Monzo vs Google Wallet
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Monzo | Google Wallet |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.4 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best for | Everyday UK banking and budgeting | Contactless payments & passes on Android |
| Monthly fee | Free → Plus/Premium plans | Free |
| Exchange rate | Mastercard rate, no Monzo markup | Uses your card's FX terms |
| Send / receive | Free UK transfers | No Google fee; P2P limited in many markets |
| Withdrawals | Free in UK; overseas cap then fee on free plan | N/A |
| Card | Yes — debit Mastercard | No standalone card; stores cards, passes & tickets |
| Availability | UK (US in rollout) | Tap-to-pay in 100+ countries |
| Currencies | GBP (spends abroad at Mastercard rate) | Local card currency |
| Regulation | UK PRA/FCA full banking licence (FSCS protected) | Rides card networks; licences by region |
| Founded | 2015 | 2011 (Wallet rebrand 2022) |
Monzo
Monzo is a fully licensed UK app bank with FSCS-protected deposits, best known for its budgeting tools (Pots, spending categories) and fee-free card spending abroad at the Mastercard rate. It is one of the most polished everyday banking apps in the UK, with overseas ATM limits and premium perks reserved for paid tiers.
Pros
- Full UK bank, FSCS-protected deposits
- Excellent budgeting with Pots and categories
- No FX markup on card spending
Cons
- GBP-only current account
- Overseas ATM limits on the free plan
- Best perks on paid tiers
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
The bottom line
Overall, Monzo edges ahead with a score of 4.4 versus 4.3 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.