Now that Google Wallet has launched in India, it would be a good time to analyse Google Wallet Vs Google Pay. While we are already acquainted with the popular Google Pay app for making any kind of money transactions, Google Wallet is still an unventured place for most of us. Let us explore the features, their similarities and their differences here today. So that it’s easier to decide which one would be more convenient to use for specific needs. Let’s begin!
Also Read: How To Check Google Storage Usage: Know How Much Storage Is Left
What To Know About Google Wallet?
Google Wallet is just like a digital wallet that stores everything important to you while you are on the go. Just like the things you would usually carry in a physical wallet, like your payment cards, bills, Identity cards, etc. Only here, you don’t have to carry one as everything is available in Google Wallet of your phone itself. Here are a few things you can store digitally on Google Wallet:
- Payment cards: Credit, debit, and loyalty cards can be added for contactless payments at stores.
- Passes: Boarding passes, movie tickets, and event tickets can be easily accessed and presented electronically.
- Keys: Some car models and smart locks allow you to store digital keys in Google Wallet for convenient access.
- IDs: While not yet widely adopted, Google Wallet may eventually store digital IDs for age verification or identification purposes.
Also Read: What Is Google Wallet? Digital Wallet For Android?
What To Know About Google Pay?
Google Pay came from a hybrid version of Android Pay and Google Wallet. It is an online platform for peer-to-peer payments. It allows contactless bill or money transfer payments among friends and family using only their contact number or scanning the QR code generated by the app and using a UPI pin. While paying the money is directly debited from your linked bank account instead of a debit or credit card. Here are a few benefits of Google Pay:
- The payments via Google Pay happen within seconds.
- You can enjoy rewards and cashback programs with various popular merchants and brands as part of their promotional activity
- You will be able to view your monthly spending and balance and track your finances with a detailed transaction history.
- Google Pay gives monthly reminders to pay your recurring bills like electricity, gas, mobile recharge, etc.
- You can conveniently split bills with groups.
- It is widely accepted and completely free to use.
Main Differences
Below we have discussed the main differences that separate the two platforms from each other.
| Feature | Google Wallet | Google Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Comprehensive digital wallet | Contactless payments and peer-to-peer transactions |
| Features | Store credit and debit cards, contactless payments, digitize cards and IDs, NFC payments | Card storage, passes, tickets, memberships |
| Scope of Functionality | Wide range of functionalities beyond payments | Streamlined focus on payments, but integrates various cards, passes, tickets, and memberships |
| Evolution | Google’s latest digital wallet attempt | Evolved from Android Pay and Google Wallet |
| Target Audience | Users seeking versatile digital wallet solution | Users interested in convenient payment options |
| Chrome Integration | Limited | Integration for online purchases with Chrome |
| Reward Program | Loyalty cards and membership cards | A bunch of reward programs available |
Also Read: How To Split Bill With Group on Google Pay
Google Wallet Vs Google Pay: User Experience
If you are keen to know which of the apps would be better for you to use, here are a few things I have listed. These factors come under consideration when choosing a money transaction platform like Google Pay or Google Wallet.
| Factors | Google Wallet | Google Pay |
| Payment Convenience | Good – tap to pay where Google Pay is accepted | Excellent – tap to pay in stores, online, and send money to contacts |
| Payment Speed (Success) | Potentially slower | Faster due to offline transaction processing |
| Payment Speed (Failure) | Requires troubleshooting or alternative payment method | May retry transaction automatically or offer alternative payment methods |
| Security | Excellent – inherits security from Google Pay | Excellent – multi-layered security features |
| UI (User Interface) | Comprehensive – manages various cards and passes | Simple and intuitive |
| Sending Money (no QR code) | No | Potentially slower if an internet connection needed |
| Offers & Rewards | Potentially in the future (integrations planned) | Yes – through partner programs |
| Transaction History | Accessible through Google Pay | Detailed transaction history |
| Tracking Finances | More comprehensive budgeting tools (planned) | Limited – basic insights |
| Add Note While Paying | No | Yes |
Also Read: How To Change Or Reset UPI Pin on Google Pay?
Final Verdict
Both Google Wallet and Google Pay offer valuable tools for managing finances and more. By understanding their strengths, you can choose the app that best suits your needs. Both have their own functionalities. To think which one would be better for money transactions in Google Wallet Vs Google Pay, it clearly depends upon your personal preference.
If you would want to pay directly from the bank or not. As technology evolves, keep an eye out for how these services might further integrate and simplify the way you carry and access your essentials.
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