Big cities are no longer the only places in India where digital revolution is taking place. Additionally, it is making its way into rural areas, tiny towns, and villages, where farmers, business owners, and students are starting to reap the rewards of prompt payments.
But which method works best in rural areas — AEPS, Cashfree, or traditional payment gateways?
In this blog, we’ll compare these popular digital payment methods and help you understand:
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What each system does
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Which is fastest and easiest for rural users
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Which one is best for your business or shop
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How to combine them using platforms like PayPlex
What Are Quick Payments?
Quick payments mean fast, simple, and secure money transfers — whether you're:
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Paying for goods
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Checking your bank balance
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Sending money to family
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Receiving a subsidy from the government
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Collecting school or service fees
In cities, UPI and cards are common. But in rural India, not everyone has:
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A smartphone
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Internet access
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A credit or debit card
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Digital literacy
So how do they make quick payments?
Let’s explore.
What Is AEPS?
AEPS stands for Aadhaar Enabled Payment System.
It allows you to:
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Withdraw cash
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Check your balance
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Send money to others
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Get subsidies from the government
You just need your Aadhaar number and fingerprint. No card or internet required.
AEPS works great for:
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Villagers
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Farmers
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Housewives
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Laborers
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Anyone without a phone or card
What Is Cashfree?
Cashfree is a modern digital payment gateway. It allows:
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Businesses to collect online payments
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Instant payouts to bank accounts, wallets, and UPI
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Recurring payments and subscription billing
Cashfree is fast, safe, and ideal for:
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Online sellers
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Schools and coaching centers
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Loan providers
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Freelancers and businesses
But it requires internet and is better suited for users who have:
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Smartphones
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Bank accounts with UPI/card
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Basic tech knowledge
What Are Traditional Payment Gateways?
Other payment gateways in India include:
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Razorpay
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PayU
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Instamojo
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CCAvenue
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PhonePe for Business
They work well for ecommerce, retail, schools, and more — but require:
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Internet
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Mobile apps or websites
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Cards, UPI, or wallets
Comparison Table: AEPS vs Cashfree vs Payment Gateways
| Feature | AEPS | Cashfree | Payment Gateways |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works Offline | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Needs Internet | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Smartphone Required | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Bank Card Required | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Uses Aadhaar | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Supports Rural Users | ✅ Strong | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited |
| Merchant Integration | ✅ Yes (via agents) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Speed of Payment | ✅ Fast (Real-Time) | ✅ Very Fast | ✅ Fast |
| Best For | Rural users | Online businesses | Digital-first stores |
AEPS in Action – A Real Village Example
Meet Sarla Devi, a small vendor in rural Bihar. She doesn’t have a smartphone, card, or bank app. But thanks to her local PayPlex AEPS agent, she can:
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Withdraw money sent by her son in Delhi
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Check her balance using fingerprint
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Get her PM-Kisan subsidy instantly
This is the power of AEPS quick payments — bringing digital banking to offline Bharat.
Cashfree in Action – A Digital Store Example
Now meet Amit, an online saree seller in Surat. He uses Cashfree to:
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Send UPI payment links on WhatsApp
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Accept payments by card and net banking
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Disburse refunds and commissions instantly
His customers love the speed, and his business has grown 3x in one year.
Which Is Better for Rural India?
It depends on who you are and what you need:
| User | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Villager | AEPS | No phone or card needed |
| Shopkeeper (offline) | AEPS + QR Code | Combine fingerprint + digital |
| Digital merchant | Cashfree | Fast UPI/card acceptance |
| Agent | AEPS + Cashfree | Offer both services and earn more |
| Student | AEPS (for DBT) | Easy to check funds or withdraw |
So in rural India, AEPS wins for inclusivity. But combining it with Cashfree or QR options can increase earning potential and improve service.
How Can a Rural Shopkeeper Use All Three?
Let’s say you own a general store in a village. Here’s how you can offer all services:
✅ Step 1: Become a PayPlex AEPS Agent
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Offer cash withdrawal, balance enquiry, DBT, and money transfers
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Use biometric device + PayPlex app
✅ Step 2: Register for Cashfree
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Get UPI links, cards, and QR options for your business
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Accept online payments from younger customers or tourists
✅ Step 3: Add Traditional Payment Gateway (optional)
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If you build a website or app, add Razorpay or PayU for ecommerce
With this setup, your store becomes a complete digital center, serving all types of customers.
Start your AEPS and payment journey with PayPlex
Earning Potential for AEPS + Cashfree Agents
| Service | Commission/Income |
|---|---|
| AEPS cash withdrawal | ₹5–₹15 per txn |
| Balance enquiry | ₹1–₹2 (if charged) |
| copyright (money transfer) | Up to ₹30 per txn |
| Bill Payment | ₹5–₹10 |
| Cashfree QR sales | Sales growth + cashback |
| Payment link use | Helps collect remote orders |
Many PayPlex agents report earning ₹10,000–₹25,000/month with combined AEPS + digital payments.
FAQs: AEPS vs Cashfree vs Payment Gateways
Q1: Can I use AEPS and Cashfree together?
Yes! AEPS for offline customers and Cashfree for digital payments — both boost your business.
Q2: Is AEPS better than UPI?
For rural users without smartphones, yes. UPI is better for urban users with apps.
Q3: Can PayPlex agents offer Cashfree too?
Yes. You can use Cashfree for collections and continue AEPS services side by side.
Q4: Is biometric required for all services?
Only for AEPS. Cashfree and gateways use OTP, UPI, or card-based authentication.
Q5: Do I need a website to use Cashfree?
No. You can use links, QR codes, and mobile dashboards without a website.
Conclusion: AEPS, Cashfree, and Payment Gateways – Together for Bharat
India is diverse. Some people have smartphones and cards. Some only have Aadhaar and a feature phone. So there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
That’s why combining AEPS + Cashfree + Payment Gateways is the smartest strategy for:
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Shopkeepers
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Agents
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Small businesses
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NGOs
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Digital entrepreneurs
Use AEPS for rural India and Cashfree/gateways for digital India — and you’ll be ready to serve everyone.