To counter WhatsApp, Paytm launches ‘Inbox’ - a messaging platform with in-chat payments

In its efforts to counter Whatsapp’s digital wallet, Paytm has launched ‘Inbox’: a messaging platform with in-chat payments".

The messaging service ‘Inbox’, will allow consumers to chat, send and request money at the same time. This comes at a time when WhatsApp is preparing to integrate in-chat payment option for Indian users by December this year.

Talking about the launch, Deepak Abbot, Sr. Vice President – Paytm said, “We have realised that besides making payments, our users and merchants also like to communicate with each other. There is a need of social messaging, commerce and payments seamlessly blending into one another. One step for us towards meeting this consumer need is “Paytm Inbox” where you can chat with friends/ merchants and send/ receive money effortlessly and securely. This will help us drive greater engagement on our platform and build a stronger bond with our customers.”

As per a company statement, the messaging platform is encrypted end-to-end, and users can initiate private conversations and create group chats. The new messaging platform will also allow users to send photos and videos instantly, share live location, capture and share moments with the built-in camera.

Similar to the new WhatsApp feature, Paytm has also introduced a function allowing users to recall their messages using ‘Delete for All’. Apart from the messaging service, Paytm Inbox also includes Notifications, Orders, and Games. Under ‘Notifications’, users can see all cashback offers available across all categories; under ‘Orders’, they can view their order and transaction updates.

Paytm Inbox is currently live on Android and will be available to iOS users soon.