Google Checkout Vs PayPal

This month marked Google Checkout's one year anniversary. Originally called the 'PayPal Killer', Google Checkout has gained wide market acceptance over this past year.

Additionally, PayPal has done very well in the same period.

The public appetite for online purchases and Internet fund transfers has grown enough in the last twelve months that it now feeds both of these Internet giants and one or two more just like them (Amazon.com). E-commerce opportunities both vertical & horizontal today seem plentiful in today's online retail world.

Many users who compare Google Checkout to PayPal will tell you that Google is easier to use. They report Checkout as having fewer steps and easier to understand options. Of course, Google Checkout is just an ewallet for purchases online. While it is super handy when shopping it does not have the important features that a PayPal account can deliver. The ability to send and receive money online using your email address is not yet available on Google Checkout.

Both are free and easy to set up. Both require a credit card verification in order to get your account working.

When checking out and paying for a new purchase, users report Google Checkout to be much easier than PayPal. Users also report that Google Checkout appears more seamless and consistent to shoppers offering a smooth checkout. One of the biggest and most obvious differences is that Google is not accepted at nearly as many places as PayPal.

Both services are considered Alternate Payment Systems which is different from directly using a credit card online. Both services offer online privacy and protection. Your personal information stays private and is not shared before during or after the online sale. However, Checkout will sometimes give merchants your billing address and the last four digits of your credit card, while PayPal says it won't unless you use the one-time option. On the other hand, PayPal shares your e-mail address with merchants that request it, while Checkout lets you keep that private and Google will forward receipts and other important e-mails to you.