What is a super app, and why haven't they gone global? | CNBC Explains

The super app, synonymous with popular mobile apps like WeChat, Grab, GoTo and Paytm, has enjoyed noteworthy success in Asian countries, but is relatively absent in other markets. CNBC's Nessa Anwar, joined by Arjun Kharpal, explains the strategies and evolution behind the world's biggest super apps.
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[@spencebuzz9220]

Here in Kenya we have a mobile banking app, mpesa. It has become so ingrained in our society that there are businesses that strictly only accept mpesa. The problem is how secure is it? Our country has a knack of overlooking these fundamental issues regarding cyber security. If mpesa went down today our economy will take a serious hit because of how dependent it is on it.

[@Uunartoq2018]

Thats such a huge of monopoly of all, the risk must be distribute otherwise Kenyan system is in danger. But I wonder if some authority has involved with this with secret beneficial? Because it is maybe possible

[@yomurita]

Here in Chile it's not an app, but *all* transactions go through a single processor: Transbank. You can imagine the absolute shitshow it makes when it goes down!

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Gypsy King

[@wayando]

Yeah ... If you look at the new Mpesa Apps, they are trying to incorporate other apps into their apps ... I think they are trying to make a Kenyan superapp.

[@Jeevanmn]

Nobody uses PayTM to do anything other than payments here in India. And that is exactly why Paytm mall bombed.

[@17thsavior]

Calling Paytm a super app is complete misinformation.

[@terrybatman]

@@17thsavior why. It's a bank. Largest fastag seller in India. They sell savings account, salary accounts, food wallets. They have a movies and travel vertical. Maximum irctc tickets are booked there.

[@terrybatman]

@@17thsavior when you book a movie or travel ticket on paytm, they offer the service and not other providers. Similar with savings account, salary accounts and fastag. It's all their services. I don't see a mobikwik or freecharge doing that.

[@JimpanzeeFilms]

I use the bank, the UPI, to recharge and also to buy bus tickets sometimes. So it is a super app as it is still giving the services to people who find value in it. So the video is pretty accurate. But, ya, the Mall didn't work as well as they were expecting.

[@jh0720]

This video is just a paytm pump piece 🤦‍♂️

[@asterixky]

Are we willing to give up some privacy to get some more convenience. To each his own comfort level I guess.

[@thataxx1534]

as if you only give up privacy with super apps, you are commenting on KZbin, you already lost your privacy

[@sergiobenoya]

You're funny. You already gave up your privacy by having social media accounts such as KZbin 😂😂

[@memetokentv]

Right.

[@memetokentv]

They are

[@jdosrios]

You have already given up if you using any KZbin, Google or Facebook, they all collect your data, unfortunately none of these gives you more convenience in return other than just collect your information and sell it to companies.

[@shivashankar2477]

USA’s cashless transaction method through credit cards was the key to all this technology. But, people in many countries don’t have credit cards or cannot be guven one by a bank since they don’t meet their requirements. So, these apps pretty much have a recharge system through your money or bank account. Hence the popularity is gained by using your own money in a safer digital way

[@thanhavictus]

Do they earn cash back?

[@shivashankar2477]

@@thanhavictus yeah they do. Which is the incentive to use those apps basically.

[@thanhavictus]

@@shivashankar2477 really wish Google pay or PayPal has cash back

[@dotxh4]

@@thanhavictus here in India, Google Pay does offer cashbacks

[@omthesmwgroup]

You need to teach yourself how credit works and how it's bad for community

[@youtubelover1311]

It’s honestly a blessing that apple and android have banned super apps. In our system we can enjoy multiple companies and startups competing in different fields which overall helps the economy and new innovation. Apple and google do get to keep a lot of power which I disapprove of but the good outweighs the bad

[@user-tp8ht4xv6f]

Not to mention privacy and security issues that will come with any super app

[@BluebBman]

That just China about privacy and regulation which they don't care. How about Singapore, Indonesian, Vietnam with Grab,Goto,Zolo

[@antivandaag]

They haven’t

[@tutacat]

Uh no! It's on both platforms. They are not banned. It's already easy, as douyin and facebook/instagram have shown, to root through your files, clipboard, advertising profile, to gather data.

[@goo1358]

Google is like a super app. KZbin, Gmail, Google music etc use the same login

[@RonaldBaars]

We have Finn in Norway, where you can book taxis, buy and rent cars, buy houses, find a job, date, but mainly it’s for buying second hand stuff

[@nilsfreund8442]

not at all comparable

[@AYVYN]

Only Norway would list women on a used goods store

[@avi12]

I would argue that an Android launcher is a super app

[@kevcalms]

Agrer

[@TheRomeVEVO]

Technically it is according to the definition of what a Super App is lol

[@ssiddarth]

These videos have been really helpful for me, thanks team CNBC & hope that you continue making more of such informational content keeping the focus on more or less on entrepreneurship (especially in the developing countries)

[@jrome_20]

Loving this kind of videos from CNBC.

[@ss877S]

TATA super app will be soon launched in India. I am excited

[@jk484]

What will it include?

[@ADeeSHUPA]

@@jk484 JKT48

[@Neethinify]

@@rishabhgusain and for payment?

[@rishabhgusain]

@@Neethinify Well Tata got a green signal for that in Oct, 2020. So.....

[@trevortrevose9124]

Doesn't tata make trucks and excavators

[@danieltan8458]

The lady looks like she's staring off in space from the dude's POV, which is kinda hilarious

[@malopephasha4418]

Haha, also picked that up. I think it's because she's looking at the guy through the screen that's mounted on the wall.

[@spidermantom4367]

I am a fan of CNBC videos. They are entertaining, engaging and above all informative. Keep up videos like these Thanks

[@uMahlalela_Ospanayo]

For me it's CNBC, Al Jazeera & Russian TV news. The rest it's just biased propaganda.

[@shankysays]

@@uMahlalela_Ospanayo these videos are example of illusion of knowledge which has no substantive meaning. You're learning something but that's not education for your personal growth. It's good for entertainment but don't fool yourself that it's a learning experience. I'm not singling CNBC. All infotainment channel are same.

[@uMahlalela_Ospanayo]

@@shankysays As I quoted News channels I regularly invest time on. Al Jazeera- Global affairs (inequality, war instability, documentaries.) Russian- Less biased than Western News broadcasters. CNBC- Entertainment, new inventions, Agri documentaries etc. South African news broadcast is by far the worse broadcaster since 2015.

[@Uunartoq2018]

@@uMahlalela_Ospanayo Bravo!

[@leeyuee9827]

People have forgotten an important thing "DO NOT put all eggs into one basket"! For those who like the super app (evil) .... pull out if you can..

[@Dioe]

Yeah there's a high risk of monopoly.

[@pierremh1979]

Define evil about this app? I'm Indonesian, as far as I can tell... If there is such monopoly in here, My Government will react strongly about it

[@nishantshukla7255]

There is app for almost everything you can think 🤣

[@janshen1222]

Can gou reccomend me an app for me to find a hitman?

[@Abhi6x9]

@Ashtavakra 😂😂

[@almostcertainlynotapotato6528]

There's an app for what you even can't think of.

[@Rassy_]

@@janshen1222 Google app has got you covered

[@3monsterbeast]

Super apps. In other words a one-stop shop for hackers

[@jairamchandani5329]

It's like you have shift from 3 BHK to 1BHK apartment you got everything in smaller space but your living style is still the same.

[@dotxh4]

Here in India, it's going to be a lot more crazier. Amazon, Walmart's Flipkart, Reliance, Tata, Paytm all are developing their own super app.

[@aksingh3167]

Tata will win

[@TomNook.]

We don't have a monopoly in the west, but we do have an oligopoly - ALL our digital services are controlled by the Big tech firms. Whether it's 1 or 5, it's extremely bad for people and individuals power and control

[@annuarrahman4199]

agreed... What about Spotify though?

[@TomNook.]

Strawman argument. Spotify are nothing data collection wise compared to the big tech firms.

[@blainegabbertgabonemhofgoa6602]

Still 5 is a lot better than 1

[@wild_taco_gonecrazycorona9112]

they manipulated laws and patents to get that and govt helped facilitated cause govt got money and also govt don t loose no shit so its people are product and capitalisms by acquiring small companies no laws around it if big tech or any big firm manipulates it so its dirty dirty shit they did and doing

[@MossadDid911]

@@blainegabbertgabonemhofgoa6602 no, equally bad

[@zacky.alhashmi8930]

I had been to Malaysia 🇲🇾 before the pandemic and suffice to say that Grab was a must have!

[@arbaz79]

Must have? You can use local taxis and public transport.

[@Aeric80]

I am a Malaysian. I don’t use Grab. I use Touch’nGO e-wallet app more. I think it could transform into a super app.

[@zipzapkpop]

@@arbaz79 not if it sucks. I’m in the Philippines. I’m not going to squeeze in a jeepney or bus in this pandemic, and taxis here range from ancient to passable, no cashless payment, and with rude drivers to boot. I’d rather pay extra for a Grab ride to get my groceries. And food delivery is very convenient as well.

[@woowee2189]

Grab is a Malaysian founder singapore startup

[@sumarnoarnol2189]

No one cares he is malay

[@0dyss3us51]

@@sumarnoarnol2189 I think it is ingeresting

[@KaziAsifRahman]

Really informative

[@siddharthsridhar7572]

I’ve loved cnbc for a long time

[@CNBCi]

💙

[@kiray.4568]

Yeah Young Turks was great show, about tech biz in India

[@StringerNews1]

The thing is that "apps" aren't revolutionary, they're reactionary. Before "apps" we could just visit web sites using one browser. Requiring a separate "app" to interact with each and every website was a BIG step backwards.

[@johnmorounfoluwa7698]

Never thought like this..

[@KRYMauL]

I mean if you think about it a super app is just a web browser with extra steps.

[@StringerNews1]

@@KRYMauL and more often than not, those "extra steps" include covertly gathering and sending your personal information to people who will use it against you. Why would anyone want that?

[@KRYMauL]

@@StringerNews1 They're not using it against who they are selling the information to advertisers because it's a better way to turn a profit then simply making a deal with an advertiser and hoping it works out and resonates.

[@StringerNews1]

@@KRYMauL if that was true, and provable and regulated, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But because Big Data is not limited to advertising, and does indeed gossip to other big corporations about what they only _think_ you're doing, it _is_ a problem! A very big one! I don't very much like failing a background check because some algorithm misinterpreted the things I googled when watching a murder mystery, or any other negative gossip that I have no chance to rebut or control!

[@mihai_chindris]

really interesting topic, thanks for uploading the video!

[@aishaibrahimabbas5867]

Thank You

[@random-accessmemory9201]

I’m thinking the super apps in the Philippines. 🤔🤔🤔 I think GCash is one of our super apps that we use and Grab too I guess. 🤓

[@houghwhite411]

Grab is a big superapp in SE Asia

[@random-accessmemory9201]

@@houghwhite411 Yes. I agree. 😁

[@kenwu7]

Grab is awesome hehe

[@tedaspane1493]

In US, I pay my bills through automatic deduction, I order foods through each store's phone. For banking, I have direct deposit. I've prepaid very old cell phone, use only for call out/receive in, and some games, no camera, internet. I guess it's 1G.

[@kenwu7]

You can do all that through wechat in China.

[@aarspar]

You can also do all that through GoTo in Indonesia.

[@tedaspane1493]

@@kenwu7 We don't use wechat, great majority business section don't accept wechat, unless you've personal or business relation with China.

[@kenwu7]

@@tedaspane1493 I know, just mentioning it

[@AyushGupta-sm9ux]

Good video 👍. Keep it up 👏

[@dannyben0]

can this one grab super app be used in many different asean countries or it is only for one specific country? for example downloaded this app in indonesia and if go to malaysia need to download malaysian grab app version?

[@sskjunction5116]

Cool concept😀

[@jk484]

Random, but what camera is the male reporter using? Great quality and setup

[@Jeevanmn]

Dji osmo

[@TomNook.]

Decentralise, not centralise

[@nehcooahnait7827]

Ugh

[@LaowaiDaveJCP]

The difference between other Super apps with wechat/alipay is no matter billionaire or beggar(i literary mean begger) everyone use these apps.

[@saltywetreefer3985]

We need a superapp here in Canada and USA. I hate having a different app for each restaurant I visit. My phone is overloaded with apps. I just want 1 that works across the board.

[@captaron]

Your blaming the phone for what you install? 🤔 Who can argue with that logic

[@trevortrevose9124]

Then you whine about the app for being a monopoly when it gains traction

[@knghtcmdr]

Just what we need; another thing for our fascist government to track our financial transactions with so they can punish wrong thinkers.

[@mbins2001]

KeyZane ist a Super App you can use in Canada and USA :)

[@ryanlogan7330]

Super app is not just payment included. If you want to open a store, you can apply for buiz license through the app, and the gov't staff will reach out to you through the app, and the license will be issued through the app, and your annual tax can be done through this app... It's generally an entry to all

[@therightgame3]

Paytm maybe a super app but people use it only for payments

[@harshams6305]

Because super app is a deeper version of your phone ... Its just adding a layer to UI ...

[@hiepnguyen220]

Thank you frrom Vietnam

[@ziyitan8996]

Is there a reason Asians don’t seem as concerned about their privacy and the amount of info being collected by these apps?

[@super_user1678]

Don't underestimate comfort it provide...

[@alextbhmusic]

I do. I realised how much these super apps infiltrated my daily life, and it feels wrong to give away so much of my money to them when small businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Leaving apps like Grab means I’m giving up convenience, but it’s something I’m willing to do.

[@sdedy379]

Idk but you think Google, FB, Apple, Amazon etc in the west didn't do extensive data collection on user preference for their own service? Even if Apple don't share your data, they still ultimately make you use Apple service. Apple ecosystem in it self are the basics of super app, it's almost impossible to make iOS user to go android even if they see Apple piss in their mouth they still gonna use Apple.

[@generalshepherd457]

Google dumps everything directly to the US spy agencies.

[@JuriBinturong]

community based society

[@AnthonyMunyi]

Someone tell me if they think the male reporter looks and sounds like England’s Gary Neville!

[@anonymousplayer8174]

I've heard from someone that this social media doesn't have any ads in it, is this true?

[@chandrahasm107]

CNBC needs to address Mic issues of the guest. I mean the recording can be edited to remove the jarring sound

[@kevcalms]

There is nothing setting this apart from a standard os apart from probably compatability with what we're used to

[@journeyswithj246]

I maybe the only one but, I kept wondering of Arjun's (male) video was thought the DJI Osmo pocket or through the Macbook. I found it a weird set up. Interesting topic and video tho.

[@leechurn7758]

Is it because other markets like Thailand / Vietnam / Myanmar / Malaysia were too insignificant that it wasn't mentioned in this video?

[@UMAKEMESMILESWACKIN]

philippines was not there too

[@Talha__.]

Amazing🤩

[@zurinarctus1329]

Zalo in Vietnam should be noticed here.

[@danielmdzin]

Literally, a stack overflown.

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

Nice video.

[@msksathish1601]

What's so unreal about this video is " India has less than 400 million smartphone users????????"............... seriously dude. It should cross 700/800 million

[@Y2Kvids]

Smartphone

[@franwex]

Basically it’s like if Facebook or Amazon also had a ride share component.

[@UnleashedProPlays]

Nice

[@SafirAksel]

I really dislike the guy when being asked about Asia, he only answers about China. SEA is also Asia you know, and we have our different model on how things work. :/

[@iak-music]

he is located in China.. so that is what he knows about

[@ChadFreeman757]

Wow an app with apps in it.

[@himanshusirohi2403]

I ordered Pizza from Dominos through PayTM.

[@triyantoprabowo8996]

as Indonesian, can’t imagine life without GoTo, Grab and Shopee on a daily basis

[@ADeeSHUPA]

Gojek Tokopedia

[@sumarnoarnol2189]

Tokopedia

[@ibnunugraha9523]

Sometime I feel weird with supperapp, cause too many features that I don't need. May be I need one or more fitures but the apps provides many features, so that really bothers me

[@Themaker-studio]

This reminds me of the app Omni that The Onion made it up.

[@azaniaafrika9862]

Isn’t that your internet browser?

[@sreerajr6470]

Phonpe and google pay are far better than Paytm in India. After the cobrapost scandal, I will never use Paytm.

[@aksingh3167]

But Paytm is better application

[@kaifengbg3315]

It's all about products and services to selling and buying.... it's look like a trading in a game block.

[@Sundara229]

12:04 that was oddly specific.

[@soup100]

I've read that super apps really took off in China because of initial slower network bandwidth issues. it's easier on network and phone resources if one app does it all vs several apps being opened at the same time. Is there any truth to this?

[@rakiii6117]

However, this is wrong

[@ujjwalgandhi951]

PayTM is definitely not a super app Jio app and the upcoming Tata app are probably closer to the concept than PayTM in india

[@_SJ]

Cool

[@artraft5142]

Someone to categorise the apps of Apple store and Google store and come with less and better. We don’t need that many apps on the digital stores. Even in Mexico HSBC call the different debit/credit cards apps

[@youwillsucceed6394]

Anyone do Stock? Anyone heard of 88E? ?????

[@pauldpoulpe280]

It's not super app. It's just super rich company, trying to milk their customers with every kind of service they can come up with.

[@manfalouti]

Superapps is at least 2.5 years concept... Media in the US need an update reboot... I see this more and more compared Asia!!

[@kaifengbg3315]

It's look alike a economy endpoint...in fact... spreading of this Apps is cheaper than advertisements...

[@MrMichaelabu]

Opay in Nigeria tried this.

[@onodera387]

How to donate ur data to China 101

[@MultiformeIngegno]

Quite bad for competition and privacy. Better to have individual apps from different companies

[@pyakz2906]

Basically a browser

[@VivekKumar-rb7zk]

In India nobody will believe in one super app , but it can work if many super apps are there , tata and jio are new players which are trying this after failed efforts of hike , paytm and I think they can succedd if they do what they do best give best of their service , if a super jio app which does not charge or charge less for internet then I will use it , same way if mighty tata can give it's best service in one app I might use it . But two super apps are not enough India would need mega 5 super apps to choose from also new apps which acts like stations to counter super apps Monopoly

[@user-jz4vo1bt3g]

🔥🔥🔥

[@atukundaonesmus5223]

I must add Uganda's SafeBoda

[@mohammadnouralnisr1943]

So it's like an app that contains other apps?? Where is the shortcut?

[@arabninja260]

So basically a super app is just a smartphone something with all apps in one 🤨🤨

[@cheveznyc]

I like my option. Super Apps seems like Monopoly

[@harishankarkaviarasu9096]

super app is oldest technology used by nokia on their Facebook app... you can watch KZbin etc in single app

[@PresidentUSVI]

Everyone eventually always follow the trends in America.

[@selvakumarmurugesan9013]

Its nothing but amazon on mobile app. Every small app developer will go out of business :(

[@sujitpawarsoldier]

Here in India🇮🇳 we have UPI system..

[@justChuka]

Opay 🇳🇬

[@Imaveryniceguy]

Or you can just create a folder on IPhone and put all your main apps in there.

[@wahtusy3519]

In the Philippines we have GCash

[@ealemania117]

Yes Philippines have digital wallet of Gcash, Maya, Coins ph, Shopee and Grab.

[@tycooperaow]

So basically it’s basically apps within an app….

[@bgjp9244]

Google Chrome or any web browser is already Super app, door to mny web application

[@5astelija75]

In a nutshell: Superapps are popular when they are the only option lol

[@3DLasers]

I love my new Super App, I just call it my Home Screen and it's really easy to get to. All have to do is turn my phone on... :-)

[@alfredonrs_]

Rappi in Latam

[@idealisticshy]

Super app equals monopoly. It is no good for privacy and healthy competition. I would definitely not supporting this.

[@pierremh1979]

Go to Indonesia, and you can ask... Where's the monopoly....

[@baconpancakes8899]

Singapore start up my arse, it was originally Malaysian

[@MaheshKumar-lq1xm]

Chinese Alipay and India's Paytm are same. If you don't know now you know. So it's not India's Paytm anymore ;)

[@saulgoodman2018]

I would call a browse a super app.

[@epi2045]

One day the app is just the OS.

[@wayando]

Google and Apple would remove any super apps for some sort of "violation" ... The 2 operating systems are basically the super apps ... They own all the data and all other apps have to play ball.

[@0401412740]

First mover advantage

[@taimoor722]

Can we servive in china without knowing chines? Is doing business become difficult

[@hoboroller5642]

one world