Zoho Corporation, known for its business software tools, is preparing to launch a new payment app called Zoho Pay. The app will allow users to send and receive money, pay bills, and make quick transfers directly within Zoho’s chat app Arattai.
With this move, Zoho is entering the consumer payments market, aiming to make digital transactions simpler and more convenient. The company is currently testing Zoho Pay internally, and it will soon be released both as a standalone app and as a built-in feature inside Arattai.
According to Sivaramakrishnan Iswaran, Zoho’s head of finance, the goal is to make payments seamless and secure. He said, “Zoho Pay is designed to offer a smooth, secure, and integrated payment experience. It will be available both as a standalone app and within Arattai, enabling users to make transactions without leaving their chat interface.”
This means users can send money to friends or pay for services while chatting, without needing to switch between apps. Arattai, which already supports messaging, calls, and file sharing, will now also allow users to make payments directly inside the chat window — similar to what other global messaging platforms are doing.
Zoho is not new to the fintech space. In August 2024, it launched Zoho Payments, a gateway that helps businesses accept payments through UPI, cards, and net banking. With Zoho Pay, the company now aims to serve regular users — small businesses, families, and individuals who want simple payment options within familiar apps.
Iswaran added that Zoho’s fintech strategy is incremental, starting with payments and gradually expanding into other financial services, while maintaining the company’s focus on organic and sustainable growth. Although India’s digital payments market already has strong players like Google Pay and PhonePe, Zoho hopes its trusted user base and strong business network will help Zoho Pay find its place in this competitive space.
