What's the average cost to build a video streaming app?

[Nazia1295]

I’ve been brainstorming a startup idea around a niche video streaming platform (think something like Netflix but for a specific genre/community), and I’m trying to wrap my head around the development costs involved.
From what I’ve gathered so far, the cost to develop a video streaming app can vary a LOT based on the scope, features, and who you hire. Here’s a general breakdown I’ve come across:
Cost Estimates (as of 2025):

• Basic App (MVP) – Around $30,000 to $60,000
  Includes features like user registration, video upload/playback, and basic UI.
  
• Mid-Tier App – Around $70,000 to $120,000
  Adds user subscriptions, admin panel, search/filtering, comments, push notifications, etc.
  
• Full-Fledged Netflix-Style App – $150,000 to $300,000+
  Includes multi-platform support, recommendation engine, adaptive streaming, DRM, offline downloads, multiple user profiles, etc.
  

Other Factors That Impact the Price:

• Native vs cross-platform (React Native or Flutter can save costs)
  
• Backend infrastructure (CDN, storage, cloud hosting)
  
• UI/UX design quality
  
• Developer location (US/Europe is pricier than Asia/Eastern Europe)
  
• Ongoing maintenance and scaling costs
  

 Pro Tips (from what I’ve learned):

• Start with an MVP and build gradually.
  
• Use third-party tools for streaming (like AWS Media Services or Vimeo OTT) to save time and money.
  
• Budget for maintenance and content management, not just development.
  

Would love to hear from anyone who has built something similar. How did your budget hold up in the real world? Any tech stack recommendations or lessons learned?