Wise vs Airwallex: Compare fees, features and benefits

• Multi-currency business accounts: Airwallex supports 60+ currencies; Wise Business supports 40+ currencies for holding and conversion

• Global payout coverage: Airwallex offers transfers to 200+ countries; Wise Business transfers to 50+ countries

• Online payment acceptance: Airwallex provides a full payment gateway with 160+ local payment methods across 180+ countries; Wise Business offers limited payment acceptance

• Business model: Airwallex is built exclusively for businesses with end-to-end financial operations; Wise Business serves both consumers and businesses

If you run an online business selling to international customers, you'll need a way to easily collect payments in multiple currencies and transfer funds across borders to pay suppliers, advertising spend or staff. Wise and Airwallex both aim to facilitate seamless global money transfers, but how do they compare on price and key features? Read on to find out.

How does Wise work?

Wise launched in 2011 as a consumer-focused international money transfer service. Over time, it has expanded into Wise Business accounts and other financial services while maintaining a reputation for transparent pricing and currency conversion using the mid-market exchange rate.

Wise Business offers multi-currency business accounts to hold and convert funds in 40+ currencies, accepting payments in nine currencies with local bank details and facilitating transfers to 50+ countries.¹ The platform serves both individual consumers and businesses, with a business model focused primarily on international transfers and currency conversion.

How does Airwallex work?

Founded in 2015, Airwallex is a financial solutions platform built exclusively for businesses to enable seamless global money management. Unlike Wise, Airwallex provides an all-in-one platform designed specifically for business needs, from managing customer payments to paying suppliers and contractors internationally.

With Airwallex, domestic and international customer payments flow into a multi-currency wallet supporting 60+ currencies. Businesses can then pay suppliers and contractors abroad with rapid transfers to 200+ countries with no costly transfer fees required. Airwallex also offers online payment acceptance, corporate cards, expense management, and high-rate saver accounts, providing comprehensive financial operations tools under one platform.

Compare Wise with Airwallex 

Wise fees explained

For Wise business account holders, fees consist of:

• Account opening: Free to register and an AUD$65 one-time fee applies to set up local account receiving in 22 currencies. ³

• Monthly fees: No ongoing monthly fees.

• International transfers & FX conversions: Fixed fees plus variable fees may apply, starting from 0.4% per transfer². Differs by currency and rails used – e.g. local, SWIFT⁵. Volume discounts may also apply. 

• Employee spending: One-time AUD$6 fee for each card for team members. Cash withdrawals from ATMs and topping up your eWallet may also incur a fee. 

• Payment acceptance: There are no monthly or payout fees to use Wise payment links or QR codes. To accept domestic cards, there's a 1% processing fee; a 2.9% processing fee for international cards; and a 2.9% processing fee for business cards.

Airwallex fees explained  

For Airwallex users, fees consist of: 

• Account opening: No setup fees.

• Account pricing: The Explore bundle is offered at $29 /month or $0 if you deposit at least $5k per month or hold a minimum balance of $10k. See all our pricing here.

• International transfers & FX conversions: There are no transfer fees when using local payment rails in 120+ countries and flat fees apply for SWIFT transfers. You can transfer to over 200+ countries total and the FX Rate is the interbank rate + 0.5% for USD, HKD, CNY, AUD, EUR, GBP, CAD, SGD, CHF, NZD, JPY, and +1% for all other currencies.

• Employee spending: Receive 10 free Corporate Cards per month for multicurrency spending with zero international transaction fees.

• Payment acceptance: Accept payments from 160+ local payment methods and settle 14 currencies like-for-like. Accept domestic cards for 1.65% + $0.30; international cards for 3.40% + $0.30; and local payment methods for $0.30 + the payment method fee.

Compare additional features between Wise and Airwallex

Online payments

Wise offers limited ability for businesses to accept payments via cards⁴. Airwallex is a fully functioning payment gateway which allows businesses to collect customer online payments, including card payments and 160+ local payment methods in 180+ countries.

Corporate Cards

Wise offers teams (AUD$6 for each additional card) to make online and in-store payments either physically or via a digital wallet, and offers cashback depending on location³. Airwallex Corporate cards can be used anywhere ‌Visa is accepted and you receive 10 cards per month with the Explore plan. Both Wise and Airwallex enable auto-conversion for a small-fee if there is not enough funds in the wallet in the specified transaction currency.  

Team expenses

While Wise has basic card control features, Airwallex provides end-to-end tools for teams to track and control spend globally whether on cards or reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. All expense data is seamlessly synced with popular accounting integrations.

Bills and accounts payable

Airwallex centralises accounts payable workflows so finance teams can consolidate domestic and global supplier payments. Both Wise and Airwallex have integrations with Xero and Quickbooks, and can process batch payments of up to 1000⁶.

High-rate saver

Airwallex offers all users Yield, a high-rate saver to allow businesses to earn on their idle AUD and USD funds. Yield has no lock-in periods and competitive rates of 3.72% on USD and 3.34% on AUD (accurate as of October 2025). Wise offers Interest, an investment option for personal and business users. It lets customers earn a variable return on AUD and USD balances by investing in low-risk government-backed assets through Wise Australia Investments Pty Ltd. Returns are added daily, funds stay accessible and capital is subject to market risk. Current rates (as of October 2025) are 2.92% on AUD and 3.54% on USD after a 0.72% annual fee.⁹

Developer platform and APIs

For developers and technical teams, Airwallex opens access to advanced APIs opportunities to transform financial operations. Wise provides limited developer options tailored to basic needs⁸.  

Customer support

Both platforms offer 24/7 customer support. Airwallex also provides account management and onboarding assistance for eligible businesses⁹.

Why choose Airwallex over Wise Business

While Wise Business offers solid rates and transparent pricing for basic international transfers, Airwallex provides a complete solution for growing, mid-market and enterprise-scale companies managing complexity across borders.

Key advantages of Airwallex:

• Built exclusively for business needs: Unlike Wise's consumer-first model, Airwallex is designed specifically for business accounts and business operations

• Wider global payout coverage: Transfer to 200+ countries vs Wise's 50+ countries, with approximately 95% of transactions settling same-day

• Full online payment gateway: Airwallex offers a full online payment gateway functionality that lets you accept customer payments online with 160+ local payment methods; Wise offers a limited payment acceptance option with payment links and QR codes. 

• No transaction fees: 0% domestic and international transaction fees for spending on Corporate Cards

• Comprehensive financial operations: Manage payments, transfers, currency conversion, corporate cards, expense management, and high-rate saver accounts all in one platform

• Enterprise-grade APIs: Advanced developer tools for businesses needing custom integrations

• Dedicated account management: Personalised onboarding and support for eligible businesses

• Zero hidden fees: Transparent pricing with no setup costs and optional $0/month plans

With extensive capabilities for collections and payouts worldwide, market-leading FX rates, and integrated financial management tools, Airwallex is purposely built to help businesses grow in the modern digital economy.

Wise vs Airwallex: Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Airwallex and Wise Business?

The key differences are: Airwallex is built exclusively for businesses and offers comprehensive financial operations including payment acceptance, multi-currency business accounts, corporate cards, and expense management. Wise Business focuses primarily on international transfers and multi-currency accounts, serving both consumers and businesses. Airwallex supports transfers to 200+ countries while Wise Business covers 50+ countries.

Which is better for business accounts: Airwallex or Wise Business?

For comprehensive business account features, Airwallex typically offers more. Airwallex provides payment acceptance for customer payments, wider global payout coverage (200+ vs 50+ countries), corporate cards with expense management, high-rate saver accounts, and dedicated account management. The best choice depends on your business needs: choose Airwallex for complete financial operations, or Wise Business if you primarily need multi-currency holding and basic transfers.

How do fees compare between Airwallex and Wise?

Airwallex charges no setup fees and offers $0/month plans (with minimum deposit or balance requirements). International transfers on local rails are free in 120+ countries, with FX rates of interbank + 0.5–1.0%. To accept payments, domestic cards are charged at a rate of 1.65% + $0.30 and 3.40% + $0.30 for international cards. 

Wise Business charges an AUD$65 fee to access local account details for certain currencies and has no monthly fees. Transfer fees start from 0.4% plus the mid‑market exchange rate, with actual fees varying by currency and route. For accepting card payments, Wise charges fees that vary by method and market.

Can I accept customer payments with Airwallex and Wise?

Airwallex provides a full payment gateway to accept customer payments online, including card payments and 160+ local payment methods in 130+ currencies. This makes it ideal for eCommerce and online businesses. Wise Business offers limited payment acceptance capabilities and is primarily designed for transfers rather than processing customer payments. For businesses needing robust payment acceptance, Airwallex is the better choice.

What currencies can I hold with Airwallex vs Wise Business?

Airwallex supports holding and exchanging 60+ currencies in your multi-currency business account. Wise Business supports 40+ currencies for holding and conversion. Airwallex provides wider global payout coverage with transfers to 200+ countries compared to Wise Business's 50+ countries.

Does Airwallex offer better global payout coverage than Wise?

Yes, Airwallex offers significantly better global payout coverage. Airwallex supports transfers to 200+ countries with approximately 95% of transactions settling same day or within hours and approximately 57% settling instantly. Wise Business transfers to 50+ countries. For businesses with international suppliers, contractors, or global operations, Airwallex's wider coverage provides more flexibility.

Which platform is better for currency conversion?

Both platforms offer transparent pricing for currency conversion. Airwallex charges interbank rate + 0.5% for major currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.) and 1.0% for other currencies. Wise Business uses the mid-market exchange rate with fees starting from 0.4%. The key difference is that Airwallex offers no transfer fees on local rails in 120+ countries, while Wise charges transfer fees in addition to conversion costs.

Can I use Airwallex and Wise for my business model?

Both platforms support various business models, but with different strengths. Airwallex is ideal for eCommerce businesses, online businesses, SaaS companies, and enterprises needing comprehensive financial operations including payment acceptance and expense management. Wise Business suits businesses primarily focused on international transfers and multi-currency holding, such as freelancers, consultants, and small businesses with simpler needs. Consider your specific business needs when choosing.

What are the key features that differentiate Airwallex from Wise?

Key features unique to Airwallex include: full payment gateway for accepting customer payments, 0% transaction fees for payment acceptance in 180+ countries, corporate cards with comprehensive expense management, high-rate saver accounts (Airwallex Yield), dedicated account management, advanced developer APIs, and accounts payable management. 

Is Instarem Business an alternative to Airwallex and Wise?

Instarem Business is another platform for international transfers and business accounts. However, both Airwallex and Wise Business offer more comprehensive features. Airwallex provides payment acceptance, corporate cards, expense management, and wider global coverage. Wise Business offers more currencies and transparent mid-market pricing. When comparing business account options, consider Airwallex for complete financial operations or Wise Business for straightforward multi-currency transfers.

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

1. https://wise.com/au/pricing/business

2. https://wise.com/au/pricing/business/send-money

3. https://wise.com/au/pricing/business/card-fees

4. https://wise.com/au/pricing/business/receive

5. https://wise.com/au/pricing/business/hold-fees

6. https://wise.com/au/business/

7. https://wise.com/au/business/manage-team

8. https://wise.com/au/business/api

9. https://wise.com/au/business/interest

10. https://wise.com/au/business/multi-currency-banking

Disclaimer: 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) it is important for you to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the Direct Services, which is 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 1 January 2024 (AEDT) and indicate past 1-day annualised returns of the relevant underlying JPMorgan Liquidity Funds.