How to Create an App Like TikTok: Features, Tech Stack, Costs

TikTok app burst into our lives and proved that the sophisticated user still has something to be surprised about. The target audience of the app is very diverse, and a successful business model attracts the attention of investors looking to learn from the experience.

Now let's take a closer look at how TikTok works and why this video-sharing app has become so popular. So what makes TikTok so unique, and is it possible to clone TikTok app development?

Video Streaming Apps: Market Overview

The global video streaming market is projected to reach $ 149.34 billion by 2026. Thus, the average annual growth is 18.3% on average. The prominent moment in the development of video streaming apps came in 2013, when Netflix presented House of Cards. Prior to this, shows and serials were purchased from television studios. Two years later, Amazon followed in his footsteps. Last year alone, Netflix spent $17 billion on content.

In 2018, TikTok has emerged as a new competitor to YouTube. As for the market share occupied by TikTok, it is 21.6%. This means that 21.6% of all social media users visit TikTok at least once a month.

What Is the TikTok App?

TikTok is a video sharing and live video streaming app. Here you can also record short videos, add various filters and add music. The creation of TikTok resolved the user interest in videos with processing and additional features.

 Today, TikTok is the most significant startup, the number of active users per month is about 500 million. TikTok's main source of income is in-app purchases, which bring him about $3.5 million per month.

Thus, TikTok provides the ability to communicate and create your own content. And thanks to the variety of functions and focus on the user, even a child can master the app.

How Does TikTok Work?

The main function of TikTok is to create videos in which facial expressions are synchronized with the selected track. Videos should be up to 15 seconds long, although you can download videos recorded outside of apps. The app provides libraries of songs, effects, filters and sound bites. TikTok design is user friendly and simple. 

The main page contains a menu bar with shortcuts for each page of the app: 

Home page: Shows the "Following" and "For You" sections. 

Discover: Displays videos with popular hashtags. 

Create Video: Opens a screen for recording video. 

Inbox: Displays all the actions that happen to your video. 

Me: your profile settings. 

Interactions with videos from other users are reactions. Under each video, you can find complete information about the video and the user. And you can find new users using the geolocation function. The overlay of music and special effects occurs after the recording. There are tons of possibilities, up to changing the video speed. There is also an option to save the draft video.

The Most Notable Features for Apps Like TikTok

TikTok's success stems from its uniqueness in the marketplace. It was the first app with vertical video and the ability to overlay various music and effects. Another secret of TikTok's popularity is its ease of use, content creation is no longer difficult, and everyone can make a name for themselves.

Other user needs that TikTok has covered include:

• direct download of video to the app, without additional steps;
• high speed image capture;
• the ability to broadcast;
• the huge music library with tops of songs;
• diversity of opportunities for editing video.

TikTok basic features and additional features of app TikTok:

•  the ability to download videos;
• a variety of video editing tools;
• conducting live broadcasts;
• the ability to set reactions;
• social interaction with other users;
• the ability to add music;
• QR code scanner;
• the ability to create joint videos;
• using geolocation to find friends.

5 Steps to Developing an App Like TikTok

The logic and business strategy of TikTok have already been disassembled in parts. You can use these best practices to launch your project.

1. Research your target market

Understanding exactly how the target audience interacts with brands and how it meets the business goals relevant to you, you will be able to build the right strategy. It is important to study in detail the demographic profile and behavior trends of the audience in order to draw up a complete portrait of the buyer.

2. Determine your monetization model

You may have several monetization options. For example, collecting investments or in-app purchases. Another option is to earn money from advertising.

3. Hiring developers

After defining goals and desires, move on creating app TikTok (or any other) with the best mobile developers. It all starts here with defining the technology stack, planning and costing. It is necessary to think over everything to the smallest detail: the scale of the project, the workflow will be prescribed, the roles and deadlines are defined. 

4. Create an MVP

Before starting the project, you must have a "draft" version of the app. You can test it at a lower cost. TikTok had MVP version as well.

5. Develop and popularize the app

First of all, we are talking about official stores (Google Play and App Store). They allow you to optimize the app and make it more attractive to users. You can also use other social networks to advertise and unite users by interest.

The cost of development will depend on many factors, from the developers of the app to the region and platform on which it will be published.

Developing of Alternatives to TikTok

TikTok has covered the needs that were previously achieved using multiple apps. So, when developing an alternative, you will need to offer something additional, for example, integration with other apps or the ability to promote your account.

When it comes to app development, you can't do without a team of professional developers. If you are developing an analogue of TikTok, you will need the presence of such specialists:

• Project Manager
• Business analyst
• iOS developer (or Android developer)
• UI / UX designer
• Back-end developers
• QA engineer.

You can choose a different format of cooperation with developers, depending on your budgets and needs. To create an app like TikTok, you can use a large list of modern technologies.

Technology Stack For the App

A rough tech stack for building an iOS app programming like TikTok looks like this:

• Language: Swift
• Network: Alamofire

Back-end part:

• Language: Node.js
• Framework: Express 4
• Database: MongoDB, MySQL
• Cloud: AWS or Azure

Implementation tools:

• Storage: Amazon S3
• Registration: Amazon SES, Amazon SNS
• Notifications: Apple Push Notification Service
• Real-time analytics: Azure streaming analytics
• AR filters: ML Kit, ARCore
• Geolocation: MapKit / Core Location framework
• Chat: Twilio

Factors That Affect the Final Price

The cost of developing a mobile device directly depends on the needs of the target audience. But this is not the only thing that determines the development price.

Other factors include:

• The complexity of the app's functionality. Any additional features will be charged separately. For example, connecting geofencing requires additional resources.
• Platform and supported devices also affect the lead time and complexity of the development process. This is especially true for cross-platform apps ( iOS / Android development), where adaptation to a variety of devices takes longer.
• Integration of API and back-end, which guarantee adequate app performance.
• Integration of the third-party services. It's about social media, email, analytics connectivity, and so on.

TikTok App Development Cost Cost: MVP Version

MVP development is always the right decision to optimize development costs before making an app. In addition to testing, you can collect user feedback from a focus group.

The approximate time spent on creating an MVP app looks like this:

In addition, you will need the involvement of a designer (265+ hours), QA Specialist (113+ hours), Project Manager + Communication (226+ hours). The average time to create an MVP on one platform is 1169+ hours.

The development cost of MVP is calculated depending on the level and salaries of the involved specialists. Hourly developer pay differs regionally and by tier. The best solution would be to hire development team with a proven track record and portfolio. It is also a more correct decision in terms of budget.

Which Industries Are Benefiting From Video Streaming Apps?

Video streaming apps can be surprisingly useful in a wide variety of industries when used correctly. Let's take a look at the five main industries:

1. Media and entertainment. Entertainment content never loses its relevance, and creating a viral video for promotional purposes can help build brand awareness.
2. Education. Online courses and learning sites have been around for a long time, but for educational purposes, the mobile app is much more convenient to use. And since the beginning of COVID-19, such a training format has become even more relevant.
3. Game industry. The concept of gaming streaming was popularized in the mid-2010s. Today this trend is only getting stronger.
4. Health and Fitness. Not everyone has the time and money for a personal trainer and going to the gym, which is why these apps are popular.
5. Building work processes. apps related to video streaming and video communication are an urgent need for any business with an affiliate network. If you can offer a high level of security and comfort, then users will choose you.

The Final Thoughts

Video apps are in high demand, so the use of TikTok mechanisms and strategies is quite justified. The main thing to remember is the correct approach to development. Start by working out the purpose of the app and defining the target audience. After that, you will be able to build a complete roadmap of the project and determine the budget. If you need the new app inspired by the app TikTok, hire developers with a good reputation.

When developing a TikTok analog, start by creating an MVP version that includes a simple design and basic functionality. And after testing, proceed to a full-fledged launch. Create app TikTok (we are talking about a similar one :) and become the new sensation in the world of mobile apps!