In 2025, it seems that we have said goodbye to traditional media. Those days are gone when we were completely relly on television. Now 21st century, introduced as the new digital age, where video streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube are taking over as ever before. Now, with shifting preferences in Lifestyle, people seek on-demand access and globally diverse content on their fingertips at any time and from anywhere across the world.
Video-streaming apps like Netflix are in high demand. A successful video streaming solution refers to high performance, more user insights, and interactive experiences for the users. Using a Video streaming app is fun and engaging, but when it comes to developing a video streaming app, owners have to decide on several factors and make the right development decisions, from integrating functionalities to choosing the right tech development strategies.
This blog is for video streaming business owners who want to get an idea of the video streaming app development cost. Here, we have prepared a full guide for OTT app development cost that will allow you to launch an advanced AI video streaming app within budget for your customers.
Before going ahead, it is important to have a clear understanding of an AI-powered video streaming app.
What is video streaming app development?
Video streaming app development is the process of building web and app-supported solutions that allow users to watch video content on the internet in real time. Users don’t have to download even they can watch videos in one click easily, which helps to save a huge amount of time and effort.
The best example of video streaming mobile apps is –
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Disney +
- Apple TV
- Youtube
There are different types of video streaming mobile apps in the market. Users download the apps as their interests and needs. So, on the initial stage, it is very important to finalise the type of video streaming app cost.
Different types of video streaming app development
Here, we have listed the cost of different types of streaming platforms with examples. Before opting for an on-demand video streaming app development process, you should know about different types and choose your target audience on the initial stage only.
Types of Video Streaming Apps with their examples and cost
| Type of Video Streaming App | Example | Costs |
| On-Demand (VOD) | Netflix, Prime Video, and many more | $30,000 – $150,000+ |
| Live Streaming | Youtube Live | $40,000 – $200,000+ |
| TV/OTT platforms | Disney + | $50,000 – $250,000+ |
| Custom Apps – Business-based apps | Fitness, e-learning, and many more | $20,000 – $80,000+ |
Now, once you decide on the type of video streaming mobile app that you want to launch in the market. On the other hand, it is also important to partner with the best mobile app development company in the market.
After selecting the type of video streaming app, it’s time to focus on the functionalities, tech stack, and hiring models. These factors highly determined the cost of building a video streaming mobile app development.
Different functionalities to integrate into video streaming mobile apps-
Here, we are listing down different features in video streaming apps that you can’t afford to miss out –
1. User registration and profile
It is the best way to gather your data and have information about your customers. Make sure that your users register on your video streaming mobile application with their name, address, contact details, and email address.
With user registration, they can sign up and create their user ID and password, which allows them to access their accounts. They can sign in easily to their profiles and even save the password if required.
2. Video Upload & Management
This is a crucial feature in a video streaming mobile app. Admin can upload, edit, and delete videos on the app and manage them properly. They can easily manage, and users can watch them.
3. Content Management System
With the admin panel, users can easily categorize videos in different playlists. It will help users to watch the content as per their preferences. Admin can categorize videos in different ways, including genre, region-based content, and many more types of content.
4. Search & Recommendations
Users can search for their preferred content easily via the search bar. They can search in alphabetical order. Along with this, even with an AI video recommendation system, users can get suggestions as per their preferred choice and style.
5. Payment Gateway
Integrate a secure payment gateway into a video streaming mobile app. In the video streaming app development, you can integrate an in-app wallet or take support of third-party payment integration. Users can pay for different subscriptions, pay-per-view, and in-app purchases.
6. Download & Offline Viewing
Users can also have access to the watch later feature. This functionality works mainly for travelers or people who like to sit alone or enjoy being without internet. The download and offline viewing feature allows users to download the videos and view them later in their free time or without having an internet connection.
7. Multi-Device Support
Always make sure that your video streaming mobile app supports multiple devices. The app should have compatibility with web, iOS, Android, and smart iOS apps. Different people have several devices, and when it comes to video streaming mobile apps, it should be compatible on several platforms.
8. High Security
Focus on high security aspects. In video streaming app development, opt for the best security measures and industry-leading practices with the support of the latest trending technologies. Additionally, focus on content protection and privacy measures.
These are the major features that you can’t afford to miss in the video streaming app development process. Moreover, now let’s have an idea of the features of video streaming app development cost –
Features of video streaming app development cost
Here, we are listing down the cost to develop a video streaming mobile app as per the different functionalities.
| Must have a Feature in video streaming mobile apps | Cost of features in video streaming mobile apps |
| User registration and Profile Management | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Video Upload & Management | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Content Management System | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Search & Recommendations | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Payment Gateway | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Download & Offline Viewing | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Multi-Device Support | $8,000 – $25,000 |
| Security | $4,000 – $10,000 |
AI feature in video streaming mobile apps-
These are the basic features of based video streaming mobile app development cost. If you prefer to launch AI-driven video streaming-based mobile apps, the cost of basic AI $20K–$40K. Additionally, with advanced integrated AI-based apps with modern functionalities that are compatible with different devices, they can exceed $200K+.
These were the functionalities that you can’t afford to miss out on in video streaming mobile app development. Now, it’s time to find other factors that affect video streaming app development cost.
Factors that affect the cost to build video streaming mobile applications-
There is no fixed cost to build a video streaming mobile application. It depends on several attributes, and among them, here, we are listing down the features that affect the cost to build video streaming mobile apps –
1. App Platform
In this tech era, to meet human expectations, tech experts have launched several platforms, such as Android, iOS, and web, through which users can easily access the preferred services on their convenient platforms, including Android, iOS, web. While launching your video streaming mobile application, it is important to make sure that your video streaming mobile application supports all platforms.
To make your video streaming mobile app compatible with all platforms, you can opt for a native or cross-platform development approach according to your budget.
Native apps are specifically built for a platform, whereas cross cross-platform approach is based on a single codebase that can run on multiple platforms.
Native V/S Cross Cross-Platform App Development Cost
App Platform |
Description |
Cost of video streaming app development |
| Android video streaming mobile apps | Built specifically in Kotlin and Java | $30,000 – $100,000 approx |
| iOS video streaming apps | Built specifically with Objective-C and Swift | $30,000 – $100,000 Approx |
| Cross Platform | One code supports both platforms (Android and iOS) | $20,000 – $120,000 |
Again, this is not at all a fixed cost to build video streaming mobile apps. The actual video streaming app cost will depend on your exact project needs.
2. Feature Complexity
The video streaming app development cost depends on the complexity of the solution. It is based on the functionalities that you integrate into the app. There are three levels of video streaming apps –
- Basic apps
The basic apps are simple only basic level functionalities integrated into these apps, such as user login, registration, CMS, and many others.
- Mid level
Mid-level video streaming apps are more advanced; these apps have additional and more modern features for the users, such as AI-based recommendations, support for offline mode, and are compatible with all devices.
- Complex apps
Complex video streaming apps are for large enterprises. It supports 4k streaming, AI, live chat, and many more.
Video Streaming Apps Cost based on types
| Type of Video Streaming apps | Cost of a video streaming app |
| Basic apps | $20,000 to $40,000 |
| Mid-level apps | $50,000 – $10,000 |
| Enterprises app | $150,000 – $250,000 |
These are the video streaming mobile app development costs as per the feature complexity.
3. Location
The third factor to consider is location, which affects the cost of creating video streaming mobile apps. Of course, talent is across the world, but every country has its own lifestyle. When it comes to Europe, the cost of living automatically increases due to lifestyle, but in Asian countries, currency differences make the app development process more affordable.
Video Streaming App Development Cost by Region & Platform
Region |
Native App Development (per platform) | Cross Platform App Development |
| USA & Canada | $50,000 – $100,000+ | $35,000 – $70,000+ |
| Western Europe | $40,000 – $90,000+ | $30,000 – $60,000+ |
| Eastern Europe | $25,000 – $50,000+ | $18,000 – $35,000+ |
| India | $15,000 – $30,000+ | $10,000 – $25,000+ |
| Southeast Asia | $20,000 – $40,000+ | $12,000 – $28,000+ |
This is the major factor that you should consider to creating your video streaming mobile app for your business. Hiring mobile app developers from the USA can turn expensive, but if you can hire app developers from India, you would notice a significant cost difference of cost to create a video streaming app development process.
4. Third Party Integration
Third-party integration services can’t be skipped. This plays a major part in the video streaming app development cost. Third-party integration services allow developers to integrate modern functionalities via API. With a single API, coders can integrate advanced features into the app. The third-party integration process helps to save a huge amount of time and effort on the video streaming app development
Video Streaming App Development Cost of Third-Party Integration
| Integration Type | Cost |
| Basic payment gateway | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| Medium (analytics, push notifications) | $8,000 – $10,000 |
| Advanced (chat, social logins, multi-device sync) | $12,000 – $15,000 |
5. Backend architecture of streaming apps
Backend plays an imperative role, as it ensures smooth video delivery, scalability, and security. The effective video streaming mobile app gives a guarantee for minimal buffering, secure payments and AI-powered personalized recommendations for the users. Backend includes servers, cloud storage for video apps, and many more technical aspects.
| Component | Cost of a video streaming app |
| Cloud Storage | $2,000 – $10,000 / year |
| Database | $3,000 – $12,000 |
| API | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Payment gateway | $2,000 – $8,000 + transaction fees |
6. UI/UX Designing Services
UI/UX helps to reduce the bounce rate and keep your users fully engaged with your website. Users expect a seamless user interface that delivers an engaging, interactive, and easy-to-navigate next-generation experience. Nowadays, people prefer personalised dashboards, appealing graphics that connect with their mood preferences. Make sure that your video streaming app offers an engaging user experience and delivers 100% user satisfaction.
| Component | UI/UX Video streaming app development cost |
| UI/UX Strategy & Planning | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Visual Design & Branding | $3,000 – $9,000 |
| Cross-Platform Adaptation | $2,500 – $7,000 |
7. Hiring Model
The next factor of video streaming app development cost depends on how you create your video streaming mobile app development team for your project. You can hire a video streaming app developer on an hourly, full-time, or part-time basis. Apart from this, you can also partner with the app development company.
Hiring model cost comparison for video streaming app development
| Hiring Model | Description | Hourly Cost | Full Project Cost |
In-house Team |
You can hire a full-time team that will work for you only | $50 – $150/hr |
$100,000 – $250,000+ |
Freelancers |
Independent resources hired for per task or project | $20 – $80/hr |
$25,000 – $80,000 |
Outsourcing Agency |
Dedicated team for project management and end-to-end development | $30 – $100/hr |
$40,000 – $150,000 |
These are the different hiring models for video streaming app development. You can hire your team as per your budget and according to your project needs.
8. Maintenance and Updates
Maintenance and updates are an important factor that we can’t miss. Only launching the video streaming app will not be sufficient. It is important to have a budget for maintenance even after launching. You would be required to have developers’ support to update features and detect bugs for smooth and high performance.
| Maintenance and Update | Cost in USD |
| Basic Fixes | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Constant updates | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Scaling +new features | $25,000 – $ 30,000 |
Conclusion
Video streaming mobile apps are in high demand. Nowadays, people fully rely on video streaming apps for their entertainment. In this blog post, we have discussed all about video streaming mobile application development and its cost to launch the solution in the market. We have focused on a detailed live streaming app development features, process, and types that will give you an idea of what kind of video streaming mobile app you prefer to launch in the market.
To launch your perfect video streaming mobile apps, your apps must meet different user expectations and deliver a highly engaging experience to the users. Before making any decision, first make sure which type of video streaming app you prefer to launch in the market, research, and then take the steps as we have suggested in the above blog. Still, if you are not able to make the right decision, then consult with the experts and create the wireframe and prototype, and then take the next steps.
