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Is Google Pay Secure & Reliable for Business Payments?

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Maintained Since: February 23, 2018

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Google Pay
Rating
A
4.7/5
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Pros

Fast transactions
No extra fees
Easy to use
Wide acceptance network
Cross-platform compatibility

Cons

Limited international support
Potential privacy concerns
Not universally accepted
Limited customer support
Requires internet connection

Overview

In this review of Google Pay, we explore how this mobile payment method lets merchants accept contactless and online payments from customers using Android devices or linked accounts. We examine what it takes to set up Google Pay for Business, including verification, bank linking, and integrating with your technical platform. The review also discusses fee structure or lack thereof, security features such as tokenization and biometric authentication, and what merchants and consumers report about convenience and usability. By the end, you’ll understand whether Google Pay is worth offering in your checkout options.

About Google Pay

Screen Capture of Google Pay Homepage
Google Pay Homepage

Launched in February 2018, Google Pay is a service from Google that combines the company’s Google Wallet and Android Pay services into one app.

Google Pay has brought a number of similar services under its own brand, including Tez and Pring.

Merger and Growth

Google Pay was created through the merger of two online payment services: Google Wallet and Android Pay. It has become one of the larger digital payment services, competing with PayPal, Apple Pay, and Venmo.

Products & Merchant Services

Payment Processing

Google Pay allows users to send peer-to-peer payments through Google Pay Send, make in-app purchases, buy from websites, store loyalty and rewards cards, and make NFC payments at participating retailers. It supports storing debit and credit card information from most major banks, as well as PayPal account details. Integration with e-commerce websites is free, and Google Pay does not add fees to in-store purchases beyond the standard card processing fees. However, its peer-to-peer payment service only supports debit cards, not credit cards.

Mobile Payments

Initially designed for mobile payments, Google Pay lets users add their credit, debit, or loyalty cards to the app and make contactless payments by tapping their phone at supported readers, eliminating the need for physical cards.

Online Payments

Google Pay provides secure and convenient online payment options, including features like autofill, virtual cards, and a dedicated Google Pay button to streamline transactions.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Low Complaint Total

Google Pay, despite its relatively short time in the market, has garnered a 4.4 rating on the Google Play store from over 500,000 user ratings. Positive feedback highlights the consolidation of Google Wallet and Android Pay into a single app, along with its intuitive interface and storage of rewards cards. However, some users have reported issues such as sluggish performance, payment failures, and compatibility issues with certain devices or bank accounts.

While Google Pay is relatively new and lacks a comprehensive feedback profile, we can draw insights from past complaints against Google Wallet. Many users have expressed concerns about fund-holds and inadequate support in cases of fraud or disputes. It’s essential for users to exercise caution when using Google Pay for financial transactions.

Google Pay Lawsuits and Customer Support

As of now, Google Pay itself has not been the subject of any lawsuits. Dissatisfied users seeking resolution can explore options such as reporting issues to relevant supervisory organizations.

Google provides multiple support channels, including phone, email, and chat. However, users have reported slow response times from Google’s support team. It’s advisable for users to be vigilant about their transactions and the parties involved, as Google’s assistance in fund recovery may be limited.

Google Pay Customer Service Number

  • (888) 986-7944 – Toll-Free Support

Other Support Options

  • Help database
  • Chatbot

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop1
BBB RatingN/A

PaymentPop Rating for Google Pay

Negative Feedback

Out of Nowhere Googlepay suspended my account and wanted me to verify so I did. Later they sent me a email saying that they were going to keep my account suspended without any explanation. I called and spoke to a representative and all they said was that I need to read the policy and was difficult not just telling me why smh.. They get Zero stars from me they have horrible customer service.

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Google Pay on the PaymentPop website.

No BBB Profile

The Better Business Bureau does not maintain a profile specifically for Google Pay at this time. We therefore will not factor a BBB rating into this review.

Processing Rates & Fees

Simple Sign-Up and Integration

Google Pay is conveniently compatible with various services commonly used by its clients. It enables users to effortlessly conduct in-app payments on mobile devices, perform ACH transfers free of charge through Gmail, and utilize tap-and-pay with Android phones at participating retailers. Google does not impose fees on clients or retailers for utilizing Google Pay, and it does not mandate any contractual obligations from its users. This service is entirely free and elective.

Security Features

Regarding security, Google Pay necessitates a PIN for all NFC debit and credit card transactions. Transaction details processed via Google Pay are encrypted and stored on secure servers. Furthermore, Google Pay accounts can be disabled remotely in situations of phone theft or card loss. Prior to its deactivation, Google Wallet maintained a reliable security record without significant concerns.

Security Vulnerabilities

Google’s challenge lies in the comprehensive integration of its various services and profiles. Similar to any other Google service, a breach in one—particularly Gmail—could potentially risk a user’s other Google services. Thus, if a user saves their card details in their Google account linked to Google Pay, that information, including bank and card details and personal data, is only as secure as their Google account. While Google Pay’s implementation of a PIN for physical store payments and data encryption align with standard industry security practices, users may face fraud risks if their Google login credentials are compromised. There have been some complaints about this issue, but it doesn’t seem to be a major problem currently.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

No Pricing To Disclose

Google Pay is a free service that is automatically provided to anyone with a Google account. It comes pre-integrated with Google products, although users will need to set up account details in the app before they can use it. Since Google does not charge people to use the service, it isn’t really possible for the company to misrepresent its pricing to its users.

Holdover Google Wallet Complaints

Some complaints filed against the company’s discontinued Google Wallet service state that they were not properly informed of potential hold times or transaction limits, which could be classified as a nondisclosure issue. However, it is unknown whether these issues will persist under the Google Pay brand. It is also unrealistic to expect Google to warn potential users away from using an app that was preinstalled on their device. Users who are concerned about fund-holds should take a moment to learn why payment processors hold funds.

Google Pay Competitors

Compare Google Pay to competitors that earned top marks.

Host Merchant Services logo
Pricing
Helcim logo
Pricing
CDG logo
Pricing

Bottom Line

Google Pay rates as a reliable money transfer service according to our criteria, although it’s not a traditional credit card processing provider. The platform is free, easy to install, and has garnered favorable initial user reviews. However, the legacy reputation of Google Wallet, which accumulated complaints regarding withheld funds and unresolved fraud before its deactivation, casts a shadow that some users might want to consider.

We will continue to monitor user feedback and adjust our rating if necessary as this service matures. Users are encouraged to weigh Google Pay’s reliability against other top-rated mobile payment apps, ensuring their chosen solution meets both their convenience and security expectations.

Read Actual User Reviews

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All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact Google Pay

Contact & Customer Support
CEOSundar Pichai
Toll-Free Support(888) 986-7944
Additional Support ChannelsChatbot
Websitepay.google.com