Don’t feel like going to a mall, full of a crowd, swinging bags, and checking out at the terminal? Sound’s exhausting, isn’t it?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to dig for crumpled bills or misplaced cards— all you need to do is a quick phone tap, and the payment’s done.
That’s the beauty of e-wallet apps that revolutionized shopping, and in this article, we’ll be walking you through the best e-wallet apps that can streamline your shopping experience.
From grabbing a latte to snagging deals online, these e-wallets will make transactions smooth and smart.
So without any further ado, let’s dig into the article.
E-Wallets History
You won’t believe that E-wallets appeared in the 1990s when PayPal launched in 1998, making history in the online payments landscape.
Back then, it was about making eBay transactions easier, but it set the stage for a digital payment revolution.
By the 2010s, people were using smartphones to pay for stuff, and Apple rolled out Apple Pay for contactless payments, using Near Field Communication or NFC.
Its rival, Google, launched a digital wallet too, and similarly, other competitors joined the fray.
Due to the efficiency and convenience of such wallets, people used them more and more for daily transactions, which took global e-wallet transactions to $5.5 trillion by the year 2020.
Fast forward to now, and it’s reaching more than $10 trillion, becoming one of the best tools for digital payments.
There is no doubt, digital wallets are so quick and secure, but the real game-changer was the pandemic that shifted the cashless economy to the next level.
Now, AI is being incorporated into such apps to make them smarter and more effective for shopping. sound good?.
Top E-Wallet Apps For Shopping Right Now
Apple needs no intro, and neither does its Apple Pay, which was launched in 2014 to make contactless transactions easier.
You can use Apple Pay across Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
So when you buy in person at any retailer, simply single-tap at a store terminal, and the payment goes through swiftly.
Paying online is even straightforward, as it only needs a one-click tap at checkout on Safari.
As per Apple’s reports, Apple Pay has managed over $1.2 billion in monthly transactions alone in 2025.
When it comes to privacy, it’s the beast. If we put aside all its features, its security is still what people will pay for.
It stores your card details in a unique token, which is generated for every transaction you make. On the other hand, Face ID or Touch ID adds bulletproof security.
The Apple Intelligence built into iOS 18 will help enhance your Apple Wallet experience by tracking your online purchases and streamlining financial tasks.
What’s more? It can also sync with loyalty programs and allow you to rack up points effortlessly.
Who is it for?: those who are craving a polished, private payment experience.
Google Wallet, rebranded from Google Pay in 2022, is a versatile champ for Android users.
When it comes to the trust and user base, Google Wallet (Formerly Google Pay) has no match.
Founded in 2022, Google Pay has amassed around 150 million users worldwide and nearly 49 million active users in the U.S alone.
You can use it in-store, or pay online at checkout, or send and receive cash among friends.
The app stores tickets, passes, and loyalty cards, decluttering digital life.
It also lets you track your spending via “transaction history” and check deals or cash back at select stores in the app’s “Offers” section.
Want to split a restaurant bill? Tap to divide it with friends. With top-tier encryption and a clean interface, it’s a no-fuss choice for Android shoppers.
Who is it for?: Android users who want a multi-tasking wallet with smart tips.
Since its 1998 debut, PayPal has been the king of online payments. As of now, it’s accepted by approximately 36 million merchants worldwide, per PayPal’s data, from small Etsy shops to giants like Amazon.
Its “One Touch” checkout skips re-entering card details, saving time. Buyer protection guards against online scams, a lifesaver for impulsive shoppers.
It has “Reward Hub,” which lets you redeem points, curates cashback and coupons from brands like Adidas or eBay.
While in-store use is growing via QR codes, PayPal’s online dominance and global reach make it a must for e-commerce.
As to fees, it may levy up to 3% fees for instant transfers, but standard payments are free.
Who is it for?: Online shoppers and international buyers.
It’s PayPal’s subsidiary company, which allows users to send and receive cash instantly.
Unlike Apple Pay or Google Wallet, it’s perfect for splitting bills or peer-to-peer transactions.
It has racked up around 97 million users in the U.S, processing nearly $300 billion annually, and it’s steadily growing.
Many small and large businesses like Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters now accept Venmo via QR codes for in-store and online buys.
Venmo’s “Shop & Earn” feature offers cashback at stores like Grubhub or J. Crew.
Best of all, its social feed lets users share (or hide) transactions with emojis, adding fun.
And Privacy settings keep things discreet if needed. It’s U.S.-centric, so international shoppers can go for something else.
Who is it for? Millennials and Gen Z who love social, rewarding payments.
Samsung Wallet, launched in 2015 as Samsung Pay, is tailored for Samsung device owners. It supports NFC and older MST terminals, though NFC dominates even today.
The app stores payments, loyalty cards, and digital keys (think car or home). Coinlaw Research notes it’s used by over 150 million Samsung users globally.
It also scans nearby stores for discounts, ideal for in-store bargain hunters.
Samsung Knox ensures ironclad security. Limited to Samsung devices, it’s niche but powerful for fans of the brand.
Who is it for? Samsung users are looking for deals and versatility.
Revolut, born in 2015, is a financial super-app with e-wallet features. It supports 150+ currencies with low fees, perfect for travelers.
It boasts 50 million users, per Revolut’s reports. The “Virtual Card Generator” creates single-use cards for online purchases, boosting security.
Budgeting tools track spending, while cashback deals with brands like Zara or Booking.com sweeten the deal.
It’s less common for U.S. in-store payments, but excels online and abroad.
The platform levies a monthly fee for different plans, a wire transfer, out-of-network ATMs, and an instant card transfer.
Best For: Travelers and multi-currency shoppers.
E-Wallets’ Future In Shopping
E-wallets are not just a medium to pay for bills, shop anywhere in the world, but also carry your personal information like credit cards, debit cards, or bank accounts.
Not only are your payment details safe there, but also organized much better.
So when you’re shopping online, you don’t need to enter your card details manually or swipe a card at a terminal, as a single tap or scan will pay for your grocery or subscription bill.
Best of all, they offer loyalty points, Cashback, and budgeting tools to keep tabs on your spending.
Also, security-wise, they’re super smart due to an integration of A.I., making the experience more intuitive.
How To Pick The Right E-Wallet?
Although all the apps listed here offer top-notch features and security, there are a few things to consider before choosing your E-Wallet of choice.
- Security: You should go for an app that zeros in on security over any other feature. Look for Biometrics, encryption, and tokenization to secure your transaction.
- Compatibility: If you’re an Apple user, Apple Pay might be the best pick; Google Wallet and Samsung also have support for iOS, but each e-Wallet works best on its own platform.
- Rewards: Want to save some extra cash? Look for an app that offers Cashback or loyalty points.
- Ease of Use: Would you like a cluttered user interface or a clean, sleek interface that has every tool and feature right in front of your eyes?. Always choose the decluttered one.
- Acceptance: A Digital Wallet that works with thousands of merchants offers the best rewards compared to those that accept only a few stores.
As per the survey, 80% of shoppers prefer security, and 75% value rewards.
However, it may vary from person to person, but before choosing an E-wallet app, test a few apps and pick one that fits your needs.
FAQs
Who doesn’t like to pay with a tap? It’s faster than a bullet. And with cash backs, security, and budgeting tools, e-wallets are the one-stop solution.
They’re safe until you don’t share your credentials with an unknown person. We suggest using fingerprints or a face scan to make the app more secure.
Yes, you can use Apple Pay or Samsung Wallet at terminals to pay for your bill.
Whereas Venmo and PayPal are catching up with QR code payments in stores like Abercrombie & Fitch & Hollister. You can check merchants that accept such platforms.
No. Apple Pay supports only iOS devices, Samsung Wallet is for Samsung devices, and Google Wallet favors Android but works on iOS.
You can use PayPal and Venmo across iOS and Android devices.
Most are free for basic payments. Venmo and PayPal may charge 1-3% for instant transfers or credit card use.
Revolut might levy a fee for premium features or frequent currency swaps. Review the app’s fee structure to stay in the clear.
Revolut backs multi-currency and has low overseas fees.
Whereas PayPal’s global merchant acceptance is perfect for online purchases across borders.
Wrapping It Up
To make shopping smarter and convenient, E-wallets are the best choice.
With the help of AI insights, rewards, and global reach, they take the shopping experience to the next level.
Each app listed here houses unique features that you may like, depending on your needs.
For instance, if you want solid privacy, Apple Pay is the best option – for versatility, you can opt for Google Wallet, and for travel perks, Revolut is quite useful.
So, if you’re still leaning on an old-school wallet, ditch it and download any listed digital wallet and streamline your shopping experience.
