Google Wallet vs Skrill
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Google Wallet | Skrill |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.3 / 5 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Best for | Contactless payments & passes on Android | International online payments |
| Monthly fee | Free | Free; EUR 5/mo inactivity after 12 months |
| Exchange rate | Uses your card's FX terms | Up to 3.99% |
| Send / receive | No Google fee; P2P limited in many markets | Free to other Skrill users |
| Withdrawals | N/A | Varies by method |
| Card | No standalone card; stores cards, passes & tickets | Yes — prepaid Mastercard (region-dependent) |
| Availability | Tap-to-pay in 100+ countries | 120+ countries |
| Currencies | Local card currency | 40+ currencies |
| Regulation | Rides card networks; licences by region | UK FCA (Paysafe Group) |
| Founded | 2011 (Wallet rebrand 2022) | 2001 |
Google Wallet
Google Wallet is the default Android tap-to-pay app, free to use and accepted in over 100 countries, storing payment cards alongside transit, loyalty and event passes. It charges no fee of its own, deferring to your card's terms, but its peer-to-peer money features have been scaled back. The natural everyday wallet for Android users.
Pros
- Free contactless across 100+ countries
- Stores cards, transit, loyalty & event passes
- Tokenized payments for added security
Cons
- No own account or balance in most markets
- P2P money-sending wound down in many regions
- Feature set varies widely by country
Skrill
Skrill is a long-established Paysafe-owned e-wallet popular for online payments, trading and cross-border transfers, holding 40+ currencies with optional crypto and a prepaid Mastercard. It scores well on acceptance and features but its FX markup (up to 3.99%) and assorted withdrawal/inactivity fees make it pricier than newer neobanks. A solid choice where merchant acceptance matters more than cost.
Pros
- Widely accepted by online merchants and trading platforms
- Buy/sell crypto in-wallet
- Holds 40+ currencies
Cons
- FX markup up to 3.99% is high vs neobanks
- EUR 5/mo inactivity fee after 12 months
- Withdrawal fees vary and add up
The bottom line
Overall, Google Wallet edges ahead with a score of 4.3 versus 3.6 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.