Google has bid adieu to the Pay moniker and consolidated its multiple payment apps under one name: Google Wallet. The free, Android-exclusive app retains all the features from the defunct Google Pay except one: peer-to-peer payments. However, it still shines. Google Wallet offers contactless, NFC-powered payments and is your hub for loyalty program cards, transit passes, and other digital tickets. You only need to ask, "Do I mind connecting another part of my life to Google?" If the answer is no, you'll be well-served by this easy-to-use, full-featured payment app. Accordingly, Google Wallet is an Editors' Choice winner, particularly for Android phone users.

Google Wallet comes preinstalled on most Android devices, but you can manually download it from Google Play if it isn't already on your handset. I installed Google Wallet on a Pixel 6 Pro and set it up by logging into my Google Account. If you have any debit or credit cards saved in Chrome's AutoFill tool, those details automatically transfer to Google Wallet. Likewise, if you've previously entered a card in Google Pay, it carries over to Google Wallet without further action.

You can also manually enter the financial data during setup; simply open the app, sign into your account, and add a payment method. Like most payment apps, Google Wallet lets you use your phone's camera to take a picture of the card to ease entering payment source info.