Software · head to head
Google Pay vs Mint
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Google Pay limited to Android devices and Chrome browser; lacks native support for iOS devices; Mint service transitioned to Credit Karma platform; standalone Mint features migrated elsewhere
- They diverge on capability: Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Mint covers Expense tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Pay and Mint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Pay | Mint |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Android, Chrome browser | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2015 | 2006 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Mint
- Expense tracking
- Budgets
- Bill tracking
- Credit score monitoring
- Financial insights
- Bank connections
- Bank-level encryption
- Verisign secured
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 Mint
- Chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkoutnot Mint
Mint
- Legacy free budget tracking for users with supported bank connectionsnot Google Pay
- Users transitioning to Credit Karma for continued money management featuresnot 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
Mint
- Service transitioned to Credit Karma platform; standalone Mint features migrated elsewhere
- Bank connections supported for only 17,000 financial institutions; many regional or international banks not supported
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Pay
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Pay review.
Mint
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Mint review.
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 Mint if
- You need expense tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want budgets.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Pay or Mint better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Pay starts at Free and Mint at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Pay or Mint?
- Google Pay starts at Free and Mint at Free.
- Does Google Pay or Mint run on more platforms?
- Google Pay runs on Android, Chrome browser. Mint 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 Mint is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Pay do that Mint cannot?
- Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Contactless payments, Online shopping, P2P money transfers. Mint covers Expense tracking, Budgets, Bill tracking, Credit score monitoring. Both handle Android support.