Do you enjoy using social media apps? Obviously—who doesn’t? Social media apps are the platform that entertains us with their funny, valuable, and other types of content. Nowadays, you may have noticed people around you keep using their phones to use social media apps for watching reels, short videos, messaging, and more.
Social media has transformed from a way to stay in touch with friends into a core part of daily life and business. From creators to brands, everyone’s using these platforms to connect, influence, and grow. And the numbers speak for themselves—there are over 5.24 billion active social media users globally as of 2025 (Statista). That’s more than 64% of the world’s population.
No wonder building a social media app has become one of the smartest investments a startup can make in today’s tech-driven world.
What Are Social Media Apps?
The social media apps are digital platforms that enable people to connect, share content, and engage with communities online. There are various types of social media apps –
- Networking Apps – LinkedIn, Facebook
- Messaging Apps – WhatsApp, Telegram
- Media Sharing Apps – Instagram, Snapchat
- Short Video Apps – TikTok, YouTube Shorts
- Voice & Audio Apps – Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces
Each social media app works differently for the different purpose – but the one thing common in all these apps are high scalability and user engagement.
Now, you understand what social media apps are, their value, everything and may be wondering how to build a social media app but the one thing you may be still thinking about is – social media app development cost. Right? Let’s understand the cost concept now.
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Social Media App Development Cost in 2025
So, let’s come to the numbers now. The social media app development costs differ according to its features, complexity, region, and more factors. The rough estimate of cost and time taken by app development companies to build social media apps:
| Complexity Level of App | Market Estimated Cost | TechBuilder Estimated Cost & Time | Average Time Taken |
| Basic | $30, 000 to $80,000
| $25,000 – $40,000 (2 to 4 months) | 3 to 6 months
|
| Medium | $80, 000 to $150,000
| $40,000 – $70,000 ( 4 to 8 months ) | 6 to 9 months
|
| Advanced | $150, 000 to $25,000
| $70,000 – $150,000 ( 7+ months ) | 9+ months
|
The cost and time varies on the various factors as discussed above, because if you want to add advanced features or more complex patterns, then it’s obvious it will take more time and the cost as well. You understood the cost concept also very well. Now, let’s understand the factors that affect the cost of building social media apps.
Key Factors That Affect Social Media App Development Cost
- Feature Set:
First comes the feature set – It’s obvious that the more things your app can do, the more time it takes to build, and the more cost it will require. For example, adding real-time messaging, video calls, or advanced search features requires extra work and cost – that’s why the cost goes up.
It’s simple – Simple apps = lower cost. Complex apps = higher cost.
- Tech Stack:
Second comes the technologies and tools we want in our social media apps – because it matters. Using modern frameworks like Flutter or React Native helps you build apps for both iOS and Android at the same time, which saves time and money, especially for MVPs (Minimum Viable Products).
- Platform Choice:
Do you want your app to be available on iOS, Android, or both?
Building for just one platform is cheaper or affordable. But, building for both platforms separately costs more, or we can say it’s expensive. Cross-platform development (build once, run everywhere) can be a cost-effective middle ground.
- Team Location:
Do you know – location is also a factor that affects the cost. That’s why it is said – where your development team is based affects the price. Teams in the U.S. or Western Europe tend to charge more. Teams in India, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia offer high-quality work at 30–50% lower rates, especially when you choose reliable companies like TechBuilder.
- Design Complexity:
Design isn’t just about looks—it’s about how users feel using your app. The design or appearance of your app also affects the cost used to build social media apps. If you want custom animations, beautiful UI, or unique user flows, it takes more design time and testing. Simple, clean designs cost less. Highly interactive UIs cost more. Apps with optimized UX see a 400% increase in user retention (Forbes).
Want To Know The Key Factors That Affect The Cost Of Building Social Media Apps? Techbuilder Will Guide You!
Must-Have Features in Your Social Media App
How successful your social media app becomes depends heavily on the features you offer or add to your app. The right mix of tools keeps users engaged, encourages sharing, and builds community. In short, your feature set is the backbone of your app’s user experience. Here’s what your app should include—and why:
- User registration and profile
Let users create their identity and personalize their experience.
- Real-time messaging
Keeps users connected instantly, boosting daily engagement.
- News feed or activity stream
Keeps content fresh and users returning to check updates.
- Media sharing (photos, videos, stories)
Encourages creativity and interaction, increasing session time.
- Push notifications
Re-engages users by alerting them to new activity in real-time.
- Search and filters
Helps users quickly find content, people, or topics they care about.
- Like, comment, and share functions
Drives interaction and builds a sense of community.
- Admin dashboard and analytics
Allows app owners to track performance and make data-driven decisions.
- Privacy settings
Gives users control over their data, building trust and loyalty.
Why TechBuilder is the Best Choice for Your Social Media App
TechBuilder is a leading app development company that builds high-performing apps at a low cost, in less time, and especially without compromising on quality and performance. Our expert and professional developers utilize AI integrations, tech stacks and tools, intuitive UI/UX designs, and more.
What is making TechBuilder Apart from others
- Cost-Effective Options: TechBuilder builds high-quality apps at an affordable cost, so you don’t have to break the bank to bring your social media app idea to life.
- Agile Development with Fast Turnaround: We work in quick, flexible development cycles to get your product to market faster without sacrificing quality.
- Dedicated UI/UX and Product Teams: Our in-house design and expert developers craft smooth, user-friendly interfaces that will help you to drive engagement and retention on your social media app.
- Post-Launch Support & Growth Advisory: After your app goes live, we stick with you – to offer updates, fixes, and strategic guidance to help you grow.
- Transparency in Every Phase of Development: From timeline to cost, you’ll always know what’s happening in the work process of your social media app – there will be no surprises, just progress in your apps.
- AI-Powered Integrations: We integrate smart AI features like recommendations, moderation, and analytics to give your app a competitive edge.
Whether you’re building an MVP or a fully-featured platform, our team is ready to guide you from idea to launch—and beyond.
Ready To Bring Your Social Media App Idea To Life? Schedule Your Free Strategy Call With Techbuilder Today
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to develop a social media app in 2025?
The cost required to develop a social media app depends on various factors, including its complexity, features, technologies, stacks, tools, and more. TechBuilder builds social media apps at an affordable cost without compromising the quality or performance of your app.
- How long does development take?
The more complex or advanced features you need to add or include in your social media app, the more time will be required. So, it’s simple and clear.
- Simple App – Less Time
- Advanced App – More Time
We at TechBuilder utilize less time to build social media apps by using advanced tech, insights, and stacks. For more details, you can schedule a consultation with us.
- Should I build for Android or iOS first?
Actually, the startups often choose cross-platform development to save costs and reach a broader audience. But, it totally depends on you whether you need to build your social media app first for Android or iOS or for both.
This will also affect the cost you will require to build your social media app, so decide wisely. If you need more insights or guidance, contact TechBuilder today, our experts are always here to guide you.
- Can I start with just an MVP?
Absolutely. We recommend building an MVP to validate your idea and get early user feedback.
- What happens after my app is launched?
After your social media app is launched, we provide post-launch maintenance, performance monitoring, and scaling support.
- Why choose TechBuilder over freelance teams?
There are various reasons that make you choose TechBuilder for building your social media app. We offer end-to-end support, a full in-house team, advanced tech and stacks, and clear accountability—critical for startup success.
Conclusion:
Building a social media app in 2025 is no longer just for tech giants. With the right idea and the right app development company like TechBuilder, you can turn your concept into a thriving platform.
If you are still confused, need more insights or guidance, or are ready to build your social media app, contact TechBuilder today. Our skilled and experienced developers are always ready to assist you. From idea to launch, we will keep you informed about all the details of social media app building. The social media app development cost is a very essential factor that you need to know about. If you still have any queries about the cost, get in touch with our expert team. We are always pleased to guide and assist our customers.
