Stripe vs. Airwallex: Compare fees and features
Find out how Stripe compares to Airwallex. See what charges businesses will incur when collecting payments with Stripe, and how much they can save with Airwallex Payments.*
Save more with competitive pricing and fewer currency conversion fees when settling funds like-for-like, in the same currencies as customers’. Receive, hold, convert, and transfer global funds all on one platform.
AustraliaAUD3 reasons why businesses choose Airwallex over Stripe
Settle payments like-for-like
Settle payments in the same currencies as your customers' directly into Airwallex. You'll save on FX fees, over and over again.
Get more ways to pay
Offer your local and global customers more ways to pay, with 160+ local payment methods compared to Stripe's 100+.
Do more on one platform
On top of payment processing, Airwallex also offers FX and transfer solutions, multi-currency accounts, expense management tools, high-rate saver accounts, and more.
Avoid 2% FX fees: Settle payments like-for-like with Airwallex
Save on payment processing fees and avoid costly currency conversions with like-for-like settlement. For example, an Australian business can transact in GBP and settle those funds directly into a local GBP account, without having to convert the funds to AUD and pay foreign exchange (FX) fees. This GBP balance can then be used to pay UK suppliers, further cutting FX fees.
With Airwallex, businesses can settle payments like-for-like in 14+ major currencies using its built-in multi-currency wallet, without any forced FX conversions. Unlike with Stripe, there's no need to open a separate foreign currency bank account to enjoy these benefits.
Like-for-like settlement currencies: Airwallex vs. Stripe
Australian-registered businesses can settle payments like-for-like in 14+ currencies in Airwallex’s multi-currency wallet. In comparison, Stripe allows like-for-like settlement in USD and NZD only, and requires separate corresponding currency bank accounts.
This table shows the like-for-like settlement currencies available in Australia for major card schemes. See our settlement schedule and currencies to view available currencies in other regions and payment methods overview for additional settlement currencies available depending on card schemes and local payment methods.
STRIPE FEES
How are Stripe fees calculated?
Stripe’s processing fees are calculated based on several factors. These include the merchant entity, transaction volume, payment method, and payment currency. Payments may also incur multi-currency management fees, such as settlement fees and conversion fees. Other fees include fixed gateway fees and Stripe’s Radar for Fraud Teams fee. Our calculator considers all of these factors.*
Get lower pricing on card payments with Airwallex
Compare Stripe and Airwallex fees in Australia:
Note on FX fees: Businesses can avoid a 2% FX conversion fee and forced currency conversions by settling payments like-for-like (e.g. EUR to EUR). Airwallex offers like-for-like settlement for 14+ major currencies into its multi-currency wallet at a 1% fee, with no need to set up separate foreign bank accounts. In comparison, Stripe offers like-for-like settlement for USD and NZD payments only. Stripe also charges a higher fee of 1% or more, and requires businesses to set up separate USD and NZD bank accounts to settle payments in these currencies.
Manage your end-to-end finances with Airwallex
Compare Stripe and Airwallex features in Australia:
Expand globally with access to more local payment methods
With Airwallex, businesses can expand their global reach with access to 160+ local payment methods compared to Stripe's 100+. These include digital wallets, such as Google Pay and Apple Pay, BNPL options like Klarna and Afterpay, and local bank transfers like Trustly in Europe and iDEAL in the Netherlands. Airwallex also offers 20+ local payment methods in Asia not offered on Stripe, including DOKU Wallet in Indonesia, Toss Pay in South Korea, and ShoppeePay in Malaysia.
See all of our 160+ local payment methods.
What local businesses are saying about Airwallex
“We have contractors based in China, the US, and Europe, and our Airwallex Global Account enables us to make global payments from one simple portal. Having Airwallex as our global trusted partner means we can spend less time on the phone to the bank, and more time instead focusing on growing our business both domestically and internationally.”
Richard Li
Co-founder & CEO, July
“Airwallex is what the new face of managing finances should really look like. First thing I did when I walked into Mr Yum was move all our subscriptions off a big 4 debit card and onto Airwallex. I reckon it saved us close to $50,000 this year in our FX fees.”
Corey Payne
Financial Controller, Mr Yum
“We couldn’t just look at the cost of the product, but also the cost of selling that product. We needed to factor in things like digital marketing spend, merchant fees and currency conversion fees on each sale. With Airwallex, we’ve saved over $12,000 each month that I re-invest into the business for the long-run.”
Hayley Worley
Founder, The Sheet Society
"Airwallex solves the problem of creating currency accounts almost instantly. I can click one button to create a UK account. We haven’t looked back since day one."
Peter Park
Business Improvement Manager, Deliciou
Frequently asked questions about Stripe fees
How much are Stripe fees in Australia?
Stripe typically charges a flat rate of 1.70% + A$0.30 per successful transaction for domestic card payments and 3.50% + A$0.30 for international card payments in Australia. Fees vary by merchant location, transaction volume, payment method, shopper currency, transaction type, settlement currency, and payment gateway. Additional fees apply for foreign currency settlement and FX conversions. Airwallex offers a competitive alternative with transparent and often lower fees, especially for businesses dealing with multiple currencies and regions.
How accurate is the Stripe fee calculator?
Our Stripe fee calculator is generally accurate for estimating most transaction processing fees using Stripe. It currently supports Visa and Mastercard schemes and seven major merchant entity locations, including the US, UK, and EU. For more information on Stripe’s fees for other currencies and payment methods, please see Stripe’s website.
What alternative solutions to Stripe are there?
There are several alternatives to Stripe, including PayPal, Square, and Braintree. However, Airwallex stands out for its competitive pricing, like-for-like settlement, multi-currency support, and end-to-end solutions including payment acceptance, FX and transfers, and spend management tools. The Stripe fee calculator can help businesses compare costs and see how much they can save with Airwallex.
What is like-for-like settlement?
Like-for-like settlement is a process that ensures that the currency a business receives in their account is the same as the currency in which the payment was made. This means that if a customer pays a business in, for example, US dollars (USD), the funds will be settled directly into their Airwallex account in USD, without currency conversion. This approach helps businesses avoid unnecessary foreign exchange fees and ensures that they receive the exact amount they are owed, making international transactions more transparent and efficient.
Who can open an Airwallex business account in Australia?
Most Australian businesses are eligible. You’ll need an active ABN, a valid ID for all directors or beneficial owners, and basic registration documents.
How can an Airwallex Business Account help me save on transaction fees?
An Airwallex Business Account can be used to avoid unnecessary conversion fees and to save on everyday expenses. You can collect payments from your international customers in their preferred currency and then spend those proceeds later in the same currency (for example, to pay global suppliers and employees), thereby eliminating unnecessary conversion fees. You can also benefit from holding funds in a foreign currency until FX rates are favourable enough to convert these funds to your home currency.