Complete Guide To Developing An App Like Boomplay

These days, people can’t go a day without music. No matter if it is playing in the background while working, during a long drive, or just relaxing, music is part of everyday life. That’s exactly why apps like Boomplay have become so popular.

Boomplay has more than 100 million downloads on the Play Store and continues to grow across Africa and beyond. It’s not just a music player, but a full experience that combines streaming, downloads, playlists, and artist content, all in one place.

If you have ever thought, “Hey, I would love to develop an app like Boomplay,” then you are not alone. Developing an app might sound tough, but with the right steps, it is totally possible.

So, in this blog, we will discuss the steps to make an app like Boomplay, what features to include, and how much it costs to develop.

What is the Boomplay App?

Boomplay is an Africa-based music player app launched in 2015 in Nigeria. It allows users to listen to online music and download music to enjoy offline. It comes pre-installed on TECHNO and Infinix, which makes it widely accessible in Africa.

Being one of the best music streaming apps in Africa, users can use it for free with ads or upgrade to a paid plan that removes ads and gives them offline listening and better sound quality. It mainly focuses on African music like Afrobeats, but also provides global songs.

It had around 75 million active users in 2024. One of the amazing parts of this app is its Buzz section and MP3 downloader, where users can follow their favorite artists, post updates, and download music for offline listening.

Market Overview of the Music Streaming Industry

The music streaming market size was estimated at $38.9 billion in 2023, but it is forecasted that this market will reach $132.59 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 14.6%. This shows the demand for music streaming services is going to boom in the coming years.

If we look at the revenue generation, the music streaming market will expect a revenue of $35.45 billion by 2025 end. The Boomplay app has recorded more than 90 million monthly active users in early 2024 and late 2023.

The app also shared that more than 70% of its playlists include songs from Africa, which shows that it mainly focuses on African music. This reflects current music streaming app trends, where apps are focusing more on local and regional content.

This shows a good opportunity for businesses to build an app like Boomplay that offers songs for all types of listeners across the country.

Steps to Develop an App Like Boomplay

In this section, we will discuss the Boomplay app development process for startups and potential business owners.

Let’s check out the major steps to create an app like Boomplay :

► Define Who Your Target Audience Is

Before you develop anything, just figure out who you are developing an app like Boomplay for. Is it for Gen Z gamers? Yoga instructors? Indie musicians? Every audience has its own pain points and goals. So start by talking to them and then choose your target audience.

What platforms are they using? What frustrates them? What features do they wish existed? Real answers will help you shape your app like Boomplay. The more specific your audience, the better your app will perform.

► Choose the Monetization Model

A great music streaming app also needs a smart business model. You can either choose a subscription model that gives plans for access to premium content, or a freemium model that provides extra features for extra money.

You can also choose pay-per-view, in-app ads, or all of them. Just choose the monetization strategy that fits your audience and the kind of content you plan to stream. Remember to start simple so you can always add more later.

► Keep the UI/UX Design Simple

Now, once you choose the monetization model, it is time to give some visuals to your app. The best products feel effortless to use. Also, you should create a podcast app like Boomplay with minimal design.

Your user should never be confused about where to go or what to do. Just focus on smooth onboarding, clear go-live, and join button, real-time chat, and easy navigation.

A visually appealing app like Boomplay attracts more users to your music streaming app. So test early designs with actual users and modify them based on feedback. A simple, functional UI often beats a flashy design.

► Build an MVP Version

Don’t try to build a fully-functional app upfront. You can start with the core streaming, basic user accounts, and minimal interaction tools. But here’s the key: build an MVP app not just to launch something quickly, but to learn fast.

You can test different stream formats. When you develop an app like Boomplay, you should look for early signals, like who is using the app? How often? Who is missing? Every MVP should give you insights that shape your next sprint. Track real behavior, not just feedback.

► Test and Deploy the App

Lastly, do not wait for perfection. A soft launch, perhaps in one region or with a small group, allows you to find bugs, performance issues, and UI roadblocks before scaling. You can monitor where users drop off, what features they ignore, and what they love.

After that, you can modify it. Roll out updates weekly if required. Also, stay close to your users and keep improving. Great apps are not developed overnight. They grow based on real use and real feedback.

Must-Have Features to Add to an App Like Boomplay

A music streaming app can be quite advanced, with lots of special features. But here, we’ll focus on the must-have music streaming app features you should think about when creating an app like Boomplay.

Let’s discuss the key features to include in an app like Boomplay :

♦ Extensive Music Library

Your app should provide a huge collection of songs in many different genres, like Afrobeats, rock, and so on. Users can easily stream or download the music from your app to play later without the internet.

♦ Offline Playback

Users can easily save and play offline music in your app. You can provide a free and a premium option. Free users will have limits, while premium users can enjoy unlimited downloads with extra benefits like high-quality audio.

♦ Real-Time Lyrics Display

When a user plays a song, lyrics will be shown in the app. This makes it easier for users to sing along or understand what the artist is saying.

♦ Personalized Recommendation

AI in music streaming apps is more popular nowadays. With AI, your app can offer personalized music suggestions based on what users play most often. You can also add smart playlists, like “For You” or mood-based mixes, making music discovery more fun, engaging, and personal.

♦ Trending Charts and Hot Music Sections

When you develop an app like Boomplay, integrate a trending section feature that will highlight the most played songs each day or week. The charts and hotlists will also help users track the popular songs.

♦ AI Music Generator

Your app should allow users to create their own music using AI. The AI music generator feature enables users to make music by choosing a mood, style, or even writing a few lyrics. The AI will turn their ideas into full tracks in seconds, no music skills required.

♦ Billboard and Chart Integration

Every play will count towards official music charts just like Boomplay counts streams for Billboard. This gives artists more exposure and recognition globally.

♦ Push Notifications

You can integrate a push notifications feature in your music app, like Boomplay. This can help users get alerts or notifications regarding the new release or other updates.

♦ Audio Equalizer

Built-in equalizer allows users to adjust sound to suit specific music styles. Also, crossfade means songs flow smoothly without silence between tracks. It is great for uninterrupted listening.

♦ Earn Rewards or Points

Users are able to earn points by listening to music, which can be used for discounts, data offers, or subscriptions. It adds fun and value to the experience.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop an App Like Boomplay?

The Boomplay music streaming app development cost can start from $20,000 to $150,000 and more. This cost can vary depending on the project requirements. If you want a simple app with minimal features, then it can cost you less.

However, if your budget is huge, a customized music streaming app can be perfect. Basically, the cost to develop an app like Boomplay totally depends on the customization level and features.

Let’s get a clearer understanding with the table below :

How to Monetize Your Music Streaming App?

Just like other mobile apps, there are multiple ways music apps make money. The best option depends on what matters most to you. Sometimes, using a mix of a few revenue streams works well, too.

So, let’s have a look at them :

➤ Subscription Model

Subscription revenue stream is one of the most popular methods you may find in many apps like Spotify, TuneIn, etc. We can say, this is their primary source of income.

If you want to earn money from your music app like Boomplay, you can allow users to pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee for premium features. For example, ad-free listening, offline music, downloading songs, etc.

➤ In-App Advertisement

You might have seen those ads between the music. That’s how these music player apps make money. They provide a free music service but also show ads in between songs or on the app screen. You earn money every time users see or click these ads.

Tip: Do not overdo it. Too many ads can annoy users.

➤ AI-Curated Custom Playlists

This revenue stream has become popular with the advent of AI. You can monetize your music app like Boomplay by providing users with the option to buy ultra-personalized playlists created by AI.

It is totally based on the user’s mood, activities, or even current weather. For example, your perfect study mix is generated on demand for $1.

➤ Music NFT Collectives

If you want to stand out, you can allow users to own special music-related digital items like rare versions of songs, unique album art, or behind-the-scenes audio clips.

These are called NFTs and are stored securely using blockchain technology. You can think of it like owning a digital collector’s item that no one else has. Users can buy, sell, or trade them right inside your app.

Challenges in Developing an App Like Boomplay & Their Solution

Let’s take a look at the music app development challenges you might face while creating an app like Boomplay.

We will discuss each challenge’s solutions below :

► Music Licensing

Getting permission to stream music can take a lot of time and cost a lot of money. You have to understand many copyright rules and talk to music companies and record labels to get the right licenses. The process can be confusing and hard to manage without help.

Solution :

Hire skilled legal experts who understand music laws. They can help you get all the correct licenses and make sure everything is done properly. Also, work closely with music artists and record labels to make the process smoother and faster. This will help build an app without legal problems.

► Finding Experienced App Developers

It can be hard to find developers who really understand both music streaming and how to build a simple music streaming app design. But if you want to create a smooth and easy-to-use music app, you need a skilled team with the right experience.

Solution :

Look carefully at trusted websites, ask for recommendations, and explore online platforms for professionals. Choose developers who have built apps before and have a strong history of successful projects. You can also hire offshore experts to make sure the job is done well.

► Balance Between Compression and Audio Quality

Sending good-quality music without using too much internet data can be tricky. Choosing the right method that keeps the music sounding great and the app running smoothly takes careful thinking and planning.

Solution :

Use modern audio compression methods and cloud technology to save data without losing sound quality. Add features like offline listening and adaptive streaming, which change the audio quality depending on the user’s internet speed. This helps give a better experience to all users.

Our Hands-On Experience with Music Streaming Apps!

At Nimble AppGenie, we have hands-on experience in music streaming apps. One of our key projects is Zing and Nujaxx, built to provide a seamless and outstanding music experience for all users.

Developing Zing was a big learning experience for us. We didn’t want to make just another music app. We wanted one that felt personal. One essential thing we learned is that people want fast music without lag. So, we worked hard to ensure Zing plays songs quickly, even if the internet is slow.

We also focused on keeping the app really easy to use. Users told us it is much nicer to find new music when the app is not crowded with too many buttons. Building the Zing app taught us a lot about what makes a music app great.

If you want to build something unique in the music streaming world, we’d love to help make your idea a reality. Just contact us right away and get a quotation.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a clearer understanding of what monetization methods best suit your streaming goals and what it takes to develop an app like Boomplay. Success in this space depends on balancing a solid business strategy with a seamless user experience.

Working with an experienced music streaming app development company can make all the difference. Reach out to our experts to explore how we can help you build an app like Boomplay.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma, CTO, Nimble AppGenie, is a tech enthusiast with more than a decade of experience in delivering high-value solutions that allow a brand to penetrate the market easily. With a strong hold on mobile app development, he is actively working to help businesses identify the potential of digital transformation by sharing insightful statistics, guides & blogs.