Introduction
Digital payments in India have grown rapidly over the past few years, and prepaid cards in India have become one of the easiest and safest ways to manage money. Whether you’re shopping online, paying bills, travelling, or managing business expenses, a prepaid card lets you make secure transactions without linking directly to a bank account. These cards can be preloaded with funds and used anywhere debit or credit cards are accepted.
From individuals looking for spending control to companies managing employee payments, prepaid cards offer flexibility, convenience, and financial transparency. In this blog, we’ll explore what prepaid cards are, their benefits, the top 10 prepaid cards in India, and how you can get one easily.
What is a Prepaid Card?
A prepaid card is a payment card that comes with a fixed amount of money loaded on it in advance. You can use it to shop, pay bills, book tickets, or make online and in-store purchases. It works like a debit card, but it is not connected to a bank account.
You can spend only the amount that is available on the card.
When the balance runs low, you can easily reload or top up the card through online transfers, UPI, or other payment methods. This makes prepaid cards a convenient and secure option for managing money, setting budgets, and avoiding cash handling.
In India, prepaid cards are issued by RBI-licensed banks and fintech platforms. They are available in both physical and virtual formats, and can be used at ATMs, e-commerce websites, and retail stores across the country.
Prepaid cards are designed for various needs. Gift cards are ideal for personal use, while business prepaid cards, such as those offered by EnKash, are used by companies to manage employee and vendor expenses in a controlled and compliant way.
In short, a prepaid card gives the flexibility of digital payments with better control, transparency, and ease of use.
Benefits of Using Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are now a widely used, secure way to make payments in India. They help both individuals and businesses manage spending while reducing the need for cash. Below are some of the main benefits of using prepaid cards.
1. Easy to Use
Prepaid cards work just like regular debit or credit cards. You can use them to shop online, make in-store payments, or withdraw cash from ATMs. Once the card is loaded with money, it is ready for use immediately.
2. Safe and Controlled Spending
A prepaid card allows you to spend only the amount loaded on it. This helps control expenses and reduces the risk of overspending. For businesses, prepaid cards such as EnKash corporate cards make it easier to allocate budgets and track every transaction in real time.
3. Widely Accepted
Prepaid cards are accepted at most online platforms, retail stores, and service outlets across India. Whether you are paying bills, booking tickets, or shopping, you can use them almost anywhere.
4. Useful for Gifting and Employee Payments
Gift cards are a simple way to give digital rewards, while business prepaid cards help manage employee reimbursements and vendor payments. Platforms like EnKash offer prepaid card solutions that simplify payouts and make tracking easier for companies.
5. No Bank Account Needed
Many prepaid cards, especially those issued by licensed PPI providers, do not require you to open a bank account or undergo a credit check. You usually just complete a simple KYC process. This makes them a good option for students, freelancers, and gig workers who prefer flexible digital payments.
6. Reload Anytime
Most prepaid cards can be reloaded instantly using UPI, debit cards, or net banking. Users can also check balances and transaction history online or through mobile apps.
7. Enhanced Security
Prepaid cards come with features such as PIN protection, OTP verification, and card blocking options. These make them safer for both online and offline payments.
Top 10 Best Prepaid Cards in India
Prepaid cards are becoming an essential part of India’s digital payment ecosystem. They are widely used by individuals for everyday transactions and by businesses to simplify expense management. Here are the top 10 prepaid cards in India, covering personal, business, and multi-purpose use cases.
1. EnKash Prepaid Card
The EnKash prepaid card is built for businesses that want to manage company expenses in a smart and compliant way. It allows organizations to issue cards to employees, teams, or departments for travel, vendor, or operational expenses. The card operates on an RBI-licensed PPI and payment platform, ensuring regulatory compliance and strong data security.
Key Features:
- Available in both physical and virtual formats
- Smart controls and real-time expense tracking
- Instant reload through connected accounts
- Suitable for startups, SMEs, and enterprises
2. HDFC Prepaid Card
The HDFC prepaid card offers several options, such as travel, gift, and business cards. It is accepted across all major merchant outlets and online platforms. The HDFC gift card is one of the most popular gifting options in India, and customer support is available through HDFC customer care.
Key Features:
- Multiple prepaid options (gift, business, and travel)
- Easy online management and reload
- Strong security and support services
3. Volopay Prepaid Card
Volopay provides prepaid cards designed for startups and growing businesses. These cards help companies automate expense tracking, reimbursements, and approvals through a single dashboard.
Key Features:
- Virtual and physical business cards
- Real-time visibility of spending
- Integration with accounting tools
4. ICICI Bank PayDirect Card
The ICICI Bank PayDirect prepaid card is used for salary disbursements, reimbursements, and incentive payouts. It can be easily reloaded and is accepted at ATMs and POS terminals across India.
Key Features:
- Ideal for corporate payouts and employee benefits
- Secure chip-based card
- Reloadable and widely accepted
5. OmniCard
OmniCard is a prepaid card platform licensed by the RBI that offers digital payments for individuals, parents, and businesses. It is RBI-licensed and known for its simple app interface and controlled spending features.
Key Features:
- Works for online and offline transactions
- Useful for gifting, allowances, and student budgets
- Controlled spending through the OmniCard app
6. Happay Card
The Happay prepaid card simplifies business expense management. It allows companies to issue prepaid cards to employees and monitor every spend in real time. It integrates with accounting systems to help automate financial reporting.
Key Features:
- Expense tracking and automation
- Real-time spending visibility
- Corporate control and easy reconciliation
7. Bank of Baroda Prepaid Card
The Bank of Baroda prepaid card is suitable for both personal and business use. It can be used for shopping, travel, and ATM withdrawals.
Key Features:
- Easy to use and reload
- Secure chip and PIN protection
- Wide merchant acceptance
8. SBI Business Prepaid Card
The SBI Business prepaid card is designed for corporate payments and employee benefits. Companies can issue cards to multiple users and track their spending through a central account.
Key Features:
- Ideal for salary, travel, and vendor payments
- Real-time tracking via SBI’s online portal
- Accepted across POS and e-commerce sites
9. Axis Bank Prepaid Card
Axis Bank offers prepaid cards for individuals and corporates. The cards can be used for shopping, gifting, and travel purposes.
Key Features:
- Available in gift, travel, and multi-purpose options
- Instant reload via Axis Bank channels
- Chip-enabled for secure transactions
10. Yes Bank Prepaid Card
Yes Bank offers multiple prepaid options including Gift, Payroll, and Travel Cards, suitable for both personal and business use. It can be used for gifting, payroll, or incentive programs and supports quick fund transfers.
Key Features:
- Customizable prepaid options
- Fast reload and balance check
- 24×7 customer support
Summary Table
Prepaid Card |
Issuer / Platform |
Type |
Key Features |
Ideal For |
EnKash Prepaid Card |
EnKash (RBI-licensed PPI) |
Business / Corporate |
RBI-approved, physical & virtual cards, expense tracking dashboard, instant reloads |
Businesses, startups, teams, vendor payments |
HDFC Prepaid Card |
HDFC Bank |
Personal / Business |
Gift, Travel & Business Money Cards, wide merchant acceptance, 24×7 HDFC customer care |
Personal gifting, travel, and employee payouts |
Volopay Prepaid Card |
Volopay (with Yes Bank & Visa) |
Business |
Smart cards for company expenses, app-based controls, and accounting integrations |
Startups, finance teams, corporate spending |
ICICI PayDirect Card |
ICICI Bank |
Business |
Reloadable prepaid card, salary and reimbursement disbursement, ATM & POS use |
Employee salaries, incentives, reimbursements |
OmniCard |
OmniCard (RBI-licensed PPI) |
Personal / Youth / Business |
App-linked prepaid card, controlled spending, real-time tracking |
Students, freelancers, digital shoppers |
Happay Prepaid Card |
Happay (with Yes Bank / SBM Bank) |
Business |
Expense management, real-time visibility, policy-based limits |
Corporate expense automation |
Bank of Baroda Prepaid Card |
Bank of Baroda |
Personal / Travel |
Gift & TravelEasy cards, chip-based security, easy reload |
Retail customers, travelers |
SBI Business Prepaid Card |
State Bank of India |
Business |
Multi-user card issuance, central control, 24×7 balance tracking |
Corporates, SMEs, institutions |
Axis Bank Prepaid Card |
Axis Bank |
Personal / Business |
Insta Easy, Gift & Travel cards, online reload, strong security |
Individuals, employees, corporate gifting |
Yes Bank Prepaid Card |
Yes Bank |
Personal / Corporate |
Payroll, Gift & Travel cards, quick fund transfer, wide network |
Corporate disbursements, general spending |
How to Get a Prepaid Card in India
Getting a prepaid card in India is simple and can be done either online or at a bank branch. Most prepaid cards are issued by RBI-licensed banks and fintech platforms, and the process is quick with minimal documentation.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply:
Step 1: Choose the Right Prepaid Card
Select a prepaid card that suits your needs.
- For personal use, options like HDFC Gift Card, Axis Bank Prepaid Card, or OmniCard are ideal.
- For business and team expenses, solutions like EnKash Prepaid Card, Volopay, or Happay are more suitable.
Step 2: Complete KYC Verification
All prepaid cards in India are regulated under RBI’s PPI (Prepaid Payment Instrument) guidelines, which require Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
You can submit documents such as:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Proof of address
KYC can be completed online or at the nearest branch, depending on the issuer.
Step 3: Load Money onto the Card
Once your card is approved, you can load funds instantly through:
- UPI or net banking
- Debit card
- Bank transfer
Most cards support instant reloads, and the balance is visible in real time through the provider’s app or portal.
Step 4: Start Using the Card
After activation, the card can be used for:
- Online purchases
- POS transactions
- Bill payments
- ATM withdrawals (for full-KYC cards)
Some cards, like those from EnKash or Happay, also come with dashboard access for expense tracking, policy control, and spending reports.
Step 5: Manage and Reload Anytime
Prepaid cards can be reloaded 24×7 through mobile apps or internet banking. Customer support from issuers such as HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, SBI, ICICI Bank, and licensed fintech platforms is available for assistance.
Uses of Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards can be used for a wide range of personal, travel, and business transactions. They combine the convenience of a debit card with the control of a fixed spending limit. Below are some of the most common and verified uses of prepaid cards in India.
1. Online and In-Store Shopping
Prepaid cards can be used for online purchases on e-commerce platforms and for in-store payments through POS machines. They are accepted by merchants and e-commerce platforms that support Visa, RuPay, or Mastercard networks.
2. Bill Payments and Recharges
You can use prepaid cards to pay utility bills, recharge mobile phones, or subscribe to OTT platforms. Most banks and fintech apps also support auto-debit and recurring payments for added convenience.
3. Corporate and Employee Expenses
Businesses use prepaid cards to manage travel, reimbursements, and daily operational spending. Platforms like EnKash, Happay, and Volopay provide prepaid solutions that allow companies to issue cards to employees and monitor every transaction through a single dashboard.
4. Travel and Forex Payments
Prepaid travel cards from banks such as HDFC, Axis, and ICICI are designed for international use. They support multiple currencies, protect against forex rate fluctuations, and are widely accepted abroad.
5. Gifting and Rewards
Prepaid gift cards from banks like HDFC, Axis, SBI, and Bank of Baroda are popular for personal and corporate gifting. They can be used at a wide range of online and retail outlets.
6. Student and Family Use
Parents can issue prepaid cards to students or family members to help manage allowances securely. Apps like OmniCard allow spending control, real-time notifications, and usage tracking.
7. Vendor and Freelancer Payments
Companies can use business prepaid cards to make instant payments to vendors, freelancers, or gig workers. This reduces dependency on cash and simplifies accounting.
Conclusion
Prepaid cards have become an important part of India’s move toward digital and cashless payments. They offer much of the flexibility of a debit card, often without needing a bank account, and give users complete control over how much they spend.
From individuals managing daily expenses to companies tracking business payments, prepaid cards make financial management easier and more transparent. With trusted providers like EnKash, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, Volopay, Happay, OmniCard, Yes Bank, and Bank of Baroda, users can choose from a wide range of secure and compliant prepaid solutions.
Whether you need a card for shopping, travel, gifting, or managing team expenses, prepaid cards offer a simple, safe, and reliable way to pay and get paid in India.
FAQs
1. What is a prepaid card, and how does it work?
A prepaid card is a payment card that you load with money before using it. Once loaded, it can be used for shopping, bill payments, and travel. The card balance decreases with every transaction, and you can reload it anytime.
2. Can I get a prepaid card without a bank account?
Yes. You can apply for a prepaid card without a bank account. Providers such as EnKash, OmniCard, and Volopay issue prepaid cards after completing a simple KYC process.
3. Which prepaid card is best in India right now?
The best prepaid card depends on your needs. For business use, EnKash, Volopay, and Happay are preferred, while for personal use, HDFC, Axis, and ICICI offer top-rated options.
4. What documents are required to get a prepaid card?
You need basic KYC documents such as:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Proof of address
These documents are required under the RBI’s Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) guidelines.
5. Can I use a prepaid card for UPI payments?
Yes. RBI allows UPI to be linked with full-KYC prepaid cards (PPIs) issued by banks and authorised non-bank PPI issuers. Many issuers now let users link these prepaid cards to UPI apps for seamless digital payments.
6. What is the maximum limit for prepaid cards in India?
As per RBI rules, the spending limit depends on KYC completion:
- Minimum KYC cards: up to ₹10,000 outstanding, with total monthly spends capped at ₹10,000 (as per RBI PPI guidelines).
- Full KYC cards: up to ₹2 lakh maximum balance, with reloads allowed as per RBI and issuer policies.
7. How can businesses use prepaid cards?
Businesses use prepaid cards to manage employee travel, petty cash, vendor payments, and reimbursements. Providers like EnKash, Volopay, and Happay allow companies to issue multiple cards and track every spend in real time.
8. Can I withdraw cash using a prepaid card?
Yes, but only full-KYC prepaid cards allow ATM withdrawals. Most bank-issued cards, such as those from HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and ICICI Bank, support this feature.
