Google Wallet vs bunq
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Google Wallet | bunq |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.3 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Best for | Contactless payments & passes on Android | Digital nomads needing EU banking + multi-currency |
| Monthly fee | Free | Free €0; Core €3.99; Pro €9.99; Elite €18.99 |
| Exchange rate | Uses your card's FX terms | Mastercard rate + 0.5% (Free: 1.5% after €1,000 a year) |
| Send / receive | No Google fee; send money only in India and Singapore | Free instant euro transfers; SWIFT €5 |
| Withdrawals | N/A | Free: €2.99 each; Pro/Elite: first 6 a month free |
| Card | No standalone card; stores cards, passes & tickets | Yes — physical & virtual Mastercard |
| Availability | Countries on Google supported-countries list; tap to pay varies by country | EU residents (new UK sign-ups paused) |
| Currencies | Local card currency | About 20 currencies; local IBANs from 7 EU countries |
| Regulation | Rides card networks; licences by region | De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) full EU banking licence |
| Founded | 2011 (Wallet rebrand 2022) | 2012 |
Google Wallet
Google Wallet is the default Android tap-to-pay app, free to use in the countries on Google's supported list, storing payment cards alongside transit, loyalty and event passes. It charges no fee of its own, deferring to your card's terms, but sending money to friends is only offered in India and Singapore. The natural everyday wallet for Android users.
Pros
- Free to use — Google charges no fee
- Stores cards, transit, loyalty & event passes
- Tokenized payments for added security
Cons
- No own account or balance in most markets
- Sending money to friends only in India and Singapore
- Feature set varies widely by country
bunq
bunq is an Amsterdam-based challenger bank with a full Dutch banking licence and €100,000 deposit protection, popular with digital nomads for its multi-currency support, sub-accounts and savings interest. Its free plan is limited (virtual card only, €2.99 per ATM withdrawal), so most travellers will want Core or Pro. A strong choice for EU residents wanting flexible, feature-rich banking.
Pros
- Full Dutch banking licence, €100k protection
- Multi-currency holding with fair FX
- Multiple sub-accounts & budgeting tools
Cons
- Free plan has only a virtual card and €2.99 ATM fees
- Free plan FX rises to 1.5% after €1,000 a year
- EU residents only (UK sign-ups paused, US pending a licence)
The bottom line
Overall, Google Wallet edges ahead with a score of 4.3 versus 4.0 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.