PayTM launches its own Mini App Store after apparently being Irked by Google's decision

FinTech and Digital Payments firm PayTM has launched its own Mini-app store within PayTM app to support Indian developers, just weeks after PayTM was taken down temporarily from Google Play Store without warning for violations related to real-money IPL Gaming contest. PayTM, it seems, have decided to not take the incident lightly or put it behind, as seems evident from launch of its Mini-app store.

Flipkart's owned PhonePe have also been running Mini-app store within its mobile app from June 2018 which was rebranded to "PhonePe Switch" last year. PhonePe Switch only allows the use of PhonePe Wallet/UPI/Payment gateway as payment mechanism and one can argue that its not a completely Independent App Store due to tight coupling with PhonePe Payments.

Google currently charges a 30% commission on any transaction made for a digital product or service through its in-app billing system. PayTM apparently wants its Mini app store to remain FREE for Indian developers when it comes to listing and distribution of app made by Indian Developers. It seems it will help PayTM to strengthen their merchant base further by being the de-facto payment method for collection of payments by these App owners.

More than 300 apps, including Dominos India, OvenStory, Rapido, 1MG, Spencer's, Decathlon have joined the Paytm app store, the company said. An Advertisement in Economic Times front page give us more glimpse into the same.

Mini apps are custom built Mobile web apps running on HTML/Javascript and provides app like experience within PayTM app. With 0% Payment charges for PayTM Wallet & UPI, It will provide Indian developers one more alternative to distribute their product.

PayTM Users can access the mini app store by going to home screen > show more > mini app store. The app store has several categories like shopping, food delivery, healthcare, lifestyle, education, travel and transport, news and content, live TV, and more. It also highlights trending apps and offers.

The government of India is also reportedly planning to make the Mobile Seva app store mandatory on all smartphones. Payment Council of India have also apparently requested Government of India to stop Google from "forcing" use of Google billing to Indian developers as 30% commission would make it unviable for many developers. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) also raised the issue last month saying "Just because Google owns the gate and the gateway to the digital ecosystem of this country, they should not act arbitrarily and enforce their rules and regulations that are contrary to our country’s laws," a member was quoted by LiveMint as saying.

UPDATE: As per Techcrunch report, Google has delayed the 30% Commission cut in India to April 2022