If you’re searching for a UK app developer then you’ve come to the right place. The UK has been referred to as a “powerhouse” of the global app development market, and for iOS, Android and Cross Platform, the data backs it all up.
In 2019, 79% of adults in UK owned a smartphone. On average brits spent 2 hours and 34 minutes interacting with their smartphones on a daily basis, spending 1 out of 5 minutes on social media. 72% of mobile connections in UK were 4G.
The app development market naturally follows, with plenty of app developers both in London and beyond, another hub being Manchester. This guide looks at the UK app development scene in detail, counting up the cost of having a mobile application developed in the country. It covers what you should think about when choosing an app developer in the UK and then lists some of the best companies who operate in the country.
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Learn moreWe have put this list of UK app developers together based on our own research, suggestions from our network and based on rankings and data from other third party sources and sites. The list is in no particular order, rather we have tried to aggregate and curate a range of useful suggestions for UK app development shops. Whether you choose to work with them or not is up to you to decide. This guide is divided into four sections, providing background on the market, typical app development costs and the best way to make your selection before providing some more details on specific app development companies operating in the UK market.
You can jump to the start of each section using the section headings below:
- The app developer market in the UK
- UK app development costs and statistics
- How to choose app developers in the UK
- Best UK App Developers
We begin with an overview of the app developer market in the UK.
The app developer market in the UK
It’s a strong one.
Revenues in the UK app developer market are forecast to be more than £31 billion by 2025, and according to a report by Vision Mobile, the economy will be worth more than £30 billion by 2030.
App developers can be found all over the United Kingdom, but the majority is clustered around London. Of its 8000 app-development-related companies (around a fifth of all European app development agencies), 31% are located in the capital, and about 25% of those in the south-east part of the city.
Location of app development companies in UK
Source: SlashData
It’s estimated that these together employ 380,000 people (though not all of them are developers – this includes designers, admin and marketing people involved in the app industry.)
With all signs that the industry is growing, what kind of prices can you expect to develop a mobile application in the UK?
UK app development costs
How do UK app development costs measure up globally?
Globally, an iOS mobile app development price tag is in a ballpark of $28,000, for Android its $23,000 and $18,000 for a Window Phone OS.
The UK has some of the best app developers in the world, and thus costs can be close to the global average. According to this app development price calculator, a single platform app could cost £ 38,000, while a two-platform app can reach £42,000. These costs are calculated for developing an app from scratch, with a multi-lingual interface, a user account, in-app purchases and custom UI design.
The amount a developer charges per hour also comes close to global highs. Below you can find a graph for the estimated minimum and maximum you can expect to pay hourly for an app developer to work on your iOS or Android app.
Median cost of mobile app development in select regions worldwide, by platform
Data source: Statista
The reason for the high price is quality: not only are some of the best app developers in the world found here, but many US firms have offices here – while not technically from the UK, they operate on the territory and raise the average.
Having had a glimpse of the cost and skill of the developers in the UK, how do you go about choosing one?
Top UK App Development Companies:
- hedgehog lab - We help global brands solve their problems with digital products on mobile, web and connected platforms.
- eleks - Your Technology Partner for Software Innovation and Market-leading Solutions
- NMG Technologies - US BASED AWARD WINNING Mobile App, WEB & ECOM
- The Distance - Leading UK Mobile App Development Company
- Intellectsoft - Engineering Your Vision
- Emizen Tech - Mobile app Development Company
- Sonin - A Decade of Award-Winning Apps
- Netsells - Building Something Better
- Rantmedia - Think. Make. Innovate.
- Groovy Web - ⭐World-Class Digital Solutions ✅ On-Time ✅ In-Budget ⭐
- Tech Exactly - We translate your ideas into futuristic apps and immersive mobile experiences.
- App Maisters - Trusted Digital Transformation Partner for Startups, Growing and Enterprise Companies
- 3 Sided Cube - LET'S BUILD TECH FOR GOOD
- Light IT - Reliable technical partner for more than 500 companies since 2006
- Simform - Your Extended Team of Tech Experts
- HestaBit - Building Ideas, Launching Products.
- GeekyAnts - We are a product studio transforming ideas into reality
- Uinno - Trusted Extended Team that Solves Technology-Related Challenges. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Arka Softwares - Creating Next Big Thing for You
- Promatics - Top Rated Mobile App Development Company
- Quy Technology - Mobile Apps for Startups and Enterprises
- Fortnight Studio - Award-Winning App Design & Development Studio
- Apadmi - Restlessly Mobile
- Arateg - Take care of tech, so you focus on core business.
- Borne - Mobile First Innovation Studio
- Indiespring - Driving business transformation through innovative mobile-first software
- Chelsea Apps - We challenge your ideas so users don’t have to
How to choose app developers in the UK
There’s a few things you should know:
Two major sections: the research you can do on your own, and the interview phase with the app developer, where you’ll explore their skills and expertise while they try to understand your business and your app. The research you can do at home is as follows:
- Review their portfolio: not only to see how many apps they’ve made and how successful they’ve been, but also to see which industries they’ve worked for. A niche social network app has vastly different characteristics and challenges to a mobile enterprise app for industry. Experience in your specific field of business is just as important as development skills.
- Recommendations: ask others in your industry who have launched successful apps to recommend a developer, or find out who made the most successful apps if there’s an industry benchmark.
- Check out our Market Place: You’ll find a wealth of information and app developer profiles in Business of App’s Marketplace.
Top 5 UK App Development Companies, by Twitter Followers
| Company | Twitter Followers |
| Fueled | 6.8k+ |
| Brightec | 5.1k+ |
| Waracle | 3.7k+ |
| Adapmi | 3.4k+ |
| Mubaloo | 2.7k+ |
Best UK App Developers
These the top app development companies with offices in the UK. They’re not ranked in any order, they’re just “the best.” We’ve gone for a mix of budgets, skills and expertise as well as made sure to choose companies from all over the UK, not just in London.
List of mobile app development companies in the UK
hedgehog lab
We help global brands solve their problems with digital products on mobile, web and connected platforms.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
- Sector Focus: Finance, Supply Chain and Logistics and Healthcare
- Offices: Newcastle upon Tyne, London & Boston
- Employees: 51+
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 500+ | $25m+ | 10k+ |
Eleks – Ukraine, Kyiv based app development studio with more than 1,000 employees and 25+ years of software development experience the company leverages to develop superb mobile apps. The company’s development offices are located in Ukraine and Poland and the sales ones are in UK, US, Estonia and Germany. The spectrum of Eleks specialities is broad, it covers data science, mobility, quality assurance and testing, R&D, blockchain, AI, Cloud, IoT, ML, logistics and more.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, HTML5, Mobile Web, Web Development
- Sector Focus: Retail, Fintech, Logistics, Media & Entertainment, Heatlthtech, Government, Agriculture
- UK Office: South Quay, London, E14 9GE, E149JL, GB
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Traffic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 51-100 | $1-$5 million | 4000 |
NMG Technologies is a global full-cycle software development company building advance websites, software and mobile apps using latest technologies since 2008. NMG Technologies is trusted by enterprises & Fortune 500 companies across 30 countries.
It offers Enterprise Software Development, Dedicated Development Team, IT Consulting, Mobile App Development. As well as the following solutions – Corporate/Business Websites, Enterprise Ecommerce, Blockchain Development, FinTech, Augmented Reality, Cloud Apps , Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things
- Platforms: Android, HTML5, iOS, Mobile Web
- Sector Focus: IoT, FinTech, Chatbot, AR/VR, Blockchain, AI.
- Offices: Delhi, India, London, UK, Las Vegas, US.
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 11-50 | $1m+ | 2k+ | 2,000 |
The Distance team has a long history of being on the app development market. They have been developing apps since the first iPhone launched and its extensive portfolio of apps, they’ve built for brands ranging from household names to world famous companies, speaks for itself.
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Sector Focus: Advertising, Business Services, Healthcare
- UK Office: Cromwell House 31 Micklegate, York YO1 6JH, UK; 90 York Way, London N1 9AG, UK
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 300+ | - | - | - |
Intellectsoft is a digital transformation consultancy that provides cutting-edge engineering solutions for global organizations. Each day companies ranging from startups to the world’s most recognizable brands, including Universal Pictures, Jaguar Motors, Qualcomm, Ernst & Young, Clinique, Bombardier, London Stock Exchange, Harley-Davidson leverage Intellectsoft’s creative solutions and mobile development services to enhance their products and maximize KPIs.
- Platforms: Android, iOS, HTML5
- Sector Focus: Construction, Healthcare, Insurance, Fintech, Logistics & Automotive, Travel & Hospitality, Retail & Ecommerce, Sports & Teams, Musicians & Bands.
- US Office: 721 Colorado Avenue, Suite 101 Palo Alto, CA USA 94303
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 101-200 | 5M | 1800 | 800 |
Founded in 2013, Emizentech has emerged with a plethora of insights and result-driven aspects by delivering cutting-edge mobile app development solutions to clients from all over the globe. Being globally acknowledged as a leading mobile app developer, Emizentech develops futuristic mobile software solutions for all sized businesses, and too with satisfaction.
Learn more about Emizen Tech
Sonin is an award-winning app agency with over a decade of experience helping ambitious organisations to build the right products that make people’s lives better.
Our services include
Discovery: Product Strategy, Research, Workshops, and Road mapping.
App Design: Strategy, User Experience Design, User Interface Design, and Usability Testing.
App Development: iOS, Android, Web, and Immersive.
Product Success: Analytics, User Feedback, and Insights.
Key Features
- Discovery to prove the business case of your product before beginning development.
- UX/UI Design to create a delightful experience that drives results.
- iOS, Android, Web, and Immersive Apps that take advantage of everything each platform has to offer.
- Product Success that goes beyond your short-term challenges to ensure you achieve your long-term strategic goals.
| Founded | Employees | Social | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 51-200 | 7k+ |
Netsells is one of the leading UK based digital agencies that will turn 10 this year. It has an expertise in native (iOS and Android) and cross-platform mobile app development. The agency has been serving clients of all sizes from more than 40 countries. Some of its top clients are Hiscox, Uber, Trainline and Capita. Netsells developers team specialities ranges from web design, web development, logo design to mobile app development.
- Platforms: Android, iOS, HTML5
- Sector Focus: Broadcasting, Jobs, Finances, Fitness.
- UK Office: Suite 3, Mill House, North Street, York, YO1 6JD
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 11-50 | - | 1k+ | 400+ |
Rantmedia is a small UK-based app development studio with 15+ experience of delivering superb software for desktop and mobile. Rantmedia team is ready to work with companies of all sizes, from small startups to global well established brands. It was awarded with BAFTA for Technical Achievement by The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in Wales.
- Platforms: Android, iOS
- Sector Focus: Sports, Games, Broadcasting
- Key clients: BBC, TV/S Soccer, NHS, Project AWARE
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 51-100 | $1m | 561 | 1500 |
Groovy Web is a home to young and energetic people with modern skills and knowledge who stood out in a very competitive market with a fresh outlook to serve industries and organizations from every domain with great quality and cost-effective services like: React Native App Development Android App Development iOS App Development Cross Platform App Development Progressive Web Application For more than 6 years, we have been giving our best efforts right from analyzing the clients\' requirements to developing and deploying cutting-edge and complex solutions.
Learn more about Groovy WebTech Exactly
We translate your ideas into futuristic apps and immersive mobile experiences.
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 10-50 | 5m | 10000 | 15000 |
Tech Exactly is award winning Indian Mobile App Development Company with a diverse global clientele. We provide dedicated mobile app and web developers to help startups and enterprises create bespoke solutions.
Learn more about Tech ExactlyApp Maisters
Trusted Digital Transformation Partner for Startups, Growing and Enterprise Companies
| Founded | Employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 10-50 |
App Maisters Inc. is recognized as one of the Top App Development Companies in United States. We provides an ultra-rapid & cost effective delivery cycle, a key success factor in such a rapidly evolving market place.
Learn more about App Maisters
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 11-50 | $25k+ | 9k+ |
We build digital platforms with global organisations and movements to make change happen. 3 Sided Cube champions and advocates all things tech for good. We are an ISO accredited app development and digital product agency on a mission to use technology to change millions of lives for the better.
Learn more about 3 Sided Cube
| Founded | Employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 101-200 |
Light IT provides innovative mobile/web apps and software development solutions for your business. We offer more than just software development, we focus on clients’ needs, go deep into requirements to suggest improvements, plan our workflow to reduce the budget, and never miss the deadlines.
For over 14 years, we have delivered 500+ custom solutions for companies from Australia, Europe, United States, Canada, Japan, China, and many others.
Learn more about Light IT
| Founded | Employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 201-500 |
Simform is a top custom software and app development company with a mission to help successful companies extend their tech capacity. Since 2010, Our team of 280+ experts has helped businesses elevate their value through our development services.
Learn more about Simform
| Founded | Employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 101-200 |
HestaBit is an established globally managed IT service provider that purely focuses on the end user. We have successfully created technology masterpieces with our varied experience in web and mobile technologies. All these years, we have managed to drive ideas with some of the biggest brands, channels and startups.
Learn more about HestaBit
| Founded | Employees | Traffic | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 201-500 | 35k+ |
GeekyAnts is a product studio specializing in web and mobile development using React, React Native, Flutter, Vue, Angular, NodeJS, Laravel, Python etc.
On the services side, they have worked with around 500+ clients all across the globe. The services provided ranges from business analysis, web and mobile development, UI/UX design, product management, delivery & support.
- Platforms: Android, iOS
- Sector Focus: Healthcare, Communication, Financial.
- UK Office: 7 Bickleigh House, Frogwell Close,
London N15 6ED, England, UK
| Founded | Employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10-50 |
We are a digital product agency that solves all technology-related challenges of the client on a turnkey basis with a team of brilliant minds. We care about what we do and who we collaborate with. Our product-oriented team is willing to take on your most complex challenges without the hassle of micromanagement.
Learn more about Uinno
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 101-200 | 10m+ | 20k+ | 50,000+ |
Arka Softwares is an ISO 9001:2015 certified and industry-leading web and mobile development solution provider company with 100+ passionate developers and designers, based in Jaipur, India having offices in, USA, UK, and Australia.
Learn more about Arka Softwares
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 51-200 | $60m+ | 2k+ | 14,100 |
Promatics Technologies is an ISO 9001:2008 certified Mobile App Development Company based in India. With over 5 offices across the globe, Promatics has been delivering native as well as hybrid apps for its clients since several years.
Learn more about Promatics
Quytech is a trusted mobile app development company with over 10 years of experience that helps startups to take their first step in the right direction. We leverage the latest technology to shape your mobile app idea into reality.
Learn more about Quy Technology
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 10-50 | 1m | 6300 | 2,000 |
We\'re a UK-based UI/UX design and development studio on a mission to help brand grow and scale with incredible digital products. Our design team combines experience and vision to deliver interfaces that are beautiful and innovative, yet intuitive and functional.
Learn more about Fortnight Studio
Apadmi is a mobile technology company that works with clients of all sizes to understand how and where to use mobile in their organization to make life better for customers and internal staff alike – delivering the complete solutions needed to make it happen. Their clients include Argos, the NHS, BBC, Co-op, United Utilities, AstraZeneca, Lexus, and Range Rover. Named Top UK App Developer 2018 by Clutch, Large UK App Agency of the Year 2018 (UK App Awards), Large Digital Agency of the Year 2018 (UK Agency Awards). The company works across all mobile platforms, from voice technology to Java and ASP.NET
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon Alexa, Windows, HTML5, Blackberry
- Sector Focus: Healthcare, Utilities, Retail Finance
- UK Office: Manchester (Trafford Park and city centre), London
- Employees: 75+
| Founded | Employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 10-50 |
Arateg is an award-winning custom software development company that helps you grow feature-rich online marketplaces such as Amazon, Uber Eats, Airbnb, Booking.com, etc. Having considerable 7+ years of experience, we deliver web & mobile development, UX/UI design, IT consulting, testing, support, and maintenance services.
Learn more about Arateg
Borne – Not just app development but digital products at large. Established in 2013, highly creative agency, with a team of 20 professionals that develop for both iOS and Android, web, as well as UX/ UI design, branding, market research user strategy and product mapping. Clients include Shell, The British Army, Xendpay. gowithYamo, Bendi, Shell, Joseph Homes, Holiday Swap, BuzzHire, Unifi, Zeus, Sidekicks.
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Sector Focus: Social, Health
- UK Office: Workhouse One, 3rd Floor 6-8 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4BX, UK
- Employees: 10+
| Employees | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-50 |
Indiespring is a leading provider of innovative, mobile-first, custom software solutions that drive business transformation and accelerate our customers’ growth. We pride ourselves on building true, long-lasting partnerships with our customers and treat each project as if it\'s our own.
Learn more about Indiespring
| Founded | Employees | Revenues | Social | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 10-50 | 1m+ | 5k |
Chelsea Apps – is a mobile and web app development agency with 70+ million mobile app downloads and generating in excess of £250m for its clients. The team is dedicated to crafting apps that make a real impact. People that work in Chelsea Apps bring to bear a blend of youth and experience with strengths in areas such as creativity, development, enterprise-level security and big data innovation. Chelsea Apps worked for companies likes of TFL, Ladbrokes, Waitrose, KPMG, Peace One Day and Telefonica among others
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows
- Sector Focus: Retail
- UK Office: 30 Stamford Street, London SE1 9LQ, & Telephone House, 18 Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth BH1 3NE United Kingdom
- Employees: 10+
