Want to develop an app like Snapchat, but confused about its cost?
Don’t worry, we got you. You need to look for the factors that help to decide on the cost to develop an app like Snapchat.
Yes. You read it right. To address How much does it cost to develop an app like Snapchat? We have developed a framework that can lead you over cost.
The average cost can vary from $30,000 to $350,000. But, factors play an important game here.
Here you will find stats, particular reasons to make an app, costs, and a lot more. Let’s get through it together.
Decoding the Success: The Story Behind Snapchat
Want to know about the cost to make an app like Snapchat? Well before it know its concept for those who are unaware of it.
Snapchat is an app developed by an American multimedia instant that empowers people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and want to have fun together. It is an American multimedia instant messaging app and service developed by Snap Inc.
The camera of Snapchat supports real friendships through visual communication, self-expression, and others. It changes the perception of people to see the world and makes it more fun. This platform fulfills the purpose related to exchanging messages, pictures, and videos with other Snapchat users.
Here’s to know more about the app with the defined statistics.
- The number of Snapchat users in the United States has been forecasted to continuously increase between 2024 and 2028 with a total number of 5.7 million users.
- The annual revenue of the app was $4.6 billion in 2023 which represents the growth of the app.
- Approximately there are a total of 800 million users of Snapchat.
As of January 2024, one in five global Snapchat users were men between the ages of 18 and 24 years, whilst women of the same age made up 17.8 % of all users. It has been found that people over 35 years use Snapchat less.
Learning about the app and identifying its stats is the beginning. Well, let’s get ahead.
Top Features of Snapchat
How are they useful in creating a social media app?
Features are the ultimate secret of an app’s success.
Thus, to make an app like Snapchat, you need to be aware of its secrets that have resulted in its growth.
Hence, we have presented a list of the features that you can evaluate in your way to create a social media app.
1. Search Features
One of the prominent features of Snapchat is its search function. Users can explore different features of the app they want to navigate and it helps them to do so in less than a minute.
Content exploration, where users can explore a wide range of content, including stories, and public snaps, based on keywords and topics of interest creates user engagement.
2. Chat Online
It’s impossible to make an app like Snapchat without having a communication mode. With this feature, users can send messages to their friends, either individually or within a group chat.
Snapchat provides a feature to people so that they can immediately communicate about their snapshots and outings. They also like to shoot live footage using such apps.
Also Read: Build a Chat App
3. Location-Based Discovery
Users can search for snaps from specific locations or events by searching for geotagged content under this feature. This feature effectively helps them to remain aware of their surroundings.
The location-based feature activates when the user enables live location sharing. Here the user’s precise location data is collected and shared with their selected friends and shows users relevant search options.
4. Group and Personal Chatting
With this feature, users can communicate with their friends and family in just a few clicks. Group chatting helps the user to stay connected with their loved ones.
Basically, along with the chat option, users have other options too including sharing media such as documents, location, and videos. It helps them to make their lives more personalized. Here chats can also occur over snaps.
5. Voice and Video Calls
It is a function that is similar to other social media apps. Making voice or video calls to friends makes users of the app close to each other across different time zones without worry.
Along with this, when one user of the app is offline, another can send them a message to call them once they are online. It is an important feature to consider when creating an app like Snapchat.
6. Filters
Another key element of the app is its features that comprise face tracking and imaging technology. The app is well known for its amazing filters such as black and white filters which also contain stars.
Here, users can also check for the various filters that other people prefer the most. Geofilter is another option in the app that automatically helps users switch on the filters based on region and location.
7. Augmented Reality Lenses
The augmented reality lens of Snapchat is the most popular trend. This feature works by overlaying digital elements that include filters, lenses, and effects. Following AR/VR trends, Snapchat introduces AR lenses.
Smart and advanced computer vision technology helps the platform detect and track facial features, objects, and surfaces within the real-time that allow users to interact and manipulate photos.
8. 3D Bitmoji Integration
One of the important features of creating an app like Snapchat is its Bitmoji feature. A new update of this feature enables the users to create their own 3D avatars that they can use in different snaps.
This important feature assists users in developing personalized avatars and using them in snaps and chat.
9. New Creative Tools
Creative tools are significant features of Snapchat and such features help the users to express themselves in unique ways.
These creative tools are designed to help users personalize their content, add visual flair, and express themselves creatively after making their snaps more engaging and entertaining.
10. Improved Functionality of Stories
Stories have been an important feature to make an app like Snapchat. This feature helps users share moments from their day in a temporary format that automatically disappears after 24 hours.
Customized stories and reply features on the stories are effective in initiating a conversation. This feature assists users to get connected.
Why Develop an App Like Snapchat?
When you have decided to create an app, then to identify suitable features becomes significant. Well, Snapchat’s total revenue and the growth of its users clear the perspective. However, you should know well the reasons to make apps like TikTok in the process of calculating the cost to develop an app like Snapchat.
After identifying the top features, we have listed the reasons to invest in app development that you should know before getting ahead for Snapchat like app development cost. Let’s count them together.
Market Demand
A high demand for social media platforms due to their popularity and widespread usage can be a prominent reason to develop an app. The social media app market was valued at $49.09 billion in 2022. It is forecasted and predicted a compound annual growth rate of 26.2% from 2023 to 2030. This represents an opportunity for you to make an app like Snapchat.
Users Engagement
The growth of users overusing social media apps can be a reason to create an app like Snapchat. In the year 2022, over 4.59 billion people were using social media worldwide. This number is projected to increase to almost six billion in 2027. It enhances the urge to create a platform that engages the users and fulfills their end demand.
Innovation and Differentiation
Moreover, many social media apps keep users engaged. Still, there is always a scope for innovation. You can come up with an idea that offers differentiation and unique features to the users that can enable them to switch to your app. Here you can create features that are capable of addressing the unmet needs of the target users.
Develop a Community
An app development is effective in creating a community of users that are united by the same ideas, interests, and beliefs. You can bring people together by offering them an opportunity to connect and share their feelings. It allows users to create profiles, and share diversified types of content for instance; Facebook has a feature of community development that is used to connect people.
Provide Access to Real-Time Information
A social media platform is effective in helping people access information in real-time, to connect with others, and to find niche communities. Such a platform assists its users in sharing updates, news, and events instantly. With the assistance of live streaming, stories, and trending topics, users can stay informed related to current events, discussions, and much more.
Helps to Develop Brand Reputation
A social media platform is not only useful for people to share and connect but also useful for businesses. In 2023, social media ad spending increased to 270 billion U.S. dollars which represents businesses’ investment in platforms. Thus, Businesses can connect with their target audiences using a platform such as Snapchat as it fosters relations with their customers.
Now, that you are clear with the reasons to make an app like Snapchat along with its features that make the app succeed, let’s proceed with the cost.
Also Read: Cost to Develop an App Like Twitter
How Much Does it Cost to Develop an App Like Snapchat?
Cost is all that we need. The cost to develop a social media app can vary according to the features that you studied prior.
Well, an estimated figure of cost to make an app like Snapchat ranges from $30,000 to $350,000. Do you want to know, why we provided a range and not the accurate cost figure?
The reason behind it is that cost depends on a number of different factors which you need to study to identify the actual cost figure suitable for your app development.
Factors that Impact Snapchat Like App Development Cost
Till now, you have studied the features that you should include to develop an app like Snapchat along with the reasons to create it. After identifying the average cost to develop an app like Snapchat you might be bothered about the elements that can impact it.
Well, factors can help you to provide different attributes impacting Snapchat clone app development cost. Let’s get started.
1. Complexity
The complexity of an app depends on the type of features you intend to use in the app development. The more complex features result in increasing the cost to build a Snapchat clone app.
Hence you should invest in the features wisely after consulting with an app development company. You can check out the table below to know more.
| Complexity Level | Cost Range |
| Basic Features | $30,000 – $80,000 |
| Moderate Complexity | $80,000 – $180,000 |
| Advanced Features | $180,000 – $350,000 |
2. App Design
A visually appealing and user-friendly interface requires careful design work that can increase the development expenses. It is important to decide on UI/UX design as when it comes to the functionality of an app, there are two key factors impacting cost including features, and complexity.
You should check the UI/UX design cost before deciding on a design. A more complex app design can charge you more.
| UI/UX Design Complexity | Cost Range |
| Simple & Intuitive | $30,000 – $80,000 |
| Moderate Complexity | $80,000 – $180,000 |
| Advanced & Customized | $180,000 – $350,000 |
3. Platform
When it comes to selecting a platform to deploy an app over a suitable platform, you need a wise selection based on your target users. Here you can hire Android app developers and iOS app developers who can guide you throughout the process.
You need to keep a note that for hybrid app development, you need to invest more resources that can increase your Snapchat app development cost.
| Development Platform | Cost Range |
| iOS app development cost | $80,000 – $180,000 |
| Android app development cost | $80,000 – $180,000 |
| Hybrid app development cost | $100,000 – $250,000 |
| Web app development | $60,000 – $150,000 |
| iOS, Android & Web | $150,000 – $350,000 |
4. Tech Stack
The choice of technologies, database, and framework that you select for WhatsApp like app development can impact your overall app cost. Want to know how? Well, deciding on the type of operating system, and application category can be a major determinant here.
You should note that tech stack and licensing fees can be significant factors impacting cost to build an app like Snapchat in the competitive market.
| Tech Stack | Cost Range |
| Basic | $30,000 – $80,000 |
| Moderate | $80,000 – $180,000 |
| Advanced | $180,000 – $350,000 |
5. Development Team
The last factor that can impact the cost to develop an app like Snapchat is selecting a team. Well, here are two factors included in deciding over a team that comprised of location and expertise of the team.
The selection of skilled professionals in the market along with their location is an important point to note for hiring mobile app developers. You can check the table below.
| Development Team | Cost Range |
| Experienced Team in Europe | $150,000 – $350,000 |
| Experienced Team in Asia | $100,000 – $250,000 |
| Experienced Team in Africa | $80,000 – $200,000 |
| Other Regions | $30,000 – $150,000 |
Also Read: Cost to Hire App Developers
How Long Does It Take to Make Snapchat Clone?
After deciding over the factors impacting the cost to make an app like Snapchat, you might be wondering about the time it takes to develop it. To address how long it does take to make an app, we have detailed down an approximate time area here in the table.
| Development Stage | Time Required |
| Planning and Analysis | 2-4 weeks |
| UI/UX Design | 4-8 weeks |
| Frontend Development | 8-16 weeks |
| Backend Development | 10-20 weeks |
| Testing and Quality Assurance | 4-8 weeks |
| Deployment and Launch | 2-4 weeks |
| Total | 30-60 weeks (Approximately 7-14 months) |
Well, the time limit here can vary from 30-60 weeks.
How to Make Money with an App like Snapchat?
We have talked about the cost and investment that you need to make while developing an app like Instagram.
Now, let’s get ahead to identify the social media app monetization strategies. The monetization models are essential to have awareness of the unique methods that can help you in making money over app creation. Here’s a list that can assist you.
►Advertisement
What do you think about apps like Facebook and Instagram making money? Well, advertisement is one of the methods and models to earn money for them. Social media advertisements are the foundation business model over which such platforms are built.
With the help of in-app advertisement, you can post the ads of different businesses that can help them engage an audience and become an important source of income for you.
►Partnerships and Sponsorships
You should partner with different companies to boost your app’s user engagement criteria. In this type of monetization parameter, you can collaborate with different types of brands that can promote products and services.
Sponsorship is another category of app monetization. Here you can provide exclusive offers to the community members in exchange for promotional exposure.
►Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing has become a traditional way to monetize apps. This is performed with a variety of promotions of the products and services from other companies. It is implied to promote a product and service in exchange for commissions.
In this type of monetization strategy, you can earn a high commission for each conversion through your app’s referral links.
►Data Monetization
The creation of an app like CapCut can help you collect a vast amount of data that can help you gather insights related to the number of users who like to buy products online or the number of users engaged over certain social media platforms.
You can draft insights from the data that you collect over the social media platform. Moreover, you can sell such reports to companies that demand them to reach target users in exchange for revenue.
►Premium Subscription
A premium subscription helps to monetize your app. It is one of the important processes through which you can offer premium features or content to users who pay one-time or recurring fees.
The freemium model is another method where you offer some basic features for free to your end users and when they find them relevant, you can charge for availing of other features.
How Can Nimble AppGenie Help in the Cost Estimation of an App Like Snapchat?
We have already stated that team development is one of the significant features that you should consider before deciding on an app development process. When you are wondering about a team that can help you over the process, we can help you.
Switch to Nimble AppGenie, we are the best social media app development company with the best panel of experienced experts. When it comes to cost, you will find that we have a more reasonable package than others.
Conclusion
The development of an app like Snapchat involves a range of factors that collectively determine its cost, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000. Understanding the significance of features, market demand, user engagement, innovation, and community building is crucial in this process.
Snapchat’s success story illustrates how its unique features have led to its widespread adoption and revenue growth. Features like search capabilities, location-based discovery, group chatting, and augmented reality lenses contribute to its popularity.
Moreover, factors such as app complexity, UI/UX design, development platform, tech stack, and development team expertise significantly impact the overall cost.
FAQs
The estimated cost to develop an app like Snapchat ranges from $30,000 to $350,000, depending on various factors such as features, complexity, design, platform, and development team expertise.
Key features include search functionality, location-based discovery, group and personal chatting, voice, and video calls, filters, augmented reality lenses, 3D Bitmoji integration, new creative tools, and improved functionality of stories.
Developing a Snapchat-like app offers several advantages, including tapping into the high demand for social media platforms, engaging users, fostering innovation and differentiation, building a community, providing real-time information access, and enhancing brand reputation.
The development timeline for a Snapchat clone app typically ranges from approximately 7 to 14 months, depending on various stages such as planning, UI/UX design, frontend and backend development, testing, and deployment.
Factors such as app complexity, UI/UX design, chosen platform (iOS, Android, web), technology stack, and development team expertise significantly impact the overall cost of developing a Snapchat-like app.
Monetization strategies include advertising, data monetization, partnerships and sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and premium subscriptions, which can help generate revenue through the app.
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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