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There were hard pandemic times in 2020 when the government restricted everyone to their residential apartments.
At that moment, Hopin (A UK-based startup) experienced massive growth with their all-in-one event mobile app. Not just Hopin, many UK-based enterprises, small businesses, and startups have experienced major success by digitally transforming their businesses with their mobile apps.
Source: Statistica
Many businesses are preparing to go digital with their mobile apps but need a cost estimate to build them in the UK.
On average, app development costs in the UK are between £15,000 and £100,000.
However, many factors can decide the cost of building your apps, such as the complexity of features, development methodology, type of application, and engagement models to hire developers.
Top Factors That Determine App Development Cost In The UK
The app features’ complexity and the platform’s selection are the major factors affecting the app-making budget.
1. Platform-based costs: Android vs. iOS
The platform selection will determine the app development cost. For example, suppose you want to build and publish an app for Android or iOS applications individually.
In that case, you need to pay separately for building apps for different platforms by opting for native app development.
On the other side, developing apps simultaneously for different platforms will help you manage your app development budget by opting for hybrid rather than native app development.
However, the selection between native or hybrid app development will depend on your project requirements, such as app type, size, and feature complexity.
Consult with an app development company to make the right choice.
2. Complexity of features
The complexity of app features is another cost-determining factor. The primary purpose of features is to solve customer pain points and offer unique experiences.
Take an example of Spotify’s personalized playlists and Netflix’s content recommendations. The following features make these platforms stand out from the rest of the competition.
Since building complex features needs more effort and time from developers, building the same for your app will cost you more.
At the same time, sticking up with simple features may reduce your app development cost but limit you to competitive advantages.
Here is a summary of typical app development costs based on complexity:
| App complexity | Level of complexity | Average Timeline | Average Cost |
| Simple app | MVP functionality, Basic UI. | 2-3 months | £4,580 – £4,5800 |
| Medium complex app | Mid-level features, Custom UI | 3-9 months | £4,580 – £1,09,944 |
| Highly complex app | High-level advanced features, Bespoke UI | 10+ months | £91,611 – £2,74,833 |
Cost of Hiring Developers Based On Experience
Based on years of experience and skill set, you can go for developers of three types: junior developers, mid-level developers, or senior developers. Let’s understand which one would be right for your project.
1. Junior app developers
The junior developer is a fresh graduate from college or has the intern’s experience level. The junior app developers have also worked with individual projects and have their portfolios with apps having simple features and functionalities.
The following are essential skillsets for a junior developer with 0–1 year of experience:
- Knowledge of Javascript or Typescript
- Experience with front-end frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, or Svelte, etc
- Knowledge of Microservices, DevOps, and Agile methodology will be the strengths
- Understanding of Javascript, Java, C#, and Typescript backend development
A junior developer in the UK charges £32,967 per year.
2. Mid-level developers
Developers in the mid-level category have app development experience of 2-4 years with the following skill sets:
- Understanding of cross-platform tools like React Native
- Knowledge of developing code in Typescript or Javascript
- Experience building mobile applications for iOS, Android, or both
- The ability to create, test, publish, and deploy apps on Apple’s App Store or Google Play Store
- Experience with MongoDB, MySQL, NoSQL, PostgreSQL, etc.
- Familiarity with creating cloud-native apps and services like AWS, GCP, Azure, etc.
A mid-level developer in the UK charges £42,414 per year, takes ownership of their task, and helps in planning and building the app development process.
3. Senior developers
Senior developer in a particular app development company comprises 4-7 years of experience building apps. The senior developer can contribute to strategic planning, choosing the deployment environment, testing, automation, etc.
Apart from the app development skills, here are the following things to consider in senior app developers.
- Take the initiative in the creation of new features
- Hands-on experience with cloud services such as AWS, GCP, Microsoft Azure, etc., and knows how to handle technical debt issues
- Own the whole codebase and create the app architecture
- Possess the ability to solve issues
Senior developers in the UK charges £77,450 per year.
Senior developers play a vital role in your app development project as they may lead the entire team to deliver excellent app quality.
Cost Factors Based On Engagement Models
App development companies and outsourcing vendors offer different engagement models based on their dedicated teams, time, and resources.
Each engagement model has their advantages and specific requirements.
1. Fixed price model (FPM)
If you are looking for a fixed deadline and cost, consider outsourcing your project to an app development company that offers a fixed pricing model.
In the fixed pricing model, the agreement is signed between two parties with all the agreed terms, including product delivery date, project deadline, cost, design & feature requirements, technical stack, etc.
The only drawback of the fixed pricing model is that it is restrictive, which means urgent changes in your project may exceed your app development budget.
Therefore, it becomes crucial to be clear with the exact details of your project with the confirmation that there will be no chance of any future changes in the project.
If you opt for a fixed pricing model, consider creating an MVP for your app.
2. Dedicated team model
A dedicated team model works flexibly where you can control your projects, such as its requirement, number of developers, required skills, timeline, budget, etc.
The model allows you to adjust your app-building budget based on your project needs. Moreover, a dedicated team model will let you add new features and other resources on demand.
You must look for companies with expertise in agile practices and on-demand experiences.
Nearshore vs. Onshore vs. Offshore: Which One To Choose?
Each of them defines the selection of a company based on its locality, whether in the same country or worldwide.
1. Nearshoring development
An outsourcing process of selecting IT companies from nearby countries. For example, if you have business in the UK, then nearshoring means you will choose an IT development company from nearby countries such as France, Sweden, or other European countries.
| Country | The average cost of hiring per year |
| France | £49,808 |
| Sweden | £44,550 |
| Germany | £48,888 |
| Netherlands | £40,738 |
2. Onshoring development
A situation when you select an IT company from the same country. For example, suppose you have a business in the UK. In that case, you will outsource your development project to the IT company in the same country from cities like London, Bristol, or other UK cities.
| City | The average cost of hiring per year |
| Manchester | £36,182 |
| Bristol | £40,611 |
| Cardiff | £36,355 |
| London | £48,226 |
| Liverpool | £40,611 |
3. Offshoring development
A selection of IT companies from distant countries where app development cost plays a crucial role.
| Country | The average cost of hiring per year |
| The UK | £58,337 |
| India | £6,108 |
| Australia | £90,916 |
| The US | £79,230 |
Tech Stack For Mobile App Development
Your project’s objective and requirements will determine the tech stack selection for mobile app development. Each app development company has its set of selected tech stacks to help you build and launch your mobile app.
The most preferred tech stack selection for app development is as follows.
| UX/UI | Figma, Adobe, Miro |
| Design & Animation | Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects |
| Code Management | Github, Sonarqube, Jenkins |
| Hosting | AWS, Google Cloud |
| Web 3 Connection | Web3, Infura |
| Analytics | Firebase, Amplitude |
| Dev Tools & Technologies | Android studio, X-code, PHPVisual studio, Postman, PuttyFilezilla, Express.JS, mongo DBRemix, Truffle |
Top 5 Popular Apps And Their Building Costs
We have selected a few apps with their building cost to help you estimate your app development budget.
1. Instagram App
A photo and video-sharing social networking platform owned by “Meta.” The platform allows users to upload their media with the ability to add filters and optimize them with hashtags and geographical tagging.
To create an app like Instagram, the development cost might go up to £600,000. The pricing structure may vary depending on the selection of hiring developers.
| Founded in | 2010 |
| Available on | Web, Android & iOS |
| App downloads | 1B+ |
| App ratings | 4.3 |
| Headquarters | California, United States |
| Developed by | Kevin Systrom |
2. Uber App
A ridesharing company that enables passengers to hail a ride and drivers to charge fares and get paid. The platform hires independent contractors who offer their taxi services to the app users.
You will need a separate app for drivers, clients, user management, and a backend.
Building an Uber-like app for iOS and Android devices will typically cost between £200,000 – £500,000. The development process will take 5 to 7 months for its MVP.
| Founded in | 2009 |
| Available on | Web, Android & iOS |
| App downloads | 500M+ |
| App ratings | 4.4 |
| Headquarters | California, United States |
| Developed by | Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick |
3. TikTok App
TikTok is a popular social media platform that allows users to create, watch and share 15-second video shots. This platform’s major audience is young people who express themselves through singing, dancing, comedy, and lip-syncing.
The development costs of creating an app like TikTok will cost between £80,000 – £100,000.
| Founded in | 2016 |
| Available on | Web, Android & iOS |
| App downloads | 1B+ |
| App ratings | 4.4 |
| Headquarters | Beijing, China |
| Developed by | Zhang Yiming |
4. Just Eat
Just Eat is a leading online takeout ordering business in Europe. The platform offers varieties of features, such as filtering food searches by cuisine, reviews, and distance. Users can order from a nearby restaurant with just a few simple clicks.
The development cost for creating a similar app will cost between £4,000 – £15,000.
| Founded in | 2001 |
| Available on | Web, Android & iOS |
| App downloads | 10M+ |
| App ratings | 4.8 |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Developed by | Jesper Buch, Per Meldgaard, Christian Frismodt |
5. Tinder App
Tinder is a geosocial online dating application. On Tinder, users can swipe right or left to access dating profiles that include their photos, short bio, and a list of their interests.
Creating an app with features similar to “Tinder” will cost you between £40,000 and £50,000.
| Founded in | 2012 |
| Available on | Web, Android & iOS |
| App downloads | 100M+ |
| App ratings | 4.1 |
| Headquarters | California, USA. |
| Developed by | Sean Rad, Justin Mateen, Whitney Wolfe, Jonathan Badeen |
We have summarized popular apps with their average development cost.
| Popular Apps | Average Cost |
| Instagram App | Upto £600,000 |
| Uber App | £200,000 – £500,000 |
| TikTok App | £80,000 – £100,000 |
| Just Eat App | £4,000 – £15,000 |
| Tinder App | £40,000 – £50,000 |
How To Start Mobile App Development In The UK?
You can start by following the steps:
1. Hire an app development company
Partnering with a trusted and reliable app development company is a way to develop your app with the complete required features and functionalities.
An app development company comprises app developers, designers, project managers, and market specialists who will offer valuable suggestions to bring your app idea into reality.
2. Build MVP
To validate your app idea without spending unnecessarily to determine what works and what doesn’t, consider developing a minimum viable product(MVP) for your app.
You can build a successful MVP for your project by identifying must-have features and key USPs for your app.
3. Test your app
App testing is another crucial factor in your app development journey. The company will test your app, from its performance to the working of all the features and functionalities.
The primary purpose of app testing is to ensure your app is free from technical glitches and has high-quality standards.
4. Submit the app to stores
After app testing, once you agree with the quality of your app, you can submit them to the preferred app stores such as Google Play or Apple App Store.
You can also decide your app revenue model by selecting and implementing the suitable monetization method.
5. Launch and track performance
Consider practicing different marketing methods to attract a global audience to your platform.
You can identify the success of your project by tracking its performance with in-app analytics tools on multiple factors, including user engagement, app downloads, app revenue, etc.
How To Choose An App Development Company?
Partnering with the right app development company is crucial to ensure the success of your mobile app’s build and launch.
The following screening factors are worth considering to identify the right company
1. Experience
You can get an insight into the company experience by accessing its portfolio of apps for industries relevant to your project.
App development companies with more than five years of experience building and publishing apps would best fit your project.
2. Expertise
An app development company must have the expertise to utilize top-demanding technologies to create high-quality apps. The company must have skills in creating apps with programming languages such as Java, Objective C, Swift, Python, etc.
Moreover, the company must be experienced in working with cloud infrastructure such as Google Cloud, AWS, and Azure. Additionally, the company must be experienced in working with both front-end and back-end frameworks.
3. Communication
A successful communication model is another best factor worth considering. Pay attention to the company’s availability, response time, and project status updates.
Check whether the company is quick to respond to your project inquiries.
4. Security
Offering a secure environment for app users is one of the critical factors you must consider.
Therefore, it becomes crucial to identify whether the company follows guidelines regarding app security such as data encryption, secure data storage, communication protocols, and regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, etc.
5. Support and maintenance
Just building and publishing your app is a partial part of your app-building journey.
Identify how the company will provide post-development support and maintenance to keep your app up to date and stay competitive in the market.
The process of support and maintenance includes the implementation of the latest features and the elimination of any drawbacks and technical glitches.
Also check: How to hire mobile app developers in 2023?
6. App development cost
The mobile app development cost is another critical factor you can’t ignore. Ensure you don’t fall for the companies offering the lowest price. Product quality plays a crucial role here.
App development costs vary for projects, including its features & functionality, platform choice, tech stack selection, app UI/UX design complexity, etc.
Ask the potential app development partner to provide a detailed breakdown of the work they will contribute to your project.
Ensure the company will follow all the required processes, including business analytics, development, UI/UX design, QA testing, or even app maintenance.
How Can Idea Usher Help You With Mobile App Development?
How much does it cost to develop a mobile app? Well, there is no clear-cut answer to this question.
Many factors can affect the cost of building your app, such as the app’s complexity, selection of app-building tools, the experience level of app developers, etc.
Still, do you need help estimating the final cost of your mobile app development budget? In that case, you can schedule a free consultation call with a reliable app development company in the UK.
We recommend you contact an app development company in UK, or in Manchester or in London as well with years of experience building apps like Idea Usher. The company specializes in building and launching the most innovative and scalable apps with next-generation features and functionalities.
The company comprises certified app developers that are best fit for businesses of all sizes. Moreover, you can get an insight into their expertise in app development by accessing their portfolio of the best apps.
Therefore, if you plan to build your app or want to get an estimate on your app development budget in the UK, schedule a free consultation call with our experts.
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FAQ
Q. How much does building a mobile app in the UK cost?
A. On average, the app development cost in the UK is between £15,000 and £100,000. Although multiple factors can determine the cost of your app-building budget, including the complexity of app features, tech stack selection, the experience level of app developers, etc.
Q. What costs are involved in developing an app?
A. Multiple costs are involved in developing an app based on app-building processes, including business analytics, development, UI/UX design, QA testing, or even app maintenance.
Q. How do I choose a good app development company?
A. You can hire a good app development company by considering various factors such as their experience, expertise, communication methods, app security standards, app support and maintenance process, and their app development estimated charges.
