Google Wallet vs Vivid
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Google Wallet | Vivid |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.3 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Best for | Contactless payments & passes on Android | Cashback, saving and investing in one app |
| Monthly fee | Free | Standard €4.90 (waivable); Plus €6.90; Prime €9.90 |
| Exchange rate | Uses your card's FX terms | 1% over the Visa rate on non-euro card payments |
| Send / receive | No Google fee; send money only in India and Singapore | Free SEPA and instant SEPA; no SWIFT |
| Withdrawals | N/A | €200 / €500 / €1,000 free a month, then 3% (min €1) |
| Card | No standalone card; stores cards, passes & tickets | Yes — Visa debit (metal on premium) |
| Availability | Countries on Google supported-countries list; tap to pay varies by country | AT, CY, FR, DE, IT, LU, NL, PT, ES, CH |
| Currencies | Local card currency | EUR (only supported retail currency) |
| Regulation | Rides card networks; licences by region | Vivid Money S.A., e-money institution regulated by the CSSF (Luxembourg) |
| Founded | 2011 (Wallet rebrand 2022) | 2020 |
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
Vivid
Vivid is a Berlin-founded money app combining a euro account, cashback, budgeting pockets and in-app investing in stocks, ETFs and crypto. It is feature-rich and well-designed, though Standard now costs €4.90 a month unless you keep €3,000 or spend €1,000 by card, non-euro payments cost 1%, and it is offered in a limited set of European markets by Vivid Money S.A., a Luxembourg e-money institution.
Pros
- Cashback and rewards on spending
- Invest in stocks, ETFs and crypto in-app
- Sub-accounts (pockets) for budgeting
Cons
- Standard costs €4.90 a month unless you meet the waiver
- 1% on every non-euro card payment
- Euro only: no other currencies or SWIFT
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.