How much does a mobile app cost?

Mobile app development typically ranges from £4,500 for simple apps to £22,000 for complex solutions. We use hybrid frameworks (Ionic, React Native, Angular) to build once and deploy to both iOS and Android, which significantly reduces costs compared to native development. Ongoing hosting and maintenance starts at £99/month.

What's the difference between project-based and subscription pricing?

Project-based pricing is a one-time fee for building your mobile app, web platform, or AI solution. You own the code and can host it yourself. Subscription pricing covers ongoing hosting, maintenance, updates, and support. Most clients start with a project build, then move to a subscription for peace of mind.

How long does development take?

Simple projects take 2–4 weeks, standard builds 6–10 weeks, and complex platforms 12+ weeks. We'll give you a timeline during the proposal stage. Our cross-platform approach means we deliver faster than traditional native development.

Do you handle app store submissions?

Yes. We manage the entire app store submission process for both iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play). This is included in project builds and ongoing with our mobile app hosting subscriptions (£99/mo+).

Can you integrate with our existing systems?

Yes. We specialise in integrations with CRMs, billing systems, warehouse management, and data platforms. If it has an API, we can connect it. Integration projects range from £1,200–£15,000 depending on complexity.

How do you ensure security and compliance?

We deploy on private VPS infrastructure with SSL encryption, implement access controls aligned to your policies, and follow GDPR best practices. For regulated industries, we offer security reviews, penetration test support, and compliance documentation as part of Enterprise packages.

Why Gulf Businesses Prefer UK Tech Partners

Over the past decade, there's been a notable trend: businesses across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—particularly in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain—are increasingly turning to UK-based technology companies for their software development, AI implementation, and digital transformation needs.

But why the UK specifically? Let's explore the factors driving this preference.

1. Historical Trade Relationships

The UK and GCC nations have enjoyed strong trade relationships for decades:

Long-established business networks between London and Dubai, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi
Shared business practices and legal frameworks
Significant British expatriate communities in the Gulf
Cultural familiarity and mutual trust built over generations

2. Language and Communication

English is the lingua franca of international business, and UK firms excel at clear, professional communication:

Native English speakers with neutral accents
Written documentation that's clear and legally precise
Cultural understanding of both Western and Middle Eastern business etiquette
Experience working with diverse, international teams

3. Timezone Synergy

This cannot be overstated. The UK's timezone (GMT/UTC+0) creates perfect overlap for GCC clients:

| Location | Time Difference | Working Hours Overlap | |----------|----------------|----------------------| | Dubai (UAE) | +4 hours | 10am-6pm Gulf = 6am-2pm UK | | Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) | +3 hours | 9am-5pm Gulf = 6am-2pm UK | | Manama (Bahrain) | +3 hours | 9am-5pm Gulf = 6am-2pm UK |

This means daily standup meetings, real-time collaboration, and immediate issue resolution are all possible during normal business hours—no midnight calls required.

4. Quality Without the Premium

US-based tech firms often charge premium rates ($150-300/hour for senior developers). UK firms offer:

Comparable quality from graduates of Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford, UCL
30-40% cost savings compared to equivalent US firms
Transparent pricing in GBP, which is stable and widely accepted
No hidden fees common with offshore providers

5. GDPR Compliance and Data Protection

UK companies are bound by GDPR (and UK-GDPR post-Brexit), which means:

Strict data protection standards
Clear privacy policies
Secure development practices
Compliance documentation that satisfies auditors

This is particularly important for Gulf financial services, healthcare, and government entities handling sensitive data.

6. Proven Track Record in GCC Projects

Many UK tech companies have established strong portfolios of GCC work:

Experience with Arabic localization
Understanding of regional payment gateways (Tabby, Tamara, Telr)
Familiarity with regional regulations and compliance requirements
References from other Gulf clients

7. Modern Tech Stack Expertise

UK tech firms are early adopters of modern development practices:

Mobile-first development using React Native, Flutter, Ionic
Cloud-native architectures on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
AI and machine learning leveraging OpenAI, Claude, and custom models
DevOps and CI/CD ensuring rapid deployment and scaling

Real-World Use Cases

Gulf businesses are partnering with UK firms for:

E-commerce Platforms

Multi-currency, multi-language online stores
Integration with regional logistics providers (Aramex, Fetchr)
Payment gateway integration (Network International, PayTabs)

Mobile Apps

Customer-facing apps for retail, hospitality, and healthcare
Internal employee apps for workforce management
Hybrid apps (iOS + Android + Web) from a single codebase

AI Automation

Customer service chatbots in Arabic and English
Document processing and OCR for government services
Predictive analytics for inventory and demand forecasting

Custom Business Software

CRM and ERP systems tailored to regional business practices
Integration between existing systems (SAP, Oracle, Salesforce)
Data warehousing and business intelligence dashboards

Why Cognify AI?

At Cognify AI, we've built our entire business model around serving international clients—particularly in the GCC region. Our strengths:

Direct communication with founders and senior developers (no account managers)
Flexible engagement models: project-based, retainer, or subscription
Proven GCC experience (though we're happy to provide references privately)
Fast turnaround: Simple projects in 2-4 weeks, complex platforms in 8-12 weeks
Transparent pricing: Fixed quotes, no surprise invoices

Get Started Today

Whether you're based in Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, or anywhere else in the Gulf region, we'd love to discuss your project:

Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Web platforms using Next.js, React, Angular
AI chatbots and automation
System integration and API development

About the author: This article was written by the Cognify AI team, a UK-based software development company specializing in mobile apps, web platforms, and AI automation for clients worldwide.