Cost to Build An App Like Stan

As an entrepreneur, can you think of an app development without assessing the complete cost?

Well, you know the answer. 

The growing subscribers over OTT platforms themselves describes the reasons to enter the market. Various apps are leading the industry, but Stan is the currently growing app in terms of users and content. 

However, when it comes to analysing the cost to develop an app like Stan, you might get lost in answers. 

Relax! We've got your back. 

The overall cost to build an app like Stan can vary from $15,000 to $200,000+ depending on different factors. 

Want to learn them all? 

We have discussed it here in a 10-minute read. 

About Stan and Related Stats

Have you checked what a Stan app is or used it before?

Well, if not, then here’s a brief for those who aren’t aware of the same. 

Stan is an Australian Over-The-Top (OTT) platform app that offers a wide range of streaming content, that includes streaming content, including TV series, movies, Stan Originals, and sports. 

With Stan app, the users can discover an exclusive line-up of new TV series, unrivalled Originals, with no ads, and no lock in contracts. The app does allow for unlimited access to the global exclusives, originals, and blockbuster movies, and much more. 

The app does have new originals and series, with the addition of something new every day. Along with this, the app is a home of various sports games, including Rugby, Grand Slam tennis, and UEFA Champions League, as well as many other sports. 

The current downloads of the Stan app is about 10M+ and is further increasing. The app adopts advanced technologies to engage the target audience. 

Let’s learn more about the video streaming market stats. 

• • Revenue in the OTT video market worldwide is expected to reach US$ $343.82 billion in the year 2025. This revenue is further expected to demonstrate an annual growth of 6.56%, leading to a market volume of US$ $443.29 billion by the year 2029. 
  • Within the OTT video market, the number of users is even anticipated to reach 4.9 billion users by the year 2029. 
  • The average revenue per user in the OTT video market is projected to be US$ $83.28 in the year 2025.

• • The global video streaming market size was estimated to be USD 129.26 billion in the year 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.5% from the year 2025 to 2030. 

Well, this growing market stat represents an opportunity to create a video streaming app.  Want to know more reasons before you create an app like Stan?

Then, let’s explore the following section for more reasons. 

Why Develop an App Like Stan?

In this competitive industry, it's essential to know the reasons if you want to enter it. 

Additionally, before you answer “how much does it cost to create an OTT app like Stan?” it's important to answer “ why”. 

Here is the list of “why create an app like Stan?” 

1. Stan Promotes a Long-term Relationships

WIth the help of an app like Stan, the users get engaged with the diversified movies and original content that you post over the site.

When you publish engaging content over the app, the users watch it and then return to the platform. This builds long-term relations with the target users. 

2. Promotes Money-Making Opportunities

If you create an app like Stan, it will help you to build an opportunity to make money via including multiple strategies such as in-app purchases, in-app advertising, subscription plans, and many others. 

It will help you earn a regular amount of money. 

3. Global Reach

Creating an app like Stan, is one of the smart ways to connect with the global audience, how? Well, in the current era, where worldwide users have increased year over year by at least 5% over the last five years, it's important to have your presence on these smartphones. Through an app, you can be available on the majority of platforms. 

4. Cost Saving 

Creating an app like Stan, can help you to save the overall costs.
Additionally, an increase in OTT apps will help avoid the requirement of the traditional broadcast infrastructure, which can be very costly to maintain in the future.
Thus, it's the right time to enter the industry and develop your dream OTT platform. 

5. Increased ENgagement

WIth the help of an app like Stan, you can attract and engage as many users over the platform. 

This further results in increasing the overall engagement of the users when they watch the original content and which is based on their choice. 

The global number of users in the OTT Video segment is forecasted to increase between 2024 and 2029 by 997.9 million. 

These were all the basic reasons to build an app like Stan. Now, as you are clear with the reasons, let’s figure out the type of features that you can include while building an app like Stan. 

The following section can help you with the same. 

Features to Include While Creating an App Like Stan

Features display the main content of an app; they are the major reasons why users can connect with your dream app. 

You know that the features will impact your selection of the cost to develop an OTT app like Stan?

Here is the list of video streaming app features to proceed with. 

1. Multilingual Content

An OTT app that comprises multilingual content reshapes the streaming app industry and enhances user engagement. Including this feature, you can help the users watch content in their preferred languages. 

Every region, country, and community has its language, and providing users with an opportunity to watch content accordingly is a way to enhance user engagement. 

2. Social Media Integration

Social media integration is a feature that ensures that the app content is visible across diversified social media platforms. 

This feature helps users to successfully share their content with their friends and family. 

3. Search and Filter Features

With the search and filter features in the app, users will be able to search for their favorite series, movies, and any kind of content with a simple search and include filters. 

It is an important way to save the time of the users. This feature provides them with the convenience to search and watch movies and related content accordingly. 

4. Watchlist

A watchlist is a feature that displays a customizable list used to track particular entities and items of interest. 

It helps the users to resume watching their series and even from the episodes where they have left it. 

5. Push Notifications

Push notifications are one of the important features that help users connect with the brand and provide them with up-to-date information. 

This information can be related to any new original series or episode launches. This feature creates engagement. 

6. High-Quality Streaming

High-quality streaming offers resolutions related to the quality of the video streaming that provide sharper images and better sound quality to the targeted audience. 

When users pay for the app, they prefer to have high-quality streaming. With this feature, users can get high-quality streaming for their favorite series and content. 

7. Multi-platform and Device Compatibility

When your app is available over multiple devices and platforms, it automatically helps in improving your app’s presence in the market. 

Along with this, people prefer an app that has multiple platform compatibility and effectively operates over various devices. 

8. Offline Viewing

What about the areas where the internet is not available or doesn’t work well? Thus, your app should include the feature of offline viewing. 

The feature does allow users to download the digital content, however, it provides users with a facility to watch the content after downloading the series or episodes. 

Considering these features, you can proceed with “how to create an app like Stan?” 

Well, we understand that before going through the steps, it's essential to evaluate the cost to build an app like Stan. 

Let’s evaluate the same in the section below. 

What’s the Cost to Create an App like Stan?

You cannot overlook the mobile app development cost, which defines the whole budget of your project.

If you are wondering how much does it cost to develop an OTT app like Stan?

The cost to build an app like Stan can vary from $15,000 to $200,000+. Here, the cost can differ based on factors including the complexity of the app, app design, technology stack, and many others. 

In the next section, you can evaluate the cost to build a video streaming app in detail. 

Factors Affecting the Cost to Develop an App like Stan

What are the factors affecting the cost to make an app like Stan? 

Before you finalize the cost, it's essential to proceed with the cost to develop an OTT app like Stan. 

When you look for the cost, factors cannot be missed. Learn them all in this section.

1. Complexity and Size of App

The type of complexity for your app has a huge impact on the cost. A highly complicated app will have a large effect on the cost. 

Similarly, the large size of the app will increase the cost to build an app like Stan. The simpler apps with fewer features can be developed faster and at a lower cost, and vice versa. 

The complex features include online booking, real-time appointment changes, royalty programs, and many others, based on the project's aim will increase the overall cost to create an app like Stan. 

Here, the cost can vary from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the complexity of features and size of your OTT app. 

2. App Design

Design is an element that is effective in attracting the target users to the platform by implementing and integrating user-friendly designs. With the wireframe and prototype, you can define the structure of your video streaming app. 

A more intricate design, with complicated features and animations, requires more time and resources, which leads to a higher cost. 

However, the simpler designs with fewer features can be developed affordably and quickly. It does include elements such as animations, custom icons, and unique UI/UX elements. 

The app design cost can vary from $5000 to $12,000, depending on the diverse types of factors. The design choices have a significant impact on the cost, as the complicated design will result in a higher cost. Let’s learn more about the same in the table below. 

3. Technology Stack

The more complex technology stack will lead to increasing the cost to build an app like Stan. A video streaming app comprises technologies that help it provide convenient services to the users. 

Here, the video streaming app tech stack comprises the technologies based on the type of platforms and selection of programming languages and databases. 

Well, a highly user-friendly app will require more complicated technologies that will result in improving the functionality of the OTT app. Thus, the adoption of complicated and advanced technologies will enhance the overall cost to build an app like Stan. 

The cost to include the technology stack can vary from $5000 to $15,000 based on the type of technologies you include while creating your dream OTT app. Let’s find it all out in the table below. 

4. Choice of Platform

The type of platform selection impacts the cost to build an app like Stan. Do you think that launching your app on the defined platforms will increase the market reach?

Well, all you need to look for is your project objective and how the market responds to an OTT platform. The selection of platforms should be based on the diversified scenarios, such as what kind of user you target, and do they wish to have an app for the same. 

You can opt from the iOS app development services and Android app development services or both to know the right platform for the OTT app like Stan. 

When you look for Stan, the app is available on both the platforms. You should note that the selection of the platform will be based on the type of OTT audience.
Here, you might select both the platforms as Stan, although all you need to analyse the niche of your app. The cost can vary under this factor from $3,000 to $12,000, let’s discover more in the table below. 

5. Maintenance Factor

The app maintenance impacts the cost to build an app like Stan, How? Well, the maintenance cost can vary from 15% to 20% depending on the frequency of the app, along with the size of the overall app. 

The app maintenance services can help you with the defined cost that will enable you to implement the effective tools and techniques useful for enhancing the app’s performance in the competitive market. 

Under this factor, the cost can vary from $3,000 to $14,000. This cost will vary depending on the frequency of updates and the types of platforms. 

The app maintenance cost impacts due to ongoing support, updates, bug fixes, and server management. Let’s learn more about the cost in the table given below. 

6. Security 

Mobile app security can impact the cost to develop an app like Stan. The types of techniques and tools you adopt and implement for the app security have a major role in the cost differentiation. 

However, the type of security will rely on the project's aim and the type of app. Here the cost can vary from 15% to 20% of the total cost to create an app like Stan which is $4,000 to $12,000.

The type of authorization and encryption protocol you use in the app can increase or decrease your cost for the OTT platform. 

You can include the types of security based on the OTT and even on the information security, such as network type, endpoint security, as well as data security. Let’s discover the cost breakdown for the security factor in the given table. 

7. App Testing

The mobile app testing and quality assurance do impact the overall development cost. It is a vital factor for OTT apps because it ensures that the app is reliable, secure, and functional, as well as provides a smooth user experience. 

Here, the types of testing tools have a large and prominent impact because, while creating an app, testing does enhance the upfront expenses. To create an OTT app like Stan, you should know the role of app testing within it. 

Along with this, thorough testing, you can reduce the long-term costs, may identify and fix bugs early, which automatically enhances the functionality of the app. 

Under this factor, the cost can vary from $5,000 to $12,000. The testing depends on the size of an app and features of an app. Additionally, over the different types of tools adopted and implemented, the app testing can have an impact on the cost to build an app like Stan. Let’s discover the given table for more. 

8. Third-Party Integration 

Integrating APIs and services, such as payment gateways and social media platforms do adds complexity, additionally, each integration can add cost to your budget. 

Here, the cost of integrating the other services depends on the complexity of the services and how important they are for the app. Higher complexity will result in increasing the cost to build an OTT app like Stan.

When it comes to an OTT app like Stan, the integration of services including payment methods, social media sharing, and even chat or messaging can increase the total cost. 

Under this factor, the cost can vary from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the complexity of the services and their essential parameters. Let’s discover them all in the given table. 

9. Project Timelines and Deadlines

Do you know that the tight project timelines and deadlines can increase the cost to build an OTT app like Stan?

Well, an urgent requirement to develop your app, along with its launching parameters, such as the timeline of the project given by developers, is 3 months; however, you need to launch your OTT app within 2 months, then it will have an impact on the overall cost budget. 

Here, the cost can vary from 10% to 20% depending on the timeline. Thus, you should be clear about the project deadlines before connecting with the developers. 

Let’s consider the given table to learn how the project timelines and deadlines vary. 

10. Team of Developers

Yes, the selection for the team of developers does increase the cost to build an app like Stan. Well, here are two factors that lay the main priority: skills and location of the developers. 

Here, skills refer to the stage the developers are at, whether they are competent, professional, or an expert, the cost to hire developers varies according to their skills. 

Along with the skills of developers, their location does play an important role. Here, the location plays a prime role as the location is the United States, Asian regions, along the United Kingdom. 

Under this factor, to assess the cost, you should discover and compare their hiring cost. In the given table, you can check it all. 

These were all the cost figures that you can consider when it comes to analysing the cost to build an OTT app like Stan.

When it comes to evaluating the resources, along with cost, time plays a crucial role. Hence, let’s determine the time component in the following section.  

How Long Does it Take to Create an App like Stan?

The time it takes to create an OTT app like Stan can vary depending on the timeline and deadline.

To identify the timeline, you can consult the team. 

However, the following table will provide you with a complete description of time. 

Here, this timeline will vary depending on the aim of the project, the complexity of the features, and the skills of the developers. 

Till now, we have evaluated the concept of Stan, related market stats, reasons to create it, features to include in the app, costs, along with the factors impacting the cost and timeline. 

Now that we have covered the resources to invest in it, it's time to identify the key monetization strategies that will help you make money in the following section. 

Key Monetization Strategies to Build an App like Stan 

What are the top money-making models to use and implement to create an app like Stan?

2sxw2.0The following video streaming app monetization strategies are the ones that you can cover.

1] Subscription Plan

If you prefer to overcome the cost to make an OTT app like Stan, subscription plan is an important strategy. The subscription-based models are the most significant and popular models to consider. The subscription plan model is what the majority of the OTT platforms use and implement. 

Here, the users pay a monthly subscription fee to watch series and movies on the platform. It is a business model where the customers pay a recurring fee for accessing the product and services. 

Thus, this is a permanent revenue-generating model for the platform. Here, the users can subscribe to the plan based on their preferences to pay for the same. This model is even known as subscription video on demand (SVOD). 

2] Advertising

With the help of advertising video on demand (AVOD), content can be accessed for free, but users are exposed to advertisements. 

It is an important strategy where the platform relies on the advertisers to generate revenue when the users have access to their favorite content for free. 

Under this factor, the developers can proceed with the three major types of advertisements, including pre-roll ads, mid-roll ads, along post-roll ads. This can help you generate a regular amount of revenue. 

3] Distributing Video

You can implement transactional video on demand, which is a video distribution channel where users pay a one-time fee for the rental of series and original videos. 

The transactional video on demand (TVOD) is an OTT video monetization framework that charges viewers a one-time fee to watch content. 

You can include three categories of TVOD for creating a customized monetization strategy that comprises Pay-per-view (PPV), electronic sell-through system, and download-to-rent. These three categories will offer you an important determinant to make money. 

4] Licensing Fees

Licensing fees are an important source of revenue when the platform provides its original series to the other party and charges a price in exchange. 

When your content is attractive and engaging, you will outsource your content to a third party or to other OTT platforms, who want to add your content as theirs on their platform. 

This can provide you with an additional source of revenue when it comes to an OTT platform. 

5] Hybrid Models

You can opt for more than one model to have a strong and regular source of revenue. Thus, under this monetization strategy, you can go for models including SVOD, TVOD, and AVOD all at once. 

With this monetization model, you can attract a wider audience to enhance revenue through various models. 

Through hybrid models, users can find more ways to access the content over the OTT platforms. 

After learning about the app monetization models, are you still confused about the “how much does it cost to create an OTT app like Stan” or its related money-making parameters? 

Then, connecting with the leading company can help you. 

How JPLoft Can Help You Decide the Overall Cost?

We understand that identifying the budget for your customized app can be a challenge. 

Thus, JPLoft is here to help. We are the leading Video Streaming App Development Company, providing solutions to businesses and entrepreneurs who have dreamed of creating an app. 

Our team is ready to convert your dream app into a success and to deliver all the promises based on the timeline.  We can help you build effective strategies related to developing, designing, technology stack, and much more. 

The company is ready to provide you with support in all respects to bridge the gap between your vision and market demands. 

Conclusion

As an entrepreneur, it can be hard to determine the right budget for your app. Here, the cost can depend on different factors such as the complexity of an app, design, technology stack, maintenance, timeline, and team of developers. 

These factors have a large impact on the cost, and their breakdown can be useful in addressing your challenge. 

Along with this, you can include top monetization frameworks, including subscription model, TVOD, advertising, and hybrid model, by connecting with the leading team of developers.