Guide To Build A Video Conferencing App Like Zoom

Ever since nations around the globe responded to the COVID-19 virus outbreak by initiating lockdowns, there has been one application that we have heard over and over. As the world opens up to new ways of doing things, Zoom is on everyone’s toolkit.

The sudden spike in Zoom’s popularity has to do with many companies trying to adapt their operations by asking their employees to work from home. Doing so mitigates the effect of the virus outbreak on their business and also reduces the chances of their employees getting infected.

Zoom allows the employees of a company to have online meetings while they are working from home. Over the past few weeks, there has been a significant increase in demand for such video conferencing applications. The COVID-19 crisis has been a challenging time for all of us, but you should try to make the most of it. Some entrepreneurs see this rise in demand as an opportunity to build video chat apps like Zoom. If you want to know how to build a video conferencing app then read this article to get in-depth knowledge in app development.

How Do Video Conferencing Apps Work?

Let us take Zoom, for instance. The app not only allows users to view HD video and sound but also supports up to 1000 participants in a single meeting. Participants from all over the world can join in a meeting as long as they have an internet connection. They also have the option to turn off their camera or microphone whenever they want. The company aims to provide all its features to its users, regardless of the number of participants in the meeting. Here are some of the features of Zoom that have facilitated its rise to the top:

• Screen Sharing – Since the members in the meeting are not physically present in the same room as you, it is not possible for them to see your presentation. Zoom’s solution to this was a handy feature called Screen Share, which allows participants to share their screen for all members to see during a presentation.
• Chat – Participants of a meeting can effectively communicate with each other using Zoom’s integrated chat feature. They can choose to message all members of the meeting at the same time or individually message participants.
• Virtual Hand-Raising – When a participant wants to speak or express their concerns about a particular topic, they can notify the host by using the virtual hand-raising emoji. This further improves the efficiency of the video conferencing app and also prevents multiple people from speaking at once.
• Polls – If the host wants to understand the participant’s opinion about a particular topic, they can gather their responses by creating a poll.
• Mute Participants – If the host feels that a participant is disrupting the meeting, they have the option to mute any participant they desire.
• Record Meetings – Every Zoom meeting can be easily recorded with the click of a single button. This recording can then be uploaded to the cloud or stored locally on the device.
• Encryption – All Zoom meetings are embedded with end-to-end encryption software that prevents any unauthorized person from joining your meeting. Even the company itself cannot join a meeting without the host’s permission.

Now you must be thinking that these are some really great features, but how much would it actually cost to build an app like Zoom. The cost to build a video chat app will depend on the features and functionalities that you want to include in your app. Roughly speaking, the cost of development will be anywhere between $40,000 and $ 80,000 for an app with standard features and optimized video streaming in India.

The essential factor influencing an app’s price is the developers’ hourly rate, which usually depends on the location.