Apple Pay vs Google Wallet (UK guide 2024)

If you’re on a mission to find the best digital wallet available in the UK, Apple Pay and Google Wallet are likely in your top picks. Both of them allow you to make easy contactless payments with high levels of security.

In this guide, we’ll do a Google Wallet vs Apple Pay comparison, to give you an idea which one might be better for you. We’ll include how many people in the UK have them, where you can use them and whether they charge any fees.

Google Wallet vs. Apple Pay UK - Quick Comparison

Before we dive into the Apple Pay vs Google Pay debate, here’s a quick comparison of their features:

How Google Wallet works in the UK

Google Wallet gives you easy and quick access to your payment cards, plane and concert tickets, IDs and different passes. It can be used for everything from contactless transactions in stores and in-app purchases to paying for public transport⁴.

Besides these features, Google Wallet can also store your proof of vaccination and test records and can even hold your digital car keys, but at the moment that’s available only for certain BMW models⁴.

How to use Google Wallet with your Wise card

You can easily connect your Wise card with your Google Wallet, either through the Wise app or directly via your Google Wallet.

These are the steps when using the Wise app:

1. Open the Wise app
2. Tap on the Card tab
3. Select the card you'd like to add then tap on Add to G Pay/Google Wallet

Here’s what to do in order to add your Wise card via Google Wallet:

1. Open the Google Wallet app
2. At the bottom, tap Add to Wallet
3. Select Payment card and then New credit or debit card
4. Scan your card or enter the details manually
5. Follow the steps to verify your card

For full details, read the instructions for using your Wise card with Google Pay.

How Apple Pay works in the UK

Apple Pay is a safe, widely accepted payment method that’s easy to set up. It can be used for purchases in shops, online and in apps. Although you’re not paying directly with your card, you can still use all rewards and benefits connected to it when using Apple Pay³.

Apple Pay works anywhere that accepts contactless payments, from stores to taxis. It’s also possible to pay for public transport using Apple Pay. You won’t even need to unlock your phone or Apple Watch, just tap the card reader³.

What’s the difference between Apple Wallet and Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is Apple’s safe mobile payment service. It can be used in stores, on the internet and in apps⁵.

Apple Wallet is the app or the place which holds the credit and debit cards you use with Apple Pay. Besides this feature, Apple Wallets also hold boarding passes, car keys, transit cards and more⁵.

How to use Apple Pay with your Wise card

You can add your Wise card to Apple Pay through the Wise app or through your Apple Wallet.

If you’re doing it via the Wise app, these are the steps:

1. Open the Wise app
2. Tap on the Card tab
3. Select the card you'd like to add then tap on Add to Apple Wallet

And if you’re adding your Wise card using your Apple Wallet, this is how to do it:

1. Open your Apple Wallet
2. Scan your card or enter the details manually
3. Verify the card with an SMS code

For more details, read the instructions for using your Wise card with Apple Pay.

Apple Cash Family

Apple Cash is a digital card that lives in your Apple Wallet and it can be used to send and receive money from Messages or from Wallet. Apple Cash Family is a way for you to set up Apple Cash for members in your Family Sharing group who are minors⁶.

However, Apple Cash and Apple Cash Family are only available to US residents at the moment⁶.

How safe is Google Wallet for Brits to use?

Google guarantees that their Wallet has a high level of security⁴. When you use your Google Wallet to pay, your personal information is protected and your card number is not revealed to the merchant.

The privacy controls let you decide exactly which information you want to share. Also, Android offers two important security features - two-step verification and remote data erase⁴.

How safe is Apple Pay in the UK?

Apple says that their Apple Pay service is much safer than using a physical card³. This is because your card information is never shared with the merchant when you use Apple Pay, but also due to the fact that your card numbers aren’t stored on Apple servers.

When making a purchase with Apple Pay, you must use Face ID, Touch ID or your password³.

So, which is best for Brits?

Apple Pay and Google Wallet have similar features and security levels and they’re both rather popular among Brits.

The main difference when comparing Apple Pay vs Google Wallet is their compatibility with different devices. They can be used across the UK for various types of payments, but your decision will probably mostly depend on whether you have an Android or an iPhone.

Your Wise card is compatible with both Google Wallet and Apple Pay. It allows you to hold multiple currencies and convert them using the mid-market exchange rate for only a small, transparent conversion fee*.

You can also use the Wise virtual card with Apple Pay and Google Wallet just as you would any other card.

Additional FAQs

Let’s answer some more questions about Apple Pay and Google Wallet:

Does Apple Pay charge a fee?

No, Apple Pay doesn’t charge any fees³. However, keep in mind that any fee that applies when you use your card directly can also be charged when you use Apple Pay.

Is Google Wallet free to use?

Yes, Google Wallet is freesup>1. But just like with Apple Pay, your card provider can charge their fees just like they would when you’re using your card directly.

Which payment app is mostly used in the UK?

Here are some of the most popular payment apps and how many UK shoppers use them²:

Can you use Apple Pay on the London underground?

Apple Pay can be used when paying for public transport, including the London tube⁷. Their Express Mode allows you to easily tap and pay without Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. However, this feature can only be used on public transport.

Do UK supermarkets accept Google Wallet as a payment method?

Google Wallet can be used in any store that accepts contactless payments, supermarkets included. So, next time you go to Aldi, Tesco or Sainsbury's, feel free to leave your physical cards at home.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Sources used for this article:

Sources last checked on date: 31-May-2024