Instagram is among the most used mobile apps with over a billion monthly users. This app is enriched with features and boasts an attractive and user-friendly design that makes it stand out from other photo-sharing apps. Within a decade, this app has managed to outperform all the other social media platforms. From allowing users to share their videos and pictures with their followers to let them track how well a particular post performed, there are plenty of ways in which Instagram offers the ultimate experience to all its users. A lot of companies wish to develop a mobile app similar to Instagram to promote their brand’s name.

What are the Key Features of Instagram?

Ideally, Instagram is a photo-sharing application. However, there are plenty of other features that make Instagram stand out from other apps in the same category. 

1. Account Authorization 

The account authorization feature allows users to sign up by using their e-mail id, phone number, or Facebook account. This specific feature gives users the liberty to choose the data that they wish to share with the mobile app. Instagram has created a highly secure app that values the privacy of the users. The app sends notifications to the users if there are logging in attempts made from different devices. According to the experts, the entire process of setting up this feature may take over 60 hours. 

2. Messaging Option 

The messaging option has turned Instagram into one of the most widely used social media apps. Like other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram also lets its users interact with their followers through private messages. An Instagram user can privately share pics and videos with other users through the mobile application. In fact, now the app has the group chat feature that lets any user create a group of about 32 accounts. 

3. Image Customization 

The image customization feature is one of the key features that enabled Instagram to gain a cult following among photo-loving internet users. People can customize pictures as per their liking. From adding filters to resizing, there are plenty of customization options available on this mobile application. This feature makes Instagram outrank many other photo-sharing mobile apps. 

4. Geotagging  

The GPS integration quality of this mobile app permits users to tag locations while uploading pictures and sharing stories. This mobile app determines the geolocation and shares the info. Users are allowed to turn off this feature. Mobile app development companies can integrate this feature and allow geotagging of photographs. 

5. Search 

The search feature eases the task of searching for people. Instagram users can just enter the name or email id of their friends and family members and find their account. Aside from that, users can also search for a myriad of other things like celebrities, latest news, etc. Integrating this feature in your mobile app can help enhance user experience. 

6. Video Features

The addition of the video feature on Instagram has proven to be highly successful. Nowadays, Instagram users upload videos and share with their followers. This is a highly interactive feature that has led to a rise in the popularity of this app among businesses and professionals. 

7. Stories Feature 

The stories feature is the recent feature to be rolled out by Instagram. This feature allows users to share their stories with followers for a span of 24 hours. This feature turned out to be a huge hit among users. From birthday wishes to travel stories, Instagram users share a myriad of their stories with their followers. There is no limit to the number of stories you can upload. Additionally, the mobile app lets users view the number of people who check out out their stories. 

8. Shoppable Posts

Instagram’s attempt to make the platform business-friendly has paid off. The app allows businesses to integrate the feature that lets users/customers click on a particular product in the picture or video and get redirected to the shopping page. Businesses can take advantage of this feature to promote their brand’s name. 

What Does it Take to Develop an App Like Instagram?

To stay abreast of the latest trends in the world of mobile applications, it has become critical for mobile app development companies to develop apps that live up to the expectations of internet users. In today’s Instagram-era, mobile apps are expected to feature certain key features that would not just ensure the best user experience but also make it stand out from other similar applications. 

If you want to build an app like Instagram for your business, then you should start by hiring a company that specializes in mobile app services. Pick a company that understands the specific requirements of the business and offers top-quality mobile app solutions on a budget. Next, you should develop an idea for the app and create a list of features that the app should have. Lastly, decide on the platform on which you wish to launch the app. 

How Much Does it Cost to Build an App Like Instagram?

It is no secret that a great amount of money was involved in turning an app like Instagram into reality. Limited monetary resources can prevent the business from developing an app like Instagram, however, with the right technology, it is possible to create an app that boasts similar features. The cost of mobile app development depends on a variety of factors. The mobile app development company you hire for the task, the number of hours required for developing the backend part, and the features you want to be integrated into the app. 

All these factors come into play while determining the cost of building an app as feature-rich as Instagram. In general, the time taken to develop an Instagram-like app may require over 600 hours of work. Depending on the mobile app services agency you hire, the cost may come in the range of $10,000 to $70,000. 

To develop a feature-rich app that enhances user experience and helps your business thrive, it is critical to pick the right mobile app development company. As the right company will help create an app that lives up to the demands of the business and offer the best user experience.