Guide
What digital marketing actually costs a UK SME
Realistic monthly budgets for SEO, paid ads, content and automation.
Read guideMobile app development
Get in touch about mobile app development for iOS, Android and cross-platform builds — realistic pricing bands for MVPs through to fully featured apps before you brief an agency.
Contact us about app development TrustpilotTrustScore 4.7 | reviews
Ready to compare mobile app development?
Run a full market comparison before you commit. It takes about five minutes and there's no obligation to apply.
How mobile app development works
Mobile app development covers native builds for iOS and Android, cross-platform builds using frameworks like Flutter or React Native, and the backend infrastructure that powers logins, data storage and push notifications behind the scenes.
Cost is driven far more by feature complexity than by the number of screens. A simple booking or loyalty app with a handful of screens can cost a fraction of an app that needs real-time messaging, payment processing or offline functionality, even if both look similarly polished on the surface.
Most UK businesses start with a minimum viable product covering the core use case, then add features once real users have tested it. This reduces upfront risk compared with commissioning every planned feature in one go, and it gives you evidence to justify further investment.
What affects the cost of mobile app development
- Whether the app is native (iOS and Android separately) or cross-platform
- Number and complexity of core features, such as payments, messaging or GPS
- Backend requirements, including user accounts, databases and third-party integrations
- Design work needed, from wireframes through to a full custom UI
- Ongoing maintenance, app store fees and OS update compatibility
Why compare mobile app development with us
Cross-platform reach
Frameworks like Flutter let one codebase cover both iOS and Android, often cutting build costs significantly.
App store approval
Apple and Google both review submissions, and rejected apps typically add one to two weeks to launch timelines.
Ongoing OS updates
Annual iOS and Android updates mean apps need regular maintenance to avoid breaking on new devices.
App types and typical build cost
Costs reflect design, development and testing for a UK small to mid-sized business app, excluding VAT.
| App type | Typical scope | Build cost range | Timescale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive web app | 5-10 screens, no store submission | £4,000 - £12,000 | 4-8 weeks |
| MVP cross-platform app | 5-10 core screens | £10,000 - £30,000 | 8-14 weeks |
| Full cross-platform app | 15-25 screens with integrations | £25,000 - £70,000 | 14-24 weeks |
| Native iOS and Android app | 15-25 screens, built twice | £45,000 - £120,000 | 20-32 weeks |
Ongoing maintenance and running costs
Most agencies quote maintenance as a percentage of the original build cost per year.
| Cost type | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual maintenance | 15% - 25% of build cost | Covers bug fixes and OS compatibility updates |
| App store developer fees | £79 - £99 per year | Apple annual fee; Google charges a one-off £21 fee |
| Backend hosting | £30 - £400 per month | Scales with user numbers and data volume |
| Push notification and analytics tools | £0 - £150 per month | Depends on user volume and provider tier |
Expert advice
Our team reviews UK agencies, platforms and software pricing throughout the year.
“Most app projects that go over budget do so because features were added mid-build. Agree the MVP scope in writing and treat everything else as phase two.”
mobile app development: pros and cons
Pros
- A well-designed app can raise repeat engagement compared with a mobile website
- Push notifications give a direct channel to re-engage customers
- Offline functionality is possible in a way that is much harder on the web
- Cross-platform frameworks reduce cost compared with building natively twice
Cons
- App store review and approval adds time and some uncertainty to launch dates
- Annual maintenance is a real ongoing cost that catches many businesses off guard
- Getting users to actually download and keep an app requires its own marketing budget
How to choose a app development partner
Marketing quotes vary wildly for the same scope. Check these points before you sign.
- 1
Start with an MVP scope
Ask for a quote on the smallest version that proves the concept before committing to every feature.
- 2
Clarify who owns the code
Confirm in the contract that you retain full source code ownership after final payment.
- 3
Ask about post-launch support
Get a fixed maintenance quote for the first year, not just the build cost.
- 4
Check relevant experience
An agency that has built apps with similar features will scope the project more accurately.
Compare mobile app development
See what's available for your business today. It takes just minutes.
How to compare mobile app development
It takes a couple of minutes and there is no obligation to proceed.
1. Tell us about your business
Sector, size, current setup and what growth looks like for you.
2. See matched providers
We shortlist UK providers who work with businesses like yours.
3. Compare scope and price
Deliverables, contract length and reporting — not just the monthly fee.
4. Start when you're ready
Onboarding usually takes one to three weeks depending on scope.
Things to watch out for
Very low quotes often exclude testing, app store submission and post-launch bug fixes
Some developers use a codebase that only they can maintain, creating lock-in
Feature creep during development is the most common cause of app projects running over budget
Our mobile app development service
We compare mobile app development from vetted UK providers so you can see scope, pricing and contract terms side by side.
Comparing is free, and we will say plainly when your current setup is already competitive.
Getting started
1
Set one clear goal
More enquiries, more bookings or more online sales — pick the one that matters most.
2
Agree how success is measured
Fix the reporting metrics before work starts, not after month three.
3
Start small, then scale
A short initial term lets you prove results before committing long term.
Why choose Grow Your Business?
Wide choice of providers
We compare a broad range of UK providers so you can find the option that actually fits how your business operates.
Exclusive offers
We work hard to bring you exclusive deals, switching incentives and cashback where they're available.
Simple and fast
It takes just a few minutes to compare with us — and the deal you find could be well below what you pay today.
Types of mobile app development
The right approach depends on your market, budget and how quickly you need results.
MVP app
A stripped-back version covering one core use case, built quickly to test demand before further investment.
Cross-platform app
Built once using Flutter or React Native and deployed to both iOS and Android, balancing cost against near-native performance.
Native app
Built separately for iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin) for maximum performance, usually reserved for complex or graphics-heavy apps.
Progressive web app
A web-based app that behaves like a native app without needing app store approval, suited to simpler use cases.
Providers we compare
Logos are shown for identification only. We are not affiliated with every platform listed and do not compare the whole market.
Google
Meta
HubSpot
Shopify
WordPress
Salesforce
Semrush
Zapier
Mailchimp
Klaviyo
Ahrefs
MicrosoftComparing with us is a no-brainer
“We launched a simple booking app for £18,000 rather than the £60,000 full version we originally wanted, and it proved demand within three months.”
Operations Director, fitness studio group, Manchester
Business banking guides
Guide
Agency, freelancer or in-house?
How to pick a delivery model that fits your budget and growth stage.
Read guide
Guide
Measuring return on marketing spend
The handful of metrics that tell you whether the spend is working.
Read guidemobile app development FAQs
How much does it cost to build an app in the UK?
A simple MVP typically costs £10,000 to £30,000. A fully featured app with integrations and a polished design can range from £25,000 to £120,000 depending on platform choice.
Should I build for iOS, Android or both?
Cross-platform frameworks like Flutter let you launch on both from a single codebase, which is usually more cost-effective than building natively for each unless you need maximum performance.
How long does app development take?
An MVP typically takes eight to fourteen weeks. Larger, fully featured apps with native builds can take five to eight months.
What ongoing costs come after launch?
Budget for annual maintenance of roughly 15% to 25% of build cost, app store fees, backend hosting, and any third-party tools like analytics or push notifications.
Written by the Grow Your Business editorial team · Updated 26 July 2026