How Much Does it Cost to Develop an App like Threads?

Since its release on July 5, 2023, the Threads app has taken the social media world by storm. Till now, it has gathered over 100 million downloads. 

People often refer to Threads as the “Twitter-Rival’ and “Twitter Killer,” and it’s easy to see why. Created by Meta, this app brings a refreshing approach to public conversations.

The significance of Threads was highlighted when Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, broke his 11-year Twitter silence to announce its launch.

In fact, his Thread post speaks about the volumes- within hours of its launch, the app had 30 million sign-ups.

With such a rapid rise in popularity, many of you wondering to build an app like Threads. But how much would it cost? Let’s try to find out.

Before jumping to how much will it cost to develop an app like Threads, we will first talk about what Threads is.

What is Threads?

Threads enable users to participate in real-time conversations on a range of subjects, in contrast to conventional social networking platforms. It is developed by the Instagram team. Furthermore, it is said as a new microblogging platform like Twitter.

Key Points About Threads:

• Users can share text updates and join public conversations.
• Threads allow users to log in with their Instagram accounts.
• The app aims to create a positive and creative space for expressing ideas through text.
• Friends and creators who share users’ interests can be followed and connected with.
• Safety and user controls, similar to those available on Instagram, are included in Threads.
• The app offers recommendations from new creators and allows sharing of Threads posts to Instagram stories or other platforms.
• Threads provide tools for controlling conversations, including the ability to manage mentions and filter out replies.
• Safety measures and enforcement of Instagram’s Community Guidelines are in place.
• The developers plan to make Threads compatible with the ActivityPub protocol, enabling interoperability with other apps such as Mastodon and WordPress.
• Threads is Meta’s (formerly Facebook) first app envisioned to be compatible with an open social networking protocol.
• Over 100 nations will have access to the app for iOS and Android users.
• It seems like Threads aims to offer a dedicated space for text-based sharing and conversations while also working towards interoperability with other social networking platforms through the ActivityPub protocol.

Let’s have a market overview of the Threads app

Here are some statistics related to the Threads app:

• The Threads app has over 100 million accounts as of July 10, 2023
• Within 24 hours of Threads release, it is seen 30 million users downloaded the app.
• There were 5.5 million active Threads users in the US alone as of July 6, 2023. 
• The app has an exceptional daily active user rate of 60%, which is much greater than the sector average.

It is still too early to predict Threads’ long-term viability. However, its early success suggests that there is a strong demand for a close friends and family messaging app. So, investors can consider investing in Threads-like social media apps.

Let’s quickly compare Threads to Twitter to discover whether the features of the apps are similar to the well-known microblogging platform.  In a nutshell, we will see an overview of the difference between Threads and Twitter.

Twitter Vs. Threads

Feature	Twitter	Threads
Platform	Web, mobile	Mobile
Character limit	280	500
Facts	Has been around since 2006 and has over 300 million active users.	Has been around since 2023 and has over 100 million accounts
Number of images/videos per post	4	10
Time duration for video upload	Allows video uploads of up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds	Allows video uploads of up to 5 minutes
Feed structure	Separate feeds for “For You” and “Following”	Single feed
Ad-supported	Yes	No (currently)
Integration with other apps	Yes (Instagram, Facebook, etc.)	Yes (Instagram)
Target audience	General public	Close friends and family
Purpose	Sharing news, thoughts, and opinions	Sharing personal updates and stories

 

Cost To Develop an App like Threads

One important aspect that everyone thinks about while developing an app is the price. And, as per professionals, the Threads app development cost might range from $40,000 to $250,000.

However, it’s important to note that the exact figure cannot be predicted without taking various factors into account:

• The development team and its location play a significant role in determining costs.
• The features incorporated into the app also impact the overall expense.
• The choice of technology utilized during the development process is another influencing factor.
• The complexity of the app itself affects the cost estimation.

For example, if you are thinking of developing a simple one, the Threads app cost may be closer to the low end of the expected range, approximately $40,000. On the other hand, if your app is intricate, incorporating advanced features, the cost can rise towards the higher end, reaching approximately $250,000.

App Type	Cost Estimation for Threads App Development	Time Frame
Simple	$40,000 to $80,000	3 to 5 Months
Medium Complex	$90,000 to $125,000	6 to 8 Months
Most Complex	$150,000 to $250,000	9+ Months

Besides, there are many other factors that affect Threads app development costs. Let’s check them out in more detail below.

Factors Affecting Threads App Development Cost

1. Platform Selection

Choosing the right platform is vital for developing any app like Threads. It determines who can use the app and how enjoyable their experience will be on different devices. It also impacts the overall cost of developing an app like Threads.

Threads can be created for iOS, Android, or both platforms. The time and effort required for development depend on the particular requirements and difficulties of each platform. It usually takes less time and effort to concentrate on just one platform, like iOS or Android, which results in reduced prices. 

If we decide to focus on just one platform, like iOS or Android, it generally takes less time and effort, resulting in lower costs. However, if we choose to develop for both platforms, it means additional work, testing, and optimization, leading to higher development expenses.

Alternatively, we can explore cross-platform app development. This involves hiring a skilled team of developers who are proficient in both platforms or using frameworks like Flutter or React Native. While this allows us to develop multiple platforms simultaneously, it may increase the cost of building the Threads app.

2. Technology Stack

The second factor that affects the cost of developing the Threads app is the technology stack. The technology stack refers to the combination of programming languages, frameworks, libraries, and tools used to build the app.

The choice of technology stack can have an impact on the development time, scalability, performance, and maintenance of the app. Different technologies have varying levels of complexity and learning curves for developers, which can influence the overall cost.

Technologies used in developing a social media app like Threads’

• Frameworks- React Native, Flutter
• Backend – Python, Node.js, Express.js
• Database- MongoDB
• Deployment- AWS

Advanced tech like-

• Machine learning
• Natural language processing
• WebSockets
• Geolocation
• Image and video processing

3. App Development Partner:

The choice of who develops the Threads app is a crucial factor that impacts its cost. You can either work with an app development agency or hire freelancers with varying levels of expertise and experience, and each option comes with different costs.

App development agencies with established reputations generally have higher prices. However, they offer comprehensive services such as project management, design, development, quality assurance, and ongoing support. Their experienced teams and well-defined processes can result in a smoother development process, potentially reducing overall costs in the long term.

Alternatively, hiring freelancers or smaller development teams may initially seem more cost-effective. However, ensuring consistent quality, effective project management and ongoing support can be challenging. The cost can vary based on hourly rates, expertise levels, and the location of the development partner.

– Eastern Europe: $60 – $70

– Asia: $40 – $50

– America: $100 – $120

– Africa: $20 – $40

4. Features:

The features incorporated into the Threads app directly impact the development cost. Each feature, such as user authentication, push notifications, social media integration, in-app messaging, or payment processing, requires development and testing efforts.

More features generally lead to increased development time, as well as potential complexities in implementation and user experience. 

It’s important to carefully prioritize and consider the essential features needed for the Threads app. Including only the most critical features initially can help manage costs and allow for future iterations and enhancements as the app gains traction.

Also read: How Much Does An App Development Cost In India?

How ScalaCode Can Help In Developing An App Like Threads?

Building an app like Threads is an easy task, as it holds a lot of complexity, such as user authentication, user data storage, content moderation, privacy concerns, and other technological challenges. 

However, partnerships with a well-established and reliable mobile app development company like ScalaCode can help you overcome these challenges. We have a team of tech professionals who have year-long expertise in developing such social media apps. Take your step into the world of social networking by developing an app like Threads with us.