More people than ever use digital wallets to pay for things online rather than using traditional payment methods like credit and debit cards. Digital wallets are also sometimes referred to as eWallets (electronic wallets), mobile wallets (ones that can only be used on specific smartphones) or web wallets. 

You can also find crypto wallets that are used to store digital cryptocurrencies. If you are considering using a digital wallet for the first time or fancy trying a new digital wallet, you’ve come to the right place. 

Here are five essential tips for assessing the security of a digital wallet in 2025.

Where can I use digital wallets?

Most people use digital wallets to pay for products, services, and subscriptions online at the virtual checkout on millions of websites. For example, some people use them at online casinos to play online slots and other classic table and card games in the real money mode. 

Others use digital wallets to pay for their Netflix subscription, and others use them to shop online on sites like Amazon. 

However, they can also be used in-store at point-of-sale machines in the ‘real world’ to pay for things like drinks and meals at restaurants, uber rides, groceries, clothing, and countless other products and services.  

Besides being able to pay for things, many digital wallets can also now be used for buying, holding, and selling cryptocurrencies, sending money to and from other same-wallet holders, storing digital documents, such as your driver’s license or identification, and even concert tickets or hotel reservations, for example. 

Important things to look for in a safe and secure digital wallet

There are many important factors to consider when determining if a digital wallet you are considering using to pay for goods and services on your favourite websites is safe. Here are five tips to assess how secure a digital wallet is:

  • Strong encryption
  • MFA (multi-factor authentication)
  • Reputable developer/trusted brand
  • Regular security updates
  • Expert reviews and user feedback

In other words, when choosing a digital wallet, ensure that it uses strong encryption to protect your transactions and prevent anyone from gaining unauthorized access to your account. 

Check to see if it provides MFA and other secure login features, such as facial/fingerprint/voice recognition features and one-time passcodes to verify payments when purchasing items at the checkout. 

Always look for digital wallets from globally renowned brands with good standing in the online payment processing/fintech sectors and that they regularly carry out security checks and updates. 

Finally, you can also learn more about how secure a digital wallet is by reading expert reviews and user feedback. 

Other things to consider are device compatibility, customer service/support options, additional services and features, loyalty rewards programs and promotional offers, user-friendliness and convenience, average transaction processing speeds, and fees/costs. 

What are the most popular digital wallets in 2025?

Here are a few examples of some of the world’s most popular digital wallets that many of you will already be familiar with by now. Top brands include Apple Pay, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Venmo, and Cash App. 

That’s not forgetting Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Trustly, Payz, Web Money, and eZeeWallet, to name a few. There are hundreds to choose from, but some are more widely available than others. 

Final thoughts

According to the experts, digital wallets are the future of payments. They eliminate the need to carry around credit and debit cards and physical cash with you, and they are a quick, easy, and safe way to pay for things. 

You also typically find that people who like using digital wallets to pay for things typically have two to three or more active digital wallet accounts just in case their preferred digital wallet isn’t accepted at the virtual checkout on any websites they visit.