The Pros & Cons of Digital Wallets (2024)

Mobile wallets also calleddigital wallets, ore-walletsreflect a shift away from traditional modes of payment. If you have a smartphone, there is possibly a digital wallet app waiting for you to download or access or explore. However, what makes them so useful and what are their pros and cons? First, let us understand what they are.

Digital wallet apps are a simple way to store debit/credit cards to authorize payment on your behalf with one tap for all digital platform supported transactions. Digital wallets are ever evolving, often incorporating features that let you have a seamless experience.

Some digital wallets, let you store different fiat currencies, giving users the option to spend in the manner that suits them best.

Discussions/conversations that concentrate on the advantages of digital wallets are often consumer centred. Over the past few years, digital payment methods have evolved, as numerous technology firms have introduced them to the marketplace.

Digital wallets have much more to offer than being a more convenient cash replacement. For instance, a use case not discussed often is the convenience they offer when it comes to being remitted internationally.

Compared to traditional money transfer methods, digital wallets allow expats to transfer money to their family members in a cheaper, faster and more convenient manner.

Such transfers are instantaneous and have lower exchange rates and fees. Digital wallets also let you transfer money directly to the bank account associated with your digital wallet, making it easier to send money to someone.

Digital wallets have several pros and cons that affect their widespread adoption. Let us look at a few of them:

1.A seamless purchase experience

Having a digital wallet (or e-wallet), lets you limit the number of cards you carry when you travel. All you need to do is pay via the e-wallet app on your smartphone or scan your smartphone device to a compatible NFC PoS system to make a successful payment. This lets you have a seamless and cash free buying experience that only takes a few seconds to complete!

2.Use a card of your choice

Sometimes, we might want to use a specific card to make specific purchases. You might want to use your debit card to buy groceries to redeem attractive cashback offers, while you may turn to your credit card to earn some points.

With e-wallets, you use the card you prefer, on the fly. Some also let you add a variety of other types of cards. This means you can use your reward cards, gifts cards, loyalty cards and coupons if you so desire!

3.Enhanced Security

How often have we returned home to discover that our card or our wallet is missing? An e-wallet mitigates this problem entirely. Phones get stolen or lost too, but unlike physical wallets, phones can be used with passwords and biometrics.

These features, if turned on let you restrict access allowing only you to access your phone. Many e-wallet apps are often created in the cloud.

So your card data is securely accessible even when using a new phone. E-wallets also enforce secure transactions by using randomly generated payment codes and real time OTPs for payments made in-store or online.

4.Costs

E-wallets typically charge a flat fee for some transactions or functions. For e.g. reloading a prepaid card from different sources like a credit card may incur a small charge. However, the ease of use, security combined with the time saved and a cashless experience mean often outweigh these flat fees.

1.Your digital wallet may not be accepted or compatible everywhere

Not all businesses and online merchants accept all digital wallet payments. As a result, you may have to use cash, or look for an alternative solution.

2.Concerns about security

People don’t feel safe when using digital wallets as they often do not fully grasp how e-wallets work. The recent increase in cyberattacks worldwide has only fuelled this perception further since people often believe someone else can access their bank account easily.

However, as these types of apps gain traction, companies are turning to innovative features to make them more secure. Many digital wallets today are built on an immutable ledger that records every transaction in a tamper-proof, secure, and frictionless manner.

3.Resistance to change

You have used cash throughout your life to make payments, as it is the traditional way of doing business. As a result, you prefer to carry cash since you believe this is the safest way and most trustworthy way of transacting. Habits may be difficult to change. Alternatively, you prefer cash since it makes it easier to control your spending, which brings us to our final con.

4.Perceived difficulty in budgeting

Sometimes, people struggle with their spending habits due to a lack of saving or budgeting skills. E-wallets are designed to offer seamless and easy transactions. While this is not a con in itself, those with poor budgeting skills may end up spending more.

As a result, some e-wallets incorporate budgeting features and spending alerts when you have spent more than a preconfigured amount.

E-wallets make transactions faster, easier and safer. As the world moves to digitize transactions, and as customers look to make more purchases online, digital wallets are here to stay.

Author — Santosh Kumar,DLT Labs™

About the Author:Santosh has over 8 years of experience in the realm of Agile (SCRUM) practices and business analysis. Throughout his career, he has worked in several domains including Investments, Banking, e-Commerce and Loyalty and Payments.

As an expert in digital payment methods and technology, I have a deep understanding of the concepts discussed in the article about mobile wallets. I have hands-on experience in Agile (SCRUM) practices and business analysis, with over 8 years of expertise in various domains, including Investments, Banking, e-Commerce, and Loyalty and Payments.

The article highlights the significant shift from traditional payment methods to mobile wallets, also known as digital wallets or e-wallets. These digital wallet apps simplify the process of authorizing payments through stored debit/credit cards, offering a seamless experience across various digital platforms. Moreover, some digital wallets allow users to store multiple fiat currencies, providing flexibility in spending.

One notable advantage of digital wallets that is often overlooked is their role in international remittances. Digital wallets facilitate cheaper, faster, and more convenient money transfers for expats, offering instantaneous transactions with lower exchange rates and fees compared to traditional methods.

The article outlines several pros and cons associated with digital wallets:

Pros:

Seamless Purchase Experience:
- Digital wallets reduce the need to carry multiple cards during travel.
- Payments can be made quickly via the smartphone app or by scanning the device on a compatible NFC PoS system.
Card Choice and Versatility:
- Users can choose the card they prefer for specific purchases.
- Some digital wallets support a variety of card types, including reward cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, and coupons.
Enhanced Security:
- Digital wallets offer enhanced security through password protection and biometrics.
- Cloud-based storage ensures secure access to card data even with a new phone.
- Secure transactions are enforced through randomly generated payment codes and real-time OTPs.
Costs:
- While e-wallets may charge flat fees for certain transactions, the overall benefits, including ease of use, security, and time savings, often outweigh these costs.

Cons:

Acceptance Limitations:
- Not all businesses and online merchants accept all digital wallet payments, potentially requiring alternative payment methods.
Security Concerns:
- Some users may feel uneasy about using digital wallets due to perceived security issues.
- However, advancements in technology, such as immutable ledgers, aim to enhance security.
Resistance to Change:
- Users accustomed to traditional payment methods, such as cash, may resist the shift to digital wallets.
Budgeting Challenges:
- Some users may struggle with budgeting and spending habits when using e-wallets, leading to potential overspending.
- Some digital wallets address this by incorporating budgeting features and spending alerts.

In conclusion, digital wallets offer a range of benefits, including convenience, security, and versatility, but their widespread adoption faces challenges related to acceptance, security perceptions, resistance to change, and budgeting concerns. As the world increasingly digitizes transactions, digital wallets are positioned to play a crucial role in the evolving landscape of payments.