The Honest Answer
App development costs vary enormously depending on what you need. You will see quotes ranging from a few hundred pounds to hundreds of thousands. The key is understanding what drives these costs so you can make informed decisions about your project.
What Affects the Price?
Complexity of Features
A simple informational app costs far less than one with user accounts, payments, real-time updates, and third-party integrations. Each feature adds development time and testing requirements.
Design Requirements
Custom illustrations, animations, and unique interfaces take longer to create than using standard components. Beautiful design is valuable, but it comes at a cost.
Platform Coverage
Building for both iOS and Android using cross-platform technology (like React Native) is more cost-effective than building two separate native apps. We recommend cross-platform for most businesses.
Backend Infrastructure
Apps that need to store data, manage users, or process payments require server infrastructure. This adds both initial development cost and ongoing running costs.
Our Pricing Structure
We offer transparent package pricing to help you budget effectively:
Website Development
- Starter (£500) - Professional single-page or small multi-page website. Perfect for establishing your online presence. 2-4 weeks.
- Growth (£1,000) - Full business website with multiple pages, contact forms, and SEO optimisation. 4-6 weeks.
- Premium (£2,000) - Advanced website with custom features, integrations, and premium design. 6-8 weeks.
Mobile App Development
- Starter (£750) - Essential mobile app with core features for both iOS and Android. 6-8 weeks.
- Growth (£1,500) - Feature-rich app with user accounts, notifications, and integrations. 8-10 weeks.
- Premium (£3,000) - Full-featured app with advanced functionality and premium experience. 10-14 weeks.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Beyond the initial build, budget for these ongoing costs:
- App Store fees - Apple charges £79/year for a developer account. Google charges a one-time £21 fee.
- Hosting and servers - If your app needs a backend, expect £10-50/month for basic hosting.
- Maintenance and updates - Apps need regular updates for security and compatibility. Budget 10-20% of initial cost annually.
- Marketing - Building the app is just the start. You will need to promote it to get users.
How to Get the Best Value
Start with an MVP
A Minimum Viable Product includes only the essential features. Launch with the basics, gather user feedback, then add features based on what people actually want. This approach saves money and reduces risk.
Prioritise Features
Make a list of everything you want, then divide it into must-have and nice-to-have. Build the must-haves first. You can always add more features later.
Be Clear About Requirements
The more clearly you can describe what you need, the more accurate the quote will be. Vague requirements lead to scope creep and cost overruns.
Getting a Quote
We provide free, no-obligation consultations where we discuss your needs and give you a clear quote. We will be honest about what you actually need versus what might be overkill for your situation.