How much does it cost to build an app in the UK?

The short answer

One-off custom app quotes in the UK can range from about £2,950 to well over £100,000, depending on the studio, scope and delivery model. A focused first version may fall between £2,950 and £10,000; agency projects can reach £20,000 to £60,000 or more. These are wider-market budget examples. Appro builds are a fixed price, from £2,495 + VAT, agreed before development starts (see pricing). Compare what each quote includes, including design, development, testing, launch and ongoing support.

Why the same app gets such different quotes

The app is not the only cost; the team and process around it matter too. An agency quote may cover a project manager, designers, developers and a separate testing team. Some projects need that structure. Working directly with a smaller studio can reduce coordination and overhead, but the right comparison is still the agreed scope, delivery responsibilities and ongoing support. A lower headline price does not by itself establish better value.

What actually drives the price up

Four things move the number more than anything else. Features: a six-screen app with one core job is a small build; add user accounts, payments, bookings and a backend and you have roughly doubled it. Platforms: iOS and Android requirements affect scope, testing and release work. The cost depends on the technology and features involved; it does not automatically double. We agree the platforms and launch scope as part of your one-off build package before development starts. Integrations: connecting to an existing CRM, booking system or payment provider adds days, not hours. And design: a bespoke design from your brand costs more than a template, but it is also the difference between an app your customers keep and one they delete.

What the pricing pages leave out

Three costs sit outside the build quote. Apple charges £79 a year for a developer account. Any app with accounts or data needs hosting, usually £10 to £50 a month early on. And every app needs maintenance — iOS updates land annually, bugs surface, and users expect improvements. Budget roughly 15–20% of the build cost per year, or a fixed monthly care plan. Whoever you choose, ask what happens after launch before you sign.

Agency vs freelancer vs app builder

App builders (the £30-a-month template tools) are the lowest-cost entry, but you rent the app forever, it looks like everyone else's, and you cannot leave with your code. Freelancers cost less and can be excellent, but you are betting on one person's availability and there is often no design, no App Store handling and no support once they move on. Agencies give you process and headcount at a price that only makes sense above £20,000. A founder-led studio sits in between: one accountable person, design and App Store submission included, fixed pricing, and source code you own. For most UK businesses building a first app, that middle option is where the value is.

How to budget sensibly

Decide the one job your app must do well, and build the first release around it. Our MVP app development starts with a focused scope. We agree the project price before development begins and set out hosting and ongoing support separately. New features and larger changes are quoted for approval before work starts.

Before requesting quotes, use our app development brief template to set out your first release, integrations and open questions. It gives each developer the same scope to estimate.

Related: see startup MVP app development and custom business app development.