Is Developing a Custom Merchant Gateway Viable for Solo Developers in India?

I’m a solo developer facing international payment challenges in India after rejections by major processors. Is crafting a custom merchant gateway a practical solution, or should I reconsider this approach?

Hey Jade72, I found your post super intriguing! I’ve been mulling over this idea because it seems like a huge undertaking but also something that could potentially fill a big gap if done right. I mean, custom merchant gateways always looked like a double-edged sword for me—on one hand, you can tailor everything directly to your needs, but on the other, the compliance, security, and integration headaches might be more than you can chew solo.

I wonder, have you thought about starting with a hybrid approach? For instance, using a local aggregator or partnering with a smaller processor to get some of the heavy lifting handled while you focus on specific custom features that set your solution apart. It really piques my curiosity about what reusable components or APIs might already be out there that could lessen the workload.

Also, what has been your experience with local regulations and compliance requirements? Since they can sometimes be unpredictable, any insights on that front might help others who are considering this route. Keen to know your thoughts on balancing innovation with regulatory compliance in such projects. Anyone else here tried something similar or have any interesting stories on working with payment systems in India?

Developing a custom merchant gateway as a solo developer can be overwhelming. From my experience in similar ventures, the challenge goes beyond coding—the regulatory compliance, security protocols, and constant need for updates add layers of complexity that are not trivial to manage alone. An effective alternative is to build your solution on top of existing payment frameworks or partner with smaller processors. This strategy reduces risk and leverages established expertise while enabling tailored solutions for local markets without device the weight of full-scale gateway infrastructure.