How Much Does Grocery App Development Cost in the UK Like Beelivery

Whether it is shopping for clothes, booking tickets, ordering food, or anything else, everyone can do it conveniently using their smartphones. We all know convenience is king—and grocery shopping is no exception.

Gone are the days when you have to stand in long supermarkets and crowded checkout lines. With the rise of grocery delivery apps, people can now order fresh produce, snacks, and household essentials from their phones and have them delivered to their doorsteps.

Beelivery, one of the most popular grocery apps in the UK, is known for its efficiency, fast deliveries, and easy-to-use design.

However, if you are thinking about creating a grocery app like Beelivery, you may also want to know the grocery app development cost in the UK. Whether you are a new entrepreneur, a tech lover, or a business aiming to enter the grocery delivery market, knowing the costs involved is essential.

In this article, we will break down the key factors that impact the cost of developing a grocery app like Beelivery in the UK, including the type of app you want to create, the features you need, and the development process.

By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of what goes into building a grocery app and the budget you will need.

What is Beelivery?

Beelivery is a UK-based grocery delivery app that allows users to buy products from local stores and have them delivered to their door. They cover 90% of UK postcodes, deliver often within 15 to 60 minutes, and are available 24/7.

Unlike regular grocery delivery services that take longer, Beelivery’s main feature is its fast delivery. It connects customers with local grocery stores and independent drivers for quick deliveries.

The app allows users to browse products, choose what they want, and schedule a delivery time. Beelivery is popular because of its speed, convenience, and wide range of products.

For businesses wanting to create a similar app, focusing on fast deliveries, real-time tracking, and an easy-to-use design will be key to replicating its success.

Features of Grocery App Like Beelivery

If you want your grocery app to become successful, it should have features that every grocery app has, just like Beelivery. Here are the features of the grocery app like Beelivery.

Customer Panel Features

A grocery delivery app should make the shopping experience smooth and easy for users.  The following features are essential:

🔘User Registration & Login – Sign up via email, phone, or social media.

🔘Product Search & Filters – Browse items with categories, filters, and search.

🔘Cart & Checkout – Add products, apply discounts, and choose payment options.

🔘Order Tracking – Real-time order tracking with estimated delivery time.

🔘Payment Integration – Secure payment gateway development like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

🔘Push Notifications – Alerts for order status, discounts, and promotions.

🔘Ratings & Reviews – Customers can rate products and delivery services.

Delivery Partner Panel Features

If you don’t have a delivery partner, how will the products reach the customers? Whether it is a grocery or a food delivery app, Delivery partners are essential to ensure timely deliveries. A grocery delivery app must also provide features that help drivers manage their deliveries efficiently.

🔘Order Requests & Acceptance – View and accept nearby delivery orders.

🔘Navigation & Route Optimization – Integrated maps for faster deliveries.

🔘Earnings & Payment Management – Track daily earnings and payouts.

🔘Customer Chat Support – Communicate with customers for smooth delivery.

Admin Panel Features

The admin panel is where all backend operations are managed. With the help of an admin panel, businesses can have complete control over app operations.

🔘User & Order Management – Control customer accounts and order processing.

🔘Inventory & Product Management – Update product availability and pricing.

🔘Analytics & Reports – Monitor sales, deliveries, and user behaviour.

🔘Promo Codes & Discounts – Create promotional offers for user engagement.

Reasons Why Building a Grocery App is a Great Idea

With so many trending business ideas, the grocery app is also one of the best startup ideas. If you are considering building a grocery app, you are in for enjoying various benefits. Some of the key benefits are as follows:

Growing Demand for Online Grocery Shopping

The online grocery market has been growing for years, with more people using digital platforms to shop. The pandemic has made this trend even stronger, making grocery delivery apps more important.

People now prefer to order groceries online for convenience and safety, and this trend is expected to keep growing. By creating a grocery app, you can reach this growing market and meet the demand for quick, reliable, and convenient shopping experiences.

Increased Consumer Convenience

Online grocery shopping offers customers convenience that regular shopping can’t match. These apps allow them to shop from the comfort of their homes, avoid long lines, carry heavy bags, and save time.

By creating a grocery app, you can offer a service that fits into their busy lives. For example, Beelivery’s main appeal is its fast delivery—users can order groceries and have them delivered quickly, making it perfect for busy professionals and families.

Expanding Customer Reach

A grocery app helps your business reach customers beyond your physical store. With geolocation and delivery management features, you can offer services to people in different areas, even cities.

By using advanced algorithms and effective marketing strategies, you can also customise the shopping experience for different regions and groups of people, which can help your business grow quickly.

Operational Efficiency

Automating grocery orders through an app increases efficiency and reduces human error. It allows you to manage your operations more smoothly, such as inventory management, payment processing, and order tracking.

An app reduces the need for staff members and physical interactions, which helps reduce costs and increase profits. Plus, it is easier to grow your business since the app can handle more customers, orders, and stores with less effort.

Building Customer Loyalty

Grocery apps often include features like personalised product suggestions, loyalty rewards, and subscription models to increase customer retention. These features can help turn one-time shoppers into regular customers.

For example, Beelivery offers personalised delivery times and discounts for regular users, which enhance customer loyalty. By adding similar features, you can also encourage customers to return often.

Competitive Advantage

The grocery app market is growing quickly, but there is still room to stand out. Creating an app like Bellivery, which focuses on fast delivery, user experience, and simplicity, can help you gain an advantage.

By finding gaps in the market, like faster delivery, better store choices, or improved customer service, you can offer something unique that attracts more users.

Total Cost of Grocery App Development Like Beelivery

Whether you want to build a grocery app like Beelivery or Amazon Fresh, the app-making charges can vary depending on various factors, such as the feature's complexity, the technology used, the development team involved, and where the app is being developed.

However, the total grocery app development cost in the UK can range from £15,000 to £150,000 +, based on the scope and scale of the project.

If you opt for a simple grocery app with essential features, the cost will be less than the high-end grocery app with advanced features because it takes more development time, leading to increased costs.

The table below shows the cost of grocery app development in the UK based on the app’s complexity.

Here are more details regarding the grocery app development costs based on the app type.

Small-Scale Grocery App

For a simple grocery app with basic features like browsing products, a shopping cart, simple checkout, and basic payment options, the cost could be between £15,000 and £30,000.

These apps are perfect for small businesses or local grocery stores that want to build an online presence without complicated features.

Mid-Range Grocery App

If you want to build an app that supports multiple grocery stores, includes delivery management features, and offers basic tracking options, the cost can range from £30,000 to £80,000.

These apps are ideal for medium-sized businesses that want to provide a better user experience with more features.

High-End Grocery App

An app like Beelivery, which offers real-time delivery tracking, multiple store integrations, advanced filters, customer accounts, and complex backend operations, can cost between £50,000 and £150,000.

This price covers the work needed to build the app, create custom UI/UX designs, add features like payment gateways and logistics platforms, and provide ongoing support.

Breaking Down the Key Grocery App Development Cost in the UK

To understand the total cost of developing a grocery app, let's break it down further by category.

UI/UX Design

Cost Range: £5,000 and £15,000

A good user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are important to make the app easy to use and enjoyable. UI/UX design includes wireframing, creating prototypes, and finalising the app design. The cost can depend on the complexity and the number of screens involved.

App Development (Frontend & Backend)

Cost Range: £20,000 to £120,000 or more

The app development takes up most of the budget. For simple apps, the cost of building the frontend (what users see) and backend (how the app works behind the scenes) can be between £20,000 and £50,000.

For more complex apps (like Beelivery), with features like real-time delivery tracking and integration with multiple stores, the cost can be between £50,000 and £120,000 or higher.

App Testing & Quality Assurance

Cost Range: £5,000 to £15,000

After the app is built, thorough testing is needed to ensure it works well on all devices and platforms. Testing costs include bug fixing, performance optimisation, checking security, and user acceptance testing. QA and testing costs can vary depending on the app’s complexity.

Backend Development

Cost Range: £15,000 to £40,000

The backend is essential for managing servers, databases, APIs, and third-party integrations such as payment gateways, delivery systems, etc. Backend development for a grocery app can range from £15,000 to £40,000.

Maintenance and Updates

Cost Range: 15-20% of the initial development cost annually.

Once the app is launched, ongoing maintenance and updates are necessary to keep it running smoothly and add new features. The app maintenance costs include bug fixes, security updates, and the addition of new features.

Hosting and Servers

Cost Range: £500 to £3,000 per month

Hosting services like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure are necessary to ensure your app can scale efficiently. Their costs depend on your user base, server capacity, data storage needs, cloud service provider pricing, and traffic volume.

Marketing & Promotion

Cost Range: £5,000 to £30,000

Marketing efforts are essential to attract users before and after launching the app. This may include social media campaigns, paid ads, influencer partnerships, or app store optimisation (ASO). Marketing budgets for launching a grocery app usually range from £5,000 to £30,000.

Types of Grocery Apps and Their Costs

The grocery app development cost in the UK can vary depending on the type of grocery app. Here are the main types of grocery apps and the expected costs for each.

Single-Store Grocery Apps

These apps are made for a single grocery store or chain. They are simple and focus on product catalogues, shopping carts, and secure checkout. The cost for these apps usually ranges from £15,000 to £30,000. They are perfect for local grocery stores wanting to offer online orders and deliveries.

Multi-Store or Aggregator Apps

These apps bring together products from different stores and display them on one platform. They usually include live product updates, delivery services based on location, and integration with delivery networks.

Unlike multi-vendor e-commerce apps, multi-store grocery apps like Beelivery cost between £50,000 and £150,000, depending on features like store integration, user accounts, and delivery tracking.

Delivery-Only Platforms

Apps that focus mainly on delivery logistics, where users shop from multiple stores but the app only handles the delivery, tend to be simpler. These apps usually cost between £20,000 and £50,000 to develop.

They may not have as many product options or store integrations but focus on delivering groceries from partner stores.

Subscription-Based Grocery Apps

Subscription apps allow customers to receive regular deliveries, like weekly or monthly grocery orders or meal boxes. These apps may include features like personalised meal plans and recurring payments.

The cost to build subscription-based grocery apps usually ranges from £30,000 to £70,000, depending on how complex the subscription and payment systems are.

Hourly Rates for Grocery App Development in the UK

The cost of developing a grocery delivery app depends on the hourly rates of professionals involved in the project. These rates vary based on experience, expertise, and location. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly rates in the UK.

UI/UX Designers

UI/UX designers are responsible for creating the app's look and feel, ensuring a smooth user experience. They design the layout, create buttons and interactive features, and ensure the app works well on both mobile and web.

Junior designers with basic skills usually charge between £30 and £50 per hour.

Mid-level designers with more experience and expertise charge between £50 and £70 per hour.

Senior designers specialising in advanced techniques and user engagement charge between £70 and £100 per hour.

Mobile App Developers

Mobile app developers are essential as they build iOS, Android, or both applications. Their hourly rates can range from £50 to £150, depending on their experience.

A senior developer can charge more, usually between £100 and £150 per hour, because they have more experience in building complex apps with high performance.

On the other hand, a developer with less experience can charge less, approximately between £50 and £80 per hour.

Backend Developers

Backend developers are responsible for backend languages that are used for server-side development, database management, and API integrations.

They play an essential role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the application and usually charge between £60 to £150 per hour, depending on the developer’s experience and expertise in backend development.

QA (Quality Assurance) Testers

Quality Assurance (QA) testers ensure the app functions smoothly, checking for bugs and performance issues. Their hourly rates can range from £40 to £100.

Senior testers can charge more compared to the junior or mid-level testers. You can choose them based on your requirements and budget.

Recommended Reads: Why is a Quality Assurance Tester Needed on a Software Development Team

Project Managers

Project managers oversee the entire development process and coordinate between teams, ensuring everything stays on track with deadlines and budgets. The project managers usually charge between £50 to £150 per hour.

Business Analysts

Business analysts who help define the project requirements and strategies charge around £40 to £130 per hour. These professionals help ensure the app is designed to meet user needs and business objectives effectively.

Cost Estimation Based on the Development Team

The total grocery app development cost in the UK depends on whether you hire freelancers, work with a development agency, or build an in-house team.

Hiring Freelancers

Hiring freelancers can be a cost-effective solution, especially for startups or small businesses looking to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

However, managing multiple freelancers can be quite difficult, as you will need to coordinate their work and ensure each app component is integrated effectively.

You can check the table below for the cost estimate of hiring a freelancer to develop the app’s components.

Working With a Development Agency

Hiring a professional grocery delivery app development company ensures a more structured approach. Agencies offer complete end-to-end development, from planning and design to coding and post-launch support. However, they can cost more because of their expertise and reliability.

A basic grocery delivery app with essential features like product listings, order placement, and basic tracking can cost between £45,000 to £70,000 when developed by an agency.

The development cost can increase to £250,000 or more if you want a development agency to build a high-end grocery app with advanced features.

Building an In-House Team

An in-house team allows complete control over development but involves recurring costs, including salaries and office expenses, because you will need to hire the developers and buy or rent a place where they can work.

The annual cost for an in-house team ranges between £150,000 and £500,000 or more, depending on the number of developers and their experience.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Grocery App Development

The grocery app development cost in the UK, like Beelivery, varies based on many key factors. Each factor can affect your overall budget, whether through direct development or ongoing expenses. Here is the list of factors influencing the total grocery app development cost.

App’s Complexity and Features

The first and most essential factor that can affect the total grocery app development cost is the complexity and features of the app.

A basic grocery app with simple features like browsing, product listings, cart management, and checkout functionality can be more affordable.

However, the cost can increase if you want to add advanced features like live order tracking, AI suggestions, multi-vendor support, or loyalty programs.

The more complex and feature-packed your app is, the more time and resources it will require, which means higher costs.

Type of Grocery App (Business Model)

The type of grocery app you choose will also affect the total cost. Single-store apps, built for individual retailers, are usually the least expensive as they require fewer backend features.

On the other hand, marketplace grocery apps that connect multiple vendors can cost more because they need more complex multi-store management to manage different stores.

Subscription-based apps with features like automatic billing systems and loyalty features can also lead to increased costs.

If you go for a click-and-collect model, where customer picks up their orders instead of having them delivered, the cost can be a bit lower since you don’t need a full delivery management system.

Platform Selection (Android, iOS, or Both)

Another factor that affects the cost is the platform you choose for your grocery app. If you choose to build the app only for iOS, the cost will be less than developing an Android app because of the limited number of devices that need to be supported.

However, if you want to reach more people, you will need to build an app for both iOS and Android, which can double the cost if done separately.

You can reduce cost by opting for cross-platform app development using frameworks like Flutter or React Native, which allows the developer to use a single codebase that can work on both platforms.

UI/UX Design Complexity

The design of your app is important for customer engagement, and the cost of designing an app depends on how visually appealing you want it to be.

A simple UI/UX design using pre-built templates with few animations will cost less. But it will cost more if you want a custom design with smooth animations, interactive features, and unique branding elements.

Investing in a user-friendly and attractive design is essential because it helps keep users happy and coming back.

Backend Development & Database Management

Whether you want to build delivery management or grocery store billing software, a grocery app requires a strong backend to manage order processing, user logins, inventory management, and payments.

A simple app for a single store will need a basic backend, but a more complex app with features like multiple-vendor support, AI recommendations, and large-scale data processing will need a stronger, scalable system.

If the app has to manage increased users and data, using cloud services like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure will increase backend costs.

Integration of Third-Party Services & APIs

Many grocery apps use third-party services to add extra features, which can increase costs. Payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay charge fees for integration and transactions.

Google Maps API is needed for location tracking, and its costs are based on the usage. SMS and push notifications need services like Twilio or Firebase, which charge per message sent.

AI features for search and recommendations also add to the cost. While these services improve the app, they come with ongoing costs that should be considered in the budget.

Development Team Location and Expertise

The grocery app development cost in the UK also depends on whether you hire freelancers, an in-house team, or a development agency and their location.

A UK-based team can charge more but offers high-quality work. Eastern European developers are a good mix of quality and affordability, while developers in countries like India or the Philippines are the most budget-friendly option.

However, when outsourcing, it is essential to check the team’s work to ensure good code quality and security. Choosing the right team based on your budget and needs is key to the app’s success.

Also Read: Top 10+ Offshore Software Development Companies in India

Post-Launch Maintenance & Updates

After the app is launched, it needs regular maintenance, updates, and bug fixes to keep it running smoothly and securely. Regular updates help the app stay competitive, add new features, and fix any security issues.

Minor updates, like bug fixes, don’t cost much, but major feature changes can cost more. Also, server hosting, customer support, and updating APIs add to long-term costs.

It is essential to set aside a budget for ongoing improvements to ensure the app’s long-term success.

Unexpected Expenses to Keep in Mind

While most grocery app development costs can be estimated, there are various unexpected expenses that grocery app owners often overlook. Proper budgeting for these factors can prevent cost overruns and financial strain after launch.

App Maintenance and Updates

Regular app maintenance is essential to keep the app running smoothly, ensure security, and improve performance.

Basic bug fixes may cost £5,000 to £15,000 annually, but costs can increase if new platform updates require changes. Major feature updates like adding a new payment method or loyalty program can cost £10,000 to £30,000 annually.

Security updates, including compliance adjustments for data protection laws, range from £3,000 to £10,000 per year.

Security and Data Protection Costs

Cybersecurity threats are a growing concern, especially for apps handling sensitive data of customers. A basic security check costs between £3,000 and £7,000, while penetration testing, which detects the app’s weakness, can cost £10,000 to £20,000.

Adding data encryption and fraud protection tools will cost an extra £5,000 to £15,000. If the app doesn’t follow GDPR rules, it could face big fines, so legal help and compliance checks are needed, costing around £5,000 to £15,000.

Customer Support & Operational Expenses

A grocery app requires customer support for handling orders, complaints, and technical issues. AI chatbots for automated responses cost £5,000 to £20,000 per year, while hiring a human support team can range from £10,000 to £50,000 annually.

Other operational expenses include order management software and delivery fleet coordination, which may cost £20,000 to £60,000 per year.

Marketing & Customer Acquisition

Attracting customers is a major challenge for any grocery delivery app, requiring significant marketing investment.

Running Google Ads and social media campaigns can cost between £5,000 and £50,000, depending on the campaign scale. SEO and content marketing services can cost around £2,000 to £10,000 annually.

If you want to implement referral programs and loyalty rewards, another £2,000 to £10,000 per year will be added to the development costs.

Server and Hosting Costs

A grocery app with more users needs hosting that can grow with it. Basic shared hosting costs £100 to £500 per month.

Cloud hosting on AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure can cost between £500 to £5,000 per month, depending on the traffic and storage you need.

How Can Arramton Help You Build a Grocery App Like Beelivery?

Arramton is one of the leading software development companies in the UK that specialises in creating custom applications for businesses, with extensive experience in building grocery delivery apps like Beelivery.

They offer complete grocery app development services, including user-friendly designs, strong backend development, real-time order tracking, secure payment options, push notifications, and admin panel management.

With an impressive track record in creating food delivery apps, Arramton has the expertise of integrating the features you want into your project. They provide custom solutions to meet your specific needs, whether you want a simple or complex app.

They also offer ongoing support and maintenance to keep your app updated as your business starts to scale.

You can contact Arramton Infotech to discuss how they can help you create a high-quality, user-friendly grocery delivery app that can meet your consumer demands and business needs.

The Final Thoughts

So far, we have learned about Beelivery, a grocery app, and the features of a grocery app. You can build grocery apps like Beelivery because of the growing demand for online grocery shopping, increased customer convenience, and gaining a competitive advantage.

The grocery app development cost in the UK, like Beelivery, depends on various factors, but it usually falls in the range of £15,000 to £150,000 +.

A basic app can cost less, but the app development cost can increase as you add more features, support for multiple platforms, advanced backend systems, and a custom design.

It is essential to have a well-thought-out roadmap and clear objectives for the app to ensure you use your resources efficiently and avoid unnecessary costs.

If you are ready to turn your grocery app idea into reality, Arramton can help. They can create the best grocery app that stands out in the market. Reach out to them to get a free quote and make your app a success!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 How long does it take to develop a grocery app in the UK?

Ans The timeline for developing a grocery app can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months. Simple apps can take 4-6 months, while more complex ones can take 10-12 months due to additional features and testing.

Q2 Can I develop a grocery app on a low budget?

Ans Yes, you can. Focus on essential features like basic product browsing and ordering. Using a cross-platform framework like Flutter can help save costs by allowing you to develop for both iOS and Android at once. Freelancers or smaller agencies may also reduce costs.

Q3 Is it necessary to develop an app for both iOS and Android?

Ans Not, it is not essential to develop an app for both iOS and Android. You can start with one platform based on your target audience (iOS or Android). If you have a limited budget, you can later expand to the other platform. Cross-platform development can be more cost-effective but takes more time.

Q4 How can I reduce the cost of grocery app development?

Ans You can reduce the cost of grocery app development by focusing on an MVP with essential features, using open-source libraries, and considering outsourcing development to regions with lower rates.

You can also save costs by working with freelancers or small agencies. Paid advertising and local partnerships can also drive downloads and engagement.

Q5 What is the best way to market my grocery app?

Ans The best way to market the grocery app is by using App Store Optimisation (ASO) to increase visibility, run social media campaigns, collaborate with influencers, and offer referral programs.