As per Statista, in 2024, TikTok was estimated to have an audience of around 2 billion users worldwide, reaching approximately 90% of all internet users in Vietnam, Chile, and Thailand as of July 2024.
TikTok’s success lies in its addictive interface, AI-powered recommendations, and creator-driven ecosystem.
Creating an app like TikTok today means more than just copying a trend. It’s about entering a booming market with high growth potential.
Whether you aim to build the next viral sensation or cater to niche audiences, a TikTok-like app offers exciting monetisation and branding opportunities.
This blog explores why building a short video app is a brilliant 2025 move, must-have TikTok-style features, a detailed step-by-step development roadmap, and more about creating an app like TikTok.
By the end, you'll be equipped to develop and launch your own engaging, AI-powered short video app.
Before digging into how to make a TikTok-like app, we assembled a comprehensive and representative set of facts about the TikTok profit model. Let’s dive deep into these TikTok revenue and usage statistics:
TikTok is an app that allows all users to post short videos a maximum of 15 seconds in length, where users can add background music and other accessories of their choice.
TikTok is the equivalent of the short, entertaining videos you see on Vine, with the added option to add music and other different enhancements to your videos. The app also features an interactive map that shows trending videos in any area. You may create a free account and a community of individuals who want you to add them as friends and engage with them.
You can also choose to build in-app purchases if you wish to, but the app is OK without them.
The secret behind the overnight success of TikTok is in its algorithm. Your feed on TikTok becomes more personalized the more you watch it.
With many conspiracy theories on how to make a viral TikTok floating in the market, finally, TikTok app creators revealed the big secret of their algorithm. The algorithm makes use of the method of an exponential distribution. The system examines a variety of parameters, including user interactions, video data, and others. Based on this information, TikTok recommends the content to each user.
Once the video is posted, it is first presented to a small audience segment selected based on their activity. Later, if a piece of content is liked, it gets promoted to other users with similar interests. Step by step video expands to millions of users with the help of TikTok’s algorithms.
The algorithm is like digital word-of-mouth: the more buzz your content generates, the more viral it becomes.
The TikTok-like app keeps a tab on how the user interacts with the video, sounds, hashtags, and more to help identify whether any given post will appeal to the chosen audience. Note that users can also tell TikTok if they don’t like any video. For this, they have to long-press the video and tap on ‘Not interested.
To replicate such an algorithm precisely, you will need to hire top mobile app developers from a software development company like ours. Our team of skilled developers possesses the expertise and technical knowledge needed to tackle intricate algorithms and ensure their accurate implementation. By hiring our mobile app developers, you gain access to a talent pool that excels in crafting innovative solutions and delivering high-quality results.
The short video app market is booming in 2025, fueled by faster internet, creator monetisation, and social trends. According to Data.ai, global consumer spending on short-form video platforms will reach $18 billion by the end of 2025. TikTok alone generated over $10 billion in revenue in 2024, showcasing the immense earning potential.
User engagement is also unmatched. With 1.7 billion users and an average of 38% more session time than other social platforms (App Annie, 2024), short video apps keep users hooked.
For entrepreneurs and developers, this opens up vast market opportunities across entertainment, education, fitness, fashion, and more. Launching a TikTok-style app today allows you to tap into a proven model, leverage AI for personalization, and monetize through ads, virtual gifts, and subscriptions.
The authorization page is the first page a user sees. It is as essential as a first page is to a book. It is how users judge whether they will use the app or not. Consider keeping the sign-in page concise and intuitive by asking for only relevant information needed for a seamless sign-in experience.
You can include basic user information, authorization details, password setup, and password recovery options. However, TikTok also allows skipping the sign-up process and automatically chooses the password and profile name for the user who decides to skip it. According to the user’s requirements, they can later change these profile names and passwords.
This feature enables users to create and update their profiles to provide a seamless user experience. Users can change their profile bio, contact details, password, profile picture, and other account parameters. Updating their profile can enable users to get in touch with desired people on TikTok and pick the type of content they want to see.
The TikTok app is divided into two broad categories: one for your page (FYP) and the rest for another. Here, the user can infinitely scroll through the recommended content and the trending videos which went viral. Every video on the FYP consists of a hashtag, a caption, and a soundtrack that users can play as background music. In this way, TikTok’s system design is simple yet ingenious. It allows for content to be updated for users in real-time with new posts tagged with hashtags regularly and the opportunity to access previously uploaded videos by filing through hashtags.
TikTok’s engagement rate is skyrocketing, and the reason for this is the ability to converse with viewers actively. Simply put, likes are the measurement of your content popularity.
Likes on TikTok are just the same as likes on Instagram or Facebook. They help users better interact with their audience and get instant feedback on their content.
Moreover, TikTok architecture also possesses third-party integration with other social media apps that allow users to share their content on other social media platforms.
TikTok uses push notifications to provide timely updates to users.
It helps the users keep track of their content’s performance. You can add the feature of push notifications by using:
TikTok also provides settings for choosing the frequency and type of notifications the user wants to get notified. For instance, you can disable all other notifications except the recommendation of live videos. Doing this makes the application more audience-oriented and helps to increase the user experience.
Advanced Features
TikTok has proven an exciting alternative for users who want to use social media. Aside from the live videos, short videos, and other content, it also features a fully equipped video editor that allows you to edit your recordings or add higher-quality effects. These inbuilt editors allow you to speed up the process to complete your tasks faster with fewer steps and extra hassle.
You can also add different scenarios to the original videos with the help of augmented reality. This new feature can change your eye color and skin tones and buttons flowers in your hair, hats, etc.
With geolocation, TikTok enables live location-based content in real-time. By doing this, users can get notifications when the TikTok influencers they know are in their proximity.
TikTok users with more than 1k followers can enable the feature of going live and interacting with their audience. Doing so will enable them to receive gifts from their followers in coins, which they can later exchange for money if they wish.
TikTok has a large music and sound library built directly into the application. Users can lip-sync and dance along to the songs that are currently popular and enjoy songs from a variety of artists. Music can be added by using lyrics or recording it in the post; both methods allow users to create interesting videos that feature everything from new original works to remixes.
Duet allows users to display another person’s video alongside their own. In contrast, stitches will enable the user to clip and integrate separate scenes from another user’s video into their own.
You can also browse or explore videos on the TikTok-like app if you haven’t subscribed to it. Depending on the type of content you frequently watch, the application suggests what you may like on the For You page by running it through its artificial intelligence system.
A top mobile app development company can help you build a TikTok clone that is unparalleled in functionality, design, and user experience, giving you an edge in the market.
Here’s how one can create an app like TikTok in 8 simple steps.
Identify your target market (e.g., youth, creators, niche communities) and study your top competitors. Gather user insights via surveys, app reviews, and usage data to understand what users expect.
Analyzing regional trends can help you uncover gaps and opportunities, shaping your app’s value proposition and features before development begins.
List core features (video editor, feed, profiles, etc.) and advanced options (filters, AI). Map these against your monetisation model to define your app's scope.
Prioritize features for MVP based on user value and revenue impact. Ensure your monetisation approach aligns with platform policies and user behavior.
Select a scalable tech stack: use React Native or Flutter for cross-platform apps, Swift/Kotlin for native builds.
Backend can run on Node.js or Python. Use AWS/GCP, CloudFront, and CDN for fast delivery. Integrate TensorFlow or PyTorch for AI features like recommendation and moderation.
Create interactive wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes to visualize app flow and screen hierarchy. Use tools like Figma or Adobe XD.
Focus on simplicity, seamless transitions, and intuitive video navigation. Prioritize thumb-friendly design, ensuring key actions like record, like, comment, and share are easily accessible.
Build a minimum viable product (MVP) with essential features: video upload/edit, user registration, feed, and basic social functions. Use agile sprints to iterate quickly.
Prioritize backend scalability and database structuring for future feature additions. Launch the beta with a limited number of users to gather early feedback and usage insights.
Train machine learning models using initial user activity and content tagging to enhance the user experience. Use frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch. Deploy collaborative filtering or deep learning to analyze behavior patterns.
Continuously refine algorithms to improve video feed personalization, increasing watch time, retention, and in-app engagement.
Run automated and manual tests across devices to catch bugs and performance issues. Test video upload speeds, playback smoothness, and server response.
Ensure data security and compliance with privacy laws like GDPR. Conduct user testing to validate the UX and identify and resolve friction points before the full release.
Prepare app store assets: screenshots, descriptions, tags, and ASO-optimized content. Soft-launch with influencer campaigns or limited-access invites.
Promote via social media ads, micro-creator partnerships, and content challenges. Monitor analytics closely after launch to optimize retention, address bugs, and roll out feature improvements.
Before jumping to make an app like TikTok, choosing the right technology stack for your app like TikTok is a vital step.
To give you a fair idea, we have discussed the technology stack used in the development of TikTok. However, you can also change or modify the technologies according to your budget and specific requirements.
Here’s a list of monetization techniques that can be leveraged to generate revenue with TikTok-like apps.
Integrate native ads, video ads, and branded content that blends into user feeds. Use platforms like Google AdMob or Facebook Audience Network.
Let brands collaborate with creators for paid promotions or product placements, generating revenue while keeping content authentic and engaging.
Users can buy coins to send virtual gifts to creators during livestreams or content interactions. It's a proven monetization method that boosts both creator earnings and app profits.
Offer exclusive content, ad-free experiences, or early access through monthly or yearly subscriptions. Subscriptions can also unlock creator-specific perks or premium features.
Let’s review the top challenges that one would have to overcome with TikTok-like app development.
Handling thousands of simultaneous uploads and views requires robust backend scaling, load balancing, and optimized cloud infrastructure.
Efficient compression, transcoding, and real-time playback are critical. Delays can significantly impact user retention and experience.
Moderating inappropriate content using AI and human review is vital to meet community guidelines and regional compliance laws.
Ensure end-to-end encryption, secure login, and adherence to data protection laws such as GDPR and CCPA to protect user data and build trust.
Here is a tentative cost breakdown of creating an app like TikTok. The rates may vary depending on the added complexity and requirements of the blog.
UI/UX wireframes, motion design, and branding typically cost around $8,000 – $12,000, depending on complexity and revisions.
Full-stack app development with core and advanced features can cost $40,000 – $80,000 or more based on region and timeline.
Building and integrating custom machine learning models may cost $15,000 – $25,000, depending on algorithm complexity.
QA testing, debugging, and app store deployment can cost around $5,000 – $10,000, depending on the scope.
Post-launch updates, server costs, and scaling infrastructure may require $2,000 – $5,000/month, based on user growth.
The success of a business is often measured by the revenue they generate. TikTok generates its revenue from virtual gifts and brand partnerships.
You should consider adopting several monetization models to get the most out of your TikTok-like app. Let us look at some of them in detail:
When building your own social video-sharing platform, knowing how to create an app like TikTok with a solid strategy can set you apart in this competitive market. By investing in product strategy consulting, businesses can gain insights and identify areas of opportunity for growth and longevity to stay ahead of the competition.
Determining the project goals, functional and non-functional requirements, and adhering to the project’s roadmap can be challenging. A reliable product development company can assist you in putting all the pieces together for a complex app like TikTok.
At Maruti Techlabs, we understand that great ideas alone can’t guarantee a great product. Our team of highly skilled and experienced developers, project management guides, and designers understands the market's pulse and your specific business needs, designing elegant mobile app development solutions. We are obsessed with building products that people love!
We’re constantly working on adding more to our “Build An App Like” series. Take a look at our other app-like series, such as:
Are you an ambitious entrepreneur looking to get your big idea launched? Get in touch with us to convert your ideas into a fully functioning MVP.
1. What are the features of the TikTok app?
Here are the basic and advanced features of the TikTok app.
2. Which programming language is used in TikTok?
If you wish to develop an app similar to TikTok, you can consider exploring the below programming languages.
3. How does TikTok make money?
TikTok is a highly profitable app known for its wide variety of monetization models. TikTok’s business model is built on charging users for virtual gifts and partnering with brands. Below are some options you should consider adopting to monetize your app:
4. What is the cost of making a new app like TikTok?
There is no definite answer to this question. The final cost of making an app like TikTok depends on the number of features you include in your TikTok clone and the hourly rates for developers you hire.
However, based on the hourly rates, developing an app like TikTok from scratch (in North America) will require a budget of close to ~ $316,000. On the other hand, if you were to develop the same app in Asia, more specifically India, it would cost you relatively much less, approximately $95,000. Note that the estimations provided above are approximate and may vary + or – by 15% for both Android and iOS.
5. How does TikTok work?
TikTok is a Chinese video editing mobile app for short video sharing. With various tools for creating and editing video content, TikTok has become a go-to platform for millions of people worldwide.
The secret behind the success of TikTok over the night is its algorithm. The algorithm makes use of the method of an exponential distribution. The system examines a variety of parameters, including user interactions, video data, and others. Based on this information, TikTok recommends the content to each user.
