How To Build An Interactive Streaming App That Rivals Netflix

Do you love watching thrillers or true crime documentaries from the comfort of your couch without overspending? With the rapid growth of streaming technology in Australia, users now prefer affordable, on-demand entertainment from home. This growing trend has boosted the demand for netflix-like app development, as businesses aim to create scalable streaming platforms with smooth playback, personalised recommendations, and high user engagement.

The difference that Netflix made was not content, but choice, speed, and simplicity. It transformed expectations by combining intelligent design and unlimited viewing opportunities. Even unprofessional observers were scrolling more, watching more, and relying on referrals. This silky smooth ride taught the entire ambitious app-making community to reconsider the aspects of usability, interaction, and scale of streaming platforms.

With the overcrowded world of digital media, Netflix turned into the perfect place to unwind at night. Its combination of binge-worthy originals and intuitive interfaces transformed the viewing habits permanently. A single episode may become a whole weekend. That craving for convenience, driven by the strategies of mobile app developers, demonstrates how the combination of storytelling, technology, and user experience keeps the audience addicted.

What Is Netflix?

Netflix is arguably an even more conventionally, favourite streaming service that transformed how people absorb entertainment. Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph founded Netflix in 1997 as a DVD service, shifting it to streaming in 2007. It created the foundation for the current Over-The-Top (OTT) environment.

With this change, consumers can now access films, television shows, documentaries and original content immediately on numerous devices, including Smart TVs, tablets, and phones. Users no longer have to wait till they are home.

Netflix provides users with a huge library of content, various subscription plans to choose from and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) recommendation engine that continuously personalises their experience while watching films or television shows. As a result of growing consumers’ demands, mobile app development companies continue to replicate and build on these offerings as well.

While Netflix is increasingly facing competition from HBO Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and an increasing number of emerging regional OTT platforms, Netflix remains a cultural influence in shaping global entertainment trends.

Success Story Of Netflix

A gambler saw the signs of Netflix, a behemoth in streaming and decided to bet on the growing market by investing in an easy transition from the much-laboured sending of DVDs to offering material to customers online at a lower cost.

Perhaps because it debuted in 1997 as a service that would mail DVDs right to customers’ homes, Netflix has grown into a major player in TV but a wallflower at the Oscars. At its inception, Netflix faced the 2400-pound gorilla of video rental competition, Blockbuster. But Hastings differentiated the company with a concept allowing unlimited rentals for a single monthly fee. They gained entry to a very dedicated customer base with this strategy.

In 2007, Netflix moved to streaming when the company realized that the internet might be the new channel for distributing content. This was a seismic shift in consumer behaviour. Tens of millions of consumers watched a movie or a series in a very short time. The other golden moment was original content, starting in 2013 with “House of Cards”,  which inspired the rise of Netflix-like app development.

By churning out and putting out its titles, Netflix stood out, but it wasn’t long before it became the darling of critics and award shows.

Netflix remained committed to underwriting content and pushed the service into more than 190 countries by 2016. It’s a cultural force that changed how the masses perceive the media. Netflix blew our minds, and the entertainment landscape, with “Stranger Things” and “The Crown.”

Despite much competition from other services in streaming, Netflix held the lead by adapting what it had and data analytics for everything its subscribers wanted. Currently, the gigantic super streaming has amassed over 230 million subscribers worldwide making it one of the best services streaming today for its users. The data-driven strategies developed can build competitive engaging streaming platforms from their mobile software development company.

Growth Of Netflix In Australia

Netflix has exponentially grown since its inception, especially in Australia and across the globe. It began its Asia-Pacific expansion when it entered the Australian market in March 2015. First, Netflix debuted with various licenses distributing movies, television shows and many other kinds of content to fill the emerging demand for streaming services. 

Today, Netflix boasts over 13 million users in Australia which is far different from the first time the company launched. Both viewers and a mobile app developer experience unmatched convenience and engagement as their main benefit. 

Since its inception in the fiscal year 1997, Netflix has rapidly grown into what it is globally. Before it became a service to stream, it was first a DVD-by-mail. The pioneering work began in 2007 and entered the original content business only in 2013 with the release of ‘House of Cards.’ As of 2023, Netflix had 230 million users across various countries, making it an industry giant.

The platform enjoys high-speed internet and a culture of on-demand viewing. In Australia alone, Netflix is estimated to have over 14 million users by 2026. The ability to offer flexible prices, ad-based plans and locally relevant content has contributed to this growth.

The fact that Netflix continues to invest in regional productions and global content keeps Australian audiences interested. This expansion emphasises the importance of data-based approaches and content development for successful streaming services, viewers and mobile app creators.

Why Invest In Developing An App Like Netflix

The $500 billion streaming business will cross $1.9 trillion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 19.3%. Moreover, more than 1.8 billion people have subscribed to streaming video services.

It always capitalises on a unique opportunity by exploiting what has become current, productive customer use in the new digital landscape that Netflix applications create. The following reasons highlight the many causes behind this investment.

1. Growing Market Trends

The changing consumer demand for convenience has led to applications like Netflix, which can instantly access a vast number of content sources at any time and place, drastically transforming the way entertainment is consumed by people worldwide. Increasingly more consumers around the globe are using streaming services because consumers want access to stream their favorite content. Netflix-like app development serve as fundamental tools to build user-centered streaming interfaces that offer personalized and seamless user experiences.

There is a bigger market now because there are more customers due to millions of individuals switching from cable to streaming services. Due to the range of content requests, there is potential for new entrants to sell themselves to the market.

2. Recurring Revenue Model

The primary reason for developing an app like Netflix is making money, and this gives app development companies a chance to come up with an app like the massive streaming service. Using models like the Netflix-based subscription models benefits with steady and guaranteed revenue. The app making company establishes flawless revenue systems to achieve exceptional user experiences.

Offering various prices is very efficient for businesses because it allows them to decide on the targeted customers and enhance their loyalty. It helps establish customer loyalty and predicts the inflow of cash, which is a critical determinant of growth.

3. Different Content Opportunity

Getting people to your service is relatively easy; maintaining them is tough. To retain the users you desire, you need to be willing and able to offer a disparate range of content in line with that of Netflix. There will be growing output for exclusives, user-generated content and niche-specific programming. A mobile software development company should implement data-driven approaches to build competitive streaming platforms.

App development can also provide opportunities for trying out new genres such as documentaries, short films or contextual content so that someone sitting in New York can feel the urge to explore the world.

4. Technological Advancements

Technology is paramount in the creation of apps such as Netflix, which allows for easy streaming with personalized recommendations and rich content delivery to finally enhance user experience and create engagement across all diversities of platforms and devices. Netflix-like app development empowers companies to create innovative streaming solutions that meet the evolving needs of users.

Advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and machine learning allow for personalized recommendations and the curation of content that leads to better experiences for users. With these technologies, new applications can do much to improve engagement and increase customer satisfaction since the chances are that users would stay around if the app provides them with adequate or even better experiences than they had expected.

5. Global Reach

Given that the internet is borderless, streaming apps can directly reach the audience of the world. By localizing and subtitling, content has become more accessible to non-English speaking audiences and, consequently, opens up new markets and streams of revenue. A global perspective like this is therefore important for long-term growth and sustainability.

6. Flexible Marketing Strategies

Digital media enable brands to leverage innovative marketing approaches, targeting specific demographics and helping in greater engagement and outreach. Using social media campaigns, a company connects with the audience through appealing content delivered directly. By collaborating with influencers, this outreach is elevated by using well-known and reliable people to promote the business and its fans, thus forging genuine personal connections. 

The engagement levels rise through mobile app developer solutions because they offer smooth and interactive ways for users to engage with systems. Users benefit directly from custom mobile apps development and iOS app development, which enables the creation of tailored streaming experiences that provide efficient use.

Targeted advertising allows for precision marketing, ensuring that the promotions get in front of the right users at the right time, thereby increasing the chances of conversion. This campaign tactic creates buzz, attracts subscribers quickly and optimizes marketing budgets, thus maximizing impact with minimal wastage of resources on less relevant audiences. A mobile software development company can use the latest technologies to produce engaging streaming platforms which compete effectively.

7. Changing Consumer Behaviour

Increasing dependence on the shift towards remote work and changing lifestyles would define a trend where consumers tend to stream more for entertainment. This presents an ideal opportunity for Netflix-like app development to leverage the captive audience drawn by the diversity of content available.

Trends That Are Redefining Interactive Streaming Apps

Trend	Impact on Streaming Apps	User Benefit
AI Personalisation	Smart recommendations based on behaviour and context	Faster content discovery
Interactive Content	Choose story paths and endings	Higher engagement
Watch Parties	Shared live viewing with chat	Social connection
Short Form Videos	Mobile friendly episodes	Quick entertainment
Voice Search	Hands free navigation	Better convenience
Ad Supported Plans	Lower cost subscriptions	Wider access
Blockchain Rights	Transparent content licensing	Creator trust
Green Streaming	Energy efficient delivery	Eco friendly viewing

Steps To Create Netflix’s Clone

When creating an application, different people use different procedures. A product or service needs some essential elements to be effectively launched into the market and have its potential for use raised.

Even if each person has distinct needs, developers must follow certain guidelines if they want their application to be successful in the marketplace. If the application is intended to be a clone of pre-existing software, this is especially true. Mobile app developer solutions create seamless interaction between users through their advanced user experience features.

Developing a Netflix-like streaming app requires a skilled team of engineers, designers, content planners, and marketing specialists and is time-consuming and expensive.

1. Identify Your Niche And Establish A USP

Your main objective is to locate engaging content on platforms like Netflix, where millions of users search for captivating movies and TV series. By picking genres your audience will enjoy, like documentaries, animated series, or international pictures, you might establish a good collection. Mobile application development companies brought to market creative streaming solutions through their utilization of this trend to address changing consumer needs.

To facilitate this process, we have provided extensive research and grouped novel mobile application ideas suitable for streaming platforms below. These concepts serve the purpose of providing recommendations, forums and online features that allow users to focus on areas of content they choose, thus guaranteeing users find what they want. Netflix-like app development with custom mobile apps development, plays a vital role in creating personalized streaming solutions that enhance user experience.

1. Entertainment

Entertainment is the most popular genre for streaming platform developers, like Netflix, because more people are interested in watching and downloading content in this genre. As it can reach a wider audience and provide viewers with novel experiences, entertainment is highly profitable. This genre is divided into multiple sub-genres like action, humour, and thrillers that hold user interest.

2. Fitness

Are you a lazy bum looking for a streaming platform that helps you lose weight from your 

home? Fitness is a perfect subject to pursue and build your streaming solution within. Even if on-demand video streaming applications require a monthly subscription, customers know that exercise is essential and do not bother paying to download it to start a routine. App development platforms achieve better user experience and performance optimization through iOS app development.

You know the best way to attract users towards your fitness streaming app is to offer them distinct features, like diet conditioning, yoga, Zumba, and so on, to increase conversions.

3. Education

Education is a fast-growing niche that can significantly increase engagement on your streaming platform in Australia. Today, users are willing to pay small subscription fees for high-quality “how-to” and skill-based learning content. By partnering with a reliable education app development company, businesses can build interactive live streaming education apps that serve learners of all age groups. These platforms offer real-time virtual classes, expert-led sessions, and on-demand educational content, helping brands deliver value-driven learning experiences while improving user retention and platform growth.

2. Develop A More Comprehensive Business Plan

Starting a Netflix-like app requires a business plan that goes into minute details of the venture. Such a plan serves as a guiding map for the decisions on market research, target audience, content acquisition, user experience, and the technology stack that needs to be used. Start-ups run the danger of poor resource allocation, vague branding, and ineffectual marketing tactics if there is no approach in place. 

A rigorous business plan also flags potential challenges and demarcates the strategy to tackle them. This aligns team members with the plans’ vision and objective, thus ensuring cooperation and efficient implementation. More importantly, a sound foundation is the determinant factor for long-term success in this competitive environment.

3. Procure Content Creators

The heart and soul of your streaming service application would be identical to that of Netflix, thus making video content the crux of attracting and retaining existing subscribers. You need to decide whether you’re going to produce original productions or if you will merely license third-party material before you move ahead. Custom mobile apps development serves as a fundamental element to develop user-specific streaming experiences which offer smooth interfaces. A decisive factor in building optimized streaming conditions for users exists through custom mobile apps development.

Production of your material allows you to brand uniquely and create programmes targeted to your audience’s tastes. On the other hand, third-party content immediately grants access to a diverse library and popular titles, all of which enhance appeal without upfront production costs. It comes down to finding the right mix between these options.

4. Select an Optimal Monetization Model

Launching the next Netflix-like video streaming service depends on clear insight into all possible revenue-generating avenues. You can generate revenue through subscription fees, ad-based models, and pay-per-view options. A mobile software development company can produce effective streaming platforms by implementing several monetization strategies.

Each type of revenue informs how the user will engage with the offer, and each method differs in its effect on how you will attract and retain subscribers. Then there are competitors and market trends where there might be a well-positioned opportunity for profit. Without a thorough understanding of these financial avenues, your service will ultimately be unable to maintain long-term growth and profitability. iOS app development fulfills an essential role in maximizing revenue principles through its optimized user systems combined with strong subscriber interaction.

5. Consider App Localization and Content Translation

Although developing any streaming app for a global market is not strictly about the content localized to different regions, content localization has to focus intensely on reaching diverse groups of people with varied tastes. Subtitle translation, other dubbing and cultural adaptations are required for streaming apps to allow them to engage with another region’s audience. A reputable mobile app development company can help your hire local app developers to save development costs.  

Since research would be needed to figure out a good company that can be relied upon for localization work, it is hard to decide on a good company known and experienced in your target market. Once you go beyond your local boundaries, you will begin this process by connecting with a respectable OTT app development company that helps create a Netflix-like app while integrating localized content smoothly.

6. Legal Compliance And Content Licensing

In the case of developing an OTT app like Netflix, what is more paramount than technical expertise is a legal foundation. Apart from legally registering in the United States, licensing material is considered essential to creating a successful streaming business. Two video content distributors are the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation and SWANK Motion Pictures, which count among the prime OTT platform development services that connect to the above organizations.

Businesses like Netflix must pay billions of dollars to acquire video content, making it extremely expensive. There should be a fair agreement and contract negotiation before signing the contracts. Some licensing groups give rights to a few episodes or even seasons.

7. Choose A Reputable App Development Company

Creating a competitive on-demand video streaming application is pivotal and requires collaboration with a superior app development company. For selecting the best app development company, several activities are involved like searching for possible developers on websites like Clutch and The Manifest. The core function of iOS app development as an optimization tool enhances revenue strategies through user-friendly interfaces and enhanced subscriber participation. 

After that, assess the reviews and ratings collected of the companies you picked to check their reliability and expertise. Review their portfolios to ensure the projects they built up until now align with your concept and objectives. The company’s technical capabilities and experience in their area of expertise should be assessed. 

Lastly, ask for testimonials from your most recent clients because it will say a lot regarding the professionalism and communication of the developers and your overall satisfaction with the project outcomes.

8. Determine Your Feature Set

In developing a video streaming solution like Netflix, every specific user role has to be defined. They have to fit the required functionalities and the user’s needs.

1. Video Consumer

Given that they are mostly content consumers, it would be the position for last-viewing customers. The experience ought to be satisfactory and tailored to their requirements; watch lists should make navigation simple; offline viewing should be possible; and finding the desired content should be a simple task. A mobile app development company can help you find the best content for your users.

2. Video Creator

This position is similar to YouTube or TikTok platforms, but including creators makes it a more promising platform. It allows uploading, editing, and then distributing its respective content, thus creating a community and some form of interaction through comments and likes. A renowned Android app development company can turn your vision into a competitive reality. 

3. Content Administrator

This person should help ensure that the system’s integrity is never breached. They will need the ability to upload and download videos, delete other existing videos off the system, moderate the user-generated content, handle tasks related to user roles, and copyright and ensure that they comply with the content. The security and efficient operation of these features rely heavily on web application development systems, particularly in the context of Netflix-like app development.

Every role should be paired with integrated applications or functionalities, user-friendly interfaces, powerful analytics, tools for content management, security features, and more to provide a seamless user experience based on where you intend to focus your application.

Netflix vs New Age Streaming Apps In 2026

Feature	Netflix	New Age Streaming Apps
Content Strategy	Strong focus on premium originals and licensed content	Mix of originals, user generated, and niche content
Personalisation	AI driven recommendations based on viewing history	AI plus real time context like mood, time, and device
User Interaction	Mostly passive viewing experience	Interactive storytelling and live engagement
Community Features	Limited social interaction	Watch parties, chats, and shared viewing
Monetisation Model	Subscription and ad supported plans	Flexible models including micro payments
Content Discovery	Algorithm based browsing	Voice search and AI assisted discovery
Platform Focus	TV and long form content	Mobile first and multi format viewing
Innovation Speed	Stable but controlled updates	Rapid experimentation and feature rollout
Creator Ecosystem	Closed production model	Open creator and partner driven ecosystem

Key Features To Offer Users

1. Onboarding Process

Users must use social network accounts, email addresses, or other forms of identity to create accounts or register. Using such an ID, users can store preferences and activate personalization whenever they use an app or service.

If you include a feature for registration, you can then save user preferences, favourite content, and behaviour-based and interest-based recommendations; you can also access exclusive content and services, like discounts or offers.

Your sense of enhancing customer satisfaction will lie in a more personalized and interactive method of using the app. For the incorporation of new exciting features into your app, the best bet is the professional app development companies. A reputable mobile app development company can help you create your dream app.

2. Search Functionality

If you want to create an app similar to Netflix for your customers, ensure it has browse and search features so they can easily browse and locate their favourite movies and series content. Confirm it has an easy-to-use interface with search features that let users enter keywords, view series details, and filter results by genres, movies, or series.

Based on past browsing behaviour and user preferences, categories, tags, and recommended series improve the browsing experience. Users can arrange results by relevancy, popularity, or most recent additions using the advanced search options.

3. Push Notifications

Push notifications update users when new listings appear on the app, providing information about available series and motivating them to watch their favourite before it is removed. Notifications of updates to user-customized movie listings are also offered, apprising users of new data pertinent to their interests. You can subscribe to general news notifications to keep updated on important events and changes.

When finding new movies or series, users are captivated and enthusiastic about their interests when they can access real-time information. As a result, interactions are more enjoyable and the user experience is enhanced. Hire an Android app development company or an iPhone app making company to integrate your dream features in your app.

4. Multiple Language Support

The app’s compatibility with numerous languages from various linguistic origins guarantees that users can easily access and watch in any language they choose. This makes the app inclusive and accessible to users from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds by supporting several native languages. Web application development creates essential security frameworks to allow these functional features work securely and efficiently. Future development of these platforms through iOS app development techniques will enable better user experience alongside improved operational speed.

It is easier to navigate the program and comprehend its features when interfaces, series, or movies are available in multiple languages. This method closes comprehension gaps and enhances the experience, thus facilitating watching and allowing users to engage in the target language.

5. Review And Rating

The Netflix notion combined with the review and rating option lets people express their attitude towards movies and shows. After viewing the content, the users can rate content and give their feedback in the form of written reviews using a specifically designed scale that may range from 1 to 5 stars. A determined Android app development company can help you understand the benefits of investing in streaming apps.

 This cue benefits other spectators and strengthens the recommendation feature of the application since it eliminates guesswork. Also, the ratings given by users may affect the availability of the content since some titles may showcase the most rated products. A mobile app development company can help you understand user needs and build an app accordingly. 

6. Download

The download feature in streaming applications like Netflix enables users to download movies and shows to their devices for offline use. This is useful for viewing content without an active internet connection, making it perfect for use during travel or low network coverage places. The content users download is selectable, and they can control the download quality. Efficient system operations result from web application development implementations.An app making company combines features in a way that delivers the ultimate user experience to customers.

7. Video Quality

Of all the highlighted options, one of the best options is streaming quality because users can choose the video quality they want depending on the connection and their devices. Four user-configurable parameters are available to control picture quality and to conserve data costs where necessary. Users with limited bandwidth would benefit from this since it allows them to view images more clearly and customize the quality to suit their needs, speed, or accessibility. Collaborate with a reputable mobile app development company to develop an app like Netflix. 

8. Select Your Technological Stack

If you’re going to create a live-streaming application like Netflix, then you would need to know the different back-end technologies. A good method for content delivery requires a well-designed backend infrastructure with proper serving machines that can handle volumes of data. Scalability through cloud storage, fast streaming from content delivery networks (CDNs), and smooth playback across devices by adaptive bitrate streaming shall be key technologies. 

Furthermore, robust security measures like user identification and encryption are needed for copyrighted content. The function and user experience of the application differ in programming languages and frameworks- Node.JS or React-used. A reputable Android app development company can help you create your dream app.  

9. Create A User-Friendly Interface

If you wish to build a video streaming app, consumers will be attracted to the usability offered by a user-friendly interface. A thoughtful design layout maximizes user interaction and satisfaction, thus creating an easily navigated environment that is fun to use. Skip trying to replicate apps like Netflix and go on to create a unique visual identity for your brand which stands out. 

Features that include personal recommendations, ease of searching for certain tracks, and customization of playlists are all ways to fashion a tailored experience for the user. With a focus on originality in design, you are in a position to come out with better products against competition in the market while at the same time facilitating brand loyalty and increasing user retention. The delivery of these features depends on web application development as the implementation foundation.

Cost Of Developing An App Like Netflix

The cost of developing an app like Netflix depends on numerous factors, like features, design complexity, platform choice, and development team rates. Developing a Netflix-like app can cost between $25,000 and $200,000.

The need to optimize an application for each platform drives up the cost of developing apps for the web, iOS, and Android, for example. An app with smart libraries for offline reading, translation, and content recommendation can be produced for $25000–$5000, but more complex software will cost more than $150,000. A dedicated Android app development company is your perfect choice to develop an app like Netflix. 

Conclusion

It requires innovation, strategy, and technical excellence to strike a balance in building a streaming app like Netflix in 2026. The choice of a technology stack and cloud infrastructure, as well as the creation of a user-friendly interface, and any other decision, directly affect the level of scalability, performance, and retention. A robust content plan, driven by data-based information and AI-based suggestions, helps attract and retain users. Security, compliance and cross-device smooth streaming are also highly essential in providing long-term stability and confidence in an incredibly competitive OTT market.

Entrepreneurs can leverage the experience of 7 Pillars, a reliable mobile application development firm, to develop scalable and interactive streaming solutions that will be brilliant in this fast-moving digital entertainment industry. Focusing on quality, creativity and constant optimisation enables the businesses to keep up with the shifting preferences of viewers and technology. A performance, personalised experience with future-ready architecture enables streaming apps to expand sustainably. Start your streaming journey today by partnering with 7 Pillars to turn your vision into reality.

 

FAQS

Q 1. How do ios app developers help build streaming apps like Netflix?

Ans – Proficient iOS application developers create simple user interfaces, improve processes and make the streaming experience on Apple devices secure.

Q 2. What is the importance of scalability in the development of a streaming platform?

Ans – Scalability ensures that the app can support increasing user traffic and content delivery without affecting performance or user experience.

Q 3. Are the streaming services integrable with pos software?

Ans – Yes, the incorporation of pos software enables the management of subscriptions, payments, and payment tracking through various sales channels.

Q 4. How does the pos software aid monetisation strategies?

Ans – Highly versatile pos software facilitates adaptable prices, subscriptions, and live revenue data, which helps in long-term business development.