Google Pay gets your tap of approval

Paying with cash, swiping cards and entering PINs in terminals have become taboo in 2020. Contactless payment seems to be a necessity more than ever in a pandemic-hit world.

While several smartphone OEMs have been offering digital payment technologies for years, the availability and resistance of users to change remain a barrier to adoption. There is no doubt that digital wallets come in handy. But do people use them?

We asked the question earlier this week whether readers are using Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or none of the above companies. Here’s what you told us:

Are you using Apple, Google, or Samsung Pay?

Results

We received over 9,000 votes, with one particular option coming out on top. Google Pay garnered over 57% of the vote, but you probably wouldn’t guess this in the comments section.

While just under 25% of those surveyed said they used Samsung Pay, an overwhelming number of users spoke of the usefulness and versatility of the offer. Users praised the platform’s use of MST to mimic the magnetic fields of cards and the ability to store non-payment cards as well.

Also read: Google Pay versus Apple Pay versus Samsung Pay

While Google Pay is also a digital card wallet, it might owe its popularity in the survey itself to its online payment options. Although the mobile wallet service is only available to users in 30 countries, Google Pay can also be used to claim apps, games and other content online and through the Play Store. If you’re in a supported country, all you need to use Google Pay is an Android phone that supports NFC.

Apple Pay can also be used for online transactions, but the Cupertino company saw little love from readers in our survey. The payment service is only used by 6.6% of readers. Of course, this number could be skewed by the use of our readership and our focus on Android-based products.

Finally, a surprising number of respondents did not use any of these payment platforms at all. 11% of voters do not use any form of contactless payment and choose paper and plastic instead. Some of these payment services are not available in some countries, so this may be out of preference or necessity.

Here’s what you had to say

• Roaduardo: MST is king. Works wherever there is a card reader. Samsung Pay for the win for me.
• TaekwonBo: If Google Pay rewards mobile payments with Play Store credit, I would leave Samsung immediately.
• catfanatic1979: Samsung Pay works where Google Pay doesn’t. I wish a third party app with the versatility of Samsung Pay for older computers was available.
• Michael: Where is the option for my bank’s contactless payment system? I use contactless payment through my bank’s mobile app instead of a third-party app.
• Baraboo: I use NFC credit cards and they work fine. You don’t have to pull out my fancy phone to pay and look like a dweeb.
• Henry Park: Now it’s about being contactless. I don’t tamper with the terminals entering my PIN numbers or pressing a button on the front. Decrease the likelihood of exposure for everyone around me.
• Teri Sologoub: Google Pay! In my country it is free, safe and available everywhere. I like the quick and hassle-free aspects of the checkout and online. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

That’s it for this poll. Thank you for your votes and comments. If you have any other thoughts on our original survey or the results, please leave them in the comments section below.