From Idea to App: Cost to Develop a Video Streaming App like Shahid

Are you curious about the cost to develop a video streaming app like Shahid in 2025? Great choice, because platforms like Shahid have completely changed how we watch content. 

Now, what comes to mind before developing is the budget. Well, the cost to create a video streaming app like Shahid in UAE typically falls between AED 110,000 to AED 550,000 ($30,000 to $150,000), depending on your features, platform choice, and tech stack. 

And here's something exciting, the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) video streaming market is projected to cross $4.5 billion by 2027, with more users shifting from traditional TV to on-demand platforms.

This means there’s never been a better time to invest. Let’s explore how you can build an app like Shahid, without breaking the bank.

Key Takeaways:

• Creating a video streaming app like Shahid in the UAE costs between AED 110,000 to 550,000 ($30,000–$150,000) based on features, design, and platform scope.

• The more advanced your features, like AI recommendations, offline access, or live TV, the higher the cost and development time.

• Launching on Android or iOS is cost-effective for starters, while adding Smart TVs or Web increases reach but also expense.

• Shahid combines subscriptions, ads, freemium content, and licensing to create steady, scalable income streams.

• Start with an MVP, use pre-built tech stacks, avoid tool overload, and choose scalable infrastructure to save money.

Let’s Explore What the Shahid App Is All About

Shahid is one of the leading video streaming platforms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Launched by MBC Group, it offers a wide range of Arabic and international content, including movies, TV shows, series, and exclusive Shahid Originals.

What makes Shahid special is its deep focus on regional tastes, whether it’s Gulf dramas, Egyptian comedies, or Turkish series dubbed in Arabic, it has something for everyone.

The app is available on mobile, web, and smart TVs, with both free and premium (Shahid VIP) plans. Shahid VIP gives users ad-free access to the latest shows, live TV channels, and early premieres.

For anyone looking to start an online video streaming business, Shahid is a great success story and proof that local content can thrive in a competitive global market.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop an App Like Shahid?

On average, the cost to develop a video streaming app like Shahid in UAE ranges between AED 110,000 to AED 550,000 (roughly $30,000 to $150,000).

If you’re planning video streaming app development, it’s natural to ask: how much does it cost to develop an app like Shahid?

The answer depends on several key factors like app complexity, platform compatibility (iOS, Android, Web), UI/UX design, third-party integrations, and whether you're going for an MVP or a full-scale product.

This cost includes core features such as video-on-demand, subscription management, user profiles, multilingual support, payment integration, and admin dashboard development.

If you’re targeting the MENA audience, investing in strong content personalization, Arabic language support, and smart TV compatibility is essential and these elements can affect your overall cost.

In short, the cost to build an app like Shahid varies based on your goals, but with the best mobile app development company, it can be a highly rewarding investment.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Develop an App like Shahid

If you're wondering, how much does it cost to develop an app like Shahid, the answer lies in many moving parts. From choosing the right platform to adding personalized features, every decision influences the total budget.

This section will walk you through all major cost-affecting factors, especially relevant if you're calculating the cost to build a video streaming app or want clarity on the Shahid-like app development cost in UAE.

Let’s break it down:

1. App Features & Functionalities

Your app's features are the foundation. Basic video streaming app features like user login, video streaming, and search will cost less. While advanced features such as multilingual support, offline viewing, AI recommendations, and live TV streaming will increase both cost and timeline.

The more you want your app to act like Shahid, the more investment it needs in terms of features.

2. UI/UX Design Complexity

Great design is more than just aesthetics, it's about how smoothly users interact with your app. The cost to create an app like Shahid depends heavily on how much effort goes into this stage. 

A simple layout with static visuals is quicker and cheaper. But if you’re aiming for a visually rich experience with interactive elements, animations, multilingual UX, and consistency across devices, the design phase will take more time and budget.

This process typically starts with app wireframing, which outlines the basic layout and structure, followed by app prototyping, where you test how the user will actually move through the app.

The more refined and user-friendly your prototype, the more likely your app is to succeed but it also adds to the overall cost and timeline.

3. Platform Choice (Mobile, Web, Smart TVs)

One of the biggest decisions impacting the cost to develop a video streaming app like Shahid in UAE is your platform strategy. A single platform (say, Android) is cheaper and faster to launch.

But if you want to reach a wider audience through Android, iOS, Web, and even Smart TVs, your cost and development time will naturally increase.

For iOS development in particular, you’ll need to hire iOS developers with experience in building scalable, high-performance streaming apps. Each platform comes with its own design rules, coding standards, and testing requirements.

4. Backend Development & Tech Stack

The backend handles everything behind the scenes, content delivery, user data, video storage, and scalability. Using reliable technologies like AWS, Node.js, and MongoDB ensures performance but adds to your Shahid clone app development cost.

Also, investing in the right video streaming app tech stack is critical for seamless performance and future scalability. It’s the engine of your platform, managing everything from video encoding to user behavior analytics.

A poorly planned backend can lead to buffering, crashes, and user drop-offs, so it’s worth getting it right from the start.

5. Content Licensing & Storage

If you're planning to offer third-party or original content, licensing will be a major expense. Additionally, cloud storage for high-quality videos (especially 4K or HD) requires recurring costs. This part is often overlooked but significantly affects the cost to create a video streaming app like Shahid in UAE.

Since one of the core features of video streaming apps is smooth, high-resolution playback, you’ll need a reliable storage solution with strong bandwidth, encryption, and backup support.

The more content you offer, the more your storage and licensing costs will grow, so it’s important to plan accordingly.

6. Third-Party Integrations

From payment gateways to analytics, live chat, or subtitle tools, third-party APIs save time but come at a price. Many of these services charge monthly or per-usage fees and influence the Shahid-like video streaming app development cost.

Also, security features like encryption and DRM, crucial for video streaming app security, are part of this segment. While these integrations can greatly enhance user experience and platform performance, choosing too many at once can increase both complexity and cost.

It’s best to prioritize the ones that align with your app’s core value in the initial phase.

7. Location of the Development Team

Another influential factor in the cost to make an app like Shahid is the location of your development team.

Development rates vary significantly from country to country based on expertise, living costs, and market demand.

It’s not just about cost, choosing the right location means balancing communication, time zones, and cultural compatibility. A skilled offshore team can reduce your Shahid clone app development cost without sacrificing performance, scalability, or support.

If you’re looking to balance affordability with skill, a smart option is to hire dedicated developers from regions that offer cost-efficiency without compromising on experience.

8. AI, ML & NLP Integration

If you want to make your Shahid-like app truly intelligent and future-ready, integrating technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the way to go.

It can increase the overall Shahid-like app development cost, but these technologies enhance user engagement, personalization, operational efficiency, and the long term success of the app.

Many businesses now rely on a professional AI development service to build advanced recommendation engines, voice recognition systems, and real-time content suggestions.

9. Maintenance & Post-Launch Support

After your app is launched, it needs regular maintenance, bug fixes, security updates, and performance optimization. 

Most companies charge a monthly or annual fee (usually 10–20% of the total cost) for ongoing app maintenance service.

This is essential if you want your app to perform well, stay secure, and deliver a smooth user experience. 

Regular updates also help you stay competitive and in line with changing technologies, content needs, and platform guidelines.

It directly influences the ongoing cost to build a video streaming app and should be included in your initial planning.

By understanding each of these areas, you’ll have a clearer picture of how much it might cost to create an app like Shahid.

It’s not just about mobile app development, it’s about long-term planning, platform reach, user experience, and most importantly, delivering real value to your viewers.

Stay tuned, we’ll help you with some amazing tips on how to reduce the cost in the next section. Let’s explore it. 

How to Reduce the Cost of An Arabic Video Streaming App like Shahid?

Building a powerful app doesn’t always mean breaking the bank. Here are some smart ways to reduce the cost to develop a video streaming app like Shahid without compromising on quality:

• Start with an MVP: Focus on core features first. Add advanced features later as you grow.

• Choose the right platform: If the budget is tight, go for a single platform (Android or iOS) before expanding.

• Use ready-made tech stack: Pre-built solutions and APIs can speed up development and reduce the Shahid-like app development cost.

• Latest trends: You can implement the latest trends of video streaming apps that align with user expectations today, not everything at once.

• Avoid over-integrating tools: Stick to essential third-party integrations to lower initial expenses.

• Plan for scalability: Use a backend that can scale without requiring a complete rebuild, this lowers long-term app maintenance costs.

By following these steps, you’ll be one step closer to building the best video streaming app for Arabic audiences, without overspending.

Revenue Models Used by Video Streaming Apps like Shahid

Wondering how apps like Shahid make money? There’s more than one way to monetize a video streaming app, and Shahid uses a smart mix to boost its revenue:

1] Subscription-Based Model (SVOD)

This is the most popular revenue model among top platforms. Apps like Shahid offer monthly or yearly plans (such as Shahid VIP) that give users access to premium, ad-free content.

It’s a steady and predictable income stream that works well if you provide quality content consistently.

2] Ad-Supported Model (AVOD)

Not every user wants to pay. That’s why many streaming apps offer free access with ads.

Shahid, like other video streaming apps, runs short video ads or banner ads for free users, earning revenue through ad impressions, clicks, and brand partnerships.

3] Transactional Model (TVOD)

In this model, users pay for one-time access to specific content, like renting or buying a movie, live sports event, or exclusive show.

While Shahid focuses more on subscriptions, this model is perfect for time-limited or high-demand content.

4] Freemium Model

Shahid also uses a hybrid freemium approach, offering basic content for free, while charging for exclusive series, early access, or better streaming quality under Shahid VIP.

It’s a smart way to attract users and then convert them into paying subscribers.

5] Content Licensing & Syndication

Another great way to earn is by licensing original shows or movies to other platforms or broadcasters.

This model not only helps recover content production costs but also builds brand visibility across regions.

Whether you pick one model or blend a few together, your mobile app monetization strategy will play a huge role in your platform’s long-term success.

Why is JPLoft the Best Choice to Build a Video Streaming App like Shahid?

When it comes to building a high-quality video streaming app like Shahid, JPLoft stands out as a trusted video streaming app development company. With years of experience in video streaming app development, we offer end-to-end solutions, from feature planning to final launch.

Whether you want live streaming, on-demand video, subscription models, or multi-platform support, our expert team can bring your vision to life. What sets us apart? Affordable pricing, flexible hiring models, dedicated support, and strong post-launch services.

We also understand the MENA market trends and user behavior, helping you build an app that truly connects with your audience. Choose us for a seamless, cost-effective, and future-ready video streaming solution.

Final Wrap-Up

Creating a video streaming app like Shahid in 2025 isn’t just about chasing a trend, it’s about meeting the growing demand for digital content in the MENA region. With costs ranging between AED 110,000 to AED 550,000 ($30,000 to $150,000), knowing where your money goes is key to making the right investment.

From understanding the core features to choosing the right tech stack and team, every step matters. And with a reliable development partner like JPLoft, the journey becomes easier, smarter, and more affordable.

Whether you're a startup or an enterprise, now is the perfect time to enter the video streaming space. Ready to build your own Shahid-like app? Let us help you make it happen.