Samsung Pay vs Google Pay – The Ultimate 1v1 Comparison
Samsung Pay vs Google Pay: Which One Is Right for You?
Here’s the thing:
The age of smart payment systems is here. And Samsung Pay vs Google Pay debate has only heightened over time.
We use our smartphones in every little thing that we do every day. These devices help us in our daily tasks, schoolwork, job assignments, and more. And now, we can even use our Android phones to transfer money and pay for the products and services we purchase.
How?
Well, there are digital wallet applications you can download on your Android phones that give these perks to users. But, there are a lot of these apps available in the App Store. So in this article, we will discuss two virtual wallet apps, Samsung Pay and Google Pay, to know which is perfect for you.
So how are we going to discuss these services?
The Google Pay vs Samsung Pay comparison is going to be very straightforward. Because let us be honest, both services serve the ultimate purpose of allowing you to pay quickly using your smartphones. We have already discussed Android Pay vs. Apple Pay in a previous article, so in this article, we focused on the main differences between these Android payment systems.
Now, if you want to know which between Samsung Pay and Google Pay is the most suitable for you, without further ado, let us get to it.
Watch our Samsung Pay vs Google Pay comparison video on YouTube
Related:
The Evolution of Google Pay: Android Pay and Google Wallet
Android Pay vs Google Wallet: A Difference in Handling your Money
Android Pay Vs Apple Pay: Which Is Best For You
What are these “Pays”?
In layman’s terms, these are apps that you can download and install on your smartphone, which requires you to enter your credit card or bank information and then use it to make over-the-counter payments. However, not all stores have the option of utilizing these.
But, what makes these smart payments smart?
Google Pay and Samsung Pay allow you to go completely cashless or carry very little cash. The methods may vary between the two, but the basic concept of taking your smartphone to make payments remains the same across both services.
What is Google Pay?
Google Pay, owned and developed by Google, is a digital wallet platform and online payment system. It empowers in-app and tap-to-pay purchases on mobile devices, enabling users to make payments with Android phones, tablets, or watches that are supported and uses NFC.
Amazing, right?
Google Pay, formerly known as Android Pay, was first launched in 2015. There was already a version of payments implemented by Google called Google Wallet, and Android Pay was its natural evolution. However, it also remained in service until Google decided to merge them.
What is Samsung Pay?
Similar to Google Pay, Samsung Pay is also a mobile payment and digital wallet service developed by Samsung Electronics and is exclusive to Samsung devices. This service lets users make payments using compatible phones and other Samsung-produced devices.
Samsung Pay was initially launched in South Korea in August 2015 and eventually came to the USA a few weeks later and then saw a release in Australia in June 2016. There are a lot of different regions that don’t support Samsung Pay at all, so it is a minimal service as of now.
Behind the Scenes
Interestingly, smartphones have become one of the media of transactions. Although technically, it still uses your credit card or bank account to make purchases.
So how does each of these “pay” work?
How does Google Pay Work?
Google Pay uses NFC technology to interact with point-of-sale devices that support NFC technology. You’ll have to download the app, register your credit card, and to use it, tap your smartphone on the machine, to make the payment.
Easy, right?
Google Pay works by facilitating a tokenization process in which a token acts as a stand-in for a customer’s actual credit and debit card numbers and information to protect your account information.
How does Samsung Pay work?
This part is where Samsung differs a bit. Sure, it can also use NFC technology built on your smartphone to make payments.
But, even if the point-of-sale machine does not support NFC technology, you’ll be able to do payments thanks to MST technology that the latest Samsung smartphones have. MST or “Magnetic Secure Transmission” interacts directly with the machine and allows you to make payments, which is very similar to credit card transactions.
Also, Samsung Pay uses tokenization, and you authorize transactions with a PIN, fingerprint, and eye scans. After numerous failed attempts to authenticate, Samsung Pay erases all the data in your card to prevent unauthorized use.
Point to Point Comparison: Samsung Pay vs Google Pay
You might find yourself asking, “Which is better? Google Pay or Samsung Pay?”
Comparing Google Pay and Samsung Pay is inevitable, mainly because they offer similar services. The chart below will give you an overview of each method’s performance based on specific criteria. This is our detailed point by point comparison of Samsung Pay vs Google Pay
| POINT OF COMPARISON | GOOGLE PAY | SAMSUNG PAY |
| Convenience | Very convenient | Very convenient |
| Ease of Use | Contactless Payments Over NFC | Credit Card Accepted Terminals |
| Availability | Supported in 140 Countries | Supported in 24 Countries |
| Payment Technology | NFC Technology | Magnetic field (Credit Cards) |
| Compatibility | Android NFC Compatible | Exclusive to Samsung Phones |
| Longevity | NFC Technology – World Wide Standard | Samsung Phone Only Restriction |
| Security | Uses tokenization to keep your information safe. Each of your payment information is encrypted and stored on a secure server. | Uses tokenization and transactions require authorization from the user through PINs, fingerprint, or other scans. |
Samsung Pay vs Google Pay
Take a look at the below infographic and get a glimpse of Samsung Pay vs Google Pay.
Let’s discuss the last three points on the table:
1. Payment Technology
Here’s the thing:
Samsung Pay creates a magnetic field similar to your credit card but can outdo the swiping motion we usually do with our credit cards. All you need to do is take your smartphone near to the point-of-sale machine, and that’s about it.
There is an MST antenna built into the latest Samsung smartphones that can trick the magnetic strip card readers into believing that you are swiping a card. It can do that by creating a magnetic field for a short amount of duration.
Still…
This feature is only available in Australia and the US, which means that Samsung Pay has a very distinct advantage over Google Pay in the US and Australia. However, if you are in the UK, there is no advantage of using Samsung Pay because there are already contactless terminals installed there.
2. Compatibility
When it comes to compatibility, Samsung is at a big drawback because Google Pay works with almost any Android smartphone that has NFC built-in. Meanwhile, Samsung Pay is available to Samsung devices only.
You see:
This payment method depends on the popularity of their smartphones, which is significant, of course, but it is nowhere near the reach of Android itself.
Many Android smartphones come with NFC technology. Many other manufacturers are coping up with Samsung in terms of sales.
Chinese companies like Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi are selling millions of smartphones each year. And almost all the smartphones they release come with NFC technology, meaning that Google Pay wins when it comes to compatibility.
So in the battle of Samsung Pay vs Google Pay for longevity, Google Pay is the clear winner considering the rate at which NFC technology is growing around the world.
3. Longevity
While the MST technology on Samsung smartphones is remarkable, NFC is becoming the universal norm rapidly. It is already trendy in the UK and other European countries, so the relevance of MST will dwindle over time as the world adapts NFC technology more and more.
In a few years, almost every point-of-sale machine could come with NFC technology to make payments more manageable. Yes, Samsung can also make payments via NFC technology, but so can Google Pay, and it is available on more devices overall.
FAQs
How is Google Wallet related to Google Pay?
Google Pay is a service by Google that resulted in combining two different functions, and those are the Android Pay and Google Wallet. This unified payment system is Google’s newest payment system integrated into Android.
How is Google Pay Send related to the current Google Android payment system, Google Pay?
Google Pay Send is an integrated system within the Google Pay system. It has replaced the functionality of Google Wallet that allows you to send money to another user.
What is GPay?
GPay is the short for Google Pay. It is a mobile payments app where you can store your credit card and debit card information, send money to and from bank accounts without any additional fees, and pay online or in store.
Is Tez and Google Pay the same?
Google Pay was initially launched as Tez payment services in India. It was later renamed to Google Pay on 28 August 2018.
Which is better, Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Both the apps are better in some ways than the other. With Apple Pay, you can make peer-to-peer payments from the Messages app through Apple Cash. Also, you ask Siri to make the payment with the cards stored in the Apple Pay app. Google Pay, however, allows you to make payments to phone numbers and UPI IDs from the Google Pay app. Moreover, Google Pay rewards the users with scratch cards when you send money.
Can I use both Samsung Pay and Google Pay?
You can use Samsung Pay and Google Pay. While Google Pay can be used to purchase online globally, Samsung Pay can be used only by samsung or android users.
Which is more secure? Gpay or Samsung Pay?
Google Pay is more secure as it is accepted and used around 40 countries around the world.
Samsung Pay – Samsung Galaxy S10+
If you wish to use Samsung Pay, you need to have the supported devices. If you’re new to Samsung Pay and are willing to purchase Samsung devices for you to be able to use it, then we highly recommend getting a Samsung Galaxy S10+.
The Samsung S10+ is one of the brands’ flagship smartphone models for the year 2019. So if you plan to use Samsung Pay, then the best way to do it is by having the best device from Samsung. If you are interested in purchasing this device, you can click the Amazon button we placed below.
Google Pay – Google Pixel 4
On the other hand, if you want something that is supported by more countries and is backed up by the biggest tech company, Google, then Google Pay is the service for you. With Google Pay, you can use it on any Android smartphone devices that have a built-in NFC.
Although, if you genuinely want to enjoy the full potential of Android and Google Pay, then getting a Google Pixel 4 Android smartphone is the way to go.
With Google Pixel 4 smartphone, you can enjoy the authentic experience of Android without that unwanted bloatware that comes from other brands. Furthermore, smartphones that run on pure Android are the ones that get the Android update first before anyone else.
Suggested reads:
How to Use Android Pay with PayPal
How to Fix Android Pay That’s Not Working: A Simple Guide
How to use Android Pay with and without NFC
To Sum It All Up
The comparison of Samsung Pay vs Google Pay becomes a lot easier when we lay down all the cards on the table. All though at the end of the day, it will all go down to individual preferences and certain factors such as the phone you are using right now, country of residence, and more.
Verdict: Samsung Pay vs Google Pay
- If you have a Samsung device and your country hasn’t caught up on NFC technology yet, Samsung Pay is the obvious choice.
- If you have any Android device that has NFC enabled and your country has a lot of point-of-sale machines that support NFC, then Google Pay is the best choice.
Hopefully, this simple Google Pay vs. Samsung Pay comparison will help you choose the best payment method for yourself. Both are entirely free to use, and you can keep both services on your Samsung smartphones. Of course, Google Pay is your only option for non-Samsung smartphones.
Before choosing which method to use, make sure to check if your bank or card is compatible with the service. You wouldn’t want to find your bank incompatible with your payment service, right?
What are your thoughts on these payment methods? Which one of the services appeals to you the most? And who do you think is the winner in Samsung Pay vs Google Pay? Do tell us in the comment section.
Suggested Reads:
What to do when Google Pay payment fails? (Full Guide)
That is why you can root and forget about Samsung Pay, RIP
Google pay doesn’t work on rooted phones
But does when you unroot
It works with Magic. Just Google:)
May I ask, why is Google Pay actually better? I live in the UK (many NFC terminals) and have a Samsung, but why is Google Pay better for me? I don’t really see the reasoning behind the conclusion but am interested to know!
Has Samsung fixed the MST exploit developed by Mendoza?
No mention of security?? That was the main reason I searched for this article!
“When it comes to compatibility, Samsung is at a big drawback. Google Pay works with almost any Android smartphone that has NFC built-in. Meanwhile, Samsung Pay is restricted to Samsung devices only.”
I am not sure I follow the logic on your points of compatibility. On the phone side, Samsung does both MST AND NFC so that means Samsung Pay (not Google Pay) has the clear advantage as it will do both, At the terminal side Samsung also seems to have the same advantage as it will do both MST and NFC making it more compatible overall. This seems like you are spinning the facts to give a biased opinion.
I agree, this article is misleading. Samsung Pay simply does what Google Pay does and even more.
After reading the article I decided to opt for Samsung Pay as I have a Samsung phone, only to discover that my bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, does not support Samsung Pay. No mention of banks signed up to these services.