Adyen vs Airwallex: compare on fees, features and benefits

Key takeaways

• Airwallex and Adyen are both global payment platforms that can support Australia-based businesses operating internationally.

• Adyen specialises in payment processing, while Airwallex is a broader financial platform that makes it easy to receive, hold, and manage company funds. 

• Airwallex’s pricing is straightforward, starting at A$0/month, with plans for large businesses also available. Adyen doesn’t charge account fees, but it has a more complex per-transaction fee structure.

Running (and growing) a global business means thinking bigger about how you move money across borders. You need a platform that lets you open local currency accounts, take payments in multiple currencies through various methods, handle foreign exchange (FX) transactions, and track expenses across your entire team. 

Both Adyen and Airwallex support international companies, but they’re built for different needs.

Adyen’s main focus is high-volume payment processing, with checkout tools, eCommerce integrations, and features for handling global transactions. Meanwhile, Airwallex is a broader platform that covers payments and financial management, helping you move and manage money worldwide.

In this guide, we compare Adyen versus Airwallex in depth so you can pick the right one for your business. 

How does Adyen work?

Established in 2006, Adyen is a global payment platform that lets businesses accept payments online, on mobile devices, and at the point of sale (POS). It works by connecting directly with global card networks and local methods, so the entire payment process runs through a single system.

Users can hold business accounts in multiple currencies, offer one-click payments for online subscriptions, and optimise checkouts. Adyen also offers fraud and financial management features (though not all are available in Australia).

How does Airwallex work? 

Founded in 2015, Airwallex is an all-in-one financial operations platform. We help 150,000+ business customers worldwide manage cross-border payments, FX transfers, and more. 

With Airwallex, you can receive and manage funds in more than 130 currencies and accept payments through 160+ methods across 180+ countries. You’re able to open local currency accounts in 21+ regions, too – without the hassle of setting up a separate one in each location.

We also offer multi-currency corporate cards, expense management tools, and an open banking application programming interface (API) for custom integrations. Plus, each Airwallex plan includes access to Yield, our savings solution that offers returns of 3.33% (AUD) and 3.56% (USD)*.

*Rate at the time of writing

Compare Adyen with Airwallex

Adyen vs Airwallex: An in-depth look at the main features 

Let’s take a look at Adyen and Airwallex’s key features for Australian companies that operate worldwide.

Payment processing and checkout

Adyen supports 100+ payment methods – including major credit and debit cards, digital wallets, cash, and buy now, pay later (BNPL) services – online and in person.⁵  For each transaction, Adyen charges a processing fee of A$0.11 plus a variable payment method fee.

The platform also lets you optimise the checkout experience with localisation, custom error messages, and the option to save payment details. 

Airwallex, too, provides a payment gateway for businesses. Domestic card payments start at 1.65% + A$0.30, and local payment methods cost about A$0.30 per transaction. We’re also currently testing our POS terminal in Hong Kong and Singapore, aiming to release it in Australia and other regions soon.

As for checkouts, you can have Airwallex do the heavy lifting and oversee a hosted page, or embed a branded element directly on your site. 

Multi-currency business accounts and FX transfers

Adyen lets businesses accept payments from nearly 100 countries and settle in 30+ currencies.⁶ If your payout account doesn’t match the transaction currency, Adyen automatically converts the funds to your primary currency using its own reference rate plus a contract-specific FX management fee. This fee isn’t shared in advance, and you can’t lock in an exchange rate.

At Airwallex, we take a different approach. Aussie companies can open a Business Account that serves as the hub for payments, corporate cards, transfers, FX, and more. You can also set up global accounts in 20+ currencies with local bank details from key regions. This means customers can pay you like a local using 160+ methods. 

There are no fees for local transfers in 120+ countries, and when you need to convert funds, you know what we charge up front: just 0.5% above the interbank exchange rate for major currencies. 

Cards and expense management

Adyen issues physical and digital business cards (with integrated expense management tools) in some regions, but the service isn’t available in Australia yet. 

On the flip side, Airwallex lets Australian businesses create physical and virtual Visa debit cards for their whole team. Our ‘Explore’ plan gives you unlimited free virtual cards and two free physical cards, all linked to your Business Account. You can issue extra physical cards for just A$15/month each.

Plus, expense management features are built right in. Set spending limits on cards, track expenses in real time, and sort company transactions by team, employee, and other filters from your central dashboard. 

Integrated business savings solution

Adyen doesn’t provide solutions to help you earn returns.

Meanwhile, Airwallex includes Yield with every plan to help you earn on your cash. Yield offers daily-accruing returns of 3.32% on AUD and 3.61% on USD (as of 9 November 2025). There are no lockups, and you can move yield to your cash balances in two business days on average.

Risk management and security

Adyen has a machine-learning tool called the Protect engine, which analyses worldwide payment data to identify and stop fraud.⁷ It also helps users handle disputes and set custom risk rules so legitimate customers aren’t blocked.

Airwallex, on the other hand, helps you manage risk at the account level. You can set spending and velocity limits (which monitor the speed and frequency of transactions), block certain transactions and purchase types, and flag unusual activity early. 

Both platforms support two-factor authentication (2FA), requiring users to log in using their password and another method, such as via an authenticator app. Adyen makes 2FA optional, but we require it for all Airwallex users to help prevent unauthorised third parties from accessing your account.

Integrations

Adyen connects with enterprise and retail platforms such as Oracle, Salesforce, Shopware, and BigCommerce. These integrations can be powerful, but they often require a little more developer work to set up and maintain.

Airwallex integrates with software such as Intuit QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, Amazon, eBay, and Shopify – so you can sync payments with payroll, accounting, and eCommerce solutions. You also get access to bill pay features to easily manage domestic and international supplier payments. 

And if you want even more control, use our open banking API to build your own integrations.

Final thoughts: Adyen vs Airwallex Australia

At the end of the day, the ideal platform for you depends on how your business operates and what you want to achieve. 

Adyen primarily helps businesses handle high volumes of global Payments through routing tools, fraud protection, and eCommerce integrations. It may be a good option for larger organisations that mostly need a payment system.

At Airwallex, we make it easy for global companies to send and receive international payments, exchange currencies, and manage expenses – all in one place. Whether you’re a small business looking for a payment solution or an established enterprise expanding into new markets, Airwallex gives you all the tools you need to grow with confidence.

Frequently asked questions

Is Adyen legitimate in Australia?

Yes, Adyen is fully licensed and regulated to operate in Australia.

What is Adyen’s competitive advantage?

Adyen’s biggest strength is its global payment system. It helps businesses accept various payment types in multiple currencies through a single platform.  

Which is the best value for money: Adyen or Airwallex?

It depends on your business. Adyen could be a good choice if you have straightforward payment needs, but its international transaction fees can add up. Airwallex, on the other hand, offers competitive fees, clear FX rates, and extra tools to manage global payments and company finances.

Sources: 

For more information on Airwallex, visit Airwallex Business Account and Airwallex pricing.

1. https://www.adyen.com/en_AU/capital 

2. https://www.adyen.com/en_AU/pricing 

3. https://docs.adyen.com/development-resources/currency-codes   

4. https://www.adyen.com/en_AU/issuing 

5. https://www.adyen.com/en_AU/payment-methods 

6. https://www.adyen.com/en_AU/global-payment-processing 

7. https://www.adyen.com/en_AU/uplift/protect

The information in this article is based on our own online research. Airwallex was not able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only and a reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. This research is reviewed annually. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. This information doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. If you are a customer of Airwallex Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 487221) read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the Direct Services available here.

The Airwallex Yield Liquidity Fund (Yield) is issued by K2 Asset Management Limited (K2) (ABN 95 085 445 094, AFSL No 244393), a wholly owned subsidiary of K2 Asset Management Holdings Limited. This information doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Services Guide (FSG) for Yield, available at www.airwallex.com.au/terms from Airwallex Capital Pty Ltd (ABN 37 609 653 312, AFSL No. 549026). All investments carry risk. *Target returns are net of fees as at [insert date] (AEDT) and indicate past 1-day annualised returns of the relevant underlying JPMorgan Liquidity Funds.