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 Twitter?

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 Twitter?
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 Twitter?

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 Twitter?

Building a Twitter-like app in the U.S. involves numerous factors, all of which affect development costs.
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

Social media apps like Twitter have revolutionized communication and interaction, providing users with an instant way to connect, share information, and participate in public conversations. A Twitter-like app offers real-time messaging, content sharing, user profiles, notifications, and robust interaction features. However, developing a social media app like Twitter comes with unique complexities.

For a Twitter-like app, these complexities stem from the scale and demand for real-time data syncing, scalable infrastructure, a high level of user engagement, and maintaining robust data privacy. Additionally, there are legal, compliance, and security considerations, particularly in the U.S. market, where apps like Twitter need to comply with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) when handling personal data.

This article will break down the factors influencing how much it costs to build an app like Twitter. We will look at platform compatibility, essential features, back-end infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, and hidden costs involved, all from the perspective of building a social media app designed for the U.S. market.

Platform and Device Compatibility

When building a social media app like Twitter, platform choice is critical. The decision to develop for iOS, Android, or both platforms will significantly influence the cost and timeline.

iOS vs. Android:

In the U.S., both iOS and Android dominate the mobile market, with iOS appealing to a wealthier demographic and Android having a larger overall market share. The decision of which platforms to target depends on your target audience.

  • iOS: A good choice if you’re aiming at a more affluent user base, especially those in higher-income demographics.
  • Android: A broader market presence, especially among users with budget-friendly devices.

Developing a Twitter-like app for both platforms requires separate codebases, which increases both time and cost. For instance, iOS development would use Swift or Objective-C, while Android development would require Kotlin or Java. If you opt to develop separately for both platforms, you will need a larger development team and more time for coding, testing, and deployment.

Alternatively, cross-platform development frameworks like React Native or Flutter allow you to use one codebase for both iOS and Android. These frameworks reduce development time and cost but may come with limitations on performance or access to native device features. For a Twitter-like app, you will need to evaluate the trade-offs between cross-platform and native development based on the performance demands.

Expanding Beyond Mobile:

A robust Twitter-like app may also benefit from extending compatibility beyond just mobile devices. For example, a web-based platform could allow users to access content and post tweets from their desktops, increasing engagement and providing a more complete user experience. Web apps, PWAs (progressive web apps), and even wearable integrations (e.g., Apple Watch notifications) may require additional development resources, but these features could further differentiate your app.

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)

The UX/UI of a social media app like Twitter is crucial, as it directly affects user engagement and retention.

U.S. User Preferences:

U.S. users expect a clean, intuitive, and visually appealing interface that allows them to easily interact with the platform. For a Twitter-like app, this means:

  • Easy Navigation: A simple, easy-to-use layout where users can effortlessly scroll through their feeds, view notifications, and check direct messages.
  • Customizable Features: Options to customize the user experience, such as notification preferences and feed content.
  • Responsive Design: The app should be responsive across devices, from smartphones and tablets to desktops and web browsers.

Social media apps like Twitter must strike a balance between a clean design and providing enough information for users to interact with content quickly. Given the competitive nature of, a unique design can also help set it apart, but investing in custom designs and continuous improvements will add to the overall development cost.

Integrations with Third-Party Services or External Systems

A robust Twitter-like app requires integration with various third-party services to enhance its functionality.

  • Payment Systems: If you plan to monetize the app (e.g., premium memberships or advertisements), integrating payment systems like Stripe or PayPal will be necessary.
  • Geolocation Services: For features like location tagging in tweets or trending topics by region, integrating with geolocation APIs like Google Maps or Foursquare is essential.
  • Social Media Integrations: Connecting with other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn can help users share content easily across multiple platforms.
  • Authentication Services: For managing user sign-ups, logins, and social media integration, services like OAuth, Google Sign-In, and Facebook Login are crucial.

These integrations increase the overall custom app development time and cost, but they are essential to providing a seamless experience for users.

Database & Back-End Infrastructure

A social media app like Twitter needs a robust backend infrastructure to support its large-scale user base, real-time data updates, and high traffic loads.

Real-Time Data Syncing:

With features like real-time tweets, direct messaging, and notifications, the app requires a back-end system that supports real-time data syncing. Cloud-based solutions like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure are commonly used to manage the infrastructure for these apps, as they allow for scalable and flexible back-end services.

Data Storage:

Storing user profiles, posts, media, and interactions requires a large and efficient database management system. Solutions like PostgreSQL, MySQL, or NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB) may be used to handle large data sets. Furthermore, the database needs to scale dynamically to meet growing user demand.

Security:

Security is paramount in social media apps. Data encryption, secure API calls, and user authentication protocols are essential to protecting sensitive information. Implementing security standards such as SSL encryption and OAuth 2.0 can incur additional development and maintenance costs.

Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

Ongoing maintenance is necessary to keep the app functional and secure. For a Twitter-like app, this could include:

  • Bug Fixes: Regularly fix any bugs or glitches reported by users to ensure smooth functionality.
  • Security Updates: Addressing new security vulnerabilities as they arise to keep user data safe.
  • Feature Upgrades: Continuously improving features or adding new ones to keep users engaged.

The U.S. market is highly competitive, so regular updates and quick responses to user feedback are crucial. This ongoing maintenance adds long-term costs.

Team Expertise and Location

Building a social media app like Twitter requires a highly skilled development team. This includes:

  • Mobile App Developers: Developers experienced in both iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin) development.
  • Back-End Engineers: Experts in managing large databases, real-time data processing, and cloud infrastructure.
  • UX/UI Designers: Designers who specialize in creating intuitive and visually appealing social media interfaces.
  • Security Experts: Professionals who specialize in ensuring the app complies with data protection regulations and securing user data.

U.S.-based developers may charge higher rates due to the expertise required and the competitive nature of the market, but their familiarity with local regulations and preferences can streamline development. Offshore teams may offer cost savings but could require more management and communication.

Hidden Costs & Miscellaneous Factors

QA & Testing: Rigorous testing is essential to ensure the app works smoothly. This includes stress testing, security testing, device compatibility testing, and real-world user scenario testing. QA and testing will add considerable costs and time to the development process.

App Store Fees and Guidelines: Both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store have submission fees and specific guidelines that developers must adhere to. These include annual fees (e.g., $99 for Apple) and compliance with each platform’s rules regarding user privacy and data protection.

Legal and Compliance Costs: Ensuring compliance with U.S. data privacy laws, like CCPA and GDPR for users in California and Europe, can require additional legal fees. Social media apps must also adhere to content moderation and anti-harassment laws, adding complexity to the development process.

What Makes This App Category Unique in Terms of Development

Developing a Twitter-like social media app involves managing large amounts of user-generated content, real-time data processing, and complex user interactions. The U.S. market places a strong emphasis on privacy, security, and seamless user experiences, meaning that adhering to these standards is crucial for success.

Additionally, U.S. social media users expect personalized, interactive content and real-time updates, making the app both dynamic and highly engaging.

Want to see your app idea brought to life? 

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