Have you noticed how often people pay with their phones nowadays rather than swiping cards? Mobile wallets like Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet make completing purchases with your smartphone easy and convenient.
As a Samsung Galaxy owner, you may wonder whether you should be using the official Samsung Wallet app or Google‘s popular payment solution. Both options allow you to digitally store your credit cards, gift cards, tickets and more – but how exactly do they compare in terms of compatibility, security, features and real-world usage?
This comprehensive guide examines Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet side-by-side. You‘ll learn the key capabilities of each app, their history and development, unique strengths and weaknesses, and how peer usage stacks up. Read on to determine which (if either) mobile wallet best fits your needs and usage habits.
A Brief History of Mobile Wallets
Before diving into the specifics of Google Pay and Samsung Pay, it helps to understand the evolution of mobile wallets:
2011 – Google Wallet debuted in the US, one of the very first apps allowing phones to pay at stores via NFC technology
2014 – Apple Pay arrived as the first mainstream wallet app thanks to huge iPhone adoption
2015 – Samsung Pay launched with game-changing Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) tech allowing compatibility with nearly any credit card terminal
2018 – Google rebranded its wallet app Google Pay as peer-to-peer payments and online purchases were added
2022 – Samsung Pay was renamed Samsung Wallet alongside expanded digital ID capabilities
2022 – Google Wallet returned with a renewed focus on acting as the ultimate virtual wallet
As smartphone capabilities improved over the past decade, paying or exchanging currency digitally via mobile apps offered obvious perks over cash:
- More convenient checkout not needing a physical card
- Added security measures like biometrics and encryption against theft
- Integration of loyalty programs, coupons, and payment histories
- Global usage thanks to mobile data connectivity
Today, most people have used payment services like Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay at some point. In fact, mobile proximity payments alone are forecast to exceed $300 billion globally during 2023 according to eMarketer.
But while the concepts behind mobile wallets are straightforward, important differences arise between the options available to Samsung device owners.
Key Feature Comparison: Google Wallet vs Samsung Wallet
The core functionality of Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet is similar – they allow contactless payments via NFC and store credit/debit cards in digital form. However beyond that, there are some pivotal distinctions:
| Feature | Google Wallet | Samsung Wallet |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Compatibility | Android iOS |
Samsung Galaxy devices |
| Bank & Card Support | 6,000+ banks | 100+ major banks |
| Countries Supported | Over 60 | Two dozen |
| Security | Tokenization Encryption Biometrics PIN code |
Tokenization Encryption Samsung Knox Biometrics PIN code |
| Peer-to-Peer Payments | Yes | No |
| Password Manager | No | Yes (Samsung Pass) |
| Other Features | Insurance Cash back |
SmartThings Digital keys |
Device and OS Support
One of the most prominent differences between the two wallet platforms is device compatibility:
- Google Wallet – Can be installed and used on any Android phone updated to Android 5.0+ Lollipop or newer. Additionally supports iOS devices updated to iOS 10 and higher. Offers the greatest cross-platform support.
- Samsung Wallet – Exclusively available on Samsung‘s Galaxy branded devices. These include flagship phones (S22 Series), tablets (Tab S8), smartwatches (Watch 5), and modern Samsung TVs. Locked to Samsung‘s ecosystem.
With Google Wallet supporting Android and iOS, it has the obvious reach advantage from an accessibility standpoint. Well over 3 billion smartphones globally across both major platforms can install Google‘s wallet app.
In contrast, Samsung Wallet relies on the over 300 million active Samsung Galaxy devices. Still a tremendous audience, but not nearly as universally compatible as Google Wallet.
For travelers or those frequently switching between devices, Google Wallet also provides helpful consistency. Your wallet data seamlessly syncs allowing you to pay using various devices logged into your Google Account.
Payment Card Acceptance
Another area where Google Wallet pulls ahead is payment card compatibility:
- Google Wallet works with credit/debit cards from over 6,000 banks and issuers throughout 60+ countries
- Samsung Wallet supports cards from around 100 major banking partners focused in two dozen launch countries
The extensive financial institution partnerships backing Google Wallet give it wide-ranging utility for storing travel rewards credit cards, local bank debit cards, and lesser-known card offerings you may personally utilize.
Unless you strictly do business with top national banks that Samsung collaborates with, you‘ll likely have an easier time adding your cards into Google Wallet. This ensures you can leave the physical cards at home and enjoy contactless tap payments from your phone.
Unique Samsung Features
Although Samsung Wallet trails Google Wallet in some usage metrics, it does offer some proprietary features specific to the Galaxy experience:
Samsung Pass – Biometric-secured repository for WiFi passwords, account credentials, secure notes, and identity documents. Replaces the need for a separate password manager.
SmartThings – Control Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart home gadgets, appliances, security cameras, vehicles. Helps manage everyday routines.
Digital Keys – Lock/unlock home and office doors with your devices. Also enables sharing virtual keys securely through the Samsung Wallet app.
If you already utilize Samsung services like Samsung Pass or SmartThings in your daily life, keeping everything integrated together via Samsung Wallet offers a streamlined experience.
But for those who don‘t need those extra capabilities, Google Wallet provides almost all the general mobile wallet benefits.
Peer-to-Peer Payments
Google also uniquely offers peer-to-peer money transfers between individuals. Known as Google Pay Send, it makes splitting shared expenses like dinner bills easier:
- Send or receive funds with friends/family using just a phone number or email address
- No sensitive financial details shared during the process
- Works seamlessly across Android and iOS
For Galaxy owners, being able to transfer amounts easily to both their Android-using contacts as well as iPhone owners via Google Wallet gives helpful flexibility.
Samsung Pay does not include an equivalent P2P payments functionality. This makes general money transfers more difficult without resorting to external apps.
Purchase Usage Comparison
When it comes down to actually utilizing Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet for everyday transactions, is one markedly better than the other?
The mobile payment process and tap checkout flow is virtually identical between the two wallet platforms. Both allow you to hold your phone up to payment terminals for convenient contactless taps without reaching for your physical wallet.
However, there are still a few key variances:
| Purchase Type | Google Wallet | Samsung Wallet |
|---|---|---|
| In-Store Tap | Accepted at 99% of US stores with tap payments | Slightly fewer stores exclusively support Samsung Pay |
| Within Apps | Works with Play Store apps | Works with Samsung Galaxy Store apps |
| Online Checkout | More integration with online shopping sites/shops | Less online checkout support |
| Transit Systems | Trains, buses, parking in 100s of cities globally | Transit benefits mostly limited to South Korea |
The main takeaway is Google Wallet‘s extensive integration makes it usable virtually everywhere major contactless payments are accepted – from big retailers, local shops, travel sites, food delivery services, and entertainment venues.
Samsung Wallet may be limited in a few more niche scenarios by comparison. But for most day-to-day transactions like grabbing coffee, riding the subway, paying bills online, or shopping at your favorite boutique, Samsung owners will have no issues.
One key perk of Samsung Wallet to note – when traveling in South Korea specifically, it offers deep integration with transportation like trains and taxi hailing. This can greatly streamline local navigation.
Security: How Safe Are Mobile Wallets?
We entrust our mobile wallets with sensitive financial data and access to our money – so how well does Google and Samsung protect that invaluable information?
The good news is that modern mobile wallets incorporate multilayered security spanning:
- 256-bit encryption safeguarding all locally stored data
- Tokenization that converts card details into unique randomized strings only devices recognize
- Biometric authentication via fingerprint, face scan, or iris scan that only allows the owner access
- PIN passcode or password required alongside biometrics for enhanced protection
- Backups secured using secure data centers to prevent external breaches
Both Google and Samsung adhere to global payment security standards like PCI DSS Level 1 used by top financial institutions. This includes facets ranging from regular ethical hack testing to detect vulnerabilities to mandatory internal audits.
On Samsung devices specifically, the proprietary defense-grade Samsung Knox platform adds yet another barrier securing sensitive data like biometrics, blockchain keys, and account credentials in Samsung Wallet.
And with permanent tokenization, not even Google or Samsung have access to the raw underlying payment card details themselves. This isolates exposure risk and simplifies maintaining regulatory privacy compliance.
Additional Perks: Insurance, Rewards, Extended Features
Part of what sets modern mobile wallet apps apart from physical wallets are value-added features you simply can‘t get from leather and cash alone:
Google Wallet
- Device insurance coverage for mechanical breakdown or accidental damage to phones/tablets used to make purchases via Google Wallet
- Cashback rewards automatically applied from supporting merchants
- Event tickets stub collection retaining memories in digital form
Samsung Wallet
- Samsung Rewards points that can be redeemed towards gift cards and exclusive offers
- Retail vouchers and tailored promotions based on purchase behavior and store loyalty
Both wallet platforms aim to provide some incentive for usage beyond just payment convenience as they vie for market share. These manifest as purchase protections, opportunities for exclusive discounts and experiences, or outright cash rewards when using the wallet apps associated with the brands.
And looking ahead, expect both Google and Samsung to keep expanding integrations that fundamentally make daily life activities easier. Recent examples include:
- Google Wallet enabling users to securely store digital vehicle keys for supported car models and manufacturers
- Samsung Wallet incorporating decentralized financial offerings like cryptocurrency and NFT management alongside traditional payment instruments
The goal is to ultimately make your phone the single device needed in nearly situation by housing digital representations of everything found in a physical wallet.
Key Takeaways: How Google and Samsung Wallets Compare
| Comparison Criteria | Google Wallet | Samsung Wallet |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms Supported | Android iOS |
Galaxy devices |
| Payment Card Acceptance | 6,000+ banks globally | 100+ major banks |
| Tap Transaction Utility | Accepted at 99% of stores supporting contactless payments | Slightly fewer store integrations |
| Peer-to-Peer Money Sending | Yes | No |
| Additional Features | Insurance Cash back Boarding passes |
Samsung account/device ecosystem ties Korean transit access |
Neither mobile wallet platform is inherently "bad" per se. Each offers clear benefits that come down to personal preferences and device ecosystem:
- Google Wallet wins in terms of universal platform support, payment card options, retailer acceptance, and financial transfer flexibility.
- Samsung Wallet rewards existing Samsung users by tying integrated services like Samsung Pass, SmartThings, and Knox security together.
For Galaxy device owners focused on contactless spending specifically, Google Wallet simply drives more convenience through sheer integration volume and card acceptance. It works practically anywhere major credit cards are supported thanks to extensive partnerships.
Meanwhile Samsung Wallet promotes harmony within Samsung‘s existing product sphere – the tradeoff being less flexible as a standalone offering. Unless you are tightly ingrained into Samsung‘s ecosystem, Google Wallet likely better satisfies wants for a frictionless payments app.
At the end of the day, both mobile wallets are fantastic innovations that digitize cumbersome physical wallets in secure fashion. As peer adoption, retailer support, and comfortability with phone payments grows, expect astonishing 50-60% of all transactions to involve contactless mobile wallets within this decade per analysts.
