In the bustling digital landscape of India, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to apps—whether for payments, shopping, food delivery, or entertainment. But recently, one question has irked my mind: Super apps or multiple specialized apps—which works better?
Let me start with my personal experience. Like many in India, I rely on Paytm, one of India’s pioneering super apps. Paytm started as a simple wallet for mobile recharges but now offers everything from paying bills to booking flights, investing in mutual funds, and even grocery shopping. It’s convenient to have all these features at my fingertips, especially when I’m in a rush. There’s no switching between five apps just to get through daily chores, and that one-app-for-everything vibe feels efficient.
Yet, there’s a flip side. Super apps can become clunky and overwhelming. I often find myself scrolling through dozens of features I don’t need, and sometimes the app crashes under the weight of its own complexity. Imagine you’re in the middle of booking a train ticket and the app suddenly freezes! That’s when I realize the beauty of multiple specialized apps.
I do remember a day when I urgently needed to book a cab and order groceries for my mother. I could have used Paytm for both, but I ended up switching to Uber for the ride and BigBasket for groceries.
Why? Because I knew Uber would get the cab part right, and BigBasket had exactly the grocery items I wanted, delivered on time.
Specialized apps seem to be reliable, they do one thing and often do it better than an overloaded super app.
Another personal revelation hit me while using Swiggy and Zomato for food delivery. These apps specialize in one domain, and their user interface is designed to optimize that experience. I rarely face glitches and the delivery times are accurate. In contrast, I’ve had issues with super apps that tried to do too much at once.
In India, while super apps like Tata Neu, Reliance’s Jio, and Paytm are expanding their arms, I still find myself relying on specialized apps for core needs.
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy the convenience of an all-in-one solution, super apps are a blessing. But if, like me, you prefer apps that excel in one domain, sticking to specialized apps might offer a smoother experience.
References
1. Sai, Chai With. “The Bust of Super Apps in India: Mistakes and Lessons.” Medium, https://medium.com/@chaiwithsai/the-bust-of-super-apps-in-india-mistakes-and-lessons-1a0994f9bd26.
2. Kapron, Z. (2024, February 16). Across Asia, Super Apps Are Facing A Moment Of Truth. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/zennonkapron/2024/02/16/across-asia-super-apps-are-facing-a-moment-of-truth/
