Every second, somewhere in the UK, a delivery driver is scanning a package, updating its status, and customers are refreshing their phones to see where their order is. The logistics industry processes millions of these transactions daily, and behind every successful delivery company like DPD or Evri (formerly Hermes) sits a sophisticated mobile app that cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to develop.
Building a delivery app isn't just about creating a simple tracking interface—it's about constructing a complex digital ecosystem that connects customers, drivers, warehouses, and automated sorting systems in real-time. The cost varies dramatically based on what you're trying to achieve, but most businesses underestimate the true investment required by at least 40%.
The difference between a basic tracking app and a full logistics platform can be the difference between £50,000 and £500,000 in development costs
Throughout this guide, we'll break down exactly what drives these costs and why apps like DPD and Evri represent such significant technical achievements. From real-time GPS tracking to complex route optimisation algorithms, we'll explore each component that contributes to the final price tag—helping you understand what you're really paying for when you decide to enter the competitive world of delivery logistics.
Understanding DPD and Evri: What makes these delivery apps successful
I've worked with countless delivery apps over the years, and when people ask me about successful examples, DPD and Evri always come up. These aren't just your average parcel tracking apps—they've become proper brands that people trust and actually want to use.
Real-time tracking that actually works
DPD cracked the code early on with their precise delivery windows. You know that feeling when they tell you "between 10:32 and 11:32"? That's not magic—it's clever backend systems working overtime. Their drivers use handheld devices that feed location data back to the main system, which then calculates realistic timeframes based on traffic, previous deliveries, and route optimisation.
Evri took a different approach by focusing on flexibility. Their network of local couriers and parcel shops means you can redirect packages on the fly. Both companies understand that modern customers want control over their deliveries, not just passive tracking.
User experience that doesn't frustrate
Here's what separates these apps from the competition: they solve real problems without creating new ones. DPD's "Follow My Parcel" feature shows your driver's actual location on a map—no more sitting by the window all day. Evri's app lets you change delivery preferences even after dispatch, which sounds simple but requires sophisticated backend coordination.
Both apps also nail the notification game. They send updates at the right moments without spam, and the information is always useful. That's the sweet spot every delivery app should aim for.
Breaking down the core features that drive delivery app costs
When clients ask me about building a delivery app like DPD or Evri, I always start by explaining that the cost isn't just about pretty buttons and screens—it's about the features hiding underneath. These apps might look simple on the surface, but they're packed with complex functionality that drives up development costs significantly.
Package tracking and real-time updates
The most expensive feature in any delivery app is real-time tracking. Think about it: your package needs to be monitored from the moment it leaves the warehouse until it reaches your door. This requires GPS integration, constant server communication, and a backend system that can handle millions of updates per day. DPD's tracking system doesn't just show you where your parcel is—it predicts delivery windows, sends push notifications, and updates automatically when drivers scan barcodes.
User management and notifications
Managing different user types adds another layer of complexity. You've got customers wanting updates, drivers needing route information, and depot staff managing collections. Each group needs different interfaces and permissions, which means more development time and higher costs. The notification system alone requires integration with multiple platforms to send SMS, email, and push notifications reliably.
Focus on building one core feature really well before adding extras. A basic tracking system will cost 60% less than a full-featured one with predictive delivery windows.
Payment processing, route optimisation, and customer service features round out the core functionality—each adding substantial development costs but necessary for competing with established logistics companies.
Development complexity: Backend infrastructure and real-time tracking systems
The real cost driver in delivery apps isn't what you see on screen—it's what happens behind the scenes. When someone places an order through DPD or Evri, dozens of systems spring into action simultaneously. The backend infrastructure needs to handle user authentication, order processing, route optimisation, driver allocation, and real-time updates without breaking a sweat.
Building this kind of system requires serious technical expertise. You'll need databases that can handle thousands of concurrent users, APIs that communicate with external services, and servers that don't crash when demand spikes. The complexity multiplies when you factor in different user types: customers tracking parcels, drivers receiving route updates, and administrators monitoring the entire operation.
Real-time tracking: The technical challenge
Real-time tracking is where things get properly expensive. Your app needs to constantly communicate with GPS systems, update multiple users simultaneously, and process location data every few seconds. This requires robust server architecture, efficient data processing, and careful consideration of battery life on mobile devices.
The tracking system must handle edge cases too—what happens when drivers go offline, when GPS signals are weak, or when the app crashes? Building these fail-safes and backup systems adds significant development time and cost to your project.
User interface design and mobile platform considerations
The user interface for a delivery app like DPD or Evri needs to work perfectly on both Android and iOS—and that's where your costs start to add up. You'll need to decide whether to build native apps for each platform or go with a cross-platform solution. Native apps give you the best performance and user experience but they're expensive; you're building two separate apps. Cross-platform development can cut costs by 30-40% but might feel less smooth to users.
Design complexity plays a huge role in pricing. A simple interface with basic tracking and delivery options will cost far less than something with advanced features like interactive maps, real-time delivery windows, and custom animations. The DPD app's clean, minimal design wasn't an accident—it keeps development costs manageable whilst still looking professional.
Platform-specific considerations
Android users expect certain behaviours (like the back button) whilst iOS users are used to different navigation patterns. Your development team needs to account for these differences, which means extra design and testing time.
The best delivery apps feel invisible to users—they get the job done without making people think too hard about how to use them
For a logistics app, you're looking at around £8,000-£15,000 for basic UI design and implementation across both platforms. Complex interfaces with advanced features can push this to £25,000 or more.
Integration costs: Payment systems, APIs, and third-party services
Building a delivery app like DPD or Evri means connecting lots of different systems together—and that's where things get expensive quickly. Payment processing alone can add £15,000 to £25,000 to your development budget, depending on which providers you choose and how many payment methods you want to support.
Stripe and PayPal are the most popular choices, but don't forget about Apple Pay, Google Pay, and buy-now-pay-later services like Klarna. Each integration requires separate development work and testing.
Third-party service integrations that add up
Your delivery app won't work in isolation—it needs to talk to mapping services, SMS providers, email systems, and analytics platforms. Google Maps API costs can surprise you if you're not careful; heavy usage can run into hundreds of pounds monthly. SMS notifications through providers like Twilio typically cost around £5,000 to £8,000 to integrate properly.
- Mapping and route optimisation APIs (Google Maps, Mapbox)
- SMS and push notification services
- Customer support chat systems
- Analytics and tracking platforms
- Address validation services
- Inventory management system connections
The tricky part isn't just the upfront integration cost—it's the ongoing monthly fees that can catch you off guard. Budget around £20,000 to £40,000 for comprehensive third-party integrations, plus monthly running costs that scale with your user base.
Development timeline and team structure impact on logistics app pricing
Building a logistics app like DPD or Evri isn't something you can rush through in a weekend—trust me, I've seen clients try! The timeline directly affects your cost because the longer your development takes, the more you're paying your team. A typical delivery app takes anywhere from 8-16 months to build properly, depending on how complex your features are.
Your team structure makes a massive difference to the final price tag. You'll need developers who understand both mobile app development and logistics systems—these aren't your average app builders. The core team usually includes a project manager, backend developers, mobile developers for iOS and Android, UI/UX designers, and quality assurance testers.
Team size options and their cost implications
- Small team (4-6 people): Lower monthly costs but longer development time
- Medium team (8-12 people): Balanced approach with reasonable timeline
- Large team (15+ people): Faster delivery but much higher monthly expenses
Here's something many people don't realise: having too many developers can actually slow things down. Communication becomes harder and tasks start overlapping. I've found that a well-structured medium-sized team often delivers better results than throwing bodies at the problem.
Plan for at least 2-3 months of post-launch support and bug fixes—this period is when real users start testing your app's limits and you'll need your development team ready to respond quickly.
Conclusion
Building a delivery app like DPD or Evri isn't cheap—and there's no getting around that fact. We're talking about anywhere from £50,000 for a basic version to well over £200,000 for something that can compete with the big players. The costs add up quickly when you factor in real-time tracking, payment integrations, admin dashboards, and all the backend infrastructure needed to keep everything running smoothly.
The biggest cost drivers? That's going to be your backend development and the complexity of your tracking systems. These aren't simple apps that just display information—they're handling thousands of packages, coordinating drivers, processing payments, and updating customers in real-time. All of this requires serious technical expertise and robust infrastructure.
Here's what I've learned after years of building these types of apps: don't try to build everything at once. Start with your core features, get them working perfectly, then expand. Most successful delivery apps didn't launch with every bell and whistle—they grew into them. This approach not only saves money upfront but gives you real user feedback to guide your development decisions.
The delivery app market is competitive, but there's still room for innovation. Just make sure you've got the budget and timeline to build something that users will actually want to use.
