Scrums.com logomark
SovTech is now Scrums.com! Same company, new name.
Read more here

How much does it cost to build an app like

How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Reddit?

Scrums.com is revolutionizing the way growth companies scale their engineering teams. Our platform offers access to top-notch remote software engineering teams at an affordable subscription price.

Get started
Tick box
World-class development teams
Cube icon
Flexible subscriptions
How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Reddit?
SovTech UK software development
SovTech UK icon clock
statistics

Don't take our word for it

The stats are in our favour. Scrums.com doesn't just help you with your software development teams, we get you results that last.
95%
Sprint completion
82
Net promoter Score
1,200+
Projects delivered
13
Years of software specialistion
SovTech UK software development
SovTech-UK-Leading-Software-Development
SovTech graphic leaf
pricing

How much does it cost to build an app?

How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Reddit?

App Feature 01
App Feature 02
App Feature 03
App Feature 04
App Feature 05
App Feature 06
Get in touch
Arrow
App development

Develop Credibility and Trust

World-class app development that allows you to start, run and grow your business.

Building a custom app can boost your brand's trust and credibility, ultimately benefiting your business in the long run. We will discuss the following topics:

1. Reputation Management
2. Customer Support and Engagement
3. Data-Driven Decision Making
4. Demonstrating Social Responsibility

A well-made custom app can dramatically improve your brand's marketability and reputation. A trustworthy app will show that you are dedicated to providing top-notch goods and services. As a result of knowing they can rely on you, your clients and business partners will have more faith in you.

A custom app also strengthens your brand identification by demonstrating your professionalism and attention to detail.

Customer Support and Engagement
Blue plus sign

A custom app enables you to offer personalized customer support and engagement, helping you address the unique needs and pain points of your African target market. 

By incorporating in-app support features, such as chatbots, help centres, or direct communication channels, you can provide timely assistance to your users, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty. 

This level of support also encourages users to share their positive experiences with others, further boosting your brand's credibility.

Data-Driven Decision Making
Blue plus sign

You may get useful user data through custom app creation, giving you insights into user behavior and preferences. You may improve your app and broader business strategy by studying this data and making wise decisions.

Delivering a more individualized experience for your users is made possible by a data-driven strategy. This helps to increase their faith in your brand and ultimately ensures that they will stay visiting.

Demonstrating Social Responsibility
Blue plus sign

Putting money into a customized app that caters to your target market's needs demonstrates your commitment to social responsibility.

You can showcase your brand's dedication to having a beneficial influence by developing an app that takes into account regional difficulties, environmental issues, or social issues that are pertinent to your audience.

This thoughtful approach to app creation not only strengthens the integrity of your brand, but it also appeals to customers who value companies with a clear sense of mission.

Custom App development

Benefits of Custom App Development

World-class app development that allows you to start, run and grow your business.

Imagine custom app development as an expert chef crafting a personalised menu for their restaurant. Just as a meticulously planned and executed meal can leave diners with a memorable culinary experience, a custom app is specifically designed to cater to your business's distinct needs and objectives, leaving a lasting impression on your users. 

Investing in custom app development offers several advantages, including:

  1. Improved user experience
  2. Increased efficiency
  3. Competitive advantage
  4. Higher profitability
  5. Seamless Integration with Existing Systems
  6. Enhanced Flexibility and Adaptability
Improved user experience
Blue plus sign

A custom app allows you to create an interface that is tailored to your target audience, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience. By focusing on the preferences and expectations of your users, you can craft an app that not only meets their needs but also delights them with personalized features and intuitive navigation.The best part? If you develop an app that your users love, you ensure that they keep coming back for more and turn them into lifelong customers.

Custom apps can be designed to streamline business processes and boost productivity. By automating repetitive tasks, integrating with existing systems, and providing real-time data access, custom apps empower your team to work more efficiently and make informed decisions quickly, just like a well-tailored suit that enables effortless movement and comfort.

A unique app helps you stand out from the competition and attract more customers. In a world where off-the-shelf solutions are abundant, a custom mobile app acts as a distinctive and exclusive suit that sets you apart in the crowd, showcasing your brand's personality and commitment to providing a superior experience.

A well-designed app can generate increased revenue and improve customer retention. By offering a memorable and engaging user experience, your custom app encourages users to continue using your services and make purchases. It's akin to wearing a sharp, tailored suit that not only grabs attention but also instils trust and confidence in your brand, ultimately resulting in increased profitability.

Custom app development enables seamless integration with your existing systems and third-party applications. This ensures a smooth flow of data between various platforms, enhancing communication and collaboration within your organization. The ability to integrate effortlessly is like having a versatile tool that easily connects and works in harmony with other components in your business ecosystem.

As your business evolves, a custom app can be easily modified or expanded to accommodate changing requirements and market trends. This adaptability is like having a dynamic strategy that can be adjusted and fine-tuned to suit your business's changing needs, ensuring continued relevance and success in an ever-changing environment.The benefits don’t just stop there though. If you want to build trust and credibility with your customers, a custom app is a great way to do so.

App development

Pivoting and Iterating

Investing in custom app development can be expensive, but being open to pivoting and iterating based on market feedback is crucial to ensure long-term success. By adapting your app to the ever-changing needs and preferences of your target market, you can stay ahead of the competition, increase user satisfaction, and maximize your return on investment.

Encourage users to provide feedback and reviews, which will help you identify pain points and areas for improvement. By addressing these concerns, you demonstrate your commitment to serving the unique needs of your users, enhancing your app's credibility and increasing user satisfaction. Tools like in-app surveys, app store reviews, or social media can be used to gather feedback and gauge user sentiment.

Iterate Based on User Data
Blue plus sign

Analyze user behaviour and engagement data to understand how your app is being used and identify potential bottlenecks or areas of friction. By making data-driven decisions, you can prioritize improvements and new features that will resonate with your audience, maximizing the impact of your development budget and efforts.

As you adapt your app based on market feedback, be prepared to allocate resources for ongoing updates and improvements. While this may increase your app's overall cost, the benefits include increased user satisfaction, reduced churn, and ultimately, higher long-term profitability. Regular updates also demonstrate your commitment to delivering a high-quality app experience tailored to your users' needs.

Adopt a flexible, agile development methodology that enables prompt iteration and change in response to market feedback.

Your app will stay relevant and helpful to your target market if you are receptive to user needs and can swiftly pivot and make adjustments.

By prioritizing products and enhancements that have the greatest impact, an agile methodology can also assist you in managing development expenses more successfully.

While it's essential to iterate and adapt your app based on user feedback, it's also crucial to balance this with innovation and forward-thinking. Continuously explore new technologies, trends, and market opportunities to ensure your app stays ahead of the curve and caters to the evolving needs of your user base. By striking the right balance between adaptation and innovation, you can maintain a competitive edge and secure long-term success for your app.

App development

The Importance of UX and UI

Creating an outstanding user experience and design is crucial for a successful app. A well-designed app should be visually appealing, intuitive, and user-friendly.

  1. Consistency: Consistent design elements throughout the app, such as typography, colours, and button styles, create a unified look and feel. This consistency reduces the cognitive load on users, helping them navigate your app with ease and understand its functionality more quickly.
  2. Simplicity: A simple and uncluttered interface reduces distractions and makes it easier for users to focus on the tasks at hand. Strive for a minimalistic design by eliminating unnecessary elements, using whitespace effectively, and prioritizing essential features.
  3. Feedback: Providing feedback, such as visual cues and confirmation messages, helps users understand the results of their actions. This can include animations for button clicks, success messages for completed tasks, or error messages when something goes wrong. Clear feedback enhances user satisfaction and encourages continued use of your app.
  1. Understand your target audience: Research your users' demographics, needs, preferences, and behaviours to tailor your app to their expectations. Conduct surveys, interviews, and usability testing to gather insights that help shape your app's features and design.
  2. Use clear navigation: Intuitive navigation is essential for a positive user experience. Implement well-organized menus, easily accessible search functions, and recognizable icons to help users find their way around your app effortlessly.
  3. Optimize for performance: Fast loading times and smooth performance are critical for user engagement. Optimize your app's code, reduce file sizes, and use efficient algorithms to ensure your app runs quickly and seamlessly on various devices.
The Impact of Good Design on App Adoption and Retention
Blue plus sign

Higher app adoption rates and greater client retention result from spending money on excellent design and user experience. A well-designed app has a higher likelihood of being passed along by users and being used again, which leads to better ratings, word-of-mouth advertising, and long-term success.

App development

Security Considerations for App Development

In today's interconnected digital world, app security is paramount. We take a look at some vital security considerations.

The Privacy Act of 1974 is the primary privacy regulation in America that regulates the sharing of data. The Privacy Act governs how federal agencies may gather, utilize, and disclose personal information. Individuals are given specific rights under it, including the ability to access and update their personal information, and federal agencies are required to protect such data from illegal disclosure.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for health information, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) for financial information, and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) for children's online data are just a few federal laws that deal with privacy and data sharing in addition to the Privacy Act. Additionally, each state has its own privacy laws that could offer additional protections.

Keep up with the latest security threats and best practices, such as incorporating multi-factor authentication, securing APIs, and using secure coding practices. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can help identify potential weaknesses and protect your app from emerging threats.

Working with Trusted Vendors
Blue plus sign

Select a reputable development partner with a proven track record in security best practices, like Scrums. A reliable vendor will prioritize security throughout the development process and help you build a secure app that meets industry standards and best practices.

Scrums.com provides high quality engineering teams to scaling enterprises at lower costs. Scrums.com designs, builds, deploys and maintains custom software that gives scale-ups the opportunity to grow world-class businesses.

Scrums.com provides high quality engineering teams to scaling enterprises at lower costs. Scrums.com designs, builds, deploys and maintains custom software that gives scale-ups the opportunity to grow world-class businesses.

How much does it cost to build an app?
Blue plus sign
testimonials

Don't take our word for it

Hear it from global businesses like yours
Officebox
"Scrums.com is the best solution for any business who does not have the capacity to scale engineering internally."
Fincheck
FinCheck
"I have found the teams to be extremely obliging when taking on projects. Would highly recommend."
Repobot
"My experience with Scrums.com has been a delight. I look forward to the many more projects together."
MACS Software
“The engineering team I worked with was extremely experienced. They knew exactly how to solve my problems, and did so effortlessly.”
Officebox
"Scrums.com is the best solution for any business who does not have the capacity to scale engineering internally."
Fincheck
FinCheck
"I have found the teams to be extremely obliging when taking on projects. Would highly recommend."
Repobot
"My experience with Scrums.com has been a delight. I look forward to the many more projects together."
MACS Software
“The engineering team I worked with was extremely experienced. They knew exactly how to solve my problems, and did so effortlessly.”
Officebox
"Scrums.com is the best solution for any business who does not have the capacity to scale engineering internally."
Fincheck
FinCheck
"I have found the teams to be extremely obliging when taking on projects. Would highly recommend."
Repobot
"My experience with Scrums.com has been a delight. I look forward to the many more projects together."
MACS Software
“The engineering team I worked with was extremely experienced. They knew exactly how to solve my problems, and did so effortlessly.”
Scale Your Development Team
Faster With Scrums.com
Get in touch and let's get started
Book a Demo
Tick
Cost-effective
Tick
Reliable
Tick
Scalable
Scrums.com logomark
SovTech is now Scrums.com! Same company, new name.
Read more here

How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Reddit?

Factors in U.S. app development costs for a Reddit-like app: design, features, and compliance.
How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like... Hero Image
Reliability

95%

Quality user stories into production rate

Happy customers

82

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

Consistent delivery

1,200+

Successful projects delivered

Work with experts

13

Years of software specialisation

The Reddit app is a social networking platform where users discuss virtually everything, from niche hobbies to global trends. With its powerful combination of user-generated content, community engagement, voting systems, and multi-threaded discussions, Reddit has become a massive hub for diverse and dynamic conversations. But if you're considering building a Reddit-like app, the question you probably have in mind is: how do you determine the cost of such an endeavor?

Building a complex social platform similar to Reddit involves many unique factors influencing price—from platform selection to app features, back-end infrastructure, third-party integrations, and ongoing maintenance. Unlike more straightforward app types, social networking apps like Reddit must handle large-scale user interactions, real-time data updates, high engagement rates, and even legal compliance involving user data privacy.

This article is your comprehensive roadmap to understanding these cost-driving factors uniquely related to building a Reddit-like app. By the end, you'll realize what makes custom app development for social platforms so intricate.

Platform and Device Compatibility

When estimating how much it costs to build an app similar to Reddit, platform choice is crucial in determining the overall budget. Choosing between iOS, Android, or both affects costs significantly, especially given each platform’s unique UI/UX requirements and compliance guidelines, especially in custom app development.

iOS vs. Android: In the United States, iOS often holds an edge regarding user engagement and spending, making it a priority for targeting high-value demographics. Developing for iOS, however, entails rigorous adherence to Apple’s interaction standards, which may elevate costs. Android, though typically a less expensive option initially, has a greater global reach, a factor to consider if planning future international expansions.

Cross-Platform Development: Leveraging frameworks like React Native or Flutter can help create an app for both platforms cost-effectively, saving time and development costs by reusing a single codebase. However, some native code adjustments may still be necessary for optimal platform-specific experiences.

Wearables, Tablets, and Desktop Versions: Expanding compatibility to tablets, desktops, or even smart TVs introduces UI redesigns, API syncs, and extensive device testing, further increasing custom app development costs. For a Reddit-style app targeting United States users, focusing on Android and iOS first is typical, but broader compatibility can enhance reach if the app succeeds.

Basic Features
Plus icon
Intermediate Features
Plus icon
Advanced Features
Plus icon
Looking for the most value for money app development?
Join over 400+ companies already growing with Scrums.com.

Design and User Experience (UX/UI)

For a Reddit-style app, user experience and interface design are non-negotiable aspects that influence your app's success and, consequently, its development cost.

United States Consumer Preferences: United States users expect visually intuitive designs that don't sacrifice functionality. For a platform like Reddit, UX/UI needs to prioritize ease of thread navigation, readable layouts for long comments, and quick access to voting systems or upvoting icons. As minimalistic as Reddit's interface looks, creating this seamless and engaging experience requires superior UX/UI expertise.

Mobile Responsiveness: Your app must be fully optimized for different mobile screen sizes—especially given the varying resolutions between iPhone and Android phones. Social media users expect to engage fluidly, whether commenting on posts or upvoting on mobile, desktop, or tablet versions.

UX for Engagement: The design must be equally frictionless to encourage high engagement. The voting buttons should be easily tappable, scrolling should be smooth and lag-free, and response time must be immediate when switching between posts or sections of the app.

While focusing too heavily on design can increase upfront costs, an intuitive, engaging UX can lead to higher long-term user retention rates and app engagement metrics.

Integrations with Third-Party Services or External Systems

Third-party integrations are necessary for building a Reddit-like app, as they'll enhance user experience and app functionality.

  • Content Sharing Services: Allow your users to share posts externally on other social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or even SMS, which helps create organic app growth.
  • Cloud Hosting Providers: Reddit-like apps rely on vast repositories for user-generated content. Integration with cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure is essential to quickly and efficiently storing and distributing content across millions of United States users.
  • Authentication Providers: Integrating third-party authentications, like OAuth, for Google and Facebook logins simplifies the sign-up process and boosts user acquisition.
  • Search Engines or ElasticSearch: Due to the large volume of content, an internal search engine is essential for Reddit-style apps. ElasticSearch or similar services enable fast, reliable searching of posts and discussions.

Each integration adds specialized development time, potentially increasing costs, but it also elevates the app's capabilities and market appeal.

Database & Back-End Infrastructure

A Reddit clone relies on a robust backend architecture. The database is the cornerstone of successful app infrastructure, particularly when managing massive content loads and user-generated data. Factors like real-time data syncing, rapid retrieval times, and large-scale storage are critical, and inefficient planning can dramatically raise costs.

  • Scalability: Reddit sees huge user spikes during viral trends or specific topics. A reliable back-end system should manage these peaks effortlessly, using scalable cloud services like AWS or Google Cloud.
  • Data Security & Compliance: Handling sensitive information (personal data, perhaps even anonymous browsing data) demands secure back-end protocols, particularly given increasing United States-focused compliance laws. Encryption methods, firewalls, and privacy protections play significant roles here.
  • User-generated Content: If scaling for millions of United States-based users, managing comments, posts, votes, and media files becomes critical. The back end requires systems for handling vast databases, real-time syncing, and sophisticated content distribution networks (CDN).

Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

The development costs continue post-launch. After your initial build, your Reddit-like app will need ongoing maintenance for optimal performance.

  • Bug Fixes and Performance Enhancements: Once your app scales, it will attract new bugs or inefficiencies. Routine updates are required to keep it running smoothly on various United States devices.
  • Compliance Updates: Particularly for social networks in the United States, keeping up with changing legal and privacy regulations such as CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) is non-negotiable. Compliance updates will bring ongoing costs.
  • New Feature Additions: Over time, you can add new features such as verified user accounts or paid memberships. Continuous updates and upgrades add to the long-tail cost of your custom app development.

Team Expertise and Location

Building an app like Reddit requires a developer team with specific competencies tailored to social media platforms.

  • Back-End Engineers: Given the heavy traffic loads Reddit-style apps face, you'll need experienced engineers who specialize in scalable back-end frameworks and advanced database management.
  • Full-Stack Developers: This engineer will manage the UI and the back-end aspects, ensuring your app runs smoothly on the front and back ends.
  • UX/UI Designers: Your app interface must allow for complex interactions like voting, comment threading, media uploads, and more—this requires someone well-versed in social media or community-based app design.

When deciding between the United States and offshore developers, understand that while United States-based expertise may cost more, it offers invaluable localization insights and better compliance with United States regulatory requirements. On the other hand, offshore teams may bring down costs but come with communication, time zones, and quality challenges.

Hidden Costs & Miscellaneous Factors

QA & Testing: Before launch, you'll need rigorous quality assurance (QA) processes that go beyond regular unit testing. Public social platforms face unique stress test challenges because of their large user base and dynamic, real-time posts. Detailed performance testing is essential to ensure smooth functionality.

App Store Fees & Guidelines: Once your app is ready for market, you'll face app store fees. Both Apple and Google charge commissions on transactions within the app and initial listing fees. Adherence to app store guidelines, particularly around user-generated content, can sometimes add time to the development process, as breaking these rules can lead to rejections.

Legal and Compliance Costs: For international users, a Reddit-style app in the United States must adhere to data privacy laws, like CCPA or possibly GDPR. Not only does this compliance rack up costs during development, but staying on top of evolving legal regulations requires time and financial resources.

What Makes This App Category Unique in Terms of Development?

Social and community-based platforms, like Reddit, are complex and require meticulous attention to several aspects of app development. This category stands out because it focuses on large-scale, user-generated content, real-time interactions, and democratic content curation systems (e.g., Reddit’s famous upvoting mechanism).

United States Market Trends: Reddit's appeal in the United States is partly attributed to its niche communities—often called "subreddits"—allowing users from different interests to converge and converse freely. Adapting your app to cater to these vast micro-interests like Reddit does, whether via robust recommendation algorithms or tight-knit community features, could ensure your app's lasting trend here in the United States.

Therefore, developing a social network app like Reddit requires an in-depth understanding of how users expect to engage within online communities. Navigating these expectations with talented custom app development experts like Scrums.com is the first step in ensuring your app will meet market needs in the United States.

Want to see your app idea brought to life? 

At Scrums.com, our expert team of United States-focused developers can customize your project and advise you on the most efficient ways to build your app. Whether it's a fitness app, social media platform, or fintech tool, we're here to create something exceptional. Reach out for a custom development estimate today, and let's turn your vision into reality!