How Much Does It Cost to Build an App in the UK in 2024

There is no doubt that customer-centric mobile solutions help businesses connect to their clients globally by giving an unconventional user experience. 

But, the cost of app development in the UK is a significant factor that businesses and companies must contemplate before commencing their app development journey. 

You should also know what influences the app development price, which depends upon the app’s complexity, selected platform, and support and maintenance costs.

This article will give an overview of the app development cost, launch, support, and maintenance, as well as what it takes to market an app in the UK market.

Furthermore, you’ll understand how to make or decide on a budget and which company to contact to estimate mobile app development cost UK.

TekRevol created this article based on our vast experience creating the best-performing native and cross-platform app development solutions. 

Stay tuned to learn more about “how much does it cost to make an app” and discover our automotive, healthcare, and other on-demand app development solutions costing.

Mobile App Development Cost Analysis

As we know, the total number of apps available in app stores is more than 7 million, but there is still room for more apps. Undoubtedly people are getting attracted to apps like crazy. As a startup or business owner, if you are wondering how much does it cost to develop a mobile app, then this blog is for you, and I hope you’ll have a better understanding of how much you need to invest to turn your app idea into an outstanding reality.

You probably are researching aggressively to find out the cost to develop an app. Clutch conducted research and it resulted that the average cost to build an app is around $37.973 and $171.450. However, the real cost of a mobile app is completely dependent upon the complexity of its functionality and the technology stack used; the more complex the app’s functionality is, the costlier it is.

For instance, the cost of developing an app, such as a Taxi app like Uber, typically ranges from $60,000 to $400,000. Similarly, for FinTech apps, the average cost falls within the range of $50,000 to $300,000.

So, it depends on what type of app you’re developing and the complexity it carries, which decides the cost factor.

If you are specifically interested in how much does it cost to make an app in UK then factors like local development rates, market dynamics, and other regional considerations come into play.

It’s crucial to consider these aspects for a more accurate estimate tailored to the UK market.

So, let’s look at the development cost breakdown and how each phase will eat up a segment of your app development budget.

What Is The Cost Of The Mobile App Strategy Phase?

This phase is all about in-depth analysis and market and user research. Furthermore, you need to identify an objective definition, and MVP conceptualizing. 

Your excellent app idea requires an in-depth plan for mobile app business and market analysis.

You should expect almost 10% of the cost of the mobile app to invest in this phase and it can take around 20 hours to 200 hours. At the end of this stage, you have the following;

• An Objective definition 
• Market & User Research
• Competitive Analysis
• Technology stack
• Platform selection
• Monetization strategy
• MVP Concept

Decoding the Factors Influencing App Development Cost

The overall app development costs in UK significantly rely on the software goal and the time needed to code it. There are multiple factors influencing how much you need to invest in development.

App Complexity

The more complicated your desired app is, the higher the app development costs in the UK. To ensure the quality of the app’s features, you must decide whether you need an application programming interface (API) or a content management system (CMS) to integrate with other services.

Platforms

The number of platforms you choose for your desired app impacts the total cost of the app development. For instance, native app development for a single operating system (OS) costs less than a cross-platform. 

But, keep in mind that if you only choose iPhone app development Service, you will have to lose possible Andorid users. So, in order to succeed, you must target the users of Android as well as iOS.

Team

The more skilled and experienced the development team is, the higher you will pay for the app development. Keep in mind that the bigger and better team involved in the application development will eventually impact the quality of the product and the date of its release.

Support and Maintenance

Post-release development has the same importance as the pre-launching stage. It must be assured that the application performs seamlessly.

Moreover, there should be no glitches, including fixing bugs, security updates, and compatibility with advanced operating system versions.

The ongoing support occurs for a specific time after launch, almost six months. The cost of building an app globally, including in the United Kingdom, also accounts for the mobile app maintenance cost.

A reliable mobile app development company can assist you in achieving all these factors while being cost-effective. However, we suggest that you give a look at the reviews and ratings of the agency you hire for a clear picture.

How Application Scaling Impacts App Development Cost UK

The scale of an application might impact the cost of developing an app in the UK. 

Here’s how application scale influences the cost:

User Base

The number of users the application is expected to serve can affect the cost of developing an app in UK.

Features and Functionality

The more complex features and advanced functionalities an application needs, the more development time and cost because of further development resources and testing endeavors.

Data Management and Storage

Applications that handle confidential or valuable data may require data management systems, and implementing secure data storage and processing systems might be costly and time-consuming.

Performance and Scalability

Applications that address high volumes of simultaneous users or data traffic require advanced infrastructure for maximum performance and scalability. Such complexity will affect development costs.

Integration with Third-Party Services

App integration with external systems, APIs, or third-party services is a complex process requiring increased development time and resources, ultimately increasing app development cost in UK.

App Compatibility

App development on multiple platforms like iOS, Android, or the web escalates development costs because each forum demands separate coding, optimization, and testing efforts, multiplying overall expenses.

Backend Infrastructure

Apps relying on complex infrastructure such as servers, databases, and cloud services involve additional configuration and maintenance costs.

Core Crux,

The scalability of an app determines its ability to maintain interactions with users effectively. As well as rising demands and accommodating growth in users, data, and usage without significantly declining functionality.

In other words, a scalable mobile app can handle an increasing user base, data volumes, and higher traffic.

Users want an impeccably working mobile app without any issues. The lack of scalability will cost the reputation of your business.

The Rule Of Thumb

The more comprehensive your target audience is, the more scalable your platform must be.

The complex mobile applications could cost over £100,000. Developing a simple app with a few screens and no server connectivity, The scalability of an app,000. Next, the table will show different types of apps and their approx—development cost. Here you go;

The price of app development in the UK starts at €4,000 and might reach up to €300,000. A robust social media application for sharing media, like Instagram or Facebook, may cost around €32,000 to €160,000.

Nevertheless, it’s crucial to consider all the functionalities you want in your mobile app to make it intuitive and innovative.

To crezte an app like TikTok, you must pay a considerable cost to attain music licenses and integrate various services and features for user engagement and satisfaction. Such an app creation cost in the UK starts at €130,000.

How about an on-demand app like Uber or Just Eat? This kind of app requires building specific separate app features for restaurants, clients, and managers. The total cost of developing an app in UK for this category can be around €65,000 to €400,000.

If we talk about an online dating app, an app like Tinder will cost between  €20,000 and  €50,000.

App Marketing 

App marketing begins before the app launch and sustains the app lifecycle. Here we discuss some critical stages of app marketing: Pre-Launch

App marketing efforts to build anticipation and include teaser campaigns to generate buzz through press releases or media coverage.

Launch

When the app is ready to be launched, marketing efforts are augmented by optimizing app store listings and promoting the app through multiple marketing channels like social media, paid advertising, email marketing, and many more.

Post-Launch

Once the app has been launched, your marketing efforts must revolve around user acquisition through targeted advertising or referral programs.

Ongoing Marketing

App marketing is a continuing process throughout the app’s lifecycle. It involves monitoring user behavior and optimizing marketing strategies. These strategies are based on data insights and fostering user engagement through push notifications, loyalty programs, and many more.

Finally, it’s essential to have an in-depth marketing plan resonating with your app’s objectives and audience.

How Much Does It Cost To Market An App?

The cost of marketing an app can vary widely. Here’s a table that wraps the approximate cost ranges for the app marketing strategies:

App Store Optimization (ASO)

ASO is all about optimizing your app’s metadata to enhance the app’s visibility in app store search results. Usually, it is a one-time cost that relies on the app’s complexity and the magnitude of optimization needed.

App Install Campaigns

App install campaigns focus on driving installs. They include ads on social media platforms, mobile ad networks, and other channels. The amount charged varies with the platform, targeting options, and the competition level in your niche.

Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is all about partnering with social media influencers so that they can promote your mobile app to their followers. It is an effective strategy to obtain a targeted audience. Influencer marketing costs vary, depending on the influencer’s reach and engagement.

Public relations (PR)

PR generates buzz and credibility for your app but certainly requires a substantial investment of time and resources.

Retargeting

It covers showing ads to users who have already downloaded or interacted with your app. This way, you can re-engage users and encourage them to use it more frequently.

How Much Does It Cost to Publish an App on the App Store?

Along with app development costs, finding out the cost of putting an app on the App Store is also essential. The following table shows the cost and timeline to publish an app on the App Store.

Google Play Store Publishing Cost

Considering the number of Android users relying solely on the Google Play Store to download apps and games. 

The cost of publishing an app on the Google Play Store is a one-time fee of $25. This fee covers operating the Play Store, and once you have paid the payment, you can publish as many apps as you wish.

In addition, Google charges a 30% cut of all in-app purchases and subscriptions. Therefore, if you sell an app for $1, Google will take $0.30, and you will receive $0.70.

How to publish an app on the Google Play Store?

• Create an account on the Google Play Developer Console.
• Upload your app’s Android Application Package file. Now, pay the $25 registration fee.
• Fill out the app’s details, including its name, description, and screenshots.
• Review your app and submit it for review.
• Define app releases and roll out.
• Once your app has been approved, it will be published on the Google Play Store.

What is the Publishing Cost of Amazon Appstore?

The Amazon Appstore is an alternative app publisher with a more transparent pricing policy than other App Stores. You can register as a developer, and mobile app publishing is free. Moreover, 30% of fees will be charged for each transaction.

Now you must clearly understand the cost and timeline to publish the app on the App Store and Play Store.

Key Takeaway

To wrap it up with a final note, the app development cost ranges from  €4000 to €240,000+ and yes, it is challenging to predict the exact upfront cost. 

Moreover, the first phase of the process, the strategy and discovery phase, is costly and time-consuming, but it makes the difference between a successful and unsuccessful project.

Now that you have an idea of the factors influencing the cost of your mobile app development, you can start working on your budget for your upcoming project. 

TekRevol being a leading mobile app development company in the UK knows how to take your app idea to success. Join us in this innovative venture, and conquer the digital abyss like never before!