Building Digital Wallet App Like Payit in UAE: Cost Breakdown & Development Guide

Building Digital Wallet App Like Payit in UAE: Cost Breakdown & Development Guide

By Michael Edwards

February 28, 2025 at 03:32 PM

Digital wallet apps in the UAE cost between AED 90,000 to AED 550,000 ($50,000 to $300,000), varying based on features, security requirements, and development complexity.

With over 90% of UAE residents using digital payments and 35% year-on-year growth in mobile wallets, Payit by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) leads the market by offering:

  • Instant money transfers and bill payments
  • QR code payments and split expenses
  • International remittances
  • Virtual prepaid cards
  • Government service payments
  • Multi-language support

Key factors affecting development costs:

  • Core Features: User registration, KYC verification, payment integrations
  • Platform Choice: Native vs cross-platform development
  • Security Measures: Encryption, biometric authentication, fraud detection
  • Regulatory Compliance: Central Bank regulations, PCI DSS standards
  • Ongoing Maintenance: Updates, bug fixes, security patches

Hidden costs to consider:

  • App hosting and infrastructure
  • Marketing and user acquisition
  • Legal and licensing fees
  • Regular security audits

To optimize costs:

  1. Launch an MVP first
  2. Prioritize essential features
  3. Use cross-platform development
  4. Leverage existing APIs
  5. Partner with experienced developers

Monetization strategies include:

  • Transaction processing fees
  • Government service contracts
  • Value-added services
  • Premium features

The final cost depends on specific requirements, feature set, and development approach chosen.

[Images retained in their original positions as specified]

Related Articles

Previous Articles