Paytm on Monday said it has launched its Android Mini App Store to support Indian developers, a move that will further intensify the tussle between the fintech major and tech giant, Google.
The development comes just weeks after Paytm’s app was blocked from Google Play Store for a few hours for violating the latter’s policy on sports betting activities.
Paytm is providing listing and distribution of these mini-apps within its app without any charges and for payments, developers will be able to give a choice of Paytm Wallet, Paytm Payments Bank, UPI, net-banking and Cards to their users, Paytm said in a statement on Monday.
More than 300 app-based service providers such as Decathalon, Ola, Park+, Rapido, Netmeds, 1MG, Domino’s Pizza, FreshMenu, NoBroker have already joined the programme, it added.
“I am proud that we are today launching something that creates an opportunity for every Indian app developer. Paytm Mini App Store empowers our young Indian developers to leverage our reach and payments to build new innovative services,” Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma said.
He added that for Paytm users, it will be a seamless experience as they will not need separate downloads and they can use their preferred payment option.
Mini apps are a custom-built mobile website that gives users app-like experience without having to download them.
This would help users with limited data and phone memory.
On September 18, Google had blocked Paytm from its Play Store for a few hours for violating its policy on sports betting activities.
The app was later restored after the fintech app removed the ‘cashback’ feature linked to a game on the app.
Paytm had alleged that it was “arm-twisted” by the search engine major to comply with its biased Play Store policies “that are meant to artificially create Google’s market dominance”.