Every single day, thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs face the same dilemma when building their mobile app: should they invest in professional UX design or save money and time by using a template? It's a question that can make or break your app's success, and frankly, there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
This design choice affects everything from your budget to your timeline, from user satisfaction to long-term scalability. Templates offer speed and affordability—you can have a functioning mobile app design in days rather than weeks. Professional UX designers bring expertise and customisation that can set your app apart from the competition, but they come with a higher price tag and longer development time.
The right design choice isn't about what's cheapest or fastest; it's about what aligns with your specific goals, budget, and timeline
What makes this decision even trickier is that both approaches can work brilliantly in the right circumstances. I've seen template-based apps succeed wildly, and I've watched custom-designed apps flop completely. The key is understanding which approach fits your particular situation. In this guide, we'll explore both options thoroughly so you can make an informed decision that gives your mobile app the best chance of success.
What Is UX Design and Why Does It Matter for Your Mobile App
UX design—that's user experience design—is all about making your app easy and enjoyable to use. Think of it as planning how someone moves through your app, what they see, and how they feel whilst using it. It's not just about making things look pretty (that's UI design, which is different but related). UX design focuses on the actual experience people have when they tap, swipe, and navigate through your app.
When I work with clients, I often see them underestimate how much UX design affects their app's success. Here's the thing—you could have the most brilliant app idea in the world, but if people can't figure out how to use it or get frustrated trying, they'll delete it faster than you can say "one-star review". A well-designed user experience keeps people engaged, helps them complete tasks without confusion, and makes them want to come back.
Why Poor UX Design Kills Mobile Apps
Mobile users are impatient. They expect apps to work intuitively from the moment they open them. If your app confuses users or makes simple tasks complicated, they won't stick around to figure it out—they'll find a competitor that does it better.
- Users abandon apps that take too long to load or navigate
- Confusing layouts lead to poor app store ratings
- Bad user experience reduces customer retention rates
- Complex interfaces discourage users from completing purchases
Good UX design solves these problems before they happen. It creates clear pathways through your app, reduces friction, and guides users naturally towards their goals. That's why getting your UX right isn't optional—it's the foundation of any successful mobile app.
Template Design: The Quick and Budget-Friendly Option
Let me be honest with you—when budgets are tight and deadlines are looming, templates can be a real lifesaver. I've worked with countless clients who've successfully launched their mobile app using pre-designed templates, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with taking this route. Templates are ready-made design frameworks that you can customise with your own colours, fonts, and content.
The biggest advantage? Speed and cost. Where a custom design might take weeks or months to complete, a template can have your mobile app looking professional in just days. You're not paying for hours of design work—you're buying something that's already been created and tested.
What You Get with Template Design
- Pre-built user interface elements and layouts
- Standard navigation patterns that users already understand
- Responsive design that works across different screen sizes
- Basic colour and typography customisation options
- Documentation and support from the template creator
Most template marketplaces offer mobile app templates starting from £20 to £200. Compare that to hiring a professional designer who might charge £3,000 to £15,000 for custom work, and you can see why templates are attractive for many businesses.
When choosing a template, look for one that's been recently updated and has good reviews. Outdated templates can cause technical issues and may not work with newer mobile operating systems.
The trade-off? Your mobile app will share design elements with other apps using the same template. But for many projects, this compromise makes perfect sense financially.
When Templates Work Best for Mobile App Projects
After working with countless clients over the years, I've noticed a pattern—templates aren't always the villain people make them out to be. There are specific situations where they actually make perfect sense, and knowing when can save you both time and money.
Templates work brilliantly for straightforward apps with standard functionality. Think about it: if you're building a basic fitness tracker, restaurant menu app, or simple e-commerce store, you're not reinventing the wheel. Users already know how these apps should work, so why complicate things?
Perfect Template Scenarios
- Limited budget (under £10,000 for the entire project)
- Tight timeline (need to launch within 2-3 months)
- Standard app categories like portfolios, catalogues, or basic business apps
- MVP or proof-of-concept projects
- Simple user journeys with minimal customisation needs
Templates also shine when you're testing an idea quickly. I've seen clients use template-based apps to validate their concept before investing in custom design—smart move, really.
When Templates Fall Short
Here's where templates struggle: complex user flows, unique business models, or apps requiring extensive customisation. If your app needs to do something different or serve a very specific audience, templates will likely hold you back rather than help you move forward.
The Benefits of Hiring a Professional UX Designer
After eight years in the mobile app business, I can tell you that hiring a professional UX designer is one of the smartest investments you can make for your mobile app. Sure, it costs more upfront than grabbing a template, but the benefits go far beyond just having something that looks nice.
A professional UX designer understands your users in ways that templates simply can't. They research how people actually use apps, spot problems before they become expensive mistakes, and create solutions that feel natural. When users can navigate your app without thinking about it—that's when you know you've got good UX design.
Custom Solutions for Your Unique Needs
Templates are built for everyone, which means they're not really built for anyone specific. A professional designer creates something tailored to your exact requirements. They consider your brand, your users, and your business goals when making every design choice. This personal touch makes your mobile app stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Good design is invisible—users notice bad design, but great design just works seamlessly
Professional designers also think about the technical side of things. They know what works on different devices, understand platform guidelines, and can spot potential development issues early. This saves you time and money during the build process.
When Professional UX Design Is Worth the Investment
After working with countless clients over the years, I've noticed a pattern—those who invest in professional UX design from the start tend to build more successful apps. But when does it make sense to spend that extra money instead of going with a template?
If your app has complex features or workflows, professional UX design becomes really valuable. Think about apps that handle payments, multi-step processes, or have lots of different user types. A banking app, for example, needs careful design to make users feel safe and confident; a template just won't cut it here.
When Your Brand Matters Most
Companies with strong brands or those competing in crowded markets should seriously consider professional design. Your app might be the first thing potential customers see, and you want it to feel uniquely yours—not like fifty other apps using the same template.
Long-term Success Over Quick Wins
Professional UX design pays off when you're building something that needs to last and grow. If you're planning to add features over time, scale to thousands of users, or raise investment, the foundation that professional design provides becomes worth every penny. Templates might get you started, but they often create problems down the road that cost more to fix than doing it right initially.
Making the Right Design Choice for Your Mobile App Budget and Timeline
Right, let's get down to brass tacks. After years of helping clients work through this exact decision, I can tell you that the choice between professional design and templates isn't really about which is "better"—it's about what makes sense for your specific situation.
Here's what I've learned: most successful mobile app projects fall into predictable patterns when it comes to design choices. The key is being honest about where you sit right now.
Budget Reality Check
Let's start with money because, let's face it, that's usually what drives the decision. Professional UX design typically costs between £3,000-£15,000 for a mobile app project, depending on complexity. Templates? You're looking at £50-£500 plus customisation time.
But here's the thing—and this might surprise you—the cheapest option isn't always the most cost-effective. I've seen clients spend months tweaking templates, hiring different developers, and still end up with something that doesn't quite work. Sometimes paying more upfront saves you money in the long run.
Timeline Considerations
Templates win on speed, no question. You can have a decent-looking mobile app design ready in days rather than weeks. But professional design gives you something templates can't: a solution built specifically for your users and your business goals.
Create a simple scorecard: rate your budget flexibility (1-10), timeline urgency (1-10), and uniqueness needs (1-10). If your total is below 15, templates might work. Above 20? Professional design is probably worth the investment.
The choice often comes down to this: are you building something that needs to stand out in a crowded market, or are you testing an idea quickly? Both approaches have their place, and there's no shame in either choice.
- Templates work well for simple utility apps, internal business tools, or proof-of-concept projects
- Professional design makes sense for consumer-facing apps, complex user journeys, or when differentiation matters
- Hybrid approaches can work—start with templates for testing, then invest in professional design for the full build
Conclusion
After years of working with clients on mobile app projects, I've seen the same question come up time and time again—and honestly, there's no single right answer that works for everyone. The choice between hiring a UX designer or using a template really comes down to your specific situation, budget, and goals.
If you're working with a tight budget and need to get your app to market quickly, templates can be a brilliant starting point. They're cost-effective, they work well for straightforward apps, and you can always enhance them later as your business grows. I've seen plenty of successful apps that started with templates—there's absolutely no shame in that approach.
But if you're building something complex, targeting a competitive market, or planning to scale significantly, investing in professional UX design often pays for itself. The user experience can make or break your app, and sometimes that professional touch is what separates successful apps from those that get deleted after one use.
Whatever path you choose, remember that good design isn't just about making things look pretty—it's about making your app work brilliantly for the people who'll actually use it. Start with your users' needs, consider your resources realistically, and don't be afraid to adapt your approach as you learn more about what works.
