Mobile appMessaging & callsOriginal by Turkcell
BiP is a messaging app from the Turkish operator Turkcell, and beyond chat and calls it focuses on bringing service accounts, channels and everyday services under one roof. Hosting data in-country is a strong argument for users and organisations with data residency concerns under GDPR-style rules. Letting organisations talk to their customers through official accounts turns the app into a service channel beyond personal communication.
Building something similar takes mobile and web clients, a real-time messaging and calling infrastructure, and a service accounts platform: verified accounts for organisations, bulk notifications and a customer service panel. Layers such as channels, mini apps, translation and encrypted backup are added on top. Running the infrastructure in local data centres and complying with local legal obligations must be planned from the start.
How BiP works: the core user flow
How many apps and dashboards do you need?
Mobile app
The end-user app that brings chat, calls, channels and service accounts together.
Corporate account panel
The panel where organisations message customers from verified accounts and answer incoming requests.
Mini app platform
The developer environment where partners publish services that run inside the app.
Admin panel
The panel that monitors channel approvals, corporate account verification, reports and system metrics.
Critical features of a product like BiP
Verified service accounts
Banks, city services and brands open accounts with an approved badge, protecting users from fake accounts.
Corporate bulk messaging
Campaign and notification messages go out by segment to users who have opted in.
Customer service integration
Incoming messages flow into call centre and CRM systems, and agents reply from the panel.
Instant translation
Messages that arrive in another language are translated inside the chat with one tap.
In-country hosting
Message and media data stay in local data centres, which makes data residency and GDPR compliance easier.
HD voice and video calls
One-to-one and group calls run on codecs that adapt to network quality.
What goes into the first version, what comes later
First version (MVP)
- Number-verified sign-up and contact matching
- One-to-one and group messaging
- Voice and video calls
- Channels and following
- Verified service accounts
Later releases
- Corporate customer service panel
- Mini app platform
- Instant translation
- Web and desktop client
Modules and how the budget is calculated
The budget is calculated with 360 SOFT’s pricing model from the modules below, about 32 screens and the project’s complexity: roughly 201 person-days for the full scope and 131 person-days for the first version. Every module you drop lowers the budget directly.
| Module | Phase |
|---|---|
| Sign-up, login, social login | First version |
| User profile and settings | First version |
| Roles and permissions | First version |
| Admin dashboard | First version |
| Real-time messaging | First version |
| Push notifications | First version |
| File, photo, video upload | First version |
| Video / voice calls | First version |
| GDPR and security hardening | First version |
| Third-party API integration | First version |
| Reporting and analytics | Later release |
| Email / SMS notifications | First version |
| Multi-language | First version |
Hosting, SMS, map APIs, app store accounts and payment-provider fees are separate items. Maintenance and improvements (optional): €700 / month. We send a fixed written price within 24 hours after a free discovery call.
The hard parts
Breaking the network effect
Users go where their friends are, so corporate services and exclusive perks must give them a reason to switch.
Corporate messaging rules
Commercial messaging consent, consent records and the right to unsubscribe must be enforced strictly.
Infrastructure and redundancy
Building high availability and disaster recovery in local data centres takes serious investment.
Business model
With the app free for end users, the main revenue comes from the corporate side: verified account subscriptions, per-message fees for bulk notifications and customer service licences. Revenue sharing from mini apps and service partnerships, channel ads and a separate enterprise edition for internal communication can be additional items.
Get a free quote for your project
Let us scope it together and send a fixed written quote within 24 hours. NDA on request; you own the source code.
Choosing a company to build an app like BiP
Most people searching “build an app like bip” are really looking for a reliable app development company. When comparing quotes, check four things:
- Can you try similar products they have shipped, in the stores or live?
- Are the source code, design files, servers and store accounts transferred to you by contract?
- Do they show a working demo every two weeks, with written scope and acceptance criteria?
- Are maintenance, scaling and GDPR/security costs written into the quote?
Copyright and trademarks
A business model and features are generally not protected on their own, but the BiP name, logo, interface design, content and source code are. That is why we build a product with similar functionality but your own brand, design and code. This is not legal advice; we recommend a trademark search before launch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build an app like BiP?
A first version with messaging, calls and channels can be ready in a few months. The service accounts platform and mini apps mature in separate phases.
Where should data be stored for a local messaging app?
Hosting in your own country is a strong advantage given GDPR-style rules and the expectations of corporate customers. If you transfer data abroad, the transfer conditions must be assessed separately.
Will there be copyright or trademark issues?
The messaging and service account business model is generally free to use, but the name, logo, design and code cannot be copied. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should I look for when choosing a company to build a messaging app?
Ask about real-time infrastructure, load testing and enterprise integration experience, and request a plan for local hosting and security audits.
