“Connect your business personally with people by developing a video calling application.”
Social media applications have lessened the gap between people living in extreme corners of the world. Online calling and video chat apps have become popular as they provide exclusive features mostly at free of cost. For business, the question is how to develop a video calling app by keeping a low budget. So, the development process becomes smooth and fast.
Before that, entrepreneurs need to study the increase in the popularity of such platforms and growth occurred in the UAE market. To create a video chat app you must know various aspects like cost, features, and monetization.
Here, we are going to cover all the topics in detail. So, you can easily make investments by connecting with a reliable development partner.
How Video Calling Apps are Becoming Popular?
With the growth of telemedicine, virtual events, remote employment, and digital communication, building a video chat app has become increasingly popular. You must know how to develop video calling apps that provide unparalleled ease, productivity, and connectivity to consumers.
You can develop a video editing application that can be widely used by individuals, businesses, and educators. This may help you to drive the industry’s explosive growth and innovation.
- Global Revenue: The video conferencing market is projected to reach $19.1 Billion by 2027.
- Growth Rate: The industry is growing at a rate of 11.3% CAGR from 2021 to 2027.
- App Downloads: Zoom alone surpassed 1 Billion downloads on Google Play as of 2024.
- Business Adoption: Over 85% of companies use video conferencing tools for remote work.
- User Base: Microsoft Teams has over 320 Million monthly active users as of early 2025.
Why Invest in Video Chat App Development?
Investing money to develop a video chat app is a wise strategic choice. These applications, which provide real-time connectivity, scalability, and substantial income potential, are crucial for a variety of businesses:
1. Exploding Market Demand
Telehealth, virtual events, and remote work have all contributed to the cost to develop a video calling app. The market is rapidly growing in which new and small businesses can invest to get a unique video calling solution. Long-term adoption and steady user growth are shown by this trend.
2. Cross-Industry Applications
Businesses can create a video chat app not for social media but also for other industries like healthcare, education, customer service, and business sectors. A custom web development company helps businesses to enhance live consumer engagement and to provide online classes with virtual consultations.
3. Enhanced User Engagement
User happiness rises when live video communication promotes clarity, trust, and a real-time connection. Chat, group calls, and screen sharing are some of the features that keep users interested in the platform. Increased retention and app loyalty are the outcomes of investing in video calling app development.
4. Monetization Opportunities
A variety of revenue streams are available for video chat programs like advertisements and subscriptions. You can create a mobile app to implement in-app purchases or white-label options. This generates steady income streams and helps to reduce the cost to make a video calling app.
5. Competitive Differentiation
Investing money to create a video calling app may help you to differentiate your business profile. Secure communication, superior UX, and unique features create a powerful brand identity. It presents your company as forward-thinking, customer-focused, and technologically sophisticated.
Use of AI to Develop a Video Calling App
Creating a video conferencing solution that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) greatly improves efficiency, automation, and user experience. You can produce a smooth and intelligent communication environment with AI-powered features like intelligent analytics by approaching a hybrid app development company in UAE.
AI enables developers to develop a video calling app with intelligent features other than phone calls, improving the usability, security, and engagement of video apps for both personal and business use.
- Noise Cancellation – Eliminates background noise to ensure clear audio during calls.
- Face Detection – Adjusts the camera view to keep users centered and in focus.
- Speech-to-Text Transcription – Converts live conversations into text for accessibility and recordkeeping.
- AI-Based Moderation – Detects and filters inappropriate content or behavior during video sessions.
- Personalized User Experience – Recommends settings, filters, or layouts based on user habits and preferences.
How to Build Video Chatting Applications?
Businesses must know the process to develop a video calling app for targeting regional audiences in the UAE and surrounding countries in the Middle East. Here are the following development steps:
1. Observe Market Trends
First analyze user behavior, popular features, market trends, and the cost to develop a video chat app. Determine the main rivals and evaluate their factors of success. Recognize the issues people have with current apps and try to resolve them.
Examine cutting-edge technology such as WebRTC, AI, and AR filters. This knowledge will assist you in creating a distinctive value proposition for your application.
2. Planning Stage
You must prepare a roadmap that answers how to build a video chat app covering the project’s objectives, target market, feature set, and revenue projections. Choose platforms to select cross-platform and native development. To see user journey, contact an Android app development company in UAE.
Decide on a reasonable budget and schedule. A well-defined plan guarantees seamless execution and reduces rework.
3. Hiring Process
You must select a development agency, independent contractors, or an internal team to build a video calling app. Seek out developers who have experience with WebRTC, scalable backend systems, and real-time communication.
Verify previous client reviews, perform technical interviews, and examine portfolios. A high-caliber, timely product launch is guaranteed by strong talent.
4. Create User Interface
Create a simple, user-friendly design that makes communication and navigation easy. You should make a video calling app with basic functions like screen sharing, muting, chat, calls, and settings that are simple for users to access. Include responsive layouts for different screen sizes and accessibility features.
For a finished appearance, use consistent fonts, colors, and icons. By targeting on demand app development solutions, you can increase user retention and pleasure.
5. API Integration
It is important to include APIs for chat, authentication, and video streaming. Include cloud storage APIs for call recording and media sharing. If you want to monetize your app, put payment channels in place. For push alerts in real time, use Firebase or Twilio frameworks.
Dynamic and scalable app functionality is ensured by seamless API connectivity with live stream video chat app development services.
6. Testing & Security
To build a multi user video chat app, perform various testing processes like usability, integration, and unit testing. Assure consistent performance across various device kinds and network conditions. A mobile app development company uses SSL to secure user data and implement end-to-end encryption.
To find security flaws, conduct penetration testing. A safe and well-tested app prevents compliance problems and increases user trust.
7. Deploy & Updates
Once all submission requirements have been met, release the app on app stores. Install analytics software to monitor performance indicators and user behavior. Get early users’ opinions and fix any problems or faults. Release security patches, performance enhancements, and new features on a regular basis.
Regular updates maintain the competitiveness and relevance of your app. All these tasks directly affect the cost to develop a video calling app.
Exciting Features of a Video Calling Application
A video calling app with lots of features improves ease, security, and user experience. Smooth communication for both personal and professional use is ensured by these features:
1. HD Video Calling
It guarantees HD video quality for incredibly sharp images. You can build a group video chat web app that enhances communication by offering a more realistic environment for interaction.
2. End-to-End Encryption
An online chatting app ensures that only participants can view the chat, protecting call data. It fulfills contemporary security standards and increases user trust.
3. Multi-Platform Support
A live calling platform enables users to connect via tablets, smartphones, or PCs. The best video editing software increases accessibility and provides flexibility.
4. Group Calling Feature
A personal video chat app allows several people to join a single call. It is ideal for family get-togethers, online classes, and virtual meetings.
5. Screen Sharing
Various private chatting apps enable real-time screen sharing during calls. They are beneficial for group projects, tutorials, and presentations.
6. In-App Messaging
This feature provides video calls in addition to quick text conversation. It increases interaction without switching between platforms.
7. Call Recording
The best video calling apps in UAE enables users to capture video calls for later usage. They are perfect for instructional seminars, business meetings, and interviews.
8. Virtual Background Filters
During a call, users can change or obscure their background. This feature adds a playful, polished touch or aids in maintaining privacy.
9. Push Notifications
An app like imo notifies users of incoming messages, calls, or app changes. This increases app engagement and keeps users informed.
10. Official Reminders
These apps alert users to upcoming video calls or meetings. It increases user productivity and lowers the number of missed calls received.
Top Video Calling Apps in the UAE
Various video calling applications have emerged as crucial tools for communication in the United Arab Emirates. Residents rely on certified apps that provide dependable voice and video quality to suit their personal and business needs. These are a few of the most popular video calling applications in the UAE:
Top 10 Video Chat Apps |
Supported Devices |
Downloads |
Ratings |
Google Meet | Android|iOS | 10B+ | 4.3 |
Android|iOS | 10B+ | 4.2 | |
imo | Android|iOS | 1B+ | 4.1 |
Zoom | Android|iOS | 1B+ | 4.1 |
Microsoft Teams | Android|iOS | 100M+ | 4.6 |
Webex Meetings | Android|iOS | 100M+ | 4.4 |
BOTIM | Android|iOS | 100M+ | 4.2 |
BiP | Android|iOS | 50M+ | 4.3 |
GoChat | Android|iOS | 5M+ | 4.7 |
Comera | Android|iOS | 5M+ | 4.1 |
What is the Cost to Develop a Video Chat App?
The cost to develop a video calling app may vary greatly based on a number of variables. Every factor affects the ultimate budget, from the intricacy of the project to the location of your team. You can maximize your investment and plan more efficiently if you are aware of these elements:
1. Project Difficulty
The cost to develop a video chat app increases with advanced features like calling, end-to-end encryption, or AI moderation. Basic calling apps are less expensive than ones that need real-time analytics and strong scalability. Time and money are further increased by custom features and integrations.
Project Difficulty |
Development Time |
Estimated Cost |
Simple | 2-5 months | $5000-$10000 |
Moderate | 5-8 months | $10000-$15000 |
Complex | 8-12 months | $15000-$20000 |
Premium | More than 12 months | $20000-$25000 |
2. Development Location
The cost to create a video calling app is dependent on the location of developers. In Asia or Eastern Europe the charges per hour are less whereas those in North America or Western Europe are high. Hiring from economically viable areas can significantly lower the on-demand video app development cost.
Development Location |
Estimated Cost |
USA | $25000-$30000 |
Australia | $20000-$25000 |
India | $5000-$12000 |
UK | $15000-$20000 |
UAE | $8000-$15000 |
Brazil | $12000-$16000 |
3. Expertise of Developers
Hiring of highly qualified developers guarantees quicker delivery and fewer errors. Junior developers could need extra oversight and prolong deadlines. The secret to preventing rework and guaranteeing a high-quality product is striking a balance between video call app development cost and competence.
Expertise of Developers |
Cost Estimation |
Junior/Entry-Level | $8000-$12000 |
Mid-Level/Experienced | $12000-$16000 |
Senior/Expert | $16000-$20000 |
Professional | $20000-$24000 |
4. Tech Stack
The use of third-party tools or high-performance technologies affects the cost to develop video streaming apps and licensing expenses. Although open-source technologies can save costs, they could not have as much support or sophisticated functionality.
Tech Stack |
Estimated Cost |
Artificial Intelligence | $10,000-$15,000 |
Blockchain | $15,000-$20,000 |
Cloud Computing | $20,000-$25,000 |
IoT Integration | $25,000-$30,000 |
5. Platform Type
Compared to developing a cross-platform or multi-platform solution, building for a single platform is less expensive. By sharing code across systems, cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter or React Native can lower the cost to build a video chat app.
Platform Type |
Estimated Cost |
Flutter App | $15,000-$20,000 |
Native App | $20,000-$25,000 |
Hybrid App | $25,000-$30,000 |
How to Monetize Video Chatting Applications?
Video chat app monetization guarantees long-term financial success and helps to reduce the cost to build a video calling app. Here are six methods to make money with your video chat app:
1. Freemium Model
Provide free basic services and charge for premium ones like group calls and HD video sessions. You can draw in a large user base to get income from them and reduce the cost to develop a video chat app. Both user acquisition and steady revenue growth benefit greatly from it.
2. Subscription Plans
You can make a video chat app and offer yearly or monthly subscription tiers with extra features. Recurring fees are paid by users to obtain improved features, generating steady income. Various top chatting apps in UAE with devoted user bases are good options for this approach.
3. In-App Purchases
Allow customers to purchase backgrounds, stickers, filters, and virtual presents to improve their chat experience. A video chat app development company helps to promote interaction with a social or dating theme. User activity and emotional attachment to the platform determine revenue scale.
4. Ad Supported Content
During downtime or after calls, play banner advertising, interstitials, or video adverts. Businesses must use live stream video call app development services to make money from free users. When your app has a large user base and great interaction, this approach performs well.
5. Pay-Per-Session Billing
Charge customers by the minute or by the session which is helpful for different industries. You can approach a video streaming app development company that may allow users to pay for each engagement. It balances the cost to build a video chat app and provide specialized information.
6. White-Label Licensing
Other companies who want to include your video chat technology into their apps under their own name can purchase a license. High income potential is offered by this B2B model without requiring you to grow your customer-facing business.
Let’s Summarize!!
Finally, we are now at the stage where you can actually start the process to develop a video chat app. Only, you have to focus on a few major points that will help you to focus on the development process by eliminating unnecessary elements:
- Your primary aim is to identify the cost to build a video calling app.
- Contact an experienced IT consulting firm to make a video chat app.
- Target video streaming app development solutions at affordable rates.
- Make use of suitable money making strategies.
By following the above points, you can launch a new and unique brand that will provide exclusive video chatting services to users.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Long Does it Take to Develop a Video Chat App?
Depending on its complexity and feature set, a video chat app’s development time usually lasts between 3 to 6 months. Advanced apps require more time than basic apps with basic calling functions. The platform and team size have an impact on the timeline as well.
2. What is the Maintenance Cost of Video Calling Applications?
Annual maintenance expenses typically fall between 15% and 20% of the original development cost. This covers the price of third-party APIs, server hosting, upgrades, and bug patches. The monthly infrastructure and support costs increase with the number of users and features.
3. How to Reduce the Cost to Develop a Video Calling App?
- You must focus on essential features.
- Use Agora, Twilio, or WebRTC to reduce backend development costs.
- Implement React Native framework to build cross-platform apps.
4. Is it Profitable to Develop a Video Chat App?
Yes, given the appropriate market segment and monetization strategy, it may be quite profitable. Applications in fields including social networking, education, and telemedicine are experiencing high ROI and user engagement.
5. Which Online Calling Apps are Free to Use in the UAE?
Botim, Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams are the most popular video calling apps that are available for free in the United Arab Emirates. With premium subscription options, the majority of certified applications provide basic free calling.