Tarun Nagar As social media changes, audio-based platforms have come up as a new, exciting way to meet, interact, and share ideas. Clubhouse, a social voice app that has changed the way people talk to each other online, is leading the way.
But as business owners and developers look at how this huge trend could grow, one important question comes up: how much does it cost to develop an app like Clubhouse?
The answer isn’t easy to give because it depends on many things, such as the technology stack, the development team, the features and style of the app, and so on.
This blog will talk about the main factors that affect how much it costs to make an app like Clubhouse. This will give you the information you need to get started on this fun project.
So, let’s begin!
What is a Clubhouse?
The clubhouse has been getting a lot of attention on social media since its iOS version came out in March 2020 in the Apple App Store. Later, as demand for the app grew, the company released an Android version in May 2021 in the US and other countries around the world.
On this audio-only social media site, thousands of people can listen to experts or people in the community. People can start or continue a talk about many different topics, such as fashion, backpacking, Japanese languages, comic books, and more. If you are planning to make an app like Clubhouse, it is vital to consult an on demand app development company.
Cost To Develop An App Like Clubhouse
The cost to develop an app like Clubhouse can vary between $10,000 to $25,000. Now depending on an extensive set of features, the technology used, the design parameters assigned during development, the underlying platform, etc, the cost to develop an app like Clubhouse can vary greatly.
| App Complexity | Cost Estimation |
| Simple App Like Clubhouse | $10000-$15000 |
| Medium App Like Clubhouse | $15000-$20000 |
| Complex App Like Clubhouse | $25000 |
To put it more simply, the general complexity of the app is what determines the budget for developing it. For example, an app that is very complicated and has a lot of features mobile app development costs you more than an app that is easy and only has a few features.
Factors Affecting the Cost To Build An App Like Clubhouse
When planning to build an app like Clubhouse, understanding the factors that affect the development cost is crucial. Several elements influence the total expenditure, from the app’s complexity to the choice of development team. Here are six key factors that can impact the cost to develop an app like Clubhouse:
1. App Features and Functionality
The more features you want in your app, the higher the cost to develop an app like Clubhouse. A basic version of Clubhouse social networking app development may include features like user registration, room creation, and audio streaming. However, adding advanced features such as in-app messaging, social media integration, real-time analytics, and AI-based recommendations will increase the complexity and, consequently, the cost. Each feature requires time, effort, and specialized skills to develop, contributing to the overall expense.
2. User Interface and User Experience Design
The design of the app plays a significant role in its success. A well-designed UI/UX ensures that users have a seamless and engaging experience, which is essential for an app like Clubhouse that relies heavily on user interaction. The cost to develop an app like Clubhouse of UI/UX design depends on the complexity of the design elements, the number of screens, and the need for custom animations or graphics. A polished, intuitive design may require more time and expertise, thus increasing the cost to build a social media app.
3. Backend Infrastructure and Scalability
The backend of an app like Clubhouse needs to handle large volumes of data, user interactions, and real-time audio streaming. A robust and scalable backend infrastructure is essential to ensure the app can handle the growing number of users without performance issues. The cost to develop an app like Clubhouse and maintain a scalable backend will depend on factors like server architecture, cloud storage, databases, and security protocols. Investing in a reliable backend is crucial for the app’s long-term success but will add to the initial development costs.
4. Platform Choice: iOS, Android, or Both
Deciding whether to develop the app for iOS, Android, or both platforms is another crucial factor. Building a cross-platform app can save costs, but it may limit the app’s performance and design flexibility. On the other hand, when a social networking app development company develops native apps for both platforms ensures a better user experience but at a higher cost due to the need for separate development efforts. The choice between native and cross-platform development will significantly impact the budget.
Key Features To Develop An App Like Clubhouse
The ease of Clubhouse is one reason why it’s so popular. It has a feed, rooms, clubs, profile, and search, but those seem to be just enough to make tens of thousands of people want an offer. Now that we know how to develop an app like Clubhouse, let’s look at them:
1. Profile Creation
The app has a very simple profile creation process built in. When people sign up, they need to give their name and phone number. Users have to reserve a name, or “username,” ahead of time, in case they don’t get an invite to enter the app.
2. Clubhouse Hallway
Clubhouse is an app for radio networking. This is its main feed of android app development. This is where people can see the chat rooms that are currently running. There is also a list of the clubs or planned rooms you follow at the top of the hallway.
3. Clubhouse Rooms
In the Clubhouse Room, you can see the names of the people in the room and what they are talking about. You can think of Room as a show. This part lets you listen in on a talk or mute/leave the room to check out other rooms in the hallway that are still being used.
4. Clubhouse Voice Chat App Clubs
The app makes it easy to make clubs right inside the app. In this way, you can make communities inside the platform where you and other users can have “n” meetings and conversations.
5. Push Notifications
With the help of a mobile app development company, you must integrate this feature. The push message system in the Clubhouse app is pretty clear. Several notifications show up when you click on the notifications button. It can increase the cost to develop an app like Clubhouse.
6. Clubhouse Invitation
If you want to invite someone to Clubhouse, you should already know them on your phone. You can see who is already on Clubhouse when you connect your address book to it. You can also look for people and invite them to join.
7. Moderation
Poor moderation in chat rooms is one place where Clubhouse is getting a lot of bad press. Many users have complained about calls that are racist and rude. Hate speech should not be allowed in any place. There should be a proper moderation space where the speaker should be removed or the audience should be limited in what they can say.
8. Reminders
Since live conversations in the Clubhouse app can’t be saved or recorded, users should be told right away when their favorite speaker or topic-based room starts. They shouldn’t miss the same thing, and a good method for reminding and notifying them makes sure of that.
9. Following Speakers & Trends
Users can use the following choice for speakers and trends whenever they find something they like to make their activity area fit their needs. Hire android app developers to integrate this feature. The user can stay up to date on everything the speaker or the trend is doing.
How To Make Money With Clubhouse App Development?
Monetizing a Clubhouse app can be a lucrative venture if approached strategically. Here are six effective ways to make money with Clubhouse app development:
1. In-App Purchases
In-app purchases are a popular monetization strategy, allowing users to buy virtual goods, premium features, or additional content directly within the app. For a Clubhouse-style app, this could include exclusive access to premium rooms, the ability to host larger events, or purchasing badges and emojis that can be used during discussions. Offering users the option to enhance their experience through microtransactions can significantly boost revenue.
2. Subscription Model
A subscription model can generate a steady stream of income by offering users different membership tiers. These tiers could provide various benefits, such as ad-free experiences, access to exclusive content, or advanced features like enhanced audio quality or analytics tools for room hosts. Monthly or yearly subscriptions can create a reliable revenue stream while ensuring that loyal users receive ongoing value.
3. Sponsorships and Brand Collaborations
Partnering with brands and sponsors can be a highly profitable approach. Brands can sponsor specific rooms, events, or even entire communities within the app, allowing them to reach a targeted audience. As the app grows in popularity, more brands will be interested in collaborating, offering opportunities for sponsored discussions, product placements, and more. This not only brings in revenue but also enhances the app’s credibility and reach.
4. Ticketed Events
Ticketed events are an excellent way to monetize high-profile discussions, workshops, or exclusive interviews. By charging users a fee to attend certain rooms or events, you can create a new revenue stream while offering unique and valuable experiences to your audience. This model works particularly well for events featuring celebrities, industry experts, or other influential figures, where demand for participation is high.
5. Advertising
Integrating advertisements into your Clubhouse app is another viable monetization strategy. This can include audio ads that play during discussions, sponsored rooms, or banner ads displayed within the app. While users may prefer an ad-free experience, offering a premium, ad-free subscription can provide an additional revenue stream. It’s important to ensure that ads are relevant and not overly intrusive to maintain a positive user experience.
Tips To Reduce The Cost To Develop An App like Clubhouse
Developing a social audio app like Clubhouse can be a costly endeavor, but there are strategic ways to manage and reduce expenses without compromising on quality. Here are six tips to help you minimize the cost to develop an app like Clubhouse.
1. Prioritize Core Features First
When developing an app like Clubhouse, it’s essential to focus on the core features that define the app’s user experience. These include live audio chat rooms, user profiles, and basic moderation tools. By launching an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) with these essential features, you can significantly reduce initial cost to develop an app like Clubhouse. Additional features like advanced analytics or integrated social sharing can be added in subsequent updates once the app gains traction.
2. Leverage Cross-Platform Development
Cross-platform development tools like React Native or Flutter allow developers to build apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase. This approach can cut development time and cost to develop an app like Clubhouse by up to 30% compared to building separate native apps for each platform. Cross-platform development also simplifies maintenance and updates, further reducing long-term mobile app development cost.
3. Outsource Development to Cost-Effective Regions
Outsourcing your app development to regions with lower labor costs, such as Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia, can drastically reduce expenses. These regions often hire dedicated developers who can deliver quality work at a fraction of the cost to develop an app like Clubhouse compared to developers in North America or Western Europe. However, it’s crucial to thoroughly vet potential partners to ensure they have the expertise and experience needed to bring your vision to life.
4. Utilize Pre-Built Modules and APIs
To save time and money, consider integrating pre-built modules and APIs for common functionalities like user authentication, payment processing, or push notifications. Instead of building these features from scratch, leveraging existing solutions can speed up development and reduce the cost to develop an app like Clubhouse. For example, using Firebase for real-time database management or Twilio for communication features can save thousands in development expenses.
Final Thoughts
Audio-only social media apps like Clubhouse are quickly becoming very popular, bringing in millions of eager users who want to share their thoughts and ideas on a wide range of topics or areas of interest.
It’s not just regular people who are using Clubhouse apps these days; marketers and people who work in eCommerce are also using them to learn more about their customers’ likes and dislikes. So, the way things stand right now gives you a chance to put your social media app on the market.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to create an app like Clubhouse?
Building even the most basic social app can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. A simple app can be made in two to four months, while a complex app can take up to nine months. If you want to make an app with more advanced features, it can take longer.
2. What is the unique functionality of the Clubhouse app?
Clubhouse is different because you can only join if you’re invited, you can join live sessions that aren’t recorded, you can have audio-only talk chats, and you can join any interesting event without any special links or invites.
3. How to make money through an app like Clubhouse?
To make money with an app like Clubhouse, you can try a number of different ways, such as:
- Putting in place paid subscriptions
- Allowing sales inside the app
- Working together with brands to run events or rooms that are sponsored
- Making advertising choices available
- Making information that only premium users can see
4. How much does it cost to develop an app like Clubhouse?
It costs between $10,000 and $25,000 to develop an app like Clubhouse. The price may go up or down even more depending on where the app development company is located, the design of the app, the creation process, and other things.
