Mobile app development for UK SMEs means building cross-platform applications that give your team and customers a proper mobile experience. We build in React Native and Expo, so one codebase deploys to both iOS and Android with native performance, offline-first design, push notifications, and clean backend integration. No separate codebases, no doubled costs. You own the source code and the app store accounts from day one. From £15,000, fixed-price.
Mobile app development is the process of building applications that run on iOS and Android devices, giving your team and customers a proper mobile experience. For UK SMEs, ajairu.dev builds cross-platform apps using React Native and Progressive Web App technology, with one codebase serving both platforms. Fixed-price from £20,000.
React Native and Expo mean you build once and deploy to iOS and Android. No doubled cost, no separate teams.
In the past, building a mobile app meant building twice - once in Swift for iOS, once in Kotlin for Android. Two codebases, two teams, two sets of bugs, and double the cost. Cross-platform development changes that. We write your app once in React Native, and it compiles to genuine native code for both iOS and Android. Users get a real native experience - native UI components, native performance, native gestures - and you get one codebase to maintain.
We use Expo, the framework built on top of React Native, which streamlines development, testing, and deployment. Over-the-air updates let you push bug fixes and minor changes without going through app store review. For UK SMEs, this means faster development, lower costs, and easier maintenance - without compromising on the user experience your customers expect. Expo also provides built-in modules for common features - camera, location, notifications, file system, biometric authentication - so we spend less time on plumbing and more time on the features that matter to your business. And because the entire stack is JavaScript-based, your existing web developers can maintain and extend the app without learning a completely new language.
Three approaches to mobile. We help you choose based on your needs, not hype.
Best for: Content-driven apps, internal tools, and budget-conscious projects.
A PWA is a website that behaves like an app. It can be installed on a phone, works offline, and sends push notifications - but runs in the browser, not from an app store. PWAs are fast to build, easy to update (no app store review), and work on any device with a browser. They are ideal when you need something quick and do not require deep device integration.
Cost: From £8,000
Best for: Most business apps - the sweet spot of cost, performance, and capability.
One codebase deploys to both iOS and Android as genuine native apps. Native UI components, native performance, access to device features (camera, GPS, Bluetooth, biometrics), and distribution through the App Store and Google Play. This is the right choice for most UK SMEs - you get the native experience without doubling your development cost.
Cost: From £15,000
Best for: High-performance games, AR/VR apps, and apps requiring deep hardware integration.
Separate codebases in Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android). Maximum performance and deepest device access, but at roughly double the cost and development time of cross-platform. Rarely necessary for business apps - React Native now handles 95% of use cases with near-native performance.
Cost: From £30,000 (both platforms)
Not sure which approach fits your project? The free discovery call will clarify this in 30 minutes. Book yours now.
These features are standard in every app we build - not expensive add-ons.
Apps that work without a connection. Data is stored locally and syncs automatically when you are back online. Essential for field teams, delivery drivers, and anyone working in areas with poor connectivity. No more "the app stopped working because there was no signal."
Send targeted notifications to your users - new orders, appointment reminders, status updates, or marketing messages. Scheduled, segmented, and personalised. Users see your brand on their lock screen, not just when they open the app.
Biometric login (Face ID, fingerprint), PIN codes, or traditional passwords. Single sign-on integration with your existing systems. Role-based access control so users only see what they should. Every session is secured with encrypted tokens.
Your app talks to your existing systems via custom APIs - CRM, accounting, inventory, job management. Real-time data sync means the app always shows the latest information. No siloed data, no manual exports.
We handle the full submission process for Apple App Store and Google Play - developer accounts, store listings, review submission, and approval management. Automated deployment pipelines make future updates straightforward. You own the accounts and the app.
See how users interact with your app - which features they use, where they drop off, what crashes. Privacy-compliant analytics (no third-party trackers unless you want them) give you the data to improve the app over time. GDPR-compliant by default.
Different businesses need different apps. Here are the most common types we deliver.
For engineers, technicians, and maintenance teams working on site. Job scheduling, equipment registers, photo capture, signature collection, parts ordering, and offline access. Your engineers arrive with everything they need on their phone or tablet - job details, customer history, manuals, and forms - even with no signal.
Give your customers a dedicated app for ordering, tracking, account management, and support. Push notifications keep them engaged. In-app purchases or payment integration drives revenue. Self-service features reduce support calls. Your brand lives on their home screen, not just in their inbox.
Mobile access to your CRM for sales reps on the road. View customer details, log calls, update deal stages, generate quotes, and capture leads - all from a phone. Offline access means reps can work anywhere. Sync happens automatically when they are back online.
Barcode scanning, stock counting, pick and pack, and stock transfers - all on a mobile device. Real-time sync with your inventory system eliminates paper and errors. Warehouse staff scan, confirm, and move on. Managers see stock levels update instantly across all locations.
Route optimisation, proof of delivery, photo capture, and customer signature collection. Drivers see their route, navigate to each stop, capture proof of delivery, and update status in real time. Customers receive tracking notifications. Your dispatch team sees live delivery status on a dashboard.
Mobile access to your internal systems - staff portals, approval workflows, timesheets, and reporting. Your team checks their rota, submits timesheets, approves purchase orders, and accesses company documents - all from their phone. No more being tied to a desk.
A proven 4-step process that de-risks every mobile app project.
We map your requirements, user processs, and technical constraints. We identify which approach (PWA, cross-platform, or native) fits your needs and budget. No assumptions - we understand what your users actually need.
We design the app - screens, navigation, offline behaviour, and backend integration. You see clickable prototypes and approve the design before any code is written. You know exactly what you are getting.
We build the app using AI-accelerated development. Weekly demos let your team test on real devices throughout. Feedback is incorporated immediately. Over-the-air updates push fixes without app store delays.
We handle app store submission, set up monitoring and crash reporting, and train your team. 30 days of post-launch support is included. You own the code, the developer accounts, and the app.
Fixed-price engagements. You know the total cost before we start. No day rates, no surprise billing.
All prices are fixed - you approve the scope before we start. See all our bespoke software development services or book a free discovery call.
Full source code, developer accounts, and app store listings. No licence fees, no vendor lock-in. Your team can maintain and update the app independently, or we can provide ongoing support from £350/month. The app is yours.
One codebase for iOS and Android. No doubled development cost, no separate teams, no synchronising two codebases. React Native and Expo give you native performance at cross-platform prices. Over-the-air updates push fixes without app store delays.
We design apps around the people who will use them - your field teams, your customers, your delivery drivers. Offline-first means the app works anywhere. Intuitive interfaces mean minimal training. We build apps people actually want to use, not apps they are forced to use.
Straight answers to the questions UK SMEs ask us about mobile app development.
A cross-platform mobile app for a UK SME starts from £15,000 for a core app with offline support and app store deployment. A professional app with push notifications, backend integration, and user authentication typically costs £20,000 to £30,000. Full enterprise mobile platforms with real-time sync and complex workflows range from £35,000 to £50,000+. All projects are fixed-price - you know the total cost before we start.
No. We build cross-platform apps using React Native and Expo, which means a single codebase deploys to both iOS and Android. You get native performance and native UI components on both platforms without maintaining two separate codebases. This halves development time and cost compared to building separate native apps, while still giving users a genuine native experience.
A PWA (Progressive Web App) is a website that behaves like an app - it can be installed on a phone, works offline, and sends push notifications, but runs in the browser. A native app (or cross-platform app via React Native) is installed from the App Store or Google Play and has deeper access to device features. PWAs are faster and cheaper to build and do not require app store approval. Native apps offer better performance, deeper device integration, and are discoverable in app stores. We help you choose based on your needs.
Yes. We build offline-first apps that store data locally on the device and sync automatically when a connection is available. Your team can use the app in the field, on building sites, in warehouses, or anywhere with poor connectivity. When they come back online, changes sync to the server and conflict resolution handles any overlaps. This is essential for field service, delivery, and inspection apps.
Yes. We handle the full app store deployment process for both Apple App Store and Google Play - creating developer accounts, preparing store listings, submitting for review, and managing the approval process. We also set up push notification certificates, provisioning profiles, and automated deployment pipelines so future updates are straightforward. You own the developer accounts and the app.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. We will map your requirements, recommend the right approach (PWA, cross-platform, or native), and give you a fixed-price quote - with honest advice about whether you even need an app.