Imagine you’re standing at a checkout counter in the shopping mall or dining at a restaurant, but the wallet is fully empty or may be even not with you. No cash, no cards, and no way to make the payment? Not quite! With the introduction of UPI Apps in India, now hassle-free payments can be made anytime and anywhere. India’s digital payment landscape has undergone a complete transformation over the last decade, all because of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system.
This was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), a body under the government of India. UPI has made instant and real-time transactions possible for lakhs of citizens today. In 2025, UPI has become the most dominant mode of receiving and sending money, with multiple transactions occurring every month across different application portals. The competition amongst these apps has led to continuous innovation in the features offered and the overall user experience.
With just a mobile device and a stable internet connection, the payments can be made fuss-free. With the linking of a bank account, it easy to manage your money without needing to log into different bank apps. Let us understand what these apps are and how they can help ease your transactions, with an insight into the top five UPI apps that have gained immense popularity amongst the masses today. Different apps have different features, reward points and user interface. These options make it easier for the customer to choose the right app that is suitable as per his or her convenience.
The top 5 UPI apps in India, based on transaction volume, are PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM, and Amazon Pay. All these apps allow you to manage your digital payments with ease.
1) Google Pay: Another hugely desirable and popular financial transaction application with a large user base is Google Pay. Being a private UPI app, it has intense focus on providing top-notch user experience. GPay, as commonly termed, was founded in 2011 by the owner company Google. It has downloads of over 100 crores, making it one of the most secure payment apps. It was initially started under the name Google Wallet and in 2018 it was renamed as Google Pay. One of the most unique UPI apps, this one offers exciting deals, discount vouchers, cashback, reward points, coupon codes and gift cards for purchase. There is ease of use for all Google services and linking multiple bank accounts is easy too.
2) PhonePe: This app has emerged as the undisputed market leader, as the most widely used UPI app in the 2025 ratings. With a simplified interface, rapid transaction ability, and vast merchant acceptance, PhonePe has cemented its place as a household name. The consistency in terms of transaction volume and market share has made it a consumer favourite. PhonePe was launched in 2016, and with over 50 crores plus downloads done as of now, its popularity is only on further increase. One of the best UPI apps, the superior financial technology used in its designing helps with easy flow of money, high speed, reliability and security. A host of varied services can be availed – multiple language options available for the user, money transfers, bill payments for utilities and recharges, merchant payments and cashback offer.
3) Paytm: The next on this list is another competitor and a prominent player – Paytm. This UPI app was launched in 2010 and combines the facility of transacting with its wallet and a range of other services. With more than 50 crores users, it is considered to be a pioneer. Paytm is indeed one of the best UPI apps in India. With over 20 million merchants and 300 million customers using its services, this app offers a seamless experience for users who aspire to avail simple financial services. From being a digital wallet in its inception to a now positioning itself as a full-fledged app, it offers services ranging from payments to banking. Its versatility and a wide merchant bank network set it apart from others in the category.
4) Amazon Pay: This UPI app has emerged as a new entry too, and scaled up the popularity charts thanks to the large transaction volume and multiple added benefits this application offers. Known to be a shopper’s paradise, Amazon Pay largely works in favour of online shoppers by offering payment option within the Amazon ecosystem. Its increasing traction as a reliable platform, thanks to its integration with India’s largest e-commerce website compels people to use it and earn loyalty rewards with more usage. Amazon Pay was launched in 2019 and fulfils multiple purposes with ease. The integration between the shopping site and payment gateway provides a secure way to handle the financial transactions.
5) BHIM: With over 10 Crores plus downloads so far, BHIM stands for Bharat Interface for Money. It is one of the fastest growing apps in terms of search volume, being a government run and monitored payment app. It was developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to facilitate digital transactions using UPI mode and enables users to transact with money, scan QR codes and check their payment history.
Some of the emerging apps apart from the ones listed above have also become popular over time:
- Cred: Originally a credit card bill payment platform, it later expanded itself into a UPI app. Its UPI services have gained a significant liking amongst the urban and well-earning population category. Cred was launched in 2018 and has been slowly rising on the ladder with increasing downloads now. It also runs exciting promotions from time to time, adds a touch of exclusivity to the UPI experience and provides a high-quality user experience.
- Mobi Kwik: This RBI approved application operates through its payment gateway arm, Zaakpay, which works as an all-in-one solution for business and customers. With over 10 crores downloads from the play store, it has been on continuous rise in the recent years. The company initially partnered with online merchants to make their wallet a payment option on e-commerce web sites. Now, users can pay their bills, avail loans, make credit card payments, carry out recharges.
The entire UPI ecosystem has become diverse, growing and innovative more than ever in 2025. Every app is pushing the limits to offer more secure, user-friendly and feature-rich experiences. The comprehensive features and one-stop solutions make these UPI apps a must to have. Today, there is a UPI app available for every individual, whether a first-time user or a digital tech expert.