Ask HN: How to build group chat app in 2020?
I am going to build a group chat app (for both iOS/android). I already have an MVP but for next version I want to make sure it can scale smoothly to hundreds of thousands of users (be optimistic!)
Need just standard features: Multiple groups/channels up to a couple thousand people each, quote/reply, pictures, direct messages, profiles, backend panel.
Not technical, but I am somewhat knowledge, worked on basic tutorials but will not be able to build anything robust by myself.
I would very much like to use as much pre build stuff as possible so I focus on the unique selling proposition (why people will actually use) and connect that to the core group chat.
What is the problem? Too much info/options. What framework, languages, database, messaging protocol to pick? From free SDKs, to paid stuff, pre made scripts (though none quality?). Lots of options, no clarity. All suggestions and thoughts welcome, especially specifics. Thanks.
4 comments
[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 22.1 ms ] thread> will not be able to build anything robust by myself.
Then who's going to build it? Are you hiring a team to do this? Don't underestimate what's involved here to get something working and keep it running. At the very least, if you don't go with a decentralized model, you're in for expensive server bills and considerable ongoing maintenance to keep up with security patches, etc.
How will you monetize this to pay for all that infrastructure?
> Too much info/options
There are already too many options in this space. Why would anyone choose your client when Signal, Telegram, Riot/Matrix, etc. are all free and decent to use? What is your unique value-add?
Will you be writing a client for multiple platforms? Desktop? Web browser? Don't be fooled into thinking you can build one client that works everywhere, you're up against native apps with native integrations that make sharing and interoperation easy - features that take whole teams to get right, much of the time.
> All suggestions and thoughts welcome, especially specifics. Thanks.
Don't do this unless you have a business plan good enough that someone will lend you $1MM to get it off the ground. Seriously. You're talking about entering a massively crowded marketplace, and you're clearly out of your element.
If you must do something, make a paid Riot/Matrix client that doesn't suck as much as the stock one does, and steal users from an existing network.
First thanks for the reply I could have explained this a bit better it isn't a chat app replacement, not trying to dislodge messenger, whatapp, etc. Group and direct messaging is core to the product but not the value prop just by itself.
I am specifically asking the group chat part as it has been done meany times so I would like to not make it again but use already built or at least mostly built. Then can focus on other part that makes is unique and makes it valuable.
>Then who's going to build it? Are you hiring a team to do this? Don't underestimate >what's involved here to get something working and keep it running. At the very >least, if you don't go with a decentralized model, you're in for expensive server >bills and considerable ongoing maintenance to keep up with security patches, etc.
At the moment I have someone part time who is smart but is still learning. I may also hire a very small team but thats the reason I am trying to get a full understanding of options and pros and cons, so there is a clear roadmap.
>There are already too many options in this space. Why would anyone choose your >client when Signal, Telegram, Riot/Matrix, etc. are all free and decent to use? >What is your unique value-add?
By too many options I mean frameworks, languages, backends, etc. That why am soliciting feedback from HN on it. Again it isn't a signal or telegram replacement. Group chat is core to the product but not the value-add. It isn't a slack replacement, no web or desktop. Just iOS & Android. The nature of the product it does have to be on both, can't start with only one.
>Don't do this unless you have a business plan good enough that someone will lend you >$1MM to get it off the ground. Seriously. You're talking about entering a massively >crowded marketplace, and you're clearly out of your element.
I have already brought my tent to Sand Hill road and written out my cardboard sign. (j/k) But again not replacement for existing options. I have lead the creations of products before. I asking newbie questions because I want to see the situation with no preconceived ideas for this specific part.
You need to know what this is before you start. Why should I consider your product when Slack or Microsoft Teams is free for a small group and has every imaginable feature already? You need some value add, whether it's a feature, a unique capability, or even something philosophical (like being totally open source or whatever).
> Again it isn't a signal or telegram replacement. Group chat is core to the product but not the value-add. It isn't a slack replacement, no web or desktop. Just iOS & Android. The nature of the product it does have to be on both, can't start with only one.
If you can't explain it to me, then how will you explain it to an investor? I get it if you're concerned about giving away your idea, but you'll need to be very confident that you've discovered some unique value proposition that one of the hundred other players in this market has somehow missed out on.
Who is your target audience? Individuals or businesses?
Again not a slack/teams replacement.
Very confident I have something unique.