How much does it cost to develop a mobile app in the UK?

Mobile app development costs are one of the biggest unknowns for businesses with a great idea. Prices range from a few thousand pounds to six figures, which is not much help when you are trying to plan a budget. This guide gives you realistic UK figures for 2026, shows you exactly what makes one app cost ten times more than another, explains the ongoing costs people forget, and helps you keep the bill under control — including the honest question of whether you need a native app at all.

UK app development price ranges

• Simple app (one platform, core features): £10,000–£25,000. A focused mobile app that does one job well.
• Mid-range app (iOS and Android, accounts, payments): £25,000–£60,000. User logins, a back-end database, push notifications and payment handling.
• Complex app (real-time features, integrations, large user base): £60,000+. The kind of app that is the product, not just a companion to it.

Native, cross-platform or web app?

How your app is built has a big effect on cost. A native app is built separately for iOS and Android, which gives the best performance but roughly doubles the build. A cross-platform app shares one codebase across both, often cutting cost while covering both stores. And a web app runs in the browser with nothing to download at all. The right choice depends on what your app needs to do — we will always recommend the most cost-effective route that still does the job.

What drives app cost up

Supporting two platforms instead of one

Building for both iOS and Android costs more than launching on one first. Many businesses launch on the platform most of their customers use, prove the idea, then add the second once it is earning.

The back end

Most apps need a server and database behind them, which is really a web application in its own right. This invisible half of the project is often where much of the cost sits, and it is easy to underestimate.

Features

Payments, messaging, maps, live updates and offline use each add development and testing time. A simple, focused feature set is the single best way to keep costs sensible.

Design and testing

A smooth, reliable app needs proper design and testing on real devices — cutting corners here is exactly what leads to crashes and one-star reviews.

The ongoing costs people forget

The build is only part of the picture. Budget also for:

• Hosting for the back end that powers the app.
• App-store fees — small annual developer accounts for Apple and Google.
• Updates to keep up with new versions of iOS and Android each year.
• Improvements as users give feedback and you add features.

An app is a living product, not a one-off purchase, so planning for upkeep from the start avoids nasty surprises later.

Do you even need a native app?

Plenty of businesses ask for an app when a fast, mobile-friendly website or web app would do the same job for less — and without the cost and hassle of app-store approval. Before you commit, it is worth checking your current site passes Google's mobile-friendly test. A native app earns its cost when you genuinely need phone features such as the camera, GPS or reliable push notifications, or when customers will use it regularly enough to download and keep it.

How to keep app costs under control

The smartest way to manage cost is to launch a focused first version, get it into users' hands, and build from there based on real feedback — rather than paying to build every idea up front. This "start small, grow with evidence" approach spreads the cost and makes sure every pound after launch is aimed at something people actually want. Government-backed advice for growing businesses is available through the Business Support Helpline if you need a steer.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there such a huge range in app prices?

Because "an app" covers everything from a simple information tool to a full platform with payments, messaging and live data. The features, the number of platforms and the back end behind it are what move the price.

Is it cheaper to build for iOS or Android first?

Building for one platform first is cheaper than both at once. Which one depends on where your customers are — we will help you check before you commit.

Do I need to pay for the app stores too?

Yes, there are small ongoing developer-account fees for Apple and Google, plus app-store review when you publish or update. We handle the technical side of getting you live.

What ongoing costs should I expect after launch?

Budget for hosting the back end, occasional updates to keep up with new phone operating systems, and any improvements you add as users give feedback.

Could a web app save me money compared with a native app?

Often, yes. If you do not need deep phone features, a web app covers every device with one build and no app-store approval, which can be considerably cheaper.

Get a realistic quote for your app

We build mobile apps and the systems behind them for businesses across the UK. Tell us your idea and we will give you an honest, no-obligation estimate — including whether an app is the right call at all.