In a bold move aimed at reshaping the app market landscape, Walmart-owned PhonePe unveiled the Indus App Store on February 21, offering Indian consumers a homegrown alternative to the globally dominant Google Play Store. This launch comes amidst a backdrop of tension between Google and Indian tech giants over Play Store policies and commission fees.
What is Indus App Store?
The Indus App Store is a newly launched Android app marketplace introduced by PhonePe, designed to provide Indian consumers with a homegrown alternative to the dominant Google Play Store. Offering a diverse selection of over 2 lakh apps and games across 45 categories, with plans to expand to 5 lakh apps by the year's end, the Indus App Store aims to cater to the evolving needs of India's burgeoning app economy. Notably, it empowers developers by offering listings in 12 Indian languages and a zero percent fee on in-app purchases, challenging the traditional norms set by global app marketplaces. With a focus on inclusivity, diversity, and user-centric features, the Indus App Store represents a pivotal shift in India's digital landscape, fostering competition and innovation while providing consumers with greater choice and accessibility.
A Made-in-India Alternative to Google Play Store
The Indus App Store arrives as a beacon of innovation, providing users access to over 2 lakh apps and games across 45 diverse categories. With aspirations to expand its offerings to 5 lakh apps by year-end, PhonePe's initiative taps into India's burgeoning app economy, where consumers spent a staggering 1.19 trillion hours on mobile apps in 2023 alone.