How to Build a Chat or Messaging App

In today’s fast-paced digital world, instant communication is essential for personal connections and business interactions. Whether you’re building a social platform, a customer support system, or an online learning environment, having a chat feature can greatly enhance user engagement. The good news is that creating a chat app doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or complex task. With the right tools, like ZEGOCLOUD, you can build a fully functional chat app in as little as 30 minutes.

Why You Need to Build a Chat App?

By building a chat app, you can meet the growing demand for real-time, interactive communication while leveraging new opportunities in business, education, healthcare, and social interaction.

• Real-time communication: Chat apps provide instant messaging, allowing users to communicate in real time, which is crucial for social connections, business collaboration, customer support, and more.
• User engagement: A chat feature can significantly increase user engagement by encouraging conversations, fostering a sense of community, and improving user retention on your platform.
• Customer support: Many businesses use chat apps to provide real-time customer service, offering immediate responses to questions or concerns and improving customer satisfaction.
• Personalization: Chat apps allow for personalized communication and interaction, helping businesses create more tailored user experiences.
• Scalability: A chat app can serve a wide variety of use cases such as personal messaging, team collaboration, gaming communities, healthcare consultations, or online learning.
• Monetization opportunities: Through features like in-app purchases, subscriptions, or premium services, chat apps can offer multiple revenue streams.
• Secure communication: Many chat apps incorporate encryption and other privacy features, ensuring secure and private communication for users.

10 Best Chatting Apps Examples for Android, iOS, and Web

1. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a messaging app that lets users send and receive text, voice, and video messages, as well as make voice and video calls. Created in 2009, it has grown to become one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion active users. WhatsApp supports multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac OS, and can be downloaded and installed on both mobile devices and computers, making it highly accessible and convenient to use.

Key Features:

• End-to-End Encryption: Ensures that only the sender and receiver can access messages, enhancing privacy and security.
• Voice and Video Calls: High-quality audio and video calls are available globally, even across different platforms.
• Group Chats: Support for group chats of up to 256 participants, making it easy to connect with larger groups.
• Media Sharing: Users can share photos, videos, documents, and voice messages conveniently.

2. Telegram

Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging app that was launched in 2013. It is known for its security features and its ability to support group chats with up to 200,000 members. Telegram also offers a range of features, such as custom stickers, bots, and channels. Telegram is available on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Key Features:

• Secret Chats: End-to-end encrypted conversations with self-destructing messages for enhanced privacy.
• Large Group Chats: Capacity for massive group chats with up to 200,000 members, ideal for communities and organizations.
• File Sharing: Share multimedia files, documents, and more, up to 2GB per file.
• Customization: Users can customize their experience with themes, stickers, and powerful bot integrations.

3. Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is a messaging app to chat developed by Facebook that allows users to send text messages, and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share photos and videos. It was launched in 2011 and has since grown to become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. Facebook Messenger supports multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows.

Key Features:

• Integration with Facebook: Chat seamlessly with Facebook friends and contacts without leaving the Messenger app.
• Voice and Video Calls: Enjoy high-quality audio and video calls with friends and groups.
• Expressive Features: Spruce up conversations with a vast library of stickers, GIFs, emojis, and reactions.
• Interactive Activities: Engage in games, shared experiences, and activities directly within Messenger for added fun.

4. Signal

Signal is a free chat app that offers end-to-end encryption for all messages and calls. It is available on iOS, Android, and desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux). Signal allows users to send text messages, voice messages, group chats, and make voice and video calls. It also supports features like disappearing messages, reading receipts, and the ability to create groups of up to 1000 members.

Key Features:

• End-to-end Encryption: All communications are encrypted end-to-end by default, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can access message content.
• Privacy: Minimal data collection and privacy-focused design, with features like disappearing messages for added privacy.
• Voice and Video Calls: Make crystal-clear voice and video calls with friends and family without compromising on security.
• Group Chats: Create secure group chats for private discussions with multiple participants.

5. Slack

Slack is another best chat apps designed for teams and businesses. It allows users to send direct messages or create channels for group communication, share files and documents, and integrate with other apps and services. Slack also offers voice and video calls, screen sharing, and the ability to search through past messages and files. It is available on iOS, Android, and desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux).

Key Features:

• Channels: Organize communication by creating channels for specific teams, projects, or topics, keeping discussions focused and accessible.
• Integration: Seamlessly integrate with numerous third-party tools and services, including Google Drive, Trello, and Zoom, enhancing productivity and workflow automation.
• File Sharing: Share files, documents, and links within channels or direct messages, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Customization: Customize notifications, themes, and workflows to suit the unique needs and preferences of each team or organization.

6. Hangouts

Hangouts is a chatting app developed by Google that allows users to send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share photos and videos. It is available on iOS, Android, and the web. Hangouts also offers the ability to create group chats and make conference calls with up to 10 people. It integrates with other Google apps like Gmail and Google Calendar and allows users to easily switch between personal and work accounts.

Key Features:

• Threaded Conversations: Keep discussions organized with threaded conversations, making it easy to follow along and reference past messages.
• Chat Rooms: Create dedicated chat rooms for teams, projects, or topics, enabling focused discussions and collaboration.
• Integration with G Suite: Seamlessly integrate with other Google Workspace apps like Google Drive, Docs, and Calendar for enhanced productivity and workflow management.
• Bots and Apps: Extend functionality with bots and third-party apps, automating tasks and accessing additional features directly within Hangouts Chat.

7. WeChat

WeChat is a chat app developed by Tencent that is widely used in China and other parts of the world. It allows users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, share photos and videos, and play games. WeChat also offers a range of features like WeChat Pay for mobile payments, WeChat Moments for sharing updates with friends, and Mini Programs for accessing apps and services within WeChat. It is available on iOS, Android, and desktop (Windows and macOS). WeChat is known for its strong emphasis on privacy and security, with end-to-end encryption for messages and a range of security settings.

Key Features:

• Messaging: Send text, voice messages, images, and videos to friends and contacts individually or in groups.
• Social Networking: Share moments, post updates, and interact with friends through the integrated social feed.
• Mobile Payments: Pay bills, transfer money, and make purchases online or in-store using WeChat Pay.
• Mini Programs: Access a variety of third-party apps and services within WeChat, ranging from games to utilities and e-commerce.

8. Line

Line is a chat app developed by Line Corporation that is popular in Japan and other parts of Asia. It allows users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, share photos and videos, and play games. The line also offers a range of features like Line Pay for mobile payments, Line Timeline for sharing updates with friends, and Line Stickers for expressing emotions in chats. It is available on iOS, Android, and desktop (Windows and macOS). Line also offers a business version called Line Work for team communication and collaboration.

Key Features:

• Messaging: Send text messages, stickers, emojis, and photos to friends and groups, with support for multimedia sharing.
• Voice and Video Calls: Make free voice and video calls with high-quality audio and video, individually or in groups.
• Digital Wallet: Use Line Pay for mobile payments, money transfers, and online shopping within the app.
• Stickers and Games: Access a vast library of stickers, play games, and engage with Line’s diverse range of content and services.

9. Viber

Viber is a chat app developed by Rakuten that allows users to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and share photos and videos. It is available on iOS, Android, and desktop (Windows and macOS). Viber also offers features like Viber Out for making calls to non-Viber users, Viber Communities for group chats with up to 1 billion members, and Viber Wink for sending self-deleting photos and videos. It also offers end-to-end encryption for secure messaging. Viber is popular in Europe, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia.

Key Features:

• End-to-end Encryption: Ensure private conversations with end-to-end encryption for all messages, voice, and video calls.
• Group Chats: Chat with multiple friends and family members simultaneously in group chats, with support for up to 250 participants.
• Viber Out: Make low-cost international calls to mobile and landline numbers directly from the Viber app.
• Public Accounts: Follow public accounts for businesses, brands, and celebrities to stay updated with news, promotions, and events.

10. Skype

Skype is a chat app developed by Microsoft that allows users to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and share files and documents. It is available on iOS, Android, and desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux). Skype also offers the ability to make group calls with up to 50 people, screen sharing, and the ability to call landlines and mobile phones. It also offers paid features like Skype Credit for calling non-Skype users and Skype for Business for enterprise communication. Skype also has a free version with limited features.

Key Features:

• Voice and Video Calls: Make free voice and video calls to other Skype users, or call mobiles and landlines at affordable rates.
• Instant Messaging: Chat with friends and contacts in real-time, share photos, videos, and files, and express yourself with emojis and stickers.
• Screen Sharing: Share your screen during calls for presentations, collaboration, or remote assistance.
• Integration: Integrate with Microsoft Office, Outlook, and other Microsoft services for seamless productivity and collaboration.

Must-have Chat App Features to Build

When building a chat app, several key features are essential to provide a seamless, engaging, and secure user experience. Here are the most important features to consider:

Basic Features:

These are essential features that provide the core functionality of any chat app, ensuring it operates smoothly for users.

• User Authentication: Basic login and registration functionality using email, phone number, or social media accounts to authenticate users securely.
• Real-time Messaging: Core functionality allows users to send and receive text messages instantly within the app, ensuring seamless communication.
• Push Notifications: Notifications that inform users of new messages or updates even when the app is closed, keeping them engaged and updated.
• Message Status (Read Receipts): Basic read receipts that show whether a message has been delivered or read, improving communication clarity.
• Typing Indicators: Visual cues to let users know when someone is typing a message, helping manage expectations in conversations.
• Media Sharing: The ability for users to share basic media files, such as images and videos, adding more richness to conversations.
• Group Chats: Supporting multiple users in one chat room, allowing for group communication and collaboration.
• Emojis and Stickers: Basic emojis and sticker support to make conversations more expressive and fun.
• User Presence Indicators: Simple indicators showing whether a user is online, offline, or busy, providing context to conversations.

Advanced Features:

These features offer more complex functionality and enhance the user experience, making the app more competitive and feature-rich.

• End-to-End Encryption: Advanced security features that ensure messages are encrypted so only the sender and recipient can read them, protecting user privacy.
• Search Functionality: A robust search feature allowing users to search for specific messages, contacts, or content within their chats for better accessibility.
• Voice and Video Calling: Advanced communication tools that allow users to make voice and video calls, extending beyond simple text messaging for a more interactive experience.
• Customizable UI: Options for users to personalize their chat app experience, such as changing themes, customizing notifications, or adjusting font sizes.
• Message Reactions: Allowing users to quickly react to messages with emojis or other indicators, adding an extra layer of interactivity.
• Offline Support: Advanced caching and offline access to messages, allowing users to access chat history or draft messages when they have no internet connection.
• Message Deletion: The ability to delete or unsend messages for all recipients within a specific timeframe, useful for correcting mistakes or withdrawing messages.
• Admin Controls (For Group Chats): Enhanced management features for group chats, giving administrators control to add/remove users, moderate conversations, and set permissions.
• Location Sharing: Allows users to share their live location within the chat, a useful feature for meeting coordination and real-world interactions.
• File Sharing: Beyond media files, this feature supports sharing documents, PDFs, and other file types, making the app useful for business and professional settings.
• Voice Notes: The ability to send quick voice messages, providing an easy way to communicate without typing.
• Multiple Language Support: Offering the app in various languages for a global audience, enhancing its usability in different regions.
• Advanced Data Analytics: Tools for administrators or business users to track user engagement, analyze messaging trends, and optimize the app’s performance.

How to Build Your Own Chat App with ZEGOCLOUD API

In-app chat is a valuable feature to have in a mobile app. In the following section, we’ll use ZEGOCLOUD’s In-app chat SDK to create app chat functionality. It provides a communication channel with high reliability, high concurrency, and low latency for interactive messaging. Real-time messaging can be set up in minutes for large-scale streaming, live audio rooms, an online chat system, and more.

When developing apps that require live chat functionality, there are numerous reasons why you should use ZEGOCLOUD In-app chat SDK.

The In-app chat SDK includes the following fantastic features:

1. Increased performance in slow networks

The in-app chat SDK is designed to provide smooth communication and message transmission even in poor network conditions. Messages are reliably delivered even when network conditions result in a 90% packet loss rate. So you don’t have to worry about dealing with network issues because the SDK in live chat for Android apps handles them out of the box.

2. Message reachability

This is one of ZEGOCLOUD’s most powerful in-app chat SDK features. Message priorities can be set using this SDK. Setting the message deliverability priority to high ensures that no important message is ever left hanging.

3. International reach with ultra-low latency

The real-time communications network of ZEGOCLOUD spans over 200 countries and regions. Thanks to an excellent global network scheduling strategy, it delivers real-time messages to users with as little as 200 ms latency.

4. Extensive concurrency

The in-app chat of ZEGOCLOUD can easily handle hundreds of millions of concurrent messages, meeting the needs of large-scale and highly demanding live communication events.

Preparation before Chat App Development

• A developer account on ZEGOCLOUD — Sign up.
• Do a project, obtain the AppID, and obtain the AppSign.
• Android Studio 2.1 or later is required.
• an Android device or emulator that supports video and audio
• Basic understanding of Android app development

Steps for App Chat SDK Integration

So far, we’ve discussed what the app chat SDK is and how it can help us easily integrate chat functionality into our app. This section will teach you how to make a chat app with Android Studio and the In-App Chat SDK. To integrate the In-App Chat SDK into your project, follow the steps below:

Create a new project.

1. Launch Android Studio and choose File → New Project.

2. Enter the name of the application and select the project location.

3. It is best to leave all other settings at their defaults. Click “Next“, followed by “Finish“.

Import the SDK

1. Get the most recent version of the SDK from SDK downloads.
2. Place SDK files in your project directory, such as app/libs.
3. Open app/build.gradle and add the following contents:

• To specify the supported ABIs, add the ndk node inside the defaultConfig node.

ndk {
abiFilters 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86_64', 'x86' 
}

• Inside the android node, add the sourceSets node to specify the directory containing the SDK files.

sourceSets {
    main {
        jniLibs.srcDirs = ['libs']
    }
}

• In the dependencies node, paste the following code:

implementation fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])

Adding permissions

We require permission to access some Android operating system resources. For example, we need permission to use the camera and microphone.

This permission can be granted by following the steps outlined below:

1. Open the AndroidManifest.xml file in the app/src/main directory and add the following code:

<!-- Permissions required by the SDK -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />

2. Avoid obfuscation of class names by including the following codes in proguard-rules.pro:

-keep class **.zego.**{*;}

Implementation steps

To create a basic in-app Android chat app, follow the steps below:

Import class file.

import im.zego.zim.ZIM

Initialize Zim SDK.

The first step is to set up a ZIM instance. An instance is the same as a user logging into the system as a client.

Assuming we have two clients, A, and B, who want to send and receive messages from and to each other, both of them will need to call the create method with the AppID in the previous prerequisite steps to create their own ZIM SDK instance:

// Create a ZIM SDK object and pass the AppID, AppSign, and Application in Android.
ZIMAppConfig appConfig = new ZIMAppConfig();
appConfig.appID = 12345;  
appConfig.appSign = "appSign";  
zim = ZIM.create(appConfig, application);

Create a handler object for an event.

Before starting the user’s login, you must call the set event handler method to create an event handler object and customize the event callbacks so that you can receive callback notifications when SDK errors occur or message-related callback notifications.

zim.setEventHandler(new ZIMEventHandler() {
    @Override
    public void onReceivePeerMessage(ZIM zim, ArrayList<ZIMMessage> messageList, String fromUserID) {
        // Implement the callback for receiving the one-to-one messages.
    }
});

Log in to ZIM SDK.

Clients A and B must log in to the ZIM SDK after creating the ZIM SDK instance in order to send and receive messages.

To access the ZIM SDK, follow the steps below:

1. To create a user object, use the ZIMUserInfo method.
2. Then, using their own user information, call the login method.

// userID and userName must be within 32 bytes, and can only contain numbers, letters and the following special characters: '~', '!', '@', '#', '$', '%', '^', '&', '*', '(', ')', '_', '+', '=', '-', '`', ';', ''', ',', '.', '<', '>', '/', '\'。
ZIMUserInfo zimUserInfo = new ZIMUserInfo();
zimUserInfo.userID = userID;
zimUserInfo.userName = userName;
zim.login(zimUserInfo, new ZIMLoggedInCallback() {
    @Override
    public void onLoggedIn(ZIMError error) {
          // You can know whether the login is successful according to the ZIMError.           
    }
 });

Send one-to-one messages.

A and B can easily send messages to each other after logging into the SDK by invoking the sendPeerMessage method with client B’s userID, message content, and other information. The on message sent callback can be used to determine the status of a sent message. A will send a message to B in this scenario.

// Send one-to-one messages. 

String toUserID = "xxxx";

ZIMTextMessage zimMessage = new ZIMTextMessage();
zimMessage.message = "Message content";

ZIMMessageSendConfig config = new ZIMMessageSendConfig();
// Set message priority. 1: Low (by default). 2: Medium. 3: High.
config.priority = ZIMMessagePriority.LOW;
// Set up the configuration of offline notification.
ZIMPushConfig pushConfig = new ZIMPushConfig();
pushConfig.title = "Offline notification title";
pushConfig.content= "Offline notification content";
pushConfig.extendedData = "Extend information of the offline notification";
config.pushConfig = pushConfig;

zim.sendPeerMessage(zimMessage, toUserID, config, new ZIMMessageSentCallback() {
    @Override
    public void onMessageSent(ZIMMessage zimMessage, ZIMError error) {
        //  You can implement the event callback for sending messages here.
    }
});

Receive one-to-one messages.

After logging in, Client B can now receive the message from Client A via the callback onReceivePeerMessage, which is already set in the set event handler method.

zim.setEventHandler(new ZIMEventHandler() {
    @Override
    public void onReceivePeerMessage(ZIM zim, ArrayList<ZIMMessage> messageList, String fromUserID) {

      for (ZIMMessage zimMessage : messageList) {
          if (zimMessage instanceof ZIMTextMessage) 
          {
            ZIMTextMessage zimTextMessage = (ZIMTextMessage) zimMessage;
            Log.e(TAG, "Received message:"+ zimTextMessage.message);
          }   
      }
   }
});

Log out

Simply calling the logout method will log you out of the ZIM SDK.

zim.logout()

Destroy the ZIM SDK instance.

Call the destroy method to destroy the ZIM SDK instance.

zim.destroy();

Run a demo

How to Monetize a Chat App

Monetizing a chat app can be done through a variety of strategies, depending on the type of app and the target audience. Here are several effective monetization methods to consider:

In-app Purchases

In-app purchases are a popular and flexible way to monetize a chat app. Users can access the basic functionality of the app for free while purchasing virtual goods like stickers, emojis, themes, or special effects to customize their messaging experience. These add-ons enhance user engagement by allowing personalization and creativity, which can lead to a higher user retention rate and increased revenue over time. This method works particularly well for social and community-based apps where users want to stand out or express themselves in unique ways.

Subscription Model

A subscription-based model offers users premium features for a recurring fee. This could include ad-free usage, advanced privacy settings, enhanced file-sharing capabilities, or access to group video calls. Subscriptions can be offered on a monthly or yearly basis, creating a steady income stream. By gating premium features behind a subscription paywall, the app can maintain a free tier to attract a large user base while encouraging power users to upgrade for more functionality.

Advertisements

Monetizing through advertisements is a tried-and-tested method, especially for apps with a large user base. Ads can be displayed in various formats such as banner ads, native ads, or video ads. While ads generate revenue from advertisers, it’s important to implement them in a way that doesn’t disrupt the user experience. Offering an option to remove ads through a subscription or in-app purchase can provide an additional revenue stream for users who prefer an ad-free experience.

Sponsored Content or Brand Partnerships

Partnering with brands to offer sponsored content within the app is a creative way to generate revenue. This can be done through branded stickers, sponsored chat rooms, or themed conversations for special events. By integrating brands seamlessly into the user experience, the app can provide value to advertisers without overwhelming users with traditional ads. Sponsored content works well for chat apps that foster large communities or specific interest groups, where brands can directly engage with their target audience.

Cloud Storage Services

Offering cloud storage services as a paid feature can be particularly attractive for chat apps that handle large amounts of media sharing, such as photos, videos, and files. Developers can provide users with a certain amount of free storage, with the option to upgrade to a premium plan for extended capacity. This approach works especially well in apps used for professional or collaborative purposes, where maintaining access to chat histories and files is critical.

Conclusion

Putting chat features into an app has never been easy. The SDK for app chats makes it easy to do that in a short amount of time. Why start from scratch when you can just use a strong, reliable, and full-featured SDK that has all the features you’ve ever needed?

Including app chat, if you have more specific needs, such as video chat, voice chat, and live streaming, ZEGOCLOUD can satisfy you very well by offering a powerful SDK.

Read More:

• How To Create An Android Chat App
• How to Make an Omegle Chat App

FAQ

Q1: What are the challenges of building a chat app?

Key challenges include ensuring real-time messaging, handling high user loads, maintaining strong security (e.g., encryption), and creating a user-friendly interface. Scalability and performance optimization are also critical as the user base grows.

Q2: How much does it cost to build and maintain a chat app?

Costs vary widely based on features and scale. A basic app can cost a few thousand dollars, while advanced features like video calls and encryption increase costs significantly. Ongoing costs for cloud services and maintenance can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per month depending on usage.

Q3: What are the Common Technologies Used to Build a Chat App?

Developers typically choose technologies like WebSocket, Firebase, or third-party SDKs such as ZEGOCLOUD to enable real-time messaging. For the user interface, they often use front-end frameworks like React, Flutter, or Swift, while backend systems commonly rely on Node.js, Python, or databases like MongoDB to manage user data and messages.