0% EMI Shopping App vs Branch Instant Personal Loan: Costs and Permissions

Branch Instant Personal Loan gives direct cash to your bank account, while Snapmint finances specific retail purchases at checkout. Compare their phone permissions, hidden GST charges on no-cost EMIs, and what users complain about the most before you install either app.

By Qrates research desk · 2026-10-27

Branch Instant Personal Loan gives you direct cash, while Snapmint finances your shopping cart. In the last 90 days, Snapmint averaged a 2.99 rating on Google Play, and Branch averaged 3.21 (Qrates directory). You can check the latest figures on the Qrates pages for both apps to verify their phone permissions and read the exact breakdown of recent complaints.

Quick answer: 0% EMI Shopping App vs Branch Instant Personal Loan

Branch Instant Personal Loan gives direct cash to your bank account. Snapmint's 0% EMI Shopping App finances specific retail purchases at checkout.

Neither app matched a licence on the registers Qrates checks. This means you should verify their NBFC partners carefully before you borrow. If you are researching the broader market, you can compare loan and credit apps to see how others perform.

Both apps read your text messages and location. Snapmint also asks to read your contacts and record audio.

A 0% EMI loan often includes a hidden interest charge discounted by the retailer. You must pay 18% GST on this hidden interest component.

At a glance: Snapmint vs Branch

You can compare how these loan apps stack up on basic facts and user feedback.

Feature	0% EMI Shopping App (Snapmint)	Branch Instant Personal Loan
Licence	We could not match one on the registers we check	We could not match one on the registers we check
Phone permissions	Read text messages, read contacts, record audio, read phone identity, see location	Read text messages, see location, read calendar
Recent rating (last 90 days)	2.99	3.21
Top complaint	Credit report problems (20 of 399 reviews)	Nobody answers (19 of 400 reviews)

You can view the full data for Branch on its Qrates directory page. For a broader perspective on how these services compare to other major players, see our analysis of Bajaj Finserv vs KreditBee vs 0% EMI Shopping App.

The true cost of borrowing and the 18% GST trap

Branch charges a clear processing fee and an upfront interest rate for instant cash loans. The app deducts this processing fee before the money arrives in your bank account.

Snapmint offers buy now pay later options with a no cost EMI label. This setup is rarely entirely free.

In a 0% EMI setup, the retailer discounts the interest amount upfront. The government still charges 18% GST on that hidden interest component (18% GST trap on hidden No-Cost EMI interest, rbi.org.in).

If you buy a ₹15,000 phone on a 0% EMI plan, you will still pay the GST on the interest the lender charges the retailer. You will also face late payment charges if you miss a payment date.

What each app can see on your phone

Loan apps use phone data to assess your credit risk. They also use this data to track you down if you do not pay. Before granting access, it is vital to understand RBI digital lending rules regarding data collection and privacy.

Branch asks for permission to read your text messages, see your location, and read your calendar.

Snapmint asks for deeper access to your device. It reads your text messages and location, but also asks to read your contacts, record audio, and read your phone identity.

Giving an app access to your contacts means they can see the phone numbers of your friends and family.

What goes wrong: credit reports and customer service

In the Qrates directory facts, the most raised problem for Snapmint is credit report problems. This issue appears in 20 of 399 recent Google Play reviews.

For Branch, the most raised problem is that nobody answers customer queries. This complaint shows up in 19 of 400 recent Google Play reviews.

Both apps are quick to respond to public complaints on the app store. Snapmint replies to 100% of one and two-star reviews, and Branch replies to 97%.

Who each one suits, by need

If you need cash in your bank account to pay a medical bill or rent, note that Branch provides direct personal loans. Snapmint only finances shopping at partner stores. If you are concerned about whether an app is legitimate, always check if a loan app is RBI registered before proceeding.

If you are buying a specific product online and want to split the cost over a few months, note that Snapmint partners directly with retailers for checkout financing.

If keeping your contact list private matters to you, note that Branch does not ask for contact permissions. Snapmint does ask for this access.

FAQs

Branch app se loan lena safe hai kya?

We could not match a licence for Branch on the RBI registers we check. You must check the loan agreement for the name of their RBI-registered NBFC partner.

Is 0% EMI really 0 interest?

No, the retailer pays the interest to the lender on your behalf. You still have to pay 18% GST on that interest amount to the government.

What are the hidden charges in 0% EMI apps?

The main hidden charges are the 18% GST on the interest component and processing fees. You will also face high late payment charges if you miss an EMI.

Does Branch loan affect CIBIL score?

Yes, Branch reports your repayment behaviour to credit bureaus through its lending partners. This reporting will impact your CIBIL score.

The short version

Branch is an instant personal loan app for cash, while Snapmint is a 0% EMI shopping app for retail purchases.
Neither app matched a licence on the official registers Qrates checks.
Snapmint requires more invasive phone permissions, including access to your contact list and audio recording.
When using a 0% EMI app, always calculate the 18% GST on the hidden interest to know your true cost.

Sources

Disclaimer

Qrates is an information directory. It takes no commission from any company listed and does not recommend products. Figures are taken from the sources named and dated, and they change; check the company's own page before you decide. This is not investment, credit, insurance or tax advice for your situation.