On February 21, PhonePe's Indus Appstore will debut with the intention of challenging Google Play Store

On February 21, PhonePe's Indus Appstore will debut with the intention of challenging Google Play Store

On February 21, PhonePe's Indus Appstore will debut with the intention of challenging Google Play Store

In contrast to Google Play Store and Apple App Store, which charge between 15 and 30 percent for in-app purchases, PhonePe's Indus Appstore will not collect any fees.

It is anticipated that developers will be able to post media files and videos to their app listings in any of the twelve Indian languages that are not English on the Indus Appstore.

Moneycontrol has heard that the Walmart-owned PhonePe is scheduled to introduce its mobile app shop, Indus Appstore, to the public on February 21. This will be a direct competitor to Google's Play shop.

As Moneycontrol first revealed in October 2023, the launch occurs over five months after the digital payments company allowed Android developers to submit their applications to the platform and opened its app store to them.

Since then, applications including Flipkart, ixigo, Domino's Pizza, Snapdeal, JioMart, and Bajaj Finserv have been onboarded, according to the business website. A partnership between Indus Appstore and top real-money game creators Dream11, Nazara Technologies, Gamescraft, and Mobile Premier League (MPL) was announced in November 2023.

Android developers may offer their applications in twelve Indian languages other than English on the Indus Appstore. They can also add images and videos to their app listings in these languages.

More significantly, there will be no in-app purchase fees from the app marketplace as opposed to the 15–30% that the Google Play Store and Apple App Store charge.

PhonePe announced in October 2023 that app listings on the site will have a free first year, followed by a "nominal" yearly cost. Sameer Nigam, a co-founder of PhonePe, has previously said that developers will have the freedom to include whatever payment channel they want into the platform.

While developers often deal with Google and Apple, Indus Appstore promises to provide "assured support and quick resolution of queries" with specialized, round-the-clock India-based service via email or chatbot. Dedicated account managers will also be available on the platform.

Resigning as CEO of PhonePe-owned Indus OS is Rakesh Deshmukh

debut of consumer apps

By November 2023, PhonePe had teamed up with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) including Lava and Nokia to include the App Store into their products.

Customers may download and sideload the software on their cellphones when it becomes accessible on the Indus Appstore website. Additionally, a login method based on a cellphone number will be introduced to draw in customers who do not have email accounts. The startup promises to provide consumers a "localized, relevant, and personalized" experience on its website.

The debut coincides with governmental scrutiny that Google is now under for the business practices of its app store, Google Play, in many regions, including India.

Google plans to impose service fees on its real-money gambling applications

As part of remedial actions in its antitrust verdict, the Competition Commission of India ordered Google to let third-party app shops on Google Play in October 2022. But in March 2023, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) overturned this ruling.

Indian developers have taken a strong stance against Google over its app restrictions in recent years, particularly when the search engine giant said in October 2020 that it will start requiring the obligatory integration of its Play pricing system globally. Will provide. These commission costs have drawn criticism for being "unfair" and "extremely high" from a number of software developers.

Since then, Google has changed a number of its practices, lowering commission costs and adding third-party in-app charging, among other things. Many local app developers disagree with the tech giant's assertion that these adjustments conform with the CCI directive, and they have challenged it in court.

The launch, according to Indus Appstore's website, "addresses the pressing requirement for a homegrown app store built around the unique preferences of the Indian ecosystem.”