Do you intend to create a Tabby-like app? Well done. Custom-built BNPL apps are in high demand as the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) market in MENA and around the world continues to grow. The problem is that success isn't solely dependent on a visually appealing user interface. Strong features, the appropriate tech stack, and a knowledgeable staff that can develop quickly, scale quickly, and maintain compliance are all necessary. We break down the steps necessary to launch a successful BNPL app, feature by feature, line by line, in this comprehensive guide. Start here if you want to collaborate with an app development company or hire app developers.

Introduction:

Tabby is a complete credit platform encased in a smooth app experience, not just a way to make payments. And emulating its achievements? That has nothing to do with UI cloning. It all comes down to comprehending the intricate business logic that underpins user retention, merchant trust, and flexible payments.

Therefore, if you're a developer hoping to create something similar, a startup founder, or a product lead, you need to be clear on three important points:

• Which features enable the app to function?

• Which tech stack is best for 2025?

• What is the true cost of building one?

Let's dive into the specifics of building your own BNPL powerhouse.

1. BNPL, But Smarter: What Makes Tabby Tick

Because it divides risk and reward, the BNPL model is effective. Consumers benefit from convenience. Conversions are higher for merchants. Tabby, a BNPL provider, takes a measured credit risk, collects fees, and uses data to become more intelligent over time.

Essential components of a BNPL application:

• Mobile app for customers: Purchase history, wallet balance, onboarding, and payment scheduling

• Dashboard for merchant integration: Payouts, real-time transactions, and plug-ins for well-known platforms

• Admin panel: fraud alerts, KYC/AML processing, credit decisions, risk engine, and customer support

• Payment infrastructure includes currency handling, fee collection, refund logic, and PCI-compliant gateways.

This architecture is intricate. For this reason, seasoned mobile app development firms approach this as though they were creating a miniature fintech bank rather than merely an e-commerce plug-in.

2. Must-Have Features: What Users and Merchants Expect

A BNPL application must feel easy for the user and trustworthy for the merchant. Here's what your MVP needs to include, and why:

a. User-Focused Features

• KYC Verification: Incorporates OCR, liveness check, and ID validation for regulatory compliance

• Credit Assessment Engine: Uses user data and third-party APIs to make instant reject/accept decisions

• Split Payment Logic: Allows installment payments for 3-4 parts with auto-scheduling of payment flows and reminders

• Digital Wallet: Shows amounts pending, amounts paid, and total credit utilization

• Notifications: Push and email notifications for EMI collection, late fees, offers, and repayments

b. Merchant-Focused Features

• Custom SDKs & APIs: Easy plugins for Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, etc.

• Transaction & Refunds Dashboard: Keep track of transactions that have been completed, are pending, and refunded

• Payout Tracking: Automatically tracks when the merchant is paid once the customer confirms receiving products

These aren’t just "nice to have." They impact trust, compliance, and conversion.

3. 2025 Tech Stack: Cutting-Edge Resources for Scalable Applications

Your app's loading speed, sense of security, and iteration ease will all be influenced by your tech stack. In 2025, a seasoned app development firm or CTO would advise the following:

Frontend (Dashboards + User App):

• Flutter: If you hire dedicated Flutter developers, it would be perfect for using a single codebase to create a cross-platform application

• ReactJS: Admin and merchant dashboards run smoothly

Payment & Identity Integrations:

• PayTabs, Stripe, and Razorpay: For webhooks, payment splitting, and reconciliation

• Industry-leading KYC solutions from Jumio, Onfido, and ShuftiPro

• Firebase: A/B testing and a notification system to increase user engagement

Are you looking to hire Java developers? Pay attention to people who have experience with high-transaction or fintech apps rather than merely basic mobile experiences.

4. Cost to Build a Tabby-Like App in 2025

Let’s talk about real numbers. Building a serious BNPL product is not a weekend hackathon project. Here’s a practical estimate for MVP development:

Phase	Estimated Cost (USD)
Research & Wireframing	$3,000 - $5,000
UI/UX Design	$4,000 - $6,000
Frontend App (Flutter)	$10,000 - $18,000
Admin + Merchant Dashboard	$7,000 - $12,000
Backend + API Integration	$15,000 - $25,000
Payment + KYC Integration	$5,000 - $10,000
QA Testing	$4,000 - $7,000
DevOps & Security Setup	$3,000 - $6,000

Total MVP Cost: $51,000 - $89,000

Add 20-25% for ongoing iterations, post-launch support, and team retainers. If you want your own in-house squad, hire dedicated developers with fixed monthly pricing to manage scaling.

5. Team Composition: Who You Need on Day 1

Don’t overhire, yet also don’t underpower. A lean but seasoned team can sometimes be the very difference.

Suggested Team:

• Product Manager: From vision into buildable sprints

• UI/UX Designer: Keeps interface clean, modern, and conversion-oriented

• 2 Flutter Developers: For Android + iOS coverage

• 1-2 Backend Developers- Java: For core API, logic, and payment handling

• QA Tester: Ensures the app is free from bugs and is ready for speed and release.

• DevOps Engineer: Responsible for server infrastructure, CI/CD, and compliance

Working with a top mobile app development company ensures you get full-stack services under one roof; otherwise, dedicated resource hiring works better for Agile teams that iterate often.

6. Are You Considering Alternatives to Fully Custom Builds?

When the budget is tight or time-to-market is too short, consider these compromises:

• White-Label platforms for BNPL: Some fintech APIs allow you to offer BNPL without going fully custom. They are faster but less flexible.

• Plugins for BNPL E-Commerce: Very suitable for direct-to-consumer brands on BigCommerce, Magento, or Shopify.

• Open-Source BNPL Frameworks: Few by 2025, but some are beginning to show up for a prototype.

However, it is really better to build custom for a serious product, especially one involving sensitive financial data. Construct it wisely, though, and select partners who understand the fintech world rather than just being application developers.

Final Take

It takes more than just coding to create a Tabby-like app; you also need to understand user behavior, credit dynamics, and regional compliance. The BNPL wave is here and getting bigger, whether you're in Latin America, Southeast Asia, or the Middle East and North Africa.

Investing in the right people is the first step towards riding it with confidence. Employ app developers with a fintech founder's mindset. Collaborate with an app development firm that offers more than just screens. Above all, build for trust rather than just transactions.

There is a huge opportunity. The responsibility is the same. Build it correctly.