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PhonePe launches Indus Appstore, its Made in India answer to Google Play Store's dominance

IndianStartupNews

IndianStartupNews · 1y ago

PhonePe launches Indus Appstore, its Made in India answer to Google Play Store's dominance

Walmart-owned PhonePe has launched the Indus Appstore as an alternative to the Google Play Store in India. The app store offers over 200,000 mobile apps and games across 45 categories, with support for 12 Indian languages. It also allows developers to choose any third-party payment gateway for in-app billing without imposing commission fees. PhonePe has partnered with OEMs such as Nokia and Lava to integrate the app store into their devices. The move comes as concerns grow over high commission fees and restrictive policies of major app marketplaces.

Related News

Indus Appstore, Xiaomi India partner to expand the homegrown app marketplace

YourStory

YourStory · 5m ago

Indus Appstore, Xiaomi India partner to expand the homegrown app marketplace

Indus Appstore, owned by PhonePe, has partnered with Xiaomi India to integrate its platform into new Xiaomi smartphones, replacing GetApps. This move supports a localized digital ecosystem, offering multilingual app discovery and a video-first approach. Indus Appstore aims to enhance app accessibility for Indian users while aiding developers. The partnership signifies the increasing demand for local app marketplaces in India's digital landscape, further aiding in challenging the dominance of platforms like the Google Play Store.

Xiaomi taps PhonePe's app store for India smartphones

TechCrunch · 9m ago

Xiaomi taps PhonePe's app store for India smartphones

Xiaomi will replace its app store in India with fintech PhonePe's offering, the Indus AppStore, starting in January. The move is a significant win for PhonePe, as well as a strategic adjustment for Xiaomi in one of its largest international markets. Xiaomi, the second largest smartphone vendor in India, will roll out the update to its customers' devices in India automatically. PhonePe's Indus AppStore aims to challenge Google's dominance in the Indian market and addresses concerns about excessive fees and lack of support for third-party payment providers on Google Play.

PhonePe Launches Indus Appstore To Take On Google, Apple

Inc42 · 1y ago

PhonePe Launches Indus Appstore To Take On Google, Apple

Fintech giant PhonePe has launched Indus Appstore, an Android app marketplace that aims to challenge Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The platform, which is available in English and 12 Indian languages, hosts over 200,000 apps across 45 categories. Notably, developers listed on Indus Appstore will be free to use any third-party payment gateway for in-app billing without incurring commissions. This move comes as Indian startups have been opposing Google's commissions and new billing system. PhonePe's Indus Appstore aims to tap into the growing Indian app economy, which is predicted to be worth 12% of India's GDP by 2030.

PhonePe launches made-in-India Indus Appstore to take on Google, Apple

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

PhonePe launches made-in-India Indus Appstore to take on Google, Apple

Walmart's PhonePe has launched its app marketplace, Indus Appstore, to compete with Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The company aims to bring healthy competition to the market, creating a more democratic and vibrant Indian digital ecosystem. Indus Appstore differentiates itself by not charging developers any platform fee or commission for in-app payments and allowing them to integrate any payment gateway they choose. This move comes amid Indian startup founders' and app developers' concerns over restrictions on payments and high commission rates by US giants.

PhonePe Takes on Google Play with Indus Appstore

OutlookIndia

OutlookIndia · 1y ago

PhonePe Takes on Google Play with Indus Appstore

Walmart-backed PhonePe has launched Indus Appstore, an indigenous Android app store aiming to challenge the dominance of Google and Apple. The app store offers flexibility to developers, allowing them to use any payment platform without commission fees for in-app purchases, unlike Google's Play Store. Indus Appstore plans to differentiate itself by offering robust support for regional languages, adopting a video-centric approach to app discovery, and implementing mobile number verification for login. The platform already hosts apps from major Indian companies and aims to onboard 500,000 apps across sectors by the end of 2024.

PhonePe’s Indus Appstore Launches Voice Search Feature In 10 Indian Languages

Inc42 · 1y ago

PhonePe’s Indus Appstore Launches Voice Search Feature In 10 Indian Languages

PhonePe, the fintech major, has introduced an AI-powered voice search feature on its Android app marketplace, Indus Appstore. This new feature allows users to browse for apps in 10 Indian regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu. PhonePe aims to increase the adoption of its app marketplace by partnering with smartphone manufacturers and getting Indus Appstore pre-installed on 250-300 million smartphones by the end of this year. The Indus Appstore surpassed 1 million users shortly after its launch in February.

PhonePe to launch app store on February 21

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

PhonePe to launch app store on February 21

Digital payments company PhonePe is gearing up to launch its app store, Indus Appstore, on February 21, targeting the dominance of Apple and Google. Unlike its competitors, Indus Appstore will not charge developers any platform fee or commission for in-app payments, allowing them to integrate any payment gateway of their choice. The store will feature video-led app discovery and custom targeted ads in Indian languages, and developers will have the option to list their apps in over 12 Indian languages.

Walmart's PhonePe launches India app store in challenge to Google | TechCrunch

TechCrunch · 1y ago

Walmart's PhonePe launches India app store in challenge to Google | TechCrunch

PhonePe, the Indian fintech company backed by Walmart, has launched its own Android app store to challenge Google's monopoly in India. The Indus Appstore features over 200,000 apps, including those from top brands such as Microsoft, Amazon and Meta, across 45 categories. The app store supports third-party payments and offers a range of unique features, including support for 12 regional languages and around-the-clock customer service. PhonePe plans to monetize the app store by charging developers for app discovery and displaying ads. The move comes as app developers globally push back against Google and Apple's dominance and alleged unfair terms.

PhonePe launches Indus Appstore to rival Google Play Store in India

Livemint

Livemint · 1y ago

PhonePe launches Indus Appstore to rival Google Play Store in India

PhonePe, a Walmart-owned fintech, has launched an Android-based mobile application store called Indus Appstore in India. With over 200,000 apps and games in 12 Indian languages, PhonePe aims to capitalize on the growing mobile usage in the country. The app store offers a self-publishing platform for developers and allows third-party payment gateways. PhonePe is also partnering with smartphone makers to expand its reach. The move is seen as a challenge to Google's Play Store and an effort to create a more inclusive digital ecosystem in India.

PhonePe may open its app store to developers to counter Google, Apple clout

Money Control

Money Control · 1y ago

PhonePe may open its app store to developers to counter Google, Apple clout

Walmart-owned fintech company PhonePe is planning to launch its mobile app store, called Indus Appstore, in a bid to challenge the dominance of Google and Apple in mobile app distribution. The platform will invite developers to publish their apps, charging a zero percent fee on in-app purchases. It will also offer support, transparent policies, and features to showcase apps in multiple Indian languages. PhonePe's move comes amidst regulatory scrutiny over the practices of Google Play and App Store, and aims to provide an alternate app distribution platform with more developer-friendly terms.

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