Hire CodeIgniter developers to keep your PHP app alive
CodeIgniter developers who can read your old CI3 code, fix it safely, upgrade to CodeIgniter 4 and add features without a rewrite. Monthly or fixed scope.
CodeIgniter powers a lot of Indian business software built between 2012 and 2020: billing tools, school portals, lead trackers, small ERPs. They still earn money, and the original developer is often gone. When you hire CodeIgniter developers, you are usually asking someone to understand an app nobody documented and keep it running.
That is work we do carefully. We start with a read-only review, set up a staging copy and make small changes you can test. If a rewrite is truly the sensible choice, we say so with reasons. If it is not, we say that too. Nothing is hidden: you see the code, the plan and the cost at each step.
Problems when you hire CodeIgniter developers
CI3 code on a PHP version it was not written for
Older CodeIgniter 3 projects can throw warnings or fail when the host moves to a newer PHP release. We test on a copy, patch the deprecated calls and plan the version move before your host forces it.
Missing security basics
Old apps may skip input escaping, use weak password hashing or store files without checks. We run a focused review for SQL injection, cross-site scripting and upload handling, and fix the findings first.
One person holds all the knowledge
If the app lives on one laptop or a single shared host with no version control, any failure is serious. We move code to a repository and set up backups before touching features.
Pressure to rewrite from scratch
Some vendors push a full rewrite because it brings a bigger invoice. A staged move to CodeIgniter 4, module by module, often costs less and keeps users working throughout.
What CodeIgniter developers can do for your application
Maintenance and bug fixing
Reproduce the fault on a staging copy, fix it and record what changed. Suitable as a monthly arrangement for apps that need a steady hand.
CodeIgniter 3 to 4 migration
We map routes, models and libraries, then migrate in stages so the live system stays online. Time depends on size and custom libraries, so it is quoted after a discovery call.
New modules on a working app
Add a new report, role or payment option without disturbing existing flows. We write small tests around the area we change.
Security review and hardening
Check forms, sessions, file uploads and database queries, and patch what we find. You receive a plain list of issues and fixes, not a scare report.
API layer for a mobile app
Expose existing logic through a JSON API so a Flutter or React Native app can use it. Authentication and rate limits are designed in, not added later.
Reports, GST invoices and exports
GST-compliant invoices, Excel and PDF exports, and scheduled emails. Common needs for Indian trading and service businesses.
How a CodeIgniter engagement runs
Discover
We get a copy of the code and database, check the PHP and MySQL versions and list what breaks. Nothing is changed on your live server at this stage.
Define
We agree whether the job is maintenance, an upgrade or a new module, and fix a monthly scope or a written quote. Backups and a rollback plan are part of the agreement.
Design
For new screens we sketch the change on paper first, so staff who use the app daily can correct us before code is written.
Build
We work on a staging copy in version control, with each change reviewed and tested before it reaches your live system.
Ship & extend
We release in a quiet hour, watch the logs and document what we did. One month of support follows, and monthly maintenance can continue.
What it costs
Maintenance is usually a monthly engagement, and upgrades or new modules get a fixed written quote once we have reviewed the code. A website care plan starts at ₹3,750 per month for simpler sites.
- Size and condition of the existing code
- Target PHP and CodeIgniter versions
- Whether tests and documentation exist
- Hosting changes needed
- Number of new modules or integrations
All prices exclude 18% GST. See also website costs and app costs.
Questions we get asked
Can you work on code another developer wrote?
Yes, that is the most common request. We begin with a read-only review and a staging copy, then fix issues in small, tested steps. You get notes on what is risky before we promise any dates.
Is CodeIgniter 3 still safe to run?
It can be, if the code is reviewed and the server is kept updated, but it receives few changes now. For anything handling payments or personal data, we recommend a planned move to CodeIgniter 4.
How long does a CI3 to CI4 upgrade take?
It depends on the number of controllers, custom libraries and third-party packages. A small app is far quicker than a large one. We cannot give an honest figure until we see the code, so it is quoted after a discovery call.
Do we own the code after you work on it?
Yes. Everything we write or change belongs to you, and we ask that the repository sits in your account. We do not keep copies behind a licence or hold files for ransom. Everything is written into the agreement, so nothing relies on memory or goodwill.
Can you also move our hosting?
Yes. We can shift from shared hosting to a VPS, set up backups and SSL, and check cron jobs and email sending. We document each setting so your next developer is not guessing. Everything is written into the agreement, so nothing relies on memory or goodwill.
What if our app has no documentation at all?
That is normal. We build a short map of routes, tables and scheduled tasks while we work, and hand it to you. It becomes the first real document the application has had. Everything is written into the agreement, so nothing relies on memory or goodwill.
Ready to scope it?
Tell us what you want to build. You get a fixed written quote after a free discovery call.