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Social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are industry giants, with thousands of millions of users around the globe. Competing with such apps seems like a challenge, but impossible is not the term for it. The unexpected was witnessed in the last few years: a newcomer vaulting ahead of the contemporary giants. This brings us to surpassing the giants that the social media apps market witnessed when Snapchat was introduced to feature-focused people. With an emphasis on augmented reality, a new feature served to the masses with multiple filters to engage with, a social media app like Snapchat was at the peak of inventiveness.
The never-ending issue of data storage, the uncertainty of privacy security, and the offered connectivity changed people’s perceptions. With “self-destructive” messages, photos, and video options, people found relaxation with the data issues. The screenshot notification saved people from embarrassing moments and privacy issues. Last but not least, the streak-maintaining feature bestowed the masses the chance to stay connected and know their whereabouts. The features combined with a new UI/UX and immersive functionalities helped Snapchat rise above normality and reach the peak of social media evolution.
Such tolerance and countenance of the market towards futuristic apps in the saturated industry raised the spirits of entrepreneurs with ideas. Their quest to hire an app development company began, leading to the beginning of their profitable era. With an approach to forming an app similar to it, another question rose in the heads of venture starters: the cost of building an app like Snapchat. The question is realistic and often asked in the industry. People plan their next Snapchat-like app and look for a company with an extensive understanding of the market and its features. Finding out the cost of developing an app like Snapchat is necessary to make a wise capital investment while correlating it to its future revenue generation aspect.
Market Overview of a Social Media App Like Snapchat
The emphasis on revenue generation lies in the industry and its expansion. If the user base grows, the chances of flourishing in the market expand. Similar is the case with Snapchat app development. The first quarter reports of 2024 for Snapchat fail to disappoint, with 422 million daily active users worldwide. Within three months, Snapchat’s user base increased from 414 million active users on a day-to-day basis.
What one must take out of the figures is the incremental need for a social media app like Snapchat. Since the market is expanding, the question of investing in a Snapchat-like social media app bolsters and accentuates the businesses to find an Android app development agency that also has experience in iOS. As we are clear with the profitable aspect of this business idea, one must also look at the cost of creating an app like Snapchat.
Cost to Create an App Like Snapchat Based on Multiple Factors
Beginning with the cost evaluation, entertainment businesses must comprehend that it is not straightforward. A complex understanding of multiple factors combined is required to produce a conclusive and custom cost of creating an app like Snapchat.
Considering the platform required to target them, the intricacies of the social media app, and many other cost factors for messaging app development, the investment is equated. Furthermore, to assess, one must find a chat app development company with industry-leading experience and decade-proficient experts with valuable knowledge. One must dive deep into the bifurcation based on factors to comprehend the cost evaluation.
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Snapchat App Development Platform
The development cost of social media apps depends on the needs of the business owners and enterprises based on the development strategies and the targeted audience. Decision-makers first decide the audience, United States-targeted or global, that ultimately determines the platform requirement.
While Android is globally chosen, the iOS operating system has been ruling the market in the United States. Another aspect rising above is cross-platform app development, targeting the iOS and Android audience with a single codebase. In the table below, we have mentioned the cost of building an app like Snapchat for iOS, Android, or cross-platform with basic features.
| Development Platform (Simple App) | Duration | Snapchat App Development Cost |
| iOS App Development | 1000-1400 hours | $35,000 to $110,000 |
| Android App Development | 900-1300 hours | $30,000 to $90,000 |
| Cross Platform Development | 1100-1500 hours | $20,000 to $60,000 |
The platform you decide on can affect the Snapchat app development cost, so it’s necessary to evaluate your alternatives and build a suitable app for your distinct requirements and objectives.
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Social Media App Size
The size of the social media app is yet another factor that decides the final cost of developing an app like Snapchat. This statement leads us to the inclusion of the feature in an app to modify the size it.
For instance, a social media app with basic features like a search bar, snap-sending feature, friends list, and login options is essential. But an app with login, stories, real-time messaging, filters, snap maps, and many more is an advanced solution covering all the aspects of engagement. Since the features are being extended, so is the cost. The table below can help highlight the drastic difference.
| Social Media App Size | Snapchat App Development Cost |
| Basic App | $35,000 to $50,000 |
| Medium App | $50,000 to $80,000 |
| Advanced App | $80,000+ |
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UI/UX For Messaging App Design
The cost to design an app like Snapchat is influenced by the appeal and engaging nature of the UI/UX design. The look and feel draw in the audience while representing the company’s values. A methodological design not only eases navigation and offers information accessibility but also keeps the users engaged. Businesses also prefer to ensure that their app is convenient while maintaining accessibility. A treasure hunt is fun but not in terms of design, leading to an increased bounce rate.
The app designer combines the intricacies of the design and the functionalities with screens, making the process easy. To better grasp the concept of UI/UX design, refer to the table below, which focuses on the design duration.
| Designing Stage | Duration |
| Planning and Analysis | 2-3 weeks |
| Wireframing and Prototyping | 1-3 weeks |
| Low-Fidelity Wireframe | 2-3 weeks |
| High-Fidelity Wireframe | 3 weeks |
| App Designing | 1-2 weeks |
| Prototype | 4-5 weeks |
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App Development Company Hiring Model
The Snapchat-like app development expenses rely on the hiring model as well. The Snapchat app development cost will also depend on the team of experts you operate with. If you plan to hire app developers or outsource app development services, they can ensure a social media app is within allocation. However, if you are determined to function with a freelancer or an undersized development team, the mobile app development cost may be higher than expected.
| Hiring Model | Snapchat-Like App Development Cost |
| Freelancers | $45,000 |
| In-House | $75,000 |
| App Development Company | $70,000 |
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Location of Experienced App Developers
The location of the social media app development company can also impact the cost of creating an app like Snapchat. Assume you choose to work with a development team based in North America or Australia. In that case, you can foresee spending higher rates than working with a development team based in South America. The teams’ locations in North America and Europe supervise to have more advanced overhead expenditures. When compared to locations like India, these places have overpraised economies.
The table below will give you the average Snapchat app development cost per hour.
| Location | Cost (Per Hour) |
| North America | $130 per hour |
| Australia | $70 per hour |
| UK | $70 per hour |
| South America | $45 per hour |
| Central Europe | $35 per hour |
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Snapchat-Like Messaging App Features Cost
The messaging app development timeline and the cost also depend on the features and functionalities of the Snapchat-like app. The groundwork for developing a Snapchat app is its features and functionalities based on the complexity. Your application will be more worthwhile to users if you ensure the necessary functionality and trending features. Any social media app like Snapchat should offer users the functionality it shows, like the Snap map, Memories, and self-destructive messaging.
Consequently, what attributes do you need to build an app like Snapchat? We have listed a few essential yet exceptional features to help you make your app more reliable and profitable. These features also influence the complete cost of creating an app like Snapchat.
| Features of Instant Messaging App Development | Development Duration |
| Login and Registration | 15-30 hours |
| Stories | 90-120 hours |
| Real-Time Messaging | 70-100 hours |
| Video-Audio Notes | 90-110 hours |
| Video-Audio Calls | 15-30 hours |
| Lenses and Filters | 70-100 hours |
| Group Chat | 35-60 hours |
| Geofilter | 80-100 hours |
| Snap Map | 100-140 hours |
| Discover | 110-130 hours |
| Memories | 80-100 hours |
| Admin Panel | 90-100 hours |
| Location Sharing | 100-140 hours |
Cost to Build an App Like Snapchat
The final question that points fingers is the estimated instant messaging app development cost for entertainment businesses fixating on their budgets. This is a conclusive range that provides decision-makers with an overall idea of the cost of developing a social media app like Snapchat.
The Snapchat app development cost ranges between $35,000 and $110,000 and depends on various elements, like the chosen platform, features and functionalities, and app size. The choice to finalize the intricacies of a social media app relies on the business owners, and that only stretches the extent of a cost evaluation.
Step-By-Step Process: Build an App Like Snapchat
Considering that we are part of the messaging app design and development cost, the final segment brings us to the app development process. The systematic approach combined with Agile methodology guarantees a social media app worth the gamble. The process begins with the decision-makers finalizing their needs and requirements, from an app based on their market evaluation to hiring an app development company. Once the company is in place and has a constructive understanding of the needs, the process can begin as mentioned below.
- Define the Requirement
- Hire a Social Media App Development Company
- UI/UX Design
- Full-Flegded Development
- Quality Assurance
- Deployment and Maintenance
With a brief understanding of the process and the bifurcated cost of Snapchat app development, business owners and entertainment companies may find it resourceful.
Finalizing AppsChoppr as Your Industry-Leading Social Media App Development Company
The relevance of video chat app development services in the market is reaching a peak and changing the game for the industry giants. The aspirations of young entrepreneurs are supported by the industry-leading decade-proficient social media app development companies.
From Android to iOS app development, mid-sized businesses and established enterprises can choose AppsChopper for development strategies. With their valuable insights and advanced understanding of the market, the newbies can compete in the industry to surpass the tycoons. Be an aspirant with your inventive ideas and challenge the normality of apps.
