AppMVPDevelopmentUKontheAppStorewithoutayearofburn
The most expensive mistake in app development is building for two platforms before you know anyone wants the product. Native iOS and Android roughly doubles build cost, so the first question I ask is whether your idea genuinely needs native features — camera, push, offline, background location — or whether a fast responsive web app answers the same question for half the money.
When native is the right answer, the scope has to be brutal: one user journey, one reason to open the app tomorrow. Onboarding, profiles, the core interaction, notifications and a moderation or admin view is usually the whole version one. Everything else — social feeds, gamification, in-app purchases beyond a single tier — waits until real usage tells you what matters.
App MVPs also carry work that web builds don't: store listings, screenshots, privacy declarations, age ratings, review rejections and a marketing site to drive installs. I plan for those from the start, because a build that is technically finished but stuck in review is not launched. Typical app MVPs run £25,000 to £70,000 over 10 to 16 weeks.
Everything you need to launch
Web app, hybrid or fully native
Three honest options, in the order I usually recommend them. The right one depends on what your product actually needs from the phone.
Responsive web app first
Fastest and cheapest validation — no store review, instant updates, installable to the home screen. Usually £15,000–£35,000.
Custom web appsCross-platform build
One codebase shipping to both stores with push, camera and offline support. Typically £30,000–£60,000.
App developmentFully native iOS + Android
For heavy device features or performance-critical products. Roughly doubles cost — £50,000 upwards, and rarely needed for version one.
MVP serviceHow it works
Scoping week
Decide web vs native, cut the feature list to one journey, and agree a fixed price.
Design
Clickable prototype of onboarding and the core screens, tested on a real phone before code.
Build
6–10 weeks with TestFlight and internal-track builds you can use on your own device weekly.
Store launch
Listings, screenshots, review submission, then a monitored soft launch with a small cohort.
Recent projects
Frequently asked questions
How much does an app MVP cost in the UK?+
Most app MVPs run £25,000 to £70,000. A responsive web app that behaves like an app is usually £15,000 to £35,000; a cross-platform store build £30,000 to £60,000; fully native iOS and Android £50,000 upwards. You get a fixed price after a paid scoping week.
How long until my app is on the App Store?+
Typically 10 to 16 weeks including store review. Build takes 6 to 10 weeks after design sign-off, then allow one to two weeks for Apple and Google review — first submissions are often rejected once for a fixable metadata or privacy reason.
Should I build a web app or a native app first?+
If your product does not need camera, push, offline or background device access, start with a responsive web app. It validates the same hypothesis for roughly half the money, updates instantly, and avoids store review entirely. Native makes sense when the phone itself is part of the product.
Do you handle App Store and Google Play submission?+
Yes — developer account setup, bundle configuration, screenshots, listing copy, privacy and data-use declarations, age ratings and the submission itself, including responding to review feedback.
Who owns the app and the code?+
You do. The GitHub repository, the design files, the store listings and all IP are yours from day one, published under your own developer account rather than mine.
What happens after launch?+
Thirty days of bug fixing is included. After that most founders move onto a monthly build retainer so the next features are shaped by real retention data rather than guesswork.
Can you work with an existing designer or Figma file?+
Yes. If you already have designs I'll review them for feasibility and platform conventions, flag anything that will cause store or accessibility problems, then build from your files.
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Read moreReady to get your app built?
Book a free 30-minute call — I'll tell you honestly whether you need native or a web app first.