How Much Does It Cost to Build a Video Editing App like CapCut?

Living in a world where videos have become the default for consuming content, the speed at which people create and share content has sharply risen over the last few years. While the transition from textual to video content is evident on the consumers’ and creators’ end, there has also been an equally significant change in the video editing software market, poised to be nearly $3,048 million by 2027.

The market is filled with a variety of applications, right from basic editing tools like Instagram’s Reels to complex software such as Final Cut or even KineMaster. Because of their user interface, there was a need for a solution that would have all the necessary editing features and won’t have a steep learning curve. This is where CapCut comes into the picture.

The video editing application took very little time to become the go-to editing platform for TikTok users (with the number of downloads on the Play Store surging over 500 million), which didn’t go unnoticed by entrepreneurs . In this article, we are going to backtrack to the one question that is also the most asked – What is the cost to build an app like CapCut?

The Cost of Developing a Video Editing App like CapCut

We understand how difficult it is to give an exact range of CapCut app development costs, considering its wide ranging factors. However, having studied the application and its offerings, we can say that a replica of it could cost anywhere from $30,000 to over $250,000.

The general rule of thumb when planning the video editing app development cost like that for CapCut or any other software is simple – combine the app complexity (decided by the design, features, and technologies integration) with the development hours. Here, the development hours is the total estimated time required for all phases of development, including, planning, design, coding, testing, and deployment.

A general formula that can be used to arrive at a rough CapCut app development cost figure includes: Total Development Hours X Hourly Rates of Developers = App Development Cost

Now that we have looked into the costing part of CapCut, let us look into the different elements that go into deciding these costs.

Also Read: A comprehensive business guide to understanding mobile app development costs

Key Factors Affecting CapCut-like App Development Costs

From platform compatibility to app maintenance and updates, multiple factors affect the overall cost to build an app like CapCut. Let’s check those out.

Platform Compatibility

One major aspect affecting the cost to build an app like CapCut is platform compatibility. Creating an app for both iOS and Android increases expenses due to the need for separate coding, testing, and optimization for each platform.

When choosing platform compatibility, it’s important to consider your target audience and respective iOS and Android market shares. Understanding user preferences and market dynamics will help optimize your budget by aligning platform choices with your app’s potential reach and impact.

Complexity Level of Features and Functionalities

The cost of developing a video editing app like CapCut is directly related to the complexity level of the features implemented. The development process becomes more complex when features like advanced video editing capabilities, an extensive range of filters, smooth transitions, and eye-catching special effects are included. The investment required to develop, test, and optimize these components rises with the depth of functionalities.

Video Processing and Rendering Capabilities

Implementing advanced video processing and rendering features directly impacts the cost to build an app like CapCut. High-quality rendering, real-time processing, and intricate video editing capabilities contribute to the complexity of the app’s architecture. Adding complex video processing algorithms is necessary to ensure smooth user experiences, but it also means investing more in development time and skills.

Location of the Hired App Development Agency

The location of the hired app development team is also another major factor affecting the overall development cost. This when added to the location-wise video editing app development cost like CapCut, can look like this:

Size of the Development Team

The success of developing a video editing app like CapCut is greatly influenced by the size of the development team. It is affected by the intricacy of the project, the amount of time allotted, and the expertise needed. A larger team could speed up the development process.

The size of the team directly correlates with the project budget, as larger teams generally lead to increased costs. The optimal team size, tailored to the specific needs of the project, is determined by the intricacies of the development requirements.

Implementation of Robust Security Measures

Strong security features must be incorporated into your application to protect user data, prevent illegal access, and give user-generated content extra security. Strict authentication methods, ongoing monitoring, and extensive encryption methods are all necessary for implementing strong security features, and they all add to the overall cost to build an app like CapCut.

Considering user privacy is important, and there are possible legal ramifications, investing in extensive security measures makes the app more reliable and protects against data breaches and vulnerabilities.

Adherence to Regulatory Compliances

Ensuring regulatory compliance is critical, especially regarding user privacy and content sharing. Following the legal requirements demands close attention to detail, which could result in more expenses and development work.

Adhering to content rules, industry-specific regulations, and data protection regulations protects the app from legal threats while building user trust. Prioritizing regulatory compliance is crucial for long-term sustainability and positive user experiences.

Maintenance and Updates

Updating and maintaining an app is essential to keeping it successful after launch. It is imperative to allocate resources for continuous bug repairs, security improvements, and operating system and device compatibility updates. This proactive strategy reduces potential security risks while simultaneously guaranteeing a flawless user experience. However, it also adds to the overall video editing app development cost like CapCut

[Also Read: How Much Does It Cost to Build an AI Video Editor App Like Descript]

The Must-Have Features of an App like CapCut

When you build an app like Capcut, you must consider making the application live on two platforms – Mobile and Desktop. While you can keep a similar feature set, keep in consideration that the screen size will affect the editing experience, so modify the interface according to the use of magnification elements.

Extensive Templates Library

One of the key elements of video editing app development like Capcut is how easy the app makes it to create videos with its user-friendly templates. Creators can easily put clips in these templates with customizable animations, color schemes, transitions, and soundtracks. This is one of the features that immensely expedites the creators’ time.

One of the connected features of apps like CapCut here would be an easy discovery of templates – something that the application does effortlessly through its extensively demarcated library and a handy search.

Intuitive Interface

CapCut delivers an extremely organic interface that makes the entire process of video editing straightforward – something to be considered when you perform custom video editing app development. The creators can efficiently execute a wide scope of tasks, consisting of breaking and merging clips, modifying video formats, resizing canvases, adjusting the playback speed, and even switching clips – all through the timeline.

Another very critical part when you develop an app like CapCut is to keep adding new elements or experiences in the interface. For example, the CapCut app recently launched ‘speed curve’ which are speed ramps that let creators add seamless transitions in videos.

Text Solutions

The next critical element that can add to the cost of building an app like CapCut is extremely informative and engaging in a video – Text. CapCut offers efficiency by having preset templates for text as well. This removes the necessity to work around multiple tabs for adjusting font styles, sizes, and formats. This simplifies the text addition process, making it efficient.

When you are in the process of custom video editing app development, you can also think of using ‘Auto Captions’, which generates captions and assigns them to time codes.

Audio Toolset

CapCut comes with an extensive music library having copyrighted songs, but you also have the option of importing your music or taking audio out of existing videos. Like other features, when you build an app like Capcut you should keep sound effects easily accessible as well with a users-oriented search bar and a saving option.

In addition to adding audio, editing them is also extremely easy with creators having the option of adjusting volume, determining starting and ending points, and trimming as required.

Chroma Keying

One of the most beneficial features that the CapCut app development process has cracked is the video background remover offering. You can effortlessly take out an object from the videos and replace it with some other object or even overlay the subject on another layer.

This approach, denoted as chroma keying, seamlessly combines objects into multiple backgrounds, bettering the visual look of the videos.

Stickers and Effects

CapCut app development cost also includes the development and integration of well-categorized stickers such as emojis and themes like festivals, snowfall, etc. The issue with this feature, which you can solve when you build an app like CapCut is the lack of a search bar for stickers and effects, which can hinder users’ experience.

With multiple video effects such as CapCut blur and CapCut 3D zoom present, the creators can add different effects on one video clip and modify them individually.

Filters and Transitions

These two factors play a key role in setting the vibe of a video. CapCut offers multiple pre-built filters that can be customized according to the users’ needs. Using these filters can be extremely time-efficient and can speed up the workflow.

In addition to filters, CapCut-like video editing app development also keeps transitions in the picture. They are clips that connect one shot to another seamlessly. The application comes with multiple options in this regard such as MG, camera, mask, and effect, enabling easy transition between clips.

In-App Payment

The next feature that tends to add to the CapCut app development cost is in-app payment. Like every other video editing app in the market, CapCut has also categorized its functionalities into free and paid versions.

For accessing the paid version users have to give a certain amount. On the business model front, you can either charge this amount on per paid feature/element basis or simply offer access on a subscription mode where the users will have to pay a certain amount every month or year to unlock all the functionalities.

Also Read: Payment Gateway Integration: The Process and What Nexts

Forums and Community

Giving a place for app users to connect and ask questions from the app team or other users is another feature that must be considered during custom video editing app development.

When building this functionality you should make sure that there is an algorithm that prevents users from posting inappropriate, dangerous, or spammy content.

Save and Share

The last in our list of must-have features to be added when you develop an app like CapCut is giving users multiple format options when it comes to saving their files.

Additionally, there should be a one-click share functionality to share the image or video with others through social media, email, chat apps, or work applications. This would save the hassle of downloading the file and then sharing it with others.

With the functionalities now looked into at a high level, it is important to note the scope at which you will build them. The complexity of design, addition in features, integration of technologies like artificial intelligence, etc. – will ultimately help plan out the cost of developing a video editing app.

Now that we have looked into the features of apps like CapCut and the cost range that you can plan for when building a replica of it, there is one thing that shouldn’t be ignored – the process that the custom video editing app development experts would follow.

The quality that your partnered app development company follows will decide the future of the application in terms of the time when it hits the market and the quality of the software.

Steps to Develop an App Like CapCut

The approach your developers would take will more or less be the same with other applications’ development on a high level. Here’s a rough look into the steps around video editing apps development like CapCut.

Market Research and Planning

• Identify your target audience and analyze the competition.
• Define the core features and functionalities of your app based on user needs and market trends.
• Create a detailed project plan, including timelines, milestones, and resources required for development.

UI/UX Design

• Design the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of your app.
• Create wireframes and prototypes to visualize the app’s layout, navigation, and interactions.
• Ensure that the design is intuitive, visually appealing, and aligns with your brand identity.

Frontend Development

• Develop the app frontend using programming languages and frameworks such as Swift (for iOS) or Java/Kotlin (for Android).
• Implement the UI/UX design, including navigation, user input forms, and interactive elements.
• Ensure that the app is responsive and compatible with different screen sizes and devices.

Backend Development

• Set up the backend infrastructure, including servers, databases, and APIs.
• Develop the backend logic to handle user authentication, data storage, and processing.
• Implement security measures to protect user data and prevent unauthorized access.

Integration of Features

• Implement core features of the app, such as video editing tools, filters, effects, music library, and social media sharing capabilities.
• Integrate third-party services and APIs for functionalities such as cloud storage, analytics, and payment processing.
• Test each feature thoroughly to ensure functionality and performance.

Testing and Quality Assurance

• Conduct various testing activities, including functional testing, usability testing, performance testing, and compatibility testing.
• Identify and fix any bugs, errors, or issues found during testing.
• Ensure that the app meets quality standards and provides a seamless user experience.

Deployment and Launch

• Prepare the app for deployment to app stores (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play Store).
• Create app store listings with compelling descriptions, screenshots, and promotional materials.
• Launch the app and promote it through marketing campaigns, social media, and other channels.

Maintenance and Updates

• Monitor the app’s performance and user feedback after launch.
• Release updates and patches to address bugs, add new features, and improve performance.
• Continuously optimize the app based on user feedback and market trends to ensure its long-term success.

With the technical and functional parts of the CapCut app development process now addressed, let us get down to the business-impacting factors of the app creation journey.

How Does the CapCut App Make Money?

The intent of every entrepreneur who spends a certain amount as the cost to build an app like CapCut is to get a good ROI and give a great editing experience to the creators. More often than not, the two intents are inter-connected. The more users enjoy themselves in your application the more likely they will make purchases and get new users to you.

CapCut, for example, has come up with a program called ‘CapCut Creator’ where the application pays users for their efforts towards editing videos and producing video templates. So every time a user downloads their video, they get money.

While this is a more indirect approach toward getting ROI for the CapCut app development cost, here are some direct monetization models.

• Freemium – The app is free to download but has some premium features and elements that can be used upon purchase.
• Subscription – There is a fixed subscription plan that users pay to get full access to the application.
• Ad Revenue – Users see ads when in the app and CapCut earns from ad clicks and impressions.
• Brand Collaborations – CapCut might partner with brands for sponsored content and special features.
• Data Monetization – The app might collect anonymous user data and monetize from it by providing insights to third-party companies or using it to improve their services.

These monetization models, while helping you with getting returns on the invested cost to build an app like CapCut, can do less when it comes to getting your application a competitive edge in the already crowded space. Here are some ideas that we give to our clients when they come to us with their ideas.

How Can Your App Get a Competitive Edge?

CapCut-like video editing app development would call for a mix of the best feature sets and the right business model. While we have discussed them in detail, let us dive more into the business model part to understand how your application can rule the space in the shortest time.

With the assumption that you will keep adding new editing features in the application to meet the market demand, here are some other avenues we recommend:

• Collaboration features enabling multiple users to work on a project together with clear changes tracking
• Expanded sound and music library
• AI-powered features such as generated script, intelligent screen recognition, and automatic video editing
• A greater focus on security and data encryption

How Can Appinventiv Help in the Journey?

At Appinventiv, we know the video editing software space inside out. We have worked on multiple projects that carried elements of image and video editing, filters and transitions, real-time processing, and more.

In addition to being technically sound in all things related to the complex-level CapCut app development process, we have also gathered a deep understanding of the social media market and its end-users. This allows us to integrate exactly the same kind of features and functionalities that users look for to share reels and videos on different social media platforms.

This mix of both technical and market understanding has prepared us to be the best video editing software and social media app development company of every business looking to enter the domain.

Get in touch with our development experts to witness the Appinventiv expertise in action.

FAQs

Q. How much does CapCut app development cost?

A. The cost of developing a video editing app like CapCut can be anywhere between $30,000 and $250,000 or a lot higher depending on the features you add, the technology combinations you apply, and the location of the software development agency you partner with.

Q. How long does it take to build an app like CapCut?

A. Like cost, the time to build an app like CapCut also doesn’t come with a sure-shot answer. Based on exactly what your needs are we would be able to give a time range. On a ballpark level, however, the application can take anywhere between 5 to 9+ months to be developed.

Q. How can you monetize an app like CapCut?

A. There are several ways you can monetize from your app and get returns on your cost to build an app like CapCut such as – In-app advertisement, Subscription model, Ad revenue, and Brand collaborations.

THE AUTHOR

Prateek Saxena

DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER