Paytm
by One97 Communications Ltd
About This App
Paytm is India's pioneering digital payments platform, founded in 2010 by Vijay Shekhar Sharma under One97 Communications in Noida. What started as a mobile recharge and bill payment app grew into a comprehensive financial services ecosystem — UPI payments, Paytm Wallet, merchant payments (Paytm Soundbox), insurance, lending, investments, and even a mini-app store. With 333 million+ registered users and 100 million+ monthly active users, it is one of India's most widely used fintech apps. Paytm's standout strength is its massive offline merchant network — the Paytm Soundbox (audio confirmation device for QR payments) is ubiquitous across India, from street vendors to large retailers. The platform supports UPI, wallet, credit/debit cards, netbanking, and Paytm Postpaid (buy-now-pay-later). For businesses, Paytm offers payment gateway services, POS devices, and working capital loans through Paytm Capital. Paytm is free for consumers. Merchants pay standard transaction fees (around 2% for non-UPI). After the RBI restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank in January 2024, the company pivoted to a third-party bank model and secured RBI approval as a payment aggregator in November 2025. Ant Financial (Alibaba) fully exited in August 2025, making Paytm 100% Indian-owned. Revenue was ₹2,283 crore in Q2 FY26, and the company reported its first quarterly profit in FY26. Paytm is best suited for anyone in India making digital payments — from UPI transfers to bill payments to merchant QR scans. The app has become bloated with features and ads over the years, and the post-RBI-action trust deficit is real. But its merchant acceptance is unmatched, and for many small-town Indians, Paytm was their first entry into digital payments.
App Details
One97 Communications Ltd
Honest Review
4.3/5 on Google Play Store (50M+ downloads) · Last verified 2026-04-25
What works well
- +Now 100% Indian-owned — Ant Financial fully exited Aug 2025
- +Comprehensive financial services: payments, insurance, lending, investments
- +Largest offline merchant payment network in India (Paytm Soundbox)
- +Wide acceptance across small shops, restaurants, and auto-rickshaws
- +RBI-approved payment aggregator since November 2025
- +Pioneered digital payments for small-town India — first fintech app for millions
What needs improvement
- -RBI restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank (Feb 2024) caused service disruption
- -App has become bloated with too many features and ads
- -Investment/lending products can have hidden terms
- -Revenue still under pressure post-RBI action
- -Home screen has 18+ buttons creating cluttered UX — violates basic design principles
Common user complaints
- !Cashback offers have reduced significantly compared to early days
- !Too many notifications and promotional spam
- !KYC verification process can be frustrating and repetitive
- !Soundbox marketed as free but unauthorized charges deducted after trial period
- !App crashes repeatedly on balance history page — reported throughout 2026
Learn Paytm on YouTube
Hand-picked videos to help you get started — tutorials, demos, and reviews.
Paytm kaise use karte hain - Paytm kaise chalu karen
How to use Paytm? | How to Use Paytm Application in Hindi
How NRIs Can Use Paytm for UPI Payments in India | Step-by-Step Guide
Paytm Account Create, All Settings And Features | Paytm UPI Kaise Use Karen
Indian Alternative To
Paytm is a powerful Indian alternative to these international apps:
Is Paytm an alternative to PayPal?
Yes, Paytm by One97 Communications Ltd is an Indian alternative to PayPal. It offers similar functionality while being developed and maintained in India.Explore other Indian alternatives to PayPal →
Is Paytm an alternative to Venmo?
Yes, Paytm by One97 Communications Ltd is an Indian alternative to Venmo. It offers similar functionality while being developed and maintained in India.Explore other Indian alternatives to Venmo →
Is Paytm an alternative to Cash App?
Yes, Paytm by One97 Communications Ltd is an Indian alternative to Cash App. It offers similar functionality while being developed and maintained in India.Explore other Indian alternatives to Cash App →
Is Paytm an alternative to Google Pay?
Yes, Paytm by One97 Communications Ltd is an Indian alternative to Google Pay. It offers similar functionality while being developed and maintained in India.Explore other Indian alternatives to Google Pay →
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