How Much Does It Cost To Build An App like Hotstar?

As digital transformation accelerates across the globe, apps like Hotstar, a popular streaming platform, have become essential to the way people consume content. Developing such an app for emerging markets like Asia and South America requires a unique strategy. These regions are defined by their mobile-first behaviors, diverse cultural preferences, and rising cashless economies. Countries like India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Argentina are prime examples where app usage has surged, driven by affordable smartphones and increasing access to the internet.

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Building an app like Hotstar for these regions isn’t just about replicating its features; it’s about understanding the nuances that make these markets distinct. From accommodating lower data bandwidth to integrating local payment systems like UPI in India or Pix in Brazil, the development process becomes inherently complex. As a result, app development costs in these regions are influenced not only by technical requirements but also by the cultural and infrastructural demands of each market.

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This article explores the key factors that drive costs for developing a Hotstar-like app, tailored for Asian and South American audiences.

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Platform and Device Compatibility

Dominance of Android in Emerging Markets

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Android reigns supreme in countries like India, Indonesia, and Brazil, commanding a significant share of the market due to the availability of affordable smartphones. In contrast to developed regions, where iOS enjoys a more significant presence, these markets are driven by cost-conscious users who prioritize value over brand. For developers embarking on custom app development, this dominance of Android shapes not only the platform choice but also the approach to app design and optimization.

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Creating apps for Android’s ecosystem in emerging markets demands careful attention to compatibility with a wide range of devices. Unlike premium-dominated markets, countries like India and Brazil see significant adoption of low- to mid-tier smartphones. This necessitates support for older Android versions to ensure widespread accessibility. Apps like Hotstar, which thrive in these regions, often include adaptive features like lightweight designs and bandwidth-efficient streaming to cater to the varied technical capabilities of user devices. For developers considering how much it costs to build an app for such regions, these factors add to both the complexity and the overall budget.

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Diversity in Hardware Preferences

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The hardware landscape in these regions is equally diverse. Urban centers in Brazil and India boast users with high-end devices capable of supporting advanced app features, while rural areas rely on budget smartphones. This diversity requires developers to focus on seamless performance across the spectrum. Lightweight apps with adaptive streaming, such as Hotstar, ensure consistent experiences even with fluctuating connectivity, a common issue in emerging markets.

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Adding to the challenge is the rise of alternative app stores like Huawei’s AppGallery, especially in Asian markets. Incorporating compatibility with such platforms increases development scope and costs. Similarly, in South America, app distribution through platforms like Amazon’s Appstore offers opportunities to reach niche audiences, further impacting custom app development budgets.

Design and User Experience (UX/UI)

Mobile-First Design Philosophy

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In mobile-first markets like Indonesia, India, and Brazil, app design must prioritize usability on smartphones. Key considerations include:

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• Lightweight UX: Hotstar-like apps need sleek designs that reduce data consumption while maintaining interactivity.
• Regional Relevance: For India, incorporating regional languages into the app is essential, with over 22 official languages and hundreds of dialects influencing app usage. Similarly, in South America, apps must adapt to Portuguese for Brazil and Spanish for other LATAM countries.

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Visual Appeal and Simplicity

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Users in Asia and South America expect visually engaging interfaces but favor simplicity for navigation. Overloading the interface with features can overwhelm first-time users in these regions.

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For example, designing content recommendation carousels or genre-specific filters enhances discoverability, an important factor for user retention. Tailoring these designs to match regional preferences—such as Bollywood in India or telenovelas in Brazil—can significantly boost engagement.

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Integrations with Third-Party Services/External Systems

Payment Gateways and Local Preferences

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One of the biggest drivers of app complexity in these regions is payment integration. India’s UPI and Brazil’s Pix systems dominate their respective markets, offering instant, low-cost transactions. Implementing these payment systems requires regional APIs, compliance with local standards, and thorough testing to ensure security.

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Content Licensing and Partnerships

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To succeed like Hotstar, apps must offer regionally relevant content. This includes obtaining licenses for Bollywood movies in India or sports coverage in South America. These partnerships increase the cost of app development but are vital for audience engagement.

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Cross-Platform Integrations

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Hotstar’s integration with smart TVs, Chromecast, and wearable devices adds another layer of complexity. In regions like South America, where smart TV usage is rising, these integrations are crucial but increase backend development needs.

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Database & Back-End Infrastructure

Cloud Solutions for Scalability

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Emerging markets like India and Brazil represent massive user bases for streaming apps, with millions of potential users accessing services simultaneously. Backend systems must be equipped to handle high traffic volumes, especially during high-demand events like India’s IPL cricket matches or South America’s Copa Libertadores football tournaments. The backend infrastructure must ensure seamless performance, with no buffering or service outages, even during peak usage periods. Scalable cloud solutions such as Google Cloud, AWS, or Microsoft Azure are critical in managing this level of demand. These services enable developers to expand server capacity dynamically based on real-time traffic, ensuring uninterrupted user experiences. However, implementing these solutions requires a significant investment in cloud services, server configurations, and ongoing maintenance.

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Data Localization Requirements

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Data privacy and protection laws add another layer of complexity to backend development. Countries like India enforce strict data localization requirements, mandating that user data be stored within national borders to ensure compliance with regulations such as the Personal Data Protection Bill. Adhering to these laws necessitates setting up localized servers, increasing infrastructure costs. Similarly, South American countries, including Brazil, are tightening regulations under frameworks like the LGPD (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados). This trend toward stricter data privacy laws across both continents requires developers to prioritize secure, compliant systems. Meeting these regulations involves additional resources, from ensuring encrypted data transmission to collaborating with local legal experts, further impacting development budgets.

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Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

Building a Hotstar-like app is just the beginning; ongoing maintenance is crucial to ensure long-term success and user satisfaction. Maintenance efforts include UI enhancements, which adapt the app’s design and features to evolving user preferences, seasonal trends, or content updates. Keeping the app fresh and aligned with market expectations boosts user retention and engagement.

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Additionally, bug fixes and optimizations are necessary to address real-time performance issues, ensuring the app runs smoothly across various devices and operating systems. Emerging markets like India and South America present unique challenges, such as diverse device ecosystems and inconsistent connectivity, making regular optimizations essential.

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Compliance with regulatory updates is another critical aspect of maintenance. Governments in these regions frequently introduce new laws around data protection and payment systems, such as Brazil’s Pix updates or India’s GST compliance requirements. Developers must stay ahead of these changes to avoid disruptions and ensure the app meets local regulations, which often requires ongoing development efforts and resources.

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Team Expertise and Location

Emerging markets like India and Brazil have become global hubs for highly skilled IT talent, making them ideal locations for custom app development projects. These countries offer access to a vast pool of experienced developers, designers, and project managers at competitive rates, enabling businesses to create high-quality apps without exceeding their budgets. Indian developers are particularly renowned for their expertise in scalability and fintech solutions, while Brazilian teams excel in building user-centric applications tailored to local markets.

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One of the significant advantages of working with local teams is their deep understanding of cultural nuances and consumer behavior, which is invaluable for creating apps that resonate with regional audiences. For instance, Indian teams can integrate multi-language support effectively, while Brazilian developers might focus on building features that cater to social trends like football streaming or fintech payments.

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Additionally, Argentina's rising IT sector offers a cost-effective alternative for companies targeting Latin American markets. With a growing number of skilled professionals specializing in innovative technologies, Argentina has become a preferred destination for outsourcing projects, particularly for apps requiring robust back-end development and regional customizations. Collaborating with talent from these regions ensures that the app not only meets technical expectations but also connects with the target audience on a deeper cultural level.

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Hidden Costs & Miscellaneous Factors

Developing a Hotstar-like app for markets in Asia and South America involves several hidden costs and miscellaneous factors that are critical to the app's success but can increase the development budget significantly.

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Data Usage Optimization: In countries like Indonesia and Argentina, where internet data costs are high and connectivity can be inconsistent, apps must be designed to minimize data consumption. This requires the implementation of low-data modes, adaptive streaming technologies, and efficient compression algorithms. These features enhance user accessibility but add to the development timeline and backend complexity, impacting overall costs.

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Payment Integration Complexity: Integrating regional payment systems is another challenge. For instance, UPI in India requires seamless QR code support and real-time transaction updates, while Brazil’s Pix system focuses on instant bank transfers. Customizing the app to support these systems involves thorough API integrations, testing, and compliance with local standards, all of which add to custom app development costs.

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Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with local regulations is a non-negotiable requirement. Laws like India’s Personal Data Protection Bill and Brazil’s LGPD (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados) enforce stringent data storage and privacy standards. This necessitates additional legal expertise and secure infrastructure, such as localized servers and encrypted communication protocols, further increasing development and operational costs. These hidden factors play a crucial role in ensuring the app’s long-term viability in these competitive markets.

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What Makes This App Category Unique in Terms of Development for Asia/South America?

Streaming Growth in Emerging Markets

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The rising popularity of streaming apps in Asia and South America stems from affordable data plans and growing smartphone penetration. India’s mobile revolution and Brazil’s increasing broadband reach have created fertile ground for apps like Hotstar.

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Localization Drives Success

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Localized content, payment methods, and UX design ensure that apps resonate with diverse audiences. Hotstar’s regional focus in India sets an example for how content curation can drive app adoption.

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Cashless Economies and Super Apps

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Fintech integrations are becoming essential. While Asia has seen success with super apps like WeChat, South America is catching up with apps offering multi-functional services, blending streaming, payments, and social networking.

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Ready to build your Hotstar-like app?

Leverage the vast opportunities in Asia and South America with a region-specific app. Scrums.com connects you with expert developers who understand the cultural, technical, and regulatory challenges of these markets. Let’s create something extraordinary—contact us for a custom quote today!