Is GPay and Google Pay the same?

03 Apr 2023

Customers have occasionally been confused about what product or app they are actually using as a result of the ineffectiveness of Google product naming and marketing. Google Pay and GPay are two excellent examples, they are not the same but can easily get mistaken by consumers. The two will be contrasted in this guide, along with which one you should begin utilizing.

• What is Google Pay?

Google Pay is the method you can pay through Google. This is a brand-new e-wallet payment method that Google has redesigned and improved from Android Pay. You won't need to reset your Google Pay account because all of your previously saved banks and cards will be transferred there.

With Google Pay, users can pay, send, and receive money directly from their phones without having to physically carry cash or swipe cards as is customary. This makes Google Pay a smart application. Users only need to link their payment cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) to their Google Pay accounts in order to use the service when they need to pay quickly. After activating the app and giving their confirmation, the transaction will be completed quickly and securely.

• What is GPay?

GPay was developed as a dedicated app for in-store contactless (using NFC) payments as well as payments made between friends and family. It is, in every way, a virtual wallet that was initially developed for Android smartphones (like those made by Samsung, LG, or Google Pixel, for example), but it can now also run on iOS platforms (like the Apple iPhone). The user can now track their finances, use coupons and other offers, store gift cards, boarding passes, concert tickets, and more thanks to later additions.

Additionally new to the GPay app is the capability to find and save discounts from merchants, whether they are universal or algorithm-based on the consumer's purchasing patterns (which can be turned on or off in the app settings). Any of these deals can be saved by the user right in the app by tapping, which also opens the web browser required to find and use those deals online. Many of these deals involve cashback, for which the user can transfer the accumulated funds directly to their bank account or use them for transactions after they have accumulated in their GPay account.

• The difference between Google Pay and GPay

The functionality that comes with the GPay app is the main distinction between the two apps. While Google Pay provides a straightforward method to make contactless payments (also known as tap-to-pay) in establishments with NFC readers and save a few crucial cards and other records, GPay offers a wider range of capabilities.

For those who want their payments to be simple, Google Pay is the way to go, while GPay is the best option for those who want a more feature-rich payment app. GPay is essentially Google Pay's upgrade, even though both apps are still available and usable at any time.

• Google Pay and GPay similarities

The security measures used to protect user data are the biggest similarity between the two. Both apps have built-in transaction encryption, authentication procedures, and fraud protection for this reason, so neither is more or less secure than the other. Additionally, security settings and authentication can be changed (including options for the PIN, two-step, and others).

Many Android phones already have the majority of Google apps (such as Google Photos, Gmail, and others), and they can also always be found in the Google Play store. They are also available in the App Store for iOS.

Should you need any further information on GPay and Google Pay, check out PayCEC Frequently Asked Questions to address your queries.