Social App Developers (2025)

This guide will cover the best social app development services, how much they cost, top app development features, and how you benefit from using social app development companies.

Social apps allow users to interact and communicate with each other in a variety of different forms. These apps are popular, and usage is only increasing—nurtured further by Covid-19—making these necessary communication tools to stay in contact.

Like any industry, building and developing social apps requires several must-have features. They need to allow users to post updates, comment and like posts, share their profiles, and other social media integration is key.

Notifications, news feeds, and customizable profiles are popular, as is the ability to chat with others in the network. It’s about allowing users to create content to interact with each other.

Need help knowing where to start? We’ll cover everything you need to know about social app development.

What is a social app?

Mobile social media apps are apps which can be downloaded and stored on your phone or tablet.

Social media apps typically feature messaging, photo-sharing, and other interactive content. There are many categories that social media apps can fall into overall.

Having your own social media app allows you to customize it to use push notifications so that your audience can receive alerts straight to their phone without having to open up their browser first.

There are a plethora of social apps available on both the Android and Apple app marketplaces today, so your app will need to shine.

The best social app developers

We’ve listed the best social app developers below.

1. Orangesoft

Orangesoft is a mobile app and web development company that creates custom software solutions for businesses. The company serves various industries, helping clients build high-quality digital products.

They developed LinkUp, a dynamic social networking app designed to connect professionals and hobbyists based on shared interests. Unlike traditional platforms, the app uses matchmaking to suggest meaningful connections, whether for career growth, collaborations, or simply finding like-minded individuals.

Security and user experience were top priorities, with end-to-end message encryption and a sleek, intuitive interface as well as gamification elements, such as badges and engagement rewards that keep users active and involved. With its unique blend of social networking and productivity, the app quickly gained traction, amassing over 500,000 users within its first six months.

Overview

Orangesoft was founded in 2011 by Dmitry Zolotukhin and Alexander Vinogradov. They established the company to provide custom software solutions, focusing on mobile app development as well as web development.

Orangesoft has worked with several key clients, including Yandex, Kaspersky Lab, Revolut, and OZON.

Services

Orangesoft provides its customers with the following services:

• Real-time social transaction syncing and account linking for mobile apps
• Using frameworks such as React Native and Flutter to develop new social apps that work on both iOS and Android
• Building robust back-end systems with Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails, and other server-side tech

2. Slashdev.io

Slashdev.io is an app development company that connects businesses with top-tier remote software engineers. They offer flexible freelance contracts at competitive hourly rates, enabling companies to focus on their core competencies without the challenges of recruiting.

Slashdev.io developed a React Native-powered app designed as a modern alternative to LinkedIn, combining networking with advanced professional tools. The app allows users to create detailed personal (and group) profiles, fostering community engagement across different industries.

Messaging and group interaction are core components, offering secure, fast communication within the platform. Unlike some social apps, this one integrates recommendations to match users based on interests, skills, and career goals. Since launch, the app has attracted over 250,000 users, with engagement rates 40% higher than similar platforms.

Overview

Slashdev.io was founded in 2019 by Michael Ballard and Patrich Söderström. Michael Ballard is the founder and CEO, bringing a background in software entrepreneurship and a passion for helping entrepreneurs.

Patrich Söderström co-founded the company, contributing to its mission of connecting businesses with top-tier software engineers worldwide. The company primarily works with SaaS and software product startups.

Services

Slashdev.io provides its customers with the following services:

• Offers end-to-end social software solutions, helping businesses design, develop, and deploy scalable apps
• Provides access to top-tier remote engineers to extend in-house teams
• Delivers high-performance social mobile apps that boost both engagement and reach

3. App Maisters

App Maisters specializes in mobile app development and digital solutions. The company can develop apps that meet the specific needs of larger organizations.

App Maisters developed a social media app called ‘Eye Like’, designed to help users share their daily experiences and connect with others through photos, videos, and messages. The app focuses on creating a dynamic, interactive space where users can engage with content and build new communities.

In addition to Eye Like, App Maisters has also developed a range of other social networking apps, using their expertise in mobile app development to create user-friendly, scalable solutions. The team focuses on integrating modern design principles, real-time communication, and data privacy to ensure that each social app is both functional and secure.

Overview

App Maisters was founded in 2017 by Fahim Iqbal, the current CEO. Under Iqbal’s leadership, App Maisters has grown and established itself in the app development industry, helping companies across various sectors build innovative mobile apps.

App Maisters has worked with a variety of clients, including brands such as PepsiCo, ExxonMobil, and Shell.

Services

App Maisters provides its customers with the following services:

• Develops prototypes to visualize the social app before full-scale development begins
• Crafts intuitive, attractive, and functional social app designs
• Builds social apps that work across multiple platforms (both iOS and Android) using frameworks such as Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin

4. Mobcoder Inc

Mobcoder Inc is a tech company specialising in mobile app development and custom software solutions. Mobcoder typically offers services such as app design, development, testing, and deployment. The platform aims to streamline finding and working with developers by providing a marketplace for various app development needs.

Hollabox was developed by Mobcoder Inc and allows users to discover and share local experiences in London. Via user-generated content such as videos and images, the app helps people explore social venues, food joints, and events in their area. It’s designed to foster community by enabling users to share personal recommendations.

The app focuses on providing authentic, peer-reviewed content, giving users a platform to showcase their experiences and connect with others who have similar interests. Hollabox aims to create a more interactive and personalized experience for discovering hotspots.

Overview

Founded in 2011, the company focuses on delivering high-quality mobile and web apps, providing end-to-end development services, and helping businesses achieve their digital transformation goals.

Their clients typically span a range of industries, including healthcare, finance, and retail.

Services

Mobcoder Inc provides its customers with the following services:

• Creating native social apps for iPhone and iPad using Swift and Objective-C
• Offers continuous support and updates to keep social apps running smoothly and efficiently
• Designs intuitive and user-friendly social experiences for mobile and web apps

5. Trango Tech

Trango Tech is a tech services and app development company aimed at helping businesses enhance their digital presence, streamline operations, and innovate their product offerings.

Trango Tech has worked on several apps that feature social-led components. One example is their collaboration with ChatSend LLC, where they helped develop a mobile app blending social media and fintech services. The app aimed to create a community while offering engaging financial services.

Another project is ‘See My Clouds’, a platform connecting students, teachers, scientists, and cloud enthusiasts. The app allows users to share cloud observations, building a community based around cloud science. The company is known for their focus on creating social apps that promote knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

Overview

Trango Tech was founded in 2017. The company was established with the goal of providing innovative tech solutions, particularly in the areas of restaurant mobile app development, web development, and IT consulting.

Since its founding, Trango Tech has worked with clients across various industries to help them build custom software solutions that meet their business needs.

Services

Trango Tech provides its customers with the following services:

• Offers cloud-based solutions for data storage, scalability, and infrastructure
• Can develop customized social apps and platforms
• Develops software that enhances enterprise-level systems and helps with automation, integration, and the management of data

6. 3 Sided Cube

3 Sided Cube is a social app developer specializing in creating impactful and innovative mobile apps.

3 Sided Cube developed an app in collaboration with the National Protective Security Authority (known as NPSA) designed to increase public awareness about online threats. The app provides users with practical tools and guidance to identify (and avoid) malicious activities on social media and the wider internet.

The app also offers an immersive learning experience, engaging users with interactive content and real-time alerts about current online security risks. Its goal is to create a more informed and secure digital community by empowering users with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats.

Overview

3 Sided Cube was founded in 2009. The company has focused on using tech to create products that drive social impact and innovation, helping organizations and causes achieve their goals.

They are known for their work on projects that aim to drive social change. For example, they developed the American Red Cross Blood Donor app and the Disaster Preparedness app, which have been instrumental in saving lives and providing critical support during emergencies.

Services

3 Sided Cube provides its customers with the following services:

• Early-stage design processes that help visualize the app’s functionality and flow
• They work with clients to define the social app’s purpose, target audience, and key features
• Researches to understand user needs, the competitive landscape, and industry trends to inform a social app’s development

7. Yeti

Yeti is a forward-thinking mobile app development agency focused on creating highly functional, scalable, and engaging apps. Yeti stands as a leading app development company dedicated to unlocking the capabilities of connected technology.

Yeti developed ‘Out of Eden Learn’, a platform created in collaboration with Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The app connects students worldwide, allowing them to communicate and collaborate on educational projects.

The app’s designed for students aged 3 to 19 and has been used by over 35,000 of them across 60 countries. It provides a safe, structured environment where learners can interact, exchange ideas, and work together on educational tasks.

Overview

Tony Scherba founded Yeti in 2015 and today acts as CEO of the company. Yeti is a leading IoT app development company dedicated to unlocking the capabilities of connected tech and redefining how the world engages with ordinary objects.

Specializing in both iOS and Android app development, Yeti’s team of expert developers, UI designers, and product strategists work collaboratively to deliver innovative apps that meet client expectations. Clients include Netflix, PlayStation (for Sony), and Google.

Services

Yeti provides its customers with the following services:

• Mobile social app development with prototyping and product road mapping
• Continuous app monitoring, bug fixes, updates, and scaling solutions to ensure app success
• Digital product design with a focus on social app development

Types of social apps

Examples of social apps include the following:

• Social network apps, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
• Media-sharing network apps, including Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube
• Discussion forum apps, including Reddit, Quora, and Digg
• Bookmarking and content curation networks, including Pinterest
• Consumer review network apps, including Yelp, Zomato, and TripAdvisor

Social app developer example

Source: FreshWorks Studio

You’ll be familiar with social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok, as these platforms help us connect with friends, family, and–of course–brands.

A social networking mobile app allows users to share thoughts, curate content, upload photos, form groups based on interests, and participate in stimulating discussions.

All social apps are built around the user and everything that’s important to them. Think carefully about your business and the type of social app that would work best for you.

Why should I develop a social app?

When you design the platform you interact with your community on, there are no outside rules–that’s what creating your own social app gives you.

When you create a social app, you’re in charge and have the freedom to interact with your community on your own terms.

You also have the power to access data about the users who are most interested in who you are, which is great for well-meaning marketing purposes.

For creatives, connecting with fans and subscribers can be restricted by traditional social media platforms.

The contrary is true when you have the means to design and operate a social app yourself–you don’t compromise your vision.

When you create a social app, you’re in control. In your own dedicated community space, you’ll have more control over the design and look too.

Social app developer example

Source: Wasko

Not to mention that selling things to your community isn’t possible in many cases on existing social media platforms.

Using your own social app, digital marketplace options can be built right into the platform and features like one-click and express purchasing become possible.

Effectively then, it’s you and your audience, and you can reach all of them every time you post–it can be one of the most powerful marketing tools around.

What is the social app development process?

You need to develop the best social app possible. One that loads quickly, focuses on the user and runs efficiently.

Building a social app is about following a specific process that ensures nothing gets missed during the app’s development.

The social app development process can be found below–let’s dive into the key steps.

1. The target audience

You need to decide what your social media app will be about, as well as gain a good understanding of the market and the competition.

Creating a social media app is tricky, so it’s important to understand what features your potential users would like and what the competition lacks.

Keep in mind the following:

• If you plan to make money from your app, you’ll need to think carefully about the different monetization options

Once you have a good indication of what your social app will be about, it’s time to start putting together your ideas. You’ll want to consider your options for user retention, as well as what strategies you’ll use to grow and keep your community engaged.

2. Functions and features

When you first start planning your social app, it’s easy to get lost in the many different functions and features.

Be sure to understand your limitations, budget, and app development skills to ensure that all the features are necessary and think about the type of content you’d want to upload to the app.

Keep in mind the following:

• What security measures will you take to ensure your app is as safe as possible for all users?
• Do you want to enable comments to boost user engagement?
• Will you use push notifications to keep people engaged?

3. The design and development phase

Now it’s time to start designing and developing your social app.

You’ll need to decide early on what route you intend to take and whether you want your app available for Android users, Apple users, or both of them. Android and Apple both use different technological stacks.

Keep in mind the following:

• If you’re using a SaaS solution, you don’t need to worry
• The development process can be expensive and time-consuming, so think carefully about your strategy

Ensure your outlines and designs are as clear as possible for an app developer to put them together and start by wireframing your app, as this will help your team visualise how the app works and what pages link.

Prototyping is the next step and involves creating a working model of the app–it helps everyone understand the app better.

4. Grow the community

Once you’ve developed your social app, it’s time to get your users on there and build up the community, bit by bit.

Keep in mind the following:

• Think about your initial marketing needs
• Decide how you will get users to download your app

It’s worth using tactics such as app incentives that will ensure users have a good time using your social app.

Social app developer example

Source: Chelsea Apps

5. Analysis

There is a wide range of analytics tools that can help you assess the success of your app.

Keep in mind the following:

• Keeping track of engagement can help you make actionable changes in the future
• You’ll be able to spot what’s working and what isn’t inside your app

For example, you might look at how long people spend on your app or how many times per week they use it.

User engagement is measured by the amount of engagement you’re seeing in your app and can be measured by the number of actions a user takes and how long people are spending in the app.

Social app development best practices and features

Here are some of the main aspects to consider when developing a social app, including best practices as well as essential and advanced features.

Think about the app platform

The platform of the mobile social app affects, above all else, the cost. Even though there’s a negligible difference between developing iOS and Android apps generally speaking, starting with a single platform is a good way to keep things in check.

From there, developing a cross-platform mobile app that targets both main platforms with a shared codebase is the next natural step.

Don’t underestimate the importance of the UI

The UI design of the app is a key factor that affects a user’s enjoyment and the overall cost of the app. A social app with a basic design will cost less, and it’s worth thinking carefully about which features are essential.

A huge part of engaging your user comes down to having straightforward navigation with a UI that’s intuitive from the start.

Social app developer example

Source: Mutual Mobile

Ensure the app is secure

Social app users are likely to share a range of information, whether publicly or privately, and, as a result, their information must be kept secure.

A key feature of social apps is the ability to create a user account with personal login details and identification methods that allow users to provide everything from their name to their contact information.

Essential features

Your social app will need to offer a lineup of essential features that the app can’t function without.

The MVP is the minimum standard to showcase your product to your target audience, and the features must meet the most critical functions of social apps.

These are some of the essential features your mobile app needs to have:

1. Open forum

Social apps provide community-driven discussion spaces where users can post, comment, and engage in conversations.

2. Push notifications

Real-time alerts inform users about new messages, likes, comments, or trending posts.

3. Secure login

Authentication methods such as OAuth, two-factor authentication (2FA), and biometric logins protect user accounts.

4. Post feed

A dynamic content stream displays user-generated posts, updates, and interactions in real time.

5. Location-based services

Geotagging and location-based recommendations help users find nearby events, friends, and trending topics.

6. Accessible image menu

Visually optimized menus ensure easy navigation, with alt text and accessibility features for inclusivity.

7. File uploading

Users can share images, videos, and documents directly within posts, chats, or group discussions.

8. Networking element

Friend requests, follower systems, and group memberships foster community building and social connections.

9. Messaging system

Private and group chats enable real-time communication with text, voice, and media sharing.

10. Offline app usage

Cached content and progressive web app (PWA) tech allow limited functionality even without an internet connection.

Focus on app features that provide the greatest value to your customers. Collect feedback, let users tell you what features make sense to them, and then implement the changes when possible.

Social app developer example

Source: Code Brew Labs

Advanced features

Advanced features are (mostly) optional, but they allow your app to offer value to users. Advanced social app features include the following:

1. Recurring posts

Social apps allow users or brands to schedule recurring posts for consistent engagement and content distribution.

2. Approval flow

Moderation tools let admins review and approve posts, comments, or group requests before they go live.

3. Voice input

Speech-to-text features enable users to compose messages, search content, or post updates hands-free.

4. RSS feed automation

Automated content-sharing tools let users or pages pull in news, blogs, and external updates to keep feeds fresh.

5. Follower labelling

Social apps categorize followers (close friends, VIPs, or subscribers) for customized content visibility and engagement.

6. Virtual reality

VR integration enhances social interaction with virtual meetups, immersive events, and 3D social spaces.

7. AI support

Artificial intelligence personalizes feeds, suggests content, and detects spam or harmful behaviour in social interactions.

8. Chatbots

AI-powered bots assist users with FAQs, content discovery, and automated customer service within social apps.

9. Smart data

Analytics tools track engagement, user behaviour, and trends to optimize social media strategies and ad targeting.

10. IoT integration

Smart devices can interact with social apps, enabling live updates from wearables, smart cameras, or home automation systems.

Of course, the more advanced features you add, the higher the cost of the mobile app’s development. When deciding your final budget, be sure to keep track of your overall costs.

How much does it cost to develop a social mobile app?

Development costs of social apps vary. Below are the average estimates, as well as a few other things to keep in mind:

• Basic social app complexity level — $30,000 to $80,000 — 3 to 6 months
• Medium social app complexity level — $80,000 to $150,000 — 6 to 9 months
• High social app complexity level — $150,000 to $250,000 — over 9 months

Depending on your business, you’ll need to have access to a few different teams that can assist you during the social app development process. Developing a cross-platform mobile app that targets both main platforms with a shared codebase is economical and highly recommended.

The good news is that it’s a flexible model where you can adjust the budget according to your need. That said, it’s best to contact a social app development company for an estimate before doing anything else.

How can I benefit from social app development services?

Partnering with social app development companies allows you to create apps that enable customers to stay up-to-date with your business wherever they are in the world.

These expert developers let you take advantage of the significant opportunity available while keeping things as stress-free as possible.

Social app developers build highly-scalable apps, whether they’re your first app or tenth. These development companies create beautiful apps that use the latest tech and trends while meeting expectations.

Social app developer example

Source: Wolfpack Digital

Some of the critical benefits of social app development companies include the following:

• Affordable development costs — Apps typically get designed using different frameworks, which allow app developers to reuse the code for multiple different social apps.
• Smarter functionality — App development companies provide excellent functionality and usability with top-notch features.
• Bespoke plans — Custom social app development plans that are designed to fit all needs and typically come with leading scalability.
• Better security — Apps get built with increased security for your customers and business using the latest mobile app encryption technology.
• Careful data management — Data management solutions that protect both customer and company data.
• Reliable communication — Communication at every key stage of your social app development journey.

If you’re planning to design a social app, getting a free quote from mobile app development professionals is usually a smart move–this is especially true if you’re a beginner.

Get started with the best social app developers

To recap, the most critical reasons for having a social app are the following:

• You can stay in touch with your customers 24/7 and provide them with updates on new services and products
• You can extend your business reach by bringing in new customers from across the globe
• Users can use personal profiles with photos of their favourite products and services
• You can stay connected with users through the use of push notifications
• They allow you to build long-term relationships with customers
• You’ll be able to impress potential customers and receive user feedback
• You can feature clickable product tags so that users can explore products themselves

There are a number of app development companies that take on social app development projects and have app developers with experience specifically catering to these apps. Here we’ve put together for you a list of the best.

List of social mobile app development companies