- Paytm’s Mini app-store provides an alternative to Google Play Store;
- Initiative taken by Paytm to support developers against Google’s unfair policies;
- The App Market is available within the Paytm App;
- No commission from the developers collected over transactions.
Paytm announced the launch of its own Mini app store in order to support Indian developers. It will provide an alternate platform to market their apps and potentially fight Google’s monopoly in this domain.
According to Paytm’s press release, “Mini-Apps would help users to save their limited data and phone memory,” at the same time providing an app-like experience without actually needing to download it on their devices.
Paytm’s Founder-CEO ‘Vijay Shekhar Sharma’ said, “I am proud that we are today 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”.
Recent clashes between Google and app developers regarding the policy violations has driven Indian developers to collaborate and look for an alternative for sustainable growth and fair market policies.
Despite continued talks with company executives, Google stuck with its 30% cut policy for purchases made inside the Google Play Store. This along the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Initiative’ had kindled startups to explore an alternative app market for their apps.
Although Google’s policy was applicable worldwide, with the deadline to comply with the billing system from 30 September 2021, for app developers in India the deadline has been extended to 31 March 2022.
What’s the Paytm Mini app-store?
Instead of providing native apps and developer tools, it is hosting links to Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). These are light apps that can run within a browser application, not requiring any installation. This Mini-Store plans to bring about 300 services with further developments.
Paytm in a recent press release stated that the App Store has been designed to promote small developers and businesses within India to set up easy-to-build and low-cost apps using HTML and Javascript. These applications can open within the Paytm app itself.
What does Paytm offer?
The mini-app store features several popular services like Ola, 1mg, Practo, Cure.fit, Gaana, Zoomcar, Rapido, Park+, Netmeds, FreshMenu, NoBroker, Booking.com, Fasoos, Domino’s Pizza, and McDonald’s along with 300+ businesses.
Paytm’s listing and distribution of these apps will be “without any charges”. Developers will be able to provide a choice of Paytm Wallet, Paytm Payments Bank, UPI, Net-banking, and credit cards. But a 2% charge will be levied on methods like Credit cards.
Though there will be many challenges with the traditional mobile apps, launching a mini app-store has given freedom from those hassles, implying lesser maintenance costs and increasing the overall feasibility.
