24 Best Free Social Media Apps

Being social, interactive, and engaging with people is an essential key to survival and gives you full of life and improved mental and emotional health. In modern times, the ways of making friends and connecting with people have changed a lot and include online solutions like social media apps. People are inherently attracted to the idea of being socially active over the internet.

The popularity and acceptance of social media apps have reached sky high in the recent years and astonishing reports say that more than half of world’s population engage with social media in some way or the other.

Social media platforms are where friendship and relationship flourish and grow serious without even meeting in person.

Here we have compiled a list of 24 best social media apps of 2021 that offer an exciting social media experience to users.

Meetup Pinterest Medium Reddit
Goodwall  Telegram Tumblr Instagram
LinkedIn Viber Quora MeWe
Snapchat ShareChat Yubo Hootsuite
Elyments Twitter Whatsapp Messenger
Line YouTube Facebook Roposo

 

1) Meetup

meetup - social media apps

An app that is focused to bring a group of people together from thousands of cities to do more of what they want to do in life. It’s a place to find and join local communities around you where you get to meet new people, learn new things, find a comfort zone, get support and moreover find a true passion.

This is one of the best social media apps that lets you host your own events or join any of the thousands of Meetup events happening every week.

App Features

  • Find meetups in various categories like tech, fitness, career and networking, photography, language etc.
  • Create a personal brand or build a career network at ease
  • Discover local and online events and save interested ones to visit later
  • Polls allow you to collect anonymous suggestions
  • Easily personalize and schedule events on the go

Rating : 4.7/5

Installs : 10,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

2) Pinterest

pinterest - best social media apps

Pinterest runs on Pins, so that when you have interesting ideas for projects or have other fascinating stories, you can simply pin them on your personal boards. It is used as a photo sharing and visual bookmarking social media app where you can save posts and even upload your ideas.

You can promote a blog story under a post, share DIY tasks such as home improvement inspirations and cooking recipe or define travel plans and do much more using pins boards on Pinterest. Basically, it keeps all your lifestyle inspiration in a single place.

App Features

  • Find pins, people, brands and whatever you would love to see in feed
  • Discover more than 100 billion possibilities in life
  • Explore articles on trending and recommended topics
  • Let you invite and collaborate with friends
  • Discover thousands of recommended or trending images

Rating : 4.6/5

Installs : 500,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

3) Medium

medium - social media apps

This is one of the social media apps where users have a comprehensive place to read & write about big ideas and stories. Anything longer than 140 characters can be shared in this platform which is elegant and visually appealing. From opinions to interviews, photography etc, this app takes you with greater insight into the world.

You can make quality conversations with network of readers and writers and grow your audience through writer stats, newsletters, and followers

App Features

  • Great tool to import any existing content
  • Easy to use with best blog editing features
  • Automatically connects to existing social media accounts
  • Easily find and follow writers and publications
  • Explore chance to earn money from your writing

Rating : 4.6/5

Installs : 5,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

4) Reddit

reddit - best social media apps

Reddit has been around for quite a while, a platform that enables you to submit your content and vote for the same.

Based on the voting volume, the content moves up or down, which is subject to subreddits that represent your areas of interest.

Reddit has emerged as a great first-hand source for various contents including blogs, insights and rich updates.

App Features

  • App communities about ideas not people
  • A free and open platform for users to post, share & discuss
  • Get personalized feed of content like news headlines, fun stories from favourite communities
  • Let you discover news, viral video clips, funny jokes, and hot memes, etc.
  • Get answers to queries which you are too scared to ask in public

Rating : 4.5/5

Installs : 50,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

5) Goodwall – Student Social Media & Community App

goodwall - social media apps

This platform is a diverse community of millions of young professionals and students from over 150+ countries. In addition to finding new friends, this app lets you connect with people of shared interests and explore careers, learning opportunities and scholarships.

This is an amazing platform to build your personal brand by pitching ideas, showcasing achievements, defining objectives and make yourself stand out.

App Features

  • Challenge yourself and celebrate achievements with friends
  • Discover volunteer assignment personalised for you
  • Ask and answer questions and chat with industry leaders
  • Find part-time gigs to earn money
  • Win prizes via themed challenges & programs

Rating: 4.5/5

Installs: 1,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

Read Also : 24 Best Video Chat Apps 2021

6. Telegram

telegram - best social media apps

Even though this app is similar to other social media apps, it is often known for its high security features. Within a short time period, this has become one of the biggest social networking sites worldwide, primarily focused on speed and privacy.

App Features

  • Heavily encrypted & self-destructive messaging
  • Coordinate groups with almost 2 lakh users
  • Send media and files with no limits on size and type
  • Offers powerful photo and video editing tools
  • Deliver messages using as little data as possible

Rating : 4.5/5

Installs : 500,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

7) Tumblr

tumblr - social media apps

This is one among the most widely used social media apps for sharing text, images, audios, videos, links, and more. From art, fashion, food to animal photos, people post a wide range of things within Tumblr.

This platform guarantees freedom of expression and lets you find and foster a community where your interests are respected and shared. You can privately chat with friends or easily initiate a public group chat by joining millions of communities.

App Features

  • Consist of 250 beautiful text blocks
  • Post photos, text, videos, live videos, audio,GIFs
  • Help make your own GIFs with stickers and text
  • Provides social media integration
  • Stay up to date with the latest blogs and memes

Rating : 4.5/5

Installs : 100,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

8) Instagram

instagram - best social media apps

After Facebook, if there is any other social networking app that made sensation, it is Instagram. Later, it was acquired by Facebook for $1.0 billion in 2012. Instagram has a unique leverage due to its ability to allow users to share photos and videos in their feed and share what you are up to while connecting with friends easily.

Instagram lets you take a snap with your phone’s camera and turn it into a work of art using its various filters that you can apply. You can even post them on other popular media like Facebook and Twitter and use it as your investable marketing platform.

You can even discover brands and new ventures, and purchase products that go well with your personal style.

App Features

  • Add photos and videos to your INSTA story that disappear after 24 hours
  • Browse feeds posted by other users
  • Go live in public or with your followers’ group
  • Users can edit images and tag location
  • Let you add hashtags, filters, and chat with friends privately

Rating : 4.4/5

Installs : 1,000,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

9) Linkedln

linkedin - social media apps

When it comes to considering professional networking platform, LinkedIn is hard to beat as it is by far the invincible in this category. Available in 20 languages, LinkedIn is often sought by active professionals across the globe or avid job seekers to search jobs, find new opportunities or expand their existing professional network of people.

It is respected as an ideal platform to follow companies, eminent HRs and influential executives who often their insights or industry trends via LinkedIn blog. LinkedIn has more than 400 million profiles.

App Features

  • Create a profile & highlight your skillsets
  • Helps in both job search and recruiting
  • Let’s users write articles or even share posts
  • Creates opportunities for business networking and brand marketing
  • Get customized recommendations to find the right career

Rating : 4.4/5

Installs : 500,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

10. Viber

viber

Similar to other messaging apps, Viber is also a social messaging app which allows users to send messages, audios, videos, call share GIFs, stickers and much more.

Other than just social messaging, this app lets you promote your business as well. Here, you can buy ads and promote stickers, engage users in your community and even display products in the shopping category.

The platform lets you set up a Viber Community with unlimited members. It lets easy switching between chats, enrich your conversation with chat extensions and helps to self-destruct your secret chats.

App Features

  • More privacy option with hiding seen and online status
  • End-to-end encryption ensures 100% privacy
  • Viber Out lets you make low-cost international calls
  • Enables battery-saving features with the dark mode
  • Users can initiate groups call with up to 5 users and group chat with 250 users

Rating : 4.4/5

Installs : 500,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

app cost calculator

11) Quora

quora

Quora has an exclusive collection of Q& A for any subjects till time. People come to Quora for asking questions and get relevant answers on it by many people of the Quora community.

The app is so helpful that people feel free to ask questions and also posting their knowledge on various subjects. Quora is the best place to share your thoughts and get high-quality knowledge in return.

App Features

  • An innovative platform for gaining knowledge
  • Enter questions & get helpful answers
  • Share your knowledge with others
  • Connect with credible people with first-hand knowledge
  • Follow topics and browse related quality content

Ratings : 4.4/5

Installs : 10,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

12) MeWe

MeWe - social media apps

This is celebrated as the next generation social platform with mind blowing features with no space for ads, news manipulation or targeting. Users can easily connect with family, friends, and other people of common interest. It comes with dedicated newsfeeds for close friends, convenient 1:1 and group chat options and next-gen voice messaging.

App Features

  • Live voice and live video for around the world connections
  • Enjoy custom member profiles for every group
  • Access fun custom camera with cool tricks and GIF creation
  • Users have full ownership of their content and data
  • MeWe members have access to personal social cloud

Rating: 4.3/5

Installs: 5,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

13) Snapchat

snapchat - social media apps

Life gets more fun and livelier when you live in the moment. Here is one of the most popular social media apps, Snapchat which provides teens the best way to interact socially while simultaneously giving them awesome looks.

In addition to just let you connect and follow friends, this app offers a lot more exciting features which include news, entertainment, games, quizzes, photo & video-editing tools etc.

App Features

  • Send snaps in second and add filters to your photographs or video
  • Chat using the live messaging feature
  • Video chat with up to 16 friends at once
  • Follow friends & watch their stories
  • Share your location and even see where your friends are hanging out

Rating: 4.3/5

Installs:1,000,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

14) ShareChat

sharechat - best social media apps

ShareChat is India’s own social media app with 100 million users. It is a multi-lingual app where we can chat, download videos, share whatsapp status and instagram stories. This app allows to create whatsapp sticker of any photo and share it on whatsapp with your friends or group.

You can join chatrooms in 15 languages or create your own chatrooms and make friends.

App Features

  • Use 300+ Emoji stickers and face filters to create funny videos
  • Get famous by showcasing talent and become a celebrity
  • Notifies latest trends of your locality
  • Provides daily horoscope and astrology
  • Allows you to get health tip and fitness tips

Rating : 4.3/5

Installs : 100,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

15) Yubo: Chat, Play, Make Friends

yubo

This amazing social platform lets you find new friends through live streaming and authentic interactions. The free version itself is interesting where you can connect with people of your interest from your local community and across the globe and the power pack gives you even more advanced features.

This platform lets you express yourself and comes with updates every month with cool features, live games etc. You can invite friends to join the app through other social media platforms.

App Features

  • Stream and share your favourite music videos through YOUTUBE STREAM
  • Start a live video chat with up to 10 friends
  • Go live and start a conversation through SWIPE
  • Discover online communities for theatre, beauty, art, music, games, yoga, sports etc
  • LENSES lets you share your new look with friends

Rating: 4.3/5

Installs:10,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

Read Also : 20 Best Messaging Apps 2021

16) Hootsuite

hootsuite

Hootsuite is a well-known app for scheduling posts for twitter and Instagram. Never can users miss posting according to the dates set in the calendar. Hootsuite permits its users to save and edit draft posts so that they can post it anywhere anytime.

If you are a business owner, you can use Hootsuite for managing and monitoring your mentions and messages from various networks at a single time. Hootsuite is free up to 3 profiles and can be paid to experience advanced features.

App Features

  • Efficiently monitoring likes, mentions, and conversations relating your brand
  • Automatic publishing of posts.
  • Simple navigations.
  • Perfect for planning & tracking posts.
  • Give timely responses to messages from different social networks in one place

Ratings : 4.3/5

Installs : 5,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

17) Elyments

elyments

Social media is simplified here. Elyments is an active social networking app on both Android & iOS. You can chat with people you like and view their day to day activities they post.

Elyments build a network of like-minded people, gauge their interests, and have an unlimited voice & video calls. It is a one-stop app for social interaction and getting newer people in your life. Users can easily share text, images, links, voice notes, video, camera, and documents.

App Features

  • Easy group communications
  • Meet new friends and chat with no need to share phone number
  • Get personalized feeds
  • Group chats up to 300 people
  • Available in 11 major Indian languages

Ratings : 4.2/5

Installs : 1,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

18) Twitter

twitter

Twitter has also revolutionized online socials and pioneered the way message is delivered on social platforms and redefined it as a ‘tweet’, a short text message containing no more than max 140 characters.

Users leveraged Twitter to make a genuine profile, post their expressions, news, updates or share contents with the world.

At Twitter, businesses and marketers can run their cluster and promote their services for heightened customer engagement using key terms in form of hashtags. The app also enables you to shop directly via tweets without visiting the store.

App Features

  • See all sides of a story happening in any part of the world first in Twitter
  • Users can tweet, fleet, retweet, reply to tweets, or share to express views
  • Watch live streaming videos and like photos, videos, and GIFs
  • Chat privately with friends and followers or initiate group conversation
  • Discover top trending hashtags and breaking news headlines

Rating : 4.2/5

Installs : 1,000,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

19) Whatsapp

whatsapp - best social media apps

WhatsApp, after earning a huge success worldwide, was acquired by the glorious Facebook in 2014, yet it still manages to exist as an independent instant chat and message sharing mobile app. Though it was launched in the digital world quite later than Facebook.

WhatsApp has unbelievably captured the interests of millions of people especially due to the fact that by then there was no chat app that directly connected with local contact list of user’s device.

This free app allows you to communicate and share instantly with individuals and groups. WhatsApp web lets you send and receive WhatsApp messages right from your computer’s browser. It is still evolving, adding much more advanced features now and then.

App Features

  • It integrates seamlessly with your phone’s existing address book
  • Let you message, call, send videos, documents, and voice messages
  • Enjoy group chats, voice calls and video calls despite location
  • App saves offline messages which can be accessed anytime
  • Share your location instantly or exchange contacts
  • Consists of a rich collection of expressive stickers

Rating : 4.2/5

Installs : 5,000,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

20) Facebook Messenger

messenger

Facebook Messenger is Facebook’s separate chat app that is used to send messages to people in your Facebook contacts. It makes it simple and faster to reach out to people you want to talk to. Most socially active people prefer FB messenger to share their messages.

Unlike other social apps where the consumption of messages is not guaranteed, FB messenger is where people often go to and check messages.

Every time you receive a message from someone, the app notifies you with a sound alert which helps you quicken your responses if it is really important.

App Features

  • Send text and audio messages or make video/audio calls
  • Connect with your Instagram friends right from Messenger
  • Vanish mode makes seen messages disappear once you exit chat
  • Messenger video chat and rooms lets you watch shows and movies together with friends
  • Share locations & chat with businesses and send money securely
  • Host group video chat with up to 50 people or group video calls with 8 people

Rating : 4.2/5

Installs : 1,000,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

21) Line

line

This is a multi-purpose messaging app that allows you to share text, stickers, play games, and make ticket bookings, payment transfers &online shopping. LINE is one of the most popular social media apps in Japan and also in other areas in Asia.

You can make international calls with LINE Out and there are options to chat with up to 200 friends in your group simultaneously.

As it helps in business promotions, brands, celebrities etc. can create official accounts where they can share the latest news, promotions, pictures etc. that will appear on the follower’s timeline.

App Features

  • Make free voice and video calls individually and in groups
  • Has stickers for practically every possible emotion
  • Use polls to quickly see what your friends think
  • Can set your messages to automatically disappear after fixed time
  • Users can create rich data & even provide coupons

Rating : 4.1/5

Installs : 500,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

22) Youtube

youtube

The most widely used video sharing platform where users around the globe spend a billion hours a day watching the favourite or trending videos. It’s the second biggest social media site and is also known as the second largest search engine just after Google.

If you are someone who would like to be famous or would like to promote, then get started by creating your own YouTube channel. Where you can upload videos and your subscribers can view, like, comment or share.

App Features

  • Easier access to subscription feeds
  • Explore popular videos in fashion, beauty, gaming, news, and learning
  • Easy video management on the go
  • Browse personal recommendations on Home
  • Big screen interface with dark mode
  • Access watched, liked, and saved for later videos in Library

Rating : 4.1/5

Installs : 5,000,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

23) Facebook

facebook

From its days of inception, Facebook has come a long way to make people’s life much more interesting and exciting. With Facebook being your virtual social pal, you can upload photos, share your views and humorous stories, comment and even chat with your friends. You can make your own page and create fans right there on this platform.

You can also treat it as first-source content discovery medium for daily reads by joining the pages of illustrious influencers. It is the best platform to make certain highlights of your personal life known to people who follow you. It also offers a great branding medium where people engage and connect deeply with others.

App Features

  • Customize your news feed and restrict people from seeing posts
  • Get latest updates from favourite artists, websites, and companies by following them
  • Find local or social eventsand make plans to meet up with friends
  • Play games with Facebook friends
  • Sell and buy goods in Facebook marketplace

Rating : 4.1/5

Installs : 5,000,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

24) Roposo

roposo

Roposo is one of India’s favourite video creation and sharing apps. You can create videos & images using over 25+ Channels on the platform and share them on WhatsApp Status. This cool app is available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi & Bengali.

Users can access amazing content from top video channels like Bhakti Video, Look Good-Feel Good Video, and Beats video.

App Features

  • Create videos in time-lapse, slow-motion and portraits with studio light, natural light, and contour light
  • Offers the best health tips for you & your family
  • Perform easy photo editing using video filters, GIF stickers & effects
  • Discover the funny edge of your life through laughing channels
  • Save and share favourite videos to other social media platforms

Rating : 4.1/5

Installs : 100,000,000+

Download : Android, iOS

Read Also : 20 Best Free Movie Apps 2021

Conclusion

This trying time that demands social distancing and remote working and learning has made it hard for people to connect with others. Such social media apps have really come handy to help people to continue to cherish their relationships from the comfort of their home.

app cost calculator

The blog discussed an impressive range of 24 exquisite and widely used social media apps. Covering many aspects of life, these social media apps allow you to socialize online comfortably. Some of them even go beyond the usual to offer you a platform for creatively sharing ideas and expressions with a community of your wish. Hopefully, they will continue to amaze you in coming years with more fascinating elements.

How to Create an App Like Clubhouse

Clubhouse app has been in the news ever since its Beta version was launched back in 2020 and its popularity is on the rise day by day. This is an invitation-only audio-chat app that lets users to be part of live audio conversations by creating or accessing digital “rooms”. The incredible platform enables people to talk in real-time, tell stories, and use their voice for communication or to exchange thoughts.

Enthusiasts are still astonished by the way in which the app has won the acceptance of millions in this short period. There are a lot of social media interaction apps already in the arena. So those wishing to create an app like Clubhouse should bear it in the mind that it is not simply about developing a basic app but designing one with user comfort and exclusive features to make an impact.

Let us have a look at how to create an app like Clubhouse and its overall budget!

Success Story of Clubhouse

The app came to limelight as a start-up in March 2020 when the Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, Paul Davison and Rohan Seth launched it while the actual start-up was initiated in Fall 2019. Initially, it was designed for podcasts in the name ‘Talkshow’ which was later rebranded as Clubhouse.

clubhouse

There were only about 1,500 users in May first week. The popularity of the app skyrocketed when the American venture capital company Andreessen Horowitz invested in the app in mid-May. The portfolio of the said firm includes Coinbase and BuzzFeed which resulted in a wave of discussion.

According to Forbes report, the investment was around $10 million and the secondary sale shares were around $2 million. Another report from Forbes stated that even when investors estimated $100 million worth for the app, there were some investors who were keen to fund up to $200 million.

With 4.8 ratings from around 5 lakh responses, they boast of millions of users at present with an amazing value of $ 1 billion.

Here let us have a look into the key specialities and stats of the app that made it so popular and successful in a short span of time!

  • Unlike many popular social media apps like Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, Clubhouse can be referred to as an invite only-audio social network with no room for video and written messages and that is what makes it unique.
  • Following registration with app, users can go to ‘rooms’ to listen to others talking about your interested topics or even join as a speaker with the permission of the room owner.
  • Tech innovators and celebrities were the first ones to use the app through invite and that itself triggered more reach to the platform. Being the only app of its kind at present, it grabbed the attention of enthusiasts in no time.
  • Moreover, the time of launch was another important factor for its huge success. The time of pandemic made everyone disconnected with the world and most of the people were lonely and felt desperate for live interaction when Clubhouse made entry.
  • It was designed as an exclusive experience for iOS but expects to hit more platforms soon. Unlike other social media apps, Clubhouse is a live app that does not store anything for next day and this uniqueness has made it a standout from the usual social interaction platforms.
  • The app gives the feel like a personal offline conversation and as there is no video involved, people can be at the flexibility of making casual conversations without the need of preparedness.
  • Celebrities like Elon Musk, Roger Stone, Mark Zuckerberg, Kanye West, and Jared Leto are among the top users who are part of this new sensation.
  • With more celebrities joining the app, the demand is on the peak. According to reports from Reuters, demand for membership was evident in platforms like eBay, Reddit, and Craigslist with about $400 for invitation codes.
  • According to CEO Paul Davison, the active weekly user base in January 2021 was about 2 million whereas it went to 3.5 million downloads by February 1st and later to 8.1 million downloads by mid-February and it crossed 10 million just 1 year after its release.
  • They announced that Android version will hit the market soon and even hired Android developers in February which substantiates their statement. Social media giants like Facebook, Twitter, Discord. Spotify, Slack, Telegram etc has already launched additional features to directly compete with the app.

The enthralling comments on the app by top medias says it all. Let us have a look into a few of them.

  • Vogue: FOMO fuels people to download the latest tech trend
  • New York Times: the invite-only app draws attention with exclusivity
  • CNBC: celebrities and high-profile venture capitalists are promoting it.
  • Forbes: the audio-only app feeds the need for human connection.
  • BBC News- Experience of meeting strangers on ’90s chat lines
  • Product Hunt- Gen Z alternative for radio.

Read Also : 24 Best Social Media Apps 2021

Core App Features

Those who are aspiring to create an audio chat app like Clubhouse can go through the core features of the app. The list also discusses some feature options that can be easily integrated with the existing app to make it more competitive.

#1. Clubhouse Invitation

Already registered users in the app have the exclusive feature of sending invites to any two people of their choice. As stated by officials, there are three main ways through which a person can get entry to the app in the first place. It is by getting an invite, virtual waiting list registration and some rumours are there saying you can even buy an invite.

#2. Onboarding

This is the first step once you enter the Clubhouse app. It asks you to give your name along with a photo. Followed by that, you can just enter any room you like. New users are by default muted at first and it allows you to unmute if you wish so with the permission of moderator. If you are the one who created the room, you will be the moderator.

#3. Sign-up/log-in

This feature can be added with integration option to make creating the account easy for users. You can either allow for sign up through email services or through other social media account credentials.

Only users with an invite can get to the signin page while others can go to waiting list by choosing “Get your username”.

#4. Feed

Users can open the feed to see the various discussions that are happening now which are denoted as rooms. You can see the room’s name as well as the people who are inside. The list contains the upcoming events and the live ones.

#5. Rooms

You can create a room, join existing rooms, or simply view a room. The Start a room button lets you to create a room. You can choose from Open, Social, and Closed room types. Users have the freedom to politely interrupt the speaker by raising hand. You can leave the room anytime by pressing Leave button quietly or after announcing that you wish to leave.

A simple architecture of a room usually contains the following:

  • “Leave quietly” button
  • “Raise hand” button
  • Search possibility within room
  • List of speakers

When inside a room, you can check the current speaker and their account. You can even see who invited the speaker and the time of invitation and the clubs in which they are a member, very much like the feature of Twitter.

#6. User profiles

This section comprises user’s name, picture, and a short description. However, you can make room for users to add more relevant details or give optional fields to make the profile look more interesting in your new app.

#7. Clubs

This is like Facebook groups. Users have the freedom to join any clubs and meet other people of similar interest. The clubs let you view members, add new members, and even suggest topics for discussion.

A club can be formed only following at least 3 regular room conversations. The clubs can be made private (club members only) or public. The simple architecture looks like the following:

  • Club name
  • Members
  • Club logo or picture
  • Categories of interest
  • Short description

There is also a follow button for clubs which you can press to get notifications when conversations are hosted. Three possible roles inside a club includes the following:

Admin: They can schedule conversations, add, or remove people, access club rules and profile and even send invites on behalf of club.

Members: They can set up private rooms within the clubs, glance through private rooms, or even nominate new members.

Followers: They can access any open rooms created by admins with no special grant to access private rooms.

#8. Interests

This section is to get an overview of your interests which helps Clubhouse to give you best options to follow people or topics. You can even select “Follow no one” option when your feed remains empty.

#9. Search

Any social media app handling live content will have a very handy feature like ‘Search’ and so is the case of Clubhouse. This feature lets you to search for people whom you wish to follow or chat topics of interest. During a conversation, the search option can be used to look for people inside a room.

#10. Upcoming for you

This is an interesting section that shows what is in the store for you in the upcoming days. This shows a schedule of the events that are already fixed, start times, conversation names, speakers, and short description of topics. Pressing the bell icon gives you reminders of when the chat will kick start.

The section can be filtered for three categories- My events, Upcoming for you and All Upcoming.

app cost estimation

#11. Activity

This feature gives an overall outline of the previous activities that are linked to your account. This includes the people who recently joined the app, who are following you, the scheduled events as well as the clubs of other members.

#12. Notifications

Like other social media apps, Clubhouse also makes use of push notifications for enhanced user engagement. This section notifies you about events and tells you when someone you follow creates a new room.

Another specialty of Clubhouse app is that content is live only and nothing is stored for future. So, such a reminder feature can help users not to miss the content when their favourite topic or speaker is in action.

#13. Topics

To make it easy for users to find the most suitable rooms, Clubhouse lets them choose from a list of topics available. Topics are assigned by the speakers at the time of room creation to make it easy for listeners to find rooms of their interest.

#14. Moderation

For any type of social media apps, the role of a moderator is crucial. The room owners should be given the moderation rights and an admin panel can be an added boost to monitor user reports as well as to ban rooms that triggers bullying or hate speech.

#15. Settings

A user always prefer a customizable version of the app and the settings section can give them the option to change any features according to their preference. It can be theme, languages, block, or mute users, adjust notifications, change topics of interest and more.

#16. Clubhouse Payments

This feature is still in the testing phase as they cooperate with Stripe to kick start in April 2021.

#17. Creator First

This accelerator program is an initiative to support content creators on the platform to improve their audience base with a direct payment system to monetize the content.

Read Also : How to Create an App Like Zoom 

Technology Stack to Create an App Like Clubhouse

The actual technology stack of the Clubhouse app is still not disclosed. Agora is rumoured as the tech behind Clubhouse, but the officials have neither accepted nor declined the same. As audio streaming quality and real time communication is the key, there is no room for any compromise for technology side responsible for the same.

Analysts pointed out the possibility of a similar technology stack for Clubhouse:

  • PubNub for actual voice room
  • AWS(S3) for storing profile images
  • Cloudflare for hosting APIs
  • Data Theorem for app security
  • Amplitude for product analytics

Here let us take a snapshot of the various technologies that help to create an innovative app like Clubhouse:

  • IDE-Xcode, Android Studio
  • Programming Languages- Swift, Kotlin, PHP, Node js
  • Cloud Storage-Amazon S3
  • Utilities- Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Visual Website Optimizer
  • Payment Gateways- Braintree, Paypal, Stripe
  • Email- Gmail, AWS, SendGrid
  • Database- Mongo DB, Redis, MySQL, PostgreSQL
  • Messaging Platform- Twilio, Nexmo, Sinch, RestComm
  • Analytics- Mixpanel, Google Analytics, Keen.io
  • Deployment Platforms- iOS, Android, Cloud

Development Team to Create an App like Clubhouse

It is crucial to have a flawless blend and communication among the development team throughout the process to complete the project in minimal time with maximum productivity. All these specialists have an important role to play to develop better insights, avoid possible errors and bring in the right mix of excellence. Afterall, it is the teamwork that matters the most in the success of any project.

  • Business Analysts
  • UI/UX Designers
  • iOS Developers
  • QA Engineers
  • System Administrators
  • HTML/CSS
  • Back-end Developers
  • Scrum Masters
  • Project Manager
  • Team Managers
  • Quality Analysts
  • Testers

How Much Does It Cost to Create an App like Clubhouse?

If you decide to go for only iOS platform, the expense can be somewhere around $30,000 for a basic app and it can be around $45,000 for an advanced app while some analysts even suppose it can go about $50-60K with extensive features.

However, if you choose to go for Android also, the cost will go higher. Having said that, the cost need not go double as similar design and same back end can serve the purpose.

Below are some of the major factors that affect the app development cost:

  • Product design
  • Time frame
  • Product features
  • Technology stack
  • Project size and complexity
  • Hourly rate of development team
  • Number of members in team

Out of all, the hourly rate of development can make a considerable difference in the overall budget and the rate is mostly dependent on the location from which they operate.

A rough estimate of number of hours needed to create Clubhouse app will be around 400 hours for iOS development, 350 hours for Android development, about 100 hours for design, and up to 120 hours for PM/QA which totals about 870 hours.

However, there can be some unseen parameters that will pop up during the process which consumes more time. Considering many related factors, experts have pointed out an estimate time of up to 1,250 hours to complete the project if you include advanced features.

How Can an App Like Clubhouse Be Monetized?

As of now, Clubhouse app has not added any room for monetization. Including ads is the easy way but it can be more irritating for users that one think and the purpose may go in vain. The team is still thinking of some other way which can be choosy for users but still gain some momentum through subscriptions, tickets, and the like.

There are ways where Clubhouse as well as Clubhouse users can get revenue like-app transaction fee, paid premium listings and making accounts premium.

Read Also : 20 Best Messaging Apps 2021

Final Thoughts

The success and popularity of this social audio network in this short time has triggered interest among other enthusiasts to create an app like Clubhouse. But as we have discussed, it is not something simple but needs tremendous hard work and a dedicated team who will never compromise on the quality.

cost-in-simple-steps

As the mundane chatting on social media apps and messengers or scheduled Zoom meetings for work or studies are eating up most part of your day, a platform that gives room for random and spontaneous communication can give some interesting twist to your social life.

Experts have even thought of possibilities regarding building a similar app that can be tailored for corporate needs. Ongoing collaborative work, live communication and quick calls are considered as the specialities of this platform that makes it promising for internal corporate communication, especially during this remote working culture of covid era.

15 Best Facebook Apps For Android and iOS

Nowadays, people relied on Facebook for sharing their thoughts, mingling and opinions with their friends. Facebook  with around its billion registered users makes it a heavy app by consuming device storage & taking time for loading and reloading. So, the Facebook has created great alternative apps with various functions in-depth.

For those who feel increasingly dismayed of auto-play videos, strange requests and fake news feed, etc. the following Facebook alternative apps will undoubtedly make you choose and install the best of them.

Let’s take a short peep at some of the finest Facebook apps available for Android and iOS users.

Video downloader for Facebook Swipe for Facebook Maki
Save story for Facebook Friendly for Facebook Folio for Facebook
Messenger Messenger lite Faster for Facebook Lite
Simple social Unseen for fb lite Facebook lite
Swift for fb lite Fb pages manager Workplace from Facebook

 

1. Video downloader for Facebook

video downloader - facebook apps

Video downloader for Facebook is one of the best apps for Facebook. You can just copy the video link, paste it & download the video in minutes.

The app also includes an easy built-in browser to play your favourite video on Facebook itself. Besides, the app lets you share content with your friends anytime.

App Features

  • Pause, resume & delete downloads.
  • Download through links/built-in browser.
  • Guarantee safety & privacy on the contents.
  • Easy to use UI.

Ratings: 4.7/5

Installs: 5,000,000+

Download: Android

2. Swipe for Facebook

swipe for - facebook apps

Swipe is a perfect alternative for Facebook that reduces battery consumption. You can simply chat &  download  video/audio files by saving your phone space. Users can manage notifications from both Facebook & messenger.

App Features

  • Highly customizable & user-friendly interface.
  • Biometric or PIN security lock.
  • Change the overall theming of the app.
  • Block sponsored ads & other content.

Ratings: 4.3/5

Installs: 1,000,000+

Download : Android

3. Maki

maki - facebook apps

Maki is a trouble-free app comprising both Facebook and messenger features. One can save space & time in this single app without any interruptions.

Maki has default news feed updates where users can engage with the latest news in chronological order. Built-in social sites like Instagram, Reddit, etc make Maki the most popular & accepted among its users.

App Features

  • Multi-account support
  • Hassle-free audio & video calls.
  • No third-party ads.
  • Alter day/night themes

Ratings: 4.3/5

Installs: 1,000,000+

Download: Android

4. Save story for Facebook stories

save story - facebook apps

Facebook stories are familiar in recent times. Save story enables you to view your friend’s latest stories & their moments. It also lets users block sponsored content or other ads.

You can change the overall theme of your app including an app security lock.

App Features

  • Intuitive UI
  • Edit accidental likes/reactions.
  • Battery & data saving
  • Download photos/videos privately.

Ratings: 4.3/5

Installs: 1,000,000+

Download: Android

5. Friendly for Facebook

friendly social browser - facebook apps

Friendly allows you to customize & filter the content you wish to see. It follows a keyword search with a decent & attractive interface.

Friendly is one of the newer apps that has both Facebook & messenger functionalities together in the app. Users can depend on this app for uninterrupted messaging & downloading contents.

App Features

  • Block sponsored ads & posts
  • Switch b/w multiple accounts.
  • Quiet hours for no notifications.
  • Pro version unlocks extra features.

Ratings: 4.3/5

Installs: 1,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

Read Also : 24 Best Social Media Apps 2021

6. Folio for Facebook & messenger

folio - facebook apps

Folio is an exciting Facebook wrapper. You can engage with recent news feeds in default or by a quick search option.

The app has focused on the smallest features to make the user’s mobile experience more appealing. Folio is a sincere app where users can enjoy both Facebook & messenger features in the app.

App Features

  • Convenient to operate.
  • Instant downloads of photos & videos
  • Full-featured & faster services.
  • Personalized experience.

Ratings: 4.3/5

Installs: 500,000+

Download: Android

7. Messenger – Text and Video Chat for Free

messenger - facebook apps

With its 1 billion+ users, Messenger is an all-in-one communication app till now. Messenger lets easy syncing of contacts on your phone & chat or call anyone anytime. Users can have clear high-quality audio and video calls with around eight people at a time.

You can also record, save & share voice messages instantly. The latest room feature where you can send group video chat links & host up to 50 people makes it more popular.

App Features

  • Simple & intuitive UI
  • Express with stickers & emojis
  • Compatible on multiple platforms.
  • Unlimited free calls.

Ratings: 4.2/5

Installs: 1,000,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

8. Messenger lite

messenger lite - facebook apps

Messenger Lite is a miniature form of Facebook messenger with less than 10 MB. You can contact anyone on Facebook, Facebook lite & messenger via this app.

Messenger lite notify about your friends who are active now and available to chat. The app lets you to have  unlimited calls with friends in other countries too.

App Features

  • Quick loading & saves data.
  • Chat in groups or personal.
  • Free voice & video calls over wi-fi.
  • Easy sharing of photos or other contents.

Ratings: 4.2/5

Installs: 500,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

9. Faster for Facebook Lite

faster for facebook lite

Faster uses templates of Facebook lite instead of Facebook. Faster is an effective web wrapper where users can switch to classic Facebook mode.

Other features include a chat head facility, timely notifications, etc. Users can view every type of content including GIFs and videos here.

App Features

  • Optimize & save battery.
  • Easy sharing & downloads.
  • Protect Facebook account with lock screens.
  • Login using multiple accounts.

Ratings: 4.2/5

Installs: 5,000,000+

Download: Android

app cost calculator

10. Simple social

simple social

Being one of the best 15 Facebook apps, Simple social is an all-in-one app for your social networks. You get instant notifications on new messages & reply within chat heads.

The app requires lesser time to download & share photos. The app also provides great technical support to users.

App Features

  • Select from pre-defined themes.
  • Multiple social add-ons.
  • High security & 4-digit pin lock.
  • Auto-sync of each account.

Ratings: 4.2/5

Installs: 500,000+

Download: Android

11. Unseen for fb lite

unseen

Unseen helps you to use Facebook as you wish to. If you dislike showing your friend about reading their messages, install unseen & control read receipts.

You can hide delivery receipts also. Users can disable every notification & use Facebook without any interruptions. Users can switch to the Facebook mode for data saving.

App Features

  • Easy account data backup.
  • Intuitive themes.
  • Hide third-party ads.
  • Favorite your messages/contents.

Ratings:4.2/5

Installs:1,000,000+

Download: Android

12. Facebook lite

facebook lite

Facebook Lite is the most used Facebook alternative app. It is more data saving than Facebook. This app contains many features  like timeline updates, quick search, edit your profile, etc.

Users can get instant notifications about the likes and comments on their posts. Facebook lite lets you and your friends plan meetups & join on social events.

App Features

  • Follow people to know their latest news.
  • Personal organizer for storing & saving content.
  • Completely free & exciting updates.
  • Post status updates & communicate anytime.

Ratings: 4.1/5

Installs: 1,000,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

13. Swift for fb lite

swift

Swift is an amazing alternative app for both Facebook lite & messenger s. You can upload photo/video, post updates & interact with your friends via this app.

It is a free, customizable app introducing a simplified Facebook layout. The app consists of a built-in messenger where you can communicate with your Facebook friends.

App Features

  • Simple & easy to use the app.
  • Download & view Facebook contents.
  • Collection of stickers & emoticons
  • Strong privacy & encryption.

Ratings: 4.1/5

Installs: 1,000,000+

Download: Android

14. Fb pages manager

facebook pages manager

Fb pages manager is your perfect business partner enabling you to monitor your business easier. Make sure that your eyes are reaching every event which needs your attention.

The app also lets you get insights for your audience & actively track your business.

App Features

  • Manage pages anytime & anywhere.
  • Notifications about important activities.
  • Easy & simple navigations.
  • View all messages, comments, and activities

Ratings: 4.1/5

Installs: 100,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

15. Workplace from Facebook

workplace from facebook

Workplace is one of the best Facebook apps for both android and iOS platforms. The sole purpose of the app is to make an easier workflow via effective communication.

You and your colleagues can share ideas, update unlimited projects, files & folders, etc effectively with Workplace. Easy video, audio & voice chats are other advantages of the app.

App Features

  • Collaboration tool of your team
  • Sign in with an existing account
  • Create groups for separate teams
  • Exciting ad-free UI.

Ratings: 4/5

Installs: 10,000,000+

Download: Android, iOS

Read Also : 20 Most Popular Messaging Apps 2021

Conclusion

We all have our best and favorites among thousands of mobile apps. Thankfully, Facebook has amazing alternatives now for iPhone and Android users.

app cost calculator

To avoid encountering current problems with Facebook mobile app loading, you can try these alternatives and feel at ease and enjoy your social sessions with your friends without losing your calm.

Hopefully, you will end up selecting your favorite from the list and install it on your device right away.

How to Market an App on Social Media?

Right before your mobile app is launched, you must ponder over how you are going to generate public interest and drive frenzy among prospect users for downloading it.

It is time to try effective ways to attract more users and create a huge drive around your app. However, with more than 5 million mobile apps vying for users’ attention, making your app visible is rather daunting.

Choices are more, options are endless, and hence marketing your app is definitely not that simple and straight. Also, what adds more dismay is knowing that 25% of apps downloaded by users are abandoned after installation.

The thought of social media marketing therefore sounds convincing especially when 50% of folks are likely to discover mobile apps via family, friends and colleagues. The platform afforded by virtual socials is immensely influential and drives great buzz for your digital creation.

On that note, check out these powerful tactics to successfully market your app on social media:

1) The Clever investment in Paid Ads

Paid advertisements on social media help reach more audience and attain strong presence. Sponsored ads especially boosts your marketing momentum and drives more downloads especially when it is difficult to fetch the audience through organic reach across different platforms.

 

 

Nowadays social platforms have evolved to display advertisement with app install options. In fact, social media ads are accountable for almost 49% of app downloads. Hence, more visible your app is in your social paid ads, more is the chance you have to convert target users.

For paid ads on social media to be effective, you also need to choose the platform most preferred by your prospect app users. To optimize the marketing budget while also boosting downloads, minute targeting and riveting content are basic essentials.

Read Also : 24 Best Social Media Apps 2021

2) Influencer Marketing for Faster Results

The real effect of influencer marketing is drawn from the fact that social influencers have already mastered the art of persuading their fans and followers and can give you the ready base of receptive audience. Influencers and micro-influencers own deep knowledge about what excites and appeals to their audience/followers.

Hence, as you pair with active influencers on social media, your app is likely to appear conspicuously to the audience already engaged and connected.

Instagram and Twitter have emerged as the most effective channels where recommendations of influencers work miraculously on purchase decisions. In fact, 40% of users active on Twitter have made purchase decisions influenced greatly by influencer’s recommendations.

On the other hand, Bloglovin Global Influencer Survey of 2016 states that 59% of influencers recommend Instagram as the most effective engagement channel. However, it is momentous to discuss app promotion tactics with influencers for exact results.

3) Expect from Reviews and Ratings

The reviews and ratings of a product share direct correlation with brand reputation and user acquisition. Keep a close watch on the best of user reviews that you can be smart enough to share on social platforms to spur the downloading spirit.

People appreciate reviews and 60% of them actually base their critical decisions about downloading the app on its online ratings and reviews. The public words about your app not only help others understand the app’s motive and importance, but it also generates value as a social proof.

Since 40% of mobile app users discover app from the app store, it makes sense to feature outstanding positive views to get users to notice the app. It is therefore crucial to make sure you post your praise received from a third-party beta tester on social media to amplify the app’s visibility.

Apart from Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, YouTube also provides a robust video marketing platform where you can find opportunity to host your app on channels like Daily App Show and receive strong response and ratings.

4) Encourage User-Generated Content 

If you are determined to work on delivering value, why not show it by encouraging User-generated content, aka UGC. The idea of value creation among users focuses on illustrating importance and efficacy of your app by means of user experiments with your app. The best way to connect with the future audience is showing them how your app does own potential to improve lives.

UGC works best where ads fail. Nielsen’s market research confirms that 90% of customers consider peer recommendations while 33% listen to ads. Encourage users who have already benefitted from your app to submit the photos and videos demonstrating how the app is practically useful.

You can run a contest, post interactive UGC and feature video tutorials to maximize engagement and create opportunities to acquire new users from existing ones.

5) Realizing the unique potential of various Social Media Platforms

In 2019, with great many innovations and breakthrough capabilities, social media platforms have become far more evolves and advanced than we ever imagined in the embryonic phase of the technology.

Each social platform at present offers unmatched potential and business advantages for luring and interesting more users towards your app.

Facebook For building active Community

Facebook’s rich content-driven platform comes handy for creating dedicated pages that offer a promising scope of building a broad active community.

Also, you can collaborate with many interesting Facebook groups where your app can reach and connect with the target audience. As you feed value and proactively respond to group members on Facebook, you can easily convince them to download.

Make sure you remain active and:

  • Post HQ images, videos and Gif of apps
  • Bring engaging contests and blogs
  • Share giveaways or freebies for trials and installs
  • Feature promotional offers, discounts or vouchers
  • Introduce gifts for referrals

Your active cooperation and comments on Facebook shows your helping spirit and earns appreciation from users, priming them for app downloads.

Instagram for app Elaboration

Instagram aesthetically eradicates what usually scourges today’s brand marketers – the challenges of engagement and app promotion.

Perfect for well-crafted visuals, Instagram lets you present your app features in an elaborate, creative fashion. Here you can post Sneak peeks in form of enthralling visuals like:

  • HQ photos and Gifs
  • How-to videos
  • App screenshots
  • Website or Influencer content
  • Entertaining creatives
  • Contests and gifts

Instagram users feel deeply excited and intrigued by what is not available but is soon to be in near future. Thus, you can unobtrusively foster much hype around your app on the platform.

The use of proper, popular Hashtags in posts done twice or thrice a day makes your Instagram app marketing meaningful.

The key to seizing great number of Instagram followers is making the most out of visual platform with right mix of content and good aesthetics.

Twitter appeals to marketing and customer service

Twitter has risen as the most dynamic and magnetic marketing platform that latches on tweet, retweet, hashtags, videos, impressions and GIFs. Best for interactions, Twitter helps you spread the word faster and engage with more target users.

You can share pictures, blog contents, videos, news and more. It also allows you to run public polls for active feedback session or contests. You can also ask for user’s personal experiences or privately send message via inbox for propagating brand value.

The platform Twitter provides is quite credible and potent for sincere market executives and can be used for customer service. Positive customer service means positive word of mouth which enhances your app’s status.

Leverage the influence of images

Pictures as they say talk louder than words whether it is for blogs, App screenshots or social media posts. Pictures help express what a description text can’t.

Make the post vivid and more influential by using attractive picture of your app. If there are a few users already using it, you can post screenshots of them using it with a supportive CTA like Download the App.

It is also great to create a post with a message showing the countdown of your app as the release date approaches. Pick a different feature or benefit every time you post. This will keep users clung to your app and let them remember it until it is finally released in the app store.

Read Also : 24 Best Video Chat Apps 2021

Your Final Takeaway

Modern digital media marketing savors the idea of crafting most memorable, interesting and relatable content on app features and benefits. Your social media marketing strategy must revolve around acquiring more users and creating authentic value.

Combine your robust marketing strategy with user psychology as you attempt to know what community would love about your app and encourage them to download naturally. Don’t forget to post regularly on social media to maintain strong presence and reach maximum people.

How To Make a Social Media App?

Social media is incessant and infinite in its strength and éclat, making for massively promising domain not just for users but also for elite business entities. With social media platforms dominating the world of marketing and advertising, business wanting to capture ample audience can see it as a lucrative opportunity.

Of course, the competition in this market is simmering with a few jubilant players. But as technology evolves, the new creative social app development ideas are getting big attention.

Before embarking on the social media app development project, expertise in mobile device is must. If you are planning to break into the social market through a dedicated mobile app, you must realize that the major cost falls on the shoulder of backend developers, and that challenges for making it from scratch are high. Therefore, you require great deal of resources and talent to make it work.

Here is how you can give it a jump start:

Main ingredients of social media app

1. Integration with existing social media

The power of true user experience often stems from enabling users to explore the full-fledged interaction. Since they already are a member of a few other famous social platforms, they expect your app to provide them with a button to stay connected with those profiles. Your app can allow them to login to the app using existing social accounts.

2. Sharing expressions

Users want to set a stage of expression on your social app to flaunt their unique creative ability. Your social media app must contain features that empowers users to share their life stories and experiences along through personalized profiles, videos, backgrounds and customized pictures. Take examples of YouTube, Instagram, Flickr, Vimeo, Snapchat, etc.

3. Creating a network

Being able to connect with distant friends and increasing the number of followers make the platform more desirable for users. Like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, social app developers must create a system that lets members to invite new friends.

Read Also : 24 Best Social Media Apps 2021

Smart networking system can help build communication between people. LinkedIn provides professional networking opportunity whereas Tinder, Badoo and Grindr enables personal and dating services

4. Reviews

Social media app doesn’t necessarily need to be confined to mean just social. Since users leave great loads of data, users can take advantage of this information to make purchasing decisions just like Yelp.

The app can know users’ geolocation and let them leave comment and suggestions about interesting brands or local businesses.

5. Newsfeed

Content is what attracts people to decide and subscribe to services. Social network apps run on influential content.

Through expressions, status, video, photos and audio sharing, users generate colossal amount of content in order to display their opinions and be heard.

Therefore, iOS and Android app should contain news feed very typical of quintessential social apps.

6. Community forums

Community forums and discussions like Quora, Disqus and Reddit are fundamental to social apps. Such knowledge sharing can form the basic mechanism of powerful social interactions within the app.

7. Publishing platforms

Blogging and microblogging platforms make for social media services users capitalize to publish creative text and media content. Examples of such apps are Medium, Your Story and Tumblr.

8. Interest-focused networks

Interest-based media creates a powerful community of like-minded people who share similar interests. A media app this genre creates tremendous appeal by bringing together individuals of common tastes. Goodreads is for literature lovers, for example, and Last.fm and Spotify are for music fanatics.

Read also : How To Create an App like Instagram?

9. Private Chat conversations

Having a built-in service of private communication increase ROI for social networking app as it inspire users to resort to your app more often to connect with their friends and followers.

This means users will spend more time in your app.

Creating a  Social Media App

To build such an ambitious social networking app, you should ask developers to first create an MVP for the app. MVP contains core features and functionality that let you test its performance while saving on investment and time.

After acquiring good buzz, you can scale it up to add more features andUI/UX elements. To keep the app’s performance up and healthy, you need powerful architecture built of:

1. Backend

This is a backbone of your mobile app that handles intense rush of http requests as a result of numerous user actions happening within your app.

Node.js, .NET, Xamarin are a few great options to pick for building a mighty, high-performance and scalable networking app backend.

2. Database

MySQL databases along with SQLite or NoSQL are amongst the most preferable database tech for social networking apps as it swimmingly takes over dynamic contents.

3. Hosting

To handle constantly fluctuating traffic to your app and on-demand uploads along with likes and shares and other stress, you need a reliable hosting service plan. AWS is a competitive and widely used option with superior adaptive capability and scalability.

Read also : How much does it Cost to Create an App like Instagram?

4. 3rd Party APIs

Integration of3rd party APIs is the convenient option for mobile app developers as it reduces the efforts needed to build every single part of your social app and enables certain readymade solutions.

APIs can be integrated for solutions like payments, push notification, geolocation and other sensor-based indicators.

Basic steps of developing social media app

You should follow these critical steps for a creating successful social media app:

1) Target audience

In this phase, the idea is analyzed and studied to understand the requirements and map out the target audience. The first step to creating a successful social app is to identify the user needs and challenges they face.

In the end, project analysts can derive KPIs to be achieved in a social media niche. Developers now have a substantial choice of using a ready framework designed to create custom social apps with excellent user experience.

2) Calculating realistic estimates

Once determining the target audience, it is time to build a strategy and calculate realistic budget estimates. If your wish is to create highly engaging and technically immaculate social networking app, as an entrepreneur you should consider investing wisely. Too limited budget can’t produce the app you desire.

The cost estimate depends on the platform you choose, and iOS could be a great option to first develop an app. Then you can opt for Android platform later. Though it is hard to estimate traffic volume, it is essential to prepare database for end users.

3) Design considerations

The social networking design strategy starts with a basic outline and a rough sketch that includes expansive logic, screens to target and layout.

Then comes preparing a good wire frame which is important to development team as they begin to conceive a skeleton and structural view of the app.

Read also : How To Create Video Chat Apps

The next step is to create a prototype that represents a working model of the app and gives detailed understanding of what it is going to be. You can make changes to prototype idea before developers start writing the app.

This is followed by the design of app skin where app wire frame is used to create a solid design.

4) Development & QA testing

Due to rising development process technologies such as DevOps, design, development and QA testing phases are often synchronized and combined to run in perfect symphony.

After prototyping step, developers consider all technical requirements to start sculpting its backend architecture and implement servers, database, APIs and more.

Engineers focus on all the latest guidelines and platform terms for native iOS and Android app development to deliver brilliant performance.

During and post development, testers leverage manual and automated testing and cover extensive use cases to ensure the app is bug-free and well-programmed and has its expected UX standard.

5) Publish, Market and Promote

After everything is checked and tested, the app is deployed. Your app development partner will help you publish the app on popular online stores and create a comprehensive marketing strategy to evangelize the app.

The marketing team will optimize the app marketing with description content and video guides so that businesses can save time on making the app stand out at Google Play or the Apple Store market as well as on popular social media platforms.

Read more : How To Create A Chat App Successfully

Make sure you communicate your concerns about what all are included in your project contract. Some companies separate the cost of development from the fees reserved for marketing and promotion activities.

Also, to achieve better audience, it is advisable to start marketing the app 3-4 months before the app is ready to publish.

Conclusion

Social media app development is not as straight as it seems. The process is rife with many challenges and brainstorming.

Only a veteran mobile app development company with extensive experience, rugged resources and competitive talents can help you build a successful social networking app and fulfill your business goals. They know what technologies best align with your business objective and help create fascinating features.

How Much Does it Cost to Create an App like Instagram?

It goes without a mention that an app like Instagram has millions of users. With incredibly intuitive interface, relevant icons and stunning features and powerful photo editing tools, Instagram is now an everyday part of our lifestyle that lets share anything we capture in a matter of seconds.

Such scintillating success often spurs an idea of developing an app like Instagram among startup owners.

Developing an app that mirrors Instagram does not really mean building an exact clone. The app like Instagram should reflect most captivating features and image sharing capabilities along with effective marketing activities.

Social Media App cost

A few apps that have dared create as much buzz are Flickr, Vine Camera, Snapchat, Swipe and more. So how much would it cost you to deliver an app that compete with Instagram?

Let’s see all the areas of development that are major cost drivers in the process:

Must-have essential features

Depending on the scope of your project, you should include these basic features in the app.

  • User account & Registration
  • Login and Authentication
  • Profile Editing
  • Integration with Camera (Photo/Video)
  • Social Integration
  • Photo/Video Editor
  • Tagging
  • Geolocation
  • Messaging
  • Push Notifications
  • Custom Settings

You can also consider having a photo sharing website that reflects all features of an app just like what Instagram has done. Desktop application helps reach more users.

Most important aspect: Technology stack

Your primary research work that starts long before developing the app should necessarily involve critical findings on tools and stack of technologies to go into building the mature and robust architecture of mobile app like Instagram.

Instagram stands on the pillar of an extensive set of frameworks, languages, DevOps tools and server load systems. While determining tools, it is important to focus on load balancing capacity, iteration speed, code implementation and sharing, testing quality and operational system.

Read also : 24 Best Social Media Apps 2021

Based on the functional category the following set of tools can be used:

Frameworks: React Native, Django, Xamarin

Languages: JavaScript, Java, Objective-C, Python

Developer Tools

  • HAProxy (Load balancing and as a proxy server)
  • Sentry (Cross-platform application monitoring)
  • Babel (JavaScript compiler)
  • Webpack (Module bundler)
  • Nuclide (IDE – Integrated Development Environment)

For Computing and load balancing, Instagram uses Amazon web services (AWS) such as:

  • Amazon Route 53,
  • Amazon EC2
  • EBS

To enable speedy operational system, Instagram mainly relies on Ubuntu Linux 11.04.

Django framework of Python language builds Instagram’s web server with impressive processing units.

For creating data storage, Instagram capitalizes on PostgreSQL that facilitates user data, tags, meta data and more.

Not all the technologies and tools mentioned above are open-source; some of them come with fixed or dynamic charges which are included in developer’s bill.

Backend development cost

To create the backend of Instagram-like photo sharing app, we consider four major components that shape the skeleton of the app:

  • User interface
  • Content
  • posts
  • messaging

These four elements build the backend structure of Android or iOS app. Like Instagram, you can build the architecture with Django framework (based on Python language) and HTML5.

Domain Similar App How To How Much Our Price
Food Delivery Instagram Create an app like instagram Instagram app cost View price

Alternatively, you can opt for Java or Kotlin for Android platform, and Swift and Objective-C for iOS aps.

To give a shape to entire backend, it may take 300-400 hours.

For Android

If you have chosen Android platform for developing a native Instagram-like app, it is crucial to set mind on time and resources to go in the development. the cost will be subject to the specific technical challenges and complexities involved in Android ecosystem. The elements like design, screen sizes, app opening time may affect the overall cost.

Functionalities for Android that might be strenuous to develop are:

  • App infrastructure
  • Backend structure
  • Profile editing
  • Optimization for Screens
  • Capturing photos/videos
  • Photo Editor
  • Search
  • Geolocation
  • Push notification

For Android, the app is likely to take 1300-1500 hours.

For iOS

For developing iOS app, challenges do not perturb developers much since iOS developers can easily build a photo sharing app with social media integration. This is because Instagram offers ready document interactive API, and other iPhone-friendly tools to work their way.

iPhones also give the benefit of having pre-loaded images with a regular square size (640px X 640 px) for Instagram. Since iOS devices are mostly configured to meet basic requirements of Instagram app, developers can build all the great features using its Swift or Parse languages in Xcode environment for iOS, WatchOS and MacOS. This facility from iPhone saves a lot of time for iOS developers.

For iOS, Instagram clone can be built in nearly 1300 hours if everything goes as planned.

Other critical costs to shapethe app infrastructure

Though these are additional expenses, they are still essential in order to make a full-fledged, high-performance and unblemished app of excellent quality.

The costs explained above are meant for developing an app for a single platform. This means they don’t necessarily include preparation efforts spent in set up process, database architecture and cloud computing. These may   close to 150-200 hours.

Read also : How Much Does an MVP Mobile App Cost in India

Moreover, for your app to look and feel like Instagram, you need an intuitive and interactive UI/UX structure which is covered by design and admin panel experts.

In the end comes software testing services. There are some software development companies that additionally charge for testing services. You will need to discuss the commitment terms and price breakup with your development partner before starting the project to avoid serious predicament later.

Calculating the cost of MVP development

After having a thorough knowledge of what to include in your app to make it rich and usable, it is time to conclude the cost for developing an MVP. It is to be noticed that the MVP of an Instagram-like photo sharing app will focus on basic features, to see if it creates a massive appeal to the crowd.

For each platform, you will need to invest at least 1000-1300 hours until the development is perfectly completed. To calculate the cost estimated by software development companies, the usual approach is to consider per hour rate and multiply it to the total number of hours.

For instance, if the average rate of developers is $50 per hour, the cost of development may hit $60000 taking into account 1200 hours.

The price excludes design services and backend or admin panel development. In India, the prices proposed by app development companies are justifiably fair. However, the cost per hour for projects of this caliber in North America usually ranges between $100-$250.

Summary on final cost

In this final section, after discussing all vital elements that shape an app like Instagram, we can easily deduce how much the app will cost. The two main factors that play bold role in determining the cost will always be the timeline and rate of resources consumed which includes developer fees and paid APIs and technology platforms,

Read also : How To Create Video Chat Apps

To count the average rate of fees, we can see $40-$50 per hour as an ideal estimate. Based on this, the total estimate for various app architectures may come down to:

  • 350-400 hours for backend
  • Total 1300 hours approximately for development (each platform)
  • Nearly 100 hours to design
  • Additional 100 hours for creating a web application (optional)
  • 80-100 hours for detailed app performance testing

If we consider above factors to be the case for your project, we can summarize that the whole process would generally cost around $100000 to make a photo sharing app like Instagram.

If you aim to make it available and functioning for both iOS and Android, you may spend additional $50000 or more to enable cross-platform coding structure.

Conclusion

The success story of Instagram did not happen overnight. Its initial version was built in 2 months by only 3 software engineers though the app was sold to Facebook for $1 billion in one year.

The epic characteristics of Instagram app that thrilled millions of global users were its exceptional performance, engaging features and unparalleled photo-creative capabilities.

You may need to adopt an experimental approach to build an app like Instagram. But as you learned, it is worth the time and efforts spent.

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How To Create an App like Instagram?

The art of photography has evolved in recent times especially due to intrusion of digital technology. It has become a common part of social life, becoming more affordable than it was earlier. With the advent of image sharing apps like Instagram and Flickr, the socio-cultural sphere observed a fundamental shift in photography culture, which ultimately engendered a whole new cult of photo sharers.

Mobile technology has replaced the expensive high-quality professional camera, enabling the common populace to use their smartphone to capture and instantly share photos with their friends.

Social Media App cost

Thanks to social apps like Instagram that pioneered the new trend among active social media users. Instagram has more than 400 million users who post 80 million pictures on a daily basis. Created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger in 2010, Instagram is the kind of app many startup entrepreneurs attempt to clone and develop.

So how would you approach the idea of developing an app just like Instagram? Here is what you must consider.

Essential Components of Instagram Clone App

If you are determined to finally create a mobile app that will satisfy the photo editing and sharing needs of users and compete with Instagram, then you must think over all the essential components and interactive features that users usually seek.

  • Authorization: Users can create a new profile through a sign up process with their email or social accounts
  • Profile Editing: Add, delete or edit personal details
  • Activity log: User explore the activity log section to check their recent activities and actions within the app. Likes, comments and sharing of photos, follow, unfollow, other users’ post and activities on your page.
  • Post pictures: Upload and share photos, tag or mention other people, and what it is about with a personal expression or hashtags
  • Timeline: Users can view a brief of profile, followers, feed and tags
  • Customization: Users can make changes to uploaded photos; crop, rotate, filter and enhance
  • Social features: Enables ability to share posts, chat, invite or send request to contacts
  • Geo-location: The app detects users’ location data through pictures captured using the app
  • Messenger: Send messages, text and media files to your followers and friends
  • Settings: Users are able to change or see the exiting social account settings
  • Banners and captions: Users can additionally make banners out of photos using supporting captions
  • Push-notifications: Users will be notified via push message alerts to explore new updates or engage with more exciting stuff inside the app
  • Search: Advanced search engine can help find new people using username, hashtags or post description

Design

Without having a great design aesthetics, users will not feel attracted enough to use your app. Hence, consider the idea of building a simple yet dazzling app interface.

Instagram offers simple, elegant and easy-to-use interface that has stunned millions of users across the world. So, employ a creative UI/UX designer to address the need to build robust and interactive design elements using simple and elegant graphics, icons combined with beautiful colors.

Read also : 24 Best Social Media Apps 2021

The Key Factors To Consider During App Development

While creating a clone of Instagram app, you will not only require some attractive features but also a complete understanding of how to beat the rivals and make it unique and outstanding in the relevant market. Your first goal is to acquire good number of users with an appealing value proposition for users and a set of fresh ideas.

Listed here are a few key indicators that will help you create loyal customers and a superior brand.

1. User Acquisition

User acquisition may add expenses to your capital investment. Done right, the strategic actions performed to attract users will eventually generate loyal traffic. Using powerful analytics, you will be able to monitor the statistics on new and lost users and what it is that grows user base.

Referral programs for affiliate marketing will have users share and invite new friends in return for a specific reward. Design special features or filters to give away to users who leave constructive feedback and refer more new users.

Marketing your app on social media by making social members talk about the product is another effective way to capture more audience. Create social pages, campaigns and employ media marketing influencers to do the job 3-4 months before the launch.

2. User Engagement

User engagement is all about making people read and notice your media activities and spend more time and opinions in your app. Keep an eye on user’s involvement through their daily activities.

Integrate different social functions within your app to allow users to share and comment on the posts. Create features like friends, groups, channels, special feeds, live stories, etc.

To engage further, you must hire skilled developers who can work on creative editing tools that provide users additional power to do more with photos. This is what has made Instagram achieve a great boost in overall engagement.

3. User Retention

Once engaged, users must keep coming back to your app for consistent growth. For this to happen, make sure you adopt best user retention strategy.

If a user has not visited your app in a while, notify them gently by sending a meaningful, less obtrusive push notifications to draw their attention to interesting bits in your app. Try to be in trends for much of your user base would be young audience who are fond of digital life.

Retention also depends on how often you consider and implement on users’ feedback since it goes to indicate that you truly care about user experience and can empathize with their concerns.

4. Personalization

With apps like Instagram and Flicker already ruling the digital photo sharing socials, you need something that helps you create a hot wave. Having personalized elements can be a winning approach due to its ability to make your app competitive.

Users crave features that allows them to design their homepage and menus the way they desire. For example, Twitter facilitates changing the color combination for all the users to make the experience more enjoyable and personalized. Facebook, on the other hand, makes sure users can try various backgrounds for sharing their post.

Domain Similar App How To How Much Our Price
Food Delivery Instagram Create an app like instagram Instagram app cost View price

Monetization

Your mobile app business needs tangible return. In fact, this is the promise with which developers build a feature-rich Instagram clone. You can try multiple methods and approaches to monetize your app and generate consistent revenue stream.

1. In-app s:

This is the most common approach found in many of today’s social apps. Create unique tools and filters and special effects using your creative imagination to give users a memorable experience on smallest price.

2. Advertising:

Like famous social media apps (Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter), your app can also display ads to promote businesses that pay you certain amount in return.

3. Special offers:

For loyal and active users, it is a great gesture to weave unique offers and special deals to make more profit.

Testing

After incorporating all the essential mobile app development steps, it is now time to head for testing the application.

The purpose of testing is to bring the best possible quality of your app by eliminating the smallest of bugs that may spoil user’s time with your app. Also, make sure users can operate your Instagram-like app on all popular devices.

Deployment

Post testing phase comes the final phase called App deployment. At this moment, the developers who have created a high-quality, flawless Instagram clone app will deploy your app with photo and video sharing capabilities on a server and also in the App Stores so that users can easily discover and access it.

Summarizing App Development Strategy

  • Research and analyze the market for clarity and inspiration
  • Find investors to kick-start your project
  • Collaborate with competent developers or hire a reputed app development company
  • Design and develop an MVP of the product
  • Add unique features and functionality
  • Test the final product to ensure the highest quality
  • Expand your app marketing strategy and spread the word months before the launch

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Conclusion

Instagram is an unrivalled leader dominating the world of picture sharing. So before you get your hands on creating an app like Instagram, delve deep into the relevant market nerve to discover what works and what needs be avoided.

Keep an eye on your rivals to recognize current trends. As apps of this kind also work as a marketing tool for users, your Instagram alternative should be scalable to incorporate future improvements and engaging updates.

Australia’s Free-to-air TV Network coming to mobile with Freeview app

Australia’s free-to-air (FTA) TV network is going to launch their mobile streaming app next month.

With this app, Freeview FV, you can stream over 15 FTA channels.

screenshot

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As last year Nine acquired digital streaming rights, you can get NRL games on mobile phones through this app.

A spokesperson said that if the broadcaster have digital rights, then live sport will also be available with this app.

This app is really a good news if you are a TV fan downloading different apps each and every time to catch the missed episodes of “Modern Family” and “My Kitchen Rules”.

New Mobile App from YouTube for Smart TV Viewers

Recently, YouTube launched its new Smart TV app.

With this app, users can easily find the videos which they would like to watch.

“We are investing to deliver a lean back experience through recommendations,” the company told Fortune via email. “This will be available today in the YouTube app in smart TVs, game consoles, and streaming boxes in the US, but we plan to roll out to more countries in the future.”

Read Also: 

FBI Introduces New Mobile App to Find Bank Robbers

More than half of the users in U.S. said that they have watched YouTube videos on their TV.

This new app is focusing more on shorter-form content instead of promoting its original content to audience.

Finally! Say Good bye to Irritating Calls with this New App by TRAI

Calls that come without your permission while in the traffic or during important meetings can be hugely irritating. Now TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has launched an app that helps you manage such calls. The app is named DND (do not disturb) services.

While the regulation is an existing one, a mobile app will make it easier for consumers to report unsolicited calls as per TRAI.

TRAI advisor Robert J Ravi told reporters – “The regulations have been framed keeping in view the interest of customers and telemarketers while ensuring effective implementation,”

Complaint Status can be tracked

With this app, consumers will be able to track the status of their complaints. The app is now available on the Google Play Store and Mobile Seva app store. An app for iOS users is on the way as well.