The honest version: what drives app cost, what a first version realistically takes, and the running costs that never appear in the initial quote.
Every app quote is a guess until scope is defined. This page explains what moves the number, so you can judge whether a quote you've been given is sensible.
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UK app development cost is driven by scope rather than platform. The number of user roles, screens, integrations and compliance requirements determines the budget far more than whether you build for iOS, Android or both. Ongoing costs — hosting, developer accounts, OS updates and store policy maintenance — continue every year after launch and belong in any honest quote.
| Apple Developer Program | $99 per year. |
|---|---|
| Google Play Console | $25 one-off registration. |
| Store commission | Apple and Google take a commission on in-app digital purchases; physical goods and services sold outside the app are generally exempt. |
| Biggest cost driver | Number of distinct user roles and the screens each one needs. |
| Second biggest | Custom backend and third-party integrations. |
| Ongoing annual cost | Hosting, monitoring, third-party services and maintenance releases to keep pace with iOS and Android updates. |
| Cross-platform effect | One codebase for both stores removes a second build and a second maintenance stream. |
| What we won't do | Quote a number before scope is defined. Anyone who does is guessing. |
Cost is driven by scope, not by platform. The number of distinct user types, screens and integrations does far more to the budget than whether the app is iOS, Android or both.
The five biggest cost drivers, in order: how many user roles the app supports; whether it needs a custom backend or can use off-the-shelf services; how many third-party systems it integrates with; whether payments and regulated data are involved; and how much of the design already exists.
The other half of the picture is ongoing cost. Apps are not a one-off purchase — OS releases, store policy changes, security patches and hosting all continue after launch, and any quote that ignores them is incomplete.
Every engagement is built around measurable commercial impact — from revenue and leads to retention, efficiency and operational scale.
User roles, screens and states — not platform choice — are what move an app budget most.
Every external system (CRM, payments, ERP, booking, mapping) adds build and testing time.
Health, financial and children's data bring extra requirements that carry real cost.
Hosting, monitoring, developer accounts, third-party services, OS and policy maintenance.
The first three months after launch usually produce the most valuable work — budget for it.
We scope in stages so you fund the next phase with evidence from the last one.
You need a defensible number for a board, an investor or your own decision.
Two quotes far apart usually means two different scopes, not two different prices.
Tell us the budget and we'll tell you honestly what fits inside it — or that it doesn't.
Cheap builds usually reappear as a rebuild within eighteen months.
A free call to establish users, features, integrations and constraints.
Every feature listed and sized, with must-have and later clearly separated.
Build cost by phase, plus ongoing running costs stated up front.
Build the MVP boundary we agreed, to the quoted number.
Real usage tells you what to fund next, instead of a guess made before launch.
Tell us what the app needs to do and we'll come back with a scoped feature list, a realistic timeline to App Store and Google Play approval, and an itemised cost — including what it costs to run, not just to build.
In order: the number of distinct user roles, whether a custom backend is needed, how many third-party integrations are involved, whether payments or regulated data are in scope, and how much design already exists.
Sometimes. Launching one platform reduces initial spend and testing, but if you know you need both, a cross-platform build is usually cheaper over the life of the app than two sequential native builds.
Hosting and backend services, third-party APIs, the Apple Developer Program at $99 per year, monitoring tools, and maintenance work to keep pace with annual OS releases and store policy changes.
They take a commission on in-app digital purchases and subscriptions. Physical goods and services delivered outside the app are generally exempt, which materially changes the economics depending on what you sell.
Almost always because the scopes differ, not the prices. Compare what each quote actually includes — design, backend, testing, store submission, post-launch support — before comparing numbers.
Yes. Tell us the budget and we will tell you honestly what fits inside it, or that it doesn't, rather than starting a build we know will run out of money.
Because any number given before scope is defined is a guess, and guessed numbers end in change requests. A short scoping call gets you a real, itemised figure.
Our app development services work together as an integrated growth system. Explore how each service strengthens your overall strategy.
Each platform, stage and budget question has its own page, because the answers genuinely differ. Start wherever your project is.
Swift and SwiftUI apps built for iPhone and iPad, submitted and approved on the Apple App Store.
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ViewOS updates, store policy changes, monitoring, fixes and a roadmap of releases after launch.
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