A Comprehensive Guide To Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) App Development

What is a buy now pay later (BNPL) app? You can get them as a fintech (financial technology) app that allows consumers to buy and pay for themselves in installments over a permitted time, usually without incurring interest charges. Doesn’t it sound promising? Of course, yes! 

A buy now, pay later (BNPL) app addresses varied consumer and merchant pain points, such as high interest rates on products consumers want to buy, traditional credit cards with limited access, cart abandonment, reduced sales, and low customer satisfaction. 

The buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps are gaining traction in the market as they offer repayment flexibility, increased credit limit with interest-free options, and seamless integration at the checkout that saves shoppers’ time. 

Being an enthusiast, you can be set to maximize the upcoming opportunities in the BNPL market and source varied revenue streams. How? 

The blog post will unveil every relevant detail about how to build a buy now pay later app, benefits, key features, development process, technology stack to consider, average development cost, monetization strategies, challenges to confront, and more. 

Let’s take a walkthrough!

What Is Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) App Development? How Does BNPL Work?

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) App Development includes creating mobile applications that let users purchase and pay back in installments for a predetermined period. These apps benefit consumers and merchants alike. 

How Does BNPL Work?

1. Purchase – First, a consumer puts a product or service in the cart and, at the checkout, chooses BNPL options as the payment mode. 

2. Approval – The BNPL provider must quickly assess the consumer’s credit limit and approve or reject the purchase. 

3. Installments – After approval, the purchase amount is divided into smaller installments. The first payment is typically due immediately, and the remaining installments are scheduled.

4. Repayment – The consumer repays the installments per the agreed-upon payment intervals. 

This is how BNPL works: allowing consumers to pay conveniently, elevating customer satisfaction, and boosting sales.

Why Should Businesses Invest In BNPL App Development – Market Overview 

Now, let’s delve into the market statistics to see the promising growth of the BNPL app development market. The future is bright, and the growth potential is immense. 

• The BNPL market is anticipated to grow to $37.19 billion by the end of this year and may reach about $500 billion. 
• About 50% of consumers in the US are interested in opting for the BNPL option to buy products or services. 
• The global BNPL market is projected to be valued at $167.58 billion by 2032, up from $30.38 billion in 2023. 
• In 2024, Sweden is recorded to be the largest BNPL market. 
• Around 22% of US online shoppers use BNPL services, approximately 1 in 5 shoppers. 
• By integrating BNPL into their credit cards, US banks have the capacity to raise their consumers’ credit limits from $856 billion to $1,27 trillion by 2025. 

The list is endless, and while browsing the BNPL market facts and figures, you will find more statistics showcasing the surging market worldwide.

Benefits Of BNPL Application Development

Creating a buy now pay later (BNPL) app benefits businesses and consumers. In this section, we will segregate both parties to determine how profitable BNPL development is. 

For Businesses

1. Increased Sales

Offering the BNPL option attracts numerous customers who prefer paying in installments or have limited credit to buy products or services, resulting in surged sales and revenue. 

2. Enhanced Customer Experience

BNPL leaves the customer satisfied by offering a flexible and easy payment option. This magnetizes repeat business also. 

3. Reduced Cart Abandonment

The buy now pay later (BNPL) app development can help businesses diminish the number of customers abandoning their carts at checkout. 

4. Improved Brand Image

Building a buy now, pay later (BNPL) app makes businesses appear innovative and customer-centric, which enhances their brand image. 

5. Data Insights

Accumulating customer data (with consent) on preferences and behavior can inform marketing and product development strategies. 

For Consumers

1. Accessibility

Consumers with limited credit or those who don’t want to pay high interest find BNPL the best option for shopping for products or services. 

2. Flexibility

The buy now, pay later mobile app development lets customers purchase whatever they want and enjoy a flexible and manageable repayment experience. 

3. Interest-Free Financing

Most BNPL providers allow interest-free repayment, keeping consumers from paying extra costs. 

4. Convenience

The BNPL apps, when integrated with online shopping apps, make the checkout process easy and quick. 

5. Improved-Budgeting

With BNPL, customers can better handle their finances by segmenting larger purchases into smaller, easily manageable payments. 

BNPL app development is not just advantageous for businesses, but also for consumers. It offers a range of benefits that make shopping more convenient and budget-friendly.

Top BNPL Apps

Several buy now, pay later mobile apps are thriving in the market. By analyzing their success, you can gain valuable insights and inspiration for your own BNPL app development. 

1. Sezzle – Buy Now, Pay Later

Downloads: 1M+

Sezzle offers users the ultimate buy now, pay later shopping experience. It empowers them to buy what they want today and pay quickly without incurring interest within a specified time. 

2. Zilch: Get Credit & Pay Later

Downloads: 1M+

With over 4 million customers, Zilch, a BNPL app, offers consumers the credit they deserve quickly.  It takes only two minutes, and users can start shopping for their favorite products or services on the same day. 

3. Afterpay – Buy Now, Pay Later

Downloads: 10M+

Afterpay allows users to enjoy app-only shopping benefits and direct access to numerous brand deals. Users can shop online using the app, and the cost of orders is split into manageable, interest-free payments. 

4. MobiKwik: BHIM UPI & Wallet

Downloads: 50M+

MobiKwik is a powerful payment app that offers bill payment services to users with digital credit up to 60K (Rs). Customers can also invest in mutual funds, P-2-P lending, and digital gold via the app. 

5. Klarna | Shop now. Pay later

Downloads: 10M+

When users shop online via the Klarna app, they can split the purchasing cost from any online store into smaller, interest-free payments. Exclusive deals and discounts also benefit users by saving their money. 

The list of top buy now, pay later apps is endless, and millions of users worldwide prefer.

Key Features To Include While Developing The Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) App

While developing a buy now, pay later mobile app, you must create separate apps for consumers and merchants to ease their operations and needs. 

For Consumers

For Businesses/Merchants

Consider these must-have features when building a buy now, pay later app for your business and consumers to make it valuable and meet the expected needs.

Advanced Features To Include While Developing The BNPL App

After incorporating basic features in your BNPL app, you should add advanced features to make it stand out. Offering users more than their expectations is the best way to drive users and boost revenue. 

Incorporate these features and more according to your app’s needs and user expectations to make your app run successfully in the market.

Step-by-Step Process For Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Mobile App Development

Below, we will discuss the steps to develop an app for buy now pay later hassle-free and smoothly. 

1. Conduct Market Research and Analysis

First, start by identifying the target audience for which you are looking to aim for your app and its services. Remember to evaluate other BNPL apps and identify their strengths and weaknesses with unique features to make your app extraordinary. 

2. Define App Features and Functionalities to Include

Now, decide which features and functionalities you would prefer to include in your app that are useful for users and meet their requirements. Incorporating advanced features will be an add-on as they will differentiate your app in the market and improve user experience. 

3. Choose a Suitable Technology Stack

Next, it’s time to choose the tech stack for building your app. While you select the latest tools and technologies, consider the factors that can impact the development process, such as developers’ expertise, your budget, project specifications, etc. 

4. Design the UI/UX of Your App

Create wireframes of your app to visualize its layout and structure. Then, build interactive prototypes to check the user flow and gather real-time feedback. Ensure the app designs are visually appealing and consistent with your brand. 

5. Develop the Application

It’s time to create a buy now, pay later mobile app. Start with front-end development, in which you must build the application’s user interface and interactions. Then, create the server-side logic for data handling, payment management, and seamless integrations. Remember to integrate merchants’ systems, payment gateways, and other essential APIs. 

6. Implement Robust Security Measures

Safeguard sensitive user data by seamlessly implementing security measures, like encryption techniques. Use authentication and authorization mechanisms to protect your app from unauthorized access and prevent fraud. 

7. Test Your App 

Choose to perform unit testing, integration, and user testing of your app to ensure it functions as expected and that its components interact as expected with users. Accumulate user feedback and respond accordingly with issue fixing or updating the app with new features or repairs.

8. Deployment and Launch

After your app is fully developed, deploy it to the app stores and make it live after approval. Ensure you create a perfect market strategy to promote your app and drive users. 

9. Ongoing Maintenance and Support

Even after you build a buy-now-pay-later application, your job is endless. It’s time to constantly update your app, address bugs, introduce new features, and enhance performance. Respond to user inquiries and problems, monitor your app’s performance, and check for improvement. 

Following the steps, you can develop a successful BMPL app to drive business growth.

Technology Stack To Consider While Creating The BNPL Mobile App

Consider the latest tools and technologies below to build the BNPL mobile app based on your project, requirements, and specifications. 

Consider this technology stack when building a buy-now-pay-later app. Make it useful and meet every user’s requirements worldwide.

Cost To Build Buy Now Pay Later Apps 

To find out the cost of developing a buy now, pay later mobile app, contact a mobile app development company with preferred experience and expertise. 

On average, the development cost of the BNPL app ranges between $20,000 and $200,000. The figure may fluctuate depending on your budget, timeframe, project needs, developers’ region, app complexity, design, features and functionalities, and more. 

Before you fix your app development budget, walk through these parameters to avoid over-budget issues or other problems later.

Monetization Strategies For Buy Now Pay Later Apps

You can choose any monetization strategy below to earn revenue from your BNPL app. 

1. Transaction Fees

You can charge an amount from the app users for every transaction completed via your buy now pay later platform. 

2. Premium Features

You can offer basic app features for free but charge users for premium features, like early access to new features, priority customer support, etc. 

3. Value-Added Services

Being a BNPL option provider, you can ask for an amount from the users to offer subscription plans with extra benefits. 

4. Interest Charges

You may charge interest rates on certain purchases or late payments. 

5. Data Monetization

As you can accumulate user data on preferences and spending habits, you can monetize it by providing it to other businesses or merchants. 

You can pick one or a combination of two or more monetization modes to earn revenue from your app.

Challenges Associated With Buy Now Pay Later App Development 

There’s no rose without a thorn. Similarly, to build a successful BNPL mobile app, you may get blocked with various hurdles. Let’s talk about some:

1. Regulatory Compliance

With the increasing regulations, keeping your app up-to-date with international, national, and local regulations would be challenging to avoid legal issues. 

2. Fraud Prevention

Fraudulent transactions are everyday in this digital age. Your app should be set up to prevent theft, protect user data, and reduce risks. 

3. Credit Risk Management

Dynamic credit risk factors may interfere with your app’s smooth performance and can also hit creditworthiness. 

4. Integration with Merchants and Payment Gateways

Integrating with varied third-party services, such as payment gateways and other merchant platforms, can be technically complex. 

5. Scalability and Growth

With the increasing number of users, handling the surging traffic would be challenging for your app. 

Addressing these challenges is essential for properly functioning your buy now, pay later app and its expected performance. 

Hire a team of app developers to beat such challenges and attain smooth app performance.

How Can EmizenTech Help In Buy Now Pay Later App Development

You are here seeking assistance with a buy now, pay later mobile app development or integrating BNPL with your online store. An app development company can help you with considerable years of experience, a proven track record, expertise, and a team of dedicated developers. 

EmizenTech, a leading mobile app development company, perfectly matches your project needs. Having a decade of experience, the team of experts here offers custom mobile app development services and BNPL integration assistance and leaves clients satisfied. 

Key Highlights to Choose EmizenTech for Buy Now Pay Later Mobile App Development

• Competitive Pricing
• On-Time Project Delivery
• Faster Time-to-Market
• Customer Satisfaction
• Proven Track Record
• Agile Development Approach
• Smooth Communication and Collaboration
• Expected Outcomes

Conclusion

The top BNPL apps like Afterpay, PayPal’s Pay in 4, and more are increasingly becoming popular in the ecommerce world. The market size is predicted to increase as the apps offer more accessible payment options, lower to no interest rates, increased credit card access, and more. 

You can develop a buy now pay later app for your business and unlock varied revenue streams. Contact a BNPL app development company to accomplish your project with the expected outcomes. 

Hire app developers today, and build your business for tomorrow!

Frequently Asked Questions