For as long as memory serves, Google's Play Store for Android and Apple's App Store for iOS have reigned supreme, monopolizing the app market. Few contenders have dared challenge their dominance. However, a new player has entered the scene, offering an Indian alternative to these giants. PhonePe has boldly introduced the Indus Appstore, poised to rival the App Store and Play Store.
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The Indus Appstore allows for free in-app purchases.
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PhonePe is waiving listing fees for app developers in the first year.
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Developers can access real-time analytics and AI-powered monitoring through PhonePe.
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The Indus Appstore will host over 2 lakh apps across 45 categories.
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Indus does not impose any platform fee on developers.
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The app marketplace features over 2 lakh apps across 45 categories, including popular brands like Zomato, Myntra, Flipkart, and Dream11.
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Indus Appstore will be accessible in English and 12 Indian languages.
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Developers on the marketplace can freely integrate any third-party payment gateway for in-app billing.
The Indus Appstore was inaugurated on February 21st, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, graced by the esteemed presence of dignitaries including Shri. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Honorable Union Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronics & IT, former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani, as well as startup luminaries like Dream Sports' Harsh Jain and Ixigo's Aloke Bajpai.
Indus Appstore announced its launch with over 2 Lakh apps across 45 categories, featuring prominent Indian brands such as Zomato, Myntra, Domino's, Flipkart, Dream11, Swiggy, and many more.
Sameer Nigam, PhonePe's founder and chief executive, expressed,
“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.”
During an exclusive fireside chat at the launch, Shri. Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating,
"Today marks a remarkable day as we unveil the Indus Appstore, a platform that is not only made in India but developed with the vision of empowering Indians. I am honoured to be part of this historic moment, which represents a significant leap towards establishing India's presence as a key player in the global digital economy."
The minister reflected on India's digital evolution, highlighting the nation's progress in creating a robust digital infrastructure. He noted,
"India has seen unprecedented growth in digital adoption, making substantial advancements in connectivity and digital services. Indus Appstore is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting our developers and creators."
About Indus Appstore:
Indus Appstore is a native Android-based mobile app store designed to cater to the localized and cultural needs of Indian consumers. With an extensive array of categories, it aims to provide users with a localized, contextual, and personalized experience. Indus Appstore is available in English and 12 Indian languages, allowing users to explore the app store in their preferred language.
For developers, Indus Appstore offers a fair and level playing field to list, distribute, and promote their products in the Indian app ecosystem. It provides a self-publishing platform, localization services, multiple tools for app monitoring and growth, and dedicated 24×7 customer support.
About PhonePe:
PhonePe Group is India's leading fintech company. Its flagship product, the PhonePe digital payments app, was launched in August 2016. In just 7 years, the company has rapidly scaled to become India's leading consumer payments app with 510+ million registered users and a digital payments acceptance network of 38 million merchants. PhonePe also processes over 220 million daily transactions with an annualized Total Payment Value (TPV) of USD 1.4 Trillion.
Building on its leadership in digital payments, PhonePe Group has expanded into financial services (Insurance, Lending, Wealth) as well as new consumer tech businesses (Pincode - hyperlocal e-commerce and Indus Appstore - India's first localized Appstore). PhonePe Group is headquartered in India and aligns its portfolio of businesses with the vision to offer every Indian an equal opportunity to accelerate their progress by unlocking the flow of money and access to services.
How does the Indus Appstore differ from Google and Apple app stores?
The major distinction lies in Indus Appstore's decision not to charge developers any platform fee or commission for in-app payments. Developers are also free to integrate any payment gateway of their choice inside their apps. This move addresses a long-standing issue.
Harsh Jain, Dream11 CEO, commented,
“Apple, Google, and all these global play stores are bound by business models which they apply globally by features, policies and regulations, and they’re a bit of a black box, and we don’t know why. I think, for us to have an Indian app store which is made for India, by India…will really help us to be creative.”
Indus Appstore aims to offer a diverse range of apps tailored to the needs and preferences of the Indian user, facilitating access to personalized, localized, and contextual digital solutions. It represents a significant step towards enhancing India's digital ecosystem, providing a platform for Indian developers to showcase their talents and contribute to the nation's digital empowerment.
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