Software · head to head
Acorns vs Google Pay
The short version
- Only Google Pay has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Acorns a flat monthly subscription regardless of balance, so $3 a month on Bronze is a heavy percentage on a small account; Google Pay limited to Android devices and Chrome browser; lacks native support for iOS devices
- They diverge on capability: Acorns covers Round-up investing, Google Pay covers Digital wallet.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Acorns and Google Pay actually diverge.
| Attribute | Acorns | Google Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android | Android, Chrome browser |
| Founded | 2012 | 2015 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Acorns
- Round-up investing
- Automated investing
- Portfolio management
- Recurring investments
- Web support
Only in Google Pay
- Digital wallet
- Contactless payments
- Online shopping
- P2P money transfers
Both cover
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Acorns
- Automated investing of spare change from everyday purchasesnot Google Pay
- Retirement saving through Acorns Later IRA accountsnot Google Pay
- Checking and high-yield savings alongside investingnot Google Pay
- Custodial investing and debit cards for children through Acorns Earlynot Google Pay
- Earning cashback that is invested rather than bankednot Google Pay
Google Pay
- Android users making contactless payments at supported retailersnot Acorns
- Chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkoutnot Acorns
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Acorns
- A flat monthly subscription regardless of balance, so $3 a month on Bronze is a heavy percentage on a small account
- The emergency savings account and the 1 percent IRA match need Silver at $6 a month
- Custom portfolios, Acorns Early for children and Money Manager are Gold tier only at $12 a month
- There is no free tier
Google Pay
- Limited to Android devices and Chrome browser; lacks native support for iOS devices
- International money transfer through third-party provider (Wise Inc.) with limited details on coverage
Pricing, plan by plan
Acorns
On request- Lite$4.99/month
- Round-up investing
- Automated portfolio
- Plus$9.99/month
- All Lite features
- Checking account
- Dollar-based investing
- Premier$19.99/month
- All Plus features
- Premium investing
Google Pay
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Pay review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Acorns if
- You need round-up investing.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want automated investing.
Choose Google Pay if
- You need digital wallet.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Android, Chrome browser.
- You also want contactless payments.
Questions people ask
- Is Acorns or Google Pay better?
- Neither clearly leads. Acorns starts at On request and Google Pay at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Acorns or Google Pay?
- Google Pay has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acorns and Free for Google Pay.
- Does Acorns or Google Pay run on more platforms?
- Acorns runs on Web, IOS, Android. Google Pay runs on Android, Chrome browser.
- Can I use Google Pay for free?
- Yes. Google Pay has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acorns starts at On request.
- What is Acorns best used for?
- Acorns is most often used for automated investing of spare change from everyday purchases, retirement saving through acorns later ira accounts, checking and high-yield savings alongside investing, custodial investing and debit cards for children through acorns early. Of those, automated investing of spare change from everyday purchases and retirement saving through acorns later ira accounts are not what Google Pay is typically brought in for.
- What can Acorns do that Google Pay cannot?
- Acorns covers Round-up investing, Automated investing, Portfolio management, Recurring investments. Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Contactless payments, Online shopping, P2P money transfers. Both handle Bank accounts, Credit cards, Debit cards, IOS support.