How Much Does Web App Development Cost in the UK?
Understanding web app development cost UK businesses face is essential before you commit budget to a project. The honest answer is that it depends on what you are building — but that does not mean pricing has to be a mystery. This guide gives you real numbers, explains what drives cost up or down, and helps you budget with confidence.
What Affects the Cost of Building a Web App?
No two web apps cost the same because no two businesses have the same requirements. However, there are consistent factors that determine where your project falls on the pricing spectrum:
- Number of features — More features means more development time. A simple booking system costs less than a full operations platform with reporting, integrations, and multi-user roles.
- Design complexity — A clean, functional interface using established UI patterns costs less than a fully custom design with animations, complex data visualisations, and bespoke branding throughout.
- Third-party integrations — Connecting to payment gateways like Stripe, accounting software like Xero, or CRMs like HubSpot adds development time. Each integration has its own API, documentation, and edge cases.
- User authentication and roles — A single-user app is simpler than one with admin, manager, staff, and client roles, each with different permissions and views.
- Data migration — If you need to move existing data from spreadsheets, legacy systems, or other platforms into your new app, that adds to the scope.
- Performance and scalability requirements — An app serving 50 users has different infrastructure needs than one serving 5,000.
For a full overview of the development journey, see our Complete Guide to Custom Web App Development.
Price Ranges for UK Web App Development
MVP or Prototype — £3,000 to £8,000
An MVP (minimum viable product) includes only the core features needed to validate your idea or solve the most pressing problem. This is ideal for businesses testing a concept before committing to a full build. You get a working application with basic authentication, a responsive design, and the essential functionality. Delivery typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Full Business Application — £8,000 to £25,000
This is the most common investment range for UK businesses. A full application includes a complete feature set, user roles and permissions, third-party integrations, an admin dashboard, and thorough testing. It is a production-ready tool that your team and clients can rely on daily. Delivery typically takes 8 to 16 weeks.
Enterprise or SaaS Platform — £25,000+
Complex platforms with multi-tenant architecture, subscription billing, advanced security, CI/CD pipelines, and ongoing iteration fall into this category. These are typically SaaS products you plan to sell, or enterprise internal tools serving large organisations. Delivery takes 4 to 6 months or more, with ongoing development after launch.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
The build cost is not the only expense. Make sure you budget for these often-overlooked items:
- Hosting and infrastructure — Cloud hosting typically costs £20 to £200 per month depending on traffic and data volume. This is an ongoing cost for the lifetime of the app.
- Domain and SSL — Around £10 to £50 per year. Essential but inexpensive.
- Third-party service fees — Payment processors like Stripe charge per transaction. Email services, SMS notifications, and API usage may have their own fees.
- Maintenance and updates — Security patches, bug fixes, server updates, and dependency management. Budget £100 to £500 per month for ongoing maintenance.
- Feature additions post-launch — Once your team starts using the app, they will request changes and new features. Budget for at least one round of post-launch iteration.
Avoid the most expensive mistakes: Common Web App Development Mistakes.
How to Budget for Your Web App
Here is a practical approach to budgeting that we recommend to our clients:
- Start with the problem, not the features. Define the business problem you are solving. This prevents scope creep and keeps the budget focused on what matters.
- Build an MVP first. Launch with core features, gather real user feedback, and then invest in additional features based on actual usage — not assumptions.
- Include a 15 to 20 percent contingency. Unexpected requirements always surface during development. A buffer prevents budget stress.
- Factor in the first year of running costs. Hosting, maintenance, and minor updates should be included in your total budget calculation.
- Consider payment plans. Many agencies, including us, offer flexible payment plans that spread the cost over several months.
How to Get the Best Value from Your Investment
The cheapest quote is rarely the best value. Here is what actually matters when choosing a development partner:
- Clear communication — Can you understand what they are proposing? Do they explain things in business terms, not just technical jargon?
- Transparent process — Do they provide a detailed specification before quoting? Do they work in sprints with regular demos?
- Code ownership — Do you own the code when the project is complete? This is non-negotiable.
- Post-launch support — What happens after the app goes live? A good partner offers ongoing support and iteration.
- UK-based team — Working in the same timezone with no language barriers makes communication smoother and reduces misunderstandings.
View our web application services to see how we approach projects.
Custom Web App vs SaaS Subscriptions — Cost Comparison
One of the most common questions we hear is whether it is cheaper to subscribe to existing software or build something custom. The answer depends on your timeframe.
Consider a business paying £400 per month for a project management SaaS tool, plus £150 per month for a separate CRM, plus £100 per month for a reporting tool. That is £650 per month, or £7,800 per year. Over five years, that is £39,000 — and you never own the software, cannot customise it beyond what the vendor allows, and risk price increases or the platform shutting down.
A custom web app that replaces all three tools might cost £15,000 to build, plus £200 per month for hosting and maintenance. Over five years, the total is £27,000 — and you own the code, control the features, and have no vendor lock-in.
The custom route has a higher upfront cost but a lower total cost of ownership. For businesses with specific workflows that off-the-shelf tools do not fit well, the value goes beyond cost savings — it is about having software that actually works the way your business does.
Read a full analysis: SaaS vs Custom Web Apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the UK, an MVP or prototype typically costs between £3,000 and £8,000. A full-featured business application ranges from £8,000 to £25,000. Enterprise platforms and SaaS products start from £25,000 and can exceed £50,000. The final price depends on feature complexity, integrations, design requirements, and the development team you choose.
The main factors are: number and complexity of features, design requirements (template vs custom UI/UX), third-party integrations (payment gateways, APIs, accounting software), user authentication and role-based access, data migration from existing systems, hosting and infrastructure requirements, and ongoing maintenance needs.
Often, yes. SaaS subscriptions compound over time. If you pay £500 per month for a platform, that is £6,000 per year or £30,000 over five years — and you never own the software. A custom web app with a one-time build cost of £15,000 plus £200 per month for hosting and maintenance costs £27,000 over five years, and you own the code outright.
Get a Clear Quote for Your Web App
Tell us what you need and we will give you an honest, detailed quote — no hidden fees, no surprises. We also offer flexible payment plans for projects over £1,000.