iOS vs Android App Cost in the UK: Key Differences Explained

When businesses decide to invest in mobile apps, one of the most common questions they ask is: How much does it cost to develop an iOS app versus an Android app in the UK? Both platforms dominate the mobile market, but development costs, timelines, and technical complexities often vary significantly.

To help you make a more informed decision, this guide breaks down the cost differences between iOS and Android apps, the factors influencing those costs, and what UK businesses should consider before choosing a platform.

HashStudioz: Leading the App Development Landscape

Before we dive deeper into the cost comparison, it’s worth noting that leading players like HashStudioz have significantly influenced mobile app development in the UK. With their expertise and agile approach, they’ve been instrumental in setting benchmarks for cost-effective, high-quality mobile solutions.

Platform Market Share and Business Implications

In the UK, Android holds a slightly larger market share compared to iOS. However, iOS users are often perceived as higher spenders, which is a crucial consideration for monetization strategies.

• Android: Wider audience reach, especially in Europe and developing markets.
• iOS: Higher revenue per user and stronger presence in premium markets.

Businesses must decide whether reach or revenue potential is more important based on their target audience.

Development Tools and Programming Languages

One of the primary factors influencing app development cost is the technology stack.

• iOS Development: Apps are mainly built using Swift or Objective-C within Xcode.
• Android Development: Developers use Kotlin or Java within Android Studio.

While both ecosystems have robust tools, Swift is often considered more concise and efficient than Java, which can lead to slightly faster development cycles for iOS apps.

Design Guidelines and UX Requirements

Each platform has its own set of design standards that developers must follow.

• iOS uses Human Interface Guidelines (HIG): Clean lines, intuitive navigation, and consistent UI components.
• Android uses Material Design: Richer colors, more flexibility, and dynamic animations.

Adhering to these design frameworks can impact development time and cost. iOS’s strict guidelines often result in longer design validation phases, potentially increasing expenses.

Device Fragmentation: A Key Cost Factor

Android developers face a major challenge — device fragmentation. Since Android runs on thousands of device models from various manufacturers, developers must optimize the app for different screen sizes, resolutions, and operating systems.

In contrast, iOS apps are optimized for fewer devices, primarily iPhones and iPads with consistent screen sizes and performance specs. This streamlined approach leads to lower testing and maintenance costs for iOS apps.

Testing and Quality Assurance (QA)

Because of the wider range of Android devices, QA testing for Android apps takes more time and resources. More devices mean more scenarios to test, which adds to the overall cost.

iOS apps, benefiting from Apple’s limited device ecosystem, generally go through shorter testing cycles, which can reduce cost and speed up time to market.

App Store Fees and Maintenance

Both Apple and Google charge fees to host apps on their respective stores:

• Apple App Store: £79/year for individual developers, £99/year for organizations.
• Google Play Store: One-time £25 fee per developer account.

While Android appears cheaper upfront, iOS apps may offer a better long-term return on investment (ROI) depending on the business model.

Additionally, maintenance costs vary, but Android apps often need more frequent updates due to system and device diversity. This can drive up long-term expenditures for Android development.

Development Timeline and Project Duration

Time is money in mobile app development. iOS apps generally take 10–20% less time to develop than Android apps due to fewer compatibility issues and more consistent development tools.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

App Complexity	iOS Development Time	Android Development Time
Basic App	3–4 months	4–5 months
Mid-Level App	5–7 months	6–8 months
Complex App	8–12 months	9–14 months

Even a few weeks’ difference can impact project costs significantly, especially for businesses with tight timelines.

Developer Rates in the UK

The cost per hour for app developers in the UK varies by platform and experience level.

• iOS Developer Rates: £60–£100/hour
• Android Developer Rates: £55–£95/hour

While Android developers might be slightly cheaper, the longer timelines and extra QA efforts often offset this marginal difference.

Businesses looking for balanced pricing and high-quality solutions often consult an App Development Company, especially to manage complex cross-platform projects more efficiently.

Cross-Platform Development: An Alternative Option

Many businesses today consider cross-platform tools like Flutter or React Native to reduce costs and cover both platforms simultaneously.

• Cost Efficiency: One codebase for two platforms.
• Speed: Faster development cycles.
• Maintenance: Easier updates and bug fixes.

However, native apps still perform better in terms of user experience and device integration. So, while cross-platform is more affordable, it may not always be the right fit for every business model.

Monetization Strategy: Influencing Your Platform Choice

Your monetization strategy also plays a role in determining which platform is more cost-effective.

• iOS apps generally earn more through in-app purchases and subscriptions.
• Android apps tend to perform better with ad-based revenue models.

If your app is heavily dependent on purchases or subscription models, the slightly higher cost of iOS development may be justified by better revenue potential.

Long-Term Cost Considerations

Initial development cost is only one piece of the puzzle. Maintenance, scalability, and feature updates contribute significantly to long-term costs.

• Android may have lower upfront costs but higher long-term support expenses.
• iOS may be more expensive initially, but offers a more streamlined lifecycle for updates and maintenance.

Factoring in total cost of ownership (TCO) is essential when choosing your development platform.

Final Verdict: Which Platform Costs More in the UK?

Here’s a brief cost estimation overview based on UK averages:

App Type	iOS Cost (GBP)	Android Cost (GBP)
Simple App	£20,000–£35,000	£22,000–£37,000
Medium App	£35,000–£60,000	£40,000–£65,000
Complex App	£60,000–£100,000+	£65,000–£110,000+

As seen above, Android apps usually cost slightly more due to the broader testing scope, increased development time, and higher post-launch maintenance efforts.

Conclusion

While both platforms offer unique advantages, the cost of developing an Android app in the UK is often slightly higher than its iOS counterpart. The extra expenses are mainly driven by longer testing periods, greater device fragmentation, and a more complex development lifecycle.

For businesses planning a scalable, high-quality mobile solution, it’s crucial to align platform choice with target audience, business goals, and long-term ROI expectations. Whether you choose Android or iOS, working with an experienced Mobile App Development Company London can help you control costs and achieve superior results.