A take on Google? Paytm launches mini App Store for Indian Techies

Has Paytm picked up a row post its app ban for a few hours on Play Store? Or is it against the mandatory 30% fee on Indian Startups payment option? We don't know; but what we know is, that, it has announced the launch of its “mini” App Store. This move will “support Indian developers” in taking their products to the masses. The mini apps are a custom-built mobile website that gives users app-like experience without having to download them.

The move comes at a time when Paytm CEO and many other Indian start-up founders have voiced their displeasure against Google. The latter has mandated that apps use the Play Store’s billing system for in-app purchases of digital goods. Further, there are speculations that Google Pay might charge 30% revenue from apps whose customers pay through it. Although, it has currently pushed the move for now.

On the move of the “mini” App Store, Vijay Shekhar, CEO at Paytm stated that he is proud that they are launching something that creates an opportunity for every Indian app developer. “Paytm Mini App Store empowers our young Indian developers to leverage our reach and payments to build new innovative services. For Paytm users, it will be a seamless experience that doesn’t require any separate download and enables them to use their preferred payment option,” he added.

What will Paytm provide?

Paytm will not charge any fee from the developers for distribution. Further, it comes with a developer dashboard for analytics, payments collection along with various marketing tools to engage with the users. This app store has also been running in beta with select users. Thereby, it has witnessed over 12 million visits in the month of September.

As per Paytm, more than 300 app-based service providers, such as Decathlon, Ola, Park+, Rapido, Netmeds, 1MG, Domino’s Pizza, FreshMenu and NoBroker have already joined its new programme.

The company also says that its mini-app store is open to any developer. It will provide a range of features including the ability to support subscriptions and one-step login. The startup said it will not charge any commission to developers for using its payments system or UPI payments infrastructure; but will levy a 2% charge on “other instruments such as credit cards.”