Introduction
The truth is: it depends on your individual needs. But what we can do is give you a realistic range before you commit to anything.
The cost of building a Power App varies based on three things: licensing, development complexity, and how many people will use it. Let's break each one down so you know exactly what you're paying for.
At Aureus Intelligence AI, we help businesses understand exactly what they're paying for. Our microsoft power platform services team has scoped hundreds of Power Apps projects, from simple forms to enterprise-wide solutions. Here's what the real costs look like.
Microsoft Power Apps Licensing Costs (The Baseline)
Licensing is a recurring cost separate from development. Microsoft offers several pricing tiers:
- Power Apps Premium: £48.10/user/month — unlimited apps, premium connectors, and full Dataverse access
- Power Apps per App: £9.60/user/month per app — ideal for single-use applications
- Pay-as-you-go: £0.0384/session — for sporadic use or testing
- Included with Microsoft 365: Limited functionality, basic connectors only
You can see how with just the direct licensing costs scale with users, not complexity. A 5-user app and a 500-user app may cost the same to build, but licensing is 100x different.
Not sure which licensing model fits? A Microsoft Power Apps consultant can help you optimise costs from day one.
What Building Power Apps Actually Costs
Licensing is just the platform fee. The real question is: what does it cost to actually build the app?
That depends on whether you're training your team to DIY or hiring professionals who've done this before. Both options have costs. One takes months of trial and error. The other delivers working solutions in weeks.
In-House Development:
- Training costs: £2,000–£5,000 per team member for proper upskilling
- Time investment: 3–6 months of trial and error before delivering value
Professional Development:
- Simple apps (data entry, basic workflows): £5,000–£15,000
- Mid-complexity apps (approvals, integrations): £15,000–£40,000
- Enterprise solutions (multi-system integration, AI): £40,000+
While these are based on current UK Power Apps developer rates (£450-550/day) and typical project timelines, professional development reduces long-term labor costs and eliminates the technical debt that comes with DIY implementations.
Factors That Affect Power App Costs
- App Complexity: Number of screens, data sources, and business logic
- Data Integration: Premium connectors (Salesforce, SAP) add licensing costs
- User Count: Per-user licensing scales with adoption
- Dataverse Usage: Storage and capacity requirements
- Custom Connectors: Building connections to proprietary systems
- Automation: Power Automate flows add additional licensing
Hidden Costs Most Businesses Miss
- Dataverse storage: Additional capacity beyond base allocation costs extra
- AI Builder credits: Advanced AI features require separate credit purchases
- Training & adoption: Without proper training, apps don't get used—wasting your investment
- Ongoing maintenance: Apps evolve as business needs change
- Environment management: Enterprise governance structures require setup and oversight
For similar functionality, traditional development costs 3–5x more, plus longer timelines and higher maintenance costs.
Getting an Accurate Quote from Aureus Intelligence AI
- Free initial consultation: We assess your requirements and provide realistic cost ranges before you commit
- Transparent pricing: No hidden fees, clear breakdown of licensing vs. development vs. ongoing costs
- Licensing optimisation: We help you choose the right licensing model to avoid overspending
- Phased delivery options: Start small, prove value, then scale
Get a Custom Power App Quote Today
Every project is different, and so is every Power App. The best way to understand your costs is to speak with an expert who can assess your specific needs.
Contact Aureus Intelligence AI for a no-obligation consultation and transparent cost estimate tailored to your requirements.