How much does it cost to build a mobile app?

The short answer

App budgets vary more than almost any other software project, because 'an app' can mean a simple booking tool or a full banking product. Our mobile app projects start from £12,000 for a focused first version on both iOS and Android. What you pay depends on the screens, the features behind them and what the app has to connect to.

What makes an app more or less expensive

• Platforms. Building for iOS and Android from one shared codebase (React Native or Flutter) costs much less than two separate native apps.
• Accounts and logins. Sign-up, password reset, social login and identity checks all need design, build and security testing.
• Payments. In-app purchases, cards and subscriptions add compliance and store-review work.
• The back end. Most apps need a server, a database and an admin panel that users never see. This is often half the project.
• Offline use, maps, chat, push notifications and camera features each add time.

Start with a first version

The most reliable way to control cost is to launch a first version that does one job well, put it in front of real users, and add features based on what they actually use. A first version is not a prototype; it is a finished product with a deliberately short feature list.

Costs after launch

• Apple and Google developer accounts, which are needed to publish in the stores.
• Hosting for the back end, which grows with usage.
• Updates when new phone operating systems are released each year.
• Bug fixes, small improvements and support.

Do you need an app at all?

If people will use it occasionally, a fast mobile website or web app is usually cheaper and reaches everyone with a link. An app earns its cost when customers use it often, need notifications, or need phone features such as the camera or biometrics.

Quick answers