Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet offer similar core functions, including storing payment cards, tickets, loyalty cards, boarding passes, keys and some forms of identification. Google Wallet is generally more versatile, with broader digital-ID support, compatibility across more Android devices and a web version, while Samsung Wallet is limited to Samsung devices.

Google Wallet’s digital IDs are recognised in 11 US states and Puerto Rico, compared with eight states for Samsung Wallet, although Samsung has an advantage in West Virginia. Samsung Wallet stands out for cryptocurrency management and may offer slightly stronger hardware-backed security through Samsung Knox; users can also install both wallets and use either as a backup.