Walmart-owned PhonePe announced the launch of Indus Appstore, a homegrown Android app store catering to Indian consumers. The launch, announced on Wednesday, marks a significant step for the digital payments firm in diversifying its offerings and tapping into India's booming app economy.
The move comes approximately four months after PhonePe opened up its app marketplace to Android developers, inviting them to publish their applications on the platform.
With the introduction of the Indus Appstore, PhonePe aims to foster a more competitive and localized mobile app ecosystem tailored to the diverse needs of Indian users.
One of the key features of the Indus Appstore is its support for multiple languages, including English and 12 Indian languages. This feature allows users to navigate and explore the app store in their preferred language, enhancing accessibility for a broader segment of the population.
According to data from app intelligence firm data.ai, Indians spent a staggering 1.19 trillion hours on mobile apps in 2023, making the country the largest mobile app download market globally.
PhonePe is positioning the Indus Appstore to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for digital services in India.
The Indus Appstore boasts a vast collection of over 2 lakh mobile apps and games spanning 45 categories. Moreover, the platform introduces a novel short-video based discovery feature to make app exploration more engaging for users. This innovative approach aligns with PhonePe's vision of creating a dynamic and user-centric app ecosystem.
The Indus Appstore allows app and game developers to integrate any third-party payment gateway for in-app billing, without incurring any commission charges. This flexibility empowers developers to choose payment solutions that best suit their needs, fostering a more conducive environment for app monetization.
Sameer Nigam, CEO and founder of PhonePe, expressed his enthusiasm for the Indus Appstore, emphasizing its role in promoting healthy competition and inclusivity in the Indian digital landscape.
He stated, "Indus Appstore challenges the status quo, ushering in an era of more healthy competition in the mobile app marketplace, which in turn should help create a more democratic and vibrant Indian digital ecosystem"
Looking ahead, PhonePe plans to introduce its own in-app billing and catalog solutions, while keeping them optional for developers.
The company is waiving listing fees for developers for one year to accelerate registrations and encourage participation in the Indus Appstore.
Follow us
