Zoho UPI App
Zoho is rolling out a brand-new UPI app, and the vibe around it is well, kind of exciting if you geek out about digital wallets. Zoho’s move feels a little like someone at a cozy Chennai tea shop quietly launching a flavor that could shake up the market especially since Zoho has mostly been a business software brand, not a flashy fintech startup. The app is currently in closed testing, but word on the street is, it’s coming soon for both Android and iOS, letting regular consumers jump in for peer-to-peer payments, bill splits, and everyday money stuff. No launch date yet, so, like that recurring message from your bank: “Today bank working or not?” we’ll just have to wait for the app to actually go live.
Zoho’s Foray into UPI Payments
The Zoho Pay app is Zoho’s answer to the big boys PhonePe, Paytm, Google Pay. What makes it fun is that Zoho wants to fuse payments with chat, bundling Zoho Pay into its homegrown Arattai messaging platform. Ever had to send money to a friend mid-conversation, fumbling between apps, all the while making bad jokes about “UPI or not UPI”? With Zoho Pay inside Arattai, just drop cash right into the chat no awkward toggling. Plus, it’ll also be a standalone app, so you don’t need to use Arattai if chat payments aren’t your thing.
A friend once joked that their WhatsApp group would fall apart if people couldn’t instantly split the lunch bill. That’s exactly the convenience Zoho is banking on! Look out, WhatsApp the contest for integrated payments just got spicy.
Key Features and Functionality
There’s plenty, and some are genuinely useful.
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Send, receive, and request money using UPI, cards, and even Banking Connect no more switching to five different apps for each type of payment.
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Set up recurring UPI payments; perfect for subscriptions or that monthly cricket coaching your kid refuses to skip.
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Payment links, invoice emails, and dedicated payment pages if you’re running a small biz or freelance hustle.
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Track disputes and chargebacks right inside the app (less drama, more transparency couldn’t we all use that with our banks?).
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Fast settlements with no added fees, so your cash flows when you actually need it.
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Oh, and security is tight Zoho claims in-built fraud management and customizable transaction reports.
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The blend of chat and payment isn’t just clever it’s practical for a generation that lives in WhatsApp/Slack/Arattai rather than SMS.
Business Ecosystem and Integration
Now for the nerdy part: integration. Zoho doesn’t want this app floating alone. It wants Zoho Pay talking to Zoho Billing, payroll tools, and other business management apps. Think seamless invoice-to-payment-to-accounting flows without emailing Excel sheets back and forth, or pinging your accountant to ask, “Is today bank working or not?” (If you know, you know.) API integrations mean small businesses can collect payments on their site, manage subscriptions, and keep financials under one roof less chaos, more zen.
Competitive Edge and Market Impact
So, why will Zoho’s UPI app matter? Honestly, it might not topple a Google Pay overnight, but Zoho brings a few silent weapons:
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Huge trust from businesses and existing users.
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Real focus on privacy (remember Arattai’s pitch for privacy over profit?).
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Multichannel approach standalone app plus chat integration.
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Future roadmap includes lending, payroll, and even insurance. Ambitious, but intriguing.
A friend’s mom once said, “Why not use only one app if it has everything?” Zoho’s answer: maybe you finally can.
In a crowded UPI market, Zoho’s willingness to bundle payments where you already work and chat and its experience with small business workflows could make it a quietly disruptive choice for many Indians. Sometimes, innovation comes not with big headlines but by quietly changing how you pay, talk, and work all in one window.
Disclaimer: The Zoho UPI app is currently under testing as of October 2025. Features, release timelines, and functionality may change prior to public launch.
