What Goes Into Building a Mobile App
When people think about building a mobile app, they often imagine screens, buttons, and features. But the reality is that a successful app involves a full ecosystem - development, infrastructure, licensing, data management, publishing workflows, marketing, and long-term considerations.
About Bespoke Development
Before we dive in, it's important to clarify that this article refers specifically to fully bespoke app development, where:
- You own the source code
- The system is built around your exact needs
- You have full control over how it grows over time
This is not about low-code tools or app builders - this is about building a real digital asset that should last years and can be extended and evolved.
Let's break down everything that goes into making that happen.
1. The Development Team & Build Cost
This is almost always the biggest part of the investment.
You're paying for:
- Development time (design, engineering, testing, deployment)
- Years of experience within the team
- Planning, scoping, and architectural guidance
- Use of professional workflows, tooling, and QA processes
Different agencies quote differently - some use day rates, some offer fixed-price packages, others work on milestones, we offer a range of options depending on your needs and budgets. Regardless of the model:
The complexity of your app directly drives the cost.
- • A simple MVP (Minimum Viable Product to get your idea out there) with basic functionality may take a few weeks.
- • A feature-rich, multi-platform (iOS, Android, Web) product can take months.
2. Deciding Where Your App Will Live
At Localhost Development, the first major decision outside of scope is: How will your app be published?
Option A - Publish under Localhost Development Ltd
Easiest, fastest, and cheapest.
We already have verified business developer accounts with both Apple and Google and pay the fees for you, its not an uncommon practice for agencies to do this.
Option B - Publish under your own business
Brands sometimes prefer this for ownership and credibility.
We guide you through the setup process for:
- • Apple App Store Connect
- • Google Play Console
Account Costs:
These costs only apply if you choose to publish under your own business. If you choose to publish under Localhost Development Ltd, these costs are included in the development cost.
- Google Play: £25 one-time
- Apple Developer: ~£80/year
Once approved, your business is ready to launch apps under its own name.
3. Feature Complexity & Functionality
This is the most important part of the app development process, its what makes your app, well... your app. Its also a direct leader in what will determine the cost of the app. Its a balance of features and complexity, and a balance of cost and time.
Put simply: More features = more development time = higher cost.
Examples that add complexity:
Even small features often have large technical implications under the hood, but localhost development can help guide you, and find the balance you need.
4. Third-Party Integrations & Subscription Services
Modern apps often use established services to speed up development and improve reliability, these services are often used to provide features that are not core to the app, but are still important to the user experience.
Common examples include:
- Authentication providers (Google, Apple, email, social logins)
- Booking or scheduling platforms
- Push notification services
- Payment processors
- Databases and cloud functions
- File storage and image processing
- Analytics tools
These improve security and stability, but they may carry monthly or usage-based costs.
At Localhost Development, we provide two paths:
Option A - Fully bespoke systems
Maximum control, no vendor lock-in. Higher initial cost, long-term flexibility, you can really make it your own and spend time finding the cheapest and best services for your app, but you may need to spend time on maintenance and updates.
Option B - Third-party services
Lower build cost, faster delivery, predictable running costs. However, you may be locked into a vendor's platform and pricing. You may also be limited in the features you can use and the integrations you can make. Localhost Development can help you find the right third-party services for your app, and will often already have deals in place with the services we recommend.
We walk you through the pros, cons, and price implications of each.
5. Backend Infrastructure & Data Storage
Every action a user takes generates data:
This data needs to be stored securely, backed up, and made accessible across devices.
Typical ongoing infrastructure costs include:
Dont be scared of some of the technical terms here, we can help you understand and find the best solution for your app.
- Cloud database hosting
- File storage (images, videos, documents)
- API endpoints / serverless functions
- Bandwidth
- Monitoring and logging tools
- Security and authentication services
These costs scale with your user base, meaning infrastructure gradually grows as your app grows.
6. App Review & Release Process
While there's no direct fee for submitting an app, there is a time cost.
Apple review typically takes 1–7 days
They check:
- Security & data usage
- App stability
- Adherence to design guidelines
- Legal compliance
- Appropriate content
They can and will often request changes - which adds time. Localhost Development has experience with the review process and can help you navigate it.
Google review is usually faster, but still requires approval.
These processes impact timelines and must be factored into planning.
7. Marketing & Supporting Assets
Building the app is only the beginning.
To launch effectively, most businesses also need:
These are often overlooked but crucial for gaining traction.
8. Online vs Offline Capabilities
Online functionality is the ability of the app to connect to the internet and use online services, Offline functionality is non synced device specific, and requires a different approach to development. But you can mix the two, and have a fully online app with offline capabilities. With this you can:
- Store data locally
- Sync with the server when reconnected
- Handle conflict resolution
- Cache large amounts of content
- Protect offline data securely
If your users operate in low-signal environments - gyms, warehouses, rural areas - offline support may be essential, but it comes with a cost.
9. Long-Term Maintenance & Updates
To be successful, your app can't just be built and left alone. It needs to be maintained and updated regularly. A successful app will need:
An app is not a "build it once" product - it's a living digital ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
Estimating the cost of a bespoke mobile app depends entirely on your vision, feature set, and business goals. But understanding what goes into the process helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises.
At Localhost Development, we're here to support you through:
- A free initial consultation
- Discovery & scoping
- Design & architecture
- Full app development
- Publishing and ongoing support
Whether you're building a simple MVP (Minimum Viable Product to get your idea out there) or aiming for an award-winning product, we guide you every step of the way.