How to Develop an App like TikTok?

• Mobile
• March 16, 2023

by Riddhi Patel

TikTok has become an unmatched and major revolution in the world of entertainment. This engaging multi-faceted mobile application is present on both iOS and Android. It has not just dominated the world of the billions of users globally but also thousands of businesses that are enhancing their presence in the platform for reaping lots of benefits that the application has to provide.

This article will help you develop an immersive short video-creation app like TikTok. We will check out the monetary and technical side of the application and ultimately, the cost it takes to build an app like TikTok.

Before going on with the article and looking at the technical aspects of the app and its costing element, let us first look at what this app is about, how it works, and how it managed to become one of the most popular applications worldwide.

What is TikTok App?

It’s a short video making and sharing application that enables users to shoot and share a 3-15 seconds video with its robust effects and filters. You can give a message, fun, comedy, dance, or everything else with these short videos. In short, it’s a complete entertainment application. It’s all about showcasing your talent to the people worldwide.

TikTok is the international version of Douyin, the Chinese hit platform. It took very little time in entering and dominating the mobile entertainment industry. It enables users to re-enact their preferred scenes and lip-sync dialogs from various music videos and films. TikTok has become a handy entertainment platform for nearly every pre-teen and teen on the globe.

TikTok has AI that enables its every single move and wins over a range of popular businesses globally with its revenue and engagement numbers. Let’s have a look at the key stats that prove how popular and massive the TikTok market is and how you can develop a app like TikTok.

How Does TikTok Work?

TikTok is a video making and sharing platform that helps users make and share videos on the web. It allows users to upload short videos and film content. On top of this, users can edit their videos as the app offers several filters, editing effects, and so forth.

Furthermore, TikTok is an ideal platform to showcase talents and share knowledge with a broad audience. You can change a video into a live wallpaper using TikTok. Also, you can save your videos in the settings.

After downloading the app, users can start using it without logging in. Countless videos will welcome you. You can register yourself for following people and watching their videos. Since the app is used a lot, it has included a remainder after 90 minutes of watching constantly.

TikTok will give you notification that you have been watching videos for ninety minutes for offering you a timely reminder. The app knows that it will make you lost in it and you will watch continuously its alluring content for many more hours.

Key Statistical Facts about TikTok

• Users spend almost 52 minutes daily on TikTok.
• TikTok’s has about 150 million US users actively using this app.
• 1 billion+ videos are watched daily on TikTok.
• Worldwide TikTok revenue reached $75 million in the first half of 2019.
• In-app purchases are the main revenues and these bring $3.5 million every month.
• By now, it is the most downloaded app of 2020.
• Almost 40 TikTok stars have over 10 million followers. This showcases how much the app community is developing.

Now, let’s have a closer look at how this video-creation works and why it has become so famous!

Major Features to Include When Developing an App like TikTok

What makes TikTok so popular and exclusive? Here are some essential features that help you make an application like TikTok:

1. Creating Profiles

Users should register and make profiles for using TikTok. The app allows the user to sign in using other social platforms.

2. Creating & Uploading Videos

Creating and uploading videos are the basic features of this app. Videos are the most alluring content as users can watch, hear, and feel the content living that experience. And this is what TikTok used appropriately. It not just allows users to make videos but also be the stars.

3. Editing Videos

TikTok also allows users to edit their videos easily. So, you don’t have to download other video editing apps and do the editing. The editing is easy so that you can make your video appear as if it was shot by an expert in only a few minutes. In just half an hour, you can have the ultimate product with you.

4. Effects and Filters

Normal videos always look dull. Hence, TikTok enables users to use some excellent effects like reverse, slo-mo, zoom, and others for making a video with special effects.

5. AR Filters

You can add this feature to your TikTok-like video app also. Add an object in a video and you can add characters, change the video background, and even interact with all characters. Moreover, you can use AR filters for shooting ad videos. This will help in creating brand awareness.

6. Adding Soundtracks

The use of this feature helps you showcase your dancing and acting talent worldwide. You can use the theme song of a film or add some great background music to the videos.

7. Social Shares and Likes

This feature makes TikTok a popular social channel. Every artist seeks love and encouragement and this feature does the same. Users can use the heart button for liking a video and the sharing button for sharing videos with others.

8. Making Slideshows

TikTok is not just about making videos but also you can use your images for creating a great slideshow. Moreover, you can use different effects, filters, and background music.

9. Duet Videos

Video creators can be connected with the help of this feature. TikTok helps you create a video with somebody who lives far away. You can use the duet feature for sharing half the screen with your partner, so you can make videos with him anywhere and anytime.

10. Live Streaming

TikTok also lets you go live and interact with your audience. However, a user should have 1000 followers for unlocking the live streaming feature. Moreover, a 16+ years old only can go live. Live video streaming is a bonus for you if you are an 18+.

11. QR Code Scanner

All TikTok users get a unique QR code after registering. They can use that QR code for searching for a person or scan it for adding someone else. Moreover, they can share somebody’s QR code for recommending him to others.

12. Customized Feeds

The #ForYou is the customized feed for all TikTok users. This feed displays videos of your preferences. TikTok’s algorithm can identify your preference and recommend videos you will love. The app gives a tailored experience and makes sure that its users never get bored.

13. Geolocation

This feature helps find all nearby video bloggers broadcasting live. In case you prefer them, just click and enjoy their live streaming.

All these features are the reasons behind the revolutionary success of TikTok. You can develop a more successful application than TikTok by using unique features and creating a more engaging interface.

Steps to Build an App like TikTok

Here are the important steps to follow to develop an app like TikTok:

1. Conduct a Study on Your Target Audience

You must ponder the target audience while building a video-making app like TikTok. When you understand your users’ requirements, you can develop the app more easily and it finally gives you a better product. Start conducting your study using the following:

• Behavioral Trends – See what decreases the need of a user for downloading an app, their safety expectations, and more.
• Demographics – Check your users’ average age, what gadgets they use, where they stay, etc.

2. Select a Business Revenue Model

Next, you need to opt for a business revenue model. When you already know the requirements of your users, you can expect what they will pay you for. So, here are the top 5 revenue models for you to select from:

• Freemium – This model lets users download your app fully free. They can pay further for upgrading their accounts and using premium features.
• Premium – This straightforward model lets users pay once for accessing your application.
• Advertisement – You can select any one of the following ad choices:
  • Cost per View – You can charge advertisers for each 1000 ad impressions in your application.
  • Cost per Click – Charge your advertisers when a user interacts with their ads in your application.
  • Cost per Action – Simply charge advertisers when a user finishes a target action like registering for a newsletter or installing an app.
• In-App Purchase – Users can pay for various features, products, or content within your apps like gifts, special filters, and stickers.
• Fundraising – Reports say that the high-class investors have funded TikTok and the amount is over $3 billion. Fundraising is a great way of collecting funds and earn profits. In case you have planned to start your app or the app is already running successfully, fundraising can increase a huge amount for your app. Hence, you don’t need to worry about funds for app development or anything else.

3. Hire a Professional App Development Company

In the process of building an app like TikTok, hiring a mobile app development company is arguably one of the most critical steps. The right development partner can bring your vision to life, ensuring that your app not only meets technical requirements but also resonates with your target audience.

Though essential, the process to hire dedicated developers can be challenging, as there are many considerations to make, including their expertise, portfolio, project management skills, innovation spirit, customization flexibility, knowledge of trends and industry standards, and more. By making this investment, you can ensure that your app is built to the highest standards, giving you the best chance of success in the competitive world of social media apps.

4. Develop an MVP

Since building an app like TikTok is a complicated task, you are suggested to launch an MVP first and test its business and technical functionality. With the use of an MVP method, you can find out what users prefer and don’t prefer in your app. Finally, you can ponder their feedback and boost your app.

Technologies Needed to Develop an App like TikTok

How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App like TikTok?

The cost of building an app like TikTok depends on some factors like the technologies to use, allocation of resources, and features. In case you are planning to develop an app like TikTok, it will cost you around $75,000 to $1,25,000.

This is the basic amount, but it may increase if you add more features to the app like Blockchain, high-end animation, or Artificial Intelligence for managing the in-app purchase section of your app. Moreover, the hourly charges may vary for developing an app like TikTok depending on the outsourcing company you hire mobile app developers from.

Take Away

For developing a video streaming app, you should make sure that users can make content easily and quickly. Engage celebs and brands, select the right target audience, and offer users the money-making possibilities.

For developing an app like TikTok, you will have to select a revenue model, hire a professional development team, and build an MVP for testing how the product works.

TikTok is popular for its robust value proposition. So, instead of creating a TikTok clone, you are suggested to take inspiration from the app and work on your own ideas on building a video streaming social application.

FAQs About TikTok App Development