Tarun Nagar Ever found yourself scrolling through Meesho, amazed at how easy it is to explore, share, and even sell products, all from your phone? It’s no surprise that many entrepreneurs and startups are now asking the same question: “How much would it cost to build an app like Meesho?”
Meesho didn’t just pop up overnight. It’s a blend of smart technology, user-friendly design, and a solid business model built around social commerce. If you’re dreaming of launching something similar, you’re probably wondering about the Meesho app development cost.
The truth is, building a Meesho-like app isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. Costs can vary based on what you want to offer, how advanced your features are, and the scale of your launch.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything that goes to create a shopping platform like Meesho, from the must-have features to the factors that shape your budget, so you can plan smarter and bring your app idea to life with confidence.
So, let’s begin!
What is a Meesho App?
Meesho is a shopping app for buying things online. It also helps people start their own businesses with no money down. Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, two graduates of IIT Delhi, started Meesho in 2015 as “Fashnear,” a service that put customers in touch with nearby clothing stores.
After running into problems, this ecommerce web development solution changed direction and made Meesho, a platform that lets people, especially women, sell goods through social media sites.
Users can look at goods, share them with their friends, and make money every time one of them sells. With Meesho, millions of people can now start their own businesses from home and become one of India’s fastest-growing e-commerce sites.
Future Predictions & Projections of E-commerce App
- It is expected that the e-commerce Market will bring in $8.00bn by 2025.
- With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.02% from 2025 to 2029, revenue is estimated to reach US$10.11bn by 2029.
- The market is expected to be worth US$1.38tn in 2025, and most of the money made is in China.
- 7 million people are likely to use the e-commerce market by 2029.
- By 2029, 58.0% of people will have used the service. In 2025, that number will have reached 49.6%.
- About US$1,700 should be made by each person on average.
How Does a Meesho App Work?
The Meesho app helps connect suppliers with resellers. This allows users to make money by selling products without needing to store inventory or spend any money upfront.
Let’s look at the working mechanism of Meesho.
1. Download and Sign Up
First, download the Meesho app. You can sign up with a mobile number or email to create an account.
2. Browse Products
Once you’re in, you may explore different products like clothes, accessories, home goods, and more. Meesho offers great prices, perfect for reselling or personal shopping.
3. Share and Resell
If you want to earn money, you can share product images and details with your friends or customers on WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram.
4. Place an Order
When someone wants to buy, they place the order through the app by entering their delivery details. Similar to an app like ToYou, you can choose to pay online or go for cash on delivery.
5. Earn Profit
Once the product is delivered, Meesho sends your profit directly to your bank account. You don’t need to manage inventory or shipping. Meesho handles everything for you!
What is the Cost to Build an App Like Meesho?
The cost to develop an app like Meesho can range between $10,000 and $25,000. However, the actual Meesho app development cost varies as per your project requirements. Also, some factors like features, app complexity, tech stack, platform choice, and so on can affect the cost to make an app like Meesho.
Moreover, the shopping app development company’s expertise and location also play a significant role in determining the final Meesho clone app development cost.
While some agencies may offer a more affordable price, others may charge more based on their experience and the quality of work they deliver. The table below shows the cost to build an app like Meesho.
| App Complexity | Cost Estimations |
| Simple Meesho Like App | $10000 – $15000 |
| Medium Meesho Like App | $15000 – $20000 |
| Complex Meesho Like App | $25000+ |
Thus, if you’re planning to build a Meesho clone app, it’s best to talk to an expert ecommerce application development services team. They can facilitate you with an in-depth breakdown of the Reseller app development cost based on your specific project needs and help you plan the budget accordingly. This way, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the capital needed for application launch.
Factors Affecting the Meesho App Development Cost
If you’re planning to develop a reselling application like Meesho, one of the main questions startups will likely ask is “cost?”The cost to make an app similar to Meesho can fluctuate depending on multiple factors.
Let’s check out the factors that affect the overall Meesho app development cost.
1. App Features and Functionality
One of the biggest factors that affect the cost to make an app like Meesho is the number and complexity of features. Basic features are relatively cheaper to build. But if you want advanced features in an app like Centerpoint, such as live chat support, AI-based recommendations, in-app payments, order tracking, or push notifications, then the time and cost to build an ecommerce app will go up.
More features also mean more testing, more user interface design, and possibly more backend work. The more complicated your app is, the more expensive it will be to develop.
| Feature | Estimated Cost |
| User Registration & Login | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Product Catalog | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Product Page | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| Shopping Cart | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Payment Gateway Integration | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Order Management | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Push Notifications | $1000 – $3,000 |
| Social Sharing | $500 – $2,000 |
2. Design and User Experience
A good-looking, smooth, and easy-to-use app similar to Meesho is a must. Designing an application like Meesho that is attractive and user-friendly requires experienced UI/UX designers from an e-commerce app development company.
If you want your app to stand out and provide a pleasant experience to users, like easy navigation, attractive product pages, and fast-loading screens, it will require more effort, tools, and time.
Custom animations, unique branding, and responsive designs across all devices also add to the cost to build an app like Meesho. Simply put, the better the design and user experience, the higher the ecommerce app development cost.
| Elements | Estimated Cost |
| Basic UI Design | $500 – $2,000 |
| Custom UI/UX Design | $1,000 – $3,000+ |
| Wireframing & Prototyping | $700 – $2,500 |
| User Research & Testing | $1,000 – $2,000+ |
| Responsiveness | $500 – $2,000 |
| Accessibility | $1,000 – $2,000+ |
| Branding Integration | $300 – $1,500 |
| Micro-interactions & Animations | $500 – $2,500 |
3. Platform Choice
Another factor that impacts the cost is the platform you choose to launch your app on. If you’re developing your app only for Android or only for iOS, the cost will be lower. However, if you want your app similar to Meesho to reach a larger audience, launching on both platforms is usually a better choice, though it will cost more.
A hybrid app development company UAE can build cross-platform apps like Meesho that work on both platforms, which can save time and reduce ecommerce app development costs.
| Platform Choice | Estimated Cost Range |
| Native iOS App | $15,000 – $24,000+ |
| Native Android App | $12,000 – $20,000+ |
| Cross-Platform App | $8,000 – $19,000+ |
| Hybrid App | $14,000 – $25,000+ |
4. Backend Development
The backend is like the brain of the app similar to Meesho, it handles all the data, logic, and operations that users don’t see. For an application like Meesho, the backend must be able to manage thousands of users, product uploads, orders, payments, and customer support.
It also needs to connect with external systems like payment gateways, Razorpay, Paytm, etc., delivery partners, and SMS/email services. All these integrations need to be built carefully and tested thoroughly with the help of ecommerce development companies. The more robust and scalable the backend is, the more resources it takes, which increases the overall shopping app development cost.
| Feature/Aspect | Estimated Cost |
| Basic Backend Setup | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| User Management | $500 – $2,400 |
| Order Management System | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Payment Gateway Integration | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Scalability Infrastructure | $1,000 – $4,000+ |
| API Development | $1,000 – $3,000+ |
| Security Implementation | $3,000 – $4,000+ |
5. Team Location and Expertise
The cost to build an app like Meesho can also vary greatly depending on where your development team is located. Hiring developers from countries like the US or UK will cost more compared to hiring developers from India or Southeast Asia. However, experience and expertise also play a big role.
A highly skilled shopping app development services team may charge more, but can build your app similar to Meesho faster and better, reducing bugs and long-term maintenance costs. If you choose to go with a freelance developer or a small agency, the Meesho app development cost might be lower, but it can also come with risks like delays or a lack of support.
| Region | Junior Developer ($/hour) |
| North America | $100 – $150 |
| Western Europe | $80 – $120 |
| Eastern Europe | $40 – $70 |
| UAE | $15 -$25 |
| Southeast Asia | $25 – $50 |
5Best Reselling Apps like Meesho
If you are thinking of creating a reselling application like Meesho, you should be aware of the competitor applications. We have listed down the Meesho alternatives that you must check out:
| Top Shopping Apps like Meesho | Available Platform | Downloads | Ratings |
| Dubizzle | Android | iOS | 5M+ | 4.7 |
| Noon | Android | iOS | 10M+ | 4.5 |
| Poshmark | Android | iOS | 10M+ | 3.6 |
| eBay | Android | iOS | 100M+ | 3.7 |
| Mercari | Android | iOS | 10M+ | 4.0 |
Key Features to Develop an Application like Meesho
To build an app like Meesho, you’ll need to focus on three main areas: User Panel, Admin Panel, and Seller Panel. Each of these panels serves different users, so the features should be tailored to their needs.
Below is a clear explanation of what each panel needs, given by an e-commerce development company in Dubai.
1. User Panel
Easy Sign Up & Login
Users must sign up by using their phone number, email, or Google/Facebook accounts.
User-Friendly Home Page
A clean interface showing trending products, deals, and categories like clothing, accessories, electronics, etc.
Product Search & Filter
Users should easily search for items and filter them by price, type, popularity, rating, and more.
Easy Order Placement
An ecommerce app development services team can add this feature. Simple checkout process, with options to add customer details if reselling.
Product Details Page
Each product should have clear images, descriptions, sizes, price, discounts, shipping time, and ratings.
Resell & Share Option
A share button that lets users send product links via WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram with their added margin.
Add to Cart & Wishlist
In the Meesho alternative app, save items in a cart or wish list for buying or reselling later.
2. Seller Panel
Seller Registration
An easy sign-up and KYC process to register as a supplier.
Add/Edit Products
Upload product images, descriptions, pricing, stock availability, and shipping details.
Order Management
View orders placed by resellers, prepare packages, and update dispatch status.
Inventory Tracking
An iOS app development company UAE can add inventory tracking features.
Earnings Dashboard
View total sales, pending payments, and earnings over time from a dropshipping application like Meesho.
Customer Feedback
When you create an app like Meesho, add read product reviews and ratings to improve offerings.
Support & Help Center
Contact support for help with logistics, payments, or product-related questions.
3. Admin Panel
Dashboard Overview
A quick summary of total users, orders, sales, popular products, and revenue.
User Management
Similar to an app like Alibaba, your app should include user management. Ability to view, block, or manage user accounts, including resellers and buyers.
Product Management
Admins can add, edit, delete, or approve product listings. They can also set offers or discounts.
Order & Return Management
You can create an app like Meesho to add features like view all orders, process returns or refunds, and handle delivery issues.
Payments & Commissions
Track payments from buyers and calculate commissions to be sent to resellers.
Supplier Management
Add or manage sellers, approve their products, and monitor their performance.
Reports & Analytics
View data on best-selling items, active users, top-performing resellers, and overall sales.
How to Monetize Your Meesho Clone App?
Meesho clone app development is a smart move in today’s booming social commerce space. But once your app similar to Meesho, is live and running, the next big question is: how do you make money from it? Here are the effective and beginner-friendly monetization models you can use.
1. Commission on Each Sale
Every time a reseller or seller makes a sale through your app like Halan, you take a small percentage as commission. For example, if someone sells a T-shirt worth ₹500, and your app takes a 10% commission, you earn ₹50 from that transaction. This works great because the more people sell, the more you earn, without needing to sell anything yourself.
Why it works:
- You earn on every transaction.
- The sellers don’t need to pay upfront fees.
- It’s a fair model that motivates both parties.
2. Premium Seller Subscriptions
You can offer special features to sellers with the help of an Android app development company UAE. This is called a freemium model—basic features are free, but advanced tools come with a price. These premium features might include: Higher visibility on the platform, More product listings, Access to performance analytics, Priority support and Early access to new tools or updates.
Why it works:
- Sellers are willing to pay for tools that help them grow faster.
- It provides you with recurring income every month.
3. Featured Listings and Ads
Let sellers pay to promote their products inside your app similar to Meesho. Just like Google Ads or Instagram promotions, you can allow sellers to boost their products to appear at the top of search results or on the home page. You can charge them per click, per 1000 views, or a fixed fee for a certain period.
Why it works:
- Sellers get more visibility, which can lead to more sales.
- You earn from every click or impression, even if the product doesn’t sell immediately.
4. Logistics and Delivery Charges
If your shopping app development solutions help with delivery like shipping the product to the customer, you can charge a small fee for that service. For example, you can partner with logistics providers and add a margin to the delivery cost. Let’s say a courier charges ₹40 per delivery. You charge the seller or buyer ₹50, and keep the ₹10 as profit.
Why it works:
- Delivery is essential, so people are ready to pay for it.
- Adds an extra income stream without much effort.
5. In-App Wallet or Payment Gateway Fees
If your ewallet app development solution has its own wallet or payment system, you can take a tiny fee whenever someone adds money or withdraws money. Think of it like Paytm or PhonePe, where the platform earns from transaction charges. For example, you can charge ₹5 on every withdrawal or charge a small fee for instant payments.
Why it works:
- Helps control the money flow within the app.
- Gives you consistent micro-earnings from frequent usage.
Final Thoughts
Building an application like Meesho is a smart move if you’re eyeing success in social commerce. The cost depends on features, design, platform, and the mobile app development company you choose for Meesho app development solutions.
Thus, investing in the right team can turn your idea into a thriving digital marketplace. So, if you’re ready to launch the next big thing in reselling, partner with experts who understand your vision and can bring it to life with quality, efficiency, and innovation.
FAQs
1. How Long Does it Take to Develop an App like Meesho?
A basic version can take around 3–5 months, while more complete Meesho app development solutions may require 6–12 months, depending on the development method (custom or using pre-built modules), the number of developers involved, and testing cycles.
2. Can I Reduce Costs by Using a White-label Solution?
Yes! White-label solutions can significantly reduce both cost and development time. These can include essential features. However, customization may still add to the final budget, especially if you want a unique design or functionality.
3. How Can I Monetize an Application like Meesho?
- Commission from Sellers: Charge a % per sale
- Advertisement & Featured Listings
- Freemium Plans for Resellers
- Logistics/Delivery fees if you provide fulfillment
4. How to Create an Application like Meesho?
- Define your niche and target users
- Choose features like Meesho
- Select tech stack
- Hire developers
- Develop an MVP
- Launch the app
- Market & scale
5. What Features Are Essential for a Meesho-like App?
To match Meesho’s model, your app should include:
- User Registration & Profiles
- Product Listings & Categories
- Social Sharing & Referrals
- Shopping Cart & Payments
- Seller Dashboard
- Order Tracking & Management
- Push Notifications
