Software · head to head
Mint vs Google Pay
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Mint service transitioned to Credit Karma platform; standalone Mint features migrated elsewhere; Google Pay limited to Android devices and Chrome browser; lacks native support for iOS devices
- They diverge on capability: Mint covers Expense tracking, Google Pay covers Digital wallet.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Mint and Google Pay actually diverge.
| Attribute | Mint | Google Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Android, Chrome browser |
| Founded | 2006 | 2015 |
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 Mint
- Expense tracking
- Budgets
- Bill tracking
- Credit score monitoring
- Financial insights
- Bank connections
- Bank-level encryption
- Verisign secured
Only in Google Pay
- Digital wallet
- Contactless payments
- Online shopping
- P2P money transfers
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Bank accounts
- IOS support
Both cover
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
Google Pay
- Android users making contactless payments at supported retailersnot Mint
- Chrome browser users utilising payment autofill at checkoutnot Mint
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Mint
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Mint review.
Google Pay
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Pay review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Mint if
- You need expense tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want budgets.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Mint or Google Pay better?
- Neither clearly leads. Mint starts at Free and Google Pay at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Mint or Google Pay?
- Mint starts at Free and Google Pay at Free.
- Does Mint or Google Pay run on more platforms?
- Mint runs on Web, iOS, Android. Google Pay runs on Android, Chrome browser.
- Can I use Mint for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Mint best used for?
- Mint is most often used for legacy free budget tracking for users with supported bank connections, users transitioning to credit karma for continued money management features. Of those, legacy free budget tracking for users with supported bank connections and users transitioning to credit karma for continued money management features are not what Google Pay is typically brought in for.
- What can Mint do that Google Pay cannot?
- Mint covers Expense tracking, Budgets, Bill tracking, Credit score monitoring. Google Pay covers Digital wallet, Contactless payments, Online shopping, P2P money transfers. Both handle Android support.