Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat, and WeChat have changed the way we communicate with each other. They help us stay connected with family and friends wherever they are.

In April 2020, cloud-based mobile messaging app Telegram reported over 400 million monthly active users worldwide.

Simply put, messengers are more popular than ever. So, now is the best time for you to build your own messaging app like WhatsApp or Telegram (or better)!

Follow these simple steps to create a super cool new chat app.

Step 1: Research the market and determine what problem your app will solve.

Step 2: Determine the best app business model to effectively monetize your app.

Step 3: Hire an app development team experienced in developing messaging apps. WhatsApp and Telegram.

Step 4: Build the architecture of your app.

Step 5: Build an excellent design for your messaging app.

Here are the essential features you must include in your app:

• Sending Text Messages
• Sending Media Files (photos and videos)
• Sending Audio and Video Messages
• Exchange of Live locations
• Sending Contact Cards

Now, the big question is how much it will cost to build an app like WhatsApp or Telegram. Well, calculating the overall cost of developing a messaging app isn't an easy task. Nevertheless, the approximate cost to develop a chat app can be around $50,000 to $60,000 per platform (Android and iOS). However, the cost can vary depending on the project needs, complexity, features, and functionality you want in your app.
If you are wondering how to create your own messaging app, here are the steps to bring your app idea into reality.
Several factors can affect the cost of developing a messaging app, including technical complexity, devices, and OS, UI, development company's location (obviously, a US-based development company will charge more than one in Eastern Europe or India), etc.

The total cost of a WhatsApp-like app for two platforms (iOS and Android) may vary from $110K to $160K.

Check out our latest article on how much it costs to build an app

Taxi and delivery services, education, lifestyle, and health applications are the most on-demand platforms today, for sure. These kinds of apps bring solutions to our lives, easing and revolutionizing the way services are delivered. Several years in a row Uber is a leader in the service application market. Naturally, there is a huge demand for Uber-like solutions.

BTW: Recently Uber has made its API public, meaning you can connect to its software and extend the functionality of your current business. It is possible to start with on-demand taxi app development and offer the delivery option, especially if you are a small local retailer, restaurant, or a bar.

To support this fact, it should be pointed out that apps like Uber and Lyft completed almost 35 million more rides than standard taxis in NY in 2017. Aside from that, Statista predicts that the annual growth of the global ride-hailing service market will reach $126,521 million by 2025. 

Let’s find out, Uber works and what is needed to create an Uber-like application.

5 phases of Uber work

Uber work mechanism consists of the following 5 steps:

• Request step: User requests the chosen destination and getting the rides fare, depending on the service and type of Uber app.

• Verification step: Here the user confirms the pickup coordinates.

• Ride matching step: The application finds the nearest car, sending the order to the driver. Order can be accepted as well as to be declined. If declined, the request is sent to another driver.

• Payment step: When the order is fulfilled, the user is charged automatically. The application supports Android and Apple Pay systems as well as PayPal and debit cards.

• Feedback step: Leaving feedback is an important step in Uber. Users and drivers rate each other, which provides the fairest experience for both parties.

Before deciding to develop an app like Uber, one must consider the application target group. Uber always was a user-oriented application. It is user-friendly, reliable, and convenient.

The Uber-like project consists of 4 connected components. These are:

• Passengers’ app
• Drivers’ app
• Admin panel for managing processes
• Analytical part for fares, databases, history, etc. 

From the customers’ perspective Uber-like applications have the following features:

• Simple registration and profile editing: The registration and later logging in is done either via email or any social media account. There is also the possibility of adding preferable payment methods or promo codes.

• Geolocation is an essential part of Uber-like applications. GPS and routing are used to locate the user’s location and routing.

• Push notifications: This feature notifies concerning the driver and vehicle information, arrival and completing time, trip status, etc.

• Trip cost evaluation: Uber allows seeing the cost calculation before booking the cab.

• Leaving feedback and contact: Along with the possibility to rate each other, users have also the opportunity to review drivers’ contact, send and receive text messages.

• Customer support: 24/7 assistance is also available on the Uber application.

• History: Users can easily access the information concerning the booking history, change payment method, the report regarding an accident, or other accidents.

From the riders’ perspective Uber-like applications have the following features:

• Order alert: Notifies about new trip orders with the ability either to accept or decline.

• Verification- the checking and verification of drivers’ insurance, driving license is done from the administrative panel.

• Messages: Uber has an option for drivers and passengers for sending messages to each other.

• Route optimization, navigation: Integrated with Google maps and Apple integration system, allows drivers to choose the best route to the pick-up location.

• Revenue reports: This feature is designed for giving the data concerning drivers’ earnings on a daily and monthly basis.

• Push notifications are for notifying about all the changes on pickup location as well as on request status, or route changes.

Uber-like application making technologies

Basic apps like Uber should allow users to order a trip, sending trip requests, process online payments, and locate routes using Google Maps API.

How much does an app like uber cost?

The cost of developing an Uber-like application depends on many factors, including the development team type. In the case of an in-house USA based team, the costs are:

• Driver component: $27,000 – $58,000
• Passenger component: $109,080 – $200,000
• Admin panel: $26,000 – $36,000
• Total cost: $163,000 – $249,000

In the case of outsourcing, prices can be lower, depending on the development team's geolocation.

Sure, this is a shortlist of features and costs of how to making an Uber-like application, however, the full list depends on the app’s complexity, development team geolocation, features included, involvement, etc.

If you have a concept of a new chat app for the mass-market or want to get messaging software for your organization, here are some facts and insights on how to create a messaging app.

20 billion business messages are sent through mobile apps each month.

Today we use apps on smartphones, and we can use the same apps on computers.

Outsourcing app development may solve the task for both cross-platform and native app developments.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Messaging App Like WhatsApp? Sill, after all, when it all started, nobody knew about WhatsApp, and it was a mobile app in the app store.

Undoubtedly, this is a high price, but with market surveys and the growing popularity of similar apps, it is worth investing in a chat app.

Most chat apps have standard functions like instant messages, photo and location sharing, audio, and video calls.

Each new feature adds popularity to the chat app and, correspondingly, increases the price.

If you are interested in the technologies of developing messaging software, check out the complete guide on how to create a messaging app.

How to create a messaging app from scratch - what tools and technologies are used in messaging and chat application development process.

As of May 2020, 2.52 billion people use chat apps regularly and this number keeps growing and is expected to reach 3 billion in 2022. Just imagine, 41 million messages are sent out each minute globally, stated by Statista. It makes no wonder that the messaging app market will grow rapidly.

For starters, let’s outline what functionality you should implement to develop a feasible product. These days, it is necessary to include the must-have features that would make the system work as well as apply some sort of innovation to make the app appealing to the target users.

Here we list those messaging app functions that the app cannot exist without.

1. User authorization - Clearly, app users should have the possibility to create a personal account. Depending on the app’s objectives, you may include authorization via email, phone number.
3. Contact importing - For enhanced user experience, your messaging app should access the existing user contacts.
5. Messaging functionality - This is when the data go through the server and the information is stored there.
7. Sharing of photos and files - Make sure that your messaging app supports different app attachments.
9. Location tracking - In many apps, users can share their location with others like parking spots, offices, restaurants, etc.
11. Notifications - This is an important element in any messaging app development.
13. Synchronization across devices - If you plan to build a messenger that is available on multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web) make sure that the user has identical experience and interface.

Server-side of software can be coded in PHP, Ruby, Erlang, and similar. Your software development vendor should advise you of what is more suitable to use in your case. Alternatively, you can use a PostgreSQL database, Nginx web server, Nodejs, Ruby, or JavaScript for the backend development.