With over 2 billion active users, WhatsApp is a leading messaging app that has significantly impacted the social media landscape since its launch. As WhatsApp’s popularity grew, many enterprises and startups began investing in similar app spaces, creating their own messaging platforms.
However, despite the numerous messaging apps available on app stores, users often find something lacking compared to WhatsApp. This gap presents an opportunity to develop a custom social media app that offers a better and safer messaging experience to a wider audience. But how much would it cost to develop a WhatsApp-like chat app?
This article aims to provide a clear understanding of the cost of developing a WhatsApp-like app. It will also explore the various factors affecting the development cost and the features that contribute to WhatsApp’s success.
WhatsApp’s Journey: A Brief Overview
To appreciate WhatsApp’s impact, it’s important to look at its timeline and major milestones:
- WhatsApp was acquired by Meta (formerly Facebook) in 2014 for $19 billion.
- It is the third most popular property of Meta after Facebook Messenger and Instagram.
- Initially, WhatsApp used a subscription model charging $1 for download and $1 annually after the first year. Meta later removed this fee, making WhatsApp free, with the expectation that businesses using WhatsApp for communication would bear the costs through business subscriptions and premium features.
How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App Like WhatsApp?
The cost of developing a WhatsApp-like app can range from $35,000 to $250,000. This estimate varies based on several factors, including app design, development process, platform, and the location and hourly rates of the development team.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Messaging App Like WhatsApp
Creating a robust app like WhatsApp involves several key factors that impact the overall development cost:
App Complexity
The complexity of the app significantly influences the development cost. A simple app with basic features costs less compared to a highly complex app with extensive features.
| App Type | Estimated Cost | Time Frame |
| Simple App | $35,000 – $60,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Moderately Complex App | $60,000 – $100,000 | 6 – 8 months |
| Highly Complex App | $100,000 – $250,000 | 9+ months |
UI/UX Design
A well-designed UI/UX is crucial for user engagement and retention. Developing a custom UI/UX strategy involves multiple testing parameters, which can increase the overall budget.
App Platform
The choice of platform (iOS, Android, or cross-platform) affects the development cost. Although there’s little cost difference between iOS and Android apps, Android apps may require more extensive testing, increasing the cost. Cross-platform development can also raise the budget initially.
Team Size
Outsourcing development is generally more cost-effective than hiring an in-house team. Outsourcing to regions with lower development rates can offer professional expertise at reduced costs. A typical team for developing a WhatsApp-like app includes:
- 1-2 Project Managers
- 1-2 Business Analysts
- 2-3 Frontend Developers
- 2-3 Backend Developers
- 1-2 Designers
- 1-2 Quality Assurance Analysts
Development Agency Location
The location of the development agency plays a crucial role in determining costs. Here are the estimated hourly rates by region:
| Region | Hourly Rate |
| US | $95-$100 |
| Western Europe | $80-$90 |
| Australia | $70-$90 |
| Eastern Europe | $50-$55 |
| Asia | $25-$40 |
Maintenance
Post-launch maintenance is essential to ensure smooth app performance. This includes regular updates and integrating new technologies, which contribute to ongoing costs.
Tech Stack
A robust tech stack is necessary for scalability and innovation but can also increase development costs. WhatsApp’s tech stack includes various advanced technologies that support its extensive user base and feature set.
Key Features of a WhatsApp-Like App and Their Development Time
Here are the essential features for a WhatsApp-like app and their approximate development times:
- Registration: 50-55 hours
- Real-time Messaging: 210-220 hours
- Voice Calling: 200-220 hours
- Video Calling: 180-220 hours
- Multimedia Sharing: 40-50 hours
- Settings: 110-120 hours
- Contact Sharing: 70-80 hours
- Location Sharing: 25-30 hours
- Notifications: 15-20 hours
- Business Profile: Varies
- Chat Labels: Varies
Steps to Develop a WhatsApp-Like App
- Business Model: Define your target audience, monetization strategy, and app value.
- Experienced Development Team: Outsource to a professional team to streamline the process.
- App Architecture: Understand WhatsApp’s core architecture and create a sustainable communication system.
- MVP Features: Include essential features tailored to your business needs.
- Design: Ensure an attractive and functional design.
By understanding these factors and steps, you can better estimate the cost and requirements for developing a successful messaging app like WhatsApp.
Should You Invest in Creating an App Like WhatsApp?
WhatsApp has set a high bar in the messaging app market, but other apps like Telegram and Snapchat have also found success by offering unique features. If you have a distinctive business idea, investing in a social media messaging app can be a lucrative opportunity.
Partnering with Ijona Technologies
Ijona Technologies offers comprehensive social media app development and web and mobile app development services. Our expert team can help transform your vision into a robust, user-friendly, and feature-rich messaging app. Here’s how we can help:
- Custom Solutions: Tailored development to fit your unique business needs.
- Experienced Team: Skilled developers, designers, and analysts.
- End-to-End Services: From concept to launch and maintenance.
- Cost-Effective: Competitive rates without compromising quality.
Conclusion
Creating a WhatsApp-like app involves a significant investment of time, resources, and expertise. By understanding the factors that influence development costs and partnering with a reliable development team like Ijona Technologies, you can create a competitive and successful messaging app. Contact us today to get started on your project and receive a detailed cost estimate.
FAQs
What is the cost of WhatsApp?
The cost to develop a WhatsApp-like app can vary significantly based on several factors, including app complexity, features, platform, design, and the location of the development team. On average, the development cost ranges from $35,000 to $250,000. Outsourcing development to regions with lower rates can help reduce costs.
What is the cost of WhatsApp Business account?
Creating a WhatsApp Business account is free. However, businesses may incur costs associated with using additional features and services. For example, businesses can utilize WhatsApp Business API for advanced features, which may involve charges based on the number of messages sent or received.
What is the cost of WhatsApp Business?
The WhatsApp Business app itself is free to download and use for small businesses. However, the WhatsApp Business API, designed for medium and large businesses, may incur costs. Pricing for the API can vary depending on the number of messages sent, received, and the specific services utilized.
What is the cost of WhatsApp Business API?
The cost of using the WhatsApp Business API depends on the volume of messages sent and received. Businesses typically pay for each message sent, with costs varying by region and message type (template or session message). Additionally, some providers may charge setup or monthly fees. It’s essential to check with specific API providers for detailed pricing information.
How to create a chat application like WhatsApp?
Creating a whatsapp like chat app requires several steps:
- Analyze your market and target audience
- Choose a relevant business model
- Hire a dedicated app development organization
- Carry out the app’s wireframe
- Finalize the features to develop the app MVP
- Complete the UI/UX design process
- Conduct quality assurance tests
- Deploy the app in the market
- Maintain the app with updates
How do messaging apps like WhatsApp make money?
Messaging apps monetize through various models including subscriptions, in-app purchases, advertisements, and business services.
How much does it cost to make an app like WhatsApp?
The cost can range from $35,000 to $250,000, depending on factors like UI/UX design, location of the development team, quality assurance, app maintenance, and team size.
How long does it take to build an app like WhatsApp?
The time frame can vary from 3 to 12 months, depending on the complexity and number of features.
