The short answer
From £2,999 for a launched retail app on both platforms. Whether that is cheaper than what you pay now depends entirely on your volume and your fee structure, so compare over three years rather than against a monthly price.
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 three-year comparison
| Platform and marketplace fees | Your own app | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | Low or none | From £2,999, once |
| Per-sale cost | Platform fee plus payment processing | Payment processing only |
| Cost as you grow | Rises with revenue | Flat |
| Customer relationship | Shared or theirs | Yours |
| What you own at the end | Nothing | Everything |
The pattern: platforms are cheaper when you are small and get more expensive precisely as you succeed. A build is the opposite.
When it is worth it
Case studyHow Anfal Herbals covered an app's cost in one weekAn existing customer base, and a channel that removed the intermediary.Common questions
How much does an ecommerce app cost in the UK?
From £2,999 for a launched app on both platforms with catalogue, cart, payment, and accounts. Agencies typically quote £20,000 to £60,000 for the same category of product.
Is it cheaper than Shopify over three years?
It depends entirely on your volume. Shopify is cheaper at low volume and its transaction and app costs scale with your sales. Run the three-year comparison on your own numbers rather than on a headline monthly price.
Do I need an app if I have a website?
Only if you have repeat customers. An app is a retention channel, not an acquisition one. For a business without regulars, spend the money on the website instead.