios
- Innogames
- 505 Games
- Square Enix
Watch out
It works with games only, so it suits no other app category, and a few reviewers wanted new strategies proposed more often.
#7Best for ASO technology and testing
Gummicube
App store optimisation agency with proprietary ASO technology for apps and games
Gummicube is a San Jose app store optimisation agency, founded in 2010 per Clutch and described on its site as a division of Airship Group. It centres on search and conversion optimisation, A/B testing, Apple Search Ads and proprietary DATACUBE and Splitcube tools, and names Microsoft, LinkedIn, Bethesda and Grubhub. All seven Clutch reviews rate it 5.0, and it lists a $5,000 minimum.
Notable clients
- Microsoft
- Bethesda
- Grubhub
- Gameloft
- McAfee
Watch out
Reviewers say cost can be high for startups, it has only seven Clutch reviews, and its scope is narrower than a full growth agency.
#8Best consumer tech option outside app shops
Demand Curve
Growth agency and training brand for consumer and B2B tech startups
Demand Curve is a growth agency and training brand in San Francisco serving consumer and B2B tech startups. It doesn't list mobile apps as a vertical, but its consumer tech focus, paid marketing, creative, landing pages, AI search and ChatGPT ads suit app launches. Clients include Microsoft, Segment, Framer, Outschool and Feedly. It starts at $7,500 and is rated 4.8, with an operator-led team of 2 to 10.
Notable clients
- Microsoft
- Segment
- Clearbit
- Sentry
- Framer
- Outschool
Watch out
Its startup focus may feel light for enterprise programmes, and demand for the brand can push pricing up.
#9Best for lifecycle and paid together
Right Side Up
Senior growth marketing collective embedded with modern SaaS and DTC brands
Right Side Up is a San Francisco collective of senior marketers covering paid social, paid search, lifecycle, product marketing, product-led growth, SEO and generative engine optimisation. It doesn't list mobile apps, but its consumer-facing clients include Rocket Money, Yelp and Uber. It covers both acquisition and retention. It holds a 4.8 rating and starts at $10,000, with 51 to 200 staff.
Notable clients
- Rocket Money
- Molson Coors
- HoneyBook
- Yelp
- Uber
Watch out
Senior-only staffing brings premium pricing, and it asks more of teams without in-house marketing.
Best growth marketing agency for mobile apps by need
Full-service app growthMoburst
Paid UA with in-house creativeAdmiral Media
SEO, outbound and AI search in one teamUltraGrowthMedia
UA, ASO and retention in one teamApp Guardians
ASO, CRM and growth strategyPhiture
Mobile game marketingAppAgent
ASO technology and testingGummicube
Consumer tech paid growthDemand Curve
Lifecycle and acquisition togetherRight Side Up
How much does a growth marketing agency for mobile apps cost in 2026?
Growth marketing agency pricing for mobile apps skews high because the app specialists serve funded teams and several set high minimums. These figures come from the published minimums of all 14 agencies in this pool and the hourly rates of 11.
| Tier | Monthly minimum | Share of agencies | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Under $1,000/mo | 7% | Early apps testing one channel; usually packaged or offshore work. |
| Mid-market | $1,000 to $5,000/mo | 36% | Apps past launch that need paid, creative and tracking on a steady cadence. |
| Premium | Over $5,000/mo | 57% | Funded apps running multi-channel programmes with dedicated senior staff. |
Source: published minimum budgets of growth marketing agencies for mobile apps in the MakeSuccessOnline directory, October 2026.
Median minimum budget by region
The most common hourly band is $150 to $199 (55% of the 11 agencies that publish rates), followed by $100 to $149 and $25 to $49 (18% each). Phiture lists the top band at $200 to $300.
How we chose the best growth marketing agencies for mobile apps
We started with the 14 growth marketing agencies in the MakeSuccessOnline directory that list mobile apps, tech or SaaS clients and scored each on six criteria. Agencies that list mobile apps clients rank ahead of adjacent tech specialists, and are weighted toward app store optimisation, attribution and retention evidence. We researched each profile from the agency's own site and at least one independent source, such as Clutch, trade press or award listings.
- Consumer tech and app fitExperience with consumer-facing tech and software products that depend on installs, activation and retention.25%
- Proven results and clientsNamed clients and case studies with figures we could trace to a source.20%
- Reviews and reputationClutch and Google ratings, how many reviews sit behind them, and partner status or awards.20%
- Channel breadthCoverage of paid, lifecycle, creative, SEO and conversion testing.15%
- Pricing transparency and valueMinimums or rate bands that are published, compared with what an app team gets for the money.10%
- AI search readinessAEO and GEO capability for apps that want to be recommended by answer engines.10%
Rankings are editorial. Agencies cannot pay to appear on this page or to change their position. Read how we review agencies →
How to choose a growth marketing agency for mobile apps
- Name the metric that mattersInstalls are cheap to buy. Choose between activation, paid subscribers and revenue per user as the target, and brief on that.
- Ask about attributionMobile attribution tools and platform privacy rules change what you can measure. Ask how the agency tracks installs to revenue.
- Ask about app store workMany app specialists here list app store optimisation, while general growth agencies may not. Confirm who owns keywords, screenshots and listing tests, and how results feed into paid campaigns.
- Check consumer proofRequest a case study from a consumer or subscription product, with cohort results rather than install counts.
- Look at lifecycle and retentionPush notifications, email and onboarding often matter more than acquisition. Check the agency covers them.
- Read the contractCheck notice periods, ad account ownership and who keeps creative and landing pages on exit.
Questions to ask
- Which consumer or subscription products have you grown, and what changed in the first six months?
- How do you measure installs, activation and revenue per user across channels?
- Who handles app store listings and optimisation, and which tools do you use?
- How do you balance paid acquisition with lifecycle and retention work?
- How do you test creative, and how often will new ads ship each month?
- How do you report on payback period by cohort rather than cost per install?
Red flags
- Guaranteed installs or a fixed cost per install before seeing your product.
- Reports that stop at installs and never reach retention or revenue.
- Case studies from ecommerce only, with no app or subscription examples.
- Incentivised or low-quality traffic that inflates installs but fails to retain.
- No access to your own ad accounts, analytics or attribution data.
Growth marketing agency for mobile apps vs freelancer vs in-house
| Specialist agency | Freelancer | In-house growth team | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $1,000 to $15,000+/mo | Hourly or project-based; usually lower | Salaries plus tools and ad spend |
| Skills covered | Paid, lifecycle, creative, SEO, reporting | One or two channels | Depends on hires; often generalist |
| Speed to start | 2 to 4 weeks | Days | 2 to 4 months to hire |
| Best for | Apps needing multi-channel growth | Defined projects, tight budgets | Mature apps with steady experiments |
| Main risk | Generalist team that learns your product slowly | Capacity and continuity | Hiring slowly and single points of failure |
What does a growth marketing agency for mobile apps do?
A growth marketing agency for mobile apps is a firm that helps app businesses acquire, activate and keep users through paid media, creative testing, lifecycle messaging, SEO and conversion work. The work focuses on cost per paying user, onboarding and retention rather than installs alone. Many also advise on attribution, app store listings and the experiments that improve payback by cohort.
Growth marketing agency for mobile apps FAQ
What is the best growth marketing agency for mobile apps in 2026?
Moburst is our top pick for full-service app growth, Admiral Media suits paid user acquisition with in-house creative, and App Guardians covers acquisition, ASO and retention in one team. Phiture suits ASO and CRM strategy, and AppAgent suits mobile games. Eight of the 14 agencies we track list mobile apps clients.
How much does a growth marketing agency for mobile apps cost?
The median minimum across the 14 agencies we track is $10,000 a month. About 7% start under $1,000, 36% sit between $1,000 and $5,000, and 57% charge more. App specialists range from Gummicube and Admiral Media at $5,000 to Phiture and AppAgent at $25,000. Ad spend is usually extra and often larger than the agency fee.
How long does growth marketing take to work for a mobile app?
Paid channels can show installs within days and early payback data within four to eight weeks, while SEO and content usually need three to six months. Retention work pays off over cohorts. Ask an agency to set 30, 60 and 90 day goals tied to activation or paying users, not only installs.
How do I choose a growth marketing agency for my app?
Start with agencies that list app clients and ask for case studies with cohort results. Check who handles attribution and app store optimisation, how lifecycle messaging is covered, who staffs the account, and whether reporting reaches revenue per user rather than cost per install. Games, subscriptions and utilities need different specialists.
Do growth marketing agencies handle app store optimisation?
Several do. Moburst, Admiral Media, App Guardians, Phiture, AppAgent and Gummicube all list app store optimisation, and Gummicube treats it as its core craft with proprietary tools. Ask who owns keywords, screenshots and ratings prompts, and how they connect to your paid campaigns. General growth agencies may need a specialist.
Should a mobile app focus on paid acquisition or retention first?
Retention first usually pays back faster, because paid installs that churn waste budget. Fix onboarding and the first week experience, then scale acquisition. App Guardians and Phiture list retention and CRM alongside acquisition, and Right Side Up lists lifecycle work. A good agency will ask about activation and cohorts before proposing spend.
Can growth marketing agencies help my app appear in ChatGPT and AI search?
Some can, and about 36% of the agencies in this pool offer AEO or GEO work, including Moburst, Demand Curve and Right Side Up. It covers clear product pages, comparison content, reviews and third-party mentions. Request examples of citations secured for earlier clients, and walk away from guaranteed-placement pitches.
Should a mobile app hire an agency or build a growth team in-house?
An agency suits apps that need several channels running within a month and cannot yet justify full-time hires. In-house works once you have steady experiments and clear unit economics. Many apps start with an agency for paid and creative, then hire a growth lead and keep specialists for overflow.
More agencies
Well-reviewed agencies that did not make the top list but may suit your market.
Browse all 14 agencies →
About the reviewer
Editor & Reviewer, MakeSuccessOnline
William Harrison is an editor and reviewer at MakeSuccessOnline. Before a ranking goes live, he checks every claim on the page against each agency's own site, its published case studies and independent reviews on Clutch and G2, and cuts anything he can't verify. He also keeps rankings current, rechecking pricing, team details and client lists as agencies change.