I’m sure fellow iPhone users are waiting for the day that Apple Pay comes to India. But for now, we just have to make do with other UPI apps for iPhone. UPI stands for Unified Payments Interface, and it’s the easiest method of cashless transactions in India.
Whether you want to send or receive money, recharge your mobile, pay utility bills, or make investments and shop online, UPI covers it all. This makes life super convenient.
To start, just connect your bank account and begin transacting on the go. Some of the apps also offer digital wallets to store your money, plus lucrative offers and cashback. Let’s have a look!
Note: You can only use UPI apps with your registered phone number that’s connected to your bank account.
1. Google Pay: Editor’s choice
Google Pay tops my list of the best UPI apps for its speed and ease of use. It works with all banks that support BHIM UPI payments and guides you through the entire setup process. You can pay others or request payments as well as communicate through text messages.
Your money stays securely in your bank account until you authorize payments with your UPI pin. Further, you can enjoy a range of conveniences such as recharging your phone, paying bills for electricity, gas, broadband, etc. You can even set up regular payments for these so that you never miss one!
Of course, you get rewarded for making payments in cashback or vouchers for various stores. You can routinely enjoy special offers, especially if you refer friends to use the app. It also supports QR code payments, so you can easily use it at local shops and merchants.
Besides, while I don’t enjoy the trivia games in the app, my editor Nidhi adores those games related to upcoming festivities or matches.
I am suspecting that the only reason she enjoys those trivia is because she wins!
Pros
- Clean, well-designed interface
- Straightforward
- Variety of features
- No ads
Cons
- No wallet
2. PhonePe: Best UPI app for rewards
PhonePe is another leading UPI app that’s worth having on your iPhone. It offers a range of features such as instant money transfers, bill payments, mutual fund investments, and shopping on various food, travel, grocery, and e-commerce apps without needing to download them separately.
For instance, I can use it to book a trip on MakeMyTrip without needing the MakeMyTrip app.
You can also purchase or renew your insurance, whether it’s for travel, health, or some other type. Moreover, it’s so versatile that you can also buy and sell gold on it and receive doorstep delivery of certified gold.
I especially love the cashback and other rewards on PhonePe, which are more numerous and lucrative than what Google Pay gives. (Nidhi is giving me strange looks for writing this as she made over 2K bucks via Google Pay rewards)
Pros
- One-stop payment solution
- Great cashback and rewards
- Reliable service
- Includes wallet
Cons
- Too many banner ads
3. PayTM: Best UPI app for business
Paytm is one of the first digital payments apps I used, and it’s grown incredibly over the years! The great thing about its wide acceptance across India. It’s perfect for all the usual cashless payments, including sending and receiving cash, recharges, bills, online shopping, etc.
Moreover, it’s a convenient mobile wallet to use anywhere, anytime. I love how the Paytm wallet doubles up as your FASTag account. So you can buy and manage Fastag for any vehicle with minimum documentation using your Paytm Wallet.
If you invest in stocks, you will love PayTM. It is the best UPI app for IPO that not only allows you to apply for IPO but also get information on subscription and help make an informed decision.
The wide range of options makes it incredibly versatile and a must-have UPI app for businesses and individuals alike.
Pros
- Most widely accepted UPI app
- Lucrative offers and cashback
- Lots of options
- Includes wallet
Cons
- Cluttered interface makes it less user-friendl
4. BHIM – Making India Cashless : Best multilingual UPI app
Check out this app from the makers of UPI. It’s super simple to use, and you can set a custom UPI of your choice. It includes all the standard features you would expect, such as sending and receiving payments, settling bills, and QR code scanning.
Further, you can personalize your home screen in the app to display the options you use most often. The distinctive factor about this app is its availability in 20 Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, and more.
Pros
- Available in 20 regional languages
- Simple and fast
- Developed by the creators of UPI
Cons
- Outdated user interface
5. Amazon Pay: Best UPI app for cashback
Ok, Amazon Pay is not a standalone app but an option in the Amazon India shopping app. However, it’s worth using to enjoy cashback and deals that you can use to shop on Amazon. Like all the other best UPI apps on this list, you can use Amazon Pay to send and receive payments.
You can also do mobile recharge, pay bills, book travels, get insurance, gift cards, and more. Of course, you get great cashback and deals along the way! Further, you get Amazon’s top-notch customer service, so you can rest assured in case of any issues.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lucrative cashback offers
- All the options you need
Cons
- No dedicated app
- Complicated to find within the Amazon app
6. Airtel Thanks – Recharge & UPI : Best for Airtel subscribers
If your carrier is Airtel, you are probably familiar with the My Airtel app; now Airtel Thanks. It’s an all-in-one app for UPI payment, recharge, bills, and money transfer. Of course, you can also manage all your Airtel services and enjoy exclusive offers.
Your payments are secured through the Airtel Payments Bank with Airtel Safe Pay. It uses Airtel Network Intelligence to send transaction alerts to your phone number for an additional layer of security.
Further, it also comes with Wynk Music which has a great selection of the top love songs, retro hits, party chartbusters, and more.
Pros
- Well-organized
- Exclusive offers
- Extra features like Wynk Music
Cons
- Customer support could be improved
7. Freecharge: Best for shopping
This is one of the oldest cashless payments apps in India. From recharges to bill payments, movie tickets, UPI transfers, investments, and more, FreeCharge covers it all pretty well.
It has excellent deals sections that allow you to buy lucrative discount coupons from your favorite brands starting at just a rupee!
Further, you can also get gift cards from brands such as Flipkart, Lifestyle, Myntra, etc. The best part is the easy-to-use interface that looks good and functions effectively. Lastly, this is one of the few UPI apps that’s also available on iPad.
Pros
- Pleasing interface
- Available on iPad
- Great deals on shopping
Cons
- Ads distract from the experience
8. Amazon Pay: Best UPI app for cashback
Ok, Amazon Pay is not a standalone app but an option in the Amazon India shopping app. However, it’s worth using to enjoy cashback and deals that you can use to shop on Amazon. Like all the other best UPI apps on this list, you can use Amazon Pay to send and receive payments.
You can also do mobile recharge, pay bills, book travels, get insurance, gift cards, and more. Of course, you get great cashback and deals along the way! Further, you get Amazon’s top-notch customer service, so you can rest assured in case of any issues.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lucrative cashback offers
- All the options you need
Cons
- No dedicated app
- Complicated to find within the Amazon app
9. BHIM Axis Pay: Most simplistic
While several banks have their own UPI apps, such as the HDFC UPI app for iPhone, Axis bank’s is the best one. It’s well-designed and reliable.
It can be used by both Axis bank and non-Axis bank customers to make payments from their phone to anyone without knowing the recipient’s bank details. It’s got a nice interface that functions well and is easy to use.
Further, the recharge feature is nifty too. The app uses very little space and data, so it’s lightweight on your phone. You also get cashback from time to time, but the rewards are not as good as other UPI apps.
Pros
- Clean interface
- Easy to use
- Quick recharge
Cons
- Not many offers or rewards
10. JioPay: Best for Jio users
Here’s another excellent UPI payments solution from Reliance Jio. Like Amazon Pay, it’s not a standalone app but integrated into the MyJio app. It offers UPI payments, bill payments, QR code scanning, and various entertainment avenues such as movies, music, games, quizzes, etc.
If you’re already using Jio services, this app is worth having, so you don’t need to get a separate UPI app. You can enjoy exciting offers and even link to other wallets such as Paytm and PhonePe.
Pros
- All-in-one app
- Good interface
- Attractive discounts from partner services
Cons
- No standalone app
11. Mobikwik: Best for credit
MobiKwik is another popular UPI app that helps you manage all your finances in one place. You can use it for recharges, money transfers, shopping, bookings, and more.
What makes it stand apart is the credit facility that lets you spend now and pay later at thousands of brand stores!
Further, you can even get instant personal loans of up to INR 500,000. Interest rates vary from
12%-30% p.a. with a tenure of 6 months-36 months. So, this is the perfect app to help you out in a financial crunch.
It’s efficient and works well, though there was news of a reported data breach. MobiKwik, however, denied this. Many people may also appreciate its patriotic branding!
Pros
- Works like an expense manager
- Set up a personal payment link
- Get credit and loans
Cons
- Plenty of ads
That wraps up my list of the best UPI apps for the iPhone. Although Google Pay is my favorite, all these apps offer similar features and conveniences. Each has its own merits and makes it super easy to go cashless.
No matter which you pick, a UPI app is a must-have today. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. If you have any questions or concerns, too, I’d be happy to help out.
You might also like:
- Why is Apple Pay not available in India: Lack of market or lack of interest?
- Best personal finance apps for iPhone and iPad
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