As of August 2025, Nepal’s digital wallet market is led by a few key players, with “Khalti by IME” and “eSewa” standing out as the top contenders due to their extensive features, user base, and market presence. Here is a brief overview of the top digital wallets in Nepal for 2025 based on their performance, adoption, and services.
Best Digital Wallets in Nepal (2025)
1. Khalti by IME
- Why It’s the Best:
- Formed by the July 2025 merger of IME Pay and Khalti, Khalti by IME is Nepal’s largest digital wallet with over 12.7 million users and a paid-up capital exceeding NPR 540 million. It combines Khalti’s innovative, youth-friendly interface with IME’s robust remittance network, offering a seamless experience for utility payments, mobile top-ups, QR code transactions, and domestic/international money transfers. Unique features like interest on wallet balances and Khalti Points enhance its appeal.
- Features:
- Extensive merchant and agent network (25,000+).
- Cashback, rewards, and remittance integration.
- User migration from IME Pay with retained balances and rewards.
- Best For:
- Users seeking innovation, remittance services, and a broad service range.
2. eSewa
- Why It’s the Best:
- As Nepal’s first digital wallet (launched in 2009), eSewa maintains a strong hold with over 8 million users and 50,000+ agents. It offers comprehensive services, including bill payments, online shopping via eSewa Marketplace, flight and movie ticket bookings, and government service payments. Its deep integration with over 50 banks and widespread merchant acceptance make it highly reliable.
- Features:
- Largest merchant network and banking integrations.
- Seamless government service payments (e.g., taxes, fines).
- Referral bonuses and a trusted brand reputation.
- Best For:
- Users prioritizing reliability, merchant acceptance, and comprehensive services.
3. Fonepay
- Why It’s the Best:
- Fonepay excels in QR-based payments and interbank connectivity, making it a preferred choice for secure and straightforward transactions. It supports utility bill payments, mobile recharges, and fund transfers, with growing adoption among merchants and banks.
- Features:
- Strong banking system integration for interbank transfers.
- Reliable QR code payment infrastructure.
- Focus on secure and efficient transactions.
- Best For:
- Users focused on banking integration and QR payments.
Why These Stand Out
- Khalti by IME tops due to the huge user base, scale after the merger, and innovation offering that make it the best fit for tech enthusiasts and consumers who would need remittance services.
- eSewa is foremost because of the strong network of merchants and reliability, making it well-suited for those who would prefer reliability and flexibility.
- Fonepay is best for users prioritizing banking integration and secure, quick transactions.
Conclusion
For most users in 2025, Khalti by IME is best overall because of its scale, innovation, and remittance option, whereas eSewa is ideal for users prioritizing extensive acceptance and complete services.
Fonepay is best for users needing banking-focused solutions. Choose based on your needs: innovation (Khalti by IME), reliability (eSewa), or banking integration (Fonepay).