Blog Posts: Latest Trends and Insights in Technologies | Clarion Technologies

How to Build An App Like Paypal?

Written by Dilip Kachot - Technical Architect Delivery | May 27, 2024 9:23:42 AM

Build an App like Paypal and develop a user-friendly payment solution

Applications like PayPal have changed how we make transactions. Such digital applications have transformed how payments work and have made payments possible irrespective of time and distance.

PayPal is primarily a payment gateway app that facilitates online transactions between sellers and buyers while securing payment information for both customers' and sellers' bank accounts.

Create innovative, user-friendly, and secure application, hire mobile developers, and start building the next big app today!

Growth of Digital Payment Apps like Paypal:

Growth of digital payments with digital wallets has become common with the increase in online shopping.

 According to a recent poll by Forbes, 53% of people in the US use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment.

The reasons for this change are the convenience of e-wallets and ease of use, fast transaction, and easy integration in smartphones and all other devices. 51% said they stop shopping where digital payments are not available.

The impact of digital wallets is huge on consumer spending as 47% of Americans say they spend more using digital wallets than they would spend with traditional payment.   

Learn how to build an app like paypal and know how to implement top 10 payment gateways into your e-commerce website.                                                                     

What is Peer to Peer Payment?

P2P stands for peer to peer payment or person to person payment method, it means direct payment can be made from a person to another without requiring to send it to the individuals bank. Its more secure and efficient and empowers users to have more control over their transactions. It helps mobile app developers develop a successful payment app.                                                                                                                                                             

Features of Payment Apps Like PayPal:

#1. Use Registration and Authentication:

To develop an app like paypal, its important to enable users to create and manage profiles, which includes personal details, check payment preferences, and transaction history. Social media login process helps simplify login as users can access their account from their social media login. Multifactor authentication can enhance the app's security, and advanced encryption standards can protect data transactions. Tokenization can be used to secure sensitive card information, to be used with tokens for payment data. Developers can implement fraud detection and prevention with AI and machine learning algorithms. Following PCI DSS compliance helps secure card holder safety. Biometric authentication can added for implementing facial recognition or fingerprint security. Session management can help to use user sessions and logout inactive users. In case of lost credentials, an account recovery option must also be implemented.

Know which are the top mobile app development companies in India.

#2. Regulatory Compliance

To verify user identities, implement a KYC process. For anti-money laundering, implement measures and prevention activities. For the EU, ensure the app follows the General Data Protection Regulation for handling personal Data.

#3. Payment methods:

Implement debit/credit card processing support for all major cards. Make linking bank accounts possible along with online payment transfers for development of online payment apps. Enable integration with popular wallets GooglePay, ApplePay, and SamsungPay. Can integrate transactions using cryptocurrency.

#4. Merchant services:

APIs and SDKs for merchants can help integrate payment gateways with their mobile apps and websites. Merchants can invoice directly from the online payment app and offer support for subscription and recurring payments. They can also enable analytics and reporting to track sales, transactions, and customer behavior.

Steps to Build an App Like PayPal

Here are the step every mobile app developer must know on how to build an app like paypal.

Step 1: Prioritize Feature

With techniques like (MosCow – Must have, should have, wont have) businesses can determine the best features they need to implement to develop the app.

Step 2: Technology Stack 

Choosing the right tech stack helps support:

  • Backend – Django, Node.js, Ruby on rails
  • Frontend – Native languages like Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android) or react native for cross-platform mobile app development.
  • Database – PostgreSQL, MangoDB
  • Security tools – SSL/TLS encryption, JWT to secure app for token-based system

Step 3: Develop an MVP

Minimum Viable Product helps in testing the product and gathering initial feedback. Use agile methodology to use iterative development to get feedback and make rapid adjustments.

Step 4: Integrating Online Payment Solution

Integrate online payment gateways like Strip, Paypal, and SDK for secure transaction. Asynchronous payments ensure instant transactions and also enhance performance and user experience.

Step 5: ID - Verification

Integrate 3rd party ID verification systems for KYC and AML compliance. Automating verification process and follow GDPR compliance.

Step 6: Develop the Payment App:

Microservices architecture can ensure maintenance and scalability. RESTful or GraphQL APIs to integrate with other services and platforms.

Step 7: Testing and Implementation:

For seamless app experience implement automated testing for integration tests and automated tests to ensure code quality and functionality.

Fix and identify vulnerabilities with security testing. Beta testing can also help in gather final feedback from real-world issues.

Step 8: Launch the App

Ensure the app is launched in the App Store and Google Play Store to improve visibility and downloads, and ensure support infrastructure to handle user queries and issues post-launch.

Cost Factors of Developing Payment Apps like PayPal

This table below provides a summary of estimated costs to develop an app like PayPal:

Feature/ Components

Cost Range

Basic P2P app with Third party processors

$30,000 - $40,000

Custom Payment system

$150,000 - $200,000

Social media Features

$60,000 - $100,000

Additional features (Security, International Transactions, UI/UX compliance)

$45,000 - $100,100

 

Why Choose Clarion for App Development

Clarion Technologies helps businesses with its expertise in app development services. Here are some key reasons to consider:

  • Experienced Team: With access to top 3% of developers, businesses can work with talented developers who have more than 4 years of experience. Developers are skilled in various app development platforms iOS and Android. They also help businesses develop cross platform apps.
  • Customized solutions: They focus offering customized app development to develop apps that align with clients business preferences.
  • Security and Compliance: All developers ensure that applications comply with industry standards and regulations.

Conclusion:

Developing a payment app like paypal taking in account several factors, including the right tech stack and implementing right security measures. Online payment gateway development and e-wallet apps require meticulous planning, businesses must understand cost of development of an app before budgeting and resource allocation. Investing in a thoughtful manner will give small and medium businesses (SMBs) a competitive edge in the mobile app development services market. 

FAQs

Q1. How long does it take to develop an app like paypal?

The development timeline can vary depending on complexity of the app, it can take 6 to 18 months to develop an app like paypal.

Q2. What are the essential features of an app like paypal?

User registration, authentication, link bank account and credit debit, money transfer, in-app wallet, transaction history, are some features necessary for developing an app like paypal.

Q3. What technology stack is recommended for a payment app?

Technology stack may include Swift, Kotlin, React Native, Flutter, Python, Ruby on Rails, etc.