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Software · head to head

Google Pay vs E*TRADE

Google Pay logo

Google Pay

Software

Fast, simple and secure payments

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
E*TRADE logo

E*TRADE

Software

Express your investing style

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; E*TRADE stock and ETF trades were $0 commission but options carried a $0.65 per-contract fee, broker-assisted trades added a $25 surcharge, and margin interest rates ranged from 12.70% to 13.20% depending on balance tier (Internet Archive capture, 3 January 2023)
  • They diverge on capability: Google Pay covers Digital wallet, E*TRADE covers Advanced trading tools.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Pay and E*TRADE actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Pay and E*TRADE differ
AttributeGoogle PayE*TRADE
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreetransaction
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAndroid, Chrome browserWeb, IOS, Android
Founded20151956

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
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards

Only in E*TRADE

  • Advanced trading tools
  • Options and futures
  • Research tools
  • Mobile trading
  • Wire transfers
  • Web support

Both cover

  • 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 E*TRADE
  • Chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkoutnot E*TRADE

E*TRADE

  • Budget Managementnot Google Pay
  • Expense Trackingnot Google Pay
  • Investment Trackingnot 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

E*TRADE

  • Stock and ETF trades were $0 commission but options carried a $0.65 per-contract fee, broker-assisted trades added a $25 surcharge, and margin interest rates ranged from 12.70% to 13.20% depending on balance tier (Internet Archive capture, 3 January 2023)

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Pay

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Pay review.

E*TRADE

On request
  • Stock & ETF TradingFree
    • Commission-free trades
    • Real-time quotes
  • Advanced Trading$undefined/month
    • All Stock & ETF features
    • Options, futures
    • Advanced 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 E*TRADE if

  • You need advanced trading tools.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want options and futures.
E*TRADE review

Questions people ask

Is Google Pay or E*TRADE better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Pay starts at Free and E*TRADE at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Pay or E*TRADE?
Google Pay has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Pay and On request for E*TRADE.
Does Google Pay or E*TRADE run on more platforms?
Google Pay runs on Android, Chrome browser. E*TRADE 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. E*TRADE 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 E*TRADE is typically brought in for.
What can Google Pay do that E*TRADE cannot?
Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Contactless payments, Online shopping, P2P money transfers. E*TRADE covers Advanced trading tools, Options and futures, Research tools, Mobile trading. Both handle Bank accounts, Android support, IOS support.
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