Tarun Nagar 
“Coupang is the future of shopping. It’s like having a personal shopper, a delivery ninja, and a K-drama marathon all rolled into one app.” – Bong Joon-ho.
Quick Summary: Are you looking to build an app like Coupang? Do you have a unique idea that can transform your retail store into an online store? No worries!! Read this blog to get an insight on Coupang-like online marketplace development, its key features, costs and other essential aspects. Ready to get your Korean online shopping groove on? Let’s kimchi-fy your business!
Ever scrolled through envy-inducing Instagram Stories of your Seoul-ite friends, bombarded with hauls from Coupang, Korea’s online shopping behemoth? Well, you’re not alone. There’s an excellent reason why this unicorn startup has become popular.
Technological advancement allows you to create a Korean marketplace that meets your demands. Due to this, e-commerce industry owners are creating an app like Coupang. Thus, you, too, have the potential to become the next market leader. Interested in knowing how? E-commerce app development is the solution!
The market size for the e-commerce industry was estimated at $9.09 trillion in 2019 and is projected to increase at a 14.7% CAGR between 2020 and 2027. These figures show the demand for e-commerce app development will double in the coming years.
So, are you also someone who wants to build an app like Coupang and take your business to greater heights? If yes, this blog will guide you, so read this blog till the end.
What is a Coupang App?
Coupang is a South Korean e-commerce marketplace that enables users to buy various products, from fashion, groceries, and electronics to cosmetics. It is known as “Amazon of South Korea,” it has recently started a video streaming service for users.
Established in 2010 by Bom Kim, Coupang has five million+ unique goods delivered same-day with the “rocket delivery service.” It offers the app users a convenient and user-centric interface for purchasing, searching, and monitoring the order.
Additionally, this super app has expanded its services to online food delivery, known as Coupang Eats. Coupang has established itself as a leading force in the South Korean e-commerce market by positively impacting user satisfaction and rapid delivery service.
So, if you are fascinated by the Coupang app’s success and want to invest in super app development, you must get assistance from experts who can help you build an app like Coupang.
Coupang App: Current Market Statistics & Growth
Coupang has recently grown immensely and commands a staggering 40% share of the South Korean e-commerce app. Since you want to build an app like Coupang, you should know the market size and current trends. So, below are the currency market statistics that can assist you in determining the revenue in South Korea.
- In November 2023, there were around 147.6 million customers on the e-commerce site Coupang, which rose from the previous month.
- Coupang is known as the Amazon of South Korea. Lightning-fast delivery, often within hours, thanks to its extensive logistics network.
- The South Korean eCommerce industry is projected to increase steadily in the upcoming years. From 2023 to 2027, it is anticipated to increase at an average CAGR of 2.9%, with an anticipated market value of US $96 billion.
- The online shopping site Coupang generated sales income of about 25.77 trillion South Korean won in 2022.
- The company’s operational profit has been negative since 2013, and in 2018, Coupang was still trying to recover from its severe losses. However, the company’s user base and sales income are still growing.
- In July 2022, 4.56 million Android and iOS users in South Korea were using the video streaming app Coupang Play.
- More people visited Coupang than any other South Korean e-commerce website in May 2023, with an estimated 7.64 million unique visits.
- As of April 2021, there were 4.22 million users of Coupang Eats on Android and iOS smartphones.
The above statistics showcase the popularity of the South Korean online marketplace Coupang and open doors for entrepreneurs to invest in e-commerce app development. So, if you have finally decided on Coupang on-demand app development, you should know how soon you can release the app for your business’s use.
How Does Coupang–A Korean Marketplace App Work?
Now, you must think about how the Coupang app works. To know the working mechanism of a coupang app, you need to check out the below steps:
- Download & Dive In: First, users must download the Coupang app on their mobile app. It’s free and available in Korean and English.
- Sign Up or Sign In: Users can create an account with their email or simply log in using social media.
- Explore the Product: Browse through categories like fashion, electronics, groceries, and even fresh produce. They can also search for specific items using the bar at the top.
- Find Your Item: Once they’ve spotted something they like, tap on it to see details like price, description, and reviews from other shoppers. Don’t forget to check out the deals and discounts.
- Add to Cart or Wishlist: If they’re ready to buy, hit “Add to Cart.” If you are unsure, save it to your Wishlist for later consideration.
- Checkout Time: When users are ready to pay, head to the cart and review the order. Choose the delivery address and method. Select payment options, like credit card or Coupang Cash.
- Sit Back & Relax: The user’s order is now on its way. They’ll receive updates on its progress, and soon, their shopping bounty will arrive at the doorstep.
Steps to Build an App Like Coupang: A Korean Online Marketplace
Craving K-commerce success? Dreaming of a digital bazaar that rivals Coupang, the Korean e-commerce giant? Well, buckle up because we’re about to whip up a step-by-step process for building your online marketplace masterpiece! However, Coupang mobile marketplace app development involves the best deal of research and analysis.
As per an Android app development company, below is the step-by-step process to build an app like Coupang. So, let’s have a look at the steps in detail:
Step 1: Conduct Planning & Research
When you build an app like Coupang, you risk making mistakes if you don’t do enough planning and research. You must consider the requirements and preferences of your target market, choose the kind of products you want to provide, and carefully classify your offerings to make them simple for users to locate.
Step 2: Decide the App Features
Once you properly plan an app like Coupang, you must decide the crucial features to build an online marketplace. For example, rocket delivery, personalized recommendations, add to cart, seamless payment options, etc. It is vital to know that integrating advanced features can increase your budget. So, choose wisely.
Step 3: Choose the Right Technology Stack
Choosing the tech stack that is perfectly right for your online marketplace development. For better results, you can get help from a mobile app development company. To stay ahead, it will be helpful to incorporate the newest technology into building your Coupong-like app development.
Step 4: Create Engaging UI/UX
After you have chosen the tech stack to build an app like Coupang, let’s now create an engaging user interface. It should be visually appealing so that users can easily be attracted. Ask the designers to make the UI simple if your budget is low. However, if you are ready to invest more in UI/UX, you can also include advanced functionality with the help of a super app development company.
Step 5: Start the Coupang App Development
Now comes the foremost step – coupang app development. But first, you should hire an experienced iPhone app development company to build an app like Coupang with the latest technologies. You can also hire dedicated developers if you want expert assistance. The backend and frontend development work together to provide the framework for the entire app and make its activities run more smoothly.
Step 6: Testing & Deployment
After successfully developing a Korean online marketplace, now carefully test your app by doing beta testing and releasing your app on the app store, respectively. To reach a wide audience, you must search for the best platforms to establish your business.
Unique Features To Build An App Like Coupang
Forget K-pop; Coupang has the moves to make your online shopping experience sing! This Korean e-commerce giant isn’t just dominating the market; it’s redefining it. But what makes Coupang tick? Let’s crack open their secret sauce and explore crucial features that’ll assist to build an app like Coupang — your own online marketplace empire in no time:
1. Hassle-free Registration
Signing up for an app like Coupang may seem easy, but not all e-commerce apps are adept at the convenient registration process. You can easily integrate social media with your app, so you don’t need to force users to enter a ton of personal information when registering. Users must use Instagram, Facebook, or any other social media network to sign up for the app quickly.
2. Rocket Delivery
This is the main feature of the Coupang custom super app development that enables 10-minute rocket delivery. You should implement a rocket delivery function with designated fulfillment centers and efficient logistics networks. Users are informed and thrilled about their upcoming items thanks to real-time tracking.
3. Personalized Recommendation
Analyze user tastes with AI to provide customized product suggestions, exclusive offers, and carefully chosen collections to suit unique tastes. So, you must hire dedicated developers to integrate AI-based personalized recommendation functions.
4. Add to Cart
With the add-to-cart feature, users can easily choose products they want to purchase and put them in the wishlist or cart. It allows them to store the goods for later purchases.
5. Push Notification
Users receive alerts informing them of the products they are lacking. It is the most significant feature to engage users with your app, like Coupang. The success of your app, like Coupang, is determined by how well its push notification techniques are implemented. So, with the assistance of mobile app developers, invest in a robust push notification system to retain your users.
6. Voice Search
As you know, this feature will completely change how people look for goods and services. You must incorporate this function when you build an app like Coupang so that the product information aligns with the voice search criteria.
7. Seamless Payment Options
The payment gateway integration feature is a must-have for any app that enables transactions. It provides users with a variety of payment options so that they can use any method for purchasing a product.
8. Augmented Reality View
When you build a super app like Coupang, it is vital to have an augmented reality feature so that users can virtually try on things before purchasing. This will boost the confidence and decision making process of consumers buying clothing, accessories, and so on.
Most Popular Apps Like Coupang
Coupang is the Amazon of South Korea, with over 50 million downloads and 4.0 user ratings on Play Store. So, if you plan to build an app like Coupang for your e-commerce business, you should know the competitors and their USPs. Below, we have listed the most popular apps to help build an e-commerce app like Coupang.
| Apps like Coupang | Available Platform | Features | Download | Ratings |
| Amazon | Android | iOS |
|
500M | 4.2 |
| eBay | Android | iOS |
|
100M | 4.7 |
| Mercado Libre | Android | iOS |
|
100M | 4.6 |
| Tata Neu | Android | iOS |
|
50M | 4.0 |
| Wish | Android | iOS |
|
500M | 4.7 |
1. Amazon
Amazon app is the world’s largest online marketplace, with 500 million downloads and 197 monthly active users. Till now, it has sold over 12 million products globally.
Anyone may start selling on the Amazon app using ample options. Users only need to list their items and register business names. A popular e-commerce app like Amazon is also a fantastic way to sell goods without worrying about logistics like warehouses and shipping services.
2. eBay
eBay app explores millions of products, including modern devices and antique discoveries, and takes advantage of bargains with real-time notifications.
Users can take pictures to quickly sell their items or track orders and bids while on the road. It’s like combining a garage sale and personal mall into one app.
3. Mercado Libre
The ultimate destination for all things online shopping is the MercadoLibre app. Users will likely find what they’re searching for with millions of items categorized into several groups.
So, when you build an app like Mercado Libre for your business, you should integrate the unique features discussed above.
4. Tata Neu
Tata Neu is a one-stop shop for all your needs, from groceries and fashion to travel and finance.
It combines an online marketplace app like Tata Neu brands like Croma, Bigbasket, Tata 1mg, and AirAsia India under one platform, offering a seamless shopping experience.
5. Wish
A popular e-commerce app like Wish has gained popularity with its fantastic feature called low prices on multiple items.
It enables customers to get stylish clothing for really inexpensive costs. This app is a veritable gold mine for bargainers and others who enjoy the excitement of the unexpected.
Cost to Build A Korean Online Marketplace Like Coupang
You must be wondering, “How much does it cost to build an app like Coupang?” The mobile app development cost is not always the same because multiple factors are responsible for that. Also, time and technology play a significant role in fluctuating app development costs.
On average, the Coupang-like super app development cost can range between $8000-$25000. However, knowing that the actual cost depends on your project requirements is crucial. Let’s look at the table showcasing the online marketplace app development cost based on app complexity.
| App Complexity | Cost Estimation | Time Duration |
| Basic app | $8000-$13000 | 2-3 months |
| Intermediate app | $15000-$20000 | 4-5 months |
| Complex app | $25000 | 6-8 months |
Apart from this, if you want to calculate the actual cost of an app like Coupang, we have noted down the formulae.
“Total Coupang App Development Cost = Developers Hourly Rate * Total Development Time”
Thus, now you know the price to build an app like Coupang, a popular Korean online marketplace. So, if you want to know the actual app development cost, you must contact an e-commerce app development company.
How Much Does It Cost To Maintain An App Like Coupang?
Now that you know the cost to build an app like Coupang, let’s move to the maintenance app development costs section. As you know, an app can only last for a small period due to negligence of app maintenance.
So, if you want to know the maintenance cost of mobile apps like Coupang, it can cost 15-20% of your overall app development. For instance, if your Coupang-like app development cost is $15000, you can invest $2000 annually on maintenance.
Also, it is vital to know that app maintenance depends on multiple factors like technology, number of users, complexity, and rate of changes.
Furthermore, if you have an e-commerce app like Coupang that requires updates, then it is the right time for app maintenance. It is advisable to contact a mobile app maintenance and support services provider from a prominent company like Dev Technosys.
Let Dev Technosys Help You With Your Marketplace Project!!
After reading this blog, you now have a crystal clear knowledge of Coupang app development. Now, the time has come to implement your Korean e-commerce app development into reality by creating outstanding apps.
However, developing an online marketplace app could be challenging to build on your own. No worries!! Dev Technosys is here to help you. We are an experienced online marketplace development company specializing in crafting engaging apps with cutting-edge technology.
Our developers have years of expertise in the latest technology and have assisted startups in converting retail stores into online stores. So, what are you waiting for? Share your requirements and ideas with us, and we will build a shopping app within your time frame.
Frequently Asked Questions!!
1. What is An Online Marketplace?
An online marketplace is a mobile app that enables users to buy items or commodities. These marketplaces facilitate the exchange of items, services, or data online. Some famous marketplaces are Coupang, Amazon, Mercado Libre, etc.
2. How Much Does It Cost to Build An App Like Coupang?
The Coupang-like e-commerce app development cost depends on features, complexity, user interface, development team’s location, etc. Usually, a simple app can range between $10,000 and $14,000, while a complex app development cost goes up to $15,000 to $25,000. To know the exact cost estimation, you should consult with a shopping app development company.
3. How Long Does it Take to Build An App Like Coupang?
The timeframe to build an app like Coupang for a basic Coupang app is between 2 and 4 months. However, building an advanced app with a platform can take 4-7 months. It is crucial to know that an AI-based e-commerce app like Coupang can usually take more time for online marketplace development.
4. What Are the Benefits of Developing Apps Like Coupang?
The benefits of building an app like Coupang can give businesses a competitive edge, expanded market reach, improved consumer interaction, and data-driven insights that propel expansion and profitability. It is predicted that between 2023 and 2028, the e-commerce sector will generate $614.2 billion in sales.
