How Much Does Custom App Development Cost in the UK?
What drives the price of a custom app, what you get at each level and the questions to ask before you pay a deposit.
The short answer
Custom app development costs depend on how many separate jobs the app has to do. At Banny Digital, a website with a focused app is £1,499 and larger custom platforms start from £2,500, priced after a brief. Many agencies quote far more because they bill by the day.
What makes an app cost more?
- The number of different users, such as staff, customers and partners, each with their own screens.
- Payments, accounting links or connections to other software.
- Moving lots of existing data from old systems.
- Detailed permissions about who can see and change what.
- Native App Store releases instead of an installable web app.
What you get at each level
| Package | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Website plus focused app | £1,499 | A public site and one or two connected jobs: bookings, enquiries, customers, notifications |
| Custom platform | From £2,500 | Several user types, portals, CRM and joined-up workflows |
| Care plan | £50 a month | Hosting, updates and small changes after launch |
Why fixed prices beat day rates
Day-rate quotes move when the work takes longer. A fixed price, agreed against a written plan of every screen, puts that risk on the builder and lets you budget properly.
Thinking about an app for your business?
Tell us how your business works, and Jack will reply within one working day with a fixed price.
Questions to ask before you pay
- What exactly is in scope, screen by screen?
- What are the ongoing monthly costs?
- Who owns the code, data and accounts?
- What happens if I want to add something later?
Start small, then add
The best-value approach is to launch the smallest version that saves time or wins work, see how people use it, and add the next feature with evidence. Dream Day Bays started with an availability calendar, enquiries and an owner admin app.
Common questions
Is there a deposit?
Yes. Work starts after the written plan is agreed and the deposit is paid; the balance is due at launch.
Are there hidden costs?
The proposal lists every ongoing cost before you agree, including the £50 a month care plan.
Thinking about an app for your business?
Tell us how your business works, and Jack will reply within one working day with a fixed price.
What to do next
- Write down the outcome you need before choosing features.
- Ask for scope, ownership and ongoing costs in writing.
- Compare the smallest useful version, not an unlimited wish list.