Digital payments aren’t just growing; they’ve become a daily habit for millions.
People want to tap, scan, and pay in seconds without thinking twice, and that’s exactly why apps like Touch ’n Go eWallet have exploded in popularity. They make life easier, faster, and far more convenient than carrying cash or cards.
Now here’s the interesting part.
You don’t need to be a massive fintech giant to build something similar. You can build an eWallet like Touch ’n Go by combining smart features, strong security, and a clean user experience.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know from features and development steps to costs, integrations, and revenue models, so you can build an eWallet people actually love using.
Cost of Developing an App like Touch ’n Go eWallet
Overall, the price for developing a custom Touch ’n Go eWallet can go somewhere from $20,000 to $100,000+.
The truth is, the ewallet app development cost depends heavily on how advanced your features are.
A simple eWallet with QR pay, balance check, and basic transfers usually starts around $20,000 to $40,000.
But a full-scale app like Touch ’n Go, complete with toll payments, transit integration, bill payments, rewards, and advanced security layers, naturally requires a bigger investment.
Each feature adds more backend logic, more APIs, and more testing.
That’s why the cost typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000+, depending on complexity, integrations, and country-specific compliance requirements.
Here’s the good part: You don’t need to build everything at once.
Most founders start with a core version and then upgrade once users grow. This helps keep the early investment manageable while still launching fast.
|
Component |
What’s Included |
Estimated Cost Range |
|
UI/UX Design |
App screens, flows, QR UI, wallet dashboard |
$3,000 – $12,000 |
|
User App Development |
QR payments, balance, transfers, bill pay |
$10,000 – $60,000 |
|
Merchant Panel |
Transactions, settlements, store dashboards |
$8,000 – $40,000 |
|
Admin Panel |
Reports, KYC management, and user controls |
$5,000 – $25,000 |
|
Backend + API Development |
Payment APIs, wallet engine, encryption |
$12,000 – $80,000 |
|
KYC & Verification |
eKYC, document scan, OCR |
$5,000 – $20,000 |
|
Payment Gateway Integrations |
Cards, banks, UPI/FPX, invoices |
$3,500 – $15,000 |
|
Rewards & Cashback Engine |
Points, offers, loyalty system |
$5,000 – $25,000 |
|
Transit/Toll Integrations |
NFC, RFID, road toll APIs |
$10,000 – $50,000 |
|
Security Features |
2FA, encryption, fraud detection |
$5,000 – $30,000 |
|
Testing & QA |
Performance + security + device tests |
$3,000 – $15,000 |
|
Hosting + DevOps |
Server setup, monitoring, scaling |
$1,000 – $8,000 annually |
|
Maintenance |
Fixes, updates, and new features |
$1,500 – $7,000 monthly |
This is just an estimate that we provide related to cost. However, if you want to know the real cost, you have to take the help of the best mobile app development companies that have proven their expertise.
Factors Affecting the Overall Cost to Create an App Like Touch 'n Go eWallet
Before you think about timelines or features, here’s the thing: the cost of building an eWallet depends on how big you want to go, the experience you want to deliver, and the security level you expect. Every choice connects to the final budget.
And somewhere in this mix, the cost to develop an e-wallet app like Touch 'n Go eWallet starts forming based on the decisions you make step by step.
Let’s walk through the biggest factors that change the cost.
1. Scope & Feature Depth
If you want to understand what drives the early budget, start with the eWallet app features. Some founders start small with payments and history, while others want the full Touch 'n Go experience from day one.
More features mean more development hours, more testing, and more backend logic. This can increase the overall Touch 'n Go eWallet development cost.
And here’s where your vision becomes the deciding factor. If you want something lightweight, the cost stays manageable.
If you want a full fintech ecosystem, the number goes up, and that’s expected.
|
Feature Level |
What’s Included |
Impact on Cost |
|
Basic |
Login, wallet, payments |
Low |
|
Standard |
QR pay, P2P, history |
Medium |
|
Advanced |
Rewards, bill pay, KYC |
High |
2. Security & Compliance Requirements
Digital wallet security is the one place you cannot compromise.
When users trust you with their money, you owe them airtight protection. Touch ’n Go didn’t grow overnight; strong security is why people feel safe using it daily.
To match that reliability, you need proper encryption, device binding, real-time fraud detection, and regulated compliance.
Every layer adds safety, but also increases cost. Bank-grade security is expensive, but without it, you’ll struggle to earn user trust.
|
Security Layer |
Purpose |
Cost Impact |
|
Basic Encryption |
Data protection |
Low |
|
Advanced Security |
Device binding, biometrics |
Medium |
|
Compliance Setup |
PCI-DSS, audits |
High |
3. Third-Party Integrations
Your app becomes powerful only when it connects to the right systems.
Think about payment gateways, KYC services, banks, telecoms, bill networks, toll systems, and even ride-hailing or parking services.
Touch ’n Go thrives because it integrates seamlessly with dozens of partners. A well-structured digital wallet API plays a huge role here because it helps your app connect securely with multiple services while keeping data flow smooth and compliant.
Some APIs are simple. Some demand months of approval, testing, and documentation. And each one demands developer hours.
|
Integration Type |
Example |
Complexity |
|
Payment Gateway |
Stripe/Razorpay |
Medium |
|
KYC API |
Onfido/Signzy |
High |
|
Banking APIs |
Balance, transfers |
High |
4. UI/UX Design Quality
A great eWallet feels fast, intuitive, and smooth. Users don’t think twice before completing a payment. That comes from leveraging thoughtful UI/UX design services.
Touch ’n Go’s interface is simple because the team behind it spent months refining every flow — from onboarding to payments to transaction history.
Design affects trust, speed, and retention. Better design means more prototypes, better usability testing, and more revisions. But this can affect your cost to build an app like Touch 'n Go eWallet.
|
Design Level |
Details |
Cost Impact |
|
Basic |
Simple screens |
Low |
|
Standard |
Custom UI |
Medium |
|
Premium |
Animations, micro-flows |
High |
5. Backend Infrastructure & Scalability
The backend is the real engine behind your eWallet.
If it’s weak, the app crashes during peak hours or payments fail, and nothing kills trust faster.
Touch ’n Go handles millions of requests daily because its backend is designed for heavy scale.
Your choice of architecture decides speed, reliability, and cost.
A small system for a few thousand users is affordable. A full-scale system capable of supporting a million users is more expensive, but future-proof.
|
Backend Type |
Scale |
Impact |
|
Basic Server |
Small user base |
Low |
|
Cloud + APIs |
Growing users |
Medium |
|
Microservices |
High traffic |
High |
6. Development Team Model
Who builds your eWallet shapes your budget. Every founder weighs this decision because the right team can save time, cost, and future issues.
Usually, a smart founder chooses from different options, such as:
-
Freelancer: Hiring freelancers from different platforms seems cheaper, but it can be risky.
-
In-house Team: An in-house team offers more control, but requires salaries year-round.
-
Staff Augmentation: You can use a staff augmentation service to boost your team quickly, but it can increase costs if it turns into a long-term dependency.
-
Dedicated Agency: You can hire a top mobile app development company in the UK, USA, or any other place where they bring quality, speed, and expertise to the table.
Your cost will reflect the team quality and size.
Here’s the table in a clean, simple format that fits your section perfectly:
|
Team Model |
What You Get |
Pros |
Cons |
Cost Level |
|
Freelancer |
Independent developers hired per task |
Low upfront cost |
Higher risk, inconsistent quality |
Low |
|
In-House Team |
Full-time designers, developers, and QA |
Full control, faster communication |
Monthly salaries, infrastructure costs |
Medium |
|
Staff Augmentation |
Extra developers added to your existing team |
Quick scaling, flexible hiring |
Can become expensive long-term |
Medium–High |
|
Dedicated Agency |
A full team with strategy, design, development & QA |
High expertise, faster delivery, end-to-end support |
Higher initial cost |
High |
7. Post-Launch Maintenance & Updates
An eWallet is never “done.” Once your app is live, the real journey starts with mobile app maintenance services.
Touch ’n Go grew its value through continuous updates, added services, new payment partners, and better security. You’ll need the same rhythm.
Maintenance keeps your app smooth, secure, and competitive, and it also plays a key role in shaping the long-term cost to make an app like Touch ’n Go ewallet by ensuring stability and avoiding expensive fixes later.
|
Maintenance Task |
Frequency |
Cost Impact |
|
Bug Fixes |
Monthly |
Low |
|
Feature Updates |
Quarterly |
Medium |
|
Scaling + New Modules |
As needed |
High |
Now that you know what drives the budget, let’s look at a few smart ways to reduce the overall cost without compromising quality.
How to Reduce the Overall Cost to Develop an App like Touch ’n Go eWallet?
Before you lock your budget, here’s a simple truth: smart planning saves more money than cutting features ever will.
If you're trying to figure out how much does it cost to build an app like Touch ’n Go eWallet, the average cost to develop an app like Touch ’n Go eWallet depends on features, security layers, and integrations.
Still, businesses can significantly reduce this investment with smarter planning and lean development choices.
Let’s walk through the smartest moves founders use all the time.
1] Start With a Clear MVP
Launching with an MVP keeps things clean and affordable.
You focus on essential features only: wallet top-ups, KYC, payment history, and instant transfers.
This reduces the Touch ’n Go eWallet app development cost, speeds up launch, and gives you room to analyze real user behavior before investing further.
It’s the simplest way to validate your idea without burning your budget early.
2] Choose a Scalable Tech Stack Early
A scalable ewallet app tech stack saves you more money than you realize.
When your framework can handle growth, you avoid expensive rewrites as traffic increases.
This directly lowers the cost to build an e-wallet app like Touch ’n Go eWallet, because you’re building a foundation that won’t break the moment your user base jumps.
Think of it as future-proofing your investment from day one.
3] Reuse Modules Instead of Building From Scratch
You don’t need to reinvent every wheel in your app.
Modules for login, OTP, analytics, notifications, admin controls, and even KYC can be reused or customized.
This approach cuts development time and helps lower the cost to develop an app like Touch ’n Go eWallet, while keeping the product secure and reliable.
It’s smarter, faster, and more budget-friendly.
4] Keep UI/UX Simple in the First Phase
Clean and simple designs cost less and still win user trust.
Instead of loading your first version with animations and heavy graphics, focus on speed and clarity.
This keeps the cost to build an app like Touch ’n Go eWallet manageable, while still giving users a polished experience.
You can always add advanced UI elements later when revenue starts flowing in.
5] Use Cloud Services Instead of Custom Servers
Custom servers are expensive and difficult to maintain.
Cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud let you pay only for what you use, and scale instantly when traffic increases.
This helps you control your Touch ’n Go eWallet app development cost, while still keeping performance strong.
It’s flexible, secure, and perfect for startups that want predictable monthly expenses.
6] Outsource to an Experienced Development Agency
A skilled mobile app development company can save you from costly mistakes.
They already understand compliance, security, user flows, and integrations, so you don’t pay for unnecessary trial-and-error.
This reduces the cost to develop an app like Touch ’n Go eWallet, because you get clarity, speed, and expert execution in one place.
It’s often more reliable than hiring scattered freelancers or building a team from scratch.
7] Plan for Long-Term Maintenance From Day One
Smart planning doesn’t just lower today’s cost, it reduces tomorrow’s bills too.
A clean architecture, organized documentation, and modular structure make updates easier and cheaper.
This keeps your cost to build an e-wallet app like Touch ’n Go eWallet under control as the app grows.
Maintenance becomes smoother, faster, and far less expensive when your foundation is designed thoughtfully.
Now that you’ve seen how to manage costs wisely, let’s switch gears and talk about how to make money from your Touch ’n Go eWallet.
How Do Apps Like Touch ’n Go eWallet Make Money?
Apps like Touch ’n Go eWallet earn from bill payment charges, partner integrations, cashback campaigns, and interest on stored wallet balances.
But, this is not it; there are several ways these platforms are profitable even with millions of small daily transactions.
Below are the most common ways through which e-wallet apps make money:
A] Transaction Fees
Every time a user makes a payment, transfers money, or uses a service inside the app, the platform can earn a small fee. It’s tiny per transaction, but huge when you have millions of active users.
B] Merchant Commission
Businesses that accept eWallet payments usually pay a commission for each successful transaction. This becomes a steady revenue stream because users rely on digital payments for everyday purchases.
C] Bill Payment Charges
When users pay bills inside the app, for electricity, water, broadband, and insurance, the platform receives a small service fee from the provider. It’s passive income that grows with more services added.
D] Partner Integrations
Apps earn even more when they connect with travel services, OTT platforms, parking systems, gaming providers, and other digital services. When you integrate ewallets in an app, it opens up multiple revenue-sharing opportunities because every partner service used inside the wallet triggers a small commission or incentive.
E] Cashback Marketing Deals
Brands pay eWallet companies to run cashback or promotional campaigns. These campaigns help businesses attract customers and give the app a profitable advertising model.
F] Interest on Stored Wallet Balance
When users keep money inside the wallet, that balance sits in partner banks, generating interest. A portion of that interest becomes profit for the eWallet company.
G] Premium Features
Some eWallets offer subscription-based perks like priority support, faster refunds, spending insights, and extra rewards. These small monthly payments turn into consistent revenue.
Now, with the cost being clear, we should also get to know how to create an app like Touch ’n Go eWallet.
How to Create an App like Touch ’n Go eWallet?
The most important principle in developing an eWallet app for the digital user is understanding their needs.
Users want their eWallet to be fast, secure, and easy to use.
When these aspects are combined with a clean, simple user experience, strong security, and usability, there is a strong likelihood the user will continue to use the eWallet.
An app that meets all these requirements will create a loyal user base, just as Touch’n Go and many other successful eWallets have done.
1. Determine the Primary Goals and Feature Set of the App
Determining the goals and functions of the Touch’n Go eWallet before commencing development should be the top priority.
The core functions of the app should be made available to the user on the first day of launch. These functions include KYC (know your customer), Top-up methods of credit, QR Pay, and easy-to-use and quick money transfer methods.
By having these core functions available at launch, developers will have a focus and will not create a bloated app.
After the primary functionality of the app is developed and tested, further enhancements can be made to allow for more rewards, bill payments, or electronic tolls to be integrated without affecting the app's original intent.
2. Develop User Experiences and Flows
When developing an app, such as Touch n Go eWallet, building a seamless user experience is the first step toward creating a product that people will trust in minutes after downloading.
Build your app with an emphasis on the following attributes: simple navigation, a clear and concise wallet dashboard, and straightforward payment steps.
Providing an exceptional user experience does not have to include elaborate screen designs; instead, removing excess taps from the user flow should be your top priority.
Build your user flow to take them from onboarding to payment seamlessly, without any feelings of being lost or confused within the app.
3. Build with The Right Technology Stack and Architecture
If you're looking to build an app similar to Touch n Go eWallet, the way you structure your backend will ultimately dictate how well your app performs during heavy traffic periods.
When building your application backend, choose a scalable architecture that can manage thousands of concurrent transactions without experiencing slowdowns.
The frameworks you choose should be secure and utilize cloud infrastructure and modular components so that you can incrementally develop and add new features over time.
A solid foundation in the beginning will save you a significant amount of money later.
4. Integrate Payment APIs
A significant component of creating an App, for instance, like Touch n Go eWallet, is the ability to integrate tightly with Payment Gateways, Electronic KYC, Banks, and Bill Networks.
These integrations give life to your Wallet while enabling users to perform real transactions.
In this regard, make sure that you engage with partners who have a proven track record of reliability through high uptime and secure practices.
An efficient integration strategy means users will be able to Top Up their Wallet, Pay Bills, or Send Funds to another user without any post-transaction errors.
5. Security and Compliance Buildout
Security is where you build your brand trust.
When building out an App like Touch n Go eWallet, you will need to incorporate strong encryption methods, Device Binding, Biometric Authentication, Fraud Detection, as well as meet Compliance Standards such as the PCI-DSS.
As users are storing Funds in your App, every action of the user should feel safe. Starting your Security Framework early will set the tone for the stability of your Platform and protect your Brand from larger risks down the road.
6. Admin Panel Buildout & Merchant Tools
The real magic of the To Go eWallet happens behind the scenes in your administrative and backend systems.
In order to create an App like Touch n Go eWallet, you will need to create tools for KYC Management, Transaction Monitoring, Settlement Processing, and Reporting.
Strong Admin Panels will allow your Team to conduct Operations without friction, and will provide an ongoing opportunity for Growth since the Business will be able to operate efficiently.
7. Test the Application on Various Platforms
App Testing is where the real issues come to light before Users ever see them.
The first step when building an application such as Touch 'n Go eWallet would be Performing Testing on Payment Workflows, KYC Scans, QR Codes, Load Times, and Security Patch Testing.
Simulation of slow connections, out-of-date devices, or high traffic to emulate real-world conditions should also occur during this phase of testing.
By doing so, you are ensuring that your application performs well in all locations and will provide a seamless user experience.
8. Launch Your MVP and Gradually Develop Features
When your application is in a stable condition. The best way to do this is to launch an MVP rather than wait for a fully developed application release.
This allows you to spend less money during early development, as you will begin with only the core functionalities and collect user feedback.
Then add advanced components such as transit, tolling, reward system, and cash back. By doing this, you will remain Agile and create what your users want.
How JPLoft Can Help You Develop an App like Touch 'n Go eWallet?
Building a full-scale wallet like Touch ’n Go takes more than writing code. You need a partner who understands payments, banking systems, security, and user behavior. That’s where JPLoft steps in.
Our team maps your features, designs intuitive flows, builds a powerful backend, and integrates the APIs you need for real-time transactions. We don’t just help you launch fast, we help you launch right.
JPLoft is an ewallet app development company that builds secure, scalable, and compliant payment apps for businesses of every size.
You get a complete team handling design, development, QA, compliance, and post-launch updates in one place.
Whether you want QR payments, rewards, KYC, toll integrations, or a full digital ecosystem, we help you shape the product and scale it as your users grow.
Conclusion
Touch 'n Go has an e-wallet, developed around the goal of providing users with an easy-to-use platform for managing their finances quickly, securely, and without effort.
Users will gain confidence in your service and use it routinely if all of the e-wallet's applications work together seamlessly.
To provide users with fast, secure, and easy methods of managing money, you need to develop a plan, choose an appropriate technology stack, and routinely improve the service.
You can develop your e-wallet concept into a market-ready, revenue-generating product with expert guidance at every step.
FAQs
Most eWallets take 4 to 8 months, depending on features, integrations, security layers, and testing. A basic version launches faster, while full-scale builds take more time.
Core features include KYC, top-ups, QR payments, bill payments, transaction history, bank transfers, and biometric login. Advanced features include tolling, rewards, and loyalty programs.
Yes. You may need compliance approvals such as PCI-DSS, eKYC verification, and financial regulator permission, depending on your target country and banking partners.
Absolutely. Most founders launch a lean MVP first to test the market, then add modules like rewards, cashback, transit payments, and merchant tools as the user base grows.
Look for a team with real fintech experience, strong API integration skills, security expertise, and proven eWallet projects. Agencies like JPL offer end-to-end services that simplify development and reduce risks.



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