Here is a list of popular mobile payment apps in India. The popularity of apps can change over time, and the availability of certain apps may vary depending on your location and device.
- Paytm: One of the leading mobile payment and digital wallet apps in India, widely used for making payments, recharging mobiles, paying bills, booking tickets, and more. Paytm operates a payments bank, licensed by the Reserve Bank of India. It offers digital banking services, including savings accounts, current accounts, debit cards, and online banking facilities. Paytm is integrated with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a real-time payment system in India. Users can link their bank accounts to Paytm and make instant transfers to other UPI-enabled apps and bank accounts. Paytm started as a digital wallet platform, allowing users to store money digitally and make payments for various goods and services.
- Google Pay: Google’s mobile payment app, formerly known as Tez, that allows users to send and receive money, make payments at stores, pay bills, and more. Google Pay is based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform, which enables users to make instant and secure money transfers between bank accounts. Google Pay can be used for both online and in-store purchases.
- PhonePe: A popular mobile payment app in India that offers a range of services, including money transfers, bill payments, mobile recharges, and merchant payments. PhonePe is built on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform, allowing users to link their bank accounts and make instant and secure money transfers. PhonePe supports various payment methods, including bank accounts, debit cards, credit cards, and digital wallets. Users can initiate transactions by scanning QR codes.
- BHIM UPI: An app developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that enables users to send and receive money using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform. BHIM UPI simplifies the payment process by allowing users to send and receive money by using a UPI ID, which is typically a mobile number linked to their bank account. It eliminates the need for entering detailed bank account information for every transaction. The NPCI has developed the BHIM app as a dedicated UPI-enabled payment app.
- Amazon Pay: The mobile payment app by Amazon that allows users to make online payments, pay bills, recharge mobiles, and shop on Amazon India. Amazon Pay is tightly integrated with the Amazon platform. Users can use their existing Amazon account credentials to log in and access Amazon Pay. Amazon Pay allows users to make online payments on various e-commerce websites and mobile apps. Users can choose Amazon Pay as a payment option during checkout and complete the transaction using their Amazon Pay account.
Other popular mobile payment apps are MobiKwik, Freecharge, Airtel Payments Bank, JioMoney, Oxigen Wallet.
Mobile payment apps have gained significant popularity in India due to several factors:
- Digital Transformation: India has witnessed a rapid digital transformation in recent years, with increased smartphone penetration and internet connectivity. This has created a favorable environment for the adoption of mobile payment apps.
- Demonetization: The Indian government’s demonetization initiative in 2016, which aimed to reduce cash transactions and promote digital payments, served as a catalyst for the growth of payment apps.
- Convenience and Ease of Use: Payment apps offer convenience and ease of use, allowing users to make transactions quickly and securely with just a few taps on their smartphones. The simplicity of these apps, combined with features like QR code scanning and easy fund transfers, has attracted users.
- Cashback and Rewards: Many payment apps offer cashback, discounts, and rewards for using their services. These incentives have been successful in attracting and retaining users, as they provide additional value and savings.
- Wide Acceptance: Payment apps have achieved wide acceptance among merchants, with many retailers and service providers accepting payments through these apps. This extensive network of acceptance points has encouraged users to adopt mobile payment apps for their transactions.
- Peer-to-Peer Payments: The ability to send and receive money instantly between individuals has been a key driver of adoption. Payment apps enable users to split bills, share expenses, and transfer funds to friends and family effortlessly.
- Integration with Other Services: Payment apps have expanded their offerings beyond basic transactions. Many apps now provide additional services like bill payments, mobile recharges, ticket bookings, and online shopping, making them more versatile and appealing to users.
- Trust and Security: Payment apps have invested in robust security measures to protect user data and transactions. Users feel more confident about the security of their financial information, which has contributed to the widespread adoption of these apps.
- Government Support: The Indian government has actively promoted digital payments, providing incentives and launching initiatives like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to facilitate seamless and secure transactions. Such support has played a significant role in the popularity of payment apps.
