
Building Digital Wallet App Like Payit in UAE: Cost Breakdown & Development Guide
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:
- Launch an MVP first
- Prioritize essential features
- Use cross-platform development
- Leverage existing APIs
- 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.
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