Updated Oct 08, 2025

Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Cash App Clone with Adalo

Table of Contents

This guide walks you through creating a functional peer-to-peer (P2P) payment application using Adalo’s no-code platform. You’ll build essential features—user authentication, payment flows, transaction history, and security controls—without writing code.

Understanding the Architecture

A production-minded P2P app breaks into three layers:

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Frontend UI — screens for onboarding, sending/receiving, balances, history.
Data Model — Users, Transactions, Payment Methods, Security Logs (plus relationships).
Payments — Stripe for cards (and, optionally, ACH via API integrations).

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Using a no-code platform lets you assemble these with visual components while still integrating external services where needed.

Create the Project

Step 1: Create Your Adalo Account

Visit Adalo.com and sign up.
Verify your email.
Create New App → Mobile App → name it (e.g., “PayFlow”).
Choose Start from Scratch.

Step 2: Configure App Settings

App name/description, icon (1024×1024), brand color, professional font (e.g., Inter/Roboto).
Enable Require Login for protected screens.

Step 3: Environment & Policies

Confirm HTTPS in production.
Add Privacy Policy and Terms of Service URLs (required for stores).
Review Adalo pricing for current plan details—avoid hardcoding plan names/fees in content.

Design the Core UX

Step 4: Welcome & Auth

Welcome: logo, tagline, Sign Up / Log In buttons.
Sign Up (Users form): full name, email, phone, password, ToS checkbox → route to verification/personalization.
Log In: email/phone + password, “Forgot Password?”, go to dashboard on success.

Step 5: Dashboard

Header (profile image, greeting, Settings).
Balance card (current balance, Add Money, Cash Out).
Quick actions: Send, Request, Scan QR.
Recent Transactions list.

Step 6: Payment Screens

Send Money: choose recipient (search users; optional device-contacts via supported component), amount input with quick chips, optional note, confirm.
Confirm Payment: recipient, amount, note, payment method, PIN/biometric prompt → Confirm.

Build the Database

Step 7: Users (enhanced)

Profile Photo (Image)
First/Last Name (Text)
Phone Number (Text)
Date of Birth (Date)
Wallet Balance (Number, default 0)
Total Sent / Total Received (Numbers)
2FA Enabled (True/False)
Biometric Enabled (True/False)
Account Status (Text: “Active”, “Suspended”, “Pending”)
Email Verified / Phone Verified / ID Verified (True/False)

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Security tip: Do not store plaintext PINs. If you implement a PIN, store only a salted hash via a secure external function/service.

Step 8: Transactions

Transaction ID (Text)
Amount (Number)
Type (Text: “Send”, “Request”, “Add Money”, “Cash Out”)
Status (Text: “Pending”, “Completed”, “Failed”, “Cancelled”)
Note (Text)
Created Date / Completed Date (Date & Time)
Transaction Fee (Number)
Total Amount (Formula: Amount + Fee)
External Payment ID (Text)
Receipt URL (Text)

Step 9: Payment Methods

Type (Text: “Bank Account”, “Debit Card”, “Credit Card”)
Last Four (Text), Brand (Text), Expiry Month/Year (Numbers)
Is Default (True/False)
Stripe Payment Method ID (Text)
Status (Text: “Active”, “Expired”, “Removed”)
Added Date (Date & Time)

Step 10: Security Logs

Event Type (Text: “Login”, “Failed Login”, “Password Change”, “2FA Change”, “Large Transaction”)
IP Address (Text), Device Info (Text)
Timestamp (Date & Time), Success (True/False)

Step 11: Relationships

Transactions ↔ Users: Sender (many-to-one), Recipient (many-to-one)
Transactions → Payment Method (many-to-one)
Payment Methods ↔ Users: Owner (one-to-many)
Security Logs ↔ Users: User (one-to-many)

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(See Adalo Database basics.)

Implement Payments & Wallet Logic

Step 12: Install Stripe

Use Adalo’s Stripe components.

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Open the Adalo Marketplace → install Stripe.
In Stripe, create an account → Developers → API keys.
In Adalo → Settings → Integrations → Stripe → add test keys for development.

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PCI & data handling: Stripe is PCI DSS Level 1. Your app should not collect or store raw card numbers.

Step 13: Add Money (Card → App Balance)

Screen “Add Money” with amount input + quick chips.
Payment method selector (user’s saved methods) + Stripe payment component.
On success: create Transaction (“Add Money”, Completed), update Wallet Balance, notify, route to Dashboard.

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Fees: In the U.S., online card transactions are typically ~2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge. Fees vary by region/method—confirm current rates on Stripe’s pricing page.

Step 14: Send Money (P2P Off-Ledger)

Validate amount ≤ sender balance; show error if insufficient.
Create Transaction (Pending).
Update Sender (balance – amount; Total Sent + amount).
Update Recipient (balance + amount; Total Received + amount).
Mark Transaction Completed; set Completed Date; send push notification.

Step 15: Transaction History & Detail

Screen “Transactions” with filters (All / Sent / Received / Date range).
Query where Sender = Logged In User OR Recipient = Logged In User.
Detail view: IDs, timestamps, counterparties, amount/fees, status, note, actions (Download Receipt, Get Help, Repeat).

Step 16: Request Money

Create Request record (Recipient = Logged In User, Sender = selected user, Status = Pending).
Notify the requested user.
Receiver can Pay (process like Send) or Decline (Status → Cancelled).

Step 17: QR Code Payments (optional)

“My QR Code” screen: generate code encoding your User ID or payment link.
“Scan QR” screen: parse data, route to Send Money with prefilled recipient.

Notifications & Security

Step 18: Push Notifications

Use Adalo’s notification actions for:

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Incoming payments (You received $X from [Sender]).
Completed sends (Payment sent successfully).
Security events (new device login, password changes).

Step 19: Biometric & 2FA

2FA: implement via SMS/email OTP using Custom Actions with your provider.
Biometrics: enable via supported components on native devices; prompt before sensitive actions (sending money, changing settings).

Step 20: PIN Protection

“Create PIN” flow with a numeric keypad.
Store only a salted hash (via secure external function); never plaintext.
Require PIN for high-value transactions; lockout after failed attempts; log events.

Step 21: Limits & Verification

App Settings collection for adjustable limits (e.g., daily send, per-tx, unverified caps).
Before sending: compute today’s sent total; enforce limits.
If ID Verified = False and amount exceeds threshold → prompt verification.

Step 22: ID Verification (KYC Intake)

“Verify Identity” screen: explain requirements, collect ID front/back + selfie.
Create a Verification Request for manual review or integrate a vendor via Custom Actions.
On approval: set ID Verified = True.

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Compliance: Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Treat this build as a custodial/off-ledger prototype and consult counsel/regulators as needed.

Step 23: Fraud Signals

Track failed logins, rapid large sends, many new recipients, unusual geos.
Maintain a Fraud Score; escalate controls (require 2FA, lower limits, freezes) at thresholds.

Testing & Performance

Step 24: Test Environment

Seed test users (verified/unverified, varying balances).
Use Stripe test cards (success/decline/insufficient funds): https://stripe.com/docs/testing
Seed transactions, payment methods, and security logs.

Step 25: Core Flow Tests

Registration, verification, PIN, biometrics.
Add Money (success/decline), Send Money (success/insufficient/over-limit), Requests (approve/decline).
Notifications and security events.

Step 26: Performance Checks

Slow networks and offline states (cache limited data, cue clear states).
Large histories (paginate; show 20, load more on scroll).
Image compression and lean lists.
Consider Optimize performance and External Collections for heavy queries.

Publishing

Step 27: Prepare Store Assets

Icon (1024×1024), screenshots, short preview video (optional).
Listing copy: clear features, security posture, and support channels.
Legal pages: Privacy Policy, Terms, support contact.

Step 28: App-Store Submission

Apple: Join the Apple Developer Program and follow Apple’s review/process docs. Review times vary; Apple does not guarantee timelines.
- Docs: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/
- Program: https://developer.apple.com/programs/enroll/
Google Play: Create a developer account, complete listing and policies. Review times vary; may be several days or longer for new accounts.
- Overview: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9859152

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In Adalo, use Publishing for iOS/Android builds and submission steps.

Cost & Resources

Adalo: see current plans/limits — https://www.adalo.com/pricing
Stripe fees: vary by region/method; in the U.S. online cards are typically ~2.9% + $0.30 — https://stripe.com/pricing
Developer programs: Apple $99/year; Google Play $25 one-time.

Additional Resources

Adalo Help Center: https://help.adalo.com/
Adalo Marketplace: https://www.adalo.com/marketplace
External Collections: https://help.adalo.com/integrations/external-collections-with-apis
Custom Actions: https://help.adalo.com/integrations/custom-actions
Optimize Performance: https://help.adalo.com/performance/optimize-app-performance
Stripe Security & PCI: https://stripe.com/docs/security/stripe
Stripe Testing: https://stripe.com/docs/testing
CFPB: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-finalizes-rule-on-federal-oversight-of-popular-digital-payment-apps-to-protect-personal-data-reduce-fraud-and-stop-illegal-debanking/

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Note: This Cash App–style build is a custodial/off-ledger prototype using Adalo’s UI and database with card payments via Stripe. For ACH, KYC, fraud screening, and payouts, integrate third-party services through Custom Actions (e.g., Stripe APIs, Plaid) and handle payouts server-side via Stripe Connect. Real-time streaming, robust offline sync, and very large ledgers require external services and thorough performance testing on real devices prior to publish.

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