Mobile App Development Costs in the UK: 2025 Price Guide

"How much does it cost to build an app?" is one of the most common questions founders and business leaders ask. The honest response is still "it depends" – but that's not very helpful.

Let's be honest about what it depends on.

Here's a more useful framework for thinking about mobile app development costs in the UK market as of 2025.

Ballpark ranges

To set expectations, here are rough price bands for different types of mobile app projects with UK-based teams:

• Proof of concept / prototype: £10,000 – £30,000. A basic clickable prototype or single-feature app to test an idea. Limited functionality, no backend complexity.
• Simple MVP (minimum viable product): £30,000 – £100,000. A functional app with core features, user authentication, basic backend, and one platform (iOS or Android). Enough to launch and learn.
• Feature-rich app: £80,000 – £250,000+. Multiple platforms, complex integrations, custom design, real-time features, admin dashboards. The kind of app that competes seriously in a market.

These are indicative ranges, not quotes. Actual costs depend on scope, complexity, team structure, and timeline.

What drives the number up or down

Several factors push costs higher:

• Scope creep. The single biggest driver of budget overruns. Every "nice to have" adds time and cost.
• Platform choice. Native iOS and Android apps cost more than cross-platform approaches (Flutter, React Native), though they may perform better for certain use cases.
• Design complexity. Custom illustrations, animations, and bespoke UI patterns take longer than using standard components.
• Backend complexity. Real-time sync, complex business logic, integrations with third-party systems, and high-security requirements all add cost.
• Ongoing maintenance. Apps are never "done". OS updates, security patches, bug fixes, and feature requests continue after launch. Budget 15–25% of initial build cost per year for maintenance.

How do you control costs

First, ruthlessly prioritise. Define the smallest version of your app that would be useful. Launch that. Learn. Then invest more.

Second, choose the right tech stack. Cross-platform frameworks have matured significantly. For many apps, Flutter or React Native offers a good balance of cost, performance, and maintainability.

Third, invest in discovery. A few weeks of proper scoping, user research, and technical planning can save months of wasted development later.

Fourth, work with experienced teams. Cheaper hourly rates often mean longer timelines, more rework, and hidden costs. Total cost of delivery matters more than day rate.

Consider no-code options

For some use cases, no-code platforms like FlutterFlow or Glide can dramatically reduce costs – potentially delivering a functional app for £5,000 – £20,000. The trade-off is less flexibility and potential limitations as you scale.

In the real world, no-code works best for internal tools, simple customer-facing apps, and MVPs where speed matters more than polish.

The bottom line

There's no single answer to "how much does an app cost?" But if you understand the drivers and plan carefully, you can avoid the worst surprises and get better value from your investment.

If you'd like help scoping your mobile app project, get in touch.