Tired of carrying around a bulky wallet filled with credit, debit, and loyalty cards? Then switch to NFC mobile payments and a digital wallet. While you have a growing number of options here, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay are three of the top choices. While they’re similar, with each letting you pay for purchases online and in-store, each offers very distinct features.
Please note that many Google Pay features will transition into Google Wallet as of June 2024.
Availability
One of the key factors for adopting digital payments is availability. Despite the growing popularity of NFC mobile payments, they’re still not accepted everywhere. Plus, many countries still don’t have the technology in place to support them, and some features may only be available in specific countries and locations (such as individual retailers).
Google Pay
For contactless payments, loyalty cards, tickets, gift cards, boarding passes, and online payments, Google Pay is currently available in over 80 countries. There is one major limitation, though. Google Pay for iOS only works in the U.S. and India for online/in-app purchases. Contactless payments aren’t supported.
Google Pay also lets you send money to friends and family. Currently, this feature is only available in the U.S., India, and Singapore.
For transit, check with the local transit authority to ensure Google Pay’s supported.
One great benefit is that over 80 countries allow you to use Google Pay via Wear OS. This can make it even more convenient, as your wallet fits on your wrist.
Samsung Pay
Samsung Pay isn’t quite as popular as Google Pay or Apple Pay, due to it only being available on Samsung devices (both phones and watches) and supported in fewer countries. At the time of writing, it’s available in only 32 countries.
You can also send money to friends and family in the U.S. The only downside is that both you and the recipient must sign up for a Samsung Pay Cash debit card. Samsung Pay is also accepted at many transit systems across the world in supported countries.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is available in over 80 countries. This includes both in-store contactless and online payments. It’s also accepted at over 85 percent of retailers in the U.S. at the time of writing. It’s compatible with any transit system worldwide that accepts mobile payments.
When it comes to paying friends and family, Apple Pay only works in the U.S. You’ll need to use Apple Cash, but then you can easily send money through the Messages app.
Security
In most cases, NFC mobile payments and digital wallets are generally secure and often considered safer than an actual wallet. This higher level of security also assumes you lock your phone and don’t lose it. You also have to be diligent about avoiding phishing scams and malware, as both could compromise any digital wallet app, just like any other app.
Digital wallets also use unique tokens with every purchase, versus transmitting your credit card number and PIN, so retailers never receive or store your actual card number, adding an extra layer of security.
A good digital wallet goes a step further and provides secure authentication options to protect your wallet on top of your phone’s authentication method.
In this category, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay all take security seriously:
- Google Pay – Passcode, PIN, fingerprint, pattern
- Samsung Pay – PIN, fingerprint, iris
- Apple Pay – Face ID, fingerprint
Reach and Flexibility
In most cases, anywhere NFC (near-field communication) payments are accepted, you can also use Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. This is the same technology many credit cards are now using with the tap and pay feature. Just hold your phone near the NFC symbol (looks like a sideways Wi-Fi symbol) to pay.
As you may already be aware, not every retailer and location offers NFC payments. Unless you’re paying with a store app that accepts a digital wallet, you won’t be able to use any of these options.
Types of Cards and Banks
Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay all support the addition of credit, debt, loyalty, and vaccination cards. Note that Samsung Pay requires you to use Samsung Pay to add the vaccination card.
Google Pay
Overall, Google Pay works with most consumer credit and debit cards. However, many prepaid debit cards and company credit cards aren’t supported. For example, all Capital One cards are compatible, except U.S. Partnership Credit, Corporate Credit, and non-U.S. Credit.
Google Pay is also compatible with numerous banks. Before you decide whether it is right for you, check out the full list of compatible cards and banks by clicking your country in this supported payment method list. Google Pay is also compatible with PayPal.
Samsung Pay
Samsung Pay works similarly to Google Pay and is widely compatible with major credit card issuers and banks, along with PayPal. Some types of cards aren’t compatible, such as corporate credit cards and certain types of prepaid or ATM cards. Samsung used to have a search page to check compatibility, but that’s been removed.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay has partnered with most major banks and card issuers to offer maximum compatibility. Of course, some types of cards aren’t supported. Apple Pay doesn’t list these cards like Samsung Pay does, instead recommending that you contact your bank or card issuer to check whether Apple Pay is supported.
However, you can easily browse the list of participating banks before you choose Apple Pay as your digital wallet. Note that to add cards, you’ll need to open the Wallet app on your phone.
Perks
The good news is that any perks you have with your credit or debit cards still apply to a digital wallet. However, the best digital wallet takes perks a step further by offering its own benefits.
Google Pay
The Google Pay rewards program gives you additional perks and cash back at participating retailers, online and offline. It works similarly to loyalty cards in that you get a discount for buying a particular item, a certain number of items, or making transactions during a set promotional period.
Another benefit is being able to keep track of all your transactions in one place. You can even scan in physical receipts. This is ideal for managing a budget or just getting a better overall picture of your spending habits.
Samsung Pay
Samsung Pay offers its own Cash Back program, and new offers are regularly added. When you activate an offer and shop at a participating retailer, you’ll get cash back rewards, either as a set amount or a percentage of your purchase. For instance, certain food delivery services offer as much as five percent cash back.
You can also apply for Samsung’s SoFi Mastercard. It’s a debit card that works like a savings account. It offers competitive interest rates to help you grow your money and will also help you build credit and set spending limits. There are no account fees, even at ATMs.
Of course, all your transactions are available in the Samsung Pay app and through the SoFi card management page in the app.
One final perk: the Samsung Pay app works as a digital key with the Hyundai Genesis GV60.2 EV.
If you use the Samsung Wallet app, store and manage passwords.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay only offers cash back through the Mastercard credit card, Apple Card. You’re able to earn cash back as a percentage of every purchase. This amount is then added to your Apple Cash account to use as normal cash. You’ll have to apply and be approved to get the card, though.
Add family members to your account, set spending limits, and keep an eye on your transaction history. Of course, you can also monitor spending habits on any of your wallet’s cards using the Apple Pay app.
Things You Should Do Before Going Digital
Before you make the switch to only using NFC mobile payments and digital wallets, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Not all retailers accept mobile payments. If you’re traveling or shopping somewhere new, take a physical credit card with you just in case.
- Always use a biometric password or at least two-factor authentication to access your wallet. This ensures that if your phone is stolen, it’s almost impossible for someone to access your data.
- If your device is stolen, freeze all your credit/debit cards immediately to be safe.
- When moving to a new phone, all your data typically transfers, but some cards may require you to re-enter them.
- You should only use one digital wallet, as it’s easier to manage.
- Virtual credit cards aren’t always compatible with digital wallets.
Digital wallets help free up your physical wallet, or you may not need to carry one at all. While these aren’t the only digital wallets (check out these Android digital wallets), they are the most widely used. If you choose Samsung Pay, check out our Samsung Pay 101 guide. If you’re using Google Pay, and it’s not working, try these fixes.
Image credit: Unsplash
