Estimated Cost to Build a Social Media App in 2025

Social media isn’t just a fun pastime anymore. As per Statista, over 5.4 billion people use it worldwide. The success of Threads and BeReal proves that there’s always room for new platforms. If you have an idea for a niche community or the next big thing, your first question is: How much does it cost to build a social media app that can really compete?

You’ve probably heard that budgets for TikTok reach billions, which can feel overwhelming. Let’s be honest about it. The average cost to build a social media app in the USA isn’t a single digit but a range. It goes like $30,000 for a simple app and can easily pass $500,000 for feature-heavy platforms.

The final price depends on a lot of factors, and this guide will help you understand every single one. We’ll break down what does it cost to build a social media app by looking at development stages and features. So, you can make a realistic budget for app development and maintenance effortlessly.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Social Media App?

The range of average cost to build a social media app in the USA is wide. You can have a basic version for $30,000, but to build a complex social media platform with advanced features, expect $500,000 as a minimum. 

Features aside, other factors like the app design and developer expertise also play a crucial role in the total cost. To give you a clear picture of what does it cost to build a social media app, we break down the cost by complexity.  

Here, it is imperative to highlight that the average cost to build a social media app on Reddit is often much lower than professional estimates. This is because they often discuss hobbyist projects or smaller freelance jobs. 

Reputable app developers in Houston or other cities with full-scale professional projects, as reviewed on Clutch, report higher prices. This is why the average cost to build a social media app in the USA varies so much.

What Factors Determine the Final Cost to Build a Social Media App?

The final cost to build a social media app is based on 5 main factors. Your app’s features, the technology you choose, app compliance, and its design, and your development team’s location all drive the cost. Let’s look at each one.

App Complexity and Features

The features you build into your app have the biggest impact on the final price. Every function, from a simple user profile to a complex live video, adds time and cost. This is the core of app complexity.

 A basic app might just have a profile and a content feed. An advanced app could include complex social media app features where the costs really jump. These include live streaming, augmented reality (AR), or AI-powered content feeds, which can be expensive but can offer a huge competitive edge.

The Technology Stack

The tech stack you choose is the foundation of your app. It is made up of programming languages and frameworks. The right choice affects performance and cost. A cross-platform app development involves using one codebase to lower the cost and time.

Your app’s technology has two main parts. The frontend development is what the user sees, and the backend development is what runs the app behind the scenes. Backend development can take up to 30% of the total budget because it handles all the heavy lifting and data management.

Compliance and Security

Building a social app means more than just creating features. You also have to protect user data. This is a big deal, and it comes with a cost. 

Regulations like GDPR and CCPA require both Android and iOS app developers to add user consent forms and “right to be forgotten” features, which require significant development hours. 

A 2025 report from Ptolemay shows that advanced security measures like end-to-end encryption can add thousands of dollars to a project’s budget.to build in user consent forms and secure data handling.

UI/UX Design and Branding

A great app is not just functional. It also needs to look good and be easy to use. This is where custom UI/UX design comes in which is a major cost factor. 

You can save money by using templates, but a custom app development approach gives you a unique brand identity. The app design cost can range from $10,000 to over $80,000.

App branding continues with promotion too to attract and keep your audience. For that you will need social media marketing services. This is an essential next step in building a successful platform.

Location and Size of Development Team

The location of your development team is one of the biggest cost factors. The average cost to build a social media app in the USA is significantly higher than in other regions. For example, hiring app developers in NCY will likely cost more compared to Europe or Asia.

The size of your team also matters. A larger team might build your app faster, but it multiplies the hourly cost. Similarly, you only need one or two developers and a project manager for a basic app. However, a complex app requires a large team of specialists, which increases the total project cost.

Cost to Build a Social Media App [Development Stages & Timelines Breakdown]

A complete social media app development timeline is split into four distinct phases: discovery, design, development, and quality assurance. The table below show how the average cost to build a social media app is determined by how much time is spent on each of these steps.

Discovery & Strategy Development: (1-2 months)

Strategic planning is the blueprint for your app. For about 10-15% of the total project cost, you dig deep into your idea to check feasibility through market research and competitor analysis. This phase makes sure you’re building the right thing for the right people.

UI/UX Design: (1-3 months)

This phase makes your app intuitive and engaging. The team creates wireframes and visual designs for every single screen. GoodFirms notes that UI and UX design work in USA often makes up about 15-20% of the budget. 

Development: (4-9 months)

Here, the core coding work for the app is done. Frontend and backend developers write the actual code. They build the features, set up servers, and integrate databases. This is the most time-consuming and expensive stage, taking 50-60% of the total cost. 

QA & Testing: (1-2 months)

The final phase addresses bugging and other performance issues on different devices. It also includes setting up servers and final technical checks. This step is crucial for a smooth launch and typically costs about 10-15% of the total project budget.

Deployment & Launch (1-2 months)

This phase involves submitting the app to app stores and getting it ready for public use. Here, you will also need a strong marketing plan. For more on that, read our guide to social media marketing.

How Much Does It Cost to Build A Social Media App As Per Types?

The cost to build a social media app is not a one-size-fits-all. It depends heavily on the type of network you want. Messaging apps are often cheaper, while video-first professional or educational platforms development requires larger budgets.

If you are asking how much does it cost to create a social media app, the answer varies by category as shown below:

How Does Social Media App Vs Platform Cost Differ?

An app is a single product that works on a mobile device. A social media platform is an entire ecosystem. You can think of an app as a front door, while the platform is the whole building behind it. 

The cost to build a social media platform is exponentially higher than a single app. This is because a platform requires massive server infrastructure and continuous development.

How much does it cost to build a social media platform?

A social media platform development costs well over $1 million. To create full-scale apps like Snapchat or Threads with a web version, you need sophisticated data analytics, and ad systems could push the cost far more at both ends: initial development and ongoing maintenance. 

Here is a simple table that shows the difference in app vs platform cost and scale:

How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Social Media App Annually?

The annual cost to maintain a social media app is a recurring expense that typically make 15% to 20% of your initial development budget. Means, if you spent $150,000 to build the app, its yearly upkeep will likely be $22,500 to $30,000. 

This app maintenance cost includes a wide range of tasks and services, such as:

• Hosting and server storage, which range from $500 a month for a small community to more than $10,000 for video-heavy platforms. These bills grow as your user base gets bigger. 
• Next, there are ongoing updates, which include bug fixes and UI refreshes to make sure the app works with new iOS and Android versions. 
• You will also need post-launch app cost for new features, and marketing campaigns to keep users engaged.

Many businesses set aside a dedicated app maintenance budget USA for these costs, as performance issues and security risks can lead to the app’s eventual failure.

Conclusion

As this guide showed, the average cost to build a social media app in the USA varies a lot, from $30,000 to over $500,000. Your final price is not random. It is driven by key choices like the features you want and whether you build a simple app or a full social media platform.

At Tekrevol, we simplify this process. As a trusted mobile app development company USA, we guide you through transparent communication and detailed project mapping to ensure your budget is realistic from day one. Our team ensures you invest in features that matter most for your business model.