App Development Cost Estimator
How much does an app cost to build in the UK? Pick your platform, size and features for an instant estimate.
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Estimates assume senior UK developer rates (~£500/day). Fixed quote available after a free scoping call.
Get an Accurate QuoteApp Development Cost — FAQs
How much does it cost to build an app in the UK?
A simple MVP typically costs £10,000–£20,000 in the UK. A full-featured app with payments, integrations and an admin dashboard runs £30,000–£60,000. Complex products like marketplaces or multi-role platforms start around £70,000 and can exceed £120,000.
How much does an MVP cost?
A focused MVP — one platform, core features only — usually costs £8,000–£15,000 with a senior freelancer, or £15,000–£30,000 through an agency. The point of an MVP is to spend as little as possible validating the idea before committing to a full build.
Why does app development cost so much?
The visible app is only part of it — backend APIs, databases, authentication, payment security, admin tooling, testing across devices, and app store submission all take real development time. A senior developer rate of £500/day means a 60-day build is £30,000 before any agency markup.
Is it cheaper to hire a freelancer or an agency?
Freelancers are typically 40–60% cheaper than agencies for the same scope — a senior freelance developer charges £400–£600/day versus £800–£1,200/day at an agency. Agencies add project management and redundancy; freelancers give you direct access to the person writing the code.
How long does it take to build an app?
An MVP takes 6–10 weeks, a standard product 3–5 months, and a complex platform 6–9 months. Timelines stretch mostly from unclear requirements and late design changes — a well-scoped brief is the cheapest accelerator.
What is the cheapest way to build an app?
Start with a web MVP rather than native mobile — it runs on every device without app store overhead. Cut features ruthlessly to one core workflow, use off-the-shelf auth and payments instead of custom builds, and iterate based on real user feedback before adding more.
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We build MVPs and full products for UK businesses — fixed quotes, senior developers, no agency markup.