6 apps where you can pay bond investment SIPs via UPI AutoPay
Learn how to automate your fixed-income portfolio using UPI AutoPay and discover six top apps for bond and SIP investments.
Systematic investing is a powerful tool because it removes the burden of decision-making. By setting a specific amount and a recurring date, investors can build wealth consistently without having to remember every monthly transaction. While most people are familiar with Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) for mutual funds, the same discipline can now be applied to bonds. By pairing a bond investment app with UPI AutoPay, you can build a fixed-income portfolio on complete autopilot.
How UPI AutoPay simplifies your investments
The mechanics of automating a bond purchase are similar to those used for mutual fund SIPs. UPI AutoPay is a recurring mandate framework developed by the NPCI. Once you authorize a fixed amount to be debited on a specific date—for example, ₹5,000 on the 5th of every month—the system executes the transaction automatically.
To make the process seamless, the framework includes specific rules for security and ease of use:
- Transactions up to ₹15,000: These run automatically without requiring an OTP each time.
- Transactions above ₹15,000: These require a quick OTP approval on the scheduled debit date.
This technology has effectively replaced the older, more cumbersome bank mandate processes, allowing users to set up recurring investments within an app in just a minute.
6 Apps for automated bond and SIP investing
Several platforms combine investment access with the convenience of UPI AutoPay. Here are six notable options:
1. Stashfin
Stashfin provides access to corporate bonds through SEBI-registered Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs), offering yields that can reach up to 14.5% per annum, depending on the issuer. The app serves as a comprehensive money management tool, handling everything from UPI and bill payments to digital gold and personal loans, making it easy to manage bond investments alongside daily finances.
2. GripInvest
As a dedicated platform for bonds and alternative investments, GripInvest is a SEBI-registered OBPP. It focuses specifically on fixed income and alternative assets, offering a strong selection of corporate bonds with UPI-based investing capabilities.
3. Zerodha (Coin)
While primarily known for stocks and mutual funds, the Zerodha ecosystem also covers bonds and Government Securities (G-Secs). It offers robust SIP AutoPay features for mutual funds, with bond access available through the broader platform.
4. Groww
Highly popular among younger investors, Groww is known for its clean UPI AutoPay setup for mutual fund SIPs. The platform is also expanding its coverage in the bond and fixed-income sectors to help users automate their entire portfolios.
5. INDmoney
This app combines investment tracking with the ability to access SIPs and bonds. It allows for portfolio consolidation across various asset classes and utilizes UPI AutoPay for recurring investments.
6. Bank Investment Platforms
Traditional full-service platforms such as ICICI Direct, HDFC Securities, and Kotak offer a comprehensive suite of products, including bonds, G-Secs, and mutual funds, all integrated with SIP AutoPay within your existing banking relationship.
Can you truly automate bond investments like a mutual fund?
While automation is highly effective, there is a slight distinction between automating mutual funds and individual bonds. Mutual fund SIPs are perfectly automated; units are purchased on the same date every month without fail. Individual bonds, however, have fixed availability windows and specific denominations, meaning a "same bond every month" approach isn't always possible.
Investors can navigate this in two ways:
- Automated Funding: Set up UPI AutoPay to move a fixed amount into your investment account on a schedule, then manually deploy that capital into available bonds.
- Debt Mutual Fund SIPs: For the cleanest hands-off experience, investing in a debt mutual fund that holds bonds provides full automation of fixed-income exposure.
Ultimately, the goal of automating fixed-income investing is to ensure consistency. Because consistency often outperforms attempts to time the market, automation ensures that your investment discipline remains intact regardless of your schedule.