Best UPI Payment Apps in India

1. Convenient to use: UPI offers a seamless and convenient way to transfer funds instantly using smartphones. These transactions can be initiated from anywhere, 24/7, without requiring you to visit a bank branch or ATM. 
2. Interoperability: This payment service is interoperable across multiple banks and multiple payment service providers, allowing users to send and receive money between different accounts without restrictions. 
3. Safe and secure: The UPI transactions are secure and encrypted, and they require multi-factor authentication, such as a PIN or biometric verification, ensuring the safety of transactions. 
4. Quick service: UPI allows for the user to transfer the funds instantly between the bank accounts linked to the UPI platform. 
5. Easy to use: UPI provides a single interface for accessing multiple bank accounts, eliminating the need to manage multiple banking apps. Moreover, this payment system is easy to use, requiring minimal steps to initiate and complete transactions. 
6. Government backed: In the last few years, the government of India has been actively promoting digital payments, and UPI is a key component of these efforts.

How to Set Up a UPI App

Here’s how you can set up UPI in any app:

• Download a UPI-enabled app (e.g., PhonePe, BHIM, Google Pay)
• Register using your mobile number linked to your bank account
• Select your bank from the list
• The app will automatically fetch your account details
• Create a UPI ID (VPA) like yourname@upi
• Set a UPI PIN using your debit card details
• You're now ready to send/receive money via UPI.

How to Complete a Transaction using UPI?

Follow the steps given below to complete a transaction using UPI:

Step 1: Launch the UPI-enabled application where you have completed registration on your smartphone.

Step 2: Sign in to the app using your m-PIN or UPI PIN.

Step 3: Choose the "Transfer/Send Money" feature.

Step 4: Input the recipient's VPA/account details/mobile number.

Step 5: Specify the amount to be transferred.

Step 6: Confirm the payment by entering your UPI PIN.

Step 7: The transfer is processed instantly, and a confirmation message is dispatched to the user's mobile number.

Fees and Charges for UPI Transactions

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) does not impose any fees or charges for accessing UPI services. This service is provided free of cost. The objective behind launching UPI was to encourage digital transactions and ensure its accessibility to all individuals.

UPI App Security: Best Practices to Stay Safe

Protect yourself from fraud by following these UPI security tips:

1. Never share your UPI PIN or OTP
2. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or QR codes
3. Use biometric login (if available)
4. Set transaction limits
5. Always check the receiver's UPI ID before sending money
6. Use official apps only (download from Google Play Store or App Store)

NPCI and RBI also recommend enabling SMS alerts and checking statements regularly.

Top UPI Apps in India for Seamless Payments

The Indian apps with UPI feature are as listed below:

PhonePe

This is one of the most popular payment apps that allows users to transact using the UPI interface. This is considered to be one among the most preferred apps for UPI. The app was founded in 2015 and is powered by Yes Bank.

BHIM App

The BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) app has been developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This app is known for its simplicity. It also offers a very secure interface. The payment interface comes with all the essential features and is known for its good user experience. Funds transfers can be initiated either through VPA, QR code or bank account number and IFSC Code.

MobiKwik

This Indian payment network also joined the UPI interface. All Mobikwik customers can use UPI to add money into their wallet. They already provided various services such as fund transfer using debit card/credit card, net banking, cash pickup and cash deposit. The e-wallet service provider also has tied-up with various e-commerce merchants.

Google Pay

Launched by technology giant Google, the GPay app is one of the other apps that will provide customers the facility of using UPI. What makes this app different is that it is available in many Indian languages such as Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Kannada, Gujarati, Bengali, and Hindi.

Amazon Pay

Initially, Amazon Pay was launched as a prepaid wallet and now has grown to provide integrated payments service. It is well connected with most of the banks and accepted on most of the payment gateways.  

Freecharge

Freecharge is a Gurugram based application that allows you to make all types of payments like recharge, money transfer, credit card payment, etc. You can avail yourself of a personal loan option from Freecharge based on your CIBIL score. 

Cred

Cred, founded in 2018 by Kunal Shah, was primarily designed for UPI payments and managing credit cards. However, most of the e-commerce platforms have embedded Cred as a payment option. Cred offers high cashback on transactions and is the fourth most popular UPI transaction app.

Around 52 banks in the country have collaborated with UPI to provide customers with the service. While most banks have developed their own UPI app in their existing mobile apps, other banks do not have UPI, while some banks have partnered with third parties to provide customers' access to UPI.

The UPI interface is changing the way digital payments are being made in the country. There are a number of UPI apps in the market and there are more and more such apps that are being launched. Another important point to remember is that you can use any UPI app to link your bank account Therefore all UPI apps are interoperable. For example, a customer can use or connect a Yes Bank account on the ICICI Pockets app.

Which Banks Support UPI Apps in India?

Almost all major Indian banks support UPI today. Here are a few:

1. State Bank of India (SBI)
2. HDFC Bank
3. ICICI Bank
4. Axis Bank
5. Punjab National Bank (PNB)
6. Kotak Mahindra Bank
7. Bank of Baroda (BoB)
8. Canara Bank
9. Union Bank of India
10. IDFC FIRST Bank

Note: UPI works across banks. Even if you use Google Pay, you can link it with any supported bank.

How can I Generate UPI PIN?

Follow the steps given below to generate UPI PIN:

Step 1: Open the UPI app for which you wish to generate PIN, such as Google Pay, CRED, etc.

Step 2: Navigate to the 'Bank Account' section within the app. This section displays all bank accounts linked to the app.

Step 3: Choose the specific bank account for which you wish to create a UPI PIN. If you have not set a UPI PIN for this account before, you will see a 'SET' option.

Step 4: Enter the last six digits and expiry date of your Debit/ATM card.

Step 5: You will receive an OTP (One-Time Password) from your bank on your registered mobile number. Enter this OTP on the next screen, along with the UPI PIN you wish to set for the account and click 'submit'.

UPI vs Other Payment Methods (NEFT, RTGS, IMPS)