Ask HN: Should we open source an iOS app?

We make a product that provides a web service and companion apps for iOS and Android. Money is a problem and we are trying to prioritize what to work on and avoid dumping more money where we cannot afford it.

There is debate on if we should open source our iOS app because it's the most expensive thing in terms of hiring others. Without giving away too many details we integrate with a part of the iOS API that isn't very well documented and we've hired lots of people who have not added value to the product in this area and don't want to pay for people to learn this API. Posts on the Apple developer forums seem to indicate it's one of the bigger tarpits in the space. FWIW it also cannot be tested in the simulator.

The iOS and Android apps aren't part of our secret sauce, as that lives in the web service, so we aren't worried about someone "stealing" our code. However, I don't see a clear incentive they have to contribute.

Thank you!