How Much Does It Cost to Build a Mobile App in the UK?

"How much does an app cost?" is almost impossible to answer with a single number — and any company that gives you one before understanding your idea is guessing. What we can do is walk through the factors that actually drive mobile app costs, so you can budget realistically.

What actually drives the cost

• Platform — iOS only, Android only, or both (and native vs cross-platform)
• Number and complexity of features (screens, workflows, offline support)
• Backend requirements — does the app need its own API, database and admin tools?
• Design complexity — a simple utility app vs a highly custom, animated experience
• Third-party integrations — payments, maps, push notifications, authentication providers
• Ongoing maintenance and updates after launch

Rough budget bands

Every project is different, but as a general guide, small, focused apps with limited features can start under £10,000, while apps with custom backends, multiple user roles, payments or complex workflows commonly land in the £25,000+ range. If you're scoping a project, our own contact form uses budget bands from under £2,500 up to £25,000+ — which reflects how wide that range genuinely is depending on what you're building.

Where costs are often underestimated

• Backend and admin tooling — the parts users never see, but that make the app actually work
• App store review and compliance requirements
• Ongoing costs after launch — bug fixes, OS updates, and new feature requests
• Design iteration — getting the UX right usually takes more than one pass

How to get an accurate estimate

The most reliable way to get a realistic number is to describe what the app needs to do — not just what it should look like — to a development team that will ask follow-up questions rather than quoting instantly. A proper discovery conversation almost always produces a more accurate estimate than a generic price list.

Qodeko builds native-quality mobile apps for iOS and Android and gives honest, specific estimates based on what your app actually needs — not a one-size-fits-all price. If you're planning an app, tell us about it and we'll help you understand realistic costs and timelines.