Google Wallet vs Curve
Uno sguardo fianco a fianco a come si confrontano questi due portafogli — e quale vince per ciascun compito.
| Caratteristica | Google Wallet | Curve |
|---|---|---|
| Punteggio | 4.3 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Ideale per | Contactless payments & passes on Android | Consolidating multiple cards into one |
| Canone mensile | Free | Curve Pay free; X £/€5.99; Pro £/€9.99; Pro+ £/€17.99 |
| Tasso di cambio | 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) |
| Invia / ricevi | No Google fee; send money only in India and Singapore | N/A (overlays existing cards) |
| Prelievi | N/A | Curve Pay 2% (min £/€2); paid plans £/€300–1,000 free a month |
| Carta | No standalone card; stores cards, passes & tickets | Yes — single Mastercard overlaying your cards |
| Disponibilità | Countries on Google supported-countries list; tap to pay varies by country | UK and EEA (residents aged 18+) |
| Valute | Local card currency | Spends in multiple currencies via linked cards |
| Regolamentazione | Rides card networks; licences by region | FCA-authorised e-money institution |
| Fondata | 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.
Pro
- Free to use — Google charges no fee
- Stores cards, transit, loyalty & event passes
- Tokenized payments for added security
Contro
- 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.
Pro
- 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
Contro
- 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
In conclusione
Nel complesso, Google Wallet ha la meglio con un punteggio di 4.3 contro 3.8 — ma la scelta giusta dipende dalle tue priorità. Verifica entrambi rispetto al tuo Paese e al tuo caso d'uso prima di decidere.