Apple Pay and Google Pay have seen rapid and enthusiastic acceptance in New Zealand, among users, retailers, banks, and online platforms. We can say that NZ embraced the mobile wallets and change towards them with open arms! Quickly integrated mobile payment services became the go-to for fast and seamless transactions: contactless and online payments alike. With 73% of Kiwis opting for contactless payments according to Mastercard research, so it’s of no surprise that Google Pay and Apple Pay dominate the market as the largest and most popular e-wallets.
If you have doubts about which one to choose, Google Pay vs Apple Pay? Let us help you and we can dive into the details together, compare their features, limitations, and user experience and help you pick the best one to cater to your needs whether it is something simple such as shopping or picking an option for NZ online casino.
Overview of Google Pay and Apple Pay
The 2021 study on mobile wallets by Boku and Juniper Research predicted that by 2025 half of the world will use mobile wallets and according to Statista we are on our way to achieve that.
Google Pay and Apple Pay played a revolutionary and transformative role in the payment world with their focus on speed, high security, and convenience. They changed the global payments ecosystem with their mere existence. Both services are aimed at online and contactless payments although they focus on different aspects.
- Google Pay
- Launched in 2018, and was the result of a merger between Android Pay (2015) and Google Wallet (2011). It went through different stages of developmental turmoil from an overly-complicated first version to PayPal wannabe to receiving a kick from Apple Pay and becoming the sleek app we have now. Some say it is Google version of Apple Pay.
Google Pay is designed for flexibility, it caters to a wide audience and supports multiple types of payments, devices and banks worldwide. - Apple Pay
- Introduced in 2014, but it took years and such major players as American Express, Mastercard and Visa to work on its creation in collaboration with Apple Inc.
Apple Pay offers seamless integration within Apple’s ecosystem, combining cutting-edge security with an intuitive user experience and additional features tailored for Apple devices.
What is Google Pay?
Google Pay, or GPay, is a mobile wallet app from tech conglomerate giant Google. Available on Android and iOS (in limited capacity). With GPay you can make contactless payments in stores or online purchases effortlessly and with additional levels of security. All you need is a compatible device, a Google account, and a bank card supported by Google Pay.
Is Google Pay the same as Apple Pay? Yes and no, the overall principle is quite similar but they are not identical.
- Tokenization with HCE – Host Card Emulation model, to protect your personal information.
- Transactions are completed in seconds.
- Minimal setup, maximum convenience.
- Works on a quite wide range of devices. Android and iOS devices (with limitations on iOS) and smartwatches with Wear OS.
- Supports contactless (NFC) and online payments (websites and apps) including subscriptions.
- Provides detailed transaction history for financial tracking.
- Suitable for multiple banks and cards, making it versatile for Kiwis.
For Kiwis, these features make Google Pay a standout choice for everyday payments, see top Google Pay casinos.
What is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay is a payment platform made exclusively for Apple devices, offering a full-scale integration across iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. This is an advantage for the Apple fans but also excludes and limits a number of potential users.
- Tokenization with (SE) Secure Element Hardware.
- Double passcode biometric authentication (Face ID and Touch ID). To make every payment security check is required, even if your device is unlocked.
- Contactless payments, online purchases, and in-app transactions.
- Supports payments via Safari for a better web experience.
- Peer-to-peer payments through Apple Cash (not available in NZ).
Adoption in New Zealand:
According to StatCounter, Apple Pay’s adoption aligns with the 38.31% share of Apple devices in the New Zealand market. Its integration within the Apple ecosystem ensures a consistent growth and loyal user base among iOS users. NZ online casinos also integrate Apple Pay more and more.
Key Differences Between Google Pay and Apple Pay
Let’s take a look at Apple Pay vs Google Pay key features:
| Feature | Google Pay | Apple Pay |
| Device Compatibility | Android, Wear OS, limited iOS | Apple devices only |
| Contactless Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Online Payment | Yes | Yes |
| Peer-to-Peer Transfers | No | Limited (not available in NZ) |
| Bank Integration | Supported by most NZ banks | Supported by most NZ banks |
| Ecosystem Integration | Cross-platform | Exclusive to Apple |
Device Compatibility and Supported Platforms
- Google Pay
- Works across a wide range of devices, including Android smartphones (version 5.0 or higher), Wear OS smartwatches, and limited on all iOS devices (for online payments). And Samsung devices, even though Samsung Pay exists too.
- Apple Pay
- Fully integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, supporting iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches.
We see that Google Pay clearly has an advantage and wider reach, it even shows in statistics – for example in 2023, 60% of New Zealand’s mobile payments were processed through Android-compatible devices. Comparing these three Apple Pay vs Google Pay vs Samsung Pay will be unreasonable since Samsung Pay has a very limited reach at the moment and is not available in NZ.
Payment Methods and Types of Transactions
Google Pay
- Contactless payments. At NFC-enabled terminals.
- Online purchases. Available across most NZ retail platforms.
- Used to have Peer-to-peer transfers – not available at the moment.
Apple Pay
- Contactless payments. NFC terminals.
- Online payments. Supported within Safari and iOS apps.
- Peer-to-peer payments. Available in some regions but not currently in NZ.
Overall we can say that Google Pay is focused on availability, versatility, supporting contactless payments, online purchases all aimed at inclusivity, to cover as many bases as possible. While Apple Pay is designed for seamlessness within the Apple ecosystem – all to make the user experience as smooth as possible.
Both work with major NZ retailers, online platforms, and constantly work to expand their reach.
Integration with Banks and Financial Institutions
Both platforms are widely supported by major New Zealand banks, including such names as – ANZ, ASB, Westpac NZ, BNZ, and Kiwibank. However, broadly speaking:
- Google Pay
- Offers slightly broader compatibility with smaller financial institutions and international cards – giving it a slight edge for versatility. Full list of supported NZ banks.
- Apple Pay
- Provides deep integration with banks offering Apple Watch support and additional services tailored to Apple users. You can check the list of Apple Pay bank options or our blog article on Apple Pay banks.
However, we must say, that generally the experience with banks from Google Pay to Apple Pay is quite the same – meaning smooth and unproblematic. The good news is that right now over 90% of New Zealand retailers now accept both Google Pay and Apple Pay at NFC terminals.
Security and Privacy: Google Pay vs Apple Pay
Both platforms prioritize and take pride in user security, employing not advanced but state-of-the-art encryption, tokenization and multifactor authentication mechanisms.
Data Encryption and Tokenization
Both services replace sensitive card details with encrypted tokens during transactions, ensuring that personal information is never exposed to a third party. Google Pay uses HCE – Host Card Emulation model while Apple Pay uses a SE – Secure Element, a built in encryption chip. For more details check our article on Google Pay security.
- Google Pay process:
- Card information > your bank > encoded into transaction token > Google servers > transaction token > your device > transaction token > recipient of the payment > transaction token > your bank.
- Apple Pay process:
- Card information > your bank > encoded into DAN – Device Account Number > stored on your phone in SE – Secure Element > DAN > recipient of the payment > DAN > your bank.
When you add a card to Apple Pay, your bank assigns a Device Account Number (DAN), which is securely stored in the device’s Secure Element (SE). Transactions use the DAN and a dynamic security code instead of your card details.
Apple Pay’s privacy features don’t store transaction details, whereas Google Pay provides a more detailed spending history, which some users may prefer but in exchange does have more info on your spending habits.
Biometric Authentication
Both platforms offer and encourage users to implement biometric security features. Go to the Settings on Android and iOS to set them up.
- Google Pay. Offers fingerprint, facial recognition, and PIN (code and pattern) authentication.
- Apple Pay. Relies on Face ID, Touch ID, or device PIn and passcodes for secure transactions.
Can You Use Google Pay and Apple Pay Together?
While both platforms offer unique benefits, they cannot be used on the same device for identical purposes. So, if you’re juggling devices, you might wonder if you can use both. Here’s the quick scoop:
- On iOS. You can use Apple Pay for contactless payments and Apple Pay or Google Pay interchangeably for online purchases.
- On Android. Google Pay remains the sole option since Apple Pay is exclusive for iOS devices. While Google Pay on Apple is possible it is not the other way around.
- Direct transfers between the two platforms are not supported, due to their distinct ecosystems.
However, if you have multiple devices for work and personal one, or for any other reasons – there is nothing that forbids you to use both wallets.
Sending Money Between Google Pay and Apple Pay Users
Unfortunately, this option is not available for these two apps. Google Pay discontinued its peer-to-peer payment option and Apple pay has a limited one at the moment (not available in New Zealand). So, if you were wondering can Google Pay send money to Apple Pay, the answer is unfortunately no.
Which One Should You Choose: Google Pay or Apple Pay?
The choice is yours, and a lot will depend on your device, bank of choice and even personal taste, but to put it into simple three points we at Gamblorium would say:
Choose Google Pay If You are:
- Using or plan on using an Android device or Wear OS smartwatch.
- Preferring cross-platform options, flexibility and compatibility with a wide range of banks and devices.
- Thinking that you have a need for detailed transaction histories.
Choose Apple Pay If You are:
- An Apple user who wants seamless integration across devices and is fully invested in the ecosystem. It is espesially convenient if you use multiple Apple devices.
- Prioritizing user comfort and device-specific features (like a unique SE chip).
- In favour of a more private approach to transaction history and data collection.
If you are still wondering, and want to discover other choices, we can offer more info on casino payment methods.
To Sum Everything Up
Whether your final choice will fall on, both services will offer you a secure, fast, convenient, and modern payment option. Picking either one will ultimately depend on your device, bank of choice, and how you plan to use the service.
We have looked at both Google Pay and Apple Pay, and can confidently say that they are perfectly agreeable and excellent payment solutions, and we feel very secure recommending both of them to our readers. Their companies and development teams constantly work on updates and compete with each other, thus pushing another one to do even better. We hope we have successfully answered all the common questions like ‘does Google Pay work like Apple Pay’ and all the others. Stay tuned for more in-depth articles!
