The last few years have seen livestreaming apps take the mobile market by storm. This can be attributed to the rise in online viewership and pandemic lockdowns around the world, propelling the global livestreaming market to the top of the list of applications. In 2021, nine out of the top ten non-gaming apps by consumer spending are video-streaming apps. With the mobile user base growing exponentially, mobile applications have become the driving force behind the popularity of livestreaming.
Now is the perfect time to get involved in livestreaming app development.
Types of Livestreaming Applications
Live broadcasting apps
Live broadcasting apps are associated with livestreaming solutions and allow users to create and share content in real-time. Examples of these apps include game streaming platforms such as Twitch and content-sharing extensions like YouTube Live.
Audio streaming apps
This type of app enables users to access audio content from the internet. This could range from music and podcasts to voice recordings and lectures. A good example of this is Spotify, which streams music and podcasts without needing to download them.
Video-on-demand streaming apps
VOD, or video-on-demand streaming, allows users to watch their favorite TV shows and movies whenever they wish without having to purchase any playback devices or download the content. There is usually a fee required to access the full range of content and features that a VOD service offers. Three of the most common VOD services are Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
TV livestreaming apps
Streaming TV applications make it possible for users to watch their favorite television channels in real-time via the internet. Popular services such as Hulu and YouTube TV offer a wide selection of channels for those who have opted to “cut the cord” from traditional broadcast television delivered via digital terrestrial, satellite, or cable routes.
Basic Features to include in your Livestreaming App
Creating an early version of your livestreaming application requires a set of must-have features to form its backbone. The following are the essential features.
User Sign Up/Sign In: Simple registration process to create an account and log in with credentials.
Livestreaming: Allows users to broadcast and stream an event, teach a class, or host a gaming session. Uses real-time messaging protocol (RTMP) through a third-party server.
Search: Feature to enable users to find specific live channels, streamers, or live events.
User Profile: Feature to customize profile and make it unique for others. Includes basic and extended user information, a public avatar, and status indicator.
User Gallery: Compiles and organizes recorded or recently watched videos or music on the user’s profile. Users can modify their gallery.
Commenting/Rating System: Allows users to participate in discussions, react to streams, and leave comments or real-time reactions. Sender has customized commenting options.
Advanced Features of a Livestreaming App
If you are looking to create a streaming app for a sophisticated user, you must include cutting-edge features to make it more appealing. A few of these features are listed below.
Social sign-up: Allows users to log in to the application using one of their preferred social networks instead of requiring email and password.
Extended user profile: Includes additional fields like location, preferences, subscriber badges, social media links, profile banners, and scheduled streams.
Extended streaming features: Adaptive bitrate streaming dynamically adjusts the video quality to match the bandwidth and CPU of the user’s device, plus co-streaming, screen sharing, overlays, clipping, and others.
Chats: Gives streamers the opportunity to respond to questions and comments, with message filtering to flag potential spam.
Extended search features: Allows users to make a more detailed clip search using several filters like location, start date, popularity, number of viewers, and others.
Feed: Produces content from various streamers based on their interests and subscriptions in one wall-like layout to scroll through clips.
Subscriptions: Allows users to see and manage all active subscriptions, plus a tier-based paid subscription model for streamers to cash in on their content.
Recommendations: Entices users with relevant streams and channels based on their preferences and viewing histories, using AI algorithms to produce recommendations.
Notifications: Sends an alert or message to the user when a streamer goes live, with a custom notification and analytics dashboard for channel owners.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Livestreaming App MVP?
It is essential to be aware that the cost of building an MVP for a livestreaming app is variable. The amount of the estimation can differ depending on the scope, complexity, and set of features of the project. At Orangesoft, a free consultation with a specialist will give you an idea of the cost of video streaming app development. This estimation takes into account the development stage of the project and the contributions of business analysts, Q&A specialists, designers, and other team members. Before developing an app with fancy features and lavish add-ons, one should first create a basic version of the project with its core functionalities.
What is the tech stack for livestreaming app development?
Programming languages: Kotlin, Swift, and Java to transform business concept into a stable, feature-rich, and scalable application.
Content delivery network: Cloudflare and Amazon CloudFront to ensure high performance and availability of streams.
Hosting: Amazon EC2 to accommodate the resource needs of the application.
API server: Node.js and PHP for server-side API connections.
Streaming protocols: WebRTC and RTMP to facilitate high-definition broadcasting.
Database: MySQL or PostgreSQL to store user data and video-on-demand files.
Push notifications: Firebase notifications to deliver messages and notifications on iOS and Android.
Messaging queues: AWS Simple Queue Service to combine software components into independent elements and allow internal communication between them.
How to Monetize Livestreaming Apps?
A monetization model is key to your business generating revenue from the application. This is a vital part of your business strategy, ensuring the sustainability and top-notch quality of the user experience. To make the most of your digital project, consider incorporating a monetization model.
Paid apps: Allows for app downloads for a set fee, with app stores taking a commission on app revenues. Benefits include no ads.
Freemium: Allows users to download the app for free with limited features and additional add-ons available for a premium.
Advertisements: Combines paid apps and freemium models with ads such as banner ads, native placements and gamified in-app ads. Additionally, streaming platforms can place ads on streamers’ content to help them monetize their content.