Google Pay vs GPay: What are the differences?

If you like to use mobile wallets to pay online and instores you’ve probably heard of Google Pay®¹ and GPay®. But what’s the difference between Google Pay vs GPay app?

Let’s look at how Google Pay vs GPay match up - plus a quick introduction to Wise as a quick, safe and low cost way to send and spend foreign currencies with Google Pay.

What is Google Pay?

Over time, Google’s payment services have evolved and been rebranded, leading to different apps, and different names, including Google Pay¹, GPay and Google Wallet®². Now Google promotes Google Pay as part of the broader Google Wallet service for US customers, to capture all the functionality available in one simple app.

You can use Google Pay to send money, including using Google Pay to send payments internationally directly or through a third party service like Wise. Plus use Google Pay to spend in stores and online, and even to make Google Pay cash withdrawals where the service is supported. If you use Google Pay with the Google Wallet app you can also hold tickets, loyalty cards and passes all in the same place on your phone for an even more convenient experience.

Not sure that Google Pay is right for you? Here are some other handy resources for you to help you compare services:

• Interested in how Google Pay lines up vs PayPal? Get a Google Pay vs PayPal review here
• Stuck between Samsung Pay and Google Pay? Here’s a Samsung Pay vs Google Pay guide to help
• Got an iOS device? Get a full Apple Pay vs Google Pay review here

What is GPay?

If you have the GPay app you may still be able to use it to send payments to others. GPay was originally launched as a peer to peer payment service from Google, but over time this option has been brought into Google Pay, so GPay isn’t necessary if you also have Google Pay. That said, it’s good to know that people use the terms Google Pay, GPay and Google Wallet more or less interchangeably, and all offer a good suite of services for US customers.

Get a Wise Account - and save when sending money overseas

If you want the convenience of Google Pay, and need to send or spend foreign currencies, you need Wise.

Open a Wise Account to hold 40+ currencies, and send payments to 80+ countries. Simply set up your payment in the Wise app and select Google Pay as your payment method to pay in just a few taps. All Wise transfers use the mid-market exchange rates with fees from 0.41%³. Plus, if you’re looking for ways to make mobile payments overseas easily, too, you can get a Wise card, which is Google Pay compatible, and which lets you spend in 170+ countries with the mid-market rate and low fees every time.

Get a Wise Account today

Google Pay vs. GPay: Similarities & Differences

Over time, the functionality and the names of the payment services available from Google have changed and evolved significantly. There are also regional differences in functionality and product names, so if you’re talking to a friend from overseas, the services they can access may be different.

If you’ve got the choice between Google Pay, which is now part of Google Wallet⁴, and the GPay app, it can help to know a few similarities and differences. Here are a few to consider.

Similarities

• Both are secure payment services from Google
• Both products have evolved and changed over time
• Now, both allow you to send payments internationally
• The terms Google Pay and GPay are often used interchangeably

Differences

• Google Pay is in Google Wallet now, offering a broader range of services compared to GPay
• Google Pay is the service that Google promotes, via it’s Google Wallet app
• Google Pay lets you send money and make mobile payments all over the world wherever the contactless symbol is found

Which one should you use?

Google has incorporated many of its best payment features into the Google Wallet app, which combines the option to make mobile payments, send money locally and overseas, and access extras like your loyalty cards and tickets. This can make it the best pick if you’re not sure which Google app to choose, although many of the other Google apps are still available if you're used to using them and don’t want to switch over just yet.

Google Pay vs. GPay: Bottom line

Because the payment products and services offered by Google are constantly evolving, there’s been some rebranding over time, which means people use the terms Google Pay, GPay and Google Wallet pretty interchangeably. In fact, at points in time, these have all been distinct apps, so people who are used to using one or the other may be able to continue. However, Google now promotes the Google Wallet as a catch all which covers the Google Pay functions, sending money overseas, and also holding tickets, loyalty and reward cards and more - all in one place.

Whether you call it Google Pay or GPay, use Google with Wise next time you want to send or spend money in a foreign currency, and see if you can save.

Learn more about Wise

Frequently asked questions

Which is the new app GPay or Google Pay?

The payment services available from Google have had different names and features over the years. At present, Google Pay is being promoted as part of Google Wallet, as a new way to access all the payment features on offer from Google.

What is GPay used for?

GPay was a smart app that let you send payments overseas from your phone. It may still be available to customers who prefer this app, but more recently, Google Pay has been incorporated into the Google Wallet app which offers increased functionality.

Why are there 2 GPay apps?

You might come across GPay, Google Pay and Google Wallet. All of these are payment services from Google, and have some overlapping functionality. If you want a full range of services you’re probably best off looking at the Google Wallet app which covers most of the available features.

What are the disadvantages of GPay?

GPay was a smart way to send payments to friends and family, but it doesn’t necessarily have all the features on offer from Google Wallet, which is the latest iteration of Google’s payment services. Compare the two to see which suits you best.