If you live in the UPI-first world—scan, pay, repeat—you’ve probably looked into RuPay-on-UPI options. Kiwi builds exclusively around that model. Scapia’s dual-network (RuPay + Visa) card promises the best of both worlds. Let’s compare and help you decide.
1. UPI Credit Integration
Kiwi:
- Offers a dedicated RuPay Credit Card linked through the Kiwi app, which is used for UPI payments.
- Seamless, easy-to-use, everyday card that can be used for both small-ticket and big-ticket UPI payments.
Scapia (RuPay side):
- Supports UPI QR payments via RuPay, while offering Visa for swipe/tap elsewhere.
- A dual-network setup gives routing flexibility, but linking UX may be slightly complex.
Verdict: Kiwi is streamlined for UPI. Scapia offers flexibility but adds complexity due to dual rails.
2. Rewards & Cashback
Kiwi:
- 1.5% minimum cashback on all offline UPI spends.
- Neon plan (₹999/yr): tiered 3%/4%/5% based on annual UPI spend milestones (₹50K/₹1L/₹1.5L).
- Cashback is simple, clean and can be withdrawn directly to your bank.
- No points with expiry date or complicated reward system
Scapia:
- Scapia Coins: ~1% effective cashback on RuPay spend; better (2%+) on Visa.
- Requires a quarterly RuPay spend of ₹15K for certain benefits.
- Coins convert through Scapia’s app into rewards—but not directly into cash.
Verdict: Kiwi offers simpler, higher, and more transparent cashback on UPI. Scapia rewards are marginal and tied to usage tiers and the Visa side.
3. Fees & Membership Benefits
Kiwi:
- Lifetime-free; no joining or annual fee on the basic card.
- Neon plan adds higher rewards and three lounge accesses/year. Cost 999 per year
Scapia:
- No joining fee on launch; renewal fee structure not explicitly outlined.
- A dual network brings flexibility but requires meeting high spend thresholds for meaningful benefits.
Verdict: Kiwi makes pricing and benefits transparent. Scapia is powerful for high-frequency travellers, but more conditional.
4. Lounge Access & Travel Perks
Kiwi (Neon):
- Offers three domestic lounge entries/year as a perk.
Scapia:
- Offers unlimited lounge access (domestic) if you meet quarterly RuPay/Visa spend thresholds (₹15K RuPay or ₹10K Visa).
- Also includes forex-free usage and some travel-related benefits.
Verdict: Scapia offers better travel perks—but Kiwi provides predictability and consistency via Neon.
5. Everyday UPI Usage & Simplicity
Kiwi:
- Built around scan-and-pay behaviour.
- Perfect for everyday UPI payments—whether it’s shopping, paying small or big merchants, or handling recurring bills.
Scapia:
- Useful for combining QR spends and international wallets.
- Integration may feel less smooth at local POS/UPI apps, and managing dual network rules can be tricky.
Verdict: Kiwi is straightforward. Scapia suits customers who want unified domestic and international credit, but are comfortable with complexity.
6. User Feedback & Community Insights
“Kiwi cashback just hits your account. No apps, no gimmicks. Best for routine spenders.”
“Scapia’s dual-network is great for global payments, but RuPay UPI setup wasn’t seamless at small stores.”
– Reddit users (2025, r/CreditCardsIndia)
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Kiwi (RuPay on UPI) | Scapia (RuPay + Visa) |
| UPI Integration | Smooth, Kiwi app-based | Functional but dual rails add complexity |
| Cashback | Minimum 1.5% (can go up to 5% for neon members) | ~1% RuPay side; 2%+ on Visa |
| Reward Clarity | Clear, direct | Coins → redemption |
| Fees | Free basic; Neon ₹999/yr | Free? benefits tied to spending |
| Lounge Access | 3/year with Neon | Unlimited (if spend criteria met) |
| Travel Perks | Limited | Stronger (Visa + forex, lounges) |
| Best For | QR-first, simple rewards | Frequent traveller, dual-use flexibility |
FAQs: Kiwi vs Scapia
Q1. Does Scapia let me use either network on any merchant?
You can choose between RuPay or Visa per transaction. Visa offers better acceptance overseas; RuPay is ideal for UPI QR credit.
Q2. Can I earn Kiwi-style cashback on Scapia’s RuPay side?
RuPay side offers about 1% via Scapia Coins—but it’s more complex and lower than Kiwi’s flat rates. Scapia rewards also require app conversions.
Q3. Which app integrates better with UPI?
Kiwi has a dedicated RuPay-on-UPI focus, so integration is typically frictionless. Scapia’s app is comprehensive but handling dual rails may slow down quick QR payments in busy shops.
Q4. How is lounge access different?
Kiwi offers 3 lounge visits/year with Neon. Scapia’s lounge access depends on hitting quarterly spend thresholds, potentially giving more access but less consistency.
Final Word
If you live off UPI scans—groceries, chai, salon, daily bills—Kiwi is lean, rewarding, and easy. If you’re a world traveller, spend across online and offline, and want dual-network flexibility (UPI + swipe) housed in one card—Scapia shines, once you can manage its layers.
