Enter your contact details and one of our friendly team member will be in touch soon!.
How much does it cost to build an app in the UK in 2024?
Whether you're just starting out with a game-changing idea or running a business looking to go digital, knowing the costs of app development is key.
Tipically simple apps cost from £10,000-£20,000, average complexity apps cost from £22,000-£35,000, and highly advanced apps start from £40,000 or more, with an average hourly rate of $35.
App cost varies based on the app's complexity, platform (iOS, Android, cross-platform), design intricacy, integration needs, post-launch maintenance, and developer expertise.
In this guide, we'll provide a detailed breakdown of app development costs in the UK, uncover hidden expenses, and offer essential insights to help you make informed decisions.
Let's dive in!
Intelivita is a top-notch mobile app development company that helps you align your app infrastructure with the latest trends using the best modernization approaches.
Book a 30-minute FREE consultation with us to give a digital upgrade to your app development project.
Gaining insight into app development costs is essential for businesses and entrepreneurs.
The following table presents an overview of app development costs in the UK, categorized by app type, estimated cost, and timeline.
| App Type | App Cost Range | Timeline |
| Simple App | £10,000 - £20,000 | 1 - 3 months |
| Average Complexity App | £22,000 - £35,000 | 3 - 6 months |
| Highly Advanced App | £40,000+ | 6+ months |
Mobile app development costs typically range from £5,000 to over £250,000 depending on various factors. The type of app is a crucial factor in determining the final cost.
Below is a list of common app types and their average development costs.
| App Type | App Cost Range | Timeline |
| Basic Informational App | £5,000 - £15,000 | 1 - 2 months |
| E-Commerce App | £20,000 - £50,000 | 2 - 4 months |
| Social Networking App | £30,000 - £80,000 | 3 - 6 months |
| On-Demand Service App | £25,000 - £60,000 | 2 - 4 months |
| Gaming App | £10,000 - £250,000+ | 2 - 12+ months |
| Business App | £15,000 - £40,000 | 2 - 4 months |
| Utility App | £10,000 - £30,000 | 1 - 3 months |
| Educational App | £20,000 - £50,000 | 2 - 4 months |
| Health & Fitness App | £15,000 - £40,000 | 2 - 4 months |
| Travel & Tourism App | £25,000 - £60,000 | 2 - 4 months |
| Productivity App | £10,000 - £30,000 | 1 - 3 months |
| Entertainment App | £15,000 - £40,000 | 2 - 4 months |
| Lifestyle App | £20,000 - £50,000 | 2 - 4 months |
Contact our team and we will estimate your app development cost.
Get consultation now!
The choice of operating system (OS) for your app—iOS, Android, or a hybrid approach—can significantly impact the overall development cost.
Each OS has its development requirements and complexities, which influence the cost and timeline of app development.
The table below provides an overview of app development costs in the UK based on the operating system:
| Operating System | App Cost Range |
| iOS | £20,000 - £80,000 |
| Android | £20,000 - £80,000 |
| Hybrid | £30,000 - £100,000 |
The team type you choose for your application development—whether it's an in-house team, freelancer, or project outsourcing—can have a significant impact on the cost and outcome of your project.
Each team type has its own set of pros and cons, which should be considered before making a decision.
The table below provides a comparison of app development costs in the UK based on the team type:
| Team Type | Cost Range | Pros | Cons |
| In-house Team | £50,000 - £150,000 |
|
|
| Freelancer | £20,000 - £100,000 |
|
|
| Project Outsourcing | £30,000 - £120,000 |
|
|
If you're concerned about quality, deadlines, and budget, outsourcing to an app development agency is ideal.
It ensures expert teams, timely delivery, and cost-effectiveness
This table outlines the costs associated with hiring app developers in the UK based on their experience level.
categorizes developers into three types: junior, mid-level, and senior, detailing their experience, key skills, and annual cost.
These insights can help you make informed decisions when hiring developers for your app development projects.
| Developer Type | Experience | Skills | Cost (UK) |
| Junior | 0-1 year |
| £32,967 per year |
| Mid-level | 2-4 years |
| £42,414 per year |
| Senior | 4-7 years |
| £55,590 per year |
The cost of app development can vary significantly depending on the location within the UK.
Factors such as local market rates, availability of skilled professionals, and overall cost of living can impact the overall development cost.
Below is a breakdown of app development costs in major cities across the UK:
| City | App Cost Range |
| London | £30,000 - £150,000 |
| Manchester | £25,000 - £120,000 |
| Birmingham | £20,000 - £100,000 |
| Edinburgh | £25,000 - £120,000 |
| Glasgow | £20,000 - £100,000 |
Take action now and connect with our team of app development specialists to get an exclusive quote tailored to your needs.
Get consultation now!Here are some examples of mobile applications, along with estimated costs and development times.
Please note that these estimates provide a general idea of the cost of mobile app development and may not reflect the exact figure for your project.
| App | Development Cost | Total Downloads (approx.) | Key Features |
| Uber App | £200,000 | 155 million |
|
| Citymapper | £3,000,000 | 5 million |
|
| Monzo | £71,000,000 | 5 million |
|
| Deliveroo | £1,500,000,000 | 10 million |
|
| Revolut | £80,000,000 | 15 million |
|
| BBC News | £1,000,000 | 50 million |
|
| Skyscanner | £4,000,000 | 20 million |
|
| Trainline | £10,000,000 | 15 million |
|
| Just Eat | £8,000,000 | 10 million |
|
Ready to Build a Solid App for Your App Idea?
Assemble a team of experienced developers to bring your ideas into reality from Intelivita.
Let's Collaborate!When budgeting for app development in the UK, it's crucial to consider not just the obvious expenses but also the hidden costs that can impact your project.
These hidden costs, if overlooked, can significantly affect your budget and timeline.
Integrating your app with third-party services, such as payment gateways, analytics tools, or APIs, can incur additional costs.
These integrations may require customization or ongoing subscription fees.
Once your app is launched, ongoing maintenance and updates are necessary to ensure its functionality and security.
These costs can vary but should be budgeted for to keep your app running smoothly.
The cost of maintaining an application might range from £50 and £5,000 or more.
This varies according to the complexity of your software, the number of developers necessary to maintain it, and if you want 24/7 assistance.
While your initial app development may focus on meeting current needs, it's essential to consider future scalability.
Building a scalable app may require additional upfront investment in architecture and design to accommodate future growth.
Providing user support and training for your app can incur costs, especially if you offer a complex app that requires user education.
Consider the resources needed to assist users and address their queries.
Ensuring compliance with regulations, such as data protection laws (e.g., GDPR), can involve additional costs for implementing security measures, conducting audits, and updating policies.
While many mobile app development companies in the UK, you cannot trust everyone.
It is best to do extensive research before hiring anybody for your project, and the best method to do so is to ask as many questions as possible.
Before entrusting people with your dream project, you must assure them that they are the right team and offer competitive app development costs without compromising the quality.
Portfolio, expertise, team size, and client evaluations are important factors to consider.
Still, you should also consider additional factors such as post-development support, app maintenance, and frequent project updates, among others, to ensure that you are fully informed about your project.
If you're wondering, "how much does it cost to build an app?" it is best to look beyond just the price tag.
Consider various factors as discussed above that help you get started the right way.
Since there are a number of variables that affect the cost, it's always a good idea to conduct some research.
Finding out what each app developer can accomplish and whether their service meets your expectations can help you lose out on your app investment.
To conclude, one can never come up with an exact cost of creating a mobile app since the costs are influenced by several variables.
Contact Intelivita who is a renowned app developer in the UK with a team of professionals who work on your ideas to offer you an estimated app development cost.
Request a Call Back
