How to Develop a Monkey-Like Video Chat App?

Video calling has taken a significant leap in the past few years, not just for business or education, but also as a new way to socialize and meet people.

By offering quick video chats, the Monkey chat app attracted 30 million users, mostly Gen Z, who crave video-first socializing.

If you’ve got an idea and want to build the next big Monkey app alternative, now is the time to act. The global video conferencing market is valued at $9.99 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to about $28.26 billion by 2034.

In this blog, we will walk you through how to create an app like Monkey, covering the full development process, must-have features, and estimated costs. So, let’s get started!

What Is the Monkey App?

Monkey is a social video chat platform that went crazy popular for allowing users to meet new individuals through brief, random video calls. 

Initially rolled out to target Gen Z, it merged the swipe-based convenience of dating apps with the excitement of live video, building an environment where users could enjoy honest, unfiltered conversations with strangers from all over the world.

Key Features of the Monkey Chat app :

• Live random video chats
• Age & interest-based matching
• Timed chats with extension options
• Text messaging during and after calls
• Basic moderation and reporting tools
• Free with optional in-app purchases

Cost:

• Free to use
• Has in-app purchases for premium features (e.g., more filters, boosts, or replays)

Market Overview: The Rise of Random Video Chat Apps Like Monkey

The market for video chatting apps has grown exponentially in the past few years, fueled by the emergence of spontaneous, social-first apps such as Monkey. These apps have been fueled by Gen Z’s appetite for real-time, face-to-face digital communication, and the numbers don’t lie:

• The global chat application market was valued at $63.78 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $213.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 15.3% from 2024 to 2030. (Source: Verified Market Research)
• The social networking app market is projected to reach $310.37 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23.7%, signaling massive growth opportunities. (Source: Grand View Research)

What Are the Must-Have Features for Building a Random Video Chat App Like Monkey?

Monkey offers a feature-rich platform, and if you’re planning to develop a video chat app similar to Monkey. Success is all about the features you provide. 

Here is a rundown of the essentials to make your app shine in a saturated marketplace

What Advanced Features Can Make Your Video Chat App Stand Out?

In a world full of chat apps, offering just the essentials isn’t enough. Users now look for richer, safer, and more interactive experiences. That’s why building advanced features is key to making your app stand out.

Note: If you’re looking to integrate advanced AI features into your video chat app, we can help. As a leading AI development company, we specialize in building intelligent, scalable, and user-centric solutions customized to your app’s needs.

What Are the Key Development Stages for Building a Monkey App Alternative?

Here’s a breakdown of the 8 key stages involved in building a high-performing, engaging, and scalable video chat app like Monkey.

1. Discovery & Requirement Gathering

Timeline: 2–3 weeks

This is the cornerstone of your whole project. You aim to get to know your users and identify the issue your app will address.

• Audience Research: Establish your target audience. Are you targeting Gen Z, teenagers, or a global audience?
• Market Analysis: Research apps such as Monkey, Azar, and Omegle. What do they do well? Where do they fail?
• Core Goal: What will set your app apart? Highlight your USP, be it AI-based matchings, gameified chat experience, or better moderation.
• Documentation: Form a product requirements document (PRD) on scope, functions, tech stack, and business goals.

2. Feature Prioritization & Roadmapping

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

After settling on the vision, it is now the turn to set the MVP and craft a realistic roadmap.

• Focus on Must-Haves: User authentication, basic moderation, chat, and random video matching should be given a higher priority.
• Future Developments Plan: Even after the app has been launched, there will be some features that can be implemented afterward, such as gesture recognition, in-app gaming, or face filters.
• Prepare a Sprint Plan: Slice the work into development sprints, timing, and targets.
• Budget Allocation: Allocate resources, time, and budget based on the complexity of the feature and business value.

3. UI/UX Design & Prototyping

Timeline: 4–6 weeks

After your features and concept are ready, your second most crucial focus should be making a plan to execute how your users will use your app. It’s an excellent UI/UX design, one that leaves users feeling comfortable, curious, and engaged from the very first tap.

• Wireframing: Create low-fidelity drafts on user flows (sign-in, video chat, profile).
• Prototyping: Create click-through prototypes using Figma or Adobe XD.
• User Testing: Get real users to experience prototypes for early feedback.
• Visual Design: Implement branding, fun colors, micro-animations, and effortless layouts that engage with younger users.

4. Backend Development

Timeline: 4–6 weeks

Once the design is done, it’s now time to make your app a reality with solid backend development. This is the powerhouse that drives your video chat app, everything from real-time video streaming to user authentication.

Some of the crucial tasks in this phase are:

• Video Integration: Use WebRTC protocols, or use Agora, Twilio, or Daily services as solutions to live video streaming.
• User Authentication: Provide stable sign-up, login, and identity authentication.
• Database Setup: Design and implement scalable databases (e.g., Firebase, MongoDB) to hold user data and chat histories.
• Moderation Tools: Incorporate abuse reporting, keyword filtering, and AI-driven content analysis.

5. Frontend & Mobile App Development

Timeline: 4–5 weeks

When the backend is established, you move to front-end development, which focuses on the user interface and interaction elements of your app.

• Platform Choice: Create native apps (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) or leverage cross-platform frameworks like Flutter or React Native.
• Interface Development: Use UI with adaptive design, chat or video options, and interactive movement.
• Animations & Interactions: Add animation, swipe, and button feedback to keep the light usage.
• Fronted-Backend Sync: Tune real-time sensitive opportunities, through secure and efficient integration with backend APIs.

6. Quality Assurance & Testing

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

No matter how gorgeous your interface or how fully functional the backend may be, any video lag, crashes, or bugs can ruin the user experience within a split second. Testing and QA, therefore, come first as a step to build a Monkey-like chat application.

This step is simply finding and fixing bugs earlier than your users can find and report them.

• Functional Testing: Make sure that everything, the video, chat, and the login, are working properly.
• Performance Testing: The testing should be done on different bandwidths and with different devices to minimize lags or crashes.
• Security Testing: Avoid data leaks and unauthorized access.
• Cross-Device Compatibility: Test on Android, iOS, tablets, and various screen sizes.

7. Launch & Deployment

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

When your app is created and tested, it’s time to show the world. The launch mode is all about getting your video chat app out there to real users and making sure it’s providing a smooth, enjoyable user experience.

• App Store Submission: Prepare and submit a listing for Apple App Store and Google Play Store (screenshots, description, privacy policy).
• Beta Test: Do a soft launch/beta test to get the real user feedback before going live.
• Analytics Setup: Integrate analytics solutions such as Google Analytics, Firebase, or Mixpanel from which to monitor retention, engagement, and crashes.
• Marketing Assets: Develop a launch strategy that involves social media, app store optimization (ASO), and influencer marketing. 

8. Post-Launch Support & Iteration

Ongoing (particularly active for the first 2–3 months)

Once you launch your app, real-world usage will identify things that even internal testing cannot, unpredictable crashes, usability problems, or suggestions for enhancements. You’ve to respond quickly to:

• Monitor User Behavior: Keep an eye on KPIs such as session length, user churn, and crash reports.
• Gather Feedback: Read reviews, monitor suggestions, and speak with your community.
• Release Updates: Release bugs quickly, enhance UI/UX from feedback, and add new features incrementally.
• Scale Infrastructure: Scale-up servers and database size as your user base increases.

How Do Apps Like Monkey Make Money? Top Revenue Strategies

Monetizing an app like Monkey’s video chat isn’t merely applying ads wherever and whenever; it’s providing value while building numerous revenue streams.  

Did you know that the world consumer spending on mobile applications is projected to reach $150 billion in 2025, and social and video call apps account for a considerable portion? 

Here are the best revenue models you can have for your Monkey app alternative, based on your audience, objectives, and business strategy:

How Much Budget Do You Need to Create an App Like Monkey?

Building a Monkey chat app will cost anywhere from $30,000 for an MVP to $ 300,000 or more for a full-featured, cross-platform experience. The range is enormous because each additional feature,  from real-time translation to AI moderation , has design, dev, and cloud expenses.

Below is a clear look at the budget tiers:

Note: The cost ranges mentioned above are general estimates and can vary depending on your app’s complexity, feature set, target platforms, and development model. For a more accurate and personalized breakdown, you can use our cost calculator

10 Best Monkey Chat Apps Alternatives to Try in 2025

Monkey may have begun the trend, but it’s not the sole player in town. In 2025, such chat apps will provide thrilling features, robust moderation, and international communities.

Build a Next-Gen Video Chat App Like Monkey with TekRevol

If you’re looking to develop a speedy, interactive video call application like Monkey, TekRevol is your trusted Mobile app development partner. We possess years of experience in developing scalable, feature-rich communication platforms with real-time video, AI-driven matching, and engagement tools inside the app optimized for today’s users, particularly Gen Z.

We assist in creating products with market intelligence, solid UX design, and technology that prepares for the future. From MVP to full deployment, we collaborate with you throughout the process to make your app secure, enjoyable, and optimized for expansion.

Need inspiration for your video chatting app? See our blog on the Best Video Calling Apps to see what’s popular in the market today, and how your app can rise above.