Revolut has completely changed the game in digital banking. What started as a prepaid card and currency exchange app is now a full-scale neobank offering everything from budgeting and crypto trading to stock investments and global transfers—all in one clean, fast, mobile-first experience.
Over the past few months, I built a Revolut clone from scratch—twice, in fact: once with a modern JavaScript stack (Node.js + React) and once using a PHP-based approach (Laravel). Why both? Because different startups have different needs, and I wanted to help founders like you make informed decisions based on your vision, team strengths, and speed-to-market goals.
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through exactly how I approached building an app like Revolut:
- The tech decisions I made
- The backend database and architecture
- How I handled security, third-party APIs, money flows
- The UI/UX structure for a frictionless banking experience
- And of course, real-world lessons from launching and scaling it
Whether you’re a startup founder eyeing a Revolut clone, or a digital agency exploring white-label fintech apps, this guide will break it all down—from backend logic to the last front-end pixel.
Choosing the Right Tech Stack for Your Revolut Clone
Before writing a single line of code, I had to make one of the most critical decisions: Which stack should we use? I knew I had two strong contenders:
- JavaScript Stack – using Node.js for the backend and React for the frontend
- PHP Stack – using Laravel (though I also prototyped with CodeIgniter briefly)
Each has its strengths, and the “right” answer often depends on the founder’s team and target launch speed. Here’s how I broke it down:
1. JavaScript Stack: Node.js + React
When I used this:
For projects where speed, flexibility, and a real-time UX were top priorities—especially for mobile-first neobank interfaces.
Backend: Node.js (Express)
- Asynchronous I/O was great for transaction-heavy workloads
- Easy to build scalable microservices
- Worked smoothly with WebSocket connections for live notifications (e.g., money in/out alerts)
Frontend: React (with TailwindCSS)
- Component-based structure made it easy to reuse UI logic across dashboard, cards, analytics, etc.
- Smooth transitions, animation hooks, and form controls felt modern and fast
- Integrated well with libraries like Redux (for state) and Axios (for API)
Pros:
- Excellent performance for APIs and live actions
- One language across full stack = easier team collaboration
- Massive npm ecosystem, including fintech SDKs
Cons:
- Needs more setup and structure to avoid messy code
- More DevOps heavy (PM2, Docker, CI/CD pipelines)
2. PHP Stack: Laravel (or CodeIgniter)
When I used this:
For founders or teams who preferred quicker MVPs with less DevOps complexity and strong backend conventions out of the box.
Backend: Laravel
- Artisan CLI made scaffolding insanely fast
- Eloquent ORM simplified DB interactions
- Built-in queues, events, and broadcasting saved time for things like withdrawal processing and email alerts
Frontend: Blade + Bootstrap (or Vue.js optionally)
- Used Laravel’s Blade templates for server-side rendering
- Added Bootstrap for quick layout; switched to Tailwind when going for a cleaner mobile UI
Pros:
- Convention over configuration = faster MVP rollout
- Cleaner validation, form handling, routing out of the box
- Easier hosting on shared environments or LAMP stack VPS
Cons:
- Slightly slower API response times compared to Node
- Not ideal for real-time UX without extra packages (Pusher, Echo)
My Recommendation?
- Go with Node.js + React if:
You want speed, scalability, and more control over a modern, real-time fintech experience. - Use Laravel if:
Your team is experienced in PHP or you’re aiming for faster MVP launches with a strong, opinionated backend.
I often pitch both options to founders during kickoff—especially when we offer Miracuves’ Revolut Clone because it can be customized in either stack depending on your long-term roadmap.
Database Design for a Scalable Revolut Clone
Getting the database design right was crucial. A neobank app like Revolut deals with complex, interconnected data: user identities, KYC documents, account balances, multi-currency wallets, transaction logs, third-party API data, and more.
Whether I was using MongoDB with Node.js or MySQL with Laravel, I kept a flexible and scalable structure that could support millions of transactions, multiple currencies, and future modules like crypto or budgeting.
1. Core Tables & Collections
Here’s a simplified version of my relational database schema for the Laravel build (MySQL), and how it maps in MongoDB.
Users Table
CREATE TABLE users ( id BIGINT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT, full_name VARCHAR(255), email VARCHAR(255) UNIQUE, phone VARCHAR(20), password_hash VARCHAR(255), kyc_status ENUM('pending', 'verified', 'rejected'), created_at TIMESTAMP );
MongoDB version:
{ "_id": ObjectId(), "full_name": "Alice Morgan", "email": "alice@example.com", "phone": "+1234567890", "password_hash": "hashed_value", "kyc_status": "verified", "created_at": ISODate() }
Wallets Table (One per Currency)
CREATE TABLE wallets ( id BIGINT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT, user_id BIGINT, currency_code VARCHAR(3), balance DECIMAL(16,2) DEFAULT 0.00, FOREIGN KEY (user_id) REFERENCES users(id) );
Allows each user to have USD, EUR, GBP wallets. Great for multi-currency support.
Transactions Table
CREATE TABLE transactions ( id BIGINT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT, wallet_id BIGINT, type ENUM('deposit', 'withdrawal', 'transfer', 'exchange'), amount DECIMAL(16,2), status ENUM('pending', 'completed', 'failed'), reference_id VARCHAR(255), created_at TIMESTAMP, FOREIGN KEY (wallet_id) REFERENCES wallets(id) );
I made sure to include
reference_id
fields to help link transactions with third-party payment gateways or external APIs.
2. KYC & Compliance Tables
These store user-submitted identity documents and verification logs.
CREATE TABLE kyc_documents ( id BIGINT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT, user_id BIGINT, document_type ENUM('passport', 'national_id', 'license'), document_url VARCHAR(255), verification_status ENUM('pending', 'approved', 'rejected'), uploaded_at TIMESTAMP, FOREIGN KEY (user_id) REFERENCES users(id) );
This helps plug into third-party KYC providers like Sumsub or Onfido.
3. Flexibility & Nested Structures in MongoDB
MongoDB made it easier to store nested objects, like:
{ "_id": ObjectId(), "user_id": "...", "transactions": [ { "type": "deposit", "amount": 100.50, "status": "completed", "timestamp": "..." }, { "type": "transfer", "amount": 25.00, "status": "completed" } ] }
For apps with dynamic currency wallets and logs, this nesting can reduce query load—though I always evaluated performance tradeoffs.
4. Scalability Considerations
- Added indexing on
wallet_id
,transaction_id
,user_id
- Partitioned transaction data in high-volume builds
- Used UUIDs for internal references instead of autoincrement IDs in Node.js builds
Pro Tip:
Always keep audit logs. Every financial event—success or failure—should have traceable metadata for debugging, compliance, and reconciliation. Laravel makes this easy with Events; in Node, I used a lightweight event emitter module and stored logs in a separate collection.
Key Modules & Features in the Revolut Clone App
When building a Revolut-style app, it’s not just about “sending money.” You’re essentially crafting a modular financial command center for users. I broke it into 5 core modules—each with full backend and frontend flows.
Let’s dive into how I built each feature in both Node.js + React and Laravel (PHP).
1. Multi-Currency Wallet System
What it does:
Users can hold balances in multiple currencies (USD, EUR, INR, etc.), and switch, convert, or transact from any wallet.
In Node.js (Express + MongoDB):
- Dynamic currency wallet objects stored inside a
wallets
collection - REST endpoints:
// Create wallet
POST /api/wallets
// Transfer funds between wallets
POST /api/wallets/transfer
In Laravel (MySQL):
- Separate
wallets
table linked tousers
- Used Eloquent relationships:
public function wallets() {
return $this->hasMany(Wallet::class);
}
Frontend (React or Blade):
- Dynamic currency selector
- Real-time balance update with WebSocket or polling
2. Send / Receive Money (Peer Transfers)
What it does:
Users can instantly send money to other users via phone/email.
Backend Logic in Both Stacks:
- Check sender balance
- Deduct + credit wallets atomically
- Generate
transaction
record for both sender and recipient - Notify both parties via email/push
Laravel Example:
DB::transaction(function () use ($sender, $receiver, $amount) {
$sender->wallet->decrement('balance', $amount);
$receiver->wallet->increment('balance', $amount);
Transaction::create([...]);
});
Node.js Example:
await session.withTransaction(async () => {
await Wallet.updateOne(...);
await Transaction.create(...);
});
3. Currency Exchange Module
What it does:
Allows instant currency conversion using live exchange rates.
Exchange Rates via API:
- Integrated OpenExchangeRates and Fixer.io in both builds
- Rates cached hourly in Redis for performance
Conversion Endpoint:
POST /api/convert
Body: { from: "USD", to: "INR", amount: 100 }
Laravel Version:
- Artisan scheduled task pulled exchange rates every hour
- Used Laravel Cache for storing rates
4. Admin Panel (User Management, KYC, Audit)
What it does:
Secure dashboard to approve users, manage transactions, configure currencies, and review audit logs.
Laravel:
- Used Laravel Nova for admin backend (rapid and elegant)
- Role-based auth with Laravel Gate
Node.js:
- Built with React + Ant Design UI
- Admin routes protected via RBAC middleware
5. Notifications & Activity Logs
- Every transfer, login, and exchange is logged
- In Node.js: I used an event emitter with a
logs
service - In Laravel: Used built-in Events and Listeners
Push notifications were triggered via Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), and email alerts via SendGrid.
Bonus: In-App Card Simulation
Some clients asked for a “virtual debit card” preview.
- Generated card numbers using
faker.js
(Node) orFaker
(Laravel) - Masked CVV and added expiry
- Designed animated flip card UI in React
Data Handling: APIs vs Manual Listing Options
A Revolut-like app thrives on accurate, real-time financial data. From currency exchange rates to KYC validation and even crypto prices—there’s a lot of external data coming in. At the same time, some modules (like onboarding screens, FAQ content, fees & limits) are best handled manually via admin controls.
So I designed the app to support two types of data ingestion:
- Automated, via APIs (e.g., FX rates, payment gateways, KYC)
- Manual, via admin panel entries (e.g., static content, plan tiers)
Here’s how I tackled both in Node.js and Laravel.
1. Third-Party API Integrations
Example: Currency Exchange Rates
I used OpenExchangeRates as a live source. The data flow looked like this:
In Node.js:
// Fetch exchange rates
axios.get('https://openexchangerates.org/api/latest.json?app_id=KEY')
.then(res => {
redis.set('fx_rates', JSON.stringify(res.data.rates), 'EX', 3600);
});
In Laravel:
phpCopyEdit
$response = Http::get('https://openexchangerates.org/api/latest.json', [
'app_id' => config('services.fx.key'),
]);
Cache::put('fx_rates', $response->json()['rates'], now()->addHour());
I cached the rates for 1 hour to avoid rate limits and speed up conversion modules.
Example: KYC Verification with Sumsub
- Uploaded documents via mobile camera
- Sent to Sumsub via API
- Stored webhook result in our system (status: verified/pending/rejected)
Node.js Webhook Handler:
app.post('/webhook/kyc', (req, res) => {
const { user_id, status } = req.body;
User.updateOne({ _id: user_id }, { kyc_status: status });
res.sendStatus(200);
});
Laravel Listener:
phpCopyEdit
public function handle(KycWebhook $event)
{
$user = User::find($event->user_id);
$user->kyc_status = $event->status;
$user->save();
}
2. Manual Content Management via Admin Panel
Certain content was easier (and safer) to manage manually, especially for non-technical founders.
Examples:
- Fee configurations (e.g., 2% forex fee for INR)
- Currency support toggles
- Static CMS pages (Terms, Privacy, FAQs)
- Customer support contact details
Laravel:
- Built a Settings model with key-value store
- Admin CRUD built using Laravel Nova
Node.js:
- Created a
settings
MongoDB collection with dynamic keys - Built a React-based admin panel with basic editing forms
Data Security & Audit Trail
- Every external API call (especially KYC, payments, exchanges) was logged
- Errors were saved in a separate
api_logs
table/collection - Admin-edited fields (like fees) had changelogs with timestamps and admin ID
Tip for Founders:
Mix automation with manual override. APIs break. Rates fluctuate. Clients change policy. Having an admin panel fallback saved us hours of downtime when a provider’s API failed unexpectedly.
API Integration: Structuring Endpoints in Node.js and Laravel
In any fintech app—especially something as transactional as a Revolut clone—your APIs are the heart of the system. They connect the frontend to logic, trigger business workflows, and sync data across services.
I made sure all my APIs were:
- RESTful and well-versioned
- Secured with authentication and rate-limiting
- Designed with extensibility in mind
Here’s how I approached API integration in both Node.js and Laravel, with real sample endpoints.
1. API Structure & Routing
In Node.js (Express)
// routes/v1/index.js
router.use('/auth', require('./auth'));
router.use('/wallets', require('./wallets'));
router.use('/transactions', require('./transactions'));
In Laravel (api.php)
phpCopyEdit
Route::prefix('v1')->group(function () {
Route::post('auth/login', [AuthController::class, 'login']);
Route::middleware('auth:sanctum')->group(function () {
Route::get('wallets', [WalletController::class, 'index']);
Route::post('transfer', [TransactionController::class, 'transfer']);
});
});
I always version APIs with /v1/
in the URL to prepare for future updates.
2. Sample Endpoints (in Both Stacks)
a. User Registration & Login
Node.js:
POST /api/v1/auth/register
Body: { full_name, email, phone, password }
POST /api/v1/auth/login
Returns: { token, user }
Laravel:
public function login(Request $request) {
if (!Auth::attempt($request->only('email', 'password'))) {
return response()->json(['error' => 'Invalid login'], 401);
}
$token = $request->user()->createToken('api-token')->plainTextToken;
return response()->json([
'token' => $token,
'user' => $request->user()
]);
}
b. Send Money (Peer-to-Peer)
POST /api/v1/transactions/transfer
Body: { to_user_id, amount, currency }
Headers: Authorization: Bearer token
Node.js: Inside controller, I used async/await
with transaction sessions.
Laravel: I wrapped balance updates inside DB::transaction()
blocks to avoid partial writes.
c. Currency Conversion
POST /api/v1/convert
Body: { from_currency, to_currency, amount }
- I pulled live FX rates from the cache or fetched from the external API.
- Laravel used
Http::get(...)
, Node usedaxios
.
d. Wallet Balances
GET /api/v1/wallets
Returns:
[
{ currency: "USD", balance: 120.50 },
{ currency: "EUR", balance: 80.00 }
]
3. Authentication and Middleware
- Node: Used JWT tokens stored in
Authorization
header, verified viajsonwebtoken
- Laravel: Used Sanctum for API token-based auth, added
auth:sanctum
middleware
Both stacks had role-based access:
- Normal users = wallet access
- Admin users = broader privileges (e.g., user lookup, manual balance edits)
4. Rate Limiting and Security
- Laravel: Used built-in
ThrottleRequests
middleware - Node: Used
express-rate-limit
andhelmet
for securing headers
Also ensured:
- HTTPS-only endpoints
- Input sanitization (Laravel’s
Request
validation,express-validator
for Node) - Logging all failed login attempts
Frontend & UI Structure: Building a Clean, Mobile-First Banking Experience
Let’s face it—no matter how good your backend is, users judge your app by the frontend. A Revolut-like product needs to be sleek, responsive, and intuitive on both mobile and desktop. I focused heavily on two things:
- Component modularity for maintainability
- Mobile-first UX that mimics native apps
Here’s how I structured the frontend for both React (JavaScript) and Blade (Laravel/PHP) builds.
1. React Frontend (Node.js Stack)
I used React with TailwindCSS and structured it like a real-world single-page app (SPA). Major libraries:
- React Router DOM – navigation
- Redux Toolkit – global state (user auth, wallets, currency)
- Axios – API calls
- TailwindCSS – fast and consistent design
- Framer Motion – lightweight animations
Key Layout Decisions:
- Sidebar for web + bottom nav for mobile
- Sticky balance header on dashboard
- Used
localStorage
for JWT token persistence - Wrapped routes in a
<PrivateRoute>
component for auth protection
Sample Folder Structure:
src/
├── components/
├── pages/
├── services/
├── hooks/
├── layouts/
└── App.js
Each page (e.g., Dashboard, Wallets, Settings) was composed of smaller components for reusability.
2. Blade Frontend (Laravel Stack)
For Laravel, I kept it simple but flexible:
- Used Blade for server-side rendering
- Integrated TailwindCSS for mobile-first utility design
- Applied Livewire for reactive elements like real-time currency conversion
Blade File Structure:
Example Snippet: Wallet Card
<div class="bg-white rounded-xl shadow-md p-4 flex justify-between">
<div>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold">{{ $wallet->currency }}</h2>
<p class="text-gray-500">Balance: {{ $wallet->balance }}</p>
</div>
<div class="text-right">
<p class="text-green-500">Last Updated: {{ $wallet->updated_at->diffForHumans() }}</p>
</div>
</div>
3. Mobile-First Considerations
- Font sizes and tap targets optimized with
rem
units andmin-h-[48px]
- Used Tailwind’s responsive classes like
sm:
,md:
,lg:
for breakpoints - Touch-friendly buttons, dropdowns, and datepickers
- Added iOS-style slide-in modals for funds transfer
React Mobile Nav Example:
const BottomNav = () => (
<div className="fixed bottom-0 w-full flex justify-around bg-white py-2 shadow-md">
<NavLink to="/dashboard">Home</NavLink>
<NavLink to="/wallets">Wallets</NavLink>
<NavLink to="/settings">Settings</NavLink>
</div>
);
4. Animations & Feedback
- Success modals with Framer Motion
- Toast alerts for balance updates
- Loading skeletons while fetching data
- Smooth transitions between pages using route animations
5. UX Wins
- Balance Preview: Always visible on dashboard
- Quick Actions: “Send”, “Exchange”, “Top Up” buttons accessible at top level
- Color Coding: Green = credit, red = debit, gray = pending
Pro Tip:
Don’t just test responsiveness—simulate real banking behavior. Try sending a transaction with flaky internet, or navigating with one hand. That’s where great UX shines.
Authentication & Payments: Secure Login and Transaction Handling in Node.js and Laravel
Security is non-negotiable when you’re building a Revolut-style app. From user logins to money movement, every endpoint and action needs to be protected, validated, and encrypted.
I focused on two mission-critical areas here:
- Authentication – Secure, sessionless login with token-based auth
- Payments – Integrating reliable gateways like Stripe or Razorpay for top-ups and withdrawals
Let’s break it down.
1. Authentication
a. Node.js (Express + JWT)
I used jsonwebtoken for issuing access tokens and bcryptjs for hashing passwords.
Registration Flow:
- Validate input (email, phone, password)
- Hash password
- Store user
- Return JWT token
const token = jwt.sign({ userId: user._id }, process.env.JWT_SECRET, {
expiresIn: '7d',
});
Middleware to Protect Routes:
function authMiddleware(req, res, next) {
const token = req.headers.authorization?.split(" ")[1];
try {
req.user = jwt.verify(token, process.env.JWT_SECRET);
next();
} catch {
res.status(401).json({ error: "Unauthorized" });
}
}
b. Laravel (Sanctum or Passport)
Laravel Sanctum made it super simple. I used Sanctum tokens for API authentication.
Login Example:
$user = User::where('email', $request->email)->first();
if (Hash::check($request->password, $user->password)) {
$token = $user->createToken('api-token')->plainTextToken;
return response()->json(['token' => $token]);
}
Protecting Routes:
Route::middleware('auth:sanctum')->group(function () {
Route::get('/wallets', [WalletController::class, 'index']);
});
2. Payments (Top-Up & Withdrawal)
Revolut allows users to top up via debit card or bank transfer. I implemented Stripe for card payments and Razorpay for India-specific users.
a. Stripe Integration
Use case: User wants to top up $100 to USD wallet
Node.js:
const paymentIntent = await stripe.paymentIntents.create({
amount: 10000, // in cents
currency: 'usd',
metadata: { userId: user._id },
});
Frontend handled card_element
via Stripe Elements in React. On success, I:
- Updated the wallet balance
- Created a
transactions
record - Triggered an email confirmation
Laravel:
\Stripe\Stripe::setApiKey(config('services.stripe.secret'));
$intent = \Stripe\PaymentIntent::create([
'amount' => 10000,
'currency' => 'usd',
'metadata' => ['user_id' => $user->id],
]);
Webhook confirmed the top-up before crediting the wallet.
b. Razorpay Integration
For Indian merchants, I used Razorpay Orders:
- Created the order server-side
- Collected payment using Razorpay checkout on frontend
- Verified signature and marked as completed
Laravel Example:
$order = Razorpay::order()->create([
'receipt' => 'order_rcptid_11',
'amount' => 10000,
'currency' => 'INR',
]);
Signature verification:
$generatedSignature = hash_hmac('sha256', $orderId . '|' . $paymentId, $secret);
3. Withdrawal Requests
- Allowed users to link a bank account via admin
- Raised a withdrawal request via frontend
- Admin could approve/reject from dashboard
- Built optional webhook with Stripe to automate bank payouts (in supported regions)
4. Security Features Built-In
- Brute force protection – rate-limiting on login
- 2FA Ready – Integrated optional OTP flow via Twilio
- Email alerts – sent on every login, withdrawal, failed payment attempt
- Audit logs – every transaction or balance update logged with IP and user agent
Pro Tip:
Never credit wallets directly based on payment form success. Always wait for the webhook from Stripe/Razorpay before updating balances. Saves you from false positives and fraud.
Testing & Deployment: Stability from Dev to Production
Once I had features in place, the next critical phase was testing and deployment. In fintech, bugs aren’t just embarrassing—they’re expensive. So I invested time in:
- Proper test coverage
- Smooth, repeatable CI/CD pipelines
- Containerization for consistency across environments
- Process monitoring and rollback strategies
Here’s how I handled it in both Node.js and Laravel ecosystems.
1. Testing Strategy
a. Unit and Feature Tests
Node.js (Mocha + Chai + Supertest)
- Tested all routes, including auth and wallet APIs
- Simulated JWT tokens in test environment
- Used
mongodb-memory-server
for isolated DB state
describe('POST /api/v1/auth/register', () => {
it('should register a new user', async () => {
const res = await request(app).post('/api/v1/auth/register').send({
email: 'test@example.com',
password: '12345678',
});
expect(res.status).to.equal(200);
});
});
Laravel (PHPUnit)
- Artisan made it easy to scaffold:
php artisan make:test TransactionTest
- Used
RefreshDatabase
trait andactingAs($user)
for auth tests
public function test_wallet_transfer()
{
$user = User::factory()->create();
$this->actingAs($user);
$response = $this->post('/api/v1/transfer', [...]);
$response->assertStatus(200);
}
2. CI/CD Pipelines
Node.js with GitHub Actions + Docker
- Linted, tested, and built app
- Pushed Docker image to DigitalOcean Container Registry
- Deployed via
docker-compose
to staging and prod
jobs:
build:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v2
- run: npm install && npm test
- run: docker build -t revolut-clone-app .
- run: docker push registry/revolut-clone-app:latest
Laravel CI/CD Flow
- Used Deployer and GitHub Actions
- Auto-tested via PHPUnit
- Built assets using
npm run prod
- Synced
.env
and ran migrations
3. Docker & Containerization
Every service—Node/Laravel app, Redis, Mongo/MySQL, and NGINX—ran in its own container.
Dockerfile Example (Node):
FROM node:18
WORKDIR /usr/src/app
COPY . .
RUN npm install
CMD ["node", "server.js"]
Dockerfile Example (Laravel):
FROM php:8.2-fpm
RUN docker-php-ext-install pdo pdo_mysql
COPY . /var/www
docker-compose.yml
(for both stacks):
services:
app:
build: .
ports:
– “8080:8080”
depends_on:
– db
db:
image: mysql:8
environment:
MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: secret
4. Process Management & Monitoring
Node.js:
Used PM2 to manage processes
pm2 start server.js --name "revolut-clone"
pm2 save
pm2 startup
Laravel:
- Deployed via Apache + Supervisor
- Supervisor managed Laravel queue workers for delayed jobs (like KYC review emails)
5. Error Tracking & Logs
- Node.js: Used Winston for structured logs, streamed to Papertrail
- Laravel: Used Monolog with Slack alerts and daily log rotation
6. Deployment Environments
- Staging: separate database, limited seed data, exposed only via VPN
- Production: firewall rules, read-only replicas for reporting, Cloudflare in front of API
Pro Tip:
Always keep your
docker-compose.override.yml
for local development configs—like custom ports or volume mounts—so production stays clean.
Pro Tips from Real-World Development: Speed, Scale & UX Wins
After building the Revolut clone in both JavaScript and PHP, launching it, and watching real users interact with it, I picked up a ton of real-world lessons. These aren’t textbook tips—they’re field-tested moves that saved hours, prevented bugs, and boosted performance.
Here are some of the best:
1. Start with Static Fees, Then Go Dynamic
You’ll want to build dynamic fee tables upfront (for FX margins, withdrawal fees, crypto spreads), but hardcode them at first. Launch faster, then add admin-configurable logic later.
How I did it:
- Laravel: Used
.env
keys likeWITHDRAWAL_FEE_PERCENTAGE
- Node.js: Read fee configs from a
config.js
file, then eventually stored in DB
2. Cache Like It’s Your Job
Nothing kills performance like fetching live exchange rates or querying transaction history on every load.
My caching moves:
- Redis for storing exchange rates and static configs
- Indexed queries for transactions and wallets
- Laravel: Used
Cache::remember(...)
for frequent dashboard stats - Node: Used
node-cache
in small apps, Redis in larger ones
3. Design Mobile-First, Test Thumb Zones
Revolut users are mostly mobile-first. Every action—send money, switch currency, view balance—should be reachable with your thumb.
UX hacks I used:
- Bottom nav bar (React) or floating action buttons (Blade)
- Swipeable cards to show wallets
- Large tap zones (min 48px height)
4. Don’t Rely on External APIs Too Heavily
APIs break. Fixer.io might go down. Razorpay might time out. Always have fallbacks:
- Cache last known exchange rate
- Allow retry for failed top-ups
- Manual override via admin panel
5. Always Use Decimal for Currency
Never use floats. Ever.
Laravel:
Use DECIMAL(16, 2)
fields in your migration
Node + MongoDB:
Store amounts as string, then cast using Big.js
for math
6. Separate Admin Panel Logic from Main App
Don’t let the same auth system or permissions leak from admin to user space.
- Different middleware groups
- Different route prefixes (
/admin/*
) - Different JWT secrets (in Node) or guards (in Laravel)
7. Add a Transaction Audit Log
Every wallet change must be traceable—who initiated it, from where, what IP, what device.
- Laravel: Used model observers and
ActivityLog
package - Node.js: Created a
logs
collection and centralized logger
8. Batch Cron Jobs Instead of On-Demand Triggers
Instead of converting currency rates or syncing balances on every request, schedule it.
- Laravel: Used
php artisan schedule:run
- Node: Used
node-cron
+ Redis TTL cleanup
When to Go Custom vs. Clone
If you’re validating an idea or launching fast, start with a clone base. That’s why our Revolut Clone at Miracuves ships with:
- Pre-built modules for wallets, transactions, KYC
- Stripe/Razorpay already integrated
- API + admin panel ready
Once your user base scales or you need unique features (e.g., crypto staking, stock investing), then think about custom builds.
Pro Tips from Real-World Development: Speed, Scale & UX Wins
After building the Revolut clone in both JavaScript and PHP, launching it, and watching real users interact with it, I picked up a ton of real-world lessons. These aren’t textbook tips—they’re field-tested moves that saved hours, prevented bugs, and boosted performance.
Here are some of the best:
1. Start with Static Fees, Then Go Dynamic
You’ll want to build dynamic fee tables upfront (for FX margins, withdrawal fees, crypto spreads), but hardcode them at first. Launch faster, then add admin-configurable logic later.
How I did it:
- Laravel: Used
.env
keys likeWITHDRAWAL_FEE_PERCENTAGE
- Node.js: Read fee configs from a
config.js
file, then eventually stored in DB
2. Cache Like It’s Your Job
Nothing kills performance like fetching live exchange rates or querying transaction history on every load.
My caching moves:
- Redis for storing exchange rates and static configs
- Indexed queries for transactions and wallets
- Laravel: Used
Cache::remember(...)
for frequent dashboard stats - Node: Used
node-cache
in small apps, Redis in larger ones
3. Design Mobile-First, Test Thumb Zones
Revolut users are mostly mobile-first. Every action—send money, switch currency, view balance—should be reachable with your thumb.
UX hacks I used:
- Bottom nav bar (React) or floating action buttons (Blade)
- Swipeable cards to show wallets
- Large tap zones (min 48px height)
4. Don’t Rely on External APIs Too Heavily
APIs break. Fixer.io might go down. Razorpay might time out. Always have fallbacks:
- Cache last known exchange rate
- Allow retry for failed top-ups
- Manual override via admin panel
5. Always Use Decimal for Currency
Never use floats. Ever.
Laravel:
Use DECIMAL(16, 2)
fields in your migration
Node + MongoDB:
Store amounts as string, then cast using Big.js
for math
6. Separate Admin Panel Logic from Main App
Don’t let the same auth system or permissions leak from admin to user space.
- Different middleware groups
- Different route prefixes (
/admin/*
) - Different JWT secrets (in Node) or guards (in Laravel)
7. Add a Transaction Audit Log
Every wallet change must be traceable—who initiated it, from where, what IP, what device.
- Laravel: Used model observers and
ActivityLog
package - Node.js: Created a
logs
collection and centralized logger
8. Batch Cron Jobs Instead of On-Demand Triggers
Instead of converting currency rates or syncing balances on every request, schedule it.
- Laravel: Used
php artisan schedule:run
- Node: Used
node-cron
+ Redis TTL cleanup
When to Go Custom vs. Clone
If you’re validating an idea or launching fast, start with a clone base. That’s why our Revolut Clone at Miracuves ships with:
- Pre-built modules for wallets, transactions, KYC
- Stripe/Razorpay already integrated
- API + admin panel ready
Once your user base scales or you need unique features (e.g., crypto staking, stock investing), then think about custom builds.
Pro Tips from Real-World Development: Speed, Scale & UX Wins
After building the Revolut clone in both JavaScript and PHP, launching it, and watching real users interact with it, I picked up a ton of real-world lessons. These aren’t textbook tips—they’re field-tested moves that saved hours, prevented bugs, and boosted performance.
Here are some of the best:
1. Start with Static Fees, Then Go Dynamic
You’ll want to build dynamic fee tables upfront (for FX margins, withdrawal fees, crypto spreads), but hardcode them at first. Launch faster, then add admin-configurable logic later.
How I did it:
- Laravel: Used
.env
keys likeWITHDRAWAL_FEE_PERCENTAGE
- Node.js: Read fee configs from a
config.js
file, then eventually stored in DB
2. Cache Like It’s Your Job
Nothing kills performance like fetching live exchange rates or querying transaction history on every load.
My caching moves:
- Redis for storing exchange rates and static configs
- Indexed queries for transactions and wallets
- Laravel: Used
Cache::remember(...)
for frequent dashboard stats - Node: Used
node-cache
in small apps, Redis in larger ones
3. Design Mobile-First, Test Thumb Zones
Revolut users are mostly mobile-first. Every action—send money, switch currency, view balance—should be reachable with your thumb.
UX hacks I used:
- Bottom nav bar (React) or floating action buttons (Blade)
- Swipeable cards to show wallets
- Large tap zones (min 48px height)
4. Don’t Rely on External APIs Too Heavily
APIs break. Fixer.io might go down. Razorpay might time out. Always have fallbacks:
- Cache last known exchange rate
- Allow retry for failed top-ups
- Manual override via admin panel
5. Always Use Decimal for Currency
Never use floats. Ever.
Laravel:
Use DECIMAL(16, 2)
fields in your migration
Node + MongoDB:
Store amounts as string, then cast using Big.js
for math
6. Separate Admin Panel Logic from Main App
Don’t let the same auth system or permissions leak from admin to user space.
- Different middleware groups
- Different route prefixes (
/admin/*
) - Different JWT secrets (in Node) or guards (in Laravel)
7. Add a Transaction Audit Log
Every wallet change must be traceable—who initiated it, from where, what IP, what device.
- Laravel: Used model observers and
ActivityLog
package - Node.js: Created a
logs
collection and centralized logger
8. Batch Cron Jobs Instead of On-Demand Triggers
Instead of converting currency rates or syncing balances on every request, schedule it.
- Laravel: Used
php artisan schedule:run
- Node: Used
node-cron
+ Redis TTL cleanup
When to Go Custom vs. Clone
If you’re validating an idea or launching fast, start with a clone base. That’s why our Revolut Clone at Miracuves ships with:
- Pre-built modules for wallets, transactions, KYC
- Stripe/Razorpay already integrated
- API + admin panel ready
OncePro Tips from Real-World Development: Speed, Scale & UX Wins
After building the Revolut clone in both JavaScript and PHP, launching it, and watching real users interact with it, I picked up a ton of real-world lessons. These aren’t textbook tips—they’re field-tested moves that saved hours, prevented bugs, and boosted performance.
Here are some of the best:
1. Start with Static Fees, Then Go Dynamic
You’ll want to build dynamic fee tables upfront (for FX margins, withdrawal fees, crypto spreads), but hardcode them at first. Launch faster, then add admin-configurable logic later.
How I did it:
- Laravel: Used
.env
keys likeWITHDRAWAL_FEE_PERCENTAGE
- Node.js: Read fee configs from a
config.js
file, then eventually stored in DB
2. Cache Like It’s Your Job
Nothing kills performance like fetching live exchange rates or querying transaction history on every load.
My caching moves:
- Redis for storing exchange rates and static configs
- Indexed queries for transactions and wallets
- Laravel: Used
Cache::remember(...)
for frequent dashboard stats - Node: Used
node-cache
in small apps, Redis in larger ones
3. Design Mobile-First, Test Thumb Zones
Revolut users are mostly mobile-first. Every action—send money, switch currency, view balance—should be reachable with your thumb.
UX hacks I used:
- Bottom nav bar (React) or floating action buttons (Blade)
- Swipeable cards to show wallets
- Large tap zones (min 48px height)
4. Don’t Rely on External APIs Too Heavily
APIs break. Fixer.io might go down. Razorpay might time out. Always have fallbacks:
- Cache last known exchange rate
- Allow retry for failed top-ups
- Manual override via admin panel
5. Always Use Decimal for Currency
Never use floats. Ever.
Laravel:
Use DECIMAL(16, 2)
fields in your migration
Node + MongoDB:
Store amounts as string, then cast using Big.js
for math
6. Separate Admin Panel Logic from Main App
Don’t let the same auth system or permissions leak from admin to user space.
- Different middleware groups
- Different route prefixes (
/admin/*
) - Different JWT secrets (in Node) or guards (in Laravel)
7. Add a Transaction Audit Log
Every wallet change must be traceable—who initiated it, from where, what IP, what device.
- Laravel: Used model observers and
ActivityLog
package - Node.js: Created a
logs
collection and centralized logger
8. Batch Cron Jobs Instead of On-Demand Triggers
Instead of converting currency rates or syncing balances on every request, schedule it.
- Laravel: Used
php artisan schedule:run
- Node: Used
node-cron
+ Redis TTL cleanup
When to Go Custom vs. Clone
If you’re validating an idea or launching fast, start with a clone base. That’s why our Revolut Clone at Miracuves ships with:
- Pre-built modules for wallets, transactions, KYC
- Stripe/Razorpay already integrated
- API + admin panel ready
Once your user base scales or you need unique features (e.g., crypto staking, stock investing), then think about custom builds. your user base scales or you need unique features (e.g., crypto staking, stock investing), then think about custom builds.
Final Thoughts: Building a Revolut Clone as a Full-Stack Dev
Looking back, building a full-featured Revolut clone—twice—was one of the most challenging yet rewarding projects I’ve done. It forced me to think like:
- A bank, for trust, compliance, and accuracy
- A designer, for mobile-first UX and instant feedback
- A product owner, prioritizing features that mattered most
- And a developer, balancing scalability with speed to market
Here’s what stood out most:
Trade-Offs I Navigated
- Laravel got me to MVP faster, no doubt. The conventions, migrations, and validation rules saved a ton of time in the early sprints.
- Node.js gave me more flexibility later—especially when building real-time dashboards and microservices for things like card usage alerts and exchange rate syncs.
- Both stacks were viable, but your choice depends on your roadmap. If you’re aiming to iterate fast and have a strong PHP team, Laravel wins. If you’re scaling for millions and want total control over API and real-time flow, go with Node.js.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
- Implement multi-tenant support early, in case the product is white-labeled for others
- Start with a design system (e.g., Tailwind UI or custom Figma kit) instead of winging it screen-by-screen
- Bake in event-based architecture (e.g., using queues or Kafka) for transaction events and KYC flows
A Founder’s Takeaway
If you’re a startup founder, my advice is simple: Don’t start from scratch unless you have a strong reason to.
Speed, iteration, and getting something in users’ hands quickly matters more than “perfect code.” That’s why our ready-to-launch Revolut Clone at Miracuves gives you everything you need:
- Flexible stack options (Node or Laravel)
- Admin dashboard, wallets, transfers, KYC, and payment already wired
- The ability to customize and scale based on your goals
You don’t need to reinvent banking—you just need a fast, secure, modern way to deliver it. This clone is that shortcut.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to build a Revolut clone from scratch?
If you’re building from scratch with a small team, expect 3–5 months for a functional MVP with basic modules (auth, wallets, transactions, KYC). Using a clone base like Miracuves’ Revolut Clone can reduce that to under 3 weeks.
2. Which stack should I choose—Node.js or Laravel?
Choose Node.js if your app requires real-time interactions, modular services, and future scaling across regions. Laravel is ideal if you need to launch fast, with cleaner scaffolding and a structured backend out of the box.
3. Can I integrate crypto wallets or investment features later?
Yes. The architecture supports extensions. Start with fiat wallets, and layer in crypto modules (e.g., Web3 wallets or CoinGecko APIs) as your user base matures. Make sure the DB schema and transaction engine are modular.
4. How secure is a Revolut clone in production?
Security depends on implementation. With encrypted tokens (JWT/Sanctum), validated inputs, webhooks for payments, and audit trails, the app can meet real-world fintech security standards. Always add 2FA, logging, and IP tracking.
5. Can I manage everything via admin panel?
Yes. Admins can approve users, review KYC, manage fee structures, and even adjust balances. Whether built with Nova (Laravel) or React (Node), the admin dashboard is robust and fully role-based.