Google Wallet vs Curve
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Google Wallet | Curve |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.3 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Best for | Contactless payments & passes on Android | Consolidating multiple cards into one |
| Monthly fee | Free | Curve Pay free; X £/€5.99; Pro £/€9.99; Pro+ £/€17.99 |
| Exchange rate | Uses your card's FX terms | Mastercard wholesale rate; free up to £/€250 a month on Curve Pay, then 2.99% (+1.5% at weekends) |
| Send / receive | No Google fee; send money only in India and Singapore | N/A (overlays existing cards) |
| Withdrawals | N/A | Curve Pay 2% (min £/€2); paid plans £/€300–1,000 free a month |
| Card | No standalone card; stores cards, passes & tickets | Yes — single Mastercard overlaying your cards |
| Availability | Countries on Google supported-countries list; tap to pay varies by country | UK and EEA (residents aged 18+) |
| Currencies | Local card currency | Spends in multiple currencies via linked cards |
| Regulation | Rides card networks; licences by region | FCA-authorised e-money institution |
| Founded | 2011 (Wallet rebrand 2022) | 2015 |
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
Curve
Curve is a London-based smart card that consolidates all your existing debit and credit cards into one Mastercard and app, with a standout "Go Back in Time" feature to retroactively switch a payment's funding card. Its free Curve Pay plan includes only £/€250 of fee-free FX a month and adds a 1.5% weekend fee, so its best travel value sits in the paid tiers. An overlay layer rather than a bank or transfer account.
Pros
- Combine all cards into one card & app
- No FX fee on paid plans up to high monthly allowances
- "Go Back in Time" to switch a payment's card
Cons
- Free plan: 2.99% FX above £/€250 a month plus 1.5% at weekends
- Not a transfer/IBAN account — overlay only
- Best features behind paid plans
The bottom line
Overall, Google Wallet edges ahead with a score of 4.3 versus 3.8 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.