Software · head to head
Google Pay vs Square Cash
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Google Pay limited to Android devices and Chrome browser; lacks native support for iOS devices; Square Cash cash App Green status (higher savings rate, free in-network ATM withdrawals, overdraft coverage) requires spending $500 or depositing $300 in Qualifying purchases/deposits per month, per the App Store listing
- They diverge on capability: Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Square Cash covers Money transfers.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Pay and Square Cash actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Pay | Square Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Android, Chrome browser | IOS, Android |
| Founded | 2015 | 2014 |
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
Only in Square Cash
- Money transfers
- Instant deposits
- Transaction history
- Customer 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 Square Cash
- Chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkoutnot Square Cash
Square Cash
- 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
Square Cash
- Cash App Green status (higher savings rate, free in-network ATM withdrawals, overdraft coverage) requires spending $500 or depositing $300 in Qualifying purchases/deposits per month, per the App Store listing
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Pay
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Pay review.
Square Cash
Free- FreeFree
- P2P transfers
- Instant deposits
- Mobile app
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 Square Cash if
- You need money transfers.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want instant deposits.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Pay or Square Cash better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Pay starts at Free and Square Cash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Pay or Square Cash?
- Google Pay starts at Free and Square Cash at Free.
- Does Google Pay or Square Cash run on more platforms?
- Google Pay runs on Android, Chrome browser. Square Cash runs on 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 Square Cash is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Pay do that Square Cash cannot?
- Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Contactless payments, Online shopping, P2P money transfers. Square Cash covers Money transfers, Instant deposits, Transaction history, Customer support. Both handle Bank accounts, Android support, IOS support.