UPI applications have become India's go-to method of digital payments due to their ease of use and promptness. For users to be kept engaged and nudged into transacting higher amounts, the popular UPI apps provide various incentives—stretching from cashback and scratch cards to rewards in the form of loyalty points and special deals. Although money transfer is a fundamental service, common to every platform, reward programs vary radically.
Here's a glimpse of what the leading UPI apps—Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and BHIM—are providing customers in 2025.
Google Pay
Google Pay's reward system hinges on scratch cards, cashback, and promotional games. For qualified transactions like sending funds, bill payments, or mobile recharges, customers get scratch cards that can have cashback or vouchers. Certain high-value rewards are activated by reaching payment "milestones" like five payments within a week.
The app also has periodic games—such as "Go India" or "Holi Quiz"—in which customers gather tokens or answer questions to be rewarded with prizes. The reward is normally deposited as cashback in the bank account associated or provided as shopping vouchers.
Nonetheless, rewards frequency and value have gradually declined over the years, and a lot of users now receive low-value or zero-cashback scratch cards on regular spends.
PhonePe
PhonePe also has a more formal rewards program that offers both cashback and SuperCoins, a virtual currency that can be used to claim offers and gift vouchers from partner platforms.
For each transaction—recharges, bill payments, or merchant payments—users earn a fixed value of SuperCoins, depending on the payment type and amount. PhonePe also conducts time-limited cashback offers, like ₹20 off your first electricity bill or discounted grocery store UPI payments.
Its "Refer and Earn" program is still going, with the ability to receive cash or coins when inviting new customers. Google Pay's rewards are less in the way of value consistency but more surprise-oriented than PhonePe's.
Paytm
Paytm integrates UPI functionality with its greater service ecosystem, making its rewards program comprehensive and diversified. Customers are rewarded with cashback in the form of Paytm Cashback Points, redeemable for vouchers, discounts, or cinema tickets on the app.
Paytm similarly rewards consumers who add bank accounts, install auto-pay for bills, or invest through its wealth products such as mutual funds and gold saving. Its "Mini App Store" contains exclusive benefits for users who make payments at select brands on Paytm UPI.
Whereas Paytm provides an extremely broad list of rewards, they come with large numbers in terms of coupons which are based upon conditions such as a minimum balance of a payment or some specified brands.
The BHIM app, developed by NPCI, focuses more on functionality and less on gamified rewards. However, it occasionally participates in government-backed campaigns like “Digital Payment Utsav,” where users are rewarded for high UPI usage.
Unlike private players, BHIM doesn’t consistently offer cashback or vouchers, but it has maintained a reputation for being simple, fast, and ad-free. It's often the preferred option for users looking for a no-frills experience.
Other apps: CRED and Amazon Pay
Users of Amazon Pay receive Amazon Pay balance or cashback vouchers for UPI payments within the Amazon universe—such as buying food, bill payments, or purchasing goods.
CRED provides a high-end experience with cashback or rewards for payments of credit card bills through UPI. It offers CRED Coins, which can be redeemed for exclusive offers, and features such as Coin Rush—a fast-paced rewards program offering daily wins—as well as Only Fridays, where curated deals and prizes are unlocked every Friday for active users.
Whereas UPI apps offer equivalent core payment functionality, their rewards programs are varied in structure and benefit. Google Pay and PhonePe will appeal to customers who like gamified experiences and regular micro-rewards, whereas Paytm will offer a larger set of ecosystem-associated advantages. BHIM, meanwhile, is best suited to customers who value speed and simplicity above benefits.
If incentives are important to you, combining apps based on the nature of the transaction—recharges, bills, or shopping—can reward you the most across platforms.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
