The social media market witnessed an unanticipated event in the last few years. The industry giants like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were surpassed by a newcomer: Snapchat. It introduced the people to features that were advantageous to them. The app reached the peak of inventiveness by emphasizing augmented reality, self-destructing images and videos, screenshot notifications, and Snapmap.
The welcoming nature of the social media app market towards futuristic apps like Snapchat in such a saturated industry boosted the confidence of entrepreneurs with ideas. This leads to people looking for a mobile applications development company with experience in social media apps. With a strategy for creating an app, a question that comes to the heads of venture starters is the cost of creating an app like Snapchat. It is obvious that capital investment should be understood before beginning development. For that resolving that inquiry, we are bringing forth an elaborate cost representation to the massed.
Cost to Hire a Mobile App Development Company to Build an App Like Snapchat
Decision-makers prefer understanding the investment-to-return ratio before making judgments about their capital. Providing them with an exact figure is hardly likely, but an estimated amount can be provided. To comprehend the cost, one must also familiarize oneself with the aspect that it is influenced by multiple factors. The defined requirements and needs from the business owner end will impact the app development cost. Businesses and entrepreneurs can come in touch with a mobile apps development company and get an exact quotation as per their needs. But if you want an approximate before contacting them, read through the blog.
App Platform
The social media app platform influences the cost of the development of the Snapchat app. Based on the target audience, businesses decide on their platform. For instance, enterprises choose Android to focus on the global market, but in the United States, they prefer iOS. Some also select cross-platform app development for a single code base functioning on both the platforms. Read the table below to understand the cost difference based on platform.
| 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 |
App Size
The size of a social media app decides the final app development cost. An app with basic features costs less than one with advanced features. The inclusion of cognitive technology is similar. For a better understanding of the cost, refer to the table below.
| 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+ |
UI/UX Design
There are two ways businesses can decide on their UI/UX design. Either choose from the templates they provided or get a custom layout built. Both options cost a different amount. Template may cost less, but the impact on users would be according to the cost.
| 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 |
App Features
Social media app features are pretty significant in app development costs. Similar to app size, the more features, the more expensive it is to build an app like Snapchat. Businesses must include as many features as possible to engage with the audience.
| 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 |
App Company Location
The location of the mobile app development company you choose impacts the estimated cost. For instance, choosing a company based in the United States would cost you more than the one based in India. The economic crisis, inflation, and political distress impact the location cost.
| 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 |
Conclusion
To wind up with the app development cost like Snapchat, one must consider all the above factors. The Snapchat app development cost varies from $35,000 to $110,000 and relies on different aspects, like the features and functionalities, preferred platform, and app size. Additionally, factors such as design complexity, integration with third-party services, and the use of advanced technologies like AR and AI can significantly influence the final cost. The alternative to concluding the complexities of a social media app depends on the business owners, and that only extends the scope of a cost assessment. Furthermore, ongoing maintenance, updates, and user support also add to the overall expenditure.
