App Development Cost Calculator UK (2026)
Shyam Singh
Last Updated on: 22 October 2026
Want to calculate what your app will cost to build in the UK? As a guide, simple apps cost around £10,000 to £40,000, medium apps £40,000 to £100,000 and complex apps £100,000 or more. Use the four steps below to estimate your own budget from your platforms, features, design and team, then turn it into an accurate quote.
1. How to Calculate Your App Cost in 4 Steps
Step 1: Choose your platforms (base cost)
| Platforms | Base cost (set-up, structure, release) |
|---|---|
| One platform (iOS or Android) | £6,000 – £10,000 |
| iOS and Android, cross-platform (Flutter or React Native) | £8,000 – £14,000 |
| iOS and Android, two native apps | £14,000 – £24,000, and features cost roughly 1.6 times more |
Step 2: Add your features
Add the cost range for each feature you need from the feature cost table below.
Step 3: Adjust for design and project costs
- Standard design: no change
- Custom design: add about 15%
- Premium design with custom animations: add about 30%
- Discovery, testing and project management: add about 20%
Step 4: Adjust for your team
- UK-based team (around £60 – £120 an hour): no change
- Blended UK and offshore team (around £25 – £50 an hour): roughly 45% less
2. App Development Costs at a Glance (UK, 2026)
| App type | Examples | Typical cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple app or MVP | Content, booking or loyalty app with login and admin | £10,000 – £40,000 | 2 – 4 months |
| Medium app | Ordering, marketplace or member app with payments and integrations | £40,000 – £100,000 | 4 – 7 months |
| Complex app | Fintech, healthcare, on-demand or social platforms with real-time features | £100,000+ | 7 – 12 months+ |
Indicative UK ranges excluding VAT. For a detailed breakdown, read our mobile app development cost guide.
3. App Development Cost by Feature
| Feature | Typical cost range |
|---|---|
| User accounts and login | £1,500 – £4,000 |
| Push notifications | £1,000 – £2,500 |
| Payments and checkout | £3,000 – £8,000 |
| Subscriptions or in-app purchases | £2,000 – £5,000 |
| In-app chat | £4,000 – £10,000 |
| Video or voice calls | £6,000 – £15,000 |
| Maps, location or live tracking | £3,000 – £10,000 |
| Bookings or scheduling | £3,000 – £8,000 |
| Admin dashboard | £5,000 – £15,000 |
| Integrations with CRM, ERP or other APIs | £3,000 – £12,000 |
| AI features | £8,000 – £25,000 |
| Offline mode and sync | £3,000 – £8,000 |
Ranges for a UK-based team, before design and project overheads.
4. What Affects App Development Cost in the UK
Platforms
Building iOS and Android from one codebase with Flutter or React Native is usually much cheaper than two native apps. See our cross-platform app development services.
Features and complexity
Real-time features (chat, tracking, video), payments, AI and complex integrations add the most cost.
Design
Custom, polished design costs more but improves usability and conversion. See our UI/UX app design cost guide.
Admin and back end
Most apps need a web dashboard and server to manage users, content and orders, which is often a significant share of the budget.
Security and compliance
Apps handling health, financial or children's data need extra security, testing and UK GDPR work.
5. UK, Freelance and Offshore Rates
| Who builds it | Typical hourly rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| UK agency | £60 – £120 | Full projects with design, testing and project management |
| UK freelancer | Varies widely by experience | Small, well-defined tasks |
| Blended UK and offshore team | £25 – £50 | Lower cost with UK-hours coordination |
Need developers to join your team instead? See hire mobile app developers.
Share your idea and your rough estimate. We'll turn it into a scoped feature list and an itemised GBP quote.
Get a free app quote6. Cost by Type of App
| App type | Typical cost | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce and shopping apps | £25,000 – £80,000 | Ecommerce costs |
| Restaurant ordering and loyalty apps | £15,000 – £80,000 | Restaurant apps |
| Dating apps | £25,000 – £100,000+ | Dating app costs |
| Social and community apps | £25,000 – £120,000+ | Social apps |
| On-demand and booking apps | £30,000 – £100,000 | App development |
| Healthcare and fintech apps | £50,000 – £200,000+ | Custom software |
Building web software rather than a mobile app? See our software development cost guide.
7. Running Costs After Launch
- Maintenance and updates: typically 15 – 20% of the build cost each year, covering iOS and Android updates, fixes and security.
- Hosting and back end: from tens to hundreds of pounds a month, rising with users.
- Third-party services: payments, SMS, maps, chat and email, often priced by usage.
- App store fees: the Apple Developer Program costs £79 a year, and Google Play has a one-off US$25 registration fee. Stores also take a commission on digital purchases sold inside apps.
- Marketing: budget separately for launch and user acquisition.
8. How to Reduce App Development Cost
- Start with an MVP covering the core journey, then add features based on feedback. See our MVP development services.
- Build cross-platform unless you need deep native features.
- Use proven services for login, payments, chat and notifications.
- Prepare content and decisions early to avoid delays.
- Consider a blended team with UK-hours management.
9. How to Get an Accurate App Quote
Share a short brief covering:
- Who the app is for and the main problem it solves
- Your must-have features for launch
- Platforms (iOS, Android, web) and any admin needs
- Systems to integrate
- Apps you like and why
- Budget range and launch date
Ask each supplier for an itemised quote showing features, design, testing, project management, VAT, running costs and who owns the code. Looking for a partner? See our app development company in the UK.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to develop an app in the UK?
As a guide, a simple app or MVP typically costs £10,000 to £40,000, a medium app with payments and integrations £40,000 to £100,000, and a complex app £100,000 or more. Follow the four steps on this page to estimate your own budget from your platforms, features, design and team.
How can I calculate my app development cost?
Start with a base cost for your platforms, add a cost range for each feature, then adjust for design, project management and your team. This gives a realistic budget range; for an exact price, request an itemised quote based on your detailed requirements.
What is the cheapest way to build an app?
Start with an MVP covering only the core journey, build for iOS and Android from one codebase with Flutter or React Native, and use proven services for login, payments and notifications.
How long does it take to build an app?
Simple apps usually take 2 to 4 months, medium apps 4 to 7 months, and complex apps 7 to 12 months or more, depending on features, integrations and approvals.
Are there app store fees?
Yes. The Apple Developer Program costs £79 a year, and Google Play has a one-off registration fee of US$25. Apple and Google also take a commission on digital goods and subscriptions sold inside apps.
How much does it cost to maintain an app?
Plan for around 15 to 20 percent of the build cost each year for updates, fixes and security, plus hosting and third-party services.
Is it cheaper to hire a UK freelancer or an agency?
Freelancers can be cheaper for small tasks, but a full app usually needs design, development, testing and project management. An agency or blended UK and offshore team provides all of these under one contract.
Do these app cost estimates include VAT?
No. Estimates exclude VAT. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim VAT charged by their supplier.
Fulminous Software is a London-headquartered app development company. Send us your idea and we'll recommend the right first version, with an itemised GBP quote and full code ownership.
Get your free app quote Read the full cost guide
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Expert in Software & Web App Engineering
I am Shyam Singh, Founder of Fulminous Software Private Limited, headquartered in London, UK. We are a leading software design and development company with a global presence in the USA, Australia, the UK, and Europe. At Fulminous, we specialize in creating custom web applications, e-commerce platforms, and ERP systems tailored to diverse industries. My mission is to empower businesses by delivering innovative solutions and sharing insights that help them grow in the digital era.
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