Mobile wallets like Airtel Money, Paytm, and PhonePe have revolutionized the way we make payments, simplifying our lives significantly.
India is one of the fastest-growing markets for mobile wallets in the world. According to Statista, Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay, it is predicted that the number of users in India will extend to hundreds of millions by 2025.
Also, payments via these platforms are expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.9% between 2023 and 2027.
Whether you’re paying for the auto ride, ordering food via Zomato, or sending money to family, these apps are now a daily part of life. You can even see street hawkers and vendors using mobile wallets in India. You no longer need to carry cash or search for your card — just a few taps on your phone, and you’re done!
But how exactly are mobile wallets in India making transactions so easy? What are the popular types of mobile wallets?
Let’s find out!
What is a Mobile Wallet?
A mobile wallet is a digital wallet that stores information from a debit card, a credit card, coupons, or reward cards on a mobile device. It lets you carry cash digitally. Instead of using a physical card, you can pay with your smartphone now. You just have to link your account to the digital wallet to add money, which is a one-time drill. There are many banks and private companies that offer e-wallets.
A mobile wallet in India uses advanced technology like Near Field Communication (NFC) for contactless payments. This also includes strong encryption to keep your payment information safe, even if your device is lost or stolen. This is the development that has made it easy for all of us to go shopping, book cabs, and even buy groceries.
There are various types of mobile wallets in India. You must have probably heard names like Paytm, Freecharge, Mobikwik, SBI Buddy, itz Cash, Vodafone M-Pesa, SpeedPay, mRuppee, Airtel Money, Jio Money, etc.
Let us see how these mobile wallets work!
How do Mobile Wallets in India Work?
Mobile wallets store payment information securely on your smartphone. They use technology to make payments easy and safe:
- Instead of storing your actual card number, mobile wallets create a unique digital token for each transaction. This increases security.
- For in-store payments, NFC allows wireless communication between your phone and a payment terminal.
- Many wallets use fingerprints or facial recognition to verify your identity before completing a payment.
Types of Mobile Wallets
Mobile wallets can be divided into four main types based on their features and how they interact with banks:
Open Mobile Wallets
These are mobile wallets that are issued by banks or non-bank entities in partnership with banks. You can make payments to any merchant that accepts the wallet. You can also transfer money to other wallets/ bank accounts.
Some of the popular open wallets are Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay, and MobiKwik.
Semi-Open Mobile Wallets
These work with specific groups of businesses or banks. You may not be able to use them everywhere. Some of these are digital wallet apps like Starbucks or Ola Money.
Semi-closed Wallets
These are mobile wallets that are issued by non-bank entities with the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
You can add money to these via your bank accounts.
They do not allow cash withdrawals or redemption. Examples of semi-closed wallets are Amazon Pay, Ola Money, and Freecharge.
Closed Mobile Wallets
These are mobile wallets that are issued by specific merchants or service providers for their own customers.
It lets you store money in the wallet and make payments only to the issuing merchant or service provider. They do not allow cash withdrawals, redemption, or transfer to other wallets or bank accounts.
Some of the widely used mobile wallets are Flipkart Wallet, BookMyShow Wallet, and MakeMyTrip Wallet.
Benefits of Mobile Wallets
Mobile wallets like Vodafone M-Pesa, PhonePe,Axis Bank Lime, ICICI Pockets, and Paytm are making life easier and safer when it comes to payments.
- More Secure Than Cash or Cards
Unlike cash or physical credit/debit cards, mobile wallets offer extra protection. If your smartphone gets stolen, it’s not easy for someone to access your wallet without your password, fingerprint, or face recognition.
For example, if your card is lost, someone can easily use it, but with mobile wallets, they can’t use it without unlocking your phone first.
- Safer Transactions
When you pay through mobile wallets, your card details are not stored directly on your phone. They use encryption and tokenisation to protect your information.
So, your bank account and card details stay safe from fraud.
- Faster Payments
Using a mobile wallet is one of the quickest ways. You just have to simply unlock your phone, open the app, and tap to pay — it’s that easy!
For example, when you’re buying something at a shop, it takes just a few seconds to pay with your phone, compared to waiting for the card to be swiped or inserted.
- Carry Less, Store More
With mobile wallets, you can store much more than just your debit or credit cards. It acts more like a digital version of your wallet, which you otherwise carry inside your trousers. You can add your driver’s license, health insurance cards, loyalty cards, bus or train tickets, and even hotel key cards.
Popular Mobile Wallets in India
Let us take a look at a few mobile wallet examples:
| Mobile Wallet | Key Features |
| Paytm | Bill payments, recharges, money transfers, online shopping. |
| PhonePe | UPI-based payments, bill payments, recharges, money transfers. |
| Google Pay | Combines UPI functionality with mobile wallet features, direct bank transfers, stores payment methods. |
| Amazon Pay | Integrated with Amazon, purchases, bill payments, money transfers. |
| MobiKwik | Bill payments, recharges, money transfers, shopping. |
| FreeCharge | Mobile recharges, bill payments, money transfers, shopping. |
| Airtel Money | Bill payments, recharges, money transfers. |
These mobile wallets offer a variety of features.
• Paytm
Paytm is India’s largest mobile wallet provider. It offers a range of services, such as mobile recharge, bill payments, ticket booking, money transfer, insurance, loans, and more.
It also operates Paytm Payments Bank, which offers savings accounts, debit cards, and UPI services.
• PhonePe
PhonePe is a leading mobile wallet and UPI app.
It offers various services such as mobile recharge, bill payments, ticket booking, online shopping, money transfer, insurance, mutual funds, and more.
It also operates PhonePe Switch, which allows users to access over 200 apps within the PhonePe app.
• Google Pay
Google Pay is a versatile app that functions both as a UPI-based payment app and a mobile wallet:
For UPI functionality, Google Pay allows users to link their bank accounts and make direct bank-to-bank transfers using UPI (Unified Payments Interface).
As a Digital Wallet, Google Pay can store payment methods like credit/debit cards, tickets, and passes for contactless payments.
So, Google Pay offers the convenience of bank transfers and the flexibility of a digital wallet.
• MobiKwik
MobiKwik offers services such as mobile recharge, bill payments, ticket booking, online shopping, money transfer, insurance, loans, and more.
It also operates MobiKwik Zip, which provides instant credit to users.
How to Use a Mobile Wallet
Using a mobile wallet is simple and secure:
- You must install the mobile wallet app from your phone’s app store.
- Next, you need to create an account by following the instructions and entering your personal details.
- Now, add your debit/credit card or bank account information.
- As the next step, you must now use fingerprint or face recognition for security.
- You are almost done. Now, you need to open the app to make a payment.
- You can transfer money to others by entering their contact info or scanning their QR code.
Many of you might be wondering if mobile wallets and digital wallets are the same. They’re not!
Let’s find out how.
Mobile Wallets and Digital Wallets: Are they the Same?
A digital wallet and a mobile wallet are very similar but not exactly the same. Both allow you to make payments and store information like credit cards and bank accounts. However, a digital wallet is mainly used for online purchases and can be accessed on any device with internet access, such as a computer.
On the other hand, a mobile wallet is designed specifically for use on smartphones or wearable devices, and is more focused on payments in physical stores or on the go.
So, while they both help you make transactions, a mobile wallet is a type of digital wallet that works on mobile devices.
Conclusion
Mobile wallets are powerful tools driving India’s journey toward a cashless and digital economy. They hold the key to a future where financial empowerment becomes accessible to everyone.
FAQs: Mobile Wallets in India
A mobile wallet digitally stores information from a credit card, a debit card, coupons, or reward cards on a mobile device. It lets you make mobile payments using your smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch.
Paytm, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, MobiKwik, FreeCharge, Airtel Money are widely used mobile wallets in India.
UPI is a payment system for bank transfers, while mobile wallets like Paytm store your money and details for easy transactions.
In India, there are various mobile wallets like SBI Buddy, itz Cash, Vodafone M-Pesa, SpeedPay. Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay, etc that are widely used for making digital payments.
Mobile wallets offer security, convenience, and fast transactions for payments and money transfers.
Mobile wallets store your payment information and use NFC or QR codes to make secure, contactless payments.
Source- cashlessindia.gov.in
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