Zepto rolls out in-app UPI as delivery platforms enable payments internally

The rollout underlines how payments – once a largely invisible backend function – is emerging as a strategic layer for India’s largest delivery platforms

The move comes as major consumer internet platforms increasingly look to bring payments in-house to streamline checkout flows, reduce failed transactions and reduce dependence on third-party UPI apps. Zepto has not made a formal public announcement about the launch or about the structure or partnerships underlying the offering at the time of publication.

Broader shift

Zepto’s in-app UPI rollout puts it alongside rivals Swiggy and Zomato, both of which have introduced proprietary UPI solutions in the past year, signaling a broader shift in the way food delivery and express commerce platforms approach payments.

Swiggy recently launched Swiggy UPI using the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) UPI plugin framework, which allows users to complete transactions entirely within the Swiggy app after a one-time setup. The company says the integration helps reduce checkout times and failed payments by eliminating the need to switch between apps during transactions.

Bank led

Zomato, meanwhile, has taken a more bank-led approach by rolling out its UPI service in partnership with ICICI Bank. The offering allows users to create a Zomato-linked UPI ID and make real-time payments directly within the app, effectively bringing Zomato closer to providing a full UPI handle through a banking partner.

For Zepto, which has aggressively scaled its dark store network and order volumes, tightening the payments layer fits into its broader focus on speed, reliability and conversion efficiency. Reducing checkout friction is especially critical in fast-paced commerce, where ordering decisions are highly time-sensitive.

The rollout underlines how payments – once a largely invisible backend function – are emerging as a strategic layer for India’s largest delivery platforms as competition in food delivery intensifies and high-speed commerce and margins remain under pressure.

Published on January 6, 2026