Here’s something most people don’t realize.
BharatX and Simpl aren’t really competitors.
They work in completely different ways. Comparing them is like comparing a car engine manufacturer to a taxi service.
But people ask me about this all the time. So let me break it down.
The Big Difference You Need to Understand First
When I returned from the US in 2017, I didn’t have Simpl on my phone.
I downloaded it myself. Created an account. Started using it on Swiggy.
BharatX? You’ll never download it. Ever.
BharatX is the invisible tech behind branded BNPL options. Think “SnitchPay” on Snitch’s website. Or the “Pay in 3” option you see on Mokobara.
That’s BharatX powering it in the background.
Simpl is what you actively choose at checkout across different apps and websites.
Bold tip: If you see a brand’s own “Pay Later” option, BharatX likely powers it. If you see “Simpl” as a payment method, that’s the actual Simpl app.
Quick Reality Check: BharatX Got Acquired
Plot twist.
In February 2025, Flipkart‘s Super.money acquired BharatX for an undisclosed amount.
The founder, Mehul Jindal, built it at 19. Scaled from $50K to $2.5M ARR in 18 months. Got hit by regulations. Sold the tech to India’s largest startup.
Wild ride.
Now BharatX powers checkout financing for Flipkart and Super.money’s broader network.
So when I talk about BharatX in this article, I’m talking about what it was and what it now powers within the Flipkart ecosystem.
For those interested in other fintech shifts, check out my analysis of neo banks in India.
How They Actually Work
| Aspect | BharatX | Simpl |
|---|---|---|
| What It Is | White-label B2B platform | Consumer-facing BNPL app |
| Who Uses It | Brands integrate it | Consumers download it |
| Visibility | Invisible to users | Very visible at checkout |
BharatX gave brands the ability to offer their own branded BNPL.
You’d shop on a D2C website. See “Brand Pay Later” at checkout. That was BharatX’s tech doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Integration took 30 lines of code. Five minutes for verification. Zero credit risk for the merchant.
Simpl built a network across 26,000+ merchants. You use one account everywhere.
When you’re ordering food on Zomato, paying for groceries on BigBasket, or booking tickets on BookMyShow, you tap Simpl.
Same credit limit. Same billing cycle. Same app managing everything.
“The best BNPL isn’t the one you notice. It’s the one that just works when you need it.”
The Numbers Game
Let me show you what each platform achieved:
| Metric | BharatX (Pre-Acquisition) | Simpl |
|---|---|---|
| User Base | Powered 500M+ Indians | 40M+ active users |
| Merchant Network | 1,000+ brands (300+ direct) | 26,000+ merchants |
| Funding Raised | $4.75M | $83M |
| Approval Rate | 45% (industry leading) | Not disclosed |
| ARR at Peak | $2.5M | Not publicly disclosed |
BharatX focused on enabling brands. Simpl focused on user experience.
Two different strategies for the same market need.
For deeper insights into India’s payment ecosystem, read my piece on digital payment systems in India.
Credit Approval: The Secret Sauce
This is where both platforms got creative.
BharatX claimed a 45% approval rate. Industry average sits around 20%.
How? No documentation required. Their tech fetched user information from transaction history with consent.
Bank transaction messages. Online payment receipts. Salary indicators. Purchase patterns.
All analyzed in seconds.
Simpl uses machine learning with 100+ features. User behavior on merchant platforms. Historical patterns. App installation signals.
Neither relies on traditional credit scores.
That’s huge for India where only 4% of people have credit cards.
Bold tip: Both platforms democratize credit access. But BharatX did it through brands you trust. Simpl does it through brand consistency.
When I first moved back, my US credit history meant nothing here. BNPL platforms like these became my entry into India’s credit ecosystem.
If you’re in a similar boat, check my guide on getting credit cards for returning NRIs.
User Experience: Behind the Scenes vs Front and Center
My wife shops on D2C brands often.
Sometimes she’d see “Pay in 3” options she didn’t recognize. That was BharatX powering white-labeled solutions.
The checkout felt native to the brand. No redirects. No separate app downloads.
Simpl is the opposite. You know you’re using Simpl. Their branding is everywhere. One tap checkout. No OTP. Clean interface.
Both approaches have merit.
BharatX kept users within the brand experience. Built trust through familiarity.
Simpl built trust through consistency. Same experience across all merchants.
The Regulatory Knockout
Here’s what people don’t talk about enough.
BharatX was “killed by regulations in an hour” according to the founder.
They were disbursing $100K+ daily. Growing fast. Then regulatory changes hit.
Within hours, the business model changed forever.
That’s the fintech game in India. Rules evolve rapidly.
Simpl navigated these waters differently. Slower growth. Deeper merchant integrations. More conservative approach.
Sometimes being cautious beats being fast.
For NRIs managing money across borders, understanding regulatory landscapes matters. Read about FEMA rules for NRIs.
What This Means for You as a Consumer
If you’re shopping online in India, you’ve likely used tech from both platforms without realizing it.
Simpl appears as a payment option you actively select.
BharatX tech powers branded options that feel native to the website.
Post-acquisition, BharatX’s innovation now lives within Flipkart’s ecosystem. You might see it as “Flipkart Pay Later” or integrated into Super.money’s offerings.
Simpl continues independently. Growing merchant partnerships. Refining user experience.
| Factor | BharatX Legacy | Simpl Today |
|---|---|---|
| Current Status | Acquired by Super.money | Independent operation |
| Consumer Impact | Powers white-label BNPL | Direct consumer relationship |
| Where You See It | Brand-specific pay later | “Simpl” at checkout |
| Integration Speed | 5 minutes for merchants | Deeper, slower integrations |
| Future Direction | Flipkart ecosystem focus | Multi-merchant network growth |
My Honest Take
When people ask me which is better, I tell them they’re asking the wrong question.
You don’t choose between BharatX and Simpl. You benefit from both differently.
Download Simpl if you want control. One app. One credit limit. Multiple merchants.
Use BharatX powered options (now within Flipkart/Super.money) when shopping on specific brands that offer their own pay later features.
I use Simpl actively. I’ve also used BharatX powered solutions without knowing it was them.
Both solved real problems. BharatX made it easy for brands to offer credit. Simpl made it easy for consumers to use credit everywhere.
The acquisition shows which model Flipkart believed in long term. White-label, embedded credit that fits seamlessly into existing ecosystems.
Smart move.
For those exploring other fintech comparisons, I’ve written about Groww vs Kuvera and Zerodha vs Upstox too.
The Bigger Picture
India’s BNPL market hit $30.88 billion in 2025. Projected to reach $78.50 billion by 2030.
That’s a 20.52% CAGR.
Both BharatX and Simpl contributed to this growth. Different strategies. Same mission. Making credit accessible to millions.
Gen Z loves BNPL. They hold 39.7% market share among BNPL users.
Makes sense. They grew up digital. Limited access to traditional credit cards. Mobile first mindset.
My US born son is 12. By the time he’s shopping independently, BNPL will be the default. Not the exception.
Understanding these platforms now helps you guide the next generation better.
If managing money across countries confuses you, read my detailed guide on managing investments in the USA after returning.
Bottom Line
BharatX built invisible infrastructure. Simpl built visible experience.
BharatX got acquired. Simpl keeps growing.
Both changed how Indians access credit online.
As a returning NRI, having Simpl on my phone simplified daily transactions. Shopping. Food delivery. Bill payments.
BharatX’s white-label approach meant better branded experiences on D2C sites I frequent.
I’m grateful both existed.
The future? Super.money will integrate BharatX’s tech into UPI-based BNPL. That’s game changing.
Simpl will continue refining its multi-merchant network. Becoming more indispensable.
Different paths. Both valuable.
TLDR Version
BharatX:
- White-label B2B BNPL platform
- Powered 1,000+ brands with custom pay later options
- 45% approval rate, no documentation needed
- Scaled to $2.5M ARR in 18 months
- Acquired by Flipkart’s Super.money in Feb 2025
- Now powers Flipkart checkout financing
Simpl:
- Consumer-facing BNPL app
- 40M+ users, 26,000+ merchants
- One tap checkout, zero interest if paid on time
- Raised $83M in funding
- Independent and growing
- Direct relationship with consumers
Key Difference: BharatX = behind the scenes infrastructure. Simpl = in your face experience.
Winner? Not competitors. Both solved different problems beautifully.
Sources and Validation
All information verified from official sources:
- BharatX company profile: Y Combinator
- Simpl official site: getsimpl.com
- BharatX acquisition news: YourStory
- Market data: Mordor Intelligence India BNPL Report
- Funding details: Tracxn BharatX Profile
- Technical details: Inc42 BharatX Coverage
- Industry analysis: Decentro BNPL Platforms
Got questions about BNPL, NRE accounts, or best investment options in India? Check out my other articles or ask in our Back to India community.