I want to build a chat app with messages, live chat, phone, video chat and live streaming, I want to further extend it to have group video chat. I’m not sure where to start? I’m not a developer but I’ve understanding of technologies. I want to know what tools I can use to achieve my goal. Any help?
It is not going to be an easy job. There are no single SDK/solution which fits your bill. You will have to use multiple SDKs/solution to achieve this. It is going to be a nightmare for sure. Be prepared to spend some money as not all of the features you want are available for free. I know an agency which has expertise in building chat/phone app. DM me and I’ll introduce you to them.
Building a chat app involves the following steps:
- Choose a Tech Stack – Use Flutter, React Native, or Swift/Kotlin for mobile development. Backend options include Node.js, Firebase, or Django.
- Set Up Authentication – Implement email, phone, or social login.
- Database & Storage – Use Firebase Firestore, MongoDB, or MySQL to store messages.
- Real-time Messaging – Use WebSockets or Firebase Realtime Database for instant communication.
- UI/UX Design – Ensure a clean, intuitive interface with chat bubbles, notifications, and attachments.
- Security – Implement end-to-end encryption for privacy.
- Testing & Deployment – Test across devices before launching on App Store/Google Play.
Since you have some tech understanding, you can use several tools to help. For the frontend, consider using React for web apps or Flutter for cross-platform mobile development. For the backend, Firebase is a great option as it offers real-time database capabilities, authentication, and cloud functions. For live chat and video features, WebRTC is ideal for peer-to-peer communication, while services like Twilio or Agora can simplify integration for messaging, voice, and video calls. Also, check Idea Maker’s iOS app development services, as they offer comprehensive solutions for building high-quality applications.