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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[spencebuzz]

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.

[Jeevanmn]

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

[asterixky]

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

[baaron-noraab]

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

[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

[shivashankar]

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

[youtubelover]

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

[avi]

I would argue that an Android launcher is a super app

[ssS]

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

[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)

[monsterbeast]

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

[dotxh]

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.

[danieltan]

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

[baiyufan]

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

[leeyuee]

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..

[ziyitan]

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

[tedaspane]

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.

[zacky.alhashmi]

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

[woowee]

Grab is a Malaysian founder singapore startup

[nishantshukla]

There is app for almost everything you can think 🤣