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Personal Finance · head to head

Google Pay vs Apple Pay

Google Pay logo

Google Pay

Personal Finance

Fast, simple and secure payments

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple Pay logo

Apple Pay

Personal Finance

The easier way to pay and send money

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Pay limited to Android devices and Chrome browser; lacks native support for iOS devices; Apple Pay apple Pay works only in countries and regions that support contactless payments and is not available in all markets
  • They diverge on capability: Google Pay covers Contactless payments, Apple Pay covers Secure payments.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Pay and Apple Pay actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Pay and Apple Pay differ
AttributeGoogle PayApple Pay
PlatformsAndroid, Chrome browserIOS, WatchOS, MacOS
CategoryPersonal FinanceUnknown
Founded20152014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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

  • Contactless payments
  • Online shopping
  • Android support

Only in Apple Pay

  • Secure payments
  • Contactless transactions
  • WatchOS support
  • MacOS support

Both cover

  • Digital wallet
  • P2P money transfers
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • Bank accounts
  • 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 Apple Pay
  • Chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkoutnot Apple Pay

Apple Pay

  • Contactless in store payment from iPhone and Apple Watchnot Google Pay
  • Paying in apps and on the web without entering card detailsnot Google Pay
  • Sending money between Apple users with Apple Cash and Tap to Cashnot 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

Apple Pay

  • Apple Pay works only in countries and regions that support contactless payments and is not available in all markets
  • Apple Cash is available only in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
  • Apple Cash Family accounts and Tap to Cash transactions are each capped at 2000 USD within a rolling seven day period
  • Mac support requires a Touch ID equipped model
  • A card works only if the issuing bank supports Apple Pay, and banks may charge their own overseas usage fees

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Pay

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Pay review.

Apple Pay

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Secure payments
    • P2P transfers
    • Transit passes

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Pay if

  • You need contactless payments.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Android, Chrome browser.
  • You also want online shopping.
Google Pay review

Choose Apple Pay if

  • You need secure payments.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, WatchOS, MacOS.
  • You also want contactless transactions.
Apple Pay review

Questions people ask

Is Google Pay or Apple Pay better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Pay starts at Free and Apple Pay at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Pay or Apple Pay?
Google Pay starts at Free and Apple Pay at Free.
Does Google Pay or Apple Pay run on more platforms?
Google Pay runs on Android, Chrome browser. Apple Pay runs on IOS, WatchOS, MacOS.
Can I use Google Pay for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Apple Pay is typically brought in for.
What can Google Pay do that Apple Pay cannot?
Google Pay covers Contactless payments, Online shopping, Android support. Apple Pay covers Secure payments, Contactless transactions, WatchOS support, MacOS support. Both handle Digital wallet, P2P money transfers, Credit cards, Debit cards.
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