Zeller vs Airwallex: compare on fees, features, and benefits

Key takeaways

• Zeller is designed for Australian businesses looking to accept customer payments in-store. You can also access a transaction account, savings account, debit cards, and some limited online payment options such as payment links with Zeller.

• Airwallex is designed for Australian and global businesses that want to accept customer payments and more. You can open a multi-currency Global Account, grow your funds with Yield, access low-cost FX, open multi-currency Corporate Cards, access Expense Management, Bill Pay, and more.

• Both Airwallex and Zeller can help Australian businesses accept customer payments, grow funds, and handle business finances, but Airwallex offers more products and features and is designed as an all-in-one global financial platform.

Choosing between Zeller and Airwallex? Both are Australian fintechs offering digital financial solutions, but they serve different needs. Zeller is built just for Australian businesses that need point-of-sale systems and linked business and savings accounts. Airwallex, on the other hand, is built for businesses going global – giving you multi-currency accounts and cards, and international transfers when you're operating across borders.

When you're looking for an easy-to-use and cost-effective way to handle your business's finances, it can make a real difference to your day-to-day operations. Let's compare the main features, fees, and capabilities of each platform to help you choose the right fit.

What is Zeller?

Zeller is an Australian fintech that offers payment solutions and financial services if you're operating in Australia only.

Over 100,000 businesses use Zeller today. So what do they get access to? 

• Accept customer payments: Zellers offers point-of-sale systems for in-person transactions plus a payment link and payment app.

• Accounts: You can get both a business account and savings account with Zeller.

• Corporate cards: You can use these for business spending.

• Analytical tools: You'll get merchant insights through their online platform and mobile app.

• Geographic coverage: Australia only – they don't operate internationally

What is Airwallex?

Airwallex is an Australian-founded fintech now operating globally. While Zeller focuses only on Australia, Airwallex is an all-in-one financial platform that can simplify your financial operations and help you expand internationally.

Airwallex matches what Zeller offers, but takes it further with global capabilities:

• Payment acceptance with global coverage: Accept customer payments using whichever method works for them – we support 160+ local and international payment options for customers paying in 130+ currencies.

• Multi-currency accounts: Collect from 70+ currencies and open local banking details in 21 countries with your Global Account.

• Corporate Cards: Instantly issue multi-currency corporate cards to your team around the world and save with 0% international transaction fees.

• Cross-border payments: Send and receive international transfers without the usual delays or hidden fees.

• Competitive FX rates: Convert currencies at close to interbank rates – the rates banks use when trading with each other – so you're not paying huge mark-ups.

• Integrations: Connect with the tools you already use – from accounting software like Xero to eCommerce platforms like Shopify

• Yield: Put your idle funds to work with Yield – earn competitive returns on both your AUD and USD balances while keeping everything liquid.

Compare Zeller with Airwallex

Here are Zeller and Airwallex’s main offerings compared side-by-side.

Zeller fees explained

Pricing can make or break your decision. Before you sign up with Zeller, here's what you need to know about the fees:

• Monthly account fees: A$0

• Accept customer payments: 1.75% + A$0.75 to accept domestic card payments via the Virtual Terminal. For in-person transactions, a fee of 1.4% applies to domestic cards per transaction. There is separate pricing for international cards.

• Card fees: There are free, unlimited physical and virtual debit cards with your Zeller account. Corporate Cards, which include expense management, come with a A$9 monthly fee. FX margin also applies to international purchases. 

• Additional features: You'll pay extra for the POS terminals and any add-ons you need.

Airwallex fees explained

Here is how Airwallex pricing works on our ‘Explore’ tier.

• Monthly account fees: A$29/month (waived if you deposit A$5,000/month or hold a minimum balance of A$10,000). This gets you access to all features included in the Explore tier. For mid-tier features, such as more advanced expense management, the Grow tier is available for A$99/month.

• FX rates: 0.5% above interbank rates (the wholesale rate banks use when trading with each other) for major currencies, 1% for all others.

• Corporate Cards: Up to 10 free company cards for shared team expenses, plus two employee cards free, then A$15/month per additional cardholder.

• Accept customer payments. 1.65% + A$0.30 to accept domestic card payments online.

The 'Explore' bundle includes access to Global Accounts, payment tools that let you accept 160+ payment methods, and integrations with popular accounting and eCommerce platforms.

Compare additional features between Zeller and Airwallex

Global accounts and multi-currency capabilities

When it comes to international capabilities, here's where these platforms really diverge:

• Airwallex: Multi-currency accounts to accept payments from 70+ countries and payout to 200+ currencies, open local banking details in 21 countries, free local transfers to 120+ countries and access to interbank rates with 0.5-1% FX mark-up.

• Zeller: Transaction and savings account in AUD only. No international transfer capabilities and FX margin applies for card purchases abroad.

If you work with international clients and customers, Zeller won't work for you – it's built just for domestic Australian operations.

Corporate cards

When comparing Zeller vs Airwallex on corporate card offerings:

• Airwallex: Up to 10 free Company Cards, first 2 Employee Cards free then A$15/month each, virtual cards with 0% international transaction fees, built-in Expense Management tools.

• Zeller: Unlimited free Debit Cards and Virtual Cards for all users; Corporate Cards with expense management features cost A$9/month each (60-day free trial).

Both platforms offer corporate cards for company expenses. The difference? Airwallex offers global issuing and multi-currency capabilities.

Payment acceptance

Zeller is built for in-person payments, while Airwallex focuses on online and global payment acceptance. Here's how they compare:

• Airwallex: eCommerce payment gateways with custom payment links, payment plugins and low-code checkout solutions Access 160+ local payment methods and 130+ currencies and settle like-for-like in 20+ currencies.

• Zeller: POS terminals for physical payments, virtual terminals, payment links, online invoice payments, no direct eCommerce platform integrations.

Airwallex's payment solutions work for everyone – no technical knowledge needed – while Zeller focuses on in-person transaction capabilities.

High-rate savers

• Airwallex: Offers Yield, where you can earn high-rate returns on both AUD and USD balances – all without opening a separate account.

• Zeller: The Zeller Savings account earns up to 4% p.a. with a base rate of 2.5% p.a.

Why businesses choose Airwallex for a complete financial solution

Both Zeller's Business Transaction Account and Airwallex's Business Account let you accept customer suppliers and give you a business account and savings account to manage your day-to-day spend.

While they're both more centralised than traditional banks, Airwallex gives you everything you need in one place – from multi-currency accounts to payment tools to expense management that scales as your business expands internationally. Airwallex gives you the multi-currency capabilities and cost-effective payment tools that Zeller doesn't offer.

If you're looking to grow beyond Australia, Airwallex provides the international financial infrastructure that Zeller's Australian-only platform can't provide. Here's what makes the difference. You get multi-currency accounts that let you transfer or receive from 70+ currencies, employee cards that come with expense management features, and integrations to Xero and QuickBooks. Airwallex also offers free local transfers – something Zeller doesn't provide – and competitive international transfer rates.

Airwallex also gives you Yield, putting your idle funds to work while you focus on growing your business. Airwallex's payment acceptance tools offer low-to high-touch customisations and plug-ins for online payments.

With Airwallex, you can scale faster because everything you need is in one place – from multi-currency accounts to payment tools to expense management.

Frequently asked questions about Zeller vs Airwallex

Can I use both Zeller and Airwallex together?

Yes, some businesses use Zeller for in-person domestic POS transactions while using Airwallex for online payments, international transfers, and multi-currency management. However, Airwallex has an in-person POS coming soon.

How long does it take to set up an account with each platform?

Both Zeller and Airwallex offer online applications that you can complete in minutes. How long approval takes depends on your business complexity and what documents you'll need to submit.

What happens to my existing account if I switch?

When you switch to Zeller or Airwallex, your existing accounts with traditional banks don't automatically close. You can run them in parallel or move everything over completely by updating your payment details with clients and suppliers.

Can Zeller and Airwallex both handle multi-currency transactions?

Airwallex is built for multi-currency transactions with global accounts in 20+ currencies, while Zeller works in AUD only with an FX margin for international card purchases.

Why does Airwallex operate globally whilst Zeller is Australia-only?

Airwallex was designed from day one to be global, with licences in 80+ countries. Zeller focuses specifically on integrated payments for the Australian market.

Sources 

1. https://www.myzeller.com/pricing

2. https://www.myzeller.com/business-transaction-account

3. https://support.myzeller.com/accepting-payments 

4. https://support.myzeller.com/how-much-does-zeller-cost

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 11 March 2026 (AEDT) and indicate past 7-day annualised returns of the relevant underlying JPMorgan Liquidity Funds.