App development cost in UK: How much does it cost in 2025?

The app development cost in the UK falls between £15,700 to £198,180. The cost of developing a basic app in the UK is around £23,783 – £47,560, with advance application costing between £158,550 – £198,180+. The cost of app development in the UK depends on various factors. 

They are as follows:

• App Complexity: The number of features required.

• Platform Selection: Developing for iOS, Android, or both impacts cost.

• Design Requirements: Custom UI/UX designs are costlier than standard templates.

• Development Team: Costs vary for freelancers, small teams, or large agencies.

• Developer Location: Rates differ based on onshore or offshore developers.

• Backend Infrastructure: Includes servers, databases, and cloud integration.

• Third-Party Services: Integration of APIs, payment gateways, or other tools.

• Testing and QA: Time spent on ensuring a bug-free and optimized app.

• Maintenance and Updates: Costs for ongoing support and new features.

• Timeframe: Expedited development can increase costs.

Since you now get an overview of the average app development cost, learn more about our app development services in the United Kingdom (UK):

• Android app development UK
• UK iOs app development services

When publishing an app on the App Store and Google Play Store, developers need to create an account and pay a one-time registration fee for Google Play and a yearly fee for the App Store. It is as follows:

Several factors can impact mobile app development costs in the UK. They are as follows: 

The cost of mobile app development cost ranges between  £15,700 to £198,180+ based on the complexity of the app. The complexity of a mobile app significantly impacts its development cost in the UK due to the varying levels of effort, expertise, and resources required. 

A simple app with basic functionality offers limited features, straightforward design, and minimal backend requirements. These apps are quicker to develop and are relatively affordable. However, as complexity increases, so do the costs.  

On the other hand, medium and highly complex apps often require more features like user profiles, real-time updates, and payment gateways. These apps demand advanced coding, rigorous testing, and development teams, including UX/UI designers, backend developers, and quality assurance specialists. 

Additionally, complexity influences maintenance costs. Advanced apps often need regular updates, bug fixes, and scalability enhancements, which add to long-term expenses. Geographical factors also play a role, as hiring skilled developers in the UK typically costs more than outsourcing to other regions.  

Here is a table that showcases the breakdown of the mobile app development cost based on its complexity: 

Based on the type of app, the cost of app development can vary from £15,000 to £50,000. The type of mobile app is a critical factor influencing development costs in the UK, as it dictates the scope of functionality, design complexity, and technical infrastructure required. 

Different app categories serve distinct purposes and target audiences, leading to variations in features, backend requirements, and overall development effort. Hence, you need to understand these factors to ensure your expectations align with the financial and technicality of the project.

Here is a table that shows the cost of app development in the UK based on the type: 

The cost of building an app development can fall between £10,000 - £100,000. An app platform is the operating system or environment on which a mobile application operates. The most popular mobile app platforms are Native, Cross-platform, Hybrid, and Progressive Web Apps.

These platforms serve as the cornerstone for app development, including tools, frameworks, and rules for building apps that integrate smoothly with their respective ecosystems.

The cost of adding features and functionality can vary from £10,000 to £100,000. Features and functionality are the specific capabilities and services that an app offers to its customers. 

Features are visible parts, such as push notifications or user authentication, whereas functionality refers to how these features operate behind the scenes, such as payment processing or geolocation tracking. They work together to establish the app's purpose, user experience, and complexity.

The complexity, amount, and customisation of features have a substantial impact on the cost of app development. Basic features like navigation and login are reasonably priced. However, advanced features such as AI-based suggestions or real-time tracking necessitate more resources, skill, and time, resulting in greater expenses. 

Here are some of the most common features and functionalities an app can have: 

The cost of designing a mobile app in the UK is about £10,000 to £50,000.  Design and layout are the visual and interactive components of a mobile app that consumers interact with. 

This covers the user interface (UI), which consists of buttons, colours, and typography, as well as the user experience (UX), which is concerned with how users traverse the application. 

The app's style and layout establish the first impression and have a direct impact on user satisfaction, retention, and overall functionality. A well-designed program provides a smooth, intuitive experience, but a poor design can impede usage. Some of the factors that impact the cost of design and layout are as follows:

The cost of developing a server and back-end infrastructure varies between £10,000 to £100,000+. Server and back-end infrastructure are the components that handle the logic, data administration, and storage of a mobile app. The back-end consists of the server, database, and the software that runs on them, which provide the app's functions. 

The backend is critical for apps that require user authentication, real-time data synchronization, or access to massive databases (e.g., e-commerce, social media apps, on-demand services). Some of the factors that can impact its cost are as follows:

The cost of adding third-party service and app integration inside an app can cost around  £500 to £5,000 per service. Third-party API integration is the process of linking an app to external services, platforms, or tools using their APIs.  Some of the most common third-party services and API integration are as follows:

Pro Tip: Rather than creating these features from scratch, developers use APIs to access pre-built services and expedite the development process, saving time and resources.

The cost of testing and quality assurance for a mobile app development is between £15,000 and £50,000. Testing and Quality Assurance (QA) are crucial steps in mobile app development to ensure the app functions correctly, is user-friendly, and meets the specified requirements. 

QA and testing involve identifying and fixing bugs, ensuring compatibility across devices and operating systems, and verifying performance under various conditions. Some of the factors that impact the cost of testing and QA are as follows: 

• Types of Testing: Functional testing, performance testing, security testing, and usability testing can all add to the overall cost. More advanced testing (such as automation and load performance) necessitates the use of extra tools and experience.

• Device and OS Compatibility: Apps must be tested across several devices and operating systems. Testing on a variety of devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) incurs significant costs.

• Bug Fixing and Iterations: Identifying and correcting errors during the testing phase is time-consuming. The more bugs that need to be fixed, the higher the expense.

• Quality Standards and Compliance: Apps that require high-security standards (e.g., banking apps) or must fulfill industry-specific compliance (e.g., healthcare apps under HIPAA or GDPR) frequently require additional testing, which raises expenses.

The average maintenance and ongoing cost for a mobile app is between £7,500 and £10,000.  Maintenance and ongoing costs are the expenses incurred in keeping the app updated, secure, and functional after its initial launch. 

These expenditures are crucial to ensuring that the app is bug-free, fulfills user expectations, and adheres to the recent operating system changes. Some of the costs associated with maintenance and ongoing costs are as follows:

When planning app development, it’s essential to understand how platform choice impacts the cost. Below is a breakdown of typical costs for various app types in the UK.

The Android app development costs typically range between £10,000 and £150,000, depending on the app's complexity, functionality, and design. Apps that support numerous devices require more animations or have extensive third-party interfaces, which can increase costs. 

The cost of iOS app development typically ranges between £30,000 and £130,000, depending on the app's functionality and design. iOS apps are frequently less expensive than Android apps due to fewer device differences. Still, advanced features such as payment integration and better animations can raise the price.

Web app development costs between £8,000 to £70,000, depending on the backend systems, third-party connections, and cross-browser compatibility. Web apps often require extensive testing across multiple browsers and devices, increasing the overall development cost.

Flutter app development typically costs between £20,000 to £100,000. The framework's single codebase shortens development time and expenses. However, capabilities such as real-time data processing or platform-specific customizations can still raise the cost.

Blockchain app development is more expensive, with expenses ranging from £5,970 to £10,450 for a simple app and going above £25,000 for complex apps. The cost is determined by the type of blockchain (public or private), its interface with cryptocurrencies, smart contract capabilities, and ongoing maintenance. 

The cost of designing a mobile app varies greatly depending on its use case and capabilities. The following is a breakdown of cost ranges for popular app categories in the UK: 

The cost of establishing a food delivery app varies from £10,000 to £50,000, depending on features such as real-time tracking, payment gateway integration, geolocation, and user profiles. Adding additional features like customer feedback, delivery management, or multi-restaurant support will raise both complexity and cost.

Grocery app development typically costs between £23,780 to £198,180. Order tracking, delivery scheduling, payment gateway connection, and stock management all increase costs. If the program supports many vendors or complicated inventory systems, the cost will increase. 

The cost of real estate apps falls between £20,000 and £70,000 or more with features like property search, listing management, and geolocation. Adding options such as 3D property tours, advanced search filters, agent profiles, and secure payment methods raises the cost. 

Marketplace apps typically range in price from £10,000 to £200,000 or more. Key features such as user profiles, product listings, secure payment gateways, real-time notifications, and customer feedback systems increase development costs. If the program supports numerous categories or contains features such as escrow services, the cost will rise.

Ecommerce app development typically costs between £5,000 to £100,000, depending on aspects such as product volume, payment gateway integration, inventory management, and consumer profiles. Advanced features such as push notifications, product recommendations, loyalty programs, and integrated analytics can increase the cost. 

AI-based app development expenses can range from £23,783 to £198,180+, depending on the level of AI involved. Machine learning models, natural language processing, and predictive analytics have a substantial impact on costs. 

Some of the popular app design and development pricing models in the UK are as follows:

How it Works

 In a project-based pricing approach, the customer and developer agree on a fixed price for the project based on stated criteria, scope, features, and deliverables. This approach works best when the project scope is well-defined beforehand. The project should also not require any modifications throughout the development period. Both the duration and the cost are agreed upon in advance, making it a dependable method for firms with fixed budgets.

Best for

Businesses that require one-off initiatives with clear, well-defined requirements and timelines.

Pros

• Predictable Cost: The price is determined upfront, which makes budgeting easy.

• Clear Deliverables: The scope and milestones are stated at the outset, guaranteeing transparency.

• No Surprises: Because the project cost is fixed, there will be no unexpected price hikes unless the scope changes drastically.

Cons

• Limited Flexibility: Once the project scope has been established, changing revisions or adding additional features can be costly and time-consuming.

• Scope Creep Risk: Any revisions or additions to the initial agreement may incur additional fees.

Typical Cost

£50,000 to £150,000

How it Works

In the hourly pricing model, the developer charges the clients based on the amount of time spent working on app development. Clients are invoiced based on the agreed-upon hourly fee. The fee can vary depending on the developer's competence and location. This model is commonly used for projects whose scope is unknown or can change over time. The total cost is determined by multiplying the hours worked by the hourly rate.

Best for

Ideal for projects with variable needs or continuing adjustments when the entire scope is unknown at the outset.

Pros

• Pay-as-you-go: Clients pay for the actual work completed, which may be less expensive for smaller or less specified projects.

• Transparency: Clients can track the time spent on each activity, making it easy to understand how the budget is being spent.

• No Fixed cost: There are no set costs; if the project scope changes or new features are introduced, clients merely pay for the additional time spent.

Cons

• Uncertain Final Cost: Because the overall cost is determined by the amount of time spent, it might be difficult to estimate the ultimate price in advance.

• Potential for Inefficiency: Developers can take longer to accomplish tasks, increasing expenses.

Typical Cost

 £50 and £150 per hour

How it Works

The value-based pricing model bases the cost of an app based on the perceived value it provides to the client. It does not consider the number of hours invested or the scope of work. Pricing is determined following a discussion of the client's business goals, expected outcomes, and the app's or website's impact on those goals. This can include more income, higher user engagement, or brand recognition. 

Best for

Ideal for high-impact projects with clear business targets and performance indicators.

Pros

• Aligned Incentives: The fee reflects the business value provided. This ensures that both the client and the developer are committed to achieving meaningful outcomes.

• Potentially Larger Profits: If the project greatly enhances the client's business, the developer may demand a higher fee depending on the perceived value.

• Customisation: Pricing can be adapted to the client's individual needs and goals, resulting in a more personalised service.

Cons

• Difficult to Quantify: Since the outcomes are not always predictable, assessing and agreeing on the exact value might be difficult at first.

• Developer Risk: If the project fails to deliver the projected business goals, developers may be paid less than expected.

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• How much does mobile app development cost? 

At Tenet, we help clients choose between freelancers and agencies based on their project needs.

Freelancers work best for focused tasks like UI design or single feature development. They're ideal for small projects and MVPs. But they struggle with large-scale projects or managing multiple features.

Development agencies like us bring complete teams of designers, developers, and project managers. We cost more than freelancers but deliver better coordination for complex projects.

Pick based on your needs: freelancers for small, focused work, or agencies for full-scale development.

Have doubts regarding your app development project? Book a free consultation call with our experts.

Are you ready to launch your app and are looking for the right app development partner? Then, you are at the right place, as we at Tenet have been in the industry for the last 7 

Tenet is a world-renowned UI/UX design and growth marketing company. We have completed more than 450+ projects and worked with more than 300 clients, including 7 Fortune 1000 companies. 

Our company holds a spectacular record of 98% client satisfaction. Still not sure? You can check out reviews from some of our latest reviews below: 

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Our company caters to more than 30 services that provide you with end-to-end solutions for mobile app development. This includes services such as Brand Research, UX Research, Brand Strategy, UI UX Design, Growth Marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and several more. 

Want to know more about our work? You can check out our portfolio to learn about the work we have done before and the type of clients we have worked with before. We are not the cheapest agency in the industry, but when you work with us, we ensure you get value for every penny you spend. 

So, if you wish to discuss your project and know how we can help you more, then book a consultation with us today. Let us bring your vision together!