- eWallets: virtual storage for money
- eWallets: insights into how they function
- Typical transaction methods
- eWallet mobile app development: primary product types
- Key branches fuelling eWallet app development
- Mobile wallet development: a 10-step guide
- Things to consider when crafting an eWallet
- Estimating eWallet costs
- Partnering with an experienced eWallet app development company for success
- Conclusion
Forward-thinking businesses and individuals want convenient and instant payments. That's why they use digital wallets to carry out transactions within a single app.
According to Statista, in North America these services will have grown significantly by the end of 2025, doubling the figures from 2020. The Asian market will experience even more substantial growth.
In this article, Andersen's FinTech experts shed light on eWallet app development.
eWallets: virtual storage for money
A typical mobile wallet has certain essential features. At its core, an eWallet is an application that enables people to keep their debit and credit card information on their mobile phones or other devices. Such software also facilitates transfers to sellers, friends, or family members via QR codes or other means.
A key advantage of these products is their convenience. A person can pay for things they need anytime, anywhere—simply by accessing the app, without physical money. Reliable digital solutions also offer rock-solid security with encryption technologies and authentication mechanisms, e.g. biometrics and PINs.
As eCommerce expands globally, such products are becoming indispensable. They facilitate personal finance management and drive business growth. Therefore, more and more organizations are cooperating with IT providers offering eWallet app development services to craft innovative solutions.
The following facts prove that such digital products are gaining global recognition:
- By 2024, digital wallets will be the primary payment method for more than 33% of customers buying things in stores;
- In Asia, they account for almost half of all point-of-sale payments;
- The worldwide market is currently seeing an annual growth rate of 28.2%.
eWallets: insights into how they function
eWallet mobile app development is in demand because of the ubiquity of mobile payment solutions. But how exactly do they work?
Mobile wallets rely on seamless integration of software and hardware. During user registration, an app opens a secure virtual account that links to the device and relevant financial accounts. Professionals engaged in the development of wallets implement encryption and tokenization—thus they secure top-notch data protection.
To benefit from such a solution, users simply fund their account by connecting it to a payment source. Balance tracking provides real-time visibility. Initiated transactions are authorized via PIN or biometrics for security.
The app then handles fund transfers, accurately processing vital details after verifying the balance and recipient info. Digital ledgers are updated, and confirmations are sent to all involved parties.
Robust error detection capabilities minimize failures from issues like insufficient funds or connection problems.Ongoing security audits and updates help maintain an impenetrable firewall around sensitive data and operations.
Thanks to eWallet mobile app development, users receive a seamless, safe, and smart means for on-the-go online payments and financial management.
Typical transaction methods
Professionals specializing in eWallet app development implement the following transaction methods:
- NFC
With this powerful technology, payments are just a quick tap away. Embedded chips allow mobile phones to communicate when in close proximity, enabling seamless checkout without touching screens or swiping cards. But old mobile devices may lack this functionality.
- Ordinary mobile wallets
Legendary solutions from Apple and Google have taken digital payments mainstream. By storing credentials on mobile devices, they allow for swift in-app purchases with maximum security.
- Audio-based operations
Sound waves make the transmission of data between devices possible—something that seemed to be science fiction just a while ago. This audio-based connectivity enables seamless purchases.
- Internet banking
Tools of this kind allow for internal account-to-account transfers and sending payments to external recipients. Account linking, multifactor authentication, etc. ensure operational safety.
- Carrier billing
Allowing people to buy things by being charged directly to their mobile bills opens purchasing options to those without conventional means of payment.
eWallet mobile app development: primary product types
Modern mobile products can be divided into four categories:
- Closed eWallets: These tailored solutions address the needs of a certain organization. Being the exclusive transaction channel for its clients, they streamline processes like refunds and the buyer’s journey within one digital product. A perfect example is Walmart Pay.
- Semi-closed eWallets: Used by business chains and collaborating companies, these often circulate in the same geographical area. People transfer funds to a centralized escrow account belonging to the digital PSP. Paytm and Oxygen perfectly show the potential of these platforms.
- Open eWallets: Such solutions cater to numerous independent organizations within a single app. They are widespread, with such legendary examples as PayPal, American Express, Amazon Pay, and Google Pay proving their impressive capacities.
- Cryptocurrency eWallets: Exodus, Coinbase, and Electrum are known for their robust protection mechanisms in handling crypto trading and other cryptocurrency transactions.
Key branches fuelling eWallet app development
eCommerce
The explosive rise of this sector is a major driver behind the development of eWallets. As shopping shifts online, the importance of secure payment options grows by leaps and bounds. Software solutions allow customers to check out seamlessly across retailer websites and apps without providing card details repeatedly. One-click payments ensure frictionless operations. One can also make purchases through social media platforms and ads.
Food and delivery
Delivery apps have become fertile ground for eWallet integration. As consumers increasingly order meals and beverages via the Internet, the need for fast and secure in-app payments reaches new heights. Customers want convenient electronic settlements for deliveries without the hassle of physical money. Feature-rich products solve this problem by enabling upfront digital payment. Options like repeat order history and one-click checkout streamline re-ordering and payment.
Transportation
Urban transportation is also one of the key development catalysts. Ridesharing services have built-in mobile payment capabilities for cashless operations. In general, the auto industry is pursuing in-vehicle commerce, allowing for gas, parking, tolls, and drive-thru purchases via dash-mounted apps.
Utilities
eWallet mobile app development has made it possible for people to securely pay their phone, electricity, cable, and other monthly bills electronically, avoiding paper checks, stamps, and snail mail. They also facilitate installment plans for big utilities like heating oil. Features like automatic charge reminders, account syncing, and operation confirmation offer convenience and organization.
Entertainment
Finally, this vast and rich industry has been an early and eager eWallet partner. Apps for purchasing concert, movie, museum, sporting event, or travel tickets have built-in mobile wallet functionality for easy booking. As events are returning to their pre-COVID scale, innovative ecosystems will make attendance frictionless.
Mobile wallet development: a 10-step guide
If you are seeking information on how to develop an eWallet app with optimal outcomes, consider this plan:
Map the functions
Before the development begins, thoroughly evaluate and define what exactly you need to implement in your product. Consider registration, login/authentication, wallet creation, addition of bank/card details, P2P and merchant payments, bill pay, transaction history, notifications, and customer support. Prioritize must-have functions for the MVP vs. nice-to-haves for future releases.
Choose the platform
Determine which mobile platforms you will build for—native iOS, native Android, cross-platform web, etc. This is essential and influences the choice of languages, frameworks, and other development tools.
Craft an impeccable UX
Think carefully about intuitive and seamless UI/UX using Figma and other prototyping tools. Remember to wireframe key screens and create clickable prototypes to visualize the interaction flows. Emphasize simplicity in architecture and make sure you keep consistent, branded visual designs across all the fonts, colors, and icons.
Work on the back-end
Plan and architect a solid back-end with development technologies like Node.js or Django to deal with the API layer, server-side business logic, data storage and processing, third-party integrations, etc.
Take care of the front-end
During the development, bring your UX ideas to life by expertly creating the app front-end with languages like Swift or Java and JavaScript frameworks like React Native. Ensure fluid UI interactions, seamless API integrations, robust input validation, and error handling. Leverage native device capabilities, e.g. wallet, camera, and biometrics.
Integrate payments
Link your solution to providers like PayPal. Enable paying by using bank accounts or debit/credit cards. Use SDKs to tokenize and encrypt sensitive data. Build checkout flows, escrow mechanisms, and disbursement logic.
Prioritize security
No compromises here—implement rigorous security protections, i.e. multifactor authentication, biometrics, and stringent encryption, for all payment data in transit and storage. Adhere to industry standards and data protection regulations.
Conduct exhaustive quality assurance
Carry out extensive testing for functionality, UI, security, and performance. Fix bugs before you launch your product. Take into account UAT to check if usability and flow are impeccable. Introduce testing automation where possible.
Deploy and maintain your app
Take care of app store publishing, continuous performance monitoring, scaling, feature additions, and bug fixes. Make sure you provide excellent customer support during the post-launch stage. Keep a watchful eye on app store ratings and the impressions of end-users.
Mind the needs of your audience
After the development is completed, actively scrutinize user feedback and analyze common usage patterns. Bear in mind user input when looking to introduce enhancements and new features for maximum value delivery.
Things to consider when crafting an eWallet
The foundation of fruitful development is strict adherence to compliance, security, robustness, and ethical responsibility, as with any other mobile platform. Therefore, you need to consider the following vital issues:
- Compliance as a top priority
Adhere to all standards, norms, rules, and licensing requirements in your region right from the start, including KYC norms and money transmission rules. This ensures the legitimacy of your software.
- User data protection
Robust encryption, tokenization, biometrics, and data minimization must be used to safeguard sensitive details and user credentials in storage and transit.
- Mitigation of fraud risks
Employ AML monitoring, activity tracking, and risk analysis to detect suspicious behaviors like money laundering or terrorist financing and promptly intervene if any suspicious activity manifests itself.
- Building trust
Transparent policies, responsive customer support, and reputation building instil confidence in your wallet’s reliability for storing and processing sensitive user funds.
- Stress tests
Thoroughly test all processes and functions for security, recoverability, and uptime to detect and address vulnerabilities before launch.
- Development with scalability in mind
Your software needs to smoothly deal with expanding user bases, volumes of money, and spikes in traffic.
- Prioritizing UX
Intuitive, seamless interfaces establish ease of use, while personalization features help drive engagement and retention over time.
Estimating eWallet costs
When budgeting for a custom build, development costs vary based on features, platform, and rates of team members:
Simple Android eWallets with core features – e.g. registration, wallet, and basic transactions – can range from $20,000 to $45,000+. More advanced solutions with complex features like investments, crypto, and business tools may cost $80,000-$150,000+.
In the iOS eWallet domain, basic versions fall between $25,000 and $55,000+, while advanced ones will cost you $100,000-$150,000+.
Exact costs depend on the location of your team, features, design, back-end, testing, and maintenance. With careful planning, you can launch a solution that perfectly meets your requirements at a reasonable cost. Partnering with an experienced eWallet app development company is essential if you want to allocate money properly and bring your software vision to life.
Partnering with an experienced eWallet app development company for success
If you have decided to build your digital product, find a reliable IT provider with notable achievements in eWallet app development services.
The main criteria for selecting a good developer are:
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FinTech knowledge and know-how: A good agency has a strong background in FinTech, reflected in its portfolio and client feedback. Check independent reviews and market analytics on Clutch and GoodFirms to understand your potential development partner.
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Professional attitude and skills: The professionalism and skills of IT specialists should be evident from their projects, offerings, tech stack, and commitment to best practices in software development.
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Competitive eWallet app development cost: The cost should be competitive, considering timelines and budget constraints, without compromising quality. The calculation should find a balance that meets both financial and project expectations.
Conclusion
eWallets are an indispensable part of everyday life. A well-designed solution, paired with a strategic marketing campaign and incentives like discounts, can significantly influence how users make purchases.
If you need top-notch application development services, contact Andersen. Our experts can carry out a FinTech project of any complexity.