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    UPI, cards, COD and wallets: which payment methods your store needs

    The methods you offer quietly decide how many carts become orders. Here's how India actually pays — UPI, cards, COD, wallets — and the mix that wins the most orders without cluttering checkout.

    Illustration: which payment methods an Indian store needs
    Yashh Mittal
    Yashh Mittal
    Founder
    9 Jul 2026 · Updated 12 Jul 2026 · 6 min read
    Topic: Payments & UPI
    In short

    An Indian store should offer UPI, cards, netbanking, and cash on delivery. UPI is the default and must work perfectly at checkout, while COD still drives a large share of orders in smaller cities.

    Offer how India actually pays

    The payment methods you offer quietly decide how many carts turn into orders. In India, that means UPI, cards, cash on delivery, and wallets — but not in equal measure. Get the mix right and checkout feels effortless. Get it wrong and you lose buyers at the last step. Here's what each one is for.

    UPI: the default

    UPI is how most of India pays online now. It's instant, free for the buyer, and a tap to confirm. It has to work flawlessly at your checkout, because for many buyers it's the only method they'll reach for. If UPI is clunky on your store, you're losing sales you never even see.

    Cash on delivery: still huge

    Don't switch COD off. In smaller cities it can be more than half your orders, and turning it off can gut your volume. COD does bring returns, so pair it with controls — but the answer is to manage it, not remove it. For a large slice of Indian buyers, COD is what trust looks like.

    Cards: fewer buyers, higher value

    Debit and credit cards are a smaller share than UPI, but they matter — especially for higher-value orders and repeat buyers. Offer them cleanly, support saved cards and EMI where it fits, and you cover the buyers who prefer cards without much extra effort on your side.

    Wallets and the rest

    Wallets and net banking fill the gaps for buyers who prefer them. You don't need every option under the sun — too many choices can even slow checkout down. Cover UPI, cards, and COD well first, then add wallets if your buyers actually ask for them.

    More methods isn't always better

    There's a limit. A checkout crammed with twenty options is slower and more confusing than one with the four that matter. Watch which methods your buyers actually use, and lead with those. At checkout, simplicity converts better than choice.

    Where your store helps

    The Storemate wires this up for you. UPI, cards, and COD are ready from your first order through your own Razorpay account, with COD controls built in. You offer how India pays without stitching gateways together yourself — so checkout just works, on the methods your buyers reach for.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which payment methods does an Indian store need?

    UPI first (it's the default), plus cards for higher-value orders and cash on delivery, which can be more than half your orders in smaller cities. Wallets and net banking are optional extras.

    Should I offer every payment method?

    No. A checkout crammed with twenty options is slower and more confusing. Cover UPI, cards, and COD well first, then add wallets only if your buyers ask for them.

    Why is UPI so important at checkout?

    It's how most of India pays online — instant, free for the buyer, and a tap to confirm. If UPI is clunky on your store, you lose sales you never even see.

    Sources

    • NPCI — UPI product overview

    Keep reading

    • GuidesHow to start an online store in India in 2026: a step-by-step guide
    • GuidesRazorpay vs Cashfree vs PayU: choosing a payment gateway in India
    • GuidesHow to accept international payments from an Indian store
    • PlaybooksShould you offer cash on delivery? The economics for a small store
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