Breaking into the Asian Market: The Top Local APMs in Asia That You Need to Know

Expanding into the Asian market can be a game-changer for businesses looking to scale their operations and tap into a vast consumer base. With its diverse cultures, languages, and consumer preferences, Asia presents both immense opportunities and unique challenges. To succeed in this dynamic market, it is crucial to understand and leverage the local mobile payment landscape. In this blog post, we will explore the top local APMs in Asia that are driving the digital revolution in the region and discuss why they are essential for businesses aiming to thrive in the Asian market.

Developed by Alibaba Group, Alipay boasts over a billion users and has 54% of the market share in China. It is widely adopted for a variety of transactions, including e-commerce, in-store payments, bill payments, and money transfers. Alipay’s success lies in its robust security features, attractive interface, and integration with other Alibaba services, making it a preferred choice for both merchants and consumers in the Chinese market.

WeChat Pay, integrated within the popular social media and messaging app WeChat, has also transformed mobile payments in China. WeChat Pay is the biggest competitor to Alipay and possesses 42% of the market share in China. WeChat Pay has become an essential part of daily life for many Chinese consumers. It allows users to make payments, split bills, transfer money, and even hail a taxi or book movie tickets. WeChat Pay’s strength lies in its seamless integration with other WeChat products, its vast user base, and its ability to offer personalized solutions.

PhonePe, a prominent digital payment platform in India, holds approximately 50% of the market share and proposes a secure and convenient way to conduct transactions using smartphones to customers. Established in 2015, it has garnered immense popularity due to its convenient interface and diverse array of services, encompassing online payments, money transfers, utility bill payments, and a wide range of other financial transactions accessible via smartphones. Additionally, PhonePe provides a distinctive feature known as “All-in-One Payments Mode,” allowing clients to make payments through multiple methods within a unified platform.

Paytm, the foremost mobile payment platform in India, has revolutionized the transaction process for individuals across the country. Boasting over 300 million users and capturing a market share of 14.7%, Paytm offers an extensive array of solutions, including bill payments, mobile recharges, ticket booking, and e-commerce transactions. The remarkable achievements of Paytm can be attributed to its groundbreaking services, which encompass a digital wallet, QR code payments, loyalty programs, and seamless integration with numerous brick-and-mortar merchants.

In Indonesia, GoPay, developed by Gojek, has emerged as a leading mobile payment platform. GoPay has a range of solutions, from transportation and food delivery to e-commerce and bill payments. With its strong presence in Southeast Asia, GoPay has garnered a substantial user base and has become a trusted digital wallet for Indonesian consumers. GoPay’s popularity can be attributed to its seamless integration with the Gojek ecosystem and its ability to provide value-added services like insurance and investment options.

OVO is the second most extensively used prominent digital financial platform in Indonesia, launched in 2016, offering mobile payments, money transfers, and a range of financial solutions. With the ability to link bank accounts and cards, OVO provides users with a versatile payment method accepted by numerous merchants. The platform emphasizes convenience, rewards, and a user-friendly app interface, with a comprehensive financial ecosystem for clients in Indonesia.

56% of the population of Vietnam uses MoMo. Developed by M_Service, MoMo allows users to link their bank accounts, debit cards, or credit cards to their mobile devices, enabling them to make payments, transfer money, recharge mobile credits, pay bills, and even shop online. With its intuitive interface and extensive network of merchants, MoMo has become a trusted and convenient digital wallet solution for millions of Vietnamese consumers.

ViettelPay is another popular financial solution in the Vietnamese market that is projected to gain 30% of its market share by 2030. It was produced by Viettel, one of the leading telecommunications companies in the country. ViettelPay goes beyond basic payments, offering additional features such as mobile top-ups, utility bill payments, and ticket purchases for various services, including transportation, entertainment, and events. The platform also supports online shopping, enabling users to browse through a diverse range of partner merchants and make purchases with just a few taps.

PromptPay is a broadly adopted mobile payment system in Thailand with 55.1 million registered users. Introduced by the Thai government in collaboration with major banks, PromptPay enables users to link their bank accounts or mobile phone numbers to a unique identification number, making it incredibly convenient and secure to transfer money. PromptPay has played a vital role in driving the country towards a cashless society, fostering financial inclusion, and empowering individuals with greater control over their financial transactions.

TrueMoney is a widely recognized and popular financial technology company in Thailand that provides a comprehensive range of digital payment solutions and services. TrueMoney Wallet is considered to be the most used digital wallet in Thailand, with 52.6% of the market share. It has become an integral part of the digital economy in Thailand, providing individuals and businesses with efficient and accessible financial solutions.

The Asian market presents vast opportunities for businesses willing to adapt and leverage the digital payment landscape. Understanding and partnering with the top local APMs in Asia, such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, Paytm, PromtPay, OVO, MoMo, GoPay, etc., is crucial for success in this diverse and rapidly growing market. By tapping into the strengths of these mobile payment platforms, businesses can gain access to millions of potential customers, streamline their payment processes, and build strong relationships with local consumers. As you plan to expand into Asia, embracing these APMs will position your business for growth and enable you to thrive in this exciting and dynamic region.