How to Develop an App like Netflix & Amazon Prime | App Cost & Features

The growing addiction to mobile phones increases the usage of mobile applications for various industries like shopping, food ordering, entertainment, traveling, etc. As shown below statistics it is clearly visible that to reach more people around the world industries choose to have virtual users and online businesses.

The same mentality consumers carry, If they get what they want with less hustle, they like the approach and that is the core reason why the ratio of mobile application usage has increased. People like to read eBooks, purchase products, listen to the latest music over an app, watch movies/videos in their bed.

(Source By: Data Report – Digital Around The World)

For watching movies and videos television was a common space. But On-Demand video streaming is breaking the traditional path of approaching viewers by allowing them to watch everything anytime, anywhere on their mobile phones.

What is a Video Streaming App?

Streaming is the method of transmitting data using the internet in a continuous flow which allows playback to start while the rest of the data is still being received. This invention has given a new way for people to watch whatever they like without the compulsion of downloading it.

When it comes to trending applications for video streaming, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, Hulu, HBO Now are the popular names. While their popularity due to popular video stream app features is beyond any question, many users seek an alternative to it.

Fortunately, you can build apps with video streaming features like these apps. No, you do not need to do a separate course for it. All you need is to follow a few simple steps.

Read on to find out more about the benefits of a video streaming app, and how you can develop an alternative to Amazon Prime and Netflix.

What do Video Streaming Apps offer like Netflix & Amazon Prime?

1. It provides access to videos on mobile phones

Because mobile phones are portable devices, you can carry them in your pocket. Imagine what can happen if you get to play videos on mobiles. You can view them anytime, and anywhere. The compatibility of video streaming applications with mobile phones is what makes them a great choice.

2. You get updates about broadcasts and episodes

Watching videos with a video streaming service is in many ways better than watching a movie on television. The providers of such services notify you by sending you notifications from time to time. Knowing what you are going to watch beforehand sets your expectations right. Also, it allows you to remain prepared so you do not miss out on your favorite program.

3. You get to see the videos that matter the most

Television may be an idiot box but the perception of viewing videos on mobile phones is different from it. Unlike television, you get more choices while watching videos on mobile phones. You get to view the videos that you like the most.

4. Social features for building community

Most video streaming services integrate with social media services in some way or the other. How exactly does it benefit you? It allows you to build a network of friends whom you can invite. If you are lucky enough, you may even get some additional features such as rewards.

5. Fresh content

You can always expect fresh content with mobile video streaming services. They keep updating new content from time to time. The rationale behind it is to encourage average viewers to show interest in subscribing to paid packages. Users benefit from it too as they get to see fresh and unique content.

6. Subscription

Subscription is the feature that helps the application providers to earn revenue. The more unique content the application has, the more chances are there that it can attract a bunch of consumers. Video Streaming apps provide multiple options for subscriptions according to their user base.

7. Multiple Registration and Personal Profile

You can create an account with just the email address or using social accounts and you are set to manage your language preference, interests, type of content you like to appear on your dashboard, etc. Other than that you can be able to add the videos to your watch list, download them for watching later, choose the video stream quality from lowest to the highest based on network bandwidth condition.

Basic Features of Video Streaming Apps Like Netflix & Amazon Prime

The features that your app offers have a direct impact on the user experience that your app provides. Moreover, the number of features that your app has will also have a direct impact on the cost of your video streaming app. Let’s have a look at some basic features of video streaming apps.

— User Registration

An impactful and simple registration provides the perfect first expression. Merged with social media and email sign-up will help the user in a seamless boarding experience.

— Payment Integrations

The monetization strategy of video streaming apps is a subscription and therefore this is a must-have feature. Your app should offer multiple payment options to provide a good experience.

— User Profile

For subscriptions that offer multiple screens, this feature is a blessing. All the users can create their separate profiles and therefore they can enjoy a seamless and personalized experience.

— Content Search

The search option should not only search the titles based on their name but it should also search based on the content and genre. There should be filter options too.

— Group Watch

This allows various users to form a room and then watch the same movie or series in the room. This feature lets the users watch the same title at the same time from anywhere.

— Push Notifications

This feature can be used to suggest various titles that the user may watch based on their watch history. Moreover, this will also send notifications for recently launched titles.

— Video Control Settings

This allows the users to set the video quality, change the language, on/off the subtitles, volume control, refind/forward, play/pause, etc. to have a personalized experience.

— Multiple Language Support

Support for multiple languages will attract more and more users to your app. Moreover, you should also add various language options in the subtitles too.

— Blocking of screenshot

For the protection of copyright, this feature will not let the user take screenshots or screen record any movie or video, by turning the screenshot or video into nothing but a black screen.

— Admin Panel

This is a mandatory feature for any video streaming app. The admin will have control of all the content and users. They can set the maturity and they can also block users if needed.

Monetization based categorization of Video Streaming App

1. Free Video Streaming Apps

All video streaming applications featured with a free viewing of content over the app when the app is launched or the user is new to the app. Afterward to get most of the app users has to purchase any plan or subscription of the app.

2. Paid Video Streaming Apps

Applications provide a feature of subscription where users have to buy a plan which is added to their account as a credit to continue watching/streaming the videos/movies etc. Gaming or trending movies are most commonly fall under such subscriptions.

3. Profit Earning Video Streaming Apps

The content which is not available at any other source and which has the copyright of such application falls under such type of category. The competitive apps use the strategy to show certain content over only their apps and if the user wants to see the video content, they have to purchase/pay the decided amount. It generates profit for the providers.

Video streaming app like Netflix

Before you proceed to develop a replica of the most prominent video streaming apps, like Netflix and Amazon, it is imperative that you jot down the points that separate these apps from the other alternatives available to users.

If you consider the features of two of the Most Prominent Video Streaming Apps, you are likely to come across the following points:

• They offer a certain number of free movies/series online during the trial period.
• These applications are versatile by nature as both these features work well in conjunction with smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, and desktops.
• Both applications offer convenient options for in-app purchases, profile management, and user management.
• The user interface of both applications is secure and visually appealing to the eye. Due to this feature, it grabs the attention of its users.
• With the applications corresponding to these two services, you can download content online to see it later.
• The applications for these services are scalable with stringent performance.

Netflix App Features

Netflix is the biggest name of video streaming apps and Netflix video streaming app is one of the most downloaded apps in the world. Using the Netflix app and watching movies or series on this app is a different experience altogether. Here is a list of features that makes the Netflix app such an awesome app.

1. User Registration

Even the user registration of Netflix stands up to its name. It comes in classy red color with the beautiful logo animation of Netflix. The user registration process is kept really easy.

2. Multiple Profiles

One Netflix account can have multiple profiles in it so that all users can have a personalized experience. Netflix also offers cool avatars that the users can select for their profile.

3. Watch Multiple Shows

Netflix’s account can be used on various devices and therefore you can watch different shows or movies on different devices. The shows will continue from where you left.

4. Maturity Levels

While making profiles in Netflix, the user can set the maturity level of the profile so that shows and movies that fall under that category are only shown in that profile. Useful for kids.

5. My List

In Netflix, you can find and add as many shows and movies as you would like to watch later in your “My List”. A separate category of “My List” is offered for quick access.

6. Skip Introductions

Watching the recap of the previous episode or watching the theme song of the show, again and again, can be quite frustrating, however, with Netflix’s skip button, you can skip them accurately.

7. Turn off autoplay

If you do not want to binge-watch the show and if you simply want to watch one or two episodes and you do not want Netflix to start the other episode, you can turn autoplay off.

8. Limiting the Data Use

If you watch too many shows and movies and if you cannot track your data and hence you run out of it, you can limit the use of your data in Netflix to be saved from this trouble.

9. Audio Language

Various Netflix movies and series are available in multiple language outputs and therefore you can choose the desired language from the option if available.

10. Subtitle settings

If you find the subtitles difficult to read, you can change the color and the size of the subtitle from Subtitle settings. You can also change the language of the subtitles.

11. Rating Shows

If you like a show or movie, you can like it and you can dislike it if you do not like it. Netflix will take that into consideration and will suggest you based on your likes/dislikes.

12. Deleting the Browsing History

For any reason, if you want to delete your browsing history in your Netflix profile, you can delete the browsing history by going to the “viewing activity” option.

13. Downloading Shows

If you want to watch movies or shows in the offline mode, you can do that by downloading them on your device with Netflix’s Download Option. You can download all the parts of a series too.

14. Manage the Downloads

You can set a data limit on the downloads, you can enable a smart download feature that will delete the video once watched, or you can also delete them manually whenever you want.

15. Wifi-only Downloads

The wifi-only downloads feature allows you to limit all your downloads to a wifi network only, and therefore you can save your mobile data from being accidentally used.

16. Dolby Audio

Multiple titles on Netflix offer Dolby audio and therefore with such a high level of audio, the users can have a theatre-like experience at their home.

17. Watch 4K videos

While most of the videos on Netflix are available in HD format, there are various titles on Netflix that are available in HDR format and in Ultra 4K format too.

18. Virtual Reality Videos

The users can also watch Netflix in VR by downloading the Netflix VR app. It is compatible with various VR gears and is a great way to watch movies and series.

19. Change Application Language

If English is not the language you want the interface in, you can change the language to your native language or another familiar language with this option.

20. Smart Device Connectivity

You can control Netflix using your smart devices too. You can command Google or Alexa to launch Netflix or to play a certain title on Netflix too.

21. Personalized Recommendations

Based on your search history and the titles that you watch on Netflix, it will suggest your personalized and similar movies and shows to watch.

22. Multiple Plans

Netflix offers multiple plans that the user can choose from as per their usage. Based on the plan, the number of profiles and devices on which Netflix can be watched will be decided.

23. Various Payment Integrations

Netflix provides users with multiple options for payment so that the users can experience a seamless payment process. It will also remind you at the end of the plan.

How to Develop a video streaming app like Netflix or Amazon Prime?

Building an application in line with the features of Netflix or Amazon Prime may not be a cakewalk. That said, it is not impossible either.

Here are the steps you need to follow in order to accomplish the task with your highest standards of dexterity.

While Android and iOS are the two popular platforms for smartphones, Windows is the dominant platform for desktops and laptops. In order to ensure a wide user base, you need to focus on both.

If you wish to make your application even more popular, it is imperative that you also make it available on other platforms.

Technologies used in Development of Video Streaming App

1. Languages

2. Frameworks

3. Storage

The aforementioned list of steps may appear a little long to you. Regardless of how good you are in application development; you will come across challenges if you undertake the task entirely on your own.

Be smart. There are numerous companies that help people like you in creating top-notch applications with the best design and advanced functionalities. You can make light work of your intended application development by outsourcing your project to one such company. Do your research to find out which company is suitable to undertake your project.

How much does it cost to develop an app like Netflix?

Developing an app like Netflix can cost around $40,000 – $45,000 for a single (Android or iOS) platform with basic functionality. If you wish to develop a video streaming app with all the advanced features and functionalities, with support to multiple platforms, it may cost up to $90,000.

The Netflix app development cost also depends on the company that you choose. Below are the different company charges for building an app like Netflix:

Small company charges: $15 – $40 / hour
Intermediate company charges: $50 – $100 / hour
Enterprise-level company charges: $100 – $250 / hour

If you are looking for a mobile app development company to develop a video streaming app like Netflix or Amazon Prime or Hulu, you can contact us. We have solid technical video steaming app developers who have developed various video streaming apps. To know more about our video streaming app development, check out our portfolio.

How much time does it take to develop an app like Netflix or Amazon Prime or Hulu?

Develop an app like Netflix or Amazon Prime would take time around 20 weeks. The development time can also increase up to 30 weeks depending on the various features and platform supports.

Final thoughts

If you are planning to build a video streaming app that is similar to Netflix, be prepared to face challenges. Unless you are an expert, you may have a hard time figuring out solutions to various challenges. If you are not sure how to go about it, the best thing you can do is approach an online video and streaming app development firm like Capermint Technologies to build the best online video and streaming app for your business.

Capermint Technologies is an application development company that expertise in developing mobile applications for different mobile platforms. The application experts there are highly experienced and can create all sorts of mobile applications for their clients.