Find Out the Cost to Develop an App Like Netflix

If you dream of building your own video streaming platform like Netflix, then you’re not alone.

Many entrepreneurs and businesses plan to imitate Netflix’s success, whether for a niche market or a global audience.

But, before you jump on the bandwagon, you are stuck with a question “How Much Does it Cost to Develop an App like Netflix?”

The Netflix-like app development cost can range from $50,000 to $180,000+ , and it can vary significantly based on several factors.

The platform’s complexity, the technologies you use, where your development team is located, and even the features you plan to integrate can impact the overall price.

But don’t worry- we’re here to break down the numbers for you.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything from planning to deployment, so you get a clear understanding of what goes into building a Netflix-like app, and how much you should budget for it.

Let’s get right into it:

What Features Will Your App Need?

Before we dive into the details of the cost to create an app like Netflix, let’s take a look at some essential features you will need to develop a video streaming app that speaks volumes.

Building a successful streaming app isn’t just about uploading some video and hitting the button “go”. It requires features more than that to work seamlessly together.

Features that your user loves that make them keep coming back to your app.

Here are some of the must-have features of a Netflix-like app:

1. Personalization

One of the best things about a Netflix app would be personalized content recommendations.

An app like Netflix should use AI and machine learning to recommend different shows and movies based on user preferences and history.

As much as having such a feature enhances user engagement it also affects how much does it cost to develop an app like Netflix.

2. Multi-Device Streaming

Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, Smart TV, or laptop, ensure your content works on multiple devices seamlessly. A cross-platform experience is important when you create something like such an app.

It ensures one can start watching on one device and continue on another. Also, features like this, require integration across platforms can affect the cost.

3. Offline Viewing

One key feature of a Netflix-like app is “Offline viewing”.

Let users download content to watch without an internet connection. This feature is important for retaining subscribers who travel frequently or have limited data.

However, Incorporating this function into your app will affect the cost to develop a video streaming app like Netflix, especially when managing storage and content availability offline.

4. Multiple user profiles

Creating multiple user profiles allows different members of the same household to have personalized experiences.

Whether it is for individual recommendations or viewing history, these features boost user satisfaction.

5. High-Quality Video Streaming

Users want to watch videos at high-definition or ultra-high-definition video quality.

This is a must for getting a Netflix-like app. Viewers expect smooth, buffer-free streaming in the best possible quality. Adding such a feature requires powerful infrastructure and content-encoding.

6. Search and Filter Functionality

A robust search engine, with good intuitive filtering options, helps in searching for the wanted content quite easily.

These must-haves for improvement in the user experience are offered in terms of categories, be it genres, release year, or the actor.

7. Subscription Management

Your video streaming app needs to have subscription management where a user may upgrade their plans, downgrade, or even cancel their subscription.

Subscriptions are the monetary feature and it is integral for generating money from this app. Long-term success requires embedding secure payment gateways with subscription management tools in the app.

8. Parental Controls

Parental Controls are becoming a new norm due to increasing online danger.

It creates age-based profiles and filters out content to restrict access to age-inappropriate material. This is an essential feature for families.

To add parental control options, the app will require some special functionality and content categorization, but it significantly increases the value for the users.

9. Multiple Language Support

To access a world audience, multiple language support is a necessity.

Everyone will appreciate that they may choose their favorite navigation language along with subtitles and audio.

It requires Localized work while managing subtitles and dubbing for international content.

10. Ratings & Reviews

Now, this could be something users will love.

Allow the users to rate and review movies and shows, enabling others to find popular content.

Ratings and reviews help drive engagement and give users more decision-making powers.

As features are clear, the question is how much does it cost to create an app like Netflix?

Average Cost to Develop a Video Streaming App like Netflix

When you dream of having your own Netflix-like platform, one question always lingers on:

“How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App Like Netflix?“

The cost of creating such an extraordinary app like Netflix isn’t cut and dried. Yet, the cost can range from $50,000 to $180,000 or more.

It depends on different parameters on how much will it cost, such as the level of complexity, features you wish to have, selecting the right platform, and your development team’s location.

So, let’s break this down in a super understandable way!

This table brings out an instant overview of how much does it cost to create an app like Netflix that contains most of the components and what their price range shall be like. But, for the right cost estimate, you need to connect with a popular mobile app development company .

Cost Breakdown to Build an App Like Netflix?

Now, as we know the features are required, let’s break down the overall cost to build a video streaming app like Netflix:

1. App Design: Seamless User Experience

When considering how much does it costs to develop an app like Netflix, the design phase comes in very handy.

Your sleek, intuitive user interface and smooth user experience will make or break your app.

After all, well-designed apps keep their users engaged and satisfied.

Let’s see how the design can impact the cost to make an app like Netflix:

But remember, designing an app like Netflix isn’t just about making the app look, it’s about crafting an enjoyable experience.

The cost can vary depending on whether you want a minimalist design or a more complex UI/UX that integrates cutting-edge features.

2. Choosing the Right Platform: The Core of Your App

This is where a huge cost goes in.

Developing an app like Netflix requires strong backend & front-end development. You’ll decide whether you want cross-platform app development (that works on Android and iOS).

Otherwise, if you want an app for separate platforms, you can also go for Android app development services or iOS app development services .

Either way, this is the phase where you’ll spend the most money.

3. Development Team Location

Once you have an idea, you need to hire mobile app developers.

The location of your development team can also impact the cost of creating an app like Netflix.

Such as developers in North America or Western Europe tend to charge premium rates, while developers in other regions with low cost of living such as Eastern Europe or Asia may offer lower costs.

And, this is why the difference in hourly rates can impact your project cost.

For a Netflix-like app , you may want to hire a team from Eastern Europe or Asia to save costs on development without compromising on quality.

4. Hosting & Maintenance: Keeping your App Running Smoothly

While making an app like Netflix, what usually people ignore are Hosting & Maintenance costs.

Once your app is live, there’s an ongoing cost of hosting, scaling & maintaining the app. The video content you offer will require a significant amount of server space & a content delivery network to ensure smooth streaming.

You’ll also need to keep the app updated with bug fixes and new features.

So, the cost to make an app like Netflix doesn’t stop once you launch. You’ll need to keep the app running smoothly, which will involve hosting costs and regular maintenance to ensure your app is up-to-date and free from bugs.

5. Content Licensing & legal costs

If you are calculating how much does it cost to build an app like Netflix? You surely need to consider this fee.

Licensing content is a significant factor. If you plan to stream popular movies & TV shows, you’ll need to negotiate licensing agreements with content providers.

This can be costly, depending on the content you want to offer.

Content licensing alone can push your cost into the $100,000+ range in case you want to go for top-tier movies and shows. If you plan to use user-generated content, public domain videos, or create original content, you can reduce these costs considerably.

6. Features & Functionality

When you are planning to develop one such market-leading app, somewhere the features you decide to integrate can affect the overall cost to develop an app like Netflix.

Wondering how?

Well, the features you choose will directly affect the cost. Such as going for basic features including user profile requires less time & cost.

Whereas, complex features such as user profiles, recommendations, and multi-device support will need additional development time, & resources.

7. Testing

Testing is another critical aspect that can influence the cost of your app.

It ensures that your app runs smoothly on all devices and offers a great user experience.

The more detailed the testing, the more expensive it is. Here's how various types of testing impact your budget:

In the end, thorough testing will give you a high-quality app like Netflix, but it does come with an increased cost to make an app like Netflix.

As we understood the different factors that are affecting the overall cost to develop an app like Netflix. Now, it’s time to learn some revenue-making strategies.

Monetization Strategies for Netflix like app

To make an app like Netflix, the monetization strategies need to be selected carefully.

Let’s look at what can be termed effective monetization strategies for a video streaming app. Get to know them below:

1. Subscription-Based Model

Do you want to have a consistent income while keeping your content open and always accessible? The subscription-based model is very popular in apps like Netflix.

It creates a steady cash flow that's easy to scale with your growth in user base because you charge people a monthly or yearly fee.

The beauty of this is that you can offer tiered plans. This makes it accessible to a wide audience as people have various budgets and can choose which level of access they desire.

2. Freemium Model

Have you ever thought of how you could attract users to your service by giving them a taste of what you are offering for free? The freemium model allows the users to enjoy limited access for free and then charges premium features or content for money.

This is an excellent way to build a loyal base before asking for money.

As the user gets hooked, they would likely pay for a premium version of the service that provides exclusive perks.

It's an effective way to grow your user base quickly.

3. Ad-Supported Model

Think about your content being free while also earning money.

An ad-supported model allows you to provide targeted ads to users so that they can have your app for free.

The more users you have the more your ad revenue can be.

This is better suited for those with many engaged users who will put up with a few advertisements in order to get your content for free.

It's a win-win for both you and your users.

4. Pay-Per-View (PPV) Model

Offering premium content such as exclusive movies or events can be a pay-per-view model for big profits.

This is when users can pay for individual pieces of content they wish to view, rather than the full subscription.

It is the best model for on-demand content since it gives the user flexibility to pay only for what they want to see while still getting to monetize individual pieces of content.

5. In-app purchases

Want to keep users engaged and make them spend more? Here's an in-app purchase wherein you can provide extra content, features, or digital products, like premium videos or virtual gifts.

This business model gives users who will not subscribe to a full membership but will pay for added extras. It creates a new revenue stream without needing many subscriptions or ads.

6. Licensing Content

So you've built a great platform; why not license content from other creators? Selling rights to stream specific films or shows can generate revenue without the need to create everything in-house.

It will also help diversify the content library, so offerings stay fresh and exciting for users, while profits flow in through licensing deals.

7. Partnership Model

Want to extend your reach without having to incur high upfront costs? Partner with other brands or platforms to create cross-promotions.

By partnering with companies, you can tap into their audiences and increase your number of users.

Partnerships may take the form of bundled subscriptions or joint marketing efforts, which means both parties benefit from gaining access to new users who are probably going to sign up and be retained for your content.

Utilizing such models will help you to keep things running without depending solely on one model.

How Techanic Infotech can Help you To Create an App like Netflix?

The market of video streaming apps is thriving, with more users than ever before making their way towards entertainment, thanks to services like Netflix.

To shine in a highly competitive space, the need is to have quality applications that allow seamless delivery to the users.

The difference could be very well made by partnering with the best video streaming app development company like Techanic Infotech.

With our expertise in building robust, scalable, and feature-rich streaming platforms, we will bring your vision to life.

From the perfect custom features to the perfect performance of your application, we will ensure your app stands out and delivers the most exceptional experience to your users.

Conclusion

Building an app like Netflix is an exciting endeavor, given the huge, fast-growing video streaming market.

But it's no simple matter; there's much more to it from choosing features to deciding what technology stack and platform best suits the app.

With an understanding of all cost types and proper feature selection, you can be able to keep your project within budget while providing the best-quality user experience.

Working with the right development team such as Techanic Infotech can help you actualize your vision while optimizing costs in the long run.