Want to develop a super app like WeChat?
Well, before entering the development process, you must know about the cost of developing an app like WeChat.
With the right guide to cost, you can explore it effectively. The estimated cost to develop an app like WeChat can vary from $15,000 to $90,000.
This cost is further impacted by many factors such as complexity, features, and others, let’s discuss them all here.
Are you ready to start the journey?
Discover WeChat: The Chinese Super App
Before we consider the cost, let’s learn a detail about the app.
WeChat also named Weixin is a Chinese instant messaging app, social media as well as mobile payment application. Through the app, users can exchange text messages, make video and audio calls, play games, and share posts with social networks.
Along with this, the app provides broadcasting messaging, video games, video conferencing, location sharing, and much more.
These multiple features have made it a super app.
Want to know how to build a super app? Well, then let’s learn about features without which you can’t think to make it.
The following section can assist you.
Features to Develop An App Like WeChat
To develop a chat app, you must be aware of significant features.
Let’s check out the top features of the WeChat app below.
1. Messaging
This is one of the core features of the WeChat app that allows its users to send text, voice, and video messages to individuals and groups. Over this app, users can record voice notes and can share them over a group or individual chats.
Messaging within the WeChat app is similar to WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. This feature supports multiple media-sharing functions.
2. Video and Voice Calls
Another significant and core feature of the WeChat app is video and voice calls. This feature assists the users in performing high-quality voice as well as video calls through WeChat. Additionally, users can switch from voice to video calls and vice-versa within the app.
These features foster relationship between users and the brand as well as creates opportunities for collaboration which are not offered over traditional calls.
3. Mobile App Payments
Mobile payments are another significant feature of WeChat to be considered for a chat app creation. WeChat Pay is a feature that is integrated into the app and helps users complete payments quickly with their smartphones.
Along with this, WeChat has quick pay, QR code payments, in-app web-based payments as well as other features to provide users with a seamless payment journey.
4. Mini Programs
WeChat mini programs are lightweight applications through which users can perform activities such as shopping, and gaming to utility apps. This feature eliminates the hassle of downloading multiple separate apps for shopping and other functionalities.
These mini-program features are what make WeChat a super app where users can perform various activities such as shopping, payment, and others even without switching apps.
5. Filters and Stickers
Over WeChat, users can take pictures and may add filters to them. Along with this, the app has introduced selfie stickers which are a way to express inner emotions joyfully. Additionally, over the app, users can search for related stickers and GIFs that add fun to chats.
These stickers and filters are designed in an innovative as well as creative way to engage the users of the app.
6. Video Games
Within WeChat, users can find a range of video games that they can play if they are bored. Along with this, users can compete with their friends and beat their scores over the leaderboard. When the game is over, users can check their score and the people they have beaten in it.
Games is a feature that is built within the apps to not let users switch to others. This feature within WeChat acts in the same manner, it helps in developing brand image and engagement.
7. Live Streaming
With the live streaming feature, users whether they are individuals or groups can share live streams with their friends or post them over the WeChat moments. This app offers a Webcast platform that provides more advanced features including real-time connectivity and analysis.
They can even start live streaming and can transmit audio as well as video in real-time. This is an effective feature helpful for the users to stream over the internet whenever they wish.
8. Social Networking Service
WeChat offers more than messaging, it offers the users a feature named Moments where they are allowed to share photos and videos and can comment or post likes over the shared content. With the help of social networking services, users can create groups and can join too.
Additionally, it has a feature where users can discover nearby people over WeChat, connect with them, and even start a conversation.
These were certain social media features can be found on WeChat. If you are the one dreaming to build an app like it, it’s important to consider such features.
Are you still confused about whether to create an app like WeChat or not?
Let’s check out the next section, then.
Why Develop An App Like WeChat?
Before bothering about how to develop an app like WeChat and its cost, let’s learn why to develop it.
To develop a chat app, it’s important to learn the reason behind it. You should be motivated enough throughout the journey to carry out all the essential tasks.
Here’s a list of reasons to check out for why develop an app like WeChat.
► Provides Value to Users
If you want to provide value to the users, developing a mobile app is the right option. Through mobile apps, you can change the way how users shop and satisfy their needs.
In the case of a messaging app, you provide users with a way to communicate. Developing an app like WeChat offers users a quick and interactive way to connect with the audience. These applications assist in sharing multiple content and media.
► Increases User Engagement
By developing apps, brands can enhance seamless conversations with each other and create long-term relationships among users.
Through delivering customized messages and by offering their relevancy to each other, brands can capture users’ attention to drive them towards the brand.
► Growing Users Demands
Out of 5.45 billion Internet users, there are 5.17 billion people in the world who are using social media platforms. With this growing number of users, it creates an opportunity to enter in wide market.
Messaging apps like WeChat assist users to connect with individuals and groups in real-time. Hence, identifying the gap in the market and delivering an app that satisfies users’ demands can make a difference.
► Effective Customer Support
Chat apps provide brands and organizations with a medium to provide customer support that enhances customization and personalization.
If your business is struggling to connect with the users, building an app like WeChat can address this issue successfully. With an app, you can connect with the audience, analyze, and increase the user base and loyal audience.
► Provides them With a Way to Multitask
In the era of multitasking, an app that can support all the features is a boon for people. They can perform multiple tasks such as messaging, connectivity, shopping, payments, and calling via one app.
This avoids the hassle of adding multiple apps to users’ mobile phones. Hence, developing a super app like WeChat can provide you with an opportunity to create multitasking software.
► Finding Userful Insights
Through building an app like WeChat, you can collect useful insights from the target audience. This will assist in updating the features of the app in a manner that can satisfy users’ demands. Additionally, if you want to win users, it’s important to learn about their changing behavior.
Developing an app can help in identifying and evaluating the users’ demand to gain valuable insights.
Are you ready for development of a social media app?
Well, let’s learn about the mobile app development cost in the next section.
Cost to Build an App Like WeChat
How much does it cost to create an app like WeChat?
The cost to develop a clone like WeChat can vary from $15,000 to $90,000. There are many factors that you should consider before deciding on the cost such as app complexity, tech stack, design, development team, and others.
Development cost of a social media app can impact your decision here as the WeChat app is an inseparable part of the industry.
You can check out different factors impacting cost from the section below.
Factors Impacting Cost to Make An App Like WeChat
Are you aware of the factors that might affect the overall cost of developing an app like WeChat?
Well, let’s cover them all here.
1] App’s Complexity
Simple apps with basic functions such as a flashlight and calculator affects the complete cost. Additionally, advanced features including the implementation of AI and machine learning affect the complete cost to build an app like WeChat.
Complex apps with a range of features and integrations can require more maintenance efforts as well as resources. Let’s check out the cost in the given table.
Cost Estimate: $10,000 to $15,000
| Level of Complexity | Cost Estimate |
| Basic: Core features like messaging, contacts, and groups | $10,000 – $12,000 |
| Medium: Additional features like voice/video calls, file sharing, and simple integrations | $12,000 – $14,000 |
| High: Advanced features like location-based services, payments, mini-programs, and complex integrations | $14,000 – $15,000 |
2] App Design
The design of an application plays the most important role as it defines the first impression of the brand. Through UI/UX app design, people visualize the brand and its image. The cost depends on how complex the design is for your chat app.
While designing an app app, it’s essential that you include designs that are more simple and attractive to engage the users efficiently. Here the cost relies on the wireframe and prototype.
Given below is the table representing the UI/UX design cost breakdown for your chat app, let’s check it.
Cost Estimate: $7,500 to $10,000
| Design Complexity | Cost Estimate |
| Basic: Simple design with minimal customization, using standard UI elements | $7,500 – $8,500 |
| Medium: Moderate customization with unique elements and branding | $8,500 – $9,500 |
| High: Complex design with extensive customization, animations, and interactive elements | $9,500 – $10,000 |
3] Tech Stack
Selection of the social media tech stack framework can affect the ease and cost. The cost to make an app like WeChat impacts the updates, and ensures compatibility with the new technologies.
The tech stack comprises several elements such as programming languages, data, and frameworks. The cost can be impacted by different choices of technology sets.
Let’s consider the following table to know more.
Cost Estimate: $7,500 to $10,000
| Tech Stack Complexity | Cost Estimate |
| Basic: Open-source frameworks like React Native or Flutter for cross-platform development, with a simple backend | $7,500 – $8,500 |
| Medium: Custom backend development using technologies like Node.js or Python, with more complex features | $8,500 – $9,500 |
| High: Advanced tech stack, including serverless architecture, real-time communication frameworks, and custom integrations | $9,500 – $10,000 |
4] Development Team
Hire mobile app developers who can satisfy your overall demands of creating it. Here you should consider two important factors such as location and expertise of the developers. Evaluating their skills and location can assist you with the ways to connect with them.
In the case of a chat app, you need to interact with the team to discuss your plans and their development process, thus communication should be direct with zero complications.
Let’s consider the given table to identify the expertise and cost to hire developers based on their location.
Cost Estimate: $10,000 to $12,500
| Region | Cost Estimate ($10,000 – $12,500) |
| North America (US, Canada) | $11,000 – $12,500 |
| Europe (UK, Western Europe) | $10,500 – $12,000 |
| Middle Europe | $9,500 – $11,000 |
| Asia (India, China, Philippines) | $8,000 – $10,000 |
5] App Maintenance
WeChat-like app development costs impacted through the app maintenance service factor. Addressing errors and glitches is a continuous processs that enhances the overall performance of the app.
App maintenance costs here can range you 15% to 20% of the total. You should ensure you’re app covers all the essential updates and opt for an effective maintenance process.
Here’s a table that represents how app maintenance impacts the overall cost.
Cost Estimate: $2,500 to $5000
| Maintenance Level | Cost Estimate ($2,500 – $5,000) |
| Basic: Minor bug fixes, security patches, and essential updates | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Medium: Regular updates, feature additions, and moderate support | $3,500 – $4,500 |
| High: Extensive maintenance, complex feature additions, and 24/7 support | $4,500 – $5,000 |
6] Choice of Platform
Selection of the platforms impacts the complete cost because here you need to decide between iOS, Android, and hybrid.
You can go for either iOS app development or Android app development, however, it will limit your reach toward the target users. However, if you opt for both platforms, it will enhance the cost due to the need unique skill set. It will increase the scope to reach a wide audience.
Here’s a table to check over the selection of platforms.
Cost Estimate: $5000 to $7,500
| Platform | Cost Estimate ($5,000 – $7,500) |
| iOS Only | $5,000 – $6,000 |
| Android Only | $5,500 – $6,500 |
| Cross-Platform (iOS & Android) | $6,500 – $7,500 |
7] Number of Features
Here number of features can significantly affect the cost. A wide range and a lot of features will result in high cost while for an app with minimum features, you don’t need to invest this much.
Additionally, the complexity of social media features including real-time chat, geolocation, and augmented reality can cost you high. This will too increase the technical complexity of the app.
Here’s a list of features and their impact on cost to be considered.
Cost Estimate: $5000 to $7,500
| Number of Features | Cost Estimate ($5,000 – $7,500) |
| Core Features (messaging, contacts, groups) | $5,000 – $6,000 |
| Additional Features (voice/video calls, file sharing, simple integrations) | $6,000 – $7,000 |
| Extensive Features (location-based services, payments, mini-programs, complex integrations) | $7,000 – $7,500 |
8] Third-Party Integration (APIs)
Another factor that plays a significant role here is third-party integration and APIs. If your app is to be integrated with third-party APIs, and databases, it will require more cost and effort. However, third-party integration within your app like WeChat can increase its performance.
Here the cost will comprise licensing fees, implementation costs, and indirect costs as the risk of implementation and privacy breach.
Here’s a table to check for third-party integration within the app.
Cost Estimate: $2,500 to $5,000
| Integration Complexity | Cost Estimate ($2,500 – $5,000) |
| Basic: Simple integrations with common services (e.g., social login, payment gateways) | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Medium: More complex integrations with specialized services (e.g., mapping APIs, messaging platforms) | $3,500 – $4,500 |
| High: Custom integrations with complex APIs or multiple services | $4,500 – $5,000 |
9] App Security
While estimating the cost to develop an app Like WeChat, security is a factor that shouldn’t be skipped. Messaging apps like WeChat demand high security and end-to-end encryption, which will enhance your overall cost.
Mobile app security is the most significant parameter, here you should consider users’ data security from various cyber thefts.
Let’s consider the table below to know more.
Cost Estimate: $2,500 to $5,000
| Security Level | Cost Estimate ($2,500 – $5,000) |
| Basic: Standard security measures like data encryption, user authentication, and vulnerability scanning | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Medium: Advanced security features like two-factor authentication, regular security audits, and intrusion detection | $3,500 – $4,500 |
| High: Enterprise-grade security with continuous monitoring, penetration testing, and compliance with strict regulations | $4,500 – $5,000 |
Also Read: What are the Best Social Media App Security Practices?
10] App Testing
Mobile app testing is a crucial phenomenon and requires costs when you conduct this process. The cost to build an app Like WeChat is impacted by the testing process because here you will need to perform multiple tests to ensure that it operates effectively for the end users.
This factor does impact the number of features, testing tools used within the app, and the size of the testing team you hired.
Let’s check the table below to learn more.
Cost Estimate: $2,500 to $5,000
| Testing Scope | Cost Estimate ($2,500 – $5,000) |
| Basic: Unit testing, functional testing, and basic user acceptance testing | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Medium: Integration testing, performance testing, security testing, and usability testing | $3,500 – $4,500 |
| Extensive: Comprehensive testing with automation, beta testing, and compliance testing | $4,500 – $5,000 |
These were some of the factors to rely on for determining the overall cost of creating an app like WeChat.
Well, now that you learned about the cost to develop an app like WeChat and the factors impacting it, let’s move ahead with another resource which is time.
How Long Does it Take to Develop An App Like WeChat?
How long does it take to develop a mobile app?
Time is another factor that affects your overall decision to make an app like WeChat. Let’s study it in detail within the following table.
| Development Phase | Estimated Time (Months) |
| Idea Generation and Planning | 1-2 |
| Design and Prototyping | 2-3 |
| Backend Development | 4-6 |
| Frontend Development | 4-6 |
| Testing and Quality Assurance | 2-3 |
| Deployment and Launch | 1-2 |
| Total | 14-22 |
The estimated months that will take you to develop an app like WeChat can vary from 14-22.
Till now, we have discussed the reasons to develop an app like WeChat, its features, WeChat app clone cost, and its associated factors.
Now, its time to learn about the monetization strategies required to cover the cost to develop an App Like WeChat in the following section.
Monetizing Your WeChat Clone: Profitable Strategies
App monetization strategies will assist you to cover the total cost of developing an app like WeChat.
Let’s learn the social media monetization strategies for app like WeChat as below.
♦ Data Monetization
An important source to make money via developing a WeChat clone is by collecting the user’s data, analyzing it, and then selling it to earn money. Here, you should obtain the consent of the users before monetizing their data. This data an be sold to other brands as well which helps them to create brand engagement.
♦ Advertising through Community Channels
You can build community channels over apps like WeChat. Where you can connect with multiple communities and provide them space to reach out to their target users. Here communities can advertise their brand to the users. Under this method, you can charge these communities for every sale they make via the platform.
♦ Implement Value-Added Services
The majority revenue of WeChat is generated via value-added services such as games and virtual stickers. The app allows instant messaging, free downloads, moments, and even free games. Additionally, through this app, you can make money by selling a range of services to the target audience.
♦ Subscription Plan
You can add a subscription fee to your chat app. After adding multiple features to the app, you can create a subscription plan depending on the diverse needs of the users. Under this plan, users can pay a monthly and yearly fee for accessing the chat app. This fee will provide you a steady revenue.
♦ CrowdFunding
You can opt for crowdfunding as an important monetization source. Here you can connect with wide public to raise your capital and funds. This will enable you to leverage the collective of your audience. It is an emerging practice to fund a project by connecting a wide range of people via the internet.
♦ Affiliate Marketing
Through affiliate marketing, you can enable the applications to earn commissions through promoting external products as well as services. This commission can generate an additional source of income to cover the cost invested to build an app like WeChat. With this monetizing method, you can promote many brands and companies.
If you’re ready to develop a chat app and confused about selecting a team then the next section is just for you.
Connect with Nimble AppGenie to Develop An App Like WeChat
Are bothered to select the right team for developing your dream app?
Partner with Nimble AppGenie, our expert panel can help you frame your budget and is skilled to make the competitive app of your dreams.
We are the best Social Media App Development Company leading to the delivery of your project with updated market insights. Our skilled team understands that every app is unique and so its development process should be.
With us, you will have a seamless journey to develop your targeted app.
Conclusion
To identify the cost of developing an app like WeChat, you should evaluate the factors impacting it. These factors comprise complexity, design, development team, maintenance, third-party integration, number of features, app security, choice of platforms, tech stack, and app testing.
Other than this, you should continue with developing apps like WeChat concerning the current market demands, providing value to the users, increasing user engagement, and is helpful to find effective user insights.
Additionally, you should consider effective monetization strategies to cover the complete cost such as data monetization, advertising, subscription plans, etc. Connecting to an experienced firm can help here.
FAQs
- App complexity: The number and complexity of features directly influence the development time and cost.
- Design: A sophisticated and intuitive design requires skilled designers and can increase costs.
- Tech stack: The choice of programming languages, frameworks, and backend infrastructure can impact development time and costs.
- Development team: The size, experience, and location of the development team significantly affect costs.
- App maintenance: Ongoing maintenance, updates, and support contribute to the overall cost.
- Platform choice: Developing for multiple platforms (iOS, Android) increases costs due to separate codebases.
- Number of features: More features generally lead to higher development costs.
- Third-party integrations: Integrating with external services can add to development time and costs.
- App security: Implementing robust security measures, including data encryption, can increase costs.
- App testing: Thorough testing is crucial and can add to development costs.
- In-app purchases (virtual goods, subscriptions)
- Advertising (banner, interstitial, video ads)
- Freemium model
- Affiliate marketing
- E-commerce
- Data monetization
- Sponsored content
- Subscription services
- Experience: Look for a team with experience in developing complex mobile apps.
- Portfolio: Review their previous work to assess their capabilities.
- Location: Geographic location can impact development costs.
- Communication: Ensure effective communication and collaboration.
- References: Check references from previous clients.
Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.
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