How To Develop An App Like Threads? Here is The Complete Guide

The latest Instagram Threads app has created a sensation over the internet and taken social media platforms by storm.

Within just a week of its launch, the Threads app has acquired over 100 million users, setting a new historical record. Why are we saying this? Take a look at the latest events-

• ChatGPT acquired 100 million users in 2 months
• TikTok made 100 million users in 9 months
• Instagram gained 100 million users in 2.5 years

(Source)

And the reason why the Threads app has grabbed the world’s attention is its arrival as a competitor to Twitter. Since the trend of text-based media apps is on the rise, Instagram has launched its dedicated app to offer a new platform for sharing text-based social media content.

Threads app contains some similarities to Twitter. However, it has unique features that offer a new kind of text-based social media experience. And due to this increasing popularity, the demand for developing an app like Instagram’s Threads has got traction in the market instantly.

So how to build an app like Threads? What is the process and how much does it cost to build? In this guide, we will explain everything that you need to develop an app like Threads.

Let’s get started then 

What are Instagram Threads?

Threads is a text-based social media app released by Instagram. It is a new mobile app built by Meta, This app offers similar functionalities to Twitter. Threads app works as a text-based and microblogging platform. It allows users to share updates up to 500 characters long along with the option to post photos, videos, and links.

Its overall functionality appears to be the same as Twitter. However, the Threads app stands out differently in various ways. This app goes beyond just a text-based app. It enables users to express their ideas and lets them participate in conversations. Users get a seamless platform to connect with a large-size audience through concise text-based communication.

What Features Make Threads a Unique Text-Based Social Media App?

Threads is a text-based social networking app. Although it appears to be as same as Twitter or more likely as a Twitter rival. However, the Threads app stands out differently from Twitter and other text-based social networking apps. How? Here are the prominent features of Threads that make it a unique text-based social networking application.

Leverage Instagram

Threads has been launched as a separate app by Meta. But it gives leverage to Instagram users by allowing them to easily get started with Threads. Instagram users can easily get into the Threads app. They can use Instagram username and the verification process will carry away automatically.

Better Control Over the Conversation

Threads app offers better conversation facilities and controlling power. It enables users to control who can mention them or reply within Threads. Users can unfollow, block, restrict, or report a profile on Threads.

Compatible with Interoperable Networks

This feature has not been launched yet but very soon it will be released. Threads app will be compatible with ActivityPub. It is an open social networking protocol established by W3C. It would enable Threads to interoperable with other apps to support the ActivityPub protocol. As a result, Threads app could be interconnected with other platforms which is not possible on most of the social media apps in the present time.

Step by Step Process to Build an App Like Threads

Threads is a text-based social networking app. Its development is similar to social media app development. However, since it contains some unique features and functionalities. You would need to integrate additional features by following these steps.

Step 1: Define your App Goal

Threads has been built to offer an enhanced text-based social networking experience. So, the first step is to decide what your app goal is. Since you are focusing on developing a text-based app like Threads, you have to clearly define what you want to offer through this app. Is it a replica or small-scale rival to Threads or Twitter? Or you want to build a similar app but added with some distinct features. Prepare a well-defined and written document containing all the essential information about the app.

Step 2: Prepare a Competitor Strategy

Since your goal is to build a similar app like Threads, your app is to compete with Threads, Twitter, and other text-based mobile apps. Threads and Twitter are big brands. And since you might not have such brand authority as that of Threads, you need a dedicated competitor strategy and social media app development guide.

This step is very important since the competition in social media is very high. For newly launched apps, it is difficult to capture the audience’s attention when they already have good options. Hence, you should craft a competitor strategy as to how your app would survive and acquire users from the same target audience group of Threads or Twitter.

Step 3: UI/UX Design

One of the hot reasons why Threads has become a sensation overnight and is expected to be Twitter-Killer is its highly user-friendly UI/UX design. It has a similar interface to Instagram. Threads have an intuitive and seamless user interface and app design. This gives an engaging app usage experience that users mostly look for in any social media app. Therefore, you should create an intuitive and engaging UI/UX design that offers the same experience as Threads.

Step 4: Choose the Features

This is an important step in the process of social media app development like Threads. Threads contain text-based social networking and content-sharing features. But it also possesses some unique features that set it apart from others. Hence, you need to choose the features to incorporate in your app. As here our aim is to build an app like Threads, so here are the key features of Threads or a text-based social media app that you can consider for your app.

1. Direct signup from Instagram
2. Easy public conversations
3. Compatible with Interoperable Networks
4. Share images and video
5. sharing text content & updates
6. Share Threads posts to Instagram Story
7. Enhanced security

Step 5: Select the Tech Stack for Developing an App Like Threads

Threads is available for both Android and iOS users. Meta, however, has not explicitly disclosed what technology stacks they have used. But since it is a text-based social media platform there are various options to use. But it depends on what type of app you want to build. If you want to build a native app then you have to build apps for both OS platforms separately.

And if you have a limited budget then you can develop a hybrid or cross-platform mobile app for all the platforms. Therefore, based on your app types of features, you should choose the appropriate tech stacks for developing an app like Threads. For this, you should take assistance from a dedicated mobile app development company. They would assist you in selecting suitable frameworks.

Step 6: Develop and Launch Along with a GTM Strategy

To develop an app like Threads you need to hire dedicated app developers. Or you can also outsource your project to a professional mobile app development company. They have complete technology resources for developing top-notch apps. During the development phase, you should prepare a GTM (Go-to-market) strategy for effectively launching your app. For this, you can also take feedback from users before its launch. This would allow you to make essential changes and ensure your app succeeds in the market.

How Much Does it Cost to Build an App Like Threads?

The cost to develop an app like Threads might fall between $60,000-$400,000. However, it fully depends on the features and other factors. Threads is a large-scale mobile app that comes with high-end API integration and security protocols. So, for getting a better estimation of the cost to build an app like Threads would be to approach a mobile app development agency or firm. They would give a quote based on your budget and app requirements.

Final Words

Threads is an enhanced text-based social media application. It offers various new features to allow users to do more with text-based social networking. However, it contains some similar features to other popular apps. But it stands out differently due to its unique approach to offering next-level social media experience.

So, when you are planning to launch your own app like Threads, you should consider various important factors and build the app under expert guidance. And RipenApps is the top social media app development company that could help you build cutting-edge apps like Threads, Twitter, and other popular social media apps.