Tech Stack For Social Media App

Choosing the right tech stack for social media app development is a tricky process. There are so many factors to consider and decisions to make before deciding to develop your social media application on your own.

Therefore, considering your demands and needs, we analyzed organizations, entrepreneurs, and all those who are struggling to find the right tech stack for their next social media app.

Here, you will find all your answers, from tech stack concepts, its fundamentals, particular techniques for social media, cost, factors impacting it, and more.

What is a Tech Stack? An Overview

Before we understand how to choose the perfect tech stack for a social media platform, let’s consider what it is. The tech stack is made up of programming languages, frameworks, platforms, and tools that you can use to run an app.

It can be described as a combination of hardware and software that is used to build an application. Additionally, the tech stack can be considered a layered structure that contributes to the functioning and development of the app.

Whether it’s for iOS or Android apps, the following layers are considered for developing them.

1. Front-End Layer

Under this layer, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are considered important parameters. It can be identified as a layer that is utilized by the users to communicate with the brand. This can be determined by frameworks, databases, and technologies used for direct interaction with the brand.

2. Back-End Layer

This layer comprises the logic as well as the business functionality of the application. Additionally, it includes server-side programming languages such as Java, Ruby, and Python, along with Node.js, and backend frameworks such as Rails, Django, and others.

Under this layer, you may find data processing, database operations, server-side validation, and integration with different services.

3. Data Layer

The data layer is an essential component of the tech stack. A database is an essential component that stores and manages data used by applications. It is a behind-the-scenes structure that websites, as well as mobile apps, tap into for timely and consistent visitor data.

This layer provides a functional as well as procedural means for transferring data between network entities. Well, we understand that you need to learn them all in detail.

Fundamentals of Tech Stack For Social Media Apps

Before you learn to identify the suitable tech stack for social media apps, let’s go in-depth and check out the basics. What are the basics of the tech stack?

Here’s a list to follow :

♦ User Interface

This might seem like a component only for app design, but it’s an important part of the tech stack too. Here, the markup languages such as CSS and HTML, and frameworks including Bootstrap or Tailwind, depend on the user interface and styling needs.

It is the point where the user interacts with the program or application. Thus, it should be effective for serving multiple users’ needs and creating brand engagement.

♦ Back-End

The backend components of the tech stack comprise many components, such as servers, databases, frameworks, and operating systems.

This can be determined as the inner workings of a website that are not visible to the end user. It is a server-side environment where different programming languages, frameworks, and databases, such as MySQL, MongoDB, Oracle, etc, are considered.

♦ Database

The database comprises technologies useful for both the user interface as well as underlying logic. This is a platform where the data is stored, retrieved, and manipulated within a mobile app.

A database can be defined as an organized collection of data that can be accessed, managed, and updated. You will find that a database for web apps is different from that for mobile applications.

The selection of a database can depend on multiple factors such as the type of data, team expertise, and app requirements.

♦ Programming Languages

Based on the platforms and targeted apps’ size as well as features, the programming languages differ.

For iOS, you can use Swift and Objective-C, while for Android apps, suitable programming languages include Kotlin and Java. Whereas, for cross-platform apps, you can implement various programming languages such as react native, Flutter, and Xamarin.

Also Read: Best Choices for Programming Languages for a Beginner

♦ Operating System

Mobile operating systems such as iOS and Android facilitate development tools for running applications. There are multiple technologies to be considered, such as the iOS SDK or the Android SDK.

This is the interface through which runtimes, servers, web frameworks, as well as other software components of the technology stack, can access computing power as well as resources.

♦ Cloud Platform

In the current era, cloud computing platforms such as Google Cloud, AWS, and Azure offer a variety of services that are suited for developing mobile applications.

Cloud app development solutions provide developers with secure, scalable, and cost-effective ways of managing data. The tech stack includes cloud platforms that have revolutionized mobile app scalability.

Other than these, there are various tools required in the tech stack depending on the type of app, its complexity scale, and features such as IDEs, Git, SVN, and build tools such as Gradle and Maven.

After learning about the basics, let’s understand the tech stack for social media apps in the following section.

Tech Stack For Social Media App Development

A tech stack for social media applications can differ based on the type of app. Along with this, it will be a mix of frameworks, programming languages, libraries, and tools that are designed to meet the needs of creating a networking platform.

Here’s a table to enhance your awareness of selecting the ideal tech stack for social media apps.

Now, let’s consider the type of tech stack based on different platforms, such as iOS, Android, and Hybrid, below.

► iOS Tech Stack For Social Media App

Deciding on the right tech stack for an iOS app is not a difficult task anymore.

You can check out the table below to learn more.

You can hire iOS app developers to get more detailed information to decide on the social media tech stack.

► Android Tech Stack for Social Media App

In the case of an Android app, you should consider the target users as Android users and decide the tech stack accordingly.

The following table can be helpful here.

You can hire Android app developers to get more information.

► Hybrid Tech Stack For Social Media App

Hybrid app development for social media applications is a single application that is compatible with all types of mobile platforms, such as Android, iOS, and Windows.

Let’s check out the table below for a selection of its social media tech stack.

Considering these tables, you can decide on the right type of tech stack for your next social media app.

Use of AI/ML in Modern Tech Stack For Social Media Apps

While the technologies mentioned above are enough to help you decide on the final tech stack for your social media app, several advanced technologies can take your app to the next level.

You see, gone are the days when users only wanted a platform to interact with others; social media platforms are a one-stop shop for everything, from discovering new music to finding the best-fitting product.

One of the key reasons why it is so is the level of personalization that these apps provide. Clearly, these recommendations and personalization are not achieved just by your regular tech stack for a social media app.

Instead, you need some advanced technologies for the same. Artificial intelligence and Machine learning are the central forces that drive highly personalized experiences on any social media platform.

All of these features may seem a bit complicated; however, it is these experiences that make a social media platform interesting and worth using for a user. Now you may be wondering how one integrates AI and ML into a social media app tech stack. Well, it takes different approaches.

Here are some for your reference –

• APIs & Services

Various APIs and services like OpenAI, Google Gemini, ML.NET with PyTorch allow you to integrate AI capabilities into your platforms.

• Via Application Layer

AI and ML can be integrated into front-end and back-end code that can be used to deliver personalized features to your social media app.

• Via Data Layer

In your tech stack for a social media app, you can focus on a data layer to collect user interactions and content data to implement personalization.

• Training ML

To ensure that your application leverages AI and ML into your application, you train neural networks and other ML models using the data from the Data Layer.

With the help of AI and ML, you can easily add features like personalized feeds, content moderation for user safety, and creator assistance with generative AI, and smart discovery algorithms for better visibility and engagement on the platform.

Famous Platforms & Their Diverse Tech Stacks

When talking about different aspects of a social media tech stack, analyzing the current players who are dominating the market can never go wrong.

You see, people find social media apps to be convenient due to their selection of features and ease of access.

However, from a technical point of view, it is the tech stack behind the curtains that makes it all possible.

Hence, when you are planning to enter the market with a social media platform of your own, it is crucial to learn what the best social media app tech stacks look like.

Here are some of the popular platforms and their diverse tech stacks that they use  – 

➤ Facebook (Meta)

One of the oldest social media platforms, Facebook, has more than 3 billion users, the largest of any other social media platform.

The application uses both legacy and modern technologies to keep it ahead of the competition.

Here’s a quick sneak peek into Facebook’s tech stack – 

• Programming Languages: PHP with HHVM,  C++, Python, Java, Swift (iOS), Objective-C (iOS), and JavaScript.
• Frontend: React, React Native, HTML, CSS. GraphQL
• Databases: MySQL, Apache Cassandra, MariaDB, HBase, and Hadoop.
• Caching & Infrastructure: Memcached, NGINX, Haystack for Photos.

➤ Instagram (Meta)

With the number of users right at par with Facebook, Instagram is another highly popular social media platform used by approximately 3 billion people.

The number of users clearly indicates the stature of the platform, as it engages almost half the population of the world.

Several technologies go into creating a platform like that.

Check out the Instagram tech stack below – 

• Programming Languages: Python, Django, JavaScript, Java, Objective-C, C/C++.
• Frontend: React Native for Mobile, React for Web
• Databases: PostgreSQL, Apache Cassandra, Hive/Apache Hadoop.
• Caching & Infrastructure: Redis, Memcached, Amazon S3, Meta Data Center on AWS.

➤ X (formerly Twitter)

With the recent change of ownership, Twitter turned into X, which certainly helped the platform in gathering a lot of hype and new audiences.

The platform is one of the most popular social media apps, used by 550 million+ users around the globe.

Check out how the platform can offer these features with such excellence by checking the tech stack for X mentioned below –   

• Programming Languages: Scala, Java, Python, Go/C++, TypeScript
• Frontend: React.js, TypeScript/JavaScript.
• Database: MYSQL, Manhattan, Elastic Search, FlockDB, and Hadoop.
• Caching & Infrastructure: Apache Kafka, Redis, Memcached, Finagle (RPC system), Google Cloud, and AWS.

➤ Snapchat

Used mostly by GenZ & Millennials, Snapchat is a quick communication social media platform that leverages your smartphone camera, allowing users to share snaps that are highly secure and cannot be traced or retrieved back (unless the necessary settings are made).

With 900 million+ users, it is one of the most profitable social media platforms in the market today.

Here’s the tech stack that powers Snapchat –

• Programming Languages: Objective-C & Swift (iOS), Java & Kotlin (Android), Python (backend and ML), C++ (image processing), JavaScript, and Go.
• Frontend: Cocoa Touch (iOS), Android SDK (Android), React, JQuery.
• Database: MariaDB, Cassandra, NoSQL, MySQL. PostgreSQL.
• Caching & Infrastructure: Google Cloud Platform, Kubernetes, Docker, Apache Spark, AWS.

While there are several other technologies that they may be using to deploy new features, this is the base on which the entire platform is built and deployed.

You might have observed that all these top social media platforms have distinct tech stacks. They are diverse as they have been chosen according to the requirements.

Which brings us to the next section, where we will discuss why choosing the right tech stack for social media app development is crucial.

Why is the Selection of the Right Tech Stack for a Social Media App Important?

Learning about the tech stack for social media apps isn’t significant if you are unaware of its importance. Choosing a suitable tech stack is not only a technical decision, but it’s a strategic one.

Here’s a list of reasons why you need to select the best tech stack for a social media app :

♦ Strong Tech Stack: The Unsung Hero of App

The right tech stack selection acts as a backbone for your app. Social media apps are all about how they attract and engage users for a long duration. With a strong tech stack, your social media app will be able to remove any obstacles to the app’s performance.

This leads to app performance optimization. Users seek a social media app that values their existence and provides them with a smooth experience. With a strong tech stack, users’ journeys can be simplified.

♦ Speed and Stability: Tech Stack Essentials

You should be aware of what the users expect from a social media app; it’s all about quick response and stability. A slow response can encourage the user to shift to another social media app in one go. While they check out the reels or share photos and videos, it should work smoothly and quickly.

Hence, a strong tech stack will provide all these solutions. It optimizes the software’s speed and ensures that users can proceed with chats, scrolling, or uploading reels without facing any crashes.

♦ Scalability: With Growing Traffic

A social media app that is able to expand and work based on the growing traffic and users’ preferences can stand out among the competition. The major aim of your social media app is to scale up when many people approach it or download it.

Selecting a strong tech stack is scalable, which means it’s easy to handle loads of users as well as additional functions or features that are added later.

♦ Strong Tech Stack: Strong Security

Users’ data privacy and security are important components while developing a social media app.

Hence, a robust tech stack comes into play. The right technology provides security against cyber threats. By prioritizing robust security practices within social media apps, you can select your ideal tech stack.

♦ Seamless Integration: Success For Social Media App

When users can share content and effectively perform all essential tasks without switching apps, such as payments, sharing on other social media networks, etc. A strong tech stack behind it.

A suitable tech stack enables third-party integration and APIs to increase users’ experience while making payments or sharing content through other channels on social media.

This is the most important role of a strong tech stack within social media apps. Well, as you learned about the need to have a strong tech stack for your social media app, it’s time to know some of the factors impacting the same.

Yes, you read it right. Multiple factors can impact your selection criteria for the tech stack for social media apps.

How to Choose an Ideal Tech Stack For Social Media Apps

To choose the ideal tech stack for your social media apps, it’s vital to know the factors and elements impacting the selection process.

Here’s a list to check out :

➤ Purpose of App

You should know the type of social media app and its purpose to launch in the market. Without understanding the aim of the app, you cannot select a suitable tech stack, right?

Thus, before starting the social media app business, check for the target users, market, and their changing demands. This is the most important factor that might change your opinion of selecting a tech stack.

➤ App Features

The functionalities and social media app features should be analyzed before selecting the right tech stack. You can segregate the core and advanced features and then select the tech stack accordingly.

The suitable tech stack for your target users can only be selected after identifying prominent features for the same. Thus, you should be aware of such features and then go for building the right tech stack.

➤ Budget

A decision over the cost of mobile app development impacts the selection of the tech stack and its implementation process in the case of social media.

Advanced tech stack solutions require you to invest a high cost. Thus, if you keep a small budget for implementing a suitable tech stack, your social media app must cover advanced technical solutions.

➤ Current Market Dynamics

The changing market demand and users’ preferences for the features within the social media app can affect the tech stack selection process. An inclination towards video content over social media apps and competitors’ strategies is among the most important factors to consider.

You should keep an eye on competitors’ strategies and current market preferences, as it will assist in selecting the latest tech stack suitable for your social media app.

➤ Choice of Platforms

The type of platform you select to launch a social media app has an impact on the tech stack. As we have already discussed for different types of platforms, the selection of certain tech stacks plays a vital role.

For iOS, you need to go for Swift and Xcode, for Android- Kotlin and Java, while for hybrid- React Native, Flutter, etc.

➤ App Development Team

The tech stack depends on how your selected app development team takes it. Hire mobile app developers who provide you with the right guidance on the tech stack selection and implement it accordingly.

You should have a team that understands the project requirements and then implements the tech stack accordingly. Additionally, the team should provide custom tech stack solutions as every app development process is unique.

These factors can also help you with the process of choosing the right tech stack solution for your next social media app.

Let Nimble AppGenie Simplify Selection of Tech Stack For Social Media App

With all that information covered, you might have gained clarity that it is not easy to identify the right tech stack for a social media app. However, in case all of it is quite complicated for you to make the right decision, do not worry, we are here to help!

At Nimble AppGenie, we not only offer social media app development services, but we also offer guidance on what you choose and why you should choose it.

All our experts are well-equipped to implement a custom tech stack for a social media app, making your application stand out from the competition.

All you have to do is reach out, share your ideas/requirements, and the rest will be done by our experts. Connect today and forget your confusion about choosing the right tech stack for a social media app.

Conclusion

You cannot expect an app without a tech stack, but selecting the right one is where the game begins. Before approaching the right tech stack, you should be aware of the basics, such as operations, programming language, database, front-end, and back-end elements.

There are different types of tech stacks for every platform; thus, you are required to select the platform, the purpose of the app, the development team, the budget, and the features, as they all impact selecting the ideal tech stack for social media apps.

Apart from these, reasons to select the right tech stack and cost should be considered before moving forward with your idea. Hopefully, the information shared in this post about the tech stack for a social media app gives you clarity.  That will be all for this post. Thanks for reading, good luck!

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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.