Top payment methods in India: A guide on best ways to pay
Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in India? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.
India, with a population of around 1.45 billion people, has a GDP of approximately 4.19 trillion making it the 4th largest economy in the world. The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR)
A rapidly growing, diversified economy driven by its massive services sector, manufacturing, and agriculture. It has strong trade relationships with the US, China, and the UAE, and is a member of regional blocs like SAFTA.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Population | 1.45 billion |
| GDP (USD) | 4.19 trillion |
| Global Ranking | 4th |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) |
Spend abroad with the mid-market exchange rate - no markups, and no sneaky transaction fees.
What is the main payment method in India?
The Indian digital payment ecosystem has been revolutionized by UPI (Unified Payments Interface), a real-time payment system that allows users to make QR code payments and P2P transfers via apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm. Physical cash, the Rupee, remains essential for a large segment of the population, especially in rural India and for small-value transactions. Debit and credit cards are also widely used for e-commerce and at point-of-sale terminals in urban areas.
How to pay in India
Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in India.
| Payment Method | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies. | Online/In-person |
| UPI (Unified Payments Interface) | UPI is the dominant payment method in India. It's an instant real-time payment system that powers numerous mobile apps like PhonePe, Google Pay (GPay), and Paytm, used for QR payments, online checkouts, and P2P transfers. | Online/In-person |
| Cards (Debit/Credit - RuPay | Visa, Mastercard) | Debit and credit cards are a major payment method. RuPay is the domestic card scheme, co-existing with international players like Visa and Mastercard. |
| Digital Wallets (Paytm, PhonePe) | While most have transitioned to using UPI, wallet services from companies like Paytm and PhonePe are still very popular for holding balances and making payments. | Online/In-person |
| Cash (Rupee) | Despite the massive digital boom, cash remains a very important and widely used payment method, especially in rural areas and for certain types of transactions. | In-person |
Traveling beyond India? Explore payment methods by country.
Is PayPal available in India?
Yes, PayPal is accepted in India.
Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card
Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.
You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.
And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.
Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.