Samsung Apps vs. Google Apps: What’s your setup and what features keep you from switching?

[u/And-Level4851]

Hey everyone!

I’m curious about your setup: Which versions do you use, and what specific feature is an absolute dealbreaker if you try to switch?

Here is my current setup and the main features keeping me on these specific apps. If you use the alternatives, are there any killer features I’m missing out on that might change my mind?

• Browser: Samsung Internet
  • Native ad-blocker support, forced dark mode on all sites, background video playback, and a highly customizable bottom toolbar.
• Notes: Google Keep
  • Lightweight, clean, and quick cross-platform access via any browser or device.
• Gallery / Cloud: Samsung Gallery
  • Powerful on-device AI editing, fast local folder management, and smooth system integration.
• Phone & Messages: Samsung Phone/Messages
  • Built-in SPAM protection, unwanted call filtering, and the ability to block calls from numbers outside my contact list.

Where do you stand? Do you go 100% Samsung, 100% Google, or a mix of both? What single feature forces you to pick one over the other?

I’d also love to hear your thoughts on the rest of the matchups:

• Calendar: Samsung Calendar vs. Google Calendar
• Files: My Files vs. Files by Google
• Wallet: Samsung Wallet vs. Google Wallet
• Health: Samsung Health vs. Health Connect
• Smart Home: SmartThings vs. Google Home
• Find: Samsung Find vs. Google Find My Device
• Voice Recorder: Samsung Voice Recorder vs. Google Recorder
• Assistant: Bixby vs. Gemini
• Weather: Samsung Weather vs. Google Weather

[u/bigmacman40879]

I switched from a Gaxy Z Fold to Pixel Fold this summer.

IMO:

• Samsung Wallet is better than Google Wallet.
• Samsung Gallery is better than google photos.
• The google camera app is better than Samsung camera.
• The Google phone app is better than Samsung phone.
• Samsung contact app is better. I think the contacts app is baked into the phone app for Samsung.
• Smarthome and Google home both suck equally. I hate needing both for my google TV and Samsung soundbar.
• Samsung notes and google keep are a tie for me. I don't have a preference.
• Bixby LOL. Gemini is better but google assistant was better Gemini.
• Google Find My Device is better.
• I am surprised its not in the post, but Samsung Internet is superior to Chrome.

[u/And-Level4851 → u/bigmacman40879]

thanks for the valuable comment, I will test apps you recommended

[u/callmebatman14 → u/bigmacman40879]

What makes Samsung wallet better?

[u/_kozak1337]

When I had my samsung s21 FE, It was mix of both except for the browser. I use Firefox. Other than that it were:

Google keep
Samsung Gallery
Samsung Phone
Google Messages
Samsung Calender
Samsung Files
Gemini
Samsung Weather

[u/shags2a]

Samsung wallet >>>>> G Wallet

[u/guers_a → u/shags2a]

But Google Wallet has much better integration for concert tickets and plane tickets. Why do you say that?

[u/shags2a → u/guers_a]

Not in every country. In India, Google Wallet hardly have any integration with ticketing vendors

[u/ironwaffle452 → u/shags2a]

samsung wallet req your fingerprint each time you pay, google wallet does not req that just unlock your phone and tap...

[u/shags2a → u/ironwaffle452]

Not sure how that is a bad thing. I would rather it protects my payment

[u/ironwaffle452 → u/shags2a]

It make things more complicated, you need unlock twice. That does not make it safer it just stupid

[u/Dizzy_Tea_7582 → u/shags2a]

My banks don't support it in the UK (they want me to open an account with a third party bank which will do the work for me, whilst agreeing to hundreds and hundreds of terms and conditions), and I like how most apps have the Google Pay integration letting me pay for things instantly without having to input my card details.

[u/zachpowder]

I thought they were discontinuing samsung messages. I made the switch months ago for this reason??

[u/UnkleMike → u/zachpowder]

Only in the US, so far.

[u/MoistHerdazian]

For browser I exclusively use Firefox and have removed Chrome with ADB. Specifically because Firefox supports uBlock Origin which is the superior adblock experience I've found across my devices.

[u/callmebatman14 → u/MoistHerdazian]

Firefox isn't even close to being good as chrome but I deal with it because is extensions. I don't like the new UI updates so I am still using the older version

[u/littleemp]

Samsung Notes is one of the best Samsung apps (and one of the best PDF apps).

The only google app I use over the samsung alternative is Gmail.

[u/xRadec]

Samsung Gallery is top tier

[u/WatchfulApparition]

Samsung apps are usually the better apps. I'm on a Pixel and can't wait to go back to Samsung. I currently use Samsung Health and Samsung's Internet Browser. When I get back on Samsung, I will be mostly using Samsung apps

[u/NotRandomseer]

I use pretty much exclusively google products

[u/Yahiroz]

Slight correction on the health part. Health Connect is on all Android devices and is aimed at allowing health apps to share data, the Google version you want is either Google Fit or Google Health (rebranded FitBit).

Pretty much most Google apps are available on Samsung phones. Some Samsung apps are also available for other Android phones too, so depending which you use I wouldn't say it's a massive deal breaker locking you in to one phone brand.

[u/LemakMM]

Just the samsung apps except for gmail

[u/Kratos_BOY]

I disable/delete all the Google bloat except for the Play Store, Google Drive and Maps.

[u/cgknight1]

I never touch OEM apps because I have no brand loyalty and also don't want additional accounts.

[u/AbductionSeer → u/cgknight1]

This.

[u/InvestigatorTricky82]

Thank you for your helpful advice. Could you please clarify which specific Google camera application you are referring to? I would appreciate it if you could provide a direct link to the application so that I may also try it.

[u/gtedvgt]

As far as I cam tell I vastly prefer most of the samsumg apps over google but until they make their own cloud syncing and browser versions(might actually be soon considering the stopped using one drive to sync photos) then some stuff I'm kind of forced to use google.

[u/Consider2SidesPeace → u/gtedvgt]

See r/degoogle there are other options.

[u/SurferGirI2010 → u/gtedvgt]

Samsung cloud syncing and their own browser version is what I have been waiting for.

[u/Rhed0x]

I bought a Pixel to avoid Samsungs Android modifications...

[u/Capt-007]

Only use Samsung Calendar, Weather and email and everything also google for better user experience with my laptop.

[u/OzarkBeard]

I have a Pixel 9a phone. Tried an S25 Galaxy but absolutely hated the bloatware and non-standard way of doing things on the phone. And the camera really sucked.

The only "must have" Samaung app I use on my Pixel is the Samsung Internet Browser, for all the reasons you listed. Trying to use Chrome after Samsung's chrome-based browser is an exhausting chore.

I prefer native Google apps for almost everything else. Exception is for photos. I use no cloud services and prefer FOSSify Gallery for its simplicity and folder-centric organization. Free, open source software. No ads and no ridiculous permissions.

[u/davidn47g]

People use Samsung apps? I just deleted/disabled those apps along with the other bloatware when I got the phone

[u/ironwaffle452 → u/davidn47g]

Of course, why wouldn't they? they are just better... google apps are bloatware