Integrating Kaspi Pay into a mobile app is the process of connecting a payment gateway that allows users to pay for goods or services directly within the app, without leaving it or manually entering card details. The process involves obtaining API access from Kaspi, configuring the backend for transaction processing, and implementing the user interface for payment confirmation. For businesses in Kazakhstan, this is a standard monetization method, as a significant portion of the audience prefers using the Kaspi ecosystem. Integration can take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the app architecture and the readiness of business documents.
What are the ways to connect Kaspi Pay?
There are two main integration scenarios: direct connection via the Kaspi API (Kaspi Integration) and using a Payment Service Provider (PSP) that already has an integration with Kaspi. The first option provides full control over the process and minimizes commissions but requires more in-depth technical preparation. The second option simplifies development, as the developer only needs to interact with a single API, but increases the final transaction cost due to the PSP's markup.
In direct integration, your app sends a request to create a payment to the Kaspi server, receives a link or token, and passes it to the user. The user confirms the operation in the Kaspi app or a web browser, after which the transaction status is returned to your system. This method requires careful security configuration, as you are responsible for data validation and key protection. Using a PSP, on the other hand, abstracts these processes: you send a payment request to the intermediary service, which then communicates with Kaspi and other payment systems. This is convenient if you plan to accept not only Kaspi but also Visa/Mastercard cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay in the future, as a single interface will allow you to work with all payment methods.
| Criterion | Direct Connection (Kaspi API) | Via Payment Service Provider (PSP) |
|---|---|---|
| Development Complexity | High, requires knowledge of Kaspi API specifics | Medium, unified interface for all payment methods |
| Commission | Base Kaspi rate | Kaspi rate + PSP markup |
| Flexibility | Maximum customization for business logic | Limited by the capabilities of a specific PSP |
| Support | Direct communication with Kaspi or the developer | Support from the PSP |
| Time to Launch | Longer, due to the need for approval and testing | Faster, if the PSP has ready-made modules |
What does the business need to launch payments?
Before starting technical work, the business must prepare the legal basis and documentation. Kaspi requires that payments be accepted by a registered company or individual entrepreneur with an open settlement account. It is necessary to have the details for signing a contract with Kaspi, as well as a clear understanding of which goods or services will be paid for. If you do not have a contract with Kaspi as a payment service, signing it may take from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the workload of their partner department.
In addition to legal documents, the business is required to provide a clear description of the business logic. It is necessary to determine how the payment amount is formed: fixed price, dynamic cost considering discounts, payment for services by time, or split payments. It is also important to think through failure scenarios: what happens if the user interrupts the payment, if the amount does not match, or if the connection to the bank is lost. These scenarios affect the architecture of the app and the backend. In our practice, we always start by documenting these rules in the technical specification to avoid rework during the testing phase.
How long does Kaspi Pay integration take?
Timelines depend on the chosen connection method and the current state of your app. If the app is already developed and has a ready backend, connecting Kaspi Pay can take from 3 to 7 working days. If you are developing the app from scratch, payment integration is included in the overall development timeline, which for mobile apps ranges from 1 to 3 months. In this case, the payment module is created in parallel with other features, allowing time optimization.
Several factors influence the duration of work. First is the need to approve access to the Kaspi test environment. Second is the complexity of the user interface: if you need to create not just a 'Pay' button, but a full screen with payment method selection, order details, and payment history, the work will take more time. Third is the testing stage. Payment integrations require thorough verification of all scenarios: successful payment, cancellation, network error, repeated payment. We recommend allocating at least 2–3 days for final testing before publishing the app to the stores.
- Document preparation and signing a contract with Kaspi: 3–10 working days.
- Backend configuration and obtaining API keys: 1–3 days.
- Client-side development (buttons, screens, logic): 2–5 days.
- Testing in the sandbox and with real transactions: 2–3 days.
- Finalization and publication in stores: 1–2 days (including moderation).
What are the technical requirements for the app?
The app must have a reliable connection to the server, as a payment transaction cannot be processed locally on the device. All sensitive data, such as API keys and tokens, must be stored on the server side, not in the app code. This is a basic security rule: if keys end up in the APK or IPA file, they become accessible to anyone who can unpack the app. The server acts as an intermediary between the app and Kaspi, verifying the authenticity of the request and forming the receipt.
Mango Development's technology stack includes Flutter, React, Node.js, and TypeScript, allowing payment modules to be implemented for both iOS and Android in a single codebase. Using Flutter simplifies maintenance, as there is no need to duplicate payment logic for each platform. However, it is important to consider that some system functions related to payment gateways may require native plugins. For example, correct operation with biometrics or background payment status notifications may require specific configurations for each OS. Our developers take these nuances into account during the architecture design phase.
What pitfalls are encountered during integration?
One of the most common problems is a mismatch between the order amount and the payment amount. If the user changes the order composition after the receipt is formed but before payment, the server must reject such a transaction. If this is not done, you risk receiving payment for one set of goods while sending others. To solve this problem, an 'order' mechanism is used, which fixes the composition and amount on the server. When the payment is confirmed, the server compares the transmitted data with the saved order. If there is a discrepancy, the payment is rejected.
The second common mistake is ignoring failure scenarios. The network may disconnect at any moment: the user may close the app, the phone may lose connection, or the Kaspi server may temporarily not respond. The app must handle these situations correctly, offering the user to try again or cancel the order. If the app 'freezes' or shows an error without the ability to continue, it leads to lost revenue and negative reviews in the stores. The third problem is the lack of a notification about successful payment. The user paid, but the app did not switch to the 'Thank you for your purchase' screen. This causes distrust. To solve this, webhooks are used: Kaspi sends a notification to your server about the payment status, and the server updates the order status in the database.
How is the payment module tested?
Testing begins in the test environment (sandbox) provided by Kaspi. In this mode, transactions do not deduct real money but simulate the full payment cycle. Developers check all scenarios: successful payment, user cancellation, validation error, repeated request. It is important to test not only 'ideal' scenarios but also edge cases: very large amounts, zero amount, payment with a weak signal. After successfully passing tests in the sandbox, real transactions are initiated.
During the real testing stage, transactions are conducted with minimal amounts (e.g., 100–500 tenge). This allows verifying that money arrives in the settlement account, that receipts are formed correctly, and that status notifications arrive on time. We always recommend conducting several real test payments with different devices and different telecom operators, as network behavior may affect request processing speed. Only after confirming the stable operation of the module is the app published to the App Store and Google Play.
How much does Kaspi Pay integration cost in Kazakhstan?
The cost of integration depends on the scope of work and the chosen connection method. If you are developing an app from scratch with Mango Development, the payment module is usually included in the total cost of mobile app development, which starts from 1,000,000 ₸. If the app already exists and only Kaspi Pay connection is required, the cost is calculated individually based on the complexity of the current architecture and the need to modify the backend. For simple cases, this may be a small part of the cost of integration with external APIs, which starts from 300,000 ₸ in our price list.
It is important to consider that, in addition to development costs, the business needs to budget for payment system commissions. Kaspi charges a percentage of each transaction, the size of which depends on the business category and contract terms. If you use a payment intermediary, their markup is added to this percentage. We provide an exact estimate of integration costs after a short free call where we discuss your architecture and business logic. This helps avoid hidden expenses and accurately understand the cost of launching payments.
What to do after launching the app?
Publishing the app to the stores is not the end of the work but the beginning of monitoring. Kaspi payment systems periodically update their APIs or change security requirements. If you do not follow news from Kaspi and update the app, payments may stop working. Therefore, it is important to have a technical support contract. At Mango Development, the warranty period is from 1 to 12 months, during which we fix errors related to integration for free.
We recommend setting up monitoring of payment transactions. If payments stop coming, you should find out about it immediately, not a week later when users start writing to support. Server alerts are used for this: if a notification from Kaspi about the payment status is not received within a certain time, the system sends a notification to the administrator. This allows for prompt response to failures and minimizes losses. Support and product development are a separate service that helps the business work calmly without worrying about the technical details of payment integration.
Integrating Kaspi Pay is a standard element of any commercial app in Kazakhstan. The correct choice of connection method, thorough elaboration of business logic, and quality testing allow launching the payment module without failures. If you are considering how to choose a development contractor, pay attention to the studio's experience in working with payment systems and the presence of real case studies. We will help you not only connect Kaspi Pay but also build an app architecture that can easily scale in the future. For those who have not yet decided on a stack, it is worth considering the article 'Flutter or native development: what to choose for business' to understand which approach is better suited for your task.