Not a day goes by that I don’t rely on a digital wallet app, whether it’sGoogle Walleton my Android devices orApple Walleton my iPhone. I can’t remember the last time I pulled out my physical wallet to make a purchase, and having my cards stored directly on my phone makes it incredibly easy to make secure contactless payments, whether at home or abroad.
While Google Wallet and Apple Wallet are similar in nature, they have several key differences that make one stand out over the other. As someone who initially used Google Wallet and then transitioned to Apple Wallet whiletesting iOSrecently, I quickly realized how Apple Wallet is falling behind Google Wallet. Whether it’s compatibility, custom passes, or web access, here are four ways Google Wallet outperforms Apple Wallet.
Google Wallet
1Google Wallet has custom cards
You can add custom cards to Google Wallet using the Everything Else feature
One of my favorite features of Google Wallet, which Apple Wallet lacks, is the ability to addcustom cards. Not all card types or passes are supported by digital wallet apps, such as those for your local library, gym, or coffee shop. That’s where Google Wallet’s “Everything Else” feature comes in handy. It enables you to add a custom card to your Google Wallet for use on the go. If the card has a QR code, Google Wallet can scan it and add it to the custom card.
Google Wallet provides 17 different types of custom cards, including event tickets, health and insurance cards, loyalty cards, ID cards, student IDs, and more. While the custom card might not fully replace the physical card, it offers a convenient way to store and access information like a loyalty card number or QR code when necessary. Although custom cards can be added to Apple Wallet as well, doing so requires a third-party app (such as Wallet Creator or Pass2U Wallet). In contrast, Google Wallet has this feature built in and is straightforward to use.
To add a custom card to your Google Wallet, follow these steps:
1. Open Google Wallet.
2. SelectAdd to Wallet.
3. TapEverything Else.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
2Wider compatibility across devices
Google Wallet is simply more accessible
I really appreciate how Google Wallet automatically syncs across all my Android devices, regardless of the brand. I can use it onmy Pixel 8a, then switch to myGalaxy S25+orGalaxy Z Fold 7, and most of my cards are accessible and work smoothly (some did require re-adding for verification, like my credit card and one transit pass).
While Apple Wallet does sync across your Apple devices, its compatibility isn’t nearly as extensive as Google Wallet. Google Wallet works with Pixels, of course, as well as Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, and many other Android brands. I hope someday I can open Google Wallet on my iPhone or use Apple Wallet on my Pixel. Until then, Google Wallet’s broader device support makes it more accessible and versatile.
3Nearby pass notifications
Google Wallet can alert you to open a specific card at the right time
If you have lots of loyalty cards stored in your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, it can be tricky to find the right card at the right time. Unlike Apple Wallet, which doesn’t provide a solution, Google recently introduced a simple fix for this problem. It’s calledNearby Pass Notifications, and it lets you enable notifications for a specific card or pass when you’re in an area where it can be used. For example, if you have a loyalty card for a coffee shop, you’re able to turn on notifications so that when you approach the shop, Google Wallet sends a prompt to your home screen to open the loyalty card. This feature was announced at Google I/O in May and was recently added to Google Wallet. Although not all cards support it yet, it’s a helpful addition, and once more widely adopted, it will be very convenient.
To check if one of your cards supports Nearby Pass Notifications, follow these steps:
Go to a loyalty card and open it.
Select the three dots in the top right corner to open settings for it.
4. Toggle onGet notifications for this loyalty cardif it’s available.
4You can easily manage Google Wallet online
Apple Wallet doesn’t have web access
Although it may seem simple, another advantage of Google Wallet over Apple Wallet is that you can easily manage your cards online. By visitingwallet.google.comand signing in to your Google account linked to Google Wallet, you can easily handle all your stored cards. Google Wallet’s website allows you to add or remove payment methods, loyalty cards, passes, and gift cards, as well as view your recent transactions. While you can do all this on your smartphone, using your PC is very convenient, especially if you want to review any transactions or update multiple cards.
Apple Wallet, on the other hand, doesn’t have an online platform for managing your wallet. Instead, you may only access it on your device, such as an iPhone or iPad. While this isn’t a major issue, if you have many cards and want to easily manage or update them, being able to do so in your browser is very helpful.
Apple Wallet remains a convenient and secure wallet app
While I may prefer Google Wallet over Apple Wallet, that doesn’t mean Apple Wallet isn’t useful. It’s still a convenient and secure way to make contactless payments on Apple devices, but I just find that Google Wallet offers more features and is easier to use. In all fairness to Apple, it is working on some improvements toApple Wallet with iOS 26, such as better order tracking.
