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Build a Chat App Like Discord: A Simple Yet Effective Guide!

23 Views | 6 min | Published On: September 9, 2024 Last Updated: September 9, 2024

What exactly makes Discord apart from other chat applications? Well, it isn’t just a messaging platform -- it's about fostering a vibrant & interactive community. 

Discord has revolutionized the way people connect and engage with others online, offering seamless communication with dynamic features that keep users engaged. This unique blend of features & functionality has led Discord to a huge success. 

Check the chat app market landscape: The Chat Application Market size was valued at USD 4.2 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 18.9 Billion by the end of 2030 with a CAGR of 23.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

If you're looking to launch your chat app like Discord and want it to grow significantly like Discord – this guide is specifically designed for you. Here you will navigate through a business model, features to include in your chat app, involved costs, and much more. 

Let’s start and learn how to build a chat app like Discord!

A Brief Overview of Discord's History 

Here’s a brief overview of the Discord chat app. Let’s take a look at it:

A Brief Overview of Discord History

An Overview of the Latest Discord Market Stats

Check out the latest data and stats of the Discord chat app:

Discord market stats and data

Features to Include in Social Media Apps like Discord

Incorporating essential features will determine your app’s success among users. Therefore, select features that align with your business goals & objectives. 

Let’s learn:

features to include in chat app like Discord

1. @Mentions

The mentions feature allows users to tag specific individuals or groups in discussions or chats. It helps ensure they are notified about any relevant messages or updates. 

2. Alerts/Notifications

Integrating real-time notifications or alerts for the latest messages, mentions, or updates is crucial. It will help to keep users informed about their ongoing events or discussions. 

3. Broadcast Messaging

The broadcast messaging allows admins to send important updates or announcements to large audiences. It ensures that broadcasted messages are communicated effectively across the platform saving time and effort. 

4. Chat/Messaging

Provides real-time text-based conversations in group chats and individual chats. By employing a chat/messaging feature, users can keep their conversations dynamic and structured. This ensures that conversations will always be clear and smooth, even as teams grow and become more complex.

5. Real-Time Chat

The real-time chat offers real-time, instant messaging that facilitates easy and seamless conversation, leading to a prompt and responsive connection. 

Instant exchange of information among users fosters timely decision-making and enhances collaborative efforts. This effective communication ensures strong team chemistry even in remote or mixed work contexts.

6. Real-Time Notifications

Quick alerts ensure that users never miss any significant interactions by informing them of new messages, mentions, or updates. Users can change the importance of these notifications to aid in helping them focus and pay attention. Instant alerts ensure prompt communication and keep all parties informed, whether it's a simple mention or a project update.

7. Screen Sharing

The screen sharing feature in the chat app allows users to share their screen within the conversation. It fosters real-time collaboration. It helps to enhance communication by making it easy to present, review, and discuss content seamlessly within the platform. 

8. Single Sign-On (SSO)

With the use of the SSO (Single Sign-On) feature, users can easily gain access without having to remember several passwords by logging in with one set of credentials (like Google or Microsoft). 

SSO reduces password fatigue and improves security in today's remote work environment by making it easier to access technologies like Slack, Google Workspace, and Zoom with just one login.

9. Two-Way Audio & Video

This function creates a new level of connection by allowing real-time communication between the location of the camera and a remote user. It lets people interact actively with their environment, enabling real-time communication between users for discussions, meetings, or casual chats.

10. Video Conferencing

89% of companies are using multiple video conferencing platforms. It has become a crucial part of growing your business. Make sure to integrate a video chat app like Discord feature that allows multiple users to engage and connect. It helps them to join video meetings, support teams for collaboration, webinars, community events, and more. 

Build a Chat App Like Discord: Step-by-Step Development Process

Let's learn how to create a chat app development like Discord. This will give you a clear understanding of the entire workflow process:

development process of chat app like Discord

Step 1: Market Research

To build a chat app like Discord, you must begin by analyzing the market and your target audience. Identify the potential gaps in existing apps like Discord and look for features that your users will prefer. 

Additionally, make sure to implement a SWOT analysis to know your competitor's advantages and weaknesses. All these factors will help you refine your chat application’s unique selling points and stay ahead of the competition. 

Begin by analyzing the market and your target audience. Identify gaps in existing apps like Discord and find features that users want but aren’t currently available. This will help you refine your app’s unique selling points and stay competitive.

 

Step 2: UX UI Design

Provide a user-friendly, aesthetically engaging, and easily navigable UX UI design to improve the user experience. Make an effort to create user-friendly interfaces, intuitive navigation, and design that appeal to communities and casual users. 

Create a responsive app that works on various screens and devices. Also, prioritizing user engagement, inclusivity,  and accessibility comes first. 

 

Step 3: Right Tech Stack

Choosing the right technology stack will help you lay the foundation of your robust chat app. It ensures scalability, security, and real-time communication. Popular tech stack includes React, Flutter, Java, Python, and much more. Ensure compatibility across platforms to offer a seamless user experience for both Discord Android and iOS devices.

 

Step 4: Development

The development phase of the messaging app is a highly crucial stage where your app vision transforms into a robust app. Here developers work on frontend and backend infrastructure, including APIs, architecture, servers, and databases. Implement your chosen tech stack to build an efficient, strong platform with low-latency communication

If you’re looking for a robust mobile app development company to build your chat app like Discord – get in touch with Apptunix.

 

Step 5: Testing & Deployment

Now it’s time to test your chat application and perform rigorous testing. It helps to ensure that your app works smoothly across all devices and platforms. 

Once your app is optimized and error-free, deploy it on the app stores (Play Store/ Apple Store). However, it's also important to continuously monitor user feedback, and implement updates for improvement. 

How to Make Money from a Messaging App Like Discord?

Discord makes money from various monetization techniques. Now let's learn some of the most crucial ways that help to generate revenue from chat apps:

1. Subscription Model

Users can sign up for Discord Nitro, a premium service, on a monthly or yearly basis. It costs $9.99/month or $99.99/ annually and is free for the first month. It helps to get access to features like more file upload capacity, personalized emoticons, and better video quality. The platform's subscription model allows it to continuously make money by offering value-added services that enhance the customer experience.

 

2. Merchandise Store

Discord also sells branded items including apparel, accoutrements, and stickers through its online store. This fosters brand loyalty and boosts income by enabling users to support and promote the platform in their everyday lives.

 

3. Funding

Discord gained greatly from substantial venture capital funding, which has been essential to its expansion and improvement. 

With the help of this money, Discord can pursue long-term monetization plans, add more users, maintain its infrastructure, and invest in new features. Discord's fundraising efforts were projected to have raised close to $7 billion by December 2022. 

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Chat App Like Discord?

The cost of developing a chat app like Discord depends on various factors. It includes the project’s complexity, features & functionalities, UX UI design, tech stack, and more. 

For a social media app like Discord with essential features, the estimated cost ranges from $15,000 to $60,000. For more advanced features & premium design, the cost ranges up to $80,000 or above

To get an accurate price estimate for your messaging app development like Discord, get in touch with Apptunix experts. 

How Apptunix Can Help You Build a Robust Chat App Like Discord?

Partner with Apptunix, a leading mobile app development company specializing in creating high-performance chat apps tailored to your specific needs. 

We assist in building scalable, feature-rich applications that will transform your vision into reality -- whether it's real-time messaging, integrated voice calls, or voice channels -- we ensure every feature works seamlessly and offers exceptional user experience. 

At Apptunix, we don’t just build apps; we build communities. To make sure your app stands out in a crowded market, our team is committed to providing end-to-end solutions, from original concept design to post-launch support.

We build robust social media apps like Discord by utilizing the latest technology and industry best practices, so your app may expand along with your user base. Sign up for a mobile app development company New York like Apptunix now, share the ideas for your project with us, and watch as your company soars to new heights.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Q 1.What is Discord Chat App?

Launched in 2015, Discord is a free messaging app that offers various services from chat, voice calls, and video calls where people can easily connect and engage with other online users.

Q 2.How much does it cost to create a messaging app like Discord?

It ranges from $15,000 to 1,20,000 or above depending on your project’s complexity, tech stack, features & functionalities, UX UI design, and more. Get in touch with Apptunix to know the exact development cost of your chat app development project.

Q 3.How long it will take to build a chat app like Discord?

Depending on your project’s complexity, it can take from a few weeks to months. Get in touch with us to know the exact timeline for your project’s completion.

Q 4.What are the alternatives of Discord?

Some of the popular alternatives of Discord include Slack, Teamspeak, Telegram, and so on.

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