Home/Services/App Development
App Development

Not an app.
The right app.

iOS & Android, built native, for organisations with a public role.

An app is the most personal channel an organisation has — always in the pocket of your visitor, member or customer. We build apps worthy of that proximity: thoughtful, beautiful and reliable.

Tell us about your app idea →See the approach
2+
Live apps in the App Store and Google Play
iOS & Android
Always both platforms, from a single codebase
< 14
Weeks from kickoff to launch
Our focus

Organisations with a public role

We prefer to work for organisations that have something to offer people. Libraries, cultural venues, municipalities, welfare organisations, educational institutions. Places where a good digital experience makes the difference between a visitor who stays engaged and one who drops off.

We know the challenges of these organisations: limited budgets, demanding audiences, complex existing systems, and the need to be accessible to everyone. That is what we build on.

We build in React Native, the most proven framework for cross-platform apps. One codebase, two stores, no compromises on quality or user experience.

🔗
Connects to your existing systems
Member administrations, reservation systems, calendar APIs, CMS platforms and SSO solutions. Not an island, but an extension of your organisation.
🎨
Design that fits
The app feels like your organisation. We work carefully within your brand identity so the in-app experience aligns with your website and communications.
📦
Your ownership, after delivery
The source code is fully yours. We deliver documentation alongside so you are not dependent on a single party for every change.
♿
Accessible to everyone
We build to WCAG 2.1 AA. Accessibility is not an afterthought but baked into every step of the design.
What is inside

Modules and functionality

Every app is bespoke, but the modules below are the foundation of what we build. Need more? We add whatever your organisation requires.

Authentication
Sign-in & accounts
  • SSO integration with your member administration
  • Multiple profiles per installation
  • Token-based, session-resilient authentication
Dashboard
Personal home screen
  • Welcome screen on a first-name basis
  • Current loans, reservations and balance
  • Notifications and messages from your organisation
  • Banner for exceptional opening hours
Catalogue
Search & discover
  • Search across the full catalogue
  • Advanced filtering
  • Covers and availability visible
  • ISBN barcode scanner
  • Reserve from search results
My account
Self-service environment
  • Manage and renew loans
  • Request and cancel reservations
  • View outstanding amounts
  • Personal reading lists
Agenda
Activities & courses
  • Current activity programme
  • Filter by theme, location and date
  • Register from inside the app
Locations
Opening hours & branches
  • Overview of all locations
  • Current opening hours incl. exceptions
  • Direct route via navigation app
  • Manage push notifications per user
How I work

From idea to launch

No drawn-out projects with uncertain outcomes. Four clear phases, concrete deliverables, and fixed decision points.

01
Discovery
Technical exploration, scope definition and API inventory. We map all assumptions before a single line of code is written. Result: an agreed scope document.
02
Concept & Design
UI design of all core screens in Figma, aligned with your brand. You get a clickable prototype to validate before build starts. Result: approved design.
03
Development
Modular build in React Native. You can test on your own phone via TestFlight and an internal Android channel. No surprises at delivery.
04
Live & beyond
Publication in the App Store and Google Play, launch guidance, and availability for maintenance and further development. Result: live app in both stores.
Investment

Transparent and manageable

No hidden costs or vague hourly rates. You know per phase what you pay and what you get.

One-off realisation
Full native app
from € 15,000
excl. VAT, depending on scope and modules
  • iOS and Android from one codebase
  • All core modules (see overview above)
  • UI design in your brand identity
  • Integration with your existing systems
  • Publication in both stores included
  • Source code fully owned by you
Request a quote →

Every project starts with a no-obligation discovery session. We map your wishes and produce a specified quote, broken down per phase, so you know exactly where the budget goes.

Payment runs in three instalments: at kickoff, at design delivery, and at launch. So you pay along with the progress.

For comparison: a similar project at a specialised app agency easily costs €30,000 to €50,000. We deliver the same quality but build more efficiently, because we know the cultural and public sector inside out.
Monthly maintenance
Stable and up to date
± € 145
per month excl. VAT
  • Platform and package updates
  • App Store licence fees (Apple + Google)
  • Monitoring of stability and availability
Experience

What we have already built

Two apps, live in both stores, for organisations that rely on them daily.

Culture & library
Native app for a large regional cultural centre
Full iOS and Android app with catalogue, loan management, activities, push notifications and location info. Seamlessly connected to the existing back-office systems and the renewed online environment.
React NativeSSO-koppelingCatalogusPush notificatiesApp StoreGoogle Play
Municipality & welfare
Activities app for lonely residents
A low-threshold app helping vulnerable residents find and attend activities in their neighbourhood. Available as native iOS and Android. Easy for municipal editors to manage, without technical knowledge.
React NativeActiviteitenkalenderGemeenteToegankelijkheidCMS-koppeling
Frequently asked questions

What you might want to know

Do we have to choose between iOS and Android?
No. We build with React Native, so a single codebase works on both platforms. You always get both versions for the same price.
What if we already have an app?
Then we start with an analysis of what is in place. Sometimes continuing development is the smartest choice, sometimes starting over is cheaper long-term. We give honest advice — including telling you what you have is good enough.
Can you integrate with our specific system?
In most cases yes. We have experience with the widely-used platforms in the cultural and public sector. Get in touch and we will assess what is feasible together.
How long does a project take?
A full project averages 10 to 14 weeks from kickoff to launch, depending on complexity and your team’s availability for feedback rounds.
Are we dependent on Digital Spirit after delivery?
No. After full payment Digital Spirit transfers the source code. You own it. Maintenance and further development can be ours, but that is not required.
What do you need to get started?
A 30-minute conversation is enough for a first estimate. We ask the questions that matter and come back with a clear quote per phase.
Ready to start?

Tell us about
your app idea.

Or just about the problem you want to solve. We are happy to think along with you, no strings attached. A 30-minute conversation is enough for a first estimate.

Send a message →Back to the homepage