How Long Does It Take to Develop a Fintech App?

Are you wondering how long it takes to develop a Fintech app? Look no further. In this article, we will dive into the time it takes to build a Fintech app and what factors influence the timeline. 

As a leading industry expert, we understand the importance of delivering accurate and reliable information. Our team of tech-savvy professionals has analysed the intricacies of Fintech app development to provide you with valuable insights. Whether you’re a startup or an established company looking to enter the Fintech market, understanding the time frame is essential for planning and budgeting.

Let us explore the elements that impact the development process and discover how you can efficiently bring your Fintech app to life.

How Quickly is Fintech Industry Growing?

The fintech industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years. According to a recent study, the global fintech market is projected to reach $305.7 billion by 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.17% from 2019 to 2023. This growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of digital financial services and the demand for seamless and convenient banking experiences.

Fintech App Ideas

There are numerous types of fintech apps that cater to different financial needs. Here are some popular fintech app ideas:

1. Mobile Banking Apps: These apps allow users to access their bank accounts, check balances, make payments, transfer funds, and perform other banking activities on their mobile devices.
2. Personal Finance Apps: These apps help users track their expenses, create budgets, set financial goals, and monitor their overall financial health.
3. Payment Apps: These apps facilitate secure and convenient online payments, including peer-to-peer transfers, online shopping, and contactless payments.
4. Investment Apps: These apps enable users to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investment products. They often provide tools for portfolio management, market analysis, and investment advice.
5. Robo-Advisors: These apps use algorithms and artificial intelligence to provide automated investment advice based on users’ financial goals, risk tolerance, and market trends.
6. Lending Platforms: These apps connect borrowers with lenders, offering personal loans, student loans, mortgages, and other types of loans through an online platform.
7. Tax Management Apps: These apps help users track their income and expenses, calculate taxes owed, and simplify the tax filing process.
8. Trading & Cryptocurrency Apps: These apps enable users to trade stocks, cryptocurrencies, and other financial instruments. They often provide real-time market data, price alerts, and advanced trading features.

Here is the approximate development time for different types of fintech apps:

Now that we have a clear understanding of various types of fintech apps, let’s explore the factors that affect the development time of a fintech app.

Also Read: How much does it cost to build a fintech app in 2024?

Factors that Affect the Development Time of a Fintech App

The development time of a fintech app can vary depending on several factors. Let’s take a look at the key factors that influence the time frame:

1. Complexity of the App

The complexity of the app is a crucial factor that affects the development time. Fintech apps with advanced features and functionalities, such as real-time data processing, artificial intelligence algorithms, and blockchain integration, require more time to develop compared to basic apps with limited functionalities.

For example, a simple mobile banking app that allows users to check account balances and make basic transactions can be developed relatively quickly. On the other hand, a robo-advisor app that utilises complex algorithms to provide personalised investment advice may take longer to develop due to the intricate backend infrastructure and sophisticated algorithms involved.

2. Features Included in the App

The number and complexity of features included in the app also impact the development time. Each feature requires careful planning, design, development, and testing. The more features you want to incorporate into your fintech app, the more time it will take to develop.

It’s important to prioritise the essential features that provide the core functionality of your app. This will help streamline the development process and ensure that you deliver a minimum viable product (MVP) within a reasonable timeframe.

3. Platform(s) the App Will be Developed for

The choice of platform(s) for your fintech app, such as iOS, Android, or web, can also affect the development time. Developing an app for multiple platforms increases the complexity and development time as each platform requires separate coding and testing.

If you choose to develop a native app for iOS and Android, the development time will be longer compared to developing a cross-platform app using technologies like React Native or Flutter. Cross-platform development allows you to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms, saving time and effort.

4. Development Team’s Experience and Expertise

The experience and expertise of the development team is another factor affecting time to development of fintech apps. A skilled and experienced team with a deep understanding of the fintech industry can work more efficiently and deliver high-quality results within a shorter timeframe.

When selecting a development team for your fintech app, consider their track record, portfolio, client reviews, and expertise in fintech app development. Collaborating with a reliable and experienced team will ensure a smoother and faster development process.

5. Regulatory Requirements

Fintech apps often have to comply with various regulatory requirements, depending on the jurisdiction and the type of financial services offered. These regulatory requirements may include know-your-customer (KYC) procedures, anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, data privacy laws, and security standards.

Complying with regulatory requirements adds an additional layer of complexity to the development process and may require additional time for implementing necessary security measures and obtaining the required certifications or licences.

Now that we understand the factors that influence the development time of a fintech app, let’s explore the average development time for different types of fintech apps.

The Average Development Time for Different Types of Fintech Apps

The development time for a fintech app can vary depending on its complexity, features, and platform. Here’s a general breakdown of the average development time for different types of fintech apps:

Basic Fintech App: 3-6 Months

A basic fintech app with essential features like account balance tracking, fund transfers, and basic payment functionalities can typically be developed within 3-6 months. 

Here are a few examples for your reference:
a) Seelfa: Seelfa is a basic fintech app designed for simple personal budgeting and expense tracking.
b) XEcurrency: XEcurrency is a basic fintech app that provides easy-to-use currency conversion tools for travellers and international shoppers.

Intermediate Fintech App: 6-12 Months

An intermediate fintech app with additional features like budgeting tools, investment tracking, and integration with third-party financial institutions may take between 6-12 months to develop. Here are a few examples for your reference:

a) Mint: Mint is a personal finance management app that helps users track expenses, create budgets, and manage their financial goals.

b) Acorns: Acorns is an app that rounds up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change in a diversified portfolio.

Advanced Fintech App: 12-18 Months 

An advanced fintech app with complex features like robo-advisory services, real-time market data, advanced portfolio management, and AI-based algorithms may require 12-18 months of development time. Here are a few examples for your reference:

a) Robinhood: Robinhood is a popular fintech app that offers commission-free stock and cryptocurrency trading.
b) Stripe: Stripe is an advanced fintech platform that provides payment processing solutions for businesses of all sizes, enabling online payments and e-commerce.

It’s important to note that these timeframes are estimates and can vary depending on the specific requirements of your app and the factors mentioned earlier. Collaborating closely with your development team and setting clear milestones and deadlines can help ensure that the development process stays on track.

Tips for Speeding up the Development Time of Your Fintech App

While the development time of a fintech app can vary depending on various factors, there are several strategies you can employ to speed up the process. 

Here are some tips to help you accelerate the development time:

1. Use a Pre-built Fintech Platform

Consider using pre-built fintech platforms or frameworks that provide a solid foundation for your app. These platforms often come with built-in features and functionalities specific to fintech apps, saving development time and effort. By leveraging pre-built components, you can focus on customising and enhancing the core features of your app, rather than starting from scratch.

2. Outsource the Development to a Third-party Vendor

If you have limited in-house development resources or want to expedite the development process, consider outsourcing the development to a reputable third-party vendor. Outsourcing allows you to tap into the expertise of experienced developers who specialise in fintech app development.

When outsourcing, make sure to choose a vendor with a proven track record, relevant expertise, and excellent communication skills. Clear communication and regular updates will help ensure that the development process stays on schedule.

3. Use an Agile Development Methodology

Adopting an agile development methodology, such as Scrum or Kanban, can significantly speed up the development process. 

Agile methodologies emphasise iterative development, frequent feedback, and continuous improvement. By breaking down the development process into smaller, manageable tasks, you can deliver incremental updates and receive feedback from stakeholders throughout the development cycle.

Agile methodologies also promote collaboration and flexibility, allowing you to adapt to changing requirements and market conditions more efficiently. Regular sprint planning, daily stand-up meetings, and retrospective sessions help keep the development process on track and ensure timely delivery.

4. Work with an Experienced Development Team

Collaborating with an experienced development team is crucial for speeding up the development time of your fintech app. An experienced team will have a deep understanding of the best practices, industry standards, and the latest technologies. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations to optimise the development process and minimise potential roadblocks.

When selecting a development team, consider their expertise in fintech app development, their portfolio of successful projects, and their ability to meet deadlines. Regular communication and a collaborative approach will help ensure that the development process progresses smoothly and efficiently.

Conclusion: How to Choose the Right Development Timeline for Your Fintech App

In conclusion, the development time of a fintech app can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of the app, features, the platform(s) chosen, the development team’s expertise, and regulatory requirements. It’s essential to carefully consider these factors and set a realistic development timeline.

By prioritising the essential features, leveraging pre-built platforms, outsourcing development when necessary, adopting agile methodologies, and working with an experienced development team, you can accelerate the development process and bring your fintech app to market faster.

Remember, developing a fintech app is not just about speed; it’s about delivering a high-quality, user-friendly, and secure app that meets the needs of your target audience. Prioritise user experience, security, and regulatory compliance throughout the development process to ensure the success of your fintech app.

If you have any further questions or need assistance with developing your fintech app, feel free to reach out to our dedicated team of experts from the BFSI industry.