Software & App Development Costs in the UK
There's no honest single number for "how much does an app cost" — the real answer depends on scope. Here's what actually moves the price, and how we quote projects.
Why We Don't Publish a Price List
A simple utility app and a multi-platform product with a custom backend, payments, and third-party integrations can differ in cost by an order of magnitude — publishing a single number or a generic package price would be misleading either way. Instead, every project is scoped individually: we learn what you're building, break down what it actually requires, and provide a fixed or milestone-based quote before development starts.
What Determines the Cost
Scope
How many features, screens, and user flows the product needs — the single biggest driver of cost.
Platforms
iOS, Android, web, or a combination. Native development on multiple platforms costs more than a single cross-platform build.
Backend Complexity
Whether the app needs a custom backend, how much business logic lives there, and how it needs to scale.
APIs & Integrations
Connecting to third-party services, existing systems, or external data sources — each integration adds scope.
Authentication
From simple email/password login to role-based access across an organisation, the complexity varies significantly.
Payments
Whether the product needs to process payments or subscriptions, and the compliance work that comes with it.
Design
How much custom UI/UX design work is needed versus working from an existing design system or brand.
Testing
The level of QA required — more critical for products handling money or sensitive data than an internal tool.
Maintenance
Ongoing support after launch — OS updates, bug fixes, and feature development — usually a separate, recurring arrangement.
Typical Project Ranges
Every quote is scoped individually, but here's a realistic range for the kinds of projects we take on most often — so you have a starting point before we talk. Figures exclude VAT.
Monthly Maintenance & Support Plans
For products already live. Figures exclude VAT.
Basic — £250/month
OS updates, app store compliance, monitoring, and small fixes.
Standard — £500/month
Everything in Basic, plus around a day a month of changes and priority response.
Growth — £1,000+/month
Around 2–3 days a month of new feature development.
Fixed-Scope or Time-and-Materials
Fixed-Scope Projects
Clearly defined projects are priced on a fixed-fee basis with milestone payments, agreed after a scoping conversation — you know the cost before development starts.
Ongoing / Retainer Work
Maintenance, evolving products, and consulting engagements are typically billed on a retainer or time-and-materials basis, since the scope is intentionally flexible.
Get an Honest Cost Assessment
Tell us what you're trying to build and we'll come back with a realistic scope and price — no obligation.