Everything you ever wanted to know about UPI Apps

Get these UPI apps on your phone and make your payments with just one click

Tired of waiting for online money transfer? If so, don’t worry, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is here to your rescue. With the help of UPI, send and receive money in an instant, in a hassle-free manner. Further, there are a number of UPI Apps to make your transaction.

There are a number of UPI Apps catering to different banks and service providers. Hence, it brings in a simple, focused and structured approach to payment transfer.

In this blog, I will walk you through the popular UPI Apps that make the payment settlement system smooth.

1. Phonepe

PhonePe is a popular payment app with the option of UPI connectivity. The most important feature is the option of an additional wallet link and non-necessity of initial login.

There is no option of mandatory login using the Phonepe App. One can directly login to the site using the website URL.

Also, Phonepe gives access to popular linked wallets like JioMoney, Airtel Money, Freecharge, etc.

Going ahead, Phonepe has an innovative feature of navigating between over 50 apps. This is possible without downloading the app on your mobile or updating the same.

2. BHIM App

BHIM App is the most popular UPI payment App. It has an interesting feature of making UPI transactions from different banks on a single platform. Interestingly, BHIM App at present is available in 13 languages.

In addition to, Send Money, Receive Money and Scan & Pay option, you can also check your pending transactions via BHIM App. There is also an option of raising complaints about the declined transactions.

Further, the built-in security feature allows you to block users who put forth illicit money requests. Also, the user privacy feature enables you to disable your first UPI Id in case of the generation of a secondary UPI Id.

Going ahead, you don’t have to worry about payment reminders or splitting bills. There is an option to set a payment reminder as well as split bill with multiple UPI users in an instant.

3. Paytm

Recently, Paytm has enabled BHIM UPI on its payment platform. It follows a simple setup process with the selection of the ‘UPI App’ option from the Paytm App. Once the bank account and mobile number are verified, you can set the MPIN to start the transactions. The UPI Id follows the format mobilenumber@paytm.

Further, on changing the mobile, the verification of the new mobile number is mandatory to use BHIM UPI on Paytm.

4. MobiKwik

MobiKwik has the distinction of being the first payment platform to launch UPI Payment through its own virtual payment address. Also, Mobikwik provides a platform for P2P payment. So far, Whatsapp and Google Tezz are the sole providers of the P2P payment option.

5. Airtel Payments Bank

Airtel Payments Bank is the first payment bank to enable BHIM UPI on its payment platform. Using this platform, one can make money transfer to both it’s online and offline clients.

6. Google Tez

Google Tez is one of the popular payment apps from Google. Unlike BHIM App, Google Tez does not call for Aadhaar verification. There is a direct linkage of bank account using details like name, account number, IFSC Code, etc. Also, Google Tez has a unique feature of AudioQR sharing directly from one mobile to another. Further, like BHIM UPI App, the amount is transferred from a bank account to another, thereby reducing the need for an intermediary wallet.

Going ahead, Google Tez is also expected to support Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and e-wallets.

7. iMobile

This is a UPI interface offered by ICICI bank. The funds’ transfer can be carried out without incurring any transaction cost. In addition, one can set the time limit by which the money transfer should take place.

Nevertheless, the lone limitation of this UPI App is that it is compatible exclusively with Android phones at present.

8. Axis Pay

Axis Pay UPI provides all the essential features of UPI along with the unique feature of the UPI mandate. This feature enables automatic debit of the amount from your account on a prescheduled date.

9. SBI Pay

The UPI App from SBI comes with a flexible user interface. SBI is also planning for the web version along with MMID transactions.

10. BOB UPI

This is another secure UPI app from Bank of Baroda. With a stylish and sleek design of the user interface, it comes with all the essential features of a UPI app.

11. Chillr

Chillr app is an app by HDFC with a UPI payment facility. Like few UPI apps, Chillr also provides the option of adding multiple bank accounts on the same app. This eliminates the need to have multiple mobile banking applications for different banks.

12. Uber

Uber UPI has been launched with the intention of integrating existing Uber users to the UPI platform. Herein, the users have to link their bank account to the app and the transactions happen from bank to bank. Further, this feature is available exclusively for Android phones.

13. Freecharge

Freecharge is a digital payment app with  #OntheGo PIN Feature, Payment through Whatsapp Feature, QR Code Scan feature, etc.

Using the OntheGo PIN feature, the merchant transactions can be done in a hassle-free manner. Upon making payments, at the merchant’s side, a PIN is valid for 3 minutes. Once, you receive the payment, the transaction is completed within seconds.

Further, Freecharge has the option of payment feature through Whatsapp. It can be carried out by typing FC followed by selecting the name of the contact to whom money is being sent.

The added security feature of Freecharge is brought about by entering CVV or CV2 before making payments.

14. PayZapp

PayZapp is the mobile wallet app introduced by HDFC. The distinguishing feature of the app is its PIN on the signup to the app. Further, the transaction charges for PayZapp UPI transactions range from Rs. 3-5. The lone limitation of the app is that it is available solely on Android phones.

15. Pockets

ICICI powered E-wallet works both as a wallet cum shopping card. In other words, one can send and receive money from bank accounts as well as friends. Further, the ‘Touch and Pay’ feature with pockets enables you to make transactions with the swipe of a card.

Going ahead, the inbuilt customer support feature makes Pockets all-time reliable.

On the whole, UPI Apps provide a flexible way to transfer money without the hassle of entering complicated bank account details. Apps like BHIM UPI, Google Tez, SBI Pay, etc gives the option of transacting through multiple bank accounts from a single app. Going ahead, UPI is a technology that has the potential for exponential growth in the coming decades.

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