It's the first question almost every founder asks us, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you're building. But "it depends" isn't much help when you're planning a budget or pitching investors, so here's how app pricing actually works, with real ranges you can plan around.
Free toolApp Development Cost CalculatorGet an instant estimate for your own idea in under a minute.The short answer
For a professionally built app from a UK development team, most projects fall into one of three bands:
| Type of project | Typical budget | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Focused MVP (one platform, core features) | £12,000 – £30,000 | 8 – 12 weeks |
| Full production app (payments, admin, integrations) | £30,000 – £60,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Complex platform (multiple apps, real-time, AI) | £60,000+ | 6 months + |
These are planning ranges, not quotes. Two apps that look similar on the surface can differ hugely in what happens behind the screen.
What actually drives the cost
1. Platforms
A web app, an iOS and Android app, or all three? Cross-platform frameworks like React Native let one team build both mobile apps from a shared codebase, which is usually far cheaper than building two separate native apps. Adding a web version on top increases cost, but much of the design and backend work is shared.
2. Features
Features are where budgets grow. A few that consistently add significant effort:
- Payments and subscriptions: secure checkout, refunds, receipts and edge cases.
- Real-time features: live tracking, chat or notifications that update instantly.
- Admin dashboards: the internal tools your team uses to run the product.
- AI features: assistants, smart search or automation, plus the testing they need to be reliable.
- Integrations: connecting to your CRM, ERP, accounting or logistics systems.
3. Design quality
A clean, simple interface costs less than a premium, animated experience with a custom design system. Both can be excellent. The right choice depends on your audience and how much your brand relies on the product feeling special.
4. Who builds it
Freelancers, offshore agencies, UK agencies and in-house teams all price very differently. The cheapest quote can become the most expensive option if the code has to be rebuilt later. Ask every supplier about testing, code ownership and what happens after launch.
Don't forget the running costs
Launching is the beginning, not the end. Budget for:
- Hosting and services: servers, databases, email, maps and other APIs.
- App store fees: Apple charges an annual developer fee, and both stores take a commission on some in-app purchases.
- Maintenance and improvements: a sensible rule of thumb is 15–20% of the build cost per year to keep the app secure, compatible with new phones and improving.
Questions to ask before you hire a team
- Who owns the code and designs at the end of the project?
- Will I see working software regularly, or only at the end?
- How do you test the app before it goes live?
- What does support look like after launch?
- Can you show me apps you've built that are live today?
The bottom line
A realistic budget for a quality first version is usually £12,000 to £30,000, with full production platforms typically £30,000 to £60,000 or more. The best way to get a precise number is a short discovery conversation, where a good team will help you trim the scope to what really matters.
If you'd like a fixed, no-obligation quote for your idea, get in touch with our team. We'll reply within one business day.
