How Much Does an iOS App Cost in 2026? (MVP vs Full Product)
A detailed breakdown of iOS app development costs. Learn the difference between MVP and full product pricing, and what factors affect your quote.
Building an iOS app is a significant investment. Unlike websites, there are no good "cheap" options — you're either building something custom or you're not building an app. Here's what to expect.
Cost Ranges for iOS Apps
- Simple MVP App: £5,000-10,000
- Full-Featured App: £12,000-25,000
- Complex/Enterprise App: £30,000-100,000+
These are UK freelancer/small studio prices. Large agencies typically charge 2-3x more.
MVP vs Full Product: What's the Difference?
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) — £5,000-10,000
An MVP includes only the core features needed to test your concept. Think of it as a functional prototype.
What you get:
- Core feature set (usually 3-5 key features)
- Basic but clean UI design
- Standard user authentication
- App Store submission
- Push notifications
- Basic analytics
What you don't get:
- Advanced features
- Custom animations
- Multiple user roles
- Complex integrations
- Admin dashboard
Full Product — £12,000-25,000
A complete, polished app ready for serious business use.
What you get:
- Full feature set
- Custom, polished UI/UX design
- Advanced authentication
- Payment integration
- Admin dashboard/backend
- Multiple user types
- In-depth analytics
- Extensive testing
What Factors Affect App Cost?
Design Complexity
Simple, clean designs cost less than elaborate custom interfaces with animations and complex interactions.
Backend Requirements
Does your app need a server? Custom API? Real-time features? Integration with existing systems? Each adds cost.
Third-Party Integrations
Payment processing, maps, social login, push notifications — each integration takes time to implement properly.
User Types
A single user type is straightforward. Multiple roles (admin, staff, customer) multiply complexity.
App Store Features
In-app purchases, subscriptions, and Apple Pay integration require additional development and testing.
Timeline Expectations
- MVP: 8-12 weeks
- Full Product: 12-20 weeks
- Complex App: 20-40+ weeks
These timelines include design, development, testing, and App Store submission.
Android Too?
Cross-platform frameworks (React Native, Flutter) can reduce costs for building both iOS and Android. However, if your primary audience uses iPhone (common among UK consumers), starting with native iOS often makes more sense.
Making the Decision
Start with an MVP if:
- You're testing a new concept
- Budget is limited
- You want to validate before investing heavily
- You need something live quickly
Go for full product if:
- You know exactly what you need
- It's core to your business
- You have the budget
- You need advanced features from day one
Want to discuss your app idea? Book a free discovery call to get a realistic quote and timeline.