How To Make An App Like WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is the app that made instant messaging solutions a maintain stream thing.

Today, following the footsteps of this OG platform, many companies are still trying to create their own solutions.

Yet, there are many who want to develop an app like WhatsApp. But how do you do it?

If you too are one of the many who are asking. how to create an app like WhatsApp, this blog is for you. Here, we shall be discussing all you need to know about creating a market-leading WhatsApp-Like Messaging App.

Therefore, with this being said, let’s get right into it:

Growing Market for Instant Messaging Apps Like WhatsApp: Market Statistics

The first step of the “How to build an app like WhatsApp?” guide is, diving into the market.

Looking at the market, and understanding its growth and user trends is a good way of preparing for your own instant messaging app development.

Therefore, let’s get right into it:

• Big Three of the messaging world are: WhatsApp with over 2 billion users, WeChat with a use base of 1.2 Billion, and Messenger From Meta (Facebook formerly) with 1 Billion users.
• Reports show us, that 60% of the users choose instant messaging over email and even phone calls. A big factor behind the popularity of messaging apps.
• 66%of consumers are more confident about making a purchase when a company is active in messaging apps.
• Messaging apps are actually more popular than social media apps.
• Businesses and users exchange 20 billion messages on Messenger monthly.

Market statistics clearly show why so many people love messaging apps and why investors want to create a chat app like WhatsApp.

Speaking of WhatsApp, let’s look at an overview of the most popular messaging app in the next section.

WhatsApp, Most Popular Instant Messaging App: An Overview

Available on iOS, Android, & Web.

WhatsApp, is the most popular instant messaging App in world, with over 2.78 billion unique active users worldwide in June 2023.

But what is this app exactly?

For those who are new to the concept, WhatsApp is a very popular instant messaging app or chat app. It is a freeware, cross-platform solution, which is also centralized.

As the name suggests, the application lets users exchange text messages, voice messages, video/voice calls, as well as media, over the internet. The best part is, that all of this is free of cost, one of the big reasons behind the popularity of these platforms.

It was launched back in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum.

The concept behind it was to provide a plain, ad-free, and instant messaging platform. And even today, WhatsApp is one of the most examples of chat app development in the market.

Fast forward to 2014, this platform was acquired by Meta (Facebook) which led to a series of changes.

A good example of this is WhatsApp Business, a version specially crafted for businesses to handle clients over WhatsApp. Launched in 2018, today the platform has over 200 million monthly users.

This begs the question, what is it that makes this chatting app so popular among users?

Let’s answer the question below:

What Makes WhatsApp Successful?

If you are planning to build a messaging app like WhatsApp, you must be wondering, what drives the popularity of these platforms.

Well, there are various factors, let’s look at them below:

1. Free Messages

if you compare instant messaging apps to their alternative i.e. SMS; the former is absolutely free in most cases and considerably cheaper in others. In addition to this, they are much more versatile than SMS messengers.

2. Much More Than Just Messaging

Apps like WhatsApp aren’t just about texting. Users can use voice calls, video calls, share media, transfer money, and much more.

3. No Distraction

If you think about it, there are other platforms that enable instant messages like Social Media. However, there are too many distractions. Chat Apps on the other hand are dedicated to the cause.

Have you ever wondered how WhatsApp makes money?

Let’s answer this question.

WhatsApp Business Model

WhatsApp follows a unique business model.

Originally, WhatsApp was “freeware”. Meaning the platform didn’t reply to advertisements or big data.  Rather, the platform relied on two monetization models, Subscription and donations.

As a subscription based app, the platform used to charge 1$ for download and then 1$ yearly subscription. (It also depended on location, in some countries app was free to download.)

However, when Meta acquired it, the platform was made free for users. The idea for the latter one was, that businesses would be picking up the cost since WhatsApp was used to drive traffic to this business.

But Meta wasn’t a revenue generation business for Meta, as it offers something way more valuable. This is the behavioral data and personal information of the user base. It was used to drive other services like Meta Ads on Facebook and Instagram.

Speaking of which, now that all you need to know about WhatsApp, it’s time to get back to our WhatsApp Like App Development Guide. Next up, let’s see why you should develop such an app.

Why Develop A Chatting App in 2024?

Should you develop an app like WhatsApp? Why should you do it?

These are some of the common questions that come to mind before you invest in mobile app development and rightfully so.

Well, here are some reasons to do it.

Reason 1: Rising Market Demand

The app in question, WhatsApp, alone has over 2.5 Billion users.

If you look at the instant messaging industry as a whole, the total user base is expected to reach 3.51 Billion by 2025.

These numbers show the immense demand for dating applications in the market. A big reason why this venture can be a successful one.

Reason 2: Revenue Generation Opportunity

Every business wants to make money, that’s the essence of business itself. One of the best opportunities is to via instant messaging applications.

Let’s take LINE for example, one of the popular chatting apps like WhatsApp. It generated 16 million U.S. dollars from just in-app purchases. Right behind it, Snapchat, generated around 12.5 Million U.S. Dollars in revenue.

You get the gist of it.

Reason 3: Great Return on Investment

Every investor thinks of Return on Investment, whenever they put their money in a project.

However, when you make an app like WhatsApp, rest assured, that these platforms deliver a high return on investment. This is what makes it a good investment all-round.

Reason 4: Texting is Popular

Did you know, that people actually prefer messaging over other forms of communication?

In fact, instant message apps drive higher engagement, more users, and a much quicker response time. With 90% of messages opened in under three minutes.

Another driving factor why people use these apps and want more of them is the ability to engage in multiple conversations, share media, voice calls, video calls, and other integration features. Not to mention, these applications are multilingual.

It is safe to say, that texting is and will always be the most popular communication method, making it a safe investment.

Reason 5: Messaging Apps vs Social Media

A lot of investors are confused between chatting and media & entertainment app development.

While both of them seem lucrative ideas, the latter is considered more so. However, reality is much different as messaging apps like WhatsApp are actually more popular than social media.

You see, as a whole, messaging applications have 20% more monthly active users than social media platforms.

If this isn’t the reason to develop your own chat app like WhatsApp, we don’t know what is.

Speaking of creating an app, great things are born out of inspiration. So, let’s look at other instant messaging apps to get inspired.

Other Messaging Apps Like WhatsApp

A crucial part of the answer to the question, of how to make an app like WhatsApp is, learning from the best. Therefore, in this section of the blog, we shall be looking at some of the best chatting apps.

These are, as shown in image below:

Essential Features For Chatting Apps

Features are an essential part of creating an app like WhatsApp that stands out and drives business growth.

In fact, features speak for the app itself, driving user engagement, user experience, as well as satisfaction. Even though an exact feature differs based on the application itself, there are some common features every app should have.

So, here are basic features to include in an app like WhatsApp:

– Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)

VOIP or voice over internet protocol is also known as voice call in layman’s terms. This is the feature that lets users call each other from apps like WhatsApp.

– Video Call

As the name suggests, this functionality allows two or more WhatsApp users to connect on real-time live streaming. Much like how websites like Omegle work.

– Group Calls

Group call is a feature that applies to both video calls and voice calls. It enables the user to add multiple others to their voice or video call in a conference sort of fashion. In addition to this, users can also create groups where they can add multiple people.

– End-To-End Encrypted Chat

This is a great security feature that you find in real-time chat apps like WhatsApp. This technology encrypts messages and other communication data which are then decrypted at the other end, ensuring secure communication.

– Push Notification

Yet another basic feature, push notification enables the app to send alerts to the user’s phone. This keeps them updated on the latest messages and other events.

– Cloud Synchronization

Well, this is a feature that you surely can’t miss when you build an instant messaging app. Cloud synchronization lets the user enjoy cross-device functionality, protecting data, and accessing their messages from any and everywhere.

– Multimedia Support

Multimedia support is quite an important feature. It enables users to share media like audio files, images, video files, and other formats in chats.

– Geolocation Integration

Lastly, we have a geofencing feature, it’s also often known as geolocation. It enables real-time location sharing and tracking functionality in chatting applications.

Advanced Features For Chatting Apps

Speaking of how to build a real-time chat app like WhatsApp, just basic features won’t do. Here are some advanced features that you should consider including.

– Payment Integration

eWallet or digital payment gateway integration is one of the trending advanced features in instant messaging applications. As the name suggests, this lets the user send money or request it in the chat itself. It is often seen in popular chatting apps.

– Private Chat

This is an advanced feature of WhatsApp-like apps that lets users keep a chat private or hidden. It can be locked behind another authentication gate which can be PIN, Password, or Biometric authentication.

– Story/Status

The feature of uploading status or story was first started by apps like Instagram. But today, majority of the instant messaging applications have adopted it too. It leads to better engagement and improved app time.

– Message Broadcast

Lastly, we have a message broadcasting feature. If the user doesn’t want to create a group, yet they want to send a message to several people, they can broadcast it via this feature.

So, these are the basic and advanced features to consider when you make your own chat app like WhatsApp. Speaking of creating an app, it’s time to dive into the “how to” of the same.

Step-by-step Process To Make An App Like WhatsApp

It’s time to make an instant messaging app like WhatsApp.

So, what’s how do you do it?

Well, the app development process for this project is complex, long, and sophisticated. However, in this section of the blog, we shall be discussing all you need to know about it, from ideation to deployment.

Therefore, let’s get right into it:

Step 1. Ideation/Validation

First step to building a messaging app is, coming up with an idea.

While there’s no fixed path you can take to find a concept or specific niche, what you can do is: look for real-life problems or user issues that you can solve with your chatting app like WhatsApp.

This is what – WhatsApp – itself did when it first came to market.

And when you have an idea, you need to cross-check whether or not it’s applicable, developable, and marketable.

Step 2. Market Research

Once you have a concept for the messaging app, we get down to app market research.

Here’s what you need to deal with in this step:

• Find Target Audience
• Competitor Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Figure out market trends
• Sells and marketing research

Now, there are various ways to cover it, go with the ones that suit you the best. The information collected in this step works as fuel for the entire development. It is using this information that we create a plan.

Step 3. Planning

WhatsApp like app development is a complex process, thus, before we start the actual development, we need to create a plan.

Let’s see, what we need to do here.

– App Platform

The first thing you need to do is, choose an app development platform.

Here, you can either go with Android or iOS app development. Both of these are native platforms and offer amazing feature sets as well as performance.

On the other hand, you can also go with cross-platform apps. React native app development is the most popular choice to create a hybrid application.

– Tech Stack

It’s time to choose a tech stack for app development.

Here are the options to choose from:

– Hire Mobile App Developers

It’s time to hire mobile app developers.

Regardless of whether you went with iOS or Android app development, there are multiple choices to go for here.

These include:

• Hire freelancers
• IT staff augmentation
• In-house team
• Outsource to an app Development Company
• Hire Part Time Developers

Though there has been a debate between in-house vs outsourcing methods, outsourcing to a software development company is trending.

– Monetization Strategies

Before we start app development, you need to choose how to make money with it.

The reason why app monetization strategies are selected early on is, that the functionality to enable these strategies needs to be integrated early on.

Some of the popular options are:

• Freemium Model
• In-App Purchases
• Subscription Plans
• Ads Revenue
• Business Accounts
• Data Analytics
• Integration Partnerships
• API Access
• White Label Solutions

– And others

Now that we are done with all the technical stuff, let’s deal with the other ones. This includes choosing a methodology, setting a budget, deciding upon a timeline, and so on.

Moving on, let’s get into

Step 5. App Designing

If we are to believe experts and what statistics tell us, mobile app design is one of the most important elements.

This doesn’t only add to the aesthetic value but also drives user retention, user engagement, and user satisfaction.

Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you consult an amazing UI/UX design company.

Step 6. App Development

With the creative part done, it’s time to get down to business.

In this step of “how to build an app like WhatsApp” we deal with coding. This process can be divided into two different aspects. Namely:

1. Front-end development
2. Back-end development

During the first part, mobile app developers work on the client side i.e. UI/UX design, and add functionality to the same.

Moving to the latter one, it has more to do with APIs, coding, and connecting the different components together.

Due to the amount of work, its importance, and the complexity of the different technologies, this is the single longest step of developing an app like WhatsApp. For that reason, it is also advised that the client maintain good communication with the development team.

In any case, with an app developed, it’s time to go with testing.

Step 7. Testing

App testing is an important process. It doesn’t just ensure the app is as per customer demand, but also takes it up to market standards.

In addition to this, it is mandatory to ensure the app is secure and they are big free before going for deployment. This greatly reduces the chance of getting the app rejected.

Step 8. Deployment

It’s time to deploy the application.

The process of launching an app highly depends on earlier selection between iOS and Android app developers i.e. the platform.

Also read: How to deploy iOS app on App Store? and How to launch Android app on Google Play Store?

In any case, following the submission, the app is approved within 2 weeks.

Step 9. Maintenance

The work doesn’t end with deployment.

In order to ensure the app adapts to the changing market, mobile app maintenance and support services are employed.

This is a process that goes on for the entire while of the app’s life.

So, this is how to make a messaging app like WhatsApp. And with this out of the way, let’s look at the cost of such a venture.

How Much Does It Cost To Build an App Like WhatsApp?

So, how much does it cost to develop an app like WhatsApp?

On average, WhatsApp-like app development cost ranges between $15,000 to $60,000 based on complexity, feature, platform, and more.

As a general rule of thumb, simple apps are cheaper falling in the range of $15,000 and $15,000. While high-end apps like WhatsApp cost between $30,000 and $100,000.

To assess accurate app development cost, one needs to take into account all the project specifications, development time, as well as customer preferences.

Therefore, if you want a quote, it’s highly recommended that you contact a mobile app development company.

How To Gain Traffic & User Base

There are numerous guides on “how to develop an app like WhatsApp?” and they are all correct to most extent.

But what people are looking for and don’t find is, how to make their app successful among people. After all, what is the goal of creating a clone of a successful platform, if you can’t generate traffic and find a user base?

Well, we have the answer to this question:

1. Solve a real problem

What most start-ups and entrepreneurs get wrong is, they aren’t delivering any value.

Even if you are in the same niche as the world’s best app and you are providing something unique, what people want, or selling a PROBLEM, the app will top the chart.

So, a key takeaway is to find a real problem and solve it with your app.

2. Focus on App Marketing

Think marketing is a waste of money? Think again.

There is a big reason the world’s biggest brands invest billions in advertisement each year, a number that’s expected to grow.

Done right, marketing can be the best channel of success for your app like WhatsApp. Just like at Threads App for example, how great marketing made it an instant hit among users.

So, if you want users to come to your platform, focus on app marketing.

3. Adapt To Changing Market Needs (trends)

In the 21^st century, the market is like the sea, a new wave is coming every once in a while.

Now, this is a good thing and a bad thing.  Bad in the sense that, the company needs to keep adapting to ever-changing trends. Good, when you build your own chat app like WhatsApp, there are n number of opportunities to become the next big thing.

In layman’s trends, always sail on trends and deliver what users want, it is the secret to success.

Nimble AppGenie – We are here to help  

We are a market-leading social media app development company featured on Clutch.co, DesignRush, and GoodFirms.

If you want to build an app like WhatsApp, we are the perfect partner. Nimble AppGenie has a team of experienced and expert mobile app developers with an innovative as well as creative approach.

Our team has hands-on experience working on top online messaging apps like Ysily and MM Arcade. In other words, we have what it takes to bring your idea to reality.

Contact us today and we will assign you a development team within 24 hours. Dare to be great, we’ll help the process.

Conclusion

When WhatsApp was first introduced to the public, it disrupted the market as an app with no alternative. The platform didn’t only offer free texting but also sharing media, audio, and other great features.

Fast forward to today, it is the largest instant messaging platform in the world. And it has been inspiring a generation of investors and entrepreneurs to develop an app like WhatsApp of their own.

Today’s market for messaging apps is even larger than that of social media, with millions to be made in profit. So, if you want to build a messaging application this is the right time.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

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.