If you’re a first-year student, setting up your UPI apps is essential — for canteen payments, splitting Maggi bills, or paying for that midnight chai. Here’s a guide to the top UPI apps with real cash back offers along with signup bonuses and referral links to help you save while you spend.
Top 4 UPI Apps for Students
1. PhonePe – Most Reliable
- PhonePe lets you pay for everything — from online shopping to groceries — and even offers mutual fund investments!
- Why It’s Great:
- Works with Indian & International mobile numbers
- Offers Gold investment, travel insurance, and DTH recharge
- Clean interface with real-time payment tracking
- 🎁 Referral Bonus: Get instant cashback on sign-up
- 👉 Download now: PhonePe Invite Link
2. Google Pay – Best for Simplicity
Google Pay (GPay) is one of the most trusted UPI apps with a clean interface and excellent transaction speed.
Top Features:
- Direct UPI payments linked to your bank
- Bill payments, mobile recharge, train bookings & more
- Scratch card rewards after every transaction
- Super secure with Google’s authentication layer
🎁 Sign up bonus: Get ₹21 cashback on your first payment using this referral:
👉 Referral Code: 0c1v69a
👉 Download using this link: Google Pay Invite
3. BHIM UPI – Government-backed, Lightweight
- Created by NPCI, BHIM is a no-nonsense, lightweight UPI app — perfect for all transactions and instant money transfer.
- Top Highlights:
- No ads, no distractions – just solid UPI payments
- Works with Aadhaar card if you don’t have a debit card
- Direct-to-bank transfers 24×7
- 🎁 Earn ₹21 on your first payment after sign-up!
- 👉 Referral Code:
e65vu0 - 👉 Download now: BHIM UPI App
4. Paytm – More than just UPI
- If you’re someone who recharges often or pays bills regularly, Paytm is built for you.
- Cool Features:
- Recharge, bill payment, movie tickets, and shopping – all in one
- UPI, Wallet, Postpaid, and Paytm Payments Bank
- Offers assured cashback for new users
- 🎁 Offer: Send ₹9 or more and get cashback on your first 5 transactions!
- 👉 Join here: Paytm Referral Link
🎁 Bonus Tip: Use referral links = Earn money!
Sign up using our links above to get exclusive bonuses/cashbacks on your first transaction.
(Your friend gets benefits too 😉)
💡 Pro Tips
- Always keep at least 2 UPI apps (in case one fails)
- Use a lighter app (like BHIM) as a backup
- Enable UPI PIN lock for safety
- Prefer UPI Lite for super-fast offline payments
Not able to create UPI? You’re not alone.
Under 18 or facing issues with KYC or UPI setup?
Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered:
👉 Check out this guide: How to use UPI Circle on BHIM if you’re under 18
👉 Best student-friendly banks that offer passbook & card under 18