As the global financial landscape evolves, prepaid cards have emerged as a practical bridge between cash and conventional bank accounts. For users in India, where digital adoption is accelerating but access to banking services remains uneven — prepaid cards serve multiple purposes. They enable online payments, international purchases, subscription management, and expense control, all without the need for a traditional bank account.
According to the IMARC Group, India’s prepaid card market is projected to reach ₹190 trillion by 2033. However, growth alone does not guarantee value for individual users. What matters more is how to choose the right card to gain better control over personal finances and access global payment infrastructure, particularly in US dollars.
Table of Contents
Below is a guide to key selection criteria and a review of three leading platforms — PSTNET, Pyypl, and Revolut, each offering virtual prepaid cards suitable for Indian users focused on international services.
Prepaid cards: How to choose the right payment tool from India
1. PSTNET
PSTNET issues virtual prepaid cards suitable for a wide range of online payments. These cards can be used for advertising, subscriptions, e-commerce, travel bookings, and virtually any USD-based online transaction. To get started and buy a virtual card, users register on the platform, fund their account, and then purchase the desired card. There are no limits on the number of cards issued — you can generate as many as you need, whenever you need them.
PSTNET cards come with several key advantages. There are no fees for transactions, fund withdrawals, or operations involving blocked or frozen cards. Users can top up any amount they choose, with no upper limits. All cards are protected with 3D Secure technology, ensuring secure payments.
Highlights:
- Top-up methods: 18 cryptocurrencies including BTC, USDT (TRC20, ERC20), ETH, plus other Visa/Mastercard cards and SEPA/SWIFT bank transfers
- Registration: Via Google, Telegram, WhatsApp, Apple ID, or email
- Support: 24/7 customer service via Telegram and other channels
2. Pyypl
Pyypl is a Visa-based prepaid card platform, and its cards are accepted wherever Visa is supported. Each card carries a transaction limit — no more than $1,000 can be spent in a single payment. Additionally, a 2.99% fee applies to each transaction.
This platform caters to users who value mobile control. All activity is tracked within the app, and users can monitor balances in real time. It’s particularly useful for those who manually manage services and want a clear view of their spending. Cards can be purchased through the app after topping up the balance, and all cards are protected with 3D Secure.
Highlights:
- Top-up methods: 10 cryptocurrencies or other Visa cards
- Registration: Instantly available after in-app sign-up and identity verification
- Support: 24/7 in-app customer service
3. Revolut
Revolut is a fintech platform that offers a comprehensive digital finance experience through a single app. Users can open an account, issue a virtual prepaid card with a set limit, and begin making dollar-denominated online payments immediately. Real-time notifications make it easy to keep track of spending as it happens.
One of Revolut’s key strengths is multi-currency support. Users can hold USD, EUR, and dozens of other currencies in a single account. Currency exchange is conducted at interbank rates, and on weekdays, it’s commission-free — ideal for those making frequent international purchases.
Revolut also offers single-use virtual cards for added security, compatible with any website that accepts Visa or Mastercard. They can be linked to Apple Pay or Google Pay and are secured with 3D Secure.
Highlights:
- Top-up methods: Bank transfers and other card payments
- Registration: Download the app and complete identity verification
- Support: 24/7 in-app customer service
Hidden costs in a digital economy
Most users are familiar with visible fees, such as those on transactions, but hidden costs in currency conversion are often overlooked. For instance, converting INR to USD may involve inflated exchange rates, delays, and restrictive limits. Prepaid cards can help bypass these barriers.
For Indian users dealing with US-based contractors, paying for SaaS products, or managing advertising budgets, a prepaid card loaded in dollars offers a more predictable exchange rate, avoids double conversion, and reduces fees. In this way, the card becomes not just a payment method but a tool for optimising cross-border expenses.
How to choose the right prepaid card
When selecting a prepaid card, consider the following:
- Purpose: Define your primary use — shopping, travel, salary payments, etc
- Fees: Review the fee structure, including issuance, maintenance, and top-up charges
- Funding and usage terms: Evaluate available top-up methods and any spending restrictions
- Customer support: Consider the level of support and ease of managing your card
For residents in India, access to these cards can open up markets that were previously out of reach — either due to the lack of foreign currency accounts or local banking limitations. The ability to pay in USD, free from hidden fees and with flexible limits, provides access to platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, Notion, Adobe, LinkedIn, as well as international marketplaces, educational services, and Web3 tools.
This reduces reliance on costly international transfers, minimises dependency on the Indian banking system, and allows for more agile management of currency liquidity.
Conclusion
Prepaid cards have evolved from simple spending tools into gateways to the global economy, especially for individuals in countries with currency controls or limited banking access.
For digital professionals in India, a card that supports cryptocurrency or dollar top-ups, has no limits, instant activation, and mobile analytics is more than a convenience — it’s a necessity. This applies not only to freelancers, but also to entrepreneurs, developers, students, and marketers.
The choice between PSTNET, Pyypl, and Revolut ultimately depends on the user’s specific priorities — from transaction volume to data insights. But understanding these features equips users to do more than just spend, it enables them to manage money effectively within the realities of the modern economy.
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