Softwr

Software · head to head

Google Pay vs Coinbase

Google Pay logo

Google Pay

Software

Fast, simple and secure payments

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Coinbase logo

Coinbase

Software

Buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrency with ease

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; Coinbase the App Store listing states standard Coinbase trades carry fees and that a paid Coinbase One subscription is needed for zero trading fees and boosted staking rewards, and that fractional stock shares start at $1.
  • They diverge on capability: Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Coinbase covers Cryptocurrency Trading.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Pay and Coinbase differ
AttributeGoogle PayCoinbase
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsAndroid, Chrome browserWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20152012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • Bank accounts
  • IOS support

Only in Coinbase

  • Cryptocurrency Trading
  • Staking
  • Coinbase Wallet
  • Coinbase Card
  • Bank transfers
  • PayPal
  • Apple Pay
  • Web support

Both cover

  • Android 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 Coinbase
  • Chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkoutnot Coinbase

Coinbase

  • Exchangesnot Google Pay
  • Tradingnot Google Pay
  • Walletsnot 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

Coinbase

  • The App Store listing states standard Coinbase trades carry fees and that a paid Coinbase One subscription is needed for zero trading fees and boosted staking rewards, and that fractional stock shares start at $1.

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Pay

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Pay review.

Coinbase

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Buy and sell crypto
    • Coinbase Wallet
    • Staking rewards
  • Coinbase One$29.99/month
    • Zero trading fees
    • Priority support
    • Advanced trading tools

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.
Google Pay review

Choose Coinbase if

  • You need cryptocurrency trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want staking.
Coinbase review

Questions people ask

Is Google Pay or Coinbase better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Pay starts at Free and Coinbase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Pay or Coinbase?
Google Pay starts at Free and Coinbase at Free.
Does Google Pay or Coinbase run on more platforms?
Google Pay runs on Android, Chrome browser. Coinbase runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Coinbase is typically brought in for.
What can Google Pay do that Coinbase cannot?
Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Contactless payments, Online shopping, P2P money transfers. Coinbase covers Cryptocurrency Trading, Staking, Coinbase Wallet, Coinbase Card. Both handle Android support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Google Pay

More on Coinbase

Keep looking

Other head to heads