TechTonic: What’s the Indian app in digital world

Imagine waking up in a world without Google Maps to guide you, no WhatsApp texts from your friends, no Instagram scrolls before bed and no Amazon boxes at your doorstep. Sounds like digital exile? Not in China. This has been a reality there for years, and the surprising part — they don’t miss any of it.

While the rest of the world still runs on the familiar web of American apps, China has built an entirely self-sufficient digital ecosystem of its own. From chatting, shopping, navigating and streaming to paying utility bills, everything happens within homegrown apps.

Their WeChat isn’t just a messenger, it is a universe. You chat, pay your rent, order dinner, hail a cab, file taxes and even book a doctor appointment, all within one app. Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese cousin) keeps millions glued to short videos. Baidu replaces Google, Taobao fills Amazon’s shoes, Weibo and Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu) stand in for Twitter and Instagram, while Alipay and WeChat Pay have all but erased the need for physical cash.

China hasn’t merely banned foreign apps, it has built better versions, tailored to its language, lifestyle and governance.

The India question

Now comes the intriguing question: can India do this too? Or, should India do this? Let’s hear from those watching the digital shift closely.

Mansher Singh Growar, founder and CEO of Bhejo Logistics, calls India’s digital journey “nothing short of transformative”. He says, “The UPI payment revolution, Aadhaar-based identity systems and the Digital India push have changed the way we transact and communicate. Yet, when it comes to social media and daily digital needs, we still depend largely on foreign platforms. Our conversations happen on WhatsApp and X, shopping on Amazon, official communication on Gmail and socialising on Facebook or Instagram. All these are non-Indian platforms. This raises concerns about the safety of our data. Besides, these foreign entities have a hold on a major part of our digital advertising business.”

In a similar vein, Sunil Kumar, software engineer, Konceive Development Centre, says, “While China has successfully built its own digital backbone, India is still dependent on foreign platforms despite having a massive Internet consumer base.”

It’s a fair point. India’s online economy is booming. UPI transactions soared to an all-time high of Rs 27.28 lakh crore, clocking 20.7 billion transactions in October alone. Yet, the infrastructure of daily digital life is still imported.

The case for Aatmanirbharta

For Dhruv Walia, business analyst with a Pune-based digital marketing giant, self-reliance in technology is both an emotional and economic necessity, but also a distant goal. “There is pride and practicality in the call for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, but passion alone won’t build platforms that can rival global giants,” he says. “Most tech schools still train students on outdated systems. Despite having degrees, our youth have little problem-solving ability. They lack exposure and entrepreneurial skills. India has over 90 crore Internet subscribers. But our digital economy still revolves around UPI, food delivery and cab-hailing services.”

Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Director (OL), South zone, ESIC, who is developing an app to promote the use of Hindi in official work, has a more optimistic view. “Many Indian companies are making a considerable effort,” he says. “Look at Zoho. It is one of India’s strongest tech success stories. It offers a full suite of office and business software, which is used worldwide. Its messaging app Arattai (Tamil for ‘chat’) is a potential alternative to WhatsApp. Zoho’s model shows that global success and local roots can go hand in hand.”

He adds that the popularity of Indian shopping apps like Myntra and Nykaa and fintech leaders like PhonePe and Paytm are signs of a thriving desi digital ecosystem. “The foundation is ready,” Sharma says.

Should India copy China’s model?

Growar is clear that China’s model isn’t one to copy. “China built its own apps under tight state control and Internet restrictions. It may look self-sufficient, but it comes at the cost of openness and choice,” he says. “India should build strength from within through innovation and fair competition, not censorship.”

Sharma agrees and adds, “Our democratic spirit is our biggest advantage. The goal should be open self-reliance. The aim is to attract users by quality, not compel them by restrictions.”

The road ahead

So where does this leave us? If India gets this right, it can cut its reliance on foreign tech platforms. The numbers are in its favour. Digital payments are expected to hit Rs 593 trillion by FY29 and the country’s startup ecosystem continues to climb global rankings.

The dream isn’t far-fetched. Still, one can’t help but wonder if India has already missed the bus? Maybe. But perhaps the window isn’t fully closed. Maybe, the next big app with a global footprint will have a desi signature after all.

And this brings us to you. If a homegrown app offers the same features and reliability as Facebook or Instagram, will you make the switch?