How Much Does an iOS App Cost in 2026? (MVP vs Full Product)

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.