Create an App Like Doppl – Process, Tech & Cost

AI photo apps have become the new favorite for users who enjoy sharing creative, personalized content.

One such app, Doppl, has made headlines by turning selfies into studio-like portraits using artificial intelligence. It’s fast, fun, and easy to use, which is exactly why it’s catching on with millions.

If you’re thinking about building an AI app for eCommerce, now is a great time.

In this blog, we’ll go over how Doppl works, what goes into making an app like it, and how much you might spend from idea to launch.

What’s All the Buzz? 🗣️

Google’s new app, Doppl, has captured widespread attention for offering a novel way to virtually try on clothes. The app creates short animations of users wearing outfits they upload—be it a photo from social media, a thrift shop screenshot, or something from a retail catalog—powered by Google’s generative AI.

While visuals aren’t always perfect—users have noted alignment glitches or misplaced textures—it still delivers a playful and surprisingly effective fit preview.

Reviewers have praised the app’s creativity and fun factor. One user called it “amazing… it lets you see what any clothes look like on your body and animate a photo,” apps.apple.com, though some reports also mention bugs, crashes, and limited usability for men or partial outfits.

Where Is the App Available?

• Region: Doppl is currently available only in the United States and accessible to users aged 18 or older with a Google account.
• Platforms: You can download it for free on both iOS and Android from the U.S. App Store or Google Play.
• Status: The app is still in experimental mode under Google Labs. That means performance may vary, and users are encouraged to send feedback directly to help refine the product.

What Is Doppl and How Does It Work?

Doppl is an AI-powered photo app by Google that creates realistic, animated portraits from a single photo. Instead of filters or templates, it uses machine learning to reimagine the user in different outfits, styles, and poses — almost like a digital fashion try-on.

Once you upload your image, Doppl’s system scans your face, body position, and visual cues. It then generates a short animation of you wearing the selected outfit, often styled like a fashion reel.

The output looks smooth, often realistic, and sometimes playful, depending on the image and clothing used.

While Google hasn’t officially shared the full tech breakdown, Doppl is likely powered by:

• Stable Diffusion or GAN-based models for image generation
• Pose estimation algorithms to align clothing with the body
• Post-processing techniques that clean up textures and movement

The real strength of Doppl lies in how little the user has to do, just one image, and the app does the rest.

Core Features of an AI App Like Doppl

If you’re planning to build something similar to Doppl, you’ll need more than just an AI model. The full user experience matters — from uploading photos to getting styled results.

Below are the must-have features if you wish to build an AI-powered fashion store.

Photo Upload & Preprocessing

Allow users to upload a clear selfie. Add basic tools to crop, center, or improve the image before sending it to the AI.

AI-Generated Image Styles

Offer multiple style options — such as studio portraits, cartoon looks, professional outfits, or casual clothing. These are generated based on user inputs or preset filters powered by AI.

User Profile & History

Let users create accounts where they can save past renders, mark favorites, and view their style history. This also helps in offering personalized suggestions over time.

Subscription Model / In-App Purchases

Monetization can be built around paid styles, download credits, or monthly plans. Start with free trials, then introduce coins or tier-based pricing for more advanced outputs.

Real-Time Rendering or Batch Processing

Depending on how heavy the AI processing is, either offer near-instant results or let users wait while the image is processed in the background. Show loading indicators and allow users to come back later if needed.

For More Details: Features To Make Your Fashion Store Standout

AI Technologies Behind Doppl

An app like Doppl may look simple on the surface, but under the hood, it depends on several advanced AI techniques. These tools work together to turn a static selfie into a styled, animated result.

Image Generation Models

Doppl likely uses Stable Diffusion or GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks) to generate new images. These models are trained on large datasets and can produce realistic visuals based on prompts or visual cues.

Facial Alignment and Keypoint Detection

Before styling can begin, the app must detect and align key facial and body points. This helps the AI understand where the eyes, nose, shoulders, and hips are, so it can apply clothing and motion more accurately.

Style Transfer and Post-Processing

Once the base image is generated, a style layer adds effects like texture, lighting, or outfit color. Post-processing tools then clean up the results to make them look polished and lifelike.

Motion Generation (for video output)

To create short animated clips, Doppl may use AI motion generation tools that simulate natural movement. These systems work like puppeteering — they shift the user’s pose and apply it across a few frames.

All these parts are powered by high-performance GPU infrastructure, often cloud-hosted, to handle the demands of real-time or large-scale rendering.

Steps to Build Your Own AI App Like Doppl

Building an AI app like Doppl takes careful planning. From choosing the right tools to launching a working product, here’s how you can break it down:

Step 1: Research AI Models and Use Cases

Start by testing different models like Stable Diffusion, DALL·E, or GANs. Check how they perform with face inputs and clothing overlays. Try both open-source options and paid APIs to compare speed, quality, and flexibility.

Step 2: Choose Your Tech Stack

Pick tools based on your team’s skills and app goals.

• Frontend: Flutter or React Native for mobile apps
• Backend: Node.js, Django, or FastAPI
• AI Layer: Python with PyTorch or TensorFlow
• Database: Firebase or PostgreSQL
• Hosting: AWS, GCP, or Azure with GPU support

Step 3: Integrate AI APIs or Train a Custom Model

For faster development, start with ready-made APIs like Replicate or DeepAI. If you want full control over quality and speed, consider training your model using custom datasets.

Step 4: Build the User Interface

Design a simple interface with features like:

• Photo upload
• Style selection
• Preview and download
• Profile with saved history

Make it feel quick and interactive, with clear loading states and helpful prompts.

Step 5: Monetize and Launch

Offer limited free trials or sample styles. After that, introduce pricing with:

• In-app purchases (coins or credits)
• Monthly or yearly subscriptions
• Free access with ads

Before launch, test your app with real users to catch bugs and improve speed. Early feedback is key to building a smooth experience.

How Much Does It Cost to Build an AI Face App?

The cost of building an AI app like Doppl depends on the features, quality of AI, and infrastructure you choose.

A basic version might cost far less than a full-scale app with real-time animations and global reach.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

Component	Estimated Cost (USD)
MVP App Build	$8,000 – $15,000
Full Feature App	$20,000 – $50,000+
AI Model Training	$5,000 – $25,000 (one-time)
Cloud GPU Hosting	$300 – $1,000/month
Third-party AI APIs	$0.01 – $0.10 per image (if used)
UI/UX Design	$2,000 – $5,000
QA & Testing	$1,000 – $3,000

Cost-Saving Tip:

Start with a prototype using third-party APIs. If the app gains traction, move to custom-trained models for better speed and control.

Also, keep in mind ongoing expenses like cloud hosting, storage, and support.

How to Make Money from an App Like Doppl?

Once your AI face app is ready, the next step is to turn users into paying customers. Doppl-style apps are well-suited for visual-based monetization. Here are the most effective ways to earn:

Freemium Model

Let users try basic styles for free. Then, offer premium outputs like HD portraits, videos, or rare styles as paid upgrades.

In-App Credits or Coins

Sell credits that users can spend per photo or animation. This model gives more flexibility and works well for occasional users.

Subscription Plans

Offer monthly or yearly subscriptions that include unlimited generations, early access to new styles, or bonus features.

Ads for Free Users

If you’re targeting a wide audience, run ads for non-paying users. Use this only if the ad flow doesn’t affect user experience.

Brand Tie-Ins or Outfit Drops

Partner with fashion brands or creators to add exclusive styles and earn through sponsorships or affiliate models.

Build Your Own AI App with CartCoders

If you’re planning to build an AI-powered app like Doppl — whether for fashion, face styling, or virtual try-ons — you don’t need to start from scratch. At CartCoders, we help brands turn smart ideas into working AI-based products.

From user-friendly mobile apps to AI-backed tools for Shopify stores, we bring together design, AI tech, and experience to deliver fast, smart, and polished digital products.

Looking for something ready-made?

Check out our AI Fit Finder Shopify App — a smart sizing tool that helps customers find the right fit using body data and product measurements. It reduces returns and builds shopper trust in fashion and apparel stores.

Whether you’re building a full app or want to add AI features to your store, CartCoders has the tech team to bring it to life.

Conclusion

Doppl has shown how fun, fast, and creative an AI app can be. By turning a single photo into a styled, animated result, it gives users something exciting to share and businesses a fresh way to connect with audiences.

If you’re thinking about building something similar, start with a clear plan: the right tech stack, smart design, and a focus on user experience. Whether you’re launching a mobile app or adding AI to your Shopify store, there’s real potential in combining visuals and automation.

At CartCoders, we’re already helping eCommerce brands use AI in ways that make a difference, like with our AI Fit Finder app. If you’re ready to build your AI-driven product, we’re here to help.

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