Apple Pay and Android Pay are very similar payment systems, with their major distinguishing feature being that Android Pay is much more accessible to phone users.
Apple Pay and Android Pay are basically what they sound like?payment systems for users of Apple and Android devices. They use similar tools and technology, although Android Pay is much friendlier for older phones and Apple Pay is available only for the most recent iPhone models. A few other key differences distinguish the systems.
1. Supported devices
The iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus have the chip necessary to support Apple Pay. Apple iPhone 5 and 5Plus owners can use Apple Pay as well if they have the necessary smart watch. Otherwise, Apple users who have older models are out of luck. If you have an Android phone, the requirements are much looser, and you can use tablets as well.
2. Which businesses accept the payment systems
More than 700,000 shops in the United States accept Apple Pay and Android Pay. In most cases, a business that accepts one accepts the other, but not always. In fact, Android Pay has a bit more of an edge here in that its predecessor, Google Wallet, already had a payments system. Customers can use the systems in person at some stores as well.
3. Security
Android Pay does not actually transmit data. Instead, it uses a virtual card so that the transaction is always between the customer and Google. Apple is more secretive about how it protects consumer data, but it apparently uses a similar method. Android Pay requires users to only unlock their phones to pay, although they have the option of adding a fingerprint scan in some areas. Apple Pay requires the fingerprint scan no matter what.
