The short answer
A focused custom system starts from £2,999 with us, £20,000 upwards from a typical UK agency, and £60,000 to £250,000+ for enterprise systems with multiple integrations and compliance requirements. The gap between the first two is scope discipline.
Starter App
Launch fast£3,999£2,999
For small and medium businesses ready to launch their first app.
- iOS & Android app
- User login & accounts
- Push notifications
- Admin dashboard
- 14 day delivery
Advanced App
Built to scale£6,999£5,999
For advanced apps with complex and heavier customer usage.
- All starter app features
- Complex app logic
- AI and blockchain features
- Security audits
- 14 day delivery
The four variables that move the number
Number of user types. One kind of user is one system. Staff plus customers plus suppliers is three, and cost roughly follows.
Integrations. The single most common cause of a wrong estimate, because difficulty is invisible until someone tries. How to find out which case you are in.
Regulatory requirements. Health data, children's data, financial regulation. Each adds real work and, in some cases, certification we do not hold.
Open scope. The largest factor and the only one entirely within your control.
Comparing against SaaS properly
| SaaS, 20 users growing to 40 | Custom build | |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | About £7,200 at £30 per seat | Build cost plus hosting |
| Year two | About £10,800 | Hosting plus changes |
| Year three | About £14,400 | Hosting plus changes |
| Three-year total | About £32,400 | Build plus running costs |
| What you own | Nothing | Everything |
The comparison turns on headcount growth. Stable team: SaaS usually wins. Growing team: per-seat pricing works against you every year.
Where we are the wrong answer
Common questions
How much does custom software cost in the UK?
A focused system starts from £2,999 with us and £20,000 upwards from an agency. Enterprise systems with multiple integrations and compliance requirements run from £60,000 to £250,000 and beyond.
How do I compare it to SaaS?
Over three years, including seat growth on the SaaS side and hosting plus maintenance on the custom side. Comparing a build price to one month of a subscription is how people reach the wrong conclusion.
What makes custom software expensive?
Number of user types, integrations with existing systems, regulatory requirements, and open scope. The last one is the largest and the only one entirely within your control.