Google Wallet and Samsung Pay are two of the most popular tap-to-pay apps for Android users. They allow you to pay with your smartphone or smartwatch without using physical cards. But which one is better for you?
The answer depends on your preferences and needs. Google Wallet and Samsung Pay have different features and device compatibility. In this article, we will compare them in detail and help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
- The Evolution of Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
- Device Compatibility of Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
- Where and How to Use Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
- How to Pay Online and In-Person with Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
- The Security Benefits of NFC Payments
- How to Earn Rewards with Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
- How to Decide Between Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
The Evolution of Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
Google Wallet and Samsung Pay are not the same as they were when they first launched. They have gone through several changes and rebranding over the years. Here’s a brief overview of their history and current status.
Samsung Pay Samsung Pay debuted in 2015 as a tap-to-pay app for Samsung Galaxy phones. In June 2022, it was renamed to Samsung Wallet in some countries, except South Korea. The new app integrated Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass into a single platform for payments, digital IDs, digital keys, and loyalty programs.
Google Wallet Google Wallet started in 2011 as a tap-to-pay app for Android devices. In 2015, Google introduced Android Pay as a separate app. In 2018, Google merged Google Wallet and Android Pay into one app called Google Pay. In 2022, Google rebranded Google Pay to Google Wallet again. Today, Google Wallet is the most widely used name for the app. The app also supports Google Pay as a feature for card payments.
Google Pay is scheduled to close in 2024 and its main functionality has been transferred to Google Wallet. That’s why we love Google Wallet as one of the best wallet apps for Android. Despite the name changes, Google’s payment apps have similar features. The app below is the one we use in this article.
Google Wallet is your ultimate digital assistant for your Android device. It not only handles tap-to-pay transactions (like Google Pay did), but also securely stores your essentials like loyalty cards, boarding passes, digital keys, and your driver’s license (in regions where it is available).
Where and How to Use Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
Google Wallet and Samsung Pay have different regional availability and local card support. Google Wallet works in over 80 countries, while Samsung Pay works in over 24 countries. Both accept almost any card in the US, especially from smaller banks and credit unions.
Google Wallet and Samsung Pay also let you store and use membership cards, gift cards, and transit passes in some locations. You can even add plane tickets from some airlines. However, you need to use your phone number to log in to the app.
How to Pay Online and In-Person with Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
You can use Google Wallet and Samsung Pay to pay with your NFC-enabled Android phone by tapping it on a card reader that supports NFC. However, not every merchant has this kind of terminal, so you may need to use another method.
Samsung Pay used to have a feature called MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) that let you pay with your phone at any terminal that accepted magnetic stripe cards. But Samsung removed this feature from the Galaxy S24 series and the Galaxy S21 series in the US. This reduced Samsung Pay’s edge over Google Wallet.
For online payments, Google Wallet and Samsung Pay are both widely accepted by many retailers. Google Wallet is the most popular platform among them.
The Security Benefits of NFC Payments
NFC payments are safer than physical credit cards. You need to unlock your phone with a code or biometric method before you can pay with NFC. This adds an extra layer of verification. Your phone does not store your real credit card number. It uses a virtual card number that the card reader reads when you tap-to-pay. This protects your real card number from being stolen at the point-of-sale. Both apps also let you erase your device remotely if you lose it or it gets stolen.
Samsung Pay may be more secure than Google Wallet. Both apps encrypt your data and authenticate your identity. Samsung Pay also uses Samsung Knox, a high-level security platform that is in many Samsung devices, from the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Some Galaxy Tab tablets, M series phones, and A series phones have it too. Samsung Pay’s use of Knox gives it a small advantage over Google Wallet.
How to Earn Rewards with Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
You can use Google Wallet and Samsung Pay to store and use gift and membership cards. Samsung also gives you discounts and deals (which can be annoying), and some retailers offer lower prices on the app. Google Wallet has better rewards, such as cashback from many merchants and coupons for online and in-store shopping.
Samsung Pay has an advantage with Samsung Rewards. You can collect points when you shop with the app and use them to buy things on the Samsung app or website. Google Wallet does not have its own rewards system, but it has many other benefits.
How to Decide Between Google Wallet and Samsung Pay
Your device and spending habits will determine whether Google Wallet or Samsung Pay is better for you. Samsung Pay is only for Samsung phones, but Google Wallet works on most Android and iOS devices. You can have both apps on your Samsung phone, but you may prefer Google Wallet for its wider acceptance. You can easily turn off Samsung Wallet (and Pay) on your Galaxy phone if you want.