How Much Does It Cost to Make an App Like Zoom?
In the wake of the COVID-19, video conferencing app development industry has been growing rapidly.. Considering the social-distancing guidelines provided by the government, it wouldn’t be possible to operate businesses and schools without the help of video conferencing apps. As per reports, Zoom has gained over 2.5 million users within the first few months of 2020. Also, a number of companies are embracing the video-first culture across the globe. Not to mention, it is believed that by the year 2024, the market for video conferencing will insanely skyrocket at $20 billion.
Zoom is one of the finest video conferencing apps. From the start of its release, Zoom has caught widespread attention due to the ease and flexibility it offers on the single platform. The central purpose of this app is to connect with others either by video, audio or both virtually. The platform is compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux etc.
The best part is that calling via the zoom app is free as long as the call is kept under 40 minutes. As for conversations longer than that time, users need to get an upgrade for a $14.99 monthly plan. If you are contemplating to make an app like zoom, then expect the budget to be $45,000 to $70,000. Now, before you go into the actual steps, it is vital to know all the features and functionality of this app since it will help you determine the app’s development cost. Let’s break the down the components of creating the app and then get into the costs.
All the must-have features to develop an app like Zoom:
Zoom is known to have several robust features that are mandated in any of the video-conferencing applications. The one thing that should be kept in mind while designing such as app is the easy accessibility of its features. Zoom has successfully made this possible. Unlike other platforms, the application of Zoom does not imply the use of complex procedures of conducting online meetings. Instead, all procedures are simple and user friendly.
Here is the detailed list of all the notary features of the Zoom app that you need to consider while making a similar app.
Key features of the Zoom app:
- Sign in & sign up
- High definition audio and video calls
- Screen-sharing options
- Mute participants
- Virtual background
- Team chat and one-on-one messaging
- Built-in recording and transcripts
- Join from anywhere and from any device
- Schedule meetings in advance option
- End-To-End Encryption Security
- Create public polling
- Q/A
- Virtual-hand raising
- Beauty mode
- Gallery view
- Admins able to disable personal meeting I.D.s or PMIs for instant meetings
Cost breakdown of the app:
A lot of factors influence the cost of getting an app developed which an app development company primarily considers. While designing such features, you should take into account all the factors that contribute to the cost of app development. There are many different stages in app development and custom video conferencing app development. The cost depends on factors such as business analysis, project management, marketing, app development and back-end development.
Business Analysis:
This step involves mapping out various requirements of the app you wish to develop, and the analysis also helps to identify consumer demands.
Designing UI/UX:
The next critical stage of application development is designing the app’s UI / UX. The design of the app should be simple, and UX must be convenient. The U.I. needs to be visually stunning so that users become keen to use your application.
Front-end development:
This stage involves integrating the features and functionalities of the app.
Back-end development:
Back-end development refers to the management of servers and databases. To create a video application like Zoom, you need to have your server whether your back-end is in the cloud or on-site. In order to provide security to users, you can encrypt your servers and databases securely.
App testing:
Application testing is necessary to ensure that your app doesn’t have any issues or bugs. App testing is usually carried out frequently in several stages of development. However, it is also the last stage before launching an app.
Total hours: If the stages mentioned above are followed, it will approximately take about 2000 hours to develop the app.
Developers from Various Countries Have Different Hourly Rates:
The cost tends to vary based on the hourly rate of your development team, and app’s features, design and integration. The primary factor affecting the cost of an app is the hourly rate among developers that is often dependent on their location. Below is a list of the average hourly rate of developers:
North America: $180
South America: $50
U.K.: $85
Eastern Europe: $60
Australia: $110
What is the final cost?
Realistically speaking, the cost of developing an app like Zoom cannot be determined in general because the cost depends on a multitude of factors, such as features and rates of the app. However, a preliminary estimate can be made, which might give you a rough approximation of how much money you need for app development. Generally, the price range to make an app like Zoom starts from $10000 – $60000 for each platform of iOS and Android. Moreover, if you hire developers from an Asian country, the total cost would start at $45,000- $70,000.
The Bottom Line:
The fact is that Zoom undoubtedly has an advantage when it comes to video conferencing apps. However, this does mean that there are no opportunities for other apps. For all we know, in this time and age video conferencing apps could possibly be the next big thing because of how cheap and easy they are to use.