Information and communications technology has seen dramatic developments over recent years due to social media applications' explosive growth. These changes took place swiftly and continue at an astonishingly fast rate today.

Once considered an extracurricular activity, social media now plays an essential part of daily life for millions worldwide.

Social media is experiencing rapid expansion at the time, and mobile technology is rapidly developing. When smartphones became readily accessible and user-friendly, people started spending much of their free time using them. Mobiles made it simple for anyone anywhere at any time to stay in contact. In this blog we will talk about the best tech stack you can pick for custom social media app development and how to pick one.

Also Read: Top Trending Social Media Platforms

Introduction of Social Media App

Social media apps provide digital tools that enable users to share, create, and interact with content, encouraging community-building and social networks.

They have a range of functions, like sharing videos and photos, sending messages, posting updates, and engaging by interacting with users via comments or shares, likes, and comments. They also provide lucrative business opportunities for entrepreneurs to advertise their offerings and connect with a wider audience.

Thus, it provides the potential for business growth. Companies looking to build a social media application that will take it to new heights must invest in developing social network apps. To do this, they should seek assistance from a mobile app development firm, ensuring that all business objectives are achieved and increasing the number of users.

What is a Social Media Application?

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn are popular social media apps that dominate the social media scene with millions of active users and distinctive ideas. Facebook and Instagram are well-known for posting stories and streaming live. LinkedIn allows professional networking, and TikTok increases engagement by using short-form videos, among other things.

Current social media channels and new platforms incorporate new technology and trends to enhance the user experience. For instance, Instagram and Snapchat's integration of AR filters is a huge benefit for users who enjoy personalizing images and sharing. Social networks can make this feature available and allow real-time interactions via voice-based messaging.

E-commerce integration with Pinterest allows users to buy products directly from other users via stories or posts shared. Instagram has evolved into an online shopping mall where customers can browse for products and purchase directly from the app.

What Is a Technology Stack?

The technology stack is similar to the foundation of your start-up’s digital product, with tools and technologies being used for social media mobile app development as well as web app development.

Imagine building an entire multi-story building. Each floor, starting from the foundation and ending at the roof, is designed with a specific purpose, materials, and knowledge. Every part of the technology stack aims to ensure your application is high, sturdy, and reliable. Now, let's look at its layers and essential components.

The Front-end Layer

It is often referred to as the "client-side"; this is where users interact directly with your application or, in simpler terms, as an interface for users. This layer focuses on the user's experience and the design. The tools and languages that rule this domain include:

HTML: The skeleton for your web page that provides the structure.
CSS: The visual essence control of the design and appearance of an application.
JavaScript Frameworks: Similar to React and Angular, They are powerhouses that allow for interactive and dynamic web experiences.

The Back-end Layer

Also known as “the server-side," this layer is responsible for all the heavy lifting behind the scenes. It's where data processing occurs, and the application's logic is housed. Its key components include:

Server: Similar to Node.js or Apache, they handle clients' requests.
Databases: Options like MongoDB or PostgreSQL store, manage, and retrieve data.
Languages: Programming languages like Python, Java, or Ruby provide business-related logic.

Cloud and DevOps Tools

As companies shift towards digitalization, Cloud services like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure are becoming the mainstay for scaling and hosting applications. In the meantime, DevOps tools such as Terraform, Docker, and Jenkins have become essential to streamline the development process and encourage collaboration between operational and development teams.

Tools for Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is an essential component. Testing tools, such as dogs for automated, no-code internet testing or JUnit for Java testing, will ensure that all components of your app function in the way you intended.

Project Management Tools

Behind every successful custom software development is a well-coordinated team. Tools such as Jira, Trello, or Asana assist in setting goals, tracking progress, and ensuring prompt delivery.

What Are the Different Types of Social Networking Apps?

There are many different applications available within the social media domain. Different kinds of social media applications have distinct functions to fulfill. In addition, you'll require certain features to integrate based on the app's category.

Relationship Networks

Social media app development platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook are part of this group since they let users interact and connect. However, these social media apps are also developed to offer the advantages of apps that share media.

Media Sharing Networks

As the name implies, this type of social media application lets users share various types of media, like videos and images. The most prominent applications in this category include Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Blogging Platforms

Blog platforms allow users to create and publish articles, blog posts, and articles. From the standpoint of business blogging, it's one of the essential aspects of content marketing, which improves a brand's image. Medium and Tumblr are two of the most well-known blogging platforms. Twitter could also be included on this list because it is one of the most popular microblogging platforms.

Discussion Forums

Discussion forums such as Quora and Reddit allow users to ask questions that other users in the particular area can answer. In addition, users can share their valuable knowledge and experiences and discuss important topics on these platforms.

Content Curation and Bookmarking Platforms

They are specifically designed for content; users can find, share, and save different kinds of content. Pinterest, Flipboard, and Wattpad are the three most well-known apps in this field.

Customer Review and Feedback Networks

Users of these platforms can browse through companies and their products based on consumer reviews and ratings. They can also leave comments about these companies by sharing their experiences. Platforms such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, Glassdoor, etc., are included in this category.

Chatting Apps

Chatting apps allow users to exchange messages with other members of chat rooms on the web. These messages could be composed of text, images, or audio. WhatsApp, WeChat, Signal, Messenger, and Telegram are among the most popular chat apps.

Interest-Based Networks

These platforms are designed to attract users with similar interests. They are designed around a specific subject and are based on common interests. Goodreads is one instance.

MVP Features of a Social Media App

Although social media applications typically have overlapping demographics, it is recommended that you begin using MVP features (essential features to build a social media application),which are listed below.

Sign In

This minimally viable feature allows users to sign up and activate various account registration methods, such as by email, password, or phone.

User Profile

It's about providing users with the opportunity and space to create customized accounts. It also explains how they consume content in accordance with its design for social media. The most basic fields that can be changed are name, gender, number, address bio, profile picture, etc.

Upload Photos & Videos

In addition, a feature to create posts that allow users to share photos and videos is among the key elements to creating an online social network like Instagram. Specifics that shouldn't be overlooked include previewing content, downloading original content, commenting, tagging, taking pictures, etc.

Post Likes & Comments

The primary purpose of the social media app is to encourage people to produce content. If customers interact on the site by commenting or liking the content on posts made by their networks, the social network app will be successful. Thus, you must have this feature when creating an app for social media.

Search

A functioning search bar helps your application users navigate the app and find the people, sites, objects related to a discussion, or any other information they're looking for.

Chat

Whatever the application's topic, chat is vital. It allows users to interact via images, text, voice, or video, whether in person or through group chat.

Push Notifications

Your app's users need to know what's happening with their favorite app. As an app administrator, you'll want to start promotions, share files, and be more in touch with your app's users. In both instances, push notifications can be a great way to let users share news on their phones without signing in with the app.

Privacy & Settings

It is vital to ensure a high level of privacy and security settings to ensure that users can access the social media application securely and that all personal information is secure. This involves editing their profiles to disable or enable push notifications, setting the account to be private, etc.

Must Read: Choose features to create your own social media app 2024

Advanced Features of Social Media App

If you've set up your social media app development business and are now ready to take it to the next level, include advanced features in your Android or iOS social media app development, such as Instagram, as explained below.

Live Streaming

Since more viewers are comfortable viewing live streaming, it's becoming more popular. Many people prefer watching live streams on videos because they allow viewers to easily communicate with each other and also demonstrate workouts or product demos.

Transient Stories

Like a normal post, users include their stories using pictures, text, videos or stickers, live face filters, and stickers and then show them in a slideshow format. In 24 hours, they'll disappear, in contrast to posts.

Geo-Location & Tagging

Geo-location integration can help increase your application's features because users are fond of posting places where they can take photos. By enabling tagging, users will be able to tag the individual with whom they are taking photos.

Block or Disable

Unknown people trolling your posts or videos or attempting to defame you are among the concerns on your social networks. However, by using the block and disable feature that users can access, they can stop harmful behavior and place the comments on hold.

AR & Face Filters

Computer-generated effects that are added to the real-world image reflected by your camera include augmented real-time (AR) filters and hilarious face filters. This feature lets users alter the image of their back or front camera.

Multi-Language Support

Social media apps have to be able to transcend, allowing devices to reach a wider market. Consider Twitter, where over 40% of its users have one of their preferred languages that isn't English. However, market research can help provide the support for languages that you must provide to users of your app and help one another.

Link with Social Networks

This feature allows you to connect your app to other social networking sites commonly used for a popular social media application for people of all ages (Other than Facebook or Instagram). This integration will improve your app's visibility and increase the volume of organic traffic in the time frame.

Data Analytics

Accessing analytics and data allows you to monitor where your users are, the type of device they use, and the kind of content in which they are most interested. This can help you ensure that you provide the best user experience.

Read About: A Complete Guide To Social Media App Development In 2024

Why Start-Ups Should Prefer Social Media App Development?

Social media app development services offer a range of benefits for businesses, whether start-ups or large corporations, that can convince them that they should invest in developing social media apps. Here are some good reasons to join the bandwagon of social media app development:

Access to a Large User Base

Most of the billions of people who use the internet use social media app development platforms to interact with their family and friends. Creating a unique social media app helps start-ups attract users looking for socialization extraordinarily.

TikTok is a great example of a social media channel that has revolutionized how people consume content with short videos viewed by a large global audience. The development of apps for social media helps companies that are just starting to gain a substantial portion of social media users.

Improved Brand Awareness

In the midst of a myriad of social networks that allow users to communicate and connect, start-ups can stand out by creating unique social media applications that tell unique stories about the company. Greater brand recognition and visibility result from the development of social media apps.

Enhance Engagement

Social media facilitates direct communication between business and individual users, which encourages interactions and results in greater engagement. Real-time communications strengthen connections within the brand network, a result of the user's engagement.

Reveal Things Hidden-In-Plain-Sight

The integrated reporting and analytics functions built into social media apps enable start-up companies to gain insights into users' preferences, interests, and behaviors when they use social networks. These insights aid in developing and enhancing user-friendly products that are hard to locate.

Get More Revenue Opportunities

Social networks that connect users across two regions of the globe enable start-ups to earn money strategically through subscriptions, advertising, video marketing, in-app purchases, and other monetization models that allow start-ups to earn substantial amounts of cash.

Gain Competitive Advantage

Innovating user experiences by adding the power of personalization and a unique set of functions allows start-ups to stand out in a highly competitive marketplace.

Also Read: The Top Social Media App Development Trends in 2024

Cost to Build a Social Media App like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

The social media app development is based on features, appearance, and number of platforms, development method, tech stack, and mobile location of the social media app development company.

Typically, the price for creating an app for social media ranges between $20,000 and $80,000, and the price increases depending on the factors mentioned above. For instance-

Cost of developing a social media app with basic features is $20,000
Advanced features = $20,000 plus $10,000 = $30,000
Design enhancement = $30,000 + $5,000 = $35,000

The development of apps for various platforms and using different strategies differ in the cost of development:

For Android platform: $28,000
For iOS: $25,000 due to lower device fragmentation. With the native development approach, the cost is around 55,000 (Android as well as iOS)
Development approach for cross-platform platforms: the price is decreased to $30,000.

If a social media application is created in different parts of the globe, it costs differently to the business, for example

Australian app developers earn $55,000
North American app developers demand $70,000
Central European app developers ask for $60,000

Must Read: Reasons to Go for Social Media App Development in 2024

Tips for Choosing a Suitable Tech Stack for Social Media App Development

Developing social networking apps is a complex procedure, and you need a team of experts with expertise in various fields. This includes:

App developers and software: iOS developers and Android developers
UI/UX designers
Project managers
Backend/Frontend engineers
Testers for QA

You could also outsource mobile app development tasks when hiring a professional development team isn't within your budget. When you're done with your team of developers, it's time to choose the best technology for a social media application compatible with your company's needs. Some of the most highly recommended and most effective technologies for apps that use social media are:

Front-end Frameworks

The front end is primarily concerned with developing the user interface of your social media application. Choosing the appropriate front-end frameworks is important since users interact with the app via its user interface. Some of the most well-known front-end frameworks are:

AngularJS

Created in collaboration with Google, AngularJS is one of the most adored open-source front-end systems built on TypeScript. In addition to Google, a large group of developers also support this front-end framework. AngularJS's hugeness makes it an ideal front-end tool for developing social media.

ExpressJS

While it is a web-based back-end NodeJS framework, it's an open web application technology offering developers the most powerful capabilities. ExpressJS can build web-based applications with a user-friendly interface and APIs.

VueJS

VueJS is a JavaScript-based framework that adheres to the model-view-view model (MVVM) structure. It's a great social media stack to create immersive single-page applications (SPAs) or user interfaces.

ReactJS

ReactJS is another well-known front-end application developed by Facebook developers. Its easy-to-use features help make UI development for social network apps easy.

Ionic

Ionic is an open-source front-end development platform that allows developers to build stunning cross-platform mobile social media applications. It uses technologies such as HTML and CSS to create stunning UI designs.

Back-End Frameworks

The backend frameworks are utilized to develop the server side of an application using code as well as databases, programming languages, and so on. The more effective the framework is, the better it will be. A few popular backend frameworks include:

Django

Django is an open-source Python framework that follows the model-view-template (MVT) architectural design pattern. It allows rapid development and realistic applications.

NodeJS

NodeJS is among the most widely used tools for developing back-end. With its powerful data processing capabilities, it is utilized for social media app development that includes chat comments, likes, and chat features. Furthermore, when you integrate it with web-based technologies such as Ember.JS and Ember.JS, you can develop your app to be adaptable.

Laravel

Laravel is an open-source PHP framework that follows a model-view-controller (MVC) design pattern. Utilizing Laravel is simple, and with a little knowledge, you can build robust, high-tech social networking apps.

PHP is a general-purpose scripting programming language that falls under the reliable umbrella of back-end development technologies. Its main focus is creating interactive and robust web-based applications. Technology giants such as Facebook are built using PHP, which makes it one of the top technology stacks for social media applications.

Python

Python is a popular back-end programming language integrated into systems of several major companies such as YouTube, Pinterest, and Reddit. It is well-known for its high processing speed, data analytics, and automation capabilities.

Programming Languages

After you have finished selecting the right front-end and back-end framework, you need to review the most popular programming languages and select one that is compatible with your company's goals.

For Android Development - Java and Kotlin

Kotlin, along with Java, is an object-oriented programming language utilized to create social networking apps on an Android platform. Java is a well-known programming language offering an extensive library of free software tools that have been used for more than two decades.

Kotlin, on the other hand, is fairly modern, with advanced features and libraries suited to creating immersive applications. The two languages each have unique advantages and disadvantages. So, before deciding between Java and Kotlin, it is recommended that you assess your business's needs.

For iOS Development - Objective C and Swift

Objective C and Swift are the two languages most commonly used to create user-friendly iOS applications. While Objective C has been around for quite a while, Swift is relatively new in this field.

Database Development

Social media applications need a reliable database solution to store massive quantities of information. There is a particular database list for mobile apps, and you can pick one according to your technology's requirements.

Since the number of users on social networks is growing exponentially, the significance of database management systems for storing their personal data becomes vital. The most well-known databases comprise Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and MongoDB.

MySQL

MySQL is among the most widely used databases managed by relational databases (RDBMS). Numerous tech giants, including Google, Adobe, and Facebook, utilize the DBMS to manage user data. Furthermore, WordPress also leverages the capabilities available in MySQL to store blog posts. The most appealing aspect of the MySQL database is that it's compact, quick, and simple to set up.

Oracle

Oracle is an all-model database management system. Its main model is the RDBMS, and the other models include graph-based DBMS, RDF store, and more. One of the primary reasons for its acclaim is the automation it employs, which reduces operating costs by as much as 90 percent. Furthermore, it uses one database that can handle any information.

PostgreSQL

It is a strong open-source, object-oriented, open-source database management system; PostgreSQL utilizes and expands the capabilities of the SQL language, which assists in scaling more complex data. This is a well-known feature for its distinct feature set that includes reliability, data integrity, extensibility, and a tested design.

MongoDB

MongoDB can be described as a document-oriented cross-platform DBMS that can be deployed on self-managed infrastructure or as a fully managed cloud service. It is used to develop high-quality analytical and transactional applications.

In addition, companies can connect local databases using robust web technologies such as React Native to enhance the efficiency of their applications. For cloud migration and management, you can select any cloud computing service from Google Cloud, AWS, or Microsoft Azure. Cloud server technology has the potential to be useful, particularly when businesses want to expand their operations.

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

The majority of popular social network applications are API-based. APIs are designed and integrated into social media app development platforms to improve the user experience. The most well-known API platforms include:

Postman

Postman is among the most widely used API platforms. It aids developers in developing designs, designing, testing, creating, and documenting APIs. This tool permits developers to create and save complicated HTTP requests and helps users understand their responses. Twitter and LinkedIn utilize Postman API services.

Swagger

The Swagger API Tool creates editable and RESTful APIs. Businesses like Google and Microsoft use Swagger to integrate APIs.

The Key Takeaway

Social media platforms have transformed how people interact, and the landscape is growing phenomenally. More than 93% of people who use the internet community are social media-related.

Considering this, on-demand social media pp development is a good idea, particularly if you want to build brand awareness and create a loyal client base. All you require is an experienced social media app development company with iOS and Android development experience.

At JPLoft, we provide top-quality social media app development services that help you create an effective app that meets your business goals. Our highly knowledgeable Android and iOS app development teams are well-versed in the most efficient tools and technologies for building social media app development. In addition to social networking application development, we advise on strategy formulation that can substantially improve your web presence.

FAQs

1. What is the tech stack to build a social media app by 2024?

A tech stack that will be used for a social media application includes a mix of frameworks, programming languages, libraries, and tools specifically designed to meet the needs of creating a networking platform. This is essential to ensure optimal performance, scalability, and app security.

2. What are the most important elements of a tech stack in the social media application?

The fundamental elements of a tech stack to build a social media application include a range of layers and technology. On the front end, developers usually use frameworks like React Native or Flutter for mobile app development. They also use React.js or Angular for web-based app development to provide a fluid and user-friendly interface. In the back-end, technology such as Node.js, Django, or Flask is typically used for server-side logic implementation and handling tasks related to data processing. Database management systems like MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL are used for effective database storage and retrieval.

3. What programming languages should you use to build an app for social media by 2024?

The most recommended programming language for building an app for social media in 2024 is JavaScript because of its flexibility and widespread use across back-end and front-end development tasks. Python can also be a preferred option for back-end development due to its ease of use and durability, and languages such as Swift or Kotlin may be more suitable for developing native mobile apps focusing on iOS or Android platforms, respectively.

4. How can I guarantee speed and performance for my social media application's technology stack?

Ensuring scalability and efficiency in the social media application's technology stack balances several important aspects and best methods. A microservices-based architecture helps break the application into manageable parts that can be scaled independently and implemented.

5. What factors should I know when choosing the best technology platform for my Facebook application?

Several important factors must be considered when choosing a technology stack for a social media application. They include the expertise of the team that develops the app, scalability requirements and the support of communities, safety options, and the cost consequences. Choosing the technology your team is proficient with or can swiftly adapt to be a great way to speed up the development process and cut down on learning curves.