Software · head to head
Google Pay vs Acorns
The short version
- Only Google Pay has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Google Pay limited to Android devices and Chrome browser; lacks native support for iOS devices; Acorns a flat monthly subscription regardless of balance, so $3 a month on Bronze is a heavy percentage on a small account
- They diverge on capability: Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Acorns covers Round-up investing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Pay and Acorns actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Pay | Acorns |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | free | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Android, Chrome browser | Web, IOS, Android |
| Founded | 2015 | 2012 |
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 Google Pay
- Digital wallet
- Contactless payments
- Online shopping
- P2P money transfers
Only in Acorns
- Round-up investing
- Automated investing
- Portfolio management
- Recurring investments
- Web support
Both cover
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Bank accounts
- Android support
- IOS support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Google Pay
- Android users making contactless payments at supported retailersnot Acorns
- Chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkoutnot Acorns
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Pay
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Pay review.
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
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Acorns if
- You need round-up investing.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want automated investing.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Pay or Acorns better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Pay starts at Free and Acorns at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Pay or Acorns?
- Google Pay has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Pay and On request for Acorns.
- Does Google Pay or Acorns run on more platforms?
- Google Pay runs on Android, Chrome browser. Acorns runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- 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 Google Pay best used for?
- Google Pay is most often used for android users making contactless payments at supported retailers, chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkout. Of those, android users making contactless payments at supported retailers and chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkout are not what Acorns is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Pay do that Acorns cannot?
- Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Contactless payments, Online shopping, P2P money transfers. Acorns covers Round-up investing, Automated investing, Portfolio management, Recurring investments. Both handle Credit cards, Debit cards, Bank accounts, Android support.