Why develop an app like Bigo?
To answer this, you need to understand its importance and details related to its development.
Bigo is connected to the live-streaming industry. In a world full of entertainment, live streaming has taken a crucial space. It has become a trend and is inspiring a large amount of the population to broadcast live video content online in real-time. Live streaming apps are designed to bring viewers and broadcasters together.
While it is a medium of entertainment, it also provides a wide opportunity for businesses. One of the important points that come to mind to have a business is cost. Now, as it comes to cost, you might be thinking about, how much it costs to make an app like Bigo.
The average cost to develop an app like Bigo Live is $40,000 to $260,000.
To know the details, you need to learn more about it. Here you will have it all about the app, its top features, its need to develop, cost, and factors impacting cost. Check it out now.
Step into the Spotlight: Bigo Live Brings the World to You!
Before we proceed to the cost, let’s discover a brief about Bigo.
Bigo Live is a global live video social platform, here users stream to show their life moments, interact, showcase their talents, and also send virtual gifts in real-time. Bigo is a suitable platform for social interactions, global reach, multi-platform support, and much more.
The above image displays the stats related to the user base of Bigo. In the last quarter of 2023, average mobile monthly active users were around 38 million. It is a live-streaming platform that was founded in Singapore.
The above image displays Bigo Live statistics for streaming. There are 91 channels and 22 games being streamed currently on the platform.
The Statista report displays that during the first half of 2021, consumer spending on the mobile app Bigo Live has reached 312 million U.S. dollars, which was increased by 95% as compared to the correspondent period in 2020.
Top Features of Bigo Live
With the present statistics related to the live streaming platform Bigo Live, it has been identified that it is good to enter the growing market to earn a high amount in the present sector. An effective social media app development service can help you in this process.
Other than this, here is a list of top features that can help you analyze the functionality and cost to create an app like Bigo Live through identifying effective elements can be inserted in an app.
1. Interactive User Profile
Here you can create personalized profiles that can combine profiles with photos, bios, and other useful content. Creating an effective user interface and design can work in your favor because it can assist your streaming app to stand out in the competitive market. The platform of the app should also contain a unique design and interface that should be user-friendly as well.
2. Original Content
To make an app like Bigo Live, your app must have original content. Based on the cloudwards data, 35% of streaming app users stated that they will shift over to the platform, only when they will find original content. With this feature, you can make a unique identity that can develop the brand identity of the app.
3. Social Interaction
Social media has become one of the channels to interact. Hence helping the app’s users to connect with the broadcasters and other viewers through comments, shares, and likes, users can feel free to communicate. It also assists the users in fostering a lively and engaging community by promoting social interaction within the app.
4. Search Functionality
Search is a key feature within the app, it enables the users to find their favorite channel and platform that helps to connect with the broadcasters. Offer users a broad database for a certain video to play. Instead preserving filters for searching by location, broadcast topic, date, video, and duration, helps them to find what they are looking for.
5. Geo-location Tracking
Helping the users find their favorite streaming channel based on their location is a significant feature that can assist them in improving the function ability of the app. It can assist the users to connect and bring them together. This platform is also vital to permit the users to select which kind of broadcast they want to watch via the map.
6. Live Streaming
In order to implement this feature you need a robust technology that can enable the users to broadcast their content in real-time. Here you need support for various types of content including content such as gaming, music, cooking, and much more. It is also a powerful marketing tool for businesses to connect with their target audience. You can also invest in the creation of NFL (National Football League) apps for proceeding with live streaming.
7. Revenue-based Model
You need to create a revenue-based model that can help you identify different strategies for revenue generation. It is an important feature that helps the users to be connected and notified with the app and also with the video from their favorite brand. This model enables a redirecting option that provides the user an in-app purchasing option and you with an opportunity to earn income.
8. Multiple Platform Compatibility
The app can work well when it can run on multiple platforms. You need to ensure the target audience first for availing this option. Here you have to decide on the platforms such as iOS, Android, and web browsers. You should ensure a consistent user experience and keep testing it over to check your app’s compatibility with different platforms.
9. Virtual Gifting
Enabling the feature of a virtual gifting system allows the users to purchase and send virtual gifts to the broadcasters in the form of appreciation. It helps to ensure seamless transactions that provide a variety of options related to virtual gift options. This option will support the board casters to be active users of the app and will promote its usability in real-time.
10. Parental Controls
Parental controls are one of the important options that can help you generate chances for a significant portion of your actual viewers. Unless your aim is to develop a streaming app specifically for children’s content, you cannot succeed in this streaming platform app. Hence this basic feature helps the parents to control the content that their children can see.
Also Read: How to Build a Video-Streaming App?
Why Develop an App Like Bigo Live?
Now, that you have complete information about the app and related to the market statistics, let’s know how much it costs to develop an app like Bigo Live.
Well, to identify its reference, you need to know why to make a live-streaming app. It will help you to address ifs and buts that are going into your mind. You can check out the list below.
A] Massive and Engaged Audience
Live streaming platforms are developed to engage a large audience by connecting the creators with a highly engaged audience. This kind of interactive environment has attracted millions of daily users.
Based on the reports of Forbes, it has been found that 99% of U.S. households have subscribed to at least one or more streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+. Thus, such channels should be developed in order to attract a large number of audiences.
B] Tap into the Growing Industry
Live streaming as well as social networking apps are experiencing rapid growth which is fueled by increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and online content consumption. Entering into the growing industry is one of the important determinants that can be considered.
These apps are fueled by increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and a growing appetite for online content consumption. Global live streaming market size is expected to record a 28% growth increasing the opportunity to enter the market.
C] Content Diversity
After developing such an app you can offer a diverse content option to the people. These apps have opened up opportunities for entrepreneurs to tap into the niche market and discover diverse content fields.
This interactive nature offers instant feedback from viewers makes effective for the entrepreneurs to understand the audience’s perceptions. It can further result in a more diversified and satisfied audience.
D] Global Reach
Bigo app has a global presence in the market, with users from various countries and cultures participating in the live broadcasts. Thus, by developing an app like Bigo, you can reach a diverse audience worldwide and cater to the users’ preferences as well as interests.
The consumer spending on the app has grown to 314 million U.S. dollars up by 95% as compared to the correspondent period within 2020. It offers an app store optimization that helps you to plan the global marketing strategy to reach the global audience.
E] Build’s Brand Reputation
After developing an app like Bigo, it provides you an opportunity to successfully develop and launch an app that can assist you in establishing a strong brand presence within the live streaming market.
It helps the brand to deliver high-quality live content that bolsters interactive and meaningful leads to enhance brand recognition as well as user loyalty. This also assists the users in identifying the brand with its name and identity.
F] Innovation and Differentiation
This is the prime and very important factor that will help you to build an app like Bigo Live. After creating this kind of app you have the opportunity to introduce new features that enhance user experience and differentiate the platform from existing competitors.
You can offer diversification in the content that can help attract new users with compelling content. Here you need to identify the core audience by analyzing the market and users’ needs that can foster meaningful interactions.
Cost to Develop an App Like Bigo Live
Now, that you are aware of the needs and features to Create an app like Bigo Live, it’s time to state the Bigo live-like app development cost.
The cost to create a live streaming app like Bigo Live can range from $40,000 to $260,000. Although it involves certain factors that impact the cost of mobile app development.
To evaluate the cost you need to identify what kind of factor is of much value to you. Hence we have mentioned it all in the next section.
Factors that Affect the Cost to Develop an App Like Bigo Live
Till now, you have well understood the cost to develop an app like Bigo Live and its features which are vital for app creation.
Do you want to know, how to decide on cost? Then you must study the factors impacting the cost of developing a live streaming app like Bigo Live.
Here are certain numbers of factors that can affect the development cost of an app.
Complexity
Complex features including real-time chat, geolocation, augmented reality, and machine learning algorithms will increase the development costs due to their technical complexity.
It directly has an impact on costs that intricate features, and functionalities that require additional time as well as resources to design, develop, and test. Here is the table that you can go through for your references of complexity in an app.
| Complexity Level | Description | Cost Range |
| Basic | Simple features like live streaming, user profiles, and basic social interactions. | $40,000 – $80,000 |
| Moderate | Additional features like virtual gifting enhanced social interactions, and basic monetization. | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| Advanced | Complex features such as advanced monetization models, content discovery algorithms, and gamification elements. | $150,000 – $260,000 |
Platform
Cross-platform app development helps developers to construct mobile applications more simply and quickly as they do not require generating code for each platform independently.
The appearance on different platforms such as Android, iOS, and web app pertain a unique technical requirements as well as development frameworks. There are a number of diverse platforms that should be considered and that depends on the target audience.
| Platform | Description | Cost Range |
| iOS | Development for the iOS platform using Swift or Objective-C, targeting iPhones and iPads. | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| Android | Development for the Android platform using Java or Kotlin, targeting a wide range of Android devices. | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| Cross-Platform | Development using cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter, targeting both iOS and Android with a single codebase. | $100,000 – $180,000 |
| Web | Development for the web platform, accessible via web browsers on desktop and mobile devices. | $40,000 – $80,000 |
Tech Stack
To analyze Bigo Live clone app development cost, the tech stack is another important factor. It directly impacts the app’s speed and responsiveness which can further make and break user satisfaction.
Various factors in the tech stack play an important role including the development time of an app, scalability, user performance, and platform compatibility. The given table presents the cost structure, tech stack, maintenance, and updates.
| Tech Stack | Description | Cost Range |
| Native (iOS + Android) | Development using native languages and tools (Swift for iOS, Java/Kotlin for Android) with separate codebases for each platform. | $140,000 – $260,000 |
| React Native | Development using React Native framework, allowing for cross-platform development with a single codebases. | $100,000 – $180,000 |
| Flutter | Development using Flutter framework, enabling cross-platform development with a single codebase and native performance. | $100,000 – $180,000 |
| Web | Development of the web platform using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, accessible via web browsers on various devices. | $40,000 – $80,000 |
App’s UI/UX Design
UI/UX design is essential in evaluating the cost of building a Bigo Live clone app. It is essential in driving the user engagement, retention as well as conversation rate of the customers that ultimately impact the sales and growth of the company.
An effective design of an app has the capability of impacting the brand image of the company. It contains a high correlation with the company’s growth as a visually appealing interface tells about the company’s process to handle its users. Here is a list of user interfaces along with the cost it takes.
| UI/UX Design Approach | Description | Cost Range |
| Standard Design | Basic UI/UX design with standard layouts, navigation patterns, and visual elements. | $40,000 – $80,000 |
| Custom Design | Customized UI/UX design tailored to match the app’s brand identity, style, and user experience goals. | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| Responsive Design | UI/UX design optimized for responsiveness across various screen sizes and devices, ensuring consistency. | $60,000 – $120,000 |
| Iterative Design | Iterative UI/UX design process involving user feedback, usability testing, and continuous improvement. | $100,000 – $180,000 |
Development Team
Identifying a development team can affect the Bigo Live app development costs. How? Well, when you decide on the team’s expertise and their location, you have to decide how much you can pay for an expert from a well-known location. The cost to hire developers can vary on the city and expertise you are looking for.
For instance, if you want to hire mobile app developers from America and Europe then you have to pay a high cost.
On the other hand, Asia is a feasible region to either hire android app developers or iOS app developers. Let’s have a look at the given table about the same.
| Development Team | Description | Countries/Regions | Cost Range |
| Offshore Development Team | A team of developers based in offshore locations with varying expertise levels. | India, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia | $40,000 – $100,000 |
| In-house Development Team | A team of in-house developers located in the same country as the company, offering closer collaboration. | United States, Western Europe, Australia | $100,000 – $180,000 |
| Hybrid Development Team | A combination of offshore and in-house developers, leveraging the benefits of both approaches. | Global (mix of various regions) | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| Remote Freelance Developers | Hiring freelance developers remotely on a project basis offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness. | Global (freelancers from various regions) | $60,000 – $120,000 |
How Long Does It Take to Make Bigo Live Clone?
After understanding the top features needed and the cost to make an app like Bigo Live, it’s time to answer how long does it take to make an app?
You can check the table below, to get an idea about the time to make an app like Bigo.
| Development Phase | Time Required |
| Planning and Analysis | 2-4 weeks |
| UI/UX Design | 4-8 weeks |
| Frontend Development | 8-16 weeks |
| Backend Development | 8-16 weeks |
| Integration and Testing | 4-8 weeks |
| Deployment and Launch | 2-4 weeks |
| Total | Approximately 28-56 weeks (7-14 months) |
Based on the given table, you can see that it takes approximately 28-56 weeks which is (7-14 months). You can also contact a media & entertainment app development company for more details.
How to Make Money With an App Like Bigo Live?
Now, as you have analyzed the cost to build an app like Bigo Live, and its factors, you should not be bothered about what will you get after investing this much money in it. App Monetization is one of the major phenomena that make most app investors impatient.
To address such an issue, you should look forward to a mobile app development company. Well, not all mobile development companies will do it for you. Hence, select them wisely. For now, have a look at successful monetization strategies that you should check before investing in app development.
►Subscription-Based Monetization Models
Subscription services are one of the important and common methods within in-app purchases. The subscription-based app monetization model can enable you to offer a diversified experience to users who are paying an additional amount to use your app than to those using its free version.
To decide on a subscription package you aren’t restricted to any approach, rather it depends on you to set up multiple subscription packages over different value levels.
►Advertising Monetization Models
Add monetization can be another take for your app investment. It can help you earn money by displaying targeted ads during live streams, in between broadcasts, and within the app’s interface.
Here you can partner with advertisers as well as ad networks to serve relevant ads for the users based on their demographics, interests, and viewing habits. Here you can adopt for pay-to-remove ad monetization. In this method, the users can pay you for removing ads while using an app such as Spotify.
►Sponsorships and Partnerships
Sponsorships can be the most lucrative as well as a sustainable way to monetize the app. This strategy can generate recurring revenue from long-term partnerships. This type of monetization strategy can assist you in building trust and loyalty with the users.
To use such a method you can collaborate with brands, influencers, or companies to sponsor live broadcasts, events, or challenges within the app. Here you can offer branded content opportunities, product placements, or sponsored segments to the advertisers who are looking to reach the audience.
►Data Monetization
Data monetization is one of the important methods, where a company generates data that is used to develop a measurable economic benefit.
Here you can aggregate as well as analyze user data and viewer behavior that can help you provide valuable insights and analytics to advertisers, content creators, or market researchers. This data can be sold in exchange for money in the form of reports that can assist other businesses.
►Virtual Gifting
It is one of the features that you have integrated with the users who can purchase virtual gifts such as stickers, emojis, and virtual items to send to broadcasters during live streams.
You can take a percentage as a commission from the virtual gift purchases. It can be one of the sources of income for your app. Here users can purchase and send virtual gifts to their favorite creators during a live reel session.
How Nimble AppGenie Can Help You to Create an App Like Bigo Live?
If you are looking for a company that can help you develop an app like Bigo Live, then you can head to an experienced company.
Nimble AppGenie can assist you in this journey. We are the best Live Streaming App Development Company on which you can rely to convert your dream into reality.
You should be worried about how to approach it. Well, you are a click away.
Conclusion
Developing an app like Bigo Live offers a lucrative opportunity to tap into the thriving live-streaming industry, where entertainment meets social interaction.
With its global presence and engaged user base, such apps provide a platform for broadcasters to showcase their talents and connect with audiences worldwide. The cost to develop an app like Bigo Live ranges from $40,000 to $260,000, depending on factors like complexity, platform, tech stack, UI/UX design, and development team.
By understanding the market demand, innovative features, and monetization strategies, investing in a Bigo Live-like app can yield significant returns and establish a strong brand presence in the competitive streaming market.
FAQs
Developing an app like Bigo Live can cost between $40,000 to $260,000, depending on various factors such as complexity, platform, tech stack, UI/UX design, and development team.
Developing an app like Bigo Live offers access to a massive and engaged audience, taps into the growing live streaming industry, provides content diversity opportunities, offers global reach, builds brand reputation, fosters innovation and differentiation, and more.
The top features of an app like Bigo Live include interactive user profiles, original content creation, social interaction capabilities, robust search functionality, geo-location tracking, live streaming support, revenue-based models, multiple platform compatibility, virtual gifting, and parental controls.
Developing a Bigo Live clone app typically takes approximately 28-56 weeks (7-14 months), which includes phases such as planning and analysis, UI/UX design, frontend and backend development, integration and testing, and deployment and launch.
Several factors influence the cost of developing an app like Bigo Live, including complexity (basic, moderate, advanced), platform (iOS, Android, Cross-platform, Web), tech stack (native, React Native, Flutter, Web), UI/UX design approach (standard, custom, responsive, iterative), and development team (offshore, in-house, hybrid, freelance).
There are several monetization strategies for an app like Bigo Live, including subscription-based models, advertising, sponsorships and partnerships, data monetization, and virtual gifting. These strategies offer opportunities to generate revenue from user subscriptions, ad placements, sponsored collaborations, data insights, and virtual gift purchases.
Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.
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