Are you thinking about developing an app like Disney Plus? This is quite an amazing idea, by the way. Well in this blog, we are going to discuss the complete process of Disney Plus App Development.
As you know, Disney Plus has quickly become popular in the streaming industry, with over 152.1 million subscribers globally in 2023. Streaming platforms like Disney Plus require sophisticated technology, offering a smooth, high-quality viewing experience within multiple devices, from smartphones to Smart TVs.
According to Statista, Data on the global subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) market showed that revenue more than quadrupled between 2017 and 2023, growing from 25 billion U.S. dollars to 107 billion U.S. dollars. Additionally, rapid growth is estimated to continue in the future, and by 2029, the revenue is expected to surpass 127 billion U.S. dollars.
Develop apps like Disney Plus includes creating a seamless user experience, robust streaming infrastructure, and secure content management. The cost to develop Disney Plus app varies based on complexity, ranging from $250,000 to over $1,000,000, depending on multiple factors. The app’s development process requires a well-coordinated development team and advanced technology to make your app unique in the market and ensure smooth video delivery and user satisfaction.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the Disney Plus app, what it is, the features of the app, how it works, the Disney Plus mobile app development process, and estimated costs with some revenue models and technologies. So, just dive into and understand the points.
Let’s start with the basics.
What is a Disney Plus App?
Disney Plus is a video streaming app that is owned & operated by The Walt Disney Company. This famous OTT app provides many things like movies, web series, serials, and more. Disney Plus apps also provide these stuff in 17 different languages for the users. This video streaming app contains many video content, such as 5000+ TV episodes and 300+ movies. Disney+ content comes from Disney Plus originals, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic, and many more.
About Disney Plus App:
- Founder: Sunil Rayan
- CEO: Sunil Rayan
- Founding Year: Feb 2015
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Owner: The Walt Disney Company India
- Valuation: Over INR 1500 Crore
- Last Funding: INR 1136 Crore
Amazing Features to Add to the Disney Plus App
Disney Plus app has multiple features, and all features play a crucial role in this industry. Whenever you are going to video-sharing app development, you have to consider these features in your app.
Here is a list of features that Disney+ Hotstar offers;
1. Video Library
The video library is an important feature because it shows all video content or stuff published on that app, and users can easily choose according to their interests. The video library contains kids’ cartoons, anime shows, and movies. For Teenagers, there should be various series and movies available; for an adult male, there should be different sports and political video content available; for adult females, there should be serials and dramas available.
2. Multiple Language Support
Hotstar Plus supports more than 15 Languages. If you want people to choose your app, you have to add content that supports multiple languages. The videos should be available in Hindi, English, and as many regional languages as possible.
3. Multiple Screen Support
Multiple Screen support features allow the user to watch videos on a laptop, iPod, television, and other devices. This is quite a helpful feature for users because they can use your app on whichever device they want. This will target an immense number of viewers for your app.
4. Search and explore options
You have to categorize videos into different genres. There should be a different option for live videos, movies, series, kids, etc. Furthermore, you should also divide these options according to their genre and moods. This will make it easy for the viewers to find something interesting according to their taste.
5. Watchlist
Watchlist is also one of the main features of a Disney Plus video streaming app. With the help of this feature, users are allowed to create their playlist of selected videos, which is known as the Watchlist. Users can add their favorite movies and video collections to the wishlist.
6. Payment Options
Payment options are a must-have feature in these kinds of applications. With these advancements, users can make payments for purchase subscriptions. Users can make payments easily and smoothly because of this helpful feature.
7. User Profile
Users can maintain their user profile with the app because it integrates all of the basic profile options within the app. Profile details like their name, gender, age, payment options, avatar/emoji, Watchlist, and many other things. If you buy a subscription, then you can access the app from more than one user.
8. Push Notification
Push notification is the best feature of the app because users can get notifications of new or upcoming movies and series. This feature will increase the click rate of the upcoming stuff and will help you increase your revenue. Users can also use this feature to remind them of upcoming series or movies.
9. HD Videos Access
Users also have a feature to access HD videos. Watching videos on Disney+ Hotstar allows users to stream the content and watch the videos in a crystal clear quality. This Feature attracts the users and keeps them engaged with the app. The video quality matters a lot to the user, and that’s why all of the videos must be available in HD quality.
10. Privacy Settings
Privacy settings feature is important for these kinds of applications because users are not okay to share their watchlist & recently watched videos to their friends and family. In this case, this feature helps a lot; users need to add or set privacy settings for the account holders. users should be allowed to add a password to their profile so that no one else can access their stuff.
11. Social Sign-in
Social sign-in features make this app more advanced and give an enhancement. Users just need to remember their IDs and Passwords to integrate their social platforms within the app. This feature is quite user-friendly and will facilitate the sign-in process, thus improving the user experience as well.
12. Download and watch offline
Users can download movies and series and watch them offline with the help of this Feature. There is no need to restrict your app’s working with internet connections only. For a better and more advanced experience, this feature allows users to download the videos they wish to watch. Therefore, they can seamlessly watch the downloaded videos whenever they want, without any connection.
Read Also: How to Develop Short Video Mobile App?
How Does a Disney Plus Mobile App Work?
Here are the steps of the working process of the Disney Plus app. You can get the entire process from account setup to regular app updates. With this, users can easily access the entire application. Have a look at this process.
1. User Account Setup
To use Disney Plus, you have to create an account. You can sign up through their website or mobile app using your email & setting up a password.
2. Subscription Plans
Disney Plus offers different subscription plans, such as monthly or yearly. Users can select a plan that perfectly matches their needs and budget.
3. Content Library
Once inside the app, you can explore a huge content library filled with Disney movies, Pixar animations, Marvel series, Star Wars content, National Geographic documentaries, and more.
4. Streaming and Downloading
The app allows users to stream high-quality videos, with options ranging from HD to 4K, depending on your internet speed and device capabilities.
5. Parental Controls
The Disney Plus app provides parental controls so parents can manage what their kids can watch.
6. Device Compatibility
Disney Plus is available on multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and web browsers.
7. Regular Updates and New Content
Disney Plus regularly adds new content, including original series, exclusive movies, and classic shows.
Disney Plus App Development Process
You will need to hire a top-rated mobile app development services provider to make your app more appealing. We are at the main point in the development process of the Disney Plus app. Anyone who wants to develop this kind of application wants to know the entire process of Disney Plus mobile app development. So here’s a step-by-step guide on the Disney Plus App Development Process in simple language:
1. Research & Planning
The first step is to conduct market research and understand the user’s needs. This includes researching competitors, defining the target audience, and making a clear plan for key features. A crystal clear roadmap helps ensure the app meets user expectations.
2. Platform Selection
In the next step, you must decide which platform is perfect for you to develop the app for—iOS, Android, Web, Smart TVs, or all of them. Cross-platform app development is a wise option, and it can also be considered to save time and resources by simultaneously building the app for multiple platforms.
3. Designing the User Interface (UI/UX)
During the platform selection, designers need to create the app’s look and feel. This adds an easy-to-navigate interface, intuitive controls, and an engaging visual style. A focus on user experience ensures the app is easy to use and appealing to users across all devices.
4. Backend Development
In the next step, developers build server-side functions such as user authentication, data storage, video streaming setup, and payment gateways. This ensures the application functions smoothly, securely managing user data, profiles, and content delivery.
5. Frontend Development
After backend development, it’s now the turn for frontend development. The front end is what users interact with—the buttons, menus, and content. Frontend developers ensure the application is responsive, fast, and user-friendly on each particular device.
6. Streaming Integration
Integrating video streaming services is crucial to develop apps like Disney Plus. This includes setting up a content delivery network (CDN), video streaming for quality control, and Digital Rights Management (DRM) for content protection.
7. Testing
After the development, The app undergoes thorough testing to identify bugs, ensure smooth performance, and check compatibility across devices. Testing ensures that the app delivers high-quality video, smooth navigation, and secure operations under different conditions.
8. Launch
After successful testing, the application is ready for launch on platforms like the App Store, Google Play, and others. It’s important to follow the platform-specific guidelines to ensure the app is approved for release.
9. Post-Launch Support and Updates
After all, once the app is live, continuous monitoring and user feedback will help identify improvements. Regular updates add new features, fix bugs, and ensure the app stays compatible with new devices and operating systems.
How Much Does It Cost to Develop the Disney Plus App?
The Disney Plus mobile app development cost depends on multiple factors, not on one or a single factor. The factors that can affect the overall cost are tech stack, features, functionalities, platform, design complexity, streaming setup, developer’s location, experience, and many more.
Here we cover the estimated cost based on multiple factors such as platform, design complexity, streaming setup, and development team. You can estimate your budget with the help of this table. So have a look at this table.
Factor | Category | Estimated Cost Range |
Platform | iOS App Development | $50,000 – $150,000 |
Android App Development | $50,000 – $150,000 | |
Web App Development | $30,000 – $100,000 | |
Cross-Platform Development (React Native/Flutter) | $100,000 – $250,000 | |
Design Complexity | Simple Design | $20,000 – $50,000 |
Moderate Design | $50,000 – $100,000 | |
Complex Design | $100,000 – $200,000 | |
Streaming Setup | Basic Streaming Setup | $50,000 – $150,000 |
Advanced Streaming Setup | $200,000 – $500,000 | |
Cloud Hosting and Storage | $20,000 – $100,000/year | |
Development Team | Small Team (5-10 members) | $100,000 – $300,000 |
Medium Team (10-20 members) | $300,000 – $700,000 | |
Large Team (20+ members) | $700,000 – $1,500,000+ |
Total Estimated Costs:
- Basic App: $250,000 – $500,000
- Moderately Complex App: $500,000 – $1,000,000
- Highly Complex App: $1,000,000 – $2,500,000+
Revenue Models of the Disney Plus App
There are many revenue models available in the market. It’s up to you which revenue model you’ll choose for your application. Many monetizing strategies can help you to make money with the app, and this is the wise choice for considering the perfect revenue model or monetization strategy for your Disney Plus app.
Advertising Opportunity
In this revenue model, the advertisement or sponsored content is displayed to generate revenue without interpreting the user experience.
In-App Purchase
By enabling this application, users can purchase the things that are displayed when they are watching videos, movies, or series.
Sponsorships
In this revenue model, brands like Disney Plus pay for promotions or partnerships in your app. This may include brand-sponsored content or specific creators being paid to display their products.
Core Technologies to Develop An App Like Disney Plus
These are the tech stacks that are required to build an engaging, scalable, and secure video streaming app like Disney Plus. Look at these technologies for your Best video streaming OTT development. For the Best video streaming OTT development companies you can check out this blog.
Layer | Technology |
Frontend (Web & Mobile) | React.js, React Native / Flutter, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript |
Backend Development | Node.js, Python, Java, GraphQL/REST APIs |
Cloud Infrastructure | Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP) |
Database | Amazon DynamoDB, MySQL / PostgreSQL |
Content Delivery | Amazon CloudFront, Akamai CDN |
Video Streaming | H.264, H.265 (HEVC), MPEG-DASH / HLS |
Digital Rights Management | Google Widevine, Apple FairPlay, Microsoft PlayReady |
User Authentication | OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect |
Data Encryption | SSL/TLS |
Payment Gateway | Stripe / PayPal |
Analytics and Monitoring | Google Analytics / Mixpanel |
Push Notifications | Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), Apple Push Notification Service (APNS) |
Machine Learning | TensorFlow / PyTorch |
DevOps & CI/CD | Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins / GitLab CI/CD |
Nutshell
Well, hopefully, you are done with this blog, and all points are clear at each point. Now we are at the conclusion, as we have covered all the information about the Disney Plus app, like how it works, the development cost, and the procedure. Moreover, we also include technologies that are required to build Disney Plus apps.
Whenever you make up your mind to develop a Disney Plus app, you just need to consult with the best On-demand video streaming app development companies. After consulting, you need to select the ideal one and discuss your particular requirements and demands with them to estimate the cost of our app development.
Octal IT Solution is the best choice for your Disney Plus app development because you can get the best mobile app development services and hire mobile app developers for your project at the most affordable prices. So, just discuss your plan with our expert team members.