Payment aggregators: who are they and what do they do?

24 / 02 / 2023

Mastering online payment processes: Learn about the difference between payment gateways and payment aggregators and how the latter simplifies transactions for e-commerce businesses and merchants.

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If you have an e-commerce business, you must already know the essential role of online payments. Sending or receiving money through online transactions has become an everyday part of life for everyone – be it an offline store, e-commerce business or a customer.

These payments in the online space are facilitated by a number of intermediaries or entities that act as the bridge between the providers of goods or services (merchants) and the customers. The intermediaries involved in payment collection and settlement between customers and merchants include banks providing payment gateway services, non-bank aggregators of merchants and payment options/instruments, technology service providers supporting payment gateway operations, e-commerce marketplaces, etc.

In this article, let us understand more about payment aggregators:

What is a payment aggregator?

Payment Aggregators are entities that enable e-commerce websites, mobile apps, and merchants to accept various payment instruments from customers for the completion of their payment obligations – without the need for merchants to create a separate payment integration system of their own.

In the process, they receive payments from customers, pool and transfer them on to the merchants after a certain time period.

What is the difference between a payment gateway and a payment aggregator?

Payment Gateways are entities that provide technology infrastructure to route and facilitate processing of an online payment transaction without any involvement in the handling of funds. They only handle the transfer of data between the entities in a transaction.

However, payment aggregators may also provide services that include the generation of settlements via netting of the funds received by the merchants onboarded by them. By being the bridge between consumers at one end and merchants at the other end, these service providers play a role in processing and completion of the payment transactions.

Who can be a payment aggregator?

The payment aggregator framework, introduced formally in March 2020, mandates that only firms approved by the RBI can acquire and offer payment services to merchants.

Companies applying for a payment aggregator license need to fulfill certain guidelines set by RBI that involve minimum net-worth, merchant on-boarding, timelines for settlement of funds, maintenance of escrow account, IT security, etc.

Status of Applications received from Online Payment Aggregators (PAs) under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 – As on February 15, 2023

Table A: Existing PAs who can operate as Online Payment Aggregators

Sr NoName of the entityRemarks
1.1Pay Mobileware Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
2.Airpay Payment Services Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
3.Amazon (Pay) India Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
4.Cashfree Payments India Private Limited *In-Principle Authorisation Granted
5.Computer Age Management Services LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
6.Digiotech Solutions Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
7.Easebuzz Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
8.Finlogic Technologies India Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
9.Futuretek Commerce Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
10.Google India Digital Services Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
11.IndiaIdeas.com LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
12.Infibeam Avenues LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
13.Innoviti Payment Solutions Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
14.In-Solutions Global LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
15.Lyra Network Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
16.Mpurse Services Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
17.NSDL Database Management LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
18.NTT DATA Payment Services India LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
19.Open Financial Technologies Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
20.Paymate India Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
21.Paysharp Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
22.Phi Commerce Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
23.Pine Labs Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
24.Razorpay Software Private Limited *In-Principle Authorisation Granted
25.Reliance Payment Solutions LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
26.SRS Live Technologies Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
27.Stripe India Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
28.Tyche Payment Solutions Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
29.Vay Network Services Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
30.Worldline ePayments India Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
31.Xsilica Software Solutions Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
32.Zomato Payments Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
33.Adyen India Technology Services Private LimitedApplication Under Process
34.Appnit Technologies Private LimitedApplication Under Process
35.Bhartipay Services Private LimitedApplication Under Process
36.Dinero Payment Services Private LimitedApplication Under Process
37.Dreamplug Paytech Solutions Private LimitedApplication Under Process
38.Global Payments Asia-Pacific (India) Private LimitedApplication Under Process
39.Hiveloop Internet Private LimitedApplication Under Process
40.INSOnline India Private LimitedApplication Under Process
41.Instamojo Technologies Private LimitedApplication Under Process
42.Letzpay Solution Private LimitedApplication Under Process
43.LivQuik Technology (India) Private LimitedApplication Under Process
44.Marg Fintech Private LimitedApplication Under Process
45.Nomisma Mobile Solutions Private LimitedApplication Under Process
46.Paygate India Private LimitedApplication Under Process
47.PhonePe Private LimitedApplication Under Process
48.Senrysa Technologies Private LimitedApplication Under Process
49.Unimoni Enterprise Solutions Private LimitedApplication Under Process
50.Zaak Epayment Services Private LimitedApplication Under Process
51.Freecharge Payment Technologies Private Limited #Application returned on 10.02.2023
52.PayTM Payments Services Limited #Application returned on 25.11.2022
53.PayU Payments Private Limited #Application returned on 10.01.2023
54.Tapits Technologies Private Limited #Application returned on 10.02.2023

* No new merchants to be onboarded until advised otherwise.

# Permitted to apply within 120 days from the date of return. Thus, can continue business subject to the condition that no new merchants should be onboarded until advised otherwise.

Table B: New PAs who have been granted in-principle authorisation and whose application is currently under process – Cannot operate

Sr NoName of the entityRemarks
1.Boku Network Services IN Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
2.Concerto Software & Systems Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
3.Finacus Solutions Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
4.Fourth Dimension Solutions LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
5.Groww Pay Services Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
6.Hitachi Payment Services Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
7.Instanow Info Systems Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
8.Juspay Technologies Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
9.MMAD Communications Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
10.Mswipe Technologies Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
11.Nehat Tech Solutions Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
12.Payment Gateway Solutions Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
13.R360 Payment Services Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
14.Resilient Payments Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
15.Tata Payments LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
16.Toucan Payments (India) Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
17.Transaction Analysts (India) Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
18.Unlimint In Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
19.Zoho Payment Technologies Private LimitedIn-Principle Authorisation Granted
20.Aurionpro Payment Solutions Private LimitedApplication Under Process
21.Decfin Tech Private LimitedApplication Under Process
22.Digidios Payments Services Private LimitedApplication Under Process
23.Integra Micro Systems Private LimitedApplication Under Process
24.KGC Infotech Private LimitedApplication Under Process
25.Nium India Private LimitedApplication Under Process
26.Payglocal Technologies Private LimitedApplication Under Process
27.SBI Payment Services Private LimitedApplication Under Process
28.Sodexo SVC India Private LimitedApplication Under Process

Table C: List of PAs whose applications were returned / withdrawn - Cannot operate

Existing PAs were advised to stop online payment aggregation activity and close nodal / escrow account(s) within a period of 180 days from the date of return of application.

Sr NoName of the entityWhether Existing PA / New PARemarks
1.Akonto Payment Solutions Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 19.01.2023
2.Aggrepay Payments Solutions Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 08.02.2023
3.BrokenTusk Technologies Private Limited Existing PAApplication returned on 07.10.2022
4.Ezetap Mobile Solutions Private Limited Existing PAApplication returned on 10.10.2022
5.Flexmoney Technologies Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 17.10.2022
6.fonePaisa Payment Solutions Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 10.10.2022
7.FSS Grameenpay Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 02.02.2022
8.Golden Legand Leasing and Finance LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 20.01.2023
9.Kopayments Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 29.12.2022
10.Paykun Payment Solutions Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 02.02.2022
11.Payswiff Solutions Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 19.10.2022
12.Synergistic Financial Networks Private Limited Existing PAApplication returned on 07.10.2022
13.Vmobo Mobile Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 08.12.2021
14.Volks Electronics Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 03.12.2021
15.Worldline India Private Limited (Withdrawn)Existing PAApplication returned on 28.09.2022
16.Wunderbaked Technologies Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 20.01.2023
17.Zenex E-Commerce Private LimitedExisting PAApplication returned on 03.12.2021
18.Aceware Fintech Services Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 29.11.2022
19.AGDP Fintech Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 15.12.2021
20.Apexpay Technologies Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 07.10.2022
21.Asian Checkout Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 20.10.2022
22.BeBuoy Infoservices Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 27.11.2020
23.Bongdeal India Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.11.2022
24.CAMS Payment Services Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 25.10.2021
25.Cash Friend Fintech Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.08.2022
26.Commonwealth Inclusive Growth Services LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 07.10.2022
27.Ditya Finance Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.12.2021
28.E-Meditek Global Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 30.09.2022
29.ePaisa Services Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 27.07.2020
30.Eutro Agro Products Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.11.2022
31.GoKwik Commerce Solutions Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 02.11.2022
32.Hindon Mercantile LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.01.2023
33.InCashMe Mobile Wallet Service Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 30.05.2022
34.Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 26.02.2021
35.Ippopay Technologies Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 13.02.2023
36.Iserveu Technology Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 23.09.2021
37.Kashind Financiers LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.12.2021
38.Kedarpay Solutions Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 12.01.2023
39.Khatabook Technologies Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 27.01.2023
40.Kredx Platform Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 07.12.2022
41.Naffa Innovations Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 13.10.2021
42.Nearby Technologies Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 26.07.2022
43.Newbazaar Technologies Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.10.2022
44.Ola Financial Services Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 28.09.2022
45.Pay Point India Network Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 28.10.2022
46.Paytekk India Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 14.10.2022
47.Prevxee E-commerce (India) Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.11.2022
48.Rapyd Aggregator Network India Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 29.09.2021
49.Rupifi Technology Solutions Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.11.2022
50.Safee Peee India Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 10.11.2022
51.Safexpay Payments Aggregator Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 22.11.2021
52.Skilworth Technologies Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 26.09.2022
53.SPAY Fintech Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 18.10.2022
54.Twid Rewards Global Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 07.12.2022
55.Virtual Galaxy Infotech Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 28.12.2020
56.Yalamanchili Software Exports Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 29.08.2022
57.Zhudao Infotech Private LimitedNew PAApplication returned on 06.01.2023

Ω Applications were withdrawn by these entities.

Note: RBI has granted in-principle authorisation to Worldline ePayments India Private Limited on 20th December 2022 to operate as a Payment Aggregator (PA).
Worldline Group had applied to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to act as a Payment Aggregator (PA) pursuant to Guidelines on Regulation of Payment Aggregators and Payment Gateways dated March 17 2020, for its two independent entities in India – Worldline ePayments India Private Limited and Worldline India Private Limited.

Subsequently, it was decided to consolidate the payment aggregation business and continue with one single PA application for Worldline ePayments India Private Limited. Accordingly, the PA application for Worldline India Private Limited was withdrawn.

Source: Reserve Bank Of India (https://www.rbi.org.in)

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Worldline India Editorial Team