UPI payments have been a game-changer in India’s digital revolution. You surely have encountered the UPI system if you’ve been using online payment apps regularly. Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, more and more people have turned to online financial transactions, making these apps an essential part of our lives. Now, let’s dive into understanding all the features of these apps and which ones are the best UPI apps in India. But before we do that, let’s start with a general overview of UPI.
What is UPI?
UPI, short for Unified Payments Interface, is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It facilitates inter-bank transactions, allowing instant fund transfers between two bank accounts through mobile or web platforms. The magic of UPI is that you can link multiple bank accounts. Therefore, it avoids the hassle of logging into various bank apps to make payments.
Additionally, UPI has made it possible to send money swiftly to anyone across the nation. It’s worth noting that all UPI apps available on the Play Store are suitable for making payments. So, let’s explore the top UPI apps in India that offer seamless and rapid transactions.
Best UPI apps in India
Not all apps listed on the Play Store are equally good for making UPI payments. Many times, the interface of some of these UPI apps in India may be hard to understand initially. Therefore, in this post, we have handpicked the best UPI apps in India that are easiest to use and definitely worth checking out.
These are the Best UPI apps that you should try
Phonepe
PhonePe is an app that has played a pivotal role in building trust among the Indian population for online mobile payments. It offers one of India’s safest and fastest online payments, outshining many other UPI payment apps and Internet banking services.
What sets PhonePe apart is its integrated wallet feature, allowing users to add money swiftly for instant payments. But that’s not all. PhonePe goes beyond UPI payments; users can recharge, settle bills online, order food, shop, and more through the app. On top of these conveniences, PhonePe sweetens the deal with a range of offers, rewards, and cashback for its customers. In a nutshell, PhonePe stands out as the best UPI app in India, revolutionizing the way Indians embrace online mobile payments.
Paytm
Paytm is a widely recognized mobile payment app in India. From small businesses like local groceries to clothing shops and hardware stores, everyone uses Paytm. QR code payments are readily available at these merchant shops, making transactions a breeze. Paytm offers a range of services, including Paytm Mall, Paytm Wallet, and Paytm UPI.
Paytm implements a triple-layer security system to ensure your online transactions are safe and sound. The app itself is a one-stop shop for all things related to online payments, from buying household items to booking train tickets, grabbing movie tickets, purchasing groceries, and even booking bus and flight tickets. Therefore, It has played a pivotal role in gaining merchants’ confidence in online transactions, making it a driving force in the market.
Google Pay
Google Pay, powered by the tech giant Google, secures the third spot on our list of the best UPI apps in India. The sheer brand power of Google has played a significant role in building trust among both new and existing customers. One of the most delightful aspects of using Google Pay is the coupons. Whenever users make a transaction, they get a coupon in the form of a scratch card.
After scratching, you’ll receive a reward, which is then directly credited to your bank account. With frequently used merchant and payment contacts, Google Pay also makes payments a breeze. Moreover, Google Pay caters to a diverse user base by supporting regional languages like Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, and more.
BHIM
Launched in 2016, BHIM pioneered the UPI mode of payment. What sets BHIM apart is that it’s launched and managed directly by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), with the backing of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This app goes the extra mile by supporting twenty languages, appealing to people across diverse geographical regions.
You can even initiate a transaction by adding the recipient’s account number and IFSC code. Moreover, BHIM doesn’t burden users with additional transaction fees. Besides ensuring top-notch security, BHIM offers convenient features like QR code scanning for swift payments, easy internet plan recharge, and simplified flight ticket purchases. It’s a powerful tool that’s making digital payments accessible to all in India.
Amazon Pay
Amazon Pay initially started as a prepaid wallet but quickly evolved into a full-fledged payment service with UPI payments. The strong brand recognition of Amazon played a significant role in propelling Amazon Pay to rapid success in India within a short span. Amazon Pay is well-integrated with various shopping platforms and payment gateways.
It offers convenient shopping experiences and attractive discounts, including savings on Amazon Prime subscriptions. Additional discounts and cashback incentives are also offered when you choose it as your payment method. Furthermore, it covers various financial transactions, including paying electricity, gas, credit card bills, etc. Users can also invest in Mutual funds, FDs, Gold, and Insurance through the app.
All these advantages earned Amazon its place among the best UPI apps in India List.
CRED
CRED has recently garnered significant attention thanks to its unique and trendy marketing campaigns that tap into current trends. It’s an app that simplifies payments and rewards you for responsible financial management. Initially designed to manage credit card and utility payments, CRED has expanded its reach into various payment realms.
It simplifies bill payments, including utility and credit cards. With CRED, you can quickly scan and pay at physical stores or send money to anyone using UPI. Additionally, you can link your credit cards to your CRED account and make payments through them. The cherry on the top is ‘Cred’ points, cashback rewards, and payment vouchers. Using CRED points, users can earn cashback on transactions and unlock rewards, prizes, and special offers.
FAQ of UPI in India
Which is the most used UPI app in India?
PhonePe is India’s most used UPI app, with over 44 million registered users and over 20 million monthly active users. So, it’s clear why it’s in the number one spot on our list of best UPI apps in India.
How many people use UPI in India?
It is estimated that there are 300 million UPI users and 500 million merchants who accept UPI as a method of money transfer in India.
