Google Pay Not Enough? Top Payment Alternatives UK Businesses

Google Pay is a convenient option for many customers, especially Android users. It’s quick, built right into their phones, and keeps card details hidden to improve security. At first glance, it feels like an ideal payment method.

But if you run a business in the UK, whether it’s online, on the high street, or both, you’ve probably run into some of the limitations. Settlements can take days to arrive. Transaction fees still apply, just like with regular card payments. And customers using Apple devices are often left out.

More UK businesses are now rethinking Google Pay and looking for better ways to take payments. They want something that works for more customers, costs less to operate, and gives them faster access to their earnings.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what Google Pay actually offers, where it falls short, and what smarter alternatives are available. We’ll also look at why more businesses are turning to Open Banking solutions like Pay-by-Bank with Finexer to take control of their payments.

What Does Google Pay Actually Offer?

Before diving into the alternatives, it’s worth looking at what Google Pay brings to the table for businesses. At its core, Google Pay is a digital wallet that lets customers make payments online, in mobile apps, and at physical points of sale using their stored card details.

For Android users, it’s built in. That means customers don’t need to download extra apps or fill out long payment forms. With just a few taps, they can confirm purchases using a fingerprint or face unlock. This convenience has made Google Pay a preferred method for many mobile-first customers, particularly among younger shoppers who expect fast and simple checkout experiences.

From a reach perspective, Google Pay also has strong global traction. Android powers over 70% of the world’s smartphones, and Google Pay supports transactions across more than 190 countries. That gives it one of the largest potential user bases of any digital wallet.

Security is another selling point. Google Pay doesn’t share real card details with the merchant. Instead, it uses tokenisation and encryption to protect sensitive information. Customers authenticate payments using biometrics or PINs, adding another layer of safety against fraud.

For businesses, this all sounds appealing on the surface. You get access to millions of users, a smoother mobile checkout, and less exposure to card fraud.

But once you look closer, the experience isn’t always as seamless on the merchant side.

Drawbacks of Google Pay for UK Businesses

While Google Pay helps simplify mobile checkout for Android users, it presents several drawbacks that UK merchants should seriously consider, especially if you’re managing tight margins or relying on fast access to funds.

1. Limited Reach Across Devices

Although Google Pay works flawlessly on Android, its functionality on Apple devices is minimal. Features like tap-to-pay and in-app payments either don’t work or are heavily restricted. In the UK, where iPhone users make up nearly half the smartphone market, depending on Google Pay alone means leaving out a large share of potential customers.

2. Slow Settlement Times

Even though the checkout experience feels instant to customers, the actual transfer of funds can take time. That’s because Google Pay transactions are still processed through card networks like Visa or Mastercard. For businesses, this usually means waiting two to three business days before the payment reaches your account.

This delay can be a problem for companies that rely on daily cash flow, such as cafes, retail shops, or service providers that process a high volume of small payments.

3. Card Processing Fees Still Apply

Despite the shift to a digital wallet, Google Pay doesn’t remove the typical costs tied to card transactions. You’re still charged standard processing fees, including interchange and scheme fees, just like you would with a regular card payment.

Here’s a look at how these charges stack up using popular UK payment providers:

Payment Provider	Online Transactions	In-Person Transactions
Stripe	1.5% + £0.20	1.4% + £0.10
Square	1.4% + £0.25	1.75%

Fees as of April 2025. Please confirm with providers for the latest rates.

These costs can add up fast, particularly for businesses with low average order values or high transaction volumes. It also leaves little flexibility for companies that want to scale without increasing payment overhead.

Better Google Pay Alternatives for UK Businesses

If you’re looking for alternatives that lower costs, reduce friction, and give you faster access to your earnings, there are several options worth considering. While digital wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and PayPal each have their place, more UK businesses are now exploring a more modern and direct option: Pay-by-Bank via Open Banking.

A Smarter Option: Pay-by-Bank with Finexer

Unlike digital wallets, which still rely on card networks behind the scenes, Pay-by-Bank allows customers to send money directly from their bank account to yours. There are no card schemes involved, which means you avoid the usual transaction fees and waiting periods.

With Finexer, you can offer Pay-by-Bank to both online and in-store customers, enabling faster payments and better margins for your business.

Here’s how it works:

1. At checkout, the customer chooses Pay-by-Bank.
2. They select their bank from a pre-integrated list.
3. They’re redirected to their banking app or website to confirm the payment.
4. Funds are transferred directly to your business account, usually within seconds.

The process is secure, fully regulated under PSD2, and supported by strong customer authentication. Whether your customer is paying through a mobile browser, desktop, or a payment link in-store, the experience is smooth and consistent.

Why Finexer is a Strong Alternative

• Lower Costs: There are no scheme or interchange fees, which helps you save on every transaction.
• Instant Settlements: Payments clear in real time, improving cash flow without the need for advance payouts or batch processing.
• Stronger Security: All transactions go through the customer’s bank, which means there’s no need to store card data or worry about PCI compliance.
• No Chargebacks: Since payments are bank-authenticated and customer-approved, they can’t be reversed like card payments.
• Device and Platform Neutral: Unlike Google Pay, Finexer works across all devices and browsers, making it ideal for reaching both Android and Apple users.

Other Google Pay Alternatives Worth Considering

While Pay-by-Bank offers the most direct and cost-effective route for many UK businesses, it can also be helpful to offer other digital wallets depending on your customer base. Here’s a look at some of the most common alternatives to Google Pay, along with their pros and limitations.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is one of the most widely used digital wallets among iPhone users. It offers fast, secure checkout for Apple device holders using facial recognition or fingerprint authentication.

Best for: Businesses with a high percentage of iOS users

Pros:

• Built into iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches
• Offers strong biometric security and encrypted card data
• Popular among younger, mobile-first consumers

Cons:

• Works only on Apple devices
• Still runs on card networks, so fees and delays apply
• Doesn’t cover the Android customer segment

If your audience skews toward iOS, Apple Pay can be a valuable addition—but it should be paired with other options to avoid excluding Android users.

Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay is a wallet service designed for Samsung Galaxy devices. It supports both contactless and in-app payments, using fingerprint, PIN, or iris scan for verification.

Best for: Retailers with in-store payments serving Samsung Galaxy customers

Pros:

• Secure and convenient for Galaxy device users
• Includes Samsung Knox for card encryption
• Integrated with Samsung’s mobile hardware

Cons:

• Only compatible with Samsung devices
• Also relies on card networks, so fees remain
• Market share is smaller compared to Apple and Android combined

Samsung Pay can be useful in-store, but its limited compatibility makes it less relevant for online-only or cross-platform retailers.

PayPal

PayPal is a familiar name that works across devices and platforms, making it accessible to a broad user base. Customers can pay with a linked card, a preloaded wallet, or even their bank account in some cases.

Best for: Merchants wanting cross-platform reach and built-in buyer trust

Pros:

• Works on mobile, desktop, and across operating systems
• Trusted by millions of users worldwide
• Offers tools for subscriptions, invoicing, and dispute resolution

Cons:

• Customers must log in or create an account to pay
• Known for higher transaction fees, especially internationally
• Settlement times are slower, with some payments taking several days

While PayPal offers great reach, the login friction and fee structure may not be ideal if your goal is to simplify checkout or cut payment costs.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right alternative to Google Pay depends on the kind of business you run and the customers you serve. For many UK merchants, offering just one wallet isn’t enough. What works for Android users might alienate iPhone users. And what feels modern on the surface might still come with the same old problems under the hood, like delays, card fees, and chargebacks.

If your priority is lowering costs, speeding up access to funds, and reaching customers across all devices, Pay-by-Bank with Finexer gives you a much stronger foundation. It removes the hidden friction of cards and gives your customers a direct, bank-connected way to pay, whether online or in person.