Soundbox Charges: PhonePe vs Google Pay vs Paytm
Last updated 26 September 2026 · Prices from PhonePe and Google Pay's official help pages
What a UPI soundbox really costs per month and per year, so you can pick the cheapest plan for your shop.
Soundbox charges compared
| Plan | One-time | Ongoing | 1st year | 2nd year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhonePe SmartSpeaker – Monthly plan | ₹318 | ₹125 every 30 days | ≈ ₹1,839 | ≈ ₹1,521 |
| PhonePe SmartSpeaker – Zero Rental plan | ₹999 | ₹25 a month | ≈ ₹1,299 | ≈ ₹300 |
| Google Pay SoundPod – Monthly plan | ₹499 | ₹125 a month | ≈ ₹1,999 | ≈ ₹1,500 |
| Google Pay SoundPod – Annual plan | — | ₹1,499 a year | ≈ ₹1,499 | ≈ ₹1,499 |
| Paytm Soundbox | Shown in the Paytm for Business app; varies by device and offer | |||
Year estimates assume 12 months of use and that annual plans renew at the same price. GST is included where the provider says so. Prices can change; check the app before ordering.
PhonePe SmartSpeaker charges
According to PhonePe's merchant help page, you can choose between two plans:
- Monthly plan: ₹318 one-time setup, then ₹125 every 30 days, deducted from your settlements.
- Zero Rental plan: ₹999 one-time (including GST), then ₹25 a month until you cancel.
If you'll keep the speaker for more than about a year, the Zero Rental plan is much cheaper overall.
Google Pay SoundPod charges
According to Google Pay's help page (all prices include taxes):
- Monthly plan: ₹499 one-time, then ₹125 a month. If you set up mid-month, you pay ₹5 a day until month-end.
- Annual plan: ₹1,499 for one year.
- Cashback: ₹125 back in any month where you receive 400+ payments from at least 30 unique customers through Google Pay QR. That can make the monthly rent effectively free for busy shops.
- Warranty: 6 months. Replacement after that costs ₹400.
Paytm Soundbox charges
Paytm lists its Soundbox plans inside the Paytm for Business app rather than on a public price page, and the price depends on the model (such as 4G, NFC or AI Soundbox) and current offers. Before ordering, compare the one-time fee and monthly rent in the app against the PhonePe and Google Pay plans above.
Bank soundboxes (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Bank of Baroda, PNB, Canara)
Many banks offer their own soundbox with a bank QR code. Charges differ by bank and branch, so ask your bank for the setup fee, the monthly rent, and whether rent is waived above a certain number of payments.
Soundbox fee vs UPI charges (MDR)
The soundbox fee is only for the device. It's separate from the new UPI charge (MDR) on payments above ₹2,000 that starts on 15 October 2026. Small shops receiving up to ₹1 lakh a month through UPI QR pay zero MDR. Use the UPI charges calculator to see what you'll actually receive on any payment.
साउंडबॉक्स चार्ज: हिंदी में
- PhonePe स्मार्टस्पीकर: ₹318 सेटअप + हर 30 दिन ₹125, या ज़ीरो रेंटल प्लान में ₹999 एक बार + ₹25 महीना।
- Google Pay साउंडपॉड: ₹499 एक बार + ₹125 महीना, या ₹1,499 सालाना। महीने में 30+ ग्राहकों से 400+ पेमेंट पर ₹125 कैशबैक।
- Paytm साउंडबॉक्स: कीमत Paytm for Business ऐप में देखें।
साउंडबॉक्स का किराया UPI MDR चार्ज से अलग है। UPI चार्ज कैलकुलेटर से देखें कि आपको कितना पैसा मिलेगा।
Frequently asked questions
What are PhonePe soundbox charges per month?
PhonePe SmartSpeaker has two plans: ₹318 setup plus ₹125 every 30 days, or the Zero Rental plan with ₹999 one-time (including GST) plus ₹25 a month. Fees are deducted from your settlements.
What are Google Pay SoundPod charges?
Google Pay SoundPod costs ₹499 one-time plus ₹125 a month, or ₹1,499 for a year. Prices include taxes. You can get ₹125 cashback in a month if you receive 400+ payments from at least 30 different people through Google Pay QR.
What are Paytm Soundbox charges per month?
Paytm shows Soundbox plans and prices inside the Paytm for Business app, and they vary by device and offer. Check the app for the current price before you order.
Which soundbox is cheapest?
Over the first year, the PhonePe Zero Rental plan (about ₹1,299) and the Google Pay annual plan (₹1,499) are the cheapest of the published plans. From the second year, PhonePe Zero Rental costs about ₹300 a year.
Is the soundbox fee the same as the UPI MDR charge?
No. The soundbox fee is a device rental you pay your app. MDR is the separate payment charge on UPI payments above ₹2,000 from 15 October 2026. Small merchants under ₹1 lakh a month pay zero MDR.
Do I need a soundbox to accept UPI?
No. A printed QR code is free and works on its own. A soundbox just announces each payment so you don't need to check your phone.