Cost To Develop a Messaging App Like Telegram/WhatsApp

 

Since its launch in 2009, WhatsApp has been the standard for what makes a great messaging software. Its success can be attributed to its simplicity, usability, and, of course, the fact that it's a freemium product. This explains why it comes as no surprise that numerous mobile app development companies routinely receive proposals that essentially require developing messaging apps similar to WhatsApp.

Do you want to create a chat app similar to WhatsApp or Telegraph? In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of doing it, the key components, and the associated costs.

Why Would It Be Worth It to Create a Messaging App Like WhatsApp and Telegraph?

The metrics convey everything that needs to be said regarding WhatsApp’s popularity:

1. At the start of 2022, there are more than 3 billion users worldwide.

2. In the second quarter of 2022, it received 6 million new downloads in India and 5 million in Mexico.

3. As of this writing, it has a penetration rate of over 90% in 2022 alone in nations like Brazil, India, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, and so on. By then, Android users had downloaded the app over 55 million times.

Why bother developing a messaging app similar to Telegram or WhatsApp if they are already the most popular in their market? you may be asking. How much of the pie is left?

The quick response is sufficient. Have you noticed how we highlighted particular nations in the statistics section? This implies that there are still many chances to spread a new messaging service like WhatsApp to different areas.

Just take a look at WeChat in China, Viber in Eastern Europe, Zalo in Vietnam, imo in Qatar, and LINE in Japan. When you consider the complete picture, it becomes evident that there isn't a monopoly, and WhatsApp-like apps can certainly compete with them and prevail.

What Are the Key Elements to Bear in Mind?

WhatsApp and other messaging applications don't have to create an exact replica of the platform. Deconstructing the components that make it the remarkable software that it is is crucial. We've determined that the following user, admin, and advanced features are necessary to create a messaging app of that calibre based on our study and experience with our own clients:

Customers' Features

Registration

User registration is a must for creating a messaging app and acts as the entrance point for users to your app. Generally, you'll need their phone number in order to connect with their contacts.

Calls

Any user expects to be able to make an unlimited number of voice and video conversations, as well as participate in group calls, as long as they have access to the Internet.

Multi-media Sharing

With regard to how quickly and easily users can share images, videos, and other types of media, messaging mobile apps can now compete with social media platforms.

Notification

Notifications are a common feature of instant messaging apps and a wonderful way to remind and update users on specific activities they've taken or still need to take.

Syncing Contacts

Who wants to manually move their contact list to a different messaging service? Using this functionality, local data and server data will automatically sync.

Sharing Location

The current standard is Google Maps integration through the Android API. As a result, users can easily inform other app users of their current location.

Features for Admin Panel

Login

In order to increase security, it is crucial to validate each user identification attempting to access the admin panel.

Profile Management

Overall aids in keeping track of user information. This includes giving consumers the option to update their name, profile picture, and other personal data.

User Management

A user account manager must be able to manage user accounts in their entirety for an online messaging application like WhatsApp. Which responsibilities and permissions will you grant to particular people, and which ones will you suspend because they disobeyed the rules?

Reporting and Analytics

If you want to make better decisions, you can't avoid taking a close look at the statistics and other performance metrics.

User Privileges

Based on the permissions you grant them, this decides the precise features to which the user will have access.

Push Notifications

This enables you to interact directly and sustainably with all of your users.

Innovative Features

Integration of cloud storage

Adds an extra layer of security to offer the best possible protection for user data.

GPS Integration

Users are able to stay in touch with their loved ones while sharing their current whereabouts with them.

End-to-End Encryptions

WhatsApp and other messaging apps should improve the security and privacy of user messages and critical information against criminal organisations.

Two-Step Verification

After inputting their passwords, users should be able to enable two-step verification on their phones to give themselves peace of mind.

Payment Integration

Payment integration is advised in any reputable messaging app development manual. Users will benefit from significant time savings while completing payments and other associated transactions thanks to the addition of this service.

Sponsorship

Once it is out, your new Whatsapp clone app can't gain enough brand recognition. Allowing sponsored posts and advertisements from various companies would enable them to not only reach their target audience but also generate consistent revenue.

Factors that Significantly Impact the Price to Develop a WhatsApp-like App

In addition to the features, you should consider how much it will cost to design a mobile app. Depending on the following factors, custom mobile app development may cost more or less:

Operating System

Like with other app development projects, creating a Native app vs. a Cross Platform app is a decision that must be made while developing a mobile chat app. Although cross-platform may result in greater cost savings, native apps still have advantages in important areas including app customization, performance, and security.

Tech stack

The direction of mobile app development trends is always towards increased security. You may ensure a more secure platform only by selecting the appropriate tech stack. For the backend and database, respectively, you can use Swift or Kotlin, as well as Elixir or Firebase on any OS.

UI/UX design

Will you follow current trends in mobile app design? If so, they might push you to stray a little from straightforward design principles, raising the overall cost of development.

Specifications and capabilities

The cost and development time increase with the number of features.

Team of Developers and Designers

You must take into consideration the hourly rates that each programmer and software engineer charge either individually or for the full team.

Time

Priority will be given to expedited projects, but the cost will inevitably increase.

Let's add up the expenses

How much does it really cost to create a messaging app like WhatsApp? There is a glaring disparity between programmers' hourly rates around the world, though. For programmers, the rate ranges from $15 to $100 per hour, with senior developers billing at $150 per hour.

Nowadays, you can save tens of thousands of dollars by hiring an offshore Indian app development team instead of one in Europe. We're talking about almost half your total expenses because the minimum in India is $50,000 while it's $90,000 in the United States.

Conclusion

We believe we have provided you with a clear, comprehensive picture of the key elements required in developing a messaging service like WhatsApp. It's a project that is unquestionably worthwhile, especially if you know how to manage your finances, establish your objectives, and select the ideal development and promotion team to collaborate with.