Best Mobile Payment Apps: Which One Should You Choose?

Explosion of Mobile Payments: A Trend Impossible to Ignore!

The number of mobile transactions skyrocketed by +177% in 2021, +137% in 2022, and +90% in 2023, according to the Banque de France. This rapid growth confirms the rise of mobile payments!

As a merchant, you may be wondering:

• Which payment apps do your customers prefer?
• Which apps should you integrate into your offering?
• What factors influence their adoption?
• Which banks are they compatible with?

Find all the answers in our article!

What is a Mobile Payment App?

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal—if you're familiar with mobile payments, you've likely heard of them. These apps allow your customers to make purchases by directly debiting their bank accounts.

How do they work?
To use these apps, customers must first install them on their smartphones (if they haven't already) and add their bank cards. Once their information is validated by their bank, they can use the app to make future purchases.

Payments work the same way as contactless card payments. The user simply brings their smartphone close to the payment terminal, and within seconds, the transaction is complete.

Mobile payments rely on NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, which enables short-range, contactless communication between your terminal and the customer’s smartphone.

Key Principles of Contactless Smartphone Payments

• The user's phone must be NFC-compatible—most recent smartphones have this feature.
• The user must choose an app that corresponds to their phone's brand (e.g., Apple Pay for Apple devices).
• They must check which banks are compatible with their chosen app.
• Once these steps are completed, they can start using mobile payments.

Three Mobile Payment Apps Every Merchant Should Know

Comparison of the Best Mobile Payment Apps

Apple Pay: The Leading Payment Solution for iPhone Users

Apple Pay is a payment solution designed for Apple users. It works via Apple Wallet, an app integrated into iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac).

Apple Wallet securely stores the user’s banking information for future smartphone payments. Security is a key feature of Apple Pay—merchants never see buyers' banking details, and Apple does not store them. Payments can only be made when the app is open, reducing fraud risks.

Which banks accept Apple Pay?
Most bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) issued by neobanks, online banks, and traditional banks are compatible.

Some supported banks include: HSBC, BoursoBank, Hello bank!, Fortuneo, BforBank, N26, Revolut, Orange Bank, Nickel, SG.

Where can Apple Pay be used?
Customers can use Apple Pay:

• In-store with compatible POS terminals
• In-app purchases
• Online (via Safari)

Supported devices: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac

Google Pay: The Android Alternative

Google Pay enables payments for Android users, allowing them to store banking details in Google Wallet on their smartphones or tablets. It can also be used for online purchases via Chrome.

Besides bank cards, Google Pay can store loyalty cards, transit tickets, and more.

By using auto-fill and virtual card numbers, Google Pay enhances security by masking customer details from merchants, reducing fraud risks.

Banks compatible with Google Pay:

• Bimpli
• Bourso Bank
• Qonto
• Ticket Restaurant Edenred
• Fortuneo Banque
• Lydia
• B for Bank
• Max
• N26
• Orange Bank
• Pixpay
• Revolut
• Swile
• Up Chèque Déjeuner
• Vybe
• Zelf

PayPal: The Universal Mobile Payment Solution

PayPal is available on both iOS and Android, allowing payments without sharing banking details. Funds are automatically debited from the chosen source during transactions.

PayPal online payments are only possible on websites that accept this method. It supports major international cards like Mastercard and Visa, with additional payment options varying by country.

Mobile Payment Apps Compatible with Android Smartphones

• Google Pay – Works on all Android devices running Lollipop 5.0 or later.
• Wero – A mobile payment

Top Mobile Payment Apps in 2025

1. Apple Pay – Best for iPhone Users

Why choose it?

• Integrated with Apple Wallet for seamless payments.
• Works with Face ID or Touch ID for added security.
• Accepted worldwide in stores, online, and within apps.

Compatible devices: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac
Supported banks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and many traditional and online banks.

2. Google Pay – The Android Alternative

Why choose it?

• Works across Android devices and integrates with Google Wallet.
• Supports contactless payments, online purchases, and transit cards.
• Uses virtual card numbers for added security.

Compatible devices: Android phones & tablets
Supported banks: Boursorama, Revolut, N26, Fortuneo, and more.

3. PayPal – The Universal Solution

Why choose it?

• Works on both iOS and Android.
• Allows secure payments without sharing banking details.
• Supports international transactions and multiple currencies.

Where can you use it? Online stores, apps, and select retailers.

4. Samsung Pay – Ideal for Samsung Users

Why choose it?

• Compatible with both NFC and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) for broader acceptance.
• Works with Samsung Galaxy devices.

Supported banks: Many global banks, similar to Google Pay.

5. Lydia – A French Favorite

Why choose it?

• Popular in France for peer-to-peer and mobile payments.
• Works on both iOS and Android.
• Supports bank transfers, online payments, and QR code payments.

How to Choose the Best Mobile Payment App?

Key Factors to Consider: Security, Ease of Use, and Compatibility

Before adopting a mobile payment app, what are the essential criteria that influence your customers' decision?

Security

For them, transaction security is a top priority.
Choose apps that offer advanced protection technologies such as biometric authentication (fingerprint, facial recognition), data encryption, and more.

Ease of Use

An efficient app should be easy to set up and use daily. A seamless user experience with an intuitive design can make a real difference for frictionless payments.

Compatibility

The app should be compatible with their smartphone and work with the payment terminals of the retailers, merchants, and businesses they visit.

Which Banks Are Compatible with Each App?

Not all mobile payment apps are compatible with every bank.

For example, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal have partnerships with specific financial institutions.

Your customer’s bank must be listed among the supported banks for the app they want to use. This ensures they can link their bank account without any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mobile Payment Apps

Where Can You Pay with Your Mobile?

Mobile payments are accepted in most businesses equipped with NFC-compatible terminals, including small shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and even parking facilities.

If your payment terminal supports online PIN or contactless payments, it is very likely to be compatible with mobile payment apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and others. Just make sure the terminal supports the customer's chosen mobile payment solution.

If you have opted for NFC contactless payment with Market Pay’s softPOS solution, you can accept mobile payments with no worries.

Our solution supports a wide range of payment methods, including: Visa, MasterCard, Amex, CB, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Pay By Bank.

Are There Any Extra Fees for Mobile Payments?

No, not at all! There are no additional fees for mobile payments.

For PayPal, usage for purchases is free, except in cases of currency conversion, where fees may apply.

Remember that mobile payments are secure: the smartphone must be unlocked to process a payment. However, in case of loss or theft, it is essential to stay vigilant to minimize any risks.

Conclusion

Mobile payment apps have seen a remarkable rise, especially among younger generations, and this payment method is now a key player in the 2025 payments landscape. You will likely increase your sales if your payment solutions offer methods suited to your customers.

Compatibility, security, and ease of use are crucial factors in your customers' choice of a payment app.

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal appear to be the top options today. Boost your chances of closing sales by integrating solutions that support them.