Google Pay vs Android Pay vs Samsung Pay: A Comprehensive Comparison

Google Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay are three popular mobile payment services that allow users to make transactions using their smartphones. Google Pay is available in over 40 countries and supports more than 50 banks.

These services are designed to make payment processing faster and more secure. Android Pay was initially launched in 2015, but it was rebranded as Google Pay in 2018.

To use these services, you'll need a compatible device and a supported bank account. Google Pay, for instance, requires a device running Android 5.0 or higher.

Google Wallet and Samsung Pay offer a range of features and options to suit different needs. Both apps work on most Android phones and our favorite Android smartwatches.

Google Wallet supports tap-to-pay with NFC, making payments effortless for Android users. You can also use it to send and receive money with friends and family through Google Pay. Google Wallet also allows you to add loyalty cards, gift cards, and other rewards to your digital wallet.

Samsung Pay, on the other hand, offers a more extensive selection of banks and credit card issuers, making it a better option for those with specific financial institutions.

You can use your digital wallet with your chosen provider to make online payments. However, not all merchants have NFC-compatible payment terminals, so tap-to-pay might not be an option in person.

Google Wallet is the most commonly accepted online payment platform. Many retailers have both Google Wallet and Samsung Pay as accepted payment gateways, and the number continues to increase.

Some older Samsung phones, excluding Galaxy phones, had MST technology, which allowed merchants without NFC-compatible payment terminals to accept Samsung Pay payments. This feature is no longer available on newer Samsung Galaxy S24 series phones.

Not all merchants have NFC-compatible payment terminals, so tap-to-pay might not be an option in person. You'll need to check if the merchant's payment terminal can accept NFC payments before trying to use your digital wallet.

Samsung Pay offers near-field communication (NFC) technology and magnetic secure transmission (MST) technology on some of its older phones, allowing for payments even at merchants without NFC card readers.

This means you can pay online via the Samsung Pay app, even if the merchant only accepts magnetic stripe payments.

Samsung Pay also offers PayPal for in-store purchases, making it a convenient option for many users.

It's compatible with smartwatches, which can be a game-changer for those who want to make payments on the go.

On the other hand, Samsung Pay is only available on Samsung devices, excluding other Android phones from using it.

This limitation might be a drawback for those who prefer to use a different brand or device.

Peer-to-peer payments are a convenient way to send and receive money from friends and family.

Apple Pay Cash is available in the US, but it's limited to contacts with Apple IDs, making it inaccessible to those without an Apple device.

You can store the money on your virtual card in the Wallet app or withdraw it to your bank account with Apple Pay Cash.

Google Pay, on the other hand, allows you to pay any phone number or email address from the app on iOS, Android, or even from the desktop interface.

Paying friends through Google Pay is available in the US and is soon to be available in the UK as well.

Samsung Pay does not currently have a peer-to-peer option, so if you're a Samsung user, you'll have to look elsewhere for this feature.

You can keep a balance or withdraw the money to your bank account with Google Pay.

Mobile payment systems like Google Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay prioritize security to protect your financial information.

Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay all use tokenization to keep your card details secure, generating a virtual account number instead of sharing your real card number with merchants.

To confirm purchases, Samsung Pay requires an iris scan, fingerprint, or PIN, while Apple Pay needs TouchID, FaceID, or a PIN. Google Pay, on the other hand, only requires your phone to be unlocked with fingerprint, password, pattern, or PIN.

If you lose your phone, all three services allow you to remotely wipe the device, removing all your card details in the process.

Samsung Pay takes security a step further with its Knox software, which constantly monitors your phone for suspicious transactions and keeps your details safe from merchants.

Google Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay are all widely available, but there's a difference in their reach. Google Pay is available in more than 80 countries, while Samsung Pay is available in more than 24 countries.

If you're in the US, you're in luck - both Google Wallet and Samsung Pay work with almost any card. You can even find supported banks and credit unions that are smaller local networks.

One thing to keep in mind is that the apps rely on your phone number for logins, so make sure you have a reliable phone number associated with your account. Google Wallet and Samsung Pay support membership cards, gift cards, and transit passes in a few places, but it's not as widespread as credit and debit cards.

Here's a quick rundown of the countries where Samsung Pay works:

It's worth noting that Google Pay is widely accepted and available in a broader number of countries than Samsung Pay.

Rewards can be a major perk of using digital wallets like Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Samsung Pay offers cashback deals and discounts to select merchants when purchasing other Samsung products.

Google Wallet provides more robust rewards compared to Samsung Pay, including cashback from several merchants. You can earn rewards for spending with Google Pay as part of Google's specific reward programmes.

Samsung Rewards is a standout feature of Samsung Pay, allowing you to earn points while shopping on the service and redeem them for purchases on the Samsung app or official website. Google Wallet lacks its own rewards system, which is a drawback compared to Samsung Pay.

Retailers also offer discounts on the app, and Google Wallet provides various in-store and online coupons to help you save money.

Choosing between Google Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay depends on your device and spending patterns. If you own a Samsung device, you can use Samsung Pay, but Google Pay often has broader merchant acceptance.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your ecosystem and availability in your location. For Apple users, your only choice is Apple Pay, while Android users can choose between Google Pay and Samsung Pay. You can have both on your phone, but you'll need to set one as the default and change that setting if you want to use the other.

For sheer compatibility across a wide range of terminals, Samsung Pay wins due to MST technology.

Choosing between Google Wallet and Samsung Pay depends on your device and spending patterns. If you own a top-notch Samsung device, you can use Samsung Pay, but Google Wallet often has broader merchant acceptance.

For Apple users, your only choice in the real world is Apple Pay, while Android users must use Google Pay. Samsung owners can choose between Samsung Pay or Google Pay -- you can have both on your phone, but you will need to set one as the default and change that setting if you want to use the other.

Samsung Pay wins for sheer compatibility across the widest range of terminals due to MST technology. You can have both Samsung Pay and Google Pay on your Galaxy phone, but you'll need to deactivate one if you decide to use the other.

Paying in supported apps and websites is most seamless with Apple Pay, and Google Pay offers the most flexible way to pay friends, regardless of what phone they use.

Google Pay and Google Wallet have some notable differences, despite their similarities. Google Wallet is more than just a payment app, it's a comprehensive digital wallet solution.

Google Wallet is available on both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a broad user base. This cross-platform compatibility is a significant advantage.

The transition from Google Pay to Google Wallet reflects the company’s commitment to evolving with user needs and technological advancements. This rebranding effort in 2022 aimed to provide users with a broader range of features and capabilities.

Google Wallet supports various payment methods, including credit and debit cards, as well as storing loyalty cards, transit passes, and even digital keys. This all-in-one approach aims to replace physical wallets.

Google Pay functions as a financial management tool, offering detailed transaction records and spending analysis. These insights help users better understand and manage their financial behavior.

Transaction limits imposed by Google Pay may present challenges for those needing to make larger or frequent transactions. However, these limits enhance security and overall user experience.

Google Pay stands out in the digital payment landscape due to its cross-platform compatibility, integration with various financial services, and extensive acceptance in online retail environments.

To use Google Pay, you can install it on any Android device or iPhone. If you own a Samsung phone, you can install any payment service, but Samsung Pay is locked to Galaxy phones only. Google Wallet is not available for iPhones.

Samsung Pay is exclusive to Galaxy phones, so if you have one, you can use it. If you own an iPhone or another Android device, you can only use Google Wallet.

As a business owner, you have the flexibility to choose which payment methods to accept, but this can also be a challenge. You might wonder whether to service Samsung Galaxy phones through Samsung Pay or accept a broader range of Android phones and Android devices.

By offering a tap to pay functionality, you can accept a broader range of payment methods, making it easier for customers to pay. This functionality allows you to accept both Google Pay and Samsung Pay without needing to choose between the two options.

Partnering with the right payment service provider can simplify this decision and extend your payment acceptance offering.

Other digital wallets are available, but it's generally recommended to stick to Google Pay or Samsung Pay to simplify which digital wallets your cards are in. Commbank Tap & Pay is another option, supporting any NFC-enabled Android phone and allowing you to withdraw money at contactless-enabled Commonwealth Bank ATMs.

Commbank Tap & Pay is similar to Google Pay in that it can be used on any NFC-enabled Android phone, making it a convenient alternative. Other digital wallets like Westpac PayWear have been phased out in favor of more widely supported options like Apple, Google, and Samsung's implementations.

Some digital wallets are designed for specific devices, such as Garmin Pay, which works with compatible Garmin watches, and Fitbit Pay, which works with compatible Fitbit watches. These options allow you to make contactless payments with your wearable device.

If you're an Android user, you're probably already familiar with Google Pay, but did you know that Apple Pay is also a convenient option? You can use Apple Pay on your Apple Watch in stores, or make online purchases from your iPad or Mac using Safari.

To get started with Apple Pay, you'll need to authenticate with your fingerprint or FaceID. This works on iPhones and iPads, as well as on MacBooks with fingerprint support.

If you're looking for an alternative to Apple Pay, you might want to consider Samsung Pay. It's available on a range of Samsung devices, including the Galaxy Watch and Gear Sport.

Here are some of the devices that support Samsung Pay:

All three services - Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay - also work when checking out in several apps, so you can use the one that's most convenient for you.

If you're looking for digital wallet options beyond Google Pay and Samsung Pay, there are a few alternatives worth considering.

Commbank Tap & Pay is one such option, which supports any NFC-enabled Android phone, just like Google Pay. You can even use it to withdraw money at contactless-enabled Commonwealth Bank ATMs.

Another option is Westpac PayWear, although Westpac has largely abandoned its mobile wallets in favor of Apple, Google, and Samsung's implementations. However, you can still order wearable NFC tags called PayWear for those times when you might not carry your phone.

Garmin Pay and Fitbit Pay are also worth mentioning, as they work with compatible Garmin and Fitbit watches, respectively, and can be used where contactless NFC payments are accepted.

Here's a quick rundown of some other digital wallets you might find useful: