Cheapest way to pay overseas suppliers in 2025: Airwallex vs Revolut Business real-fee tear-down

Paying overseas suppliers just got more expensive. Hidden FX mark-ups, SWIFT routing fees, and card processing charges can turn a €25,000 invoice into a €26,500 headache – or worse. With global supply chains tightening and currency volatility hitting multi-year highs, every basis point matters for your bottom line.

Two platforms dominate the business payment space: Airwallex and Revolut Business. Both promise "transparent" pricing and "competitive" rates, but the devil lives in the details. We'll dissect real-world scenarios – a €25,000 European supplier payment and a ¥1 million Japanese shipment – to reveal the true landed costs through each platform.

The stakes are higher than ever. Cross-border fees are charges that businesses incur for transactions across countries, which usually involve different currencies, bank networks, and regulatory environments (Airwallex). With Airwallex expanding its SWIFT transfer coverage to 207 countries and supporting 25 currencies (Airwallex), while Revolut Business continues to limit SWIFT fee type selection, the choice between platforms can save – or cost – thousands annually.

The hidden cost breakdown: what suppliers actually receive

Most businesses focus on headline exchange rates, missing the real profit-killers: intermediary bank fees, correspondent charges, and routing inefficiencies. When you send €25,000 to a German supplier, here's what actually happens behind the scenes.

SWIFT routing: SHA vs OUR fee structures

SWIFT transfers use three fee structures that dramatically impact your total cost. SWIFT BIC codes route payments through correspondent banks, each potentially adding charges (Airwallex).

SHA (Shared): You pay sending fees, recipient pays receiving fees. Sounds fair, but suppliers often pass these costs back through higher invoice prices.

OUR (Our): You absorb all fees – sending, intermediary, and receiving. Total transparency, but higher upfront costs.

BEN (Beneficiary): Recipient pays everything. Rarely used for supplier payments since it damages relationships.

Airwallex now supports specifying intermediary bank SWIFT codes to improve routing and reduce payment delays (Airwallex). This granular control can shave 1-2 days off settlement times and reduce correspondent bank fees by routing through preferred networks.

Revolut Business, however, doesn't offer SWIFT fee type selection. You're locked into their default routing, which typically uses SHA structure – meaning your supplier gets hit with receiving fees they'll likely pass back to you.

FX mark-ups: the invisible profit margin

Every platform adds a spread above interbank rates. The question is how much, and when.

*Based on EUR/USD and USD/JPY transactions during Q3 2025 volatility

Airwallex provides access to interbank FX rates through its multi-currency accounts (Airwallex). For high-volume traders, this can translate to meaningful savings, especially during volatile periods when spreads widen.

Local payment networks: the game-changer

Here's where Airwallex pulls ahead. Instead of routing everything through SWIFT, they leverage local payment rails in key markets. Paying a UK supplier? Your GBP transfer might route through Faster Payments instead of correspondent banks, eliminating intermediary fees entirely.

Airwallex offers accounts with local bank details in 20+ currencies (Airwallex), enabling domestic-style transfers that bypass international routing altogether. This is particularly powerful for EUR, GBP, and AUD payments where local networks offer same-day settlement.

Real-world scenario 1: €25,000 European supplier payment

Let's calculate the true cost of paying a German manufacturing supplier €25,000 for raw materials. We'll assume EUR/USD at 1.0850 (typical Q3 2025 levels) and compare both platforms.

Airwallex cost breakdown

Transfer method: Local EUR network (domestic German transfer)

• Base amount: $27,125 USD (€25,000 × 1.0850)

• FX spread: 0.4% = $108.50

• Transfer fee: $0 (free EUR transfers on Grow plan)

• Intermediary fees: $0 (local network)

• Recipient receives: €25,000 exactly

• Total cost: $27,233.50

Revolut Business cost breakdown

Transfer method: SWIFT with SHA fee structure

• Base amount: $27,125 USD (€25,000 × 1.0850)

• FX spread: 0.6% = $162.75

• Transfer fee: $5.00

• Intermediary fees: $25-50 (correspondent banks)

• Recipient fee: €15-25 (passed back via invoice adjustment)

• Total cost: $27,317.75 + supplier fee pass-through

Airwallex advantage: $84.25 + eliminated supplier friction

The real win isn't just the $84 savings – it's avoiding the supplier relationship strain when they receive €24,975 instead of the expected €25,000.

Real-world scenario 2: ¥1 million Japanese shipment

Japanese suppliers often prefer domestic yen transfers to avoid currency risk. Let's model a ¥1,000,000 payment at USD/JPY 148.50 (reflecting recent volatility).

Airwallex cost breakdown

Transfer method: Local JPY network via Japanese correspondent

• Base amount: $6,734.01 USD (¥1,000,000 ÷ 148.50)

• FX spread: 0.5% = $33.67

• Transfer fee: $15 (JPY transfers)

• Local network fee: ¥500 ($3.37)

• Recipient receives: ¥999,500

• Total cost: $6,786.05

Revolut Business cost breakdown

Transfer method: SWIFT routing through multiple correspondents

• Base amount: $6,734.01 USD (¥1,000,000 ÷ 148.50)

• FX spread: 0.7% = $47.14

• Transfer fee: $25

• Intermediary fees: $40-60 (multiple hops)

• Recipient fee: ¥2,000-3,000 ($13.47-20.20)

• Total cost: $6,856.15 + supplier fee impact

Airwallex advantage: $70.10 + cleaner supplier experience

Again, the quantifiable savings matter, but the operational benefit – your supplier receives the full ¥1,000,000 minus only a small local fee – strengthens the relationship.

Card payments: when wire transfers aren't an option

Some suppliers prefer card payments for smaller orders or require them for marketplace transactions. Both platforms offer corporate cards, but with different cost structures.

Airwallex provides multi-currency company cards that can hold balances in multiple currencies simultaneously (Airwallex). This eliminates forced conversions when paying suppliers in their preferred currency.

Card fee comparison

For a $10,000 supplier payment via card in foreign currency:

• Airwallex: $50 FX fee + interbank rate

• Revolut: $100 FX fee + spread markup

The difference compounds quickly for businesses making frequent card payments to international suppliers.

Platform limitations and workarounds

Revolut Business constraints

No SWIFT fee type selection: You can't choose OUR vs SHA, limiting cost predictability for large supplier payments.

Limited local network access: Most transfers route through SWIFT, even to countries with efficient domestic systems.

Currency restrictions: Some emerging market currencies aren't supported, forcing USD intermediary conversions.

Airwallex limitations

Geographic coverage gaps: Despite expanding to 207 countries (Airwallex), some African and Latin American markets still require correspondent routing.

Minimum balance requirements: The free Explore plan requires AUD $5k monthly deposits or AUD $10k minimum balance (Airwallex).

Learning curve: Advanced features like intermediary bank specification require understanding SWIFT routing principles.

Expense management integration: the operational multiplier

Beyond pure payment costs, consider how each platform handles expense tracking and accounts payable automation. Airwallex offers automated accounts payable management and expenses & reimbursement management (Airwallex).

This integration means supplier payments automatically sync with your accounting system, eliminating manual reconciliation work. For businesses processing dozens of international supplier payments monthly, this operational efficiency often outweighs pure cost savings.

Risk management: hedging and payment timing

Currency volatility can dwarf platform fee differences. A 2% EUR/USD swing on a €25,000 payment costs $540 – far more than any fee differential between platforms.

Airwallex's multi-currency account structure lets you hold supplier currencies in advance, effectively creating a natural hedge (Airwallex). When EUR weakens, you can load your EUR balance. When it strengthens, you pay suppliers directly from existing balances.

Revolut Business offers similar multi-currency holding, but with less granular control over conversion timing and less favorable rates for large conversions.

Compliance and documentation: avoiding payment delays

International supplier payments trigger compliance checks that can delay transfers by days or weeks. Both platforms handle standard KYC/AML requirements, but their approach to documentation differs.

Airwallex's business account opening process includes enhanced due diligence for trade finance scenarios, potentially smoothing future large supplier payments. Their system also maintains detailed audit trails for cross-border transactions, which helps during tax season or regulatory inquiries.

Payment rails infrastructure varies significantly by destination country (Airwallex). Understanding these differences helps predict settlement times and plan cash flow accordingly.

The verdict: total cost of ownership analysis

For most importers and businesses with regular international supplier relationships, Airwallex delivers lower total costs through:

1. Better FX rates: Closer to interbank levels, especially for larger transactions

2. Local network routing: Eliminates intermediary fees for major currency corridors

3. SWIFT flexibility: Control over fee structures and routing paths

4. Operational integration: Automated AP and expense management reduce manual work

Airwallex wins for:

• Businesses paying suppliers >$10k monthly internationally

• Companies needing predictable, transparent fee structures

• Importers dealing with EUR, GBP, AUD, or JPY suppliers regularly

• Teams wanting integrated expense management and AP automation

Revolut Business works for:

• Smaller, occasional international payments

• Businesses prioritizing simple, consumer-like interfaces

• Companies already using Revolut personal accounts

• Teams comfortable with less control over routing and fees

Implementation roadmap: switching payment platforms

Migrating supplier payment processes requires careful planning to avoid disrupting cash flow or supplier relationships.

Week 1-2: Account setup and testing

• Open accounts on both platforms for direct comparison

• Test small payments ($500-1000) to key suppliers

• Document actual fees and settlement times

• Verify integration with existing accounting systems

Week 3-4: Supplier communication

• Notify suppliers of potential payment method changes

• Collect updated banking details for local network routing

• Establish backup payment methods for critical suppliers

• Update purchase order templates with new payment terms

Month 2: Gradual migration

• Move 25% of supplier payments to new platform

• Monitor for any settlement delays or supplier issues

• Compare actual costs against projections

• Adjust processes based on real-world experience

Month 3+: Full deployment

• Migrate remaining supplier payments

• Implement automated AP workflows

• Establish monthly cost reporting and optimization reviews

• Train team on advanced features like currency hedging

The key is maintaining dual capabilities during transition. Supplier relationships are too valuable to risk over payment processing changes.

Looking ahead: 2025 trends in supplier payments

Several developments will reshape international supplier payment costs throughout 2025:

Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs): As more countries launch digital currencies, expect new payment rails that bypass traditional correspondent banking entirely.

Real-time gross settlement expansion: More countries are connecting their domestic payment systems internationally, reducing reliance on SWIFT for routine transfers.

AI-powered routing optimization: Platforms are beginning to use machine learning to automatically select the cheapest, fastest routing for each payment based on real-time conditions.

Regulatory harmonization: Efforts to standardize cross-border payment regulations could reduce compliance costs and settlement times.

Businesses that establish efficient international payment processes now will be better positioned to capitalize on these emerging opportunities.

Conclusion: the math doesn't lie

When we crunch the numbers on real supplier payment scenarios, Airwallex consistently delivers lower total costs and better supplier experiences. The €25,000 European payment saves $84+ while eliminating supplier fee friction. The ¥1 million Japanese shipment saves $70+ with cleaner settlement.

But the real advantage isn't just cost – it's control. Airwallex's SWIFT routing flexibility, local network access, and integrated expense management create operational efficiencies that compound over time (Airwallex).

For businesses serious about optimizing international supplier relationships, the choice is clear. Every basis point saved on FX spreads and every eliminated intermediary fee flows directly to your bottom line. In 2025's competitive landscape, those margins matter more than ever.

The platforms continue evolving rapidly, with Airwallex expanding coverage and Revolut Business adding features. But today's analysis shows a clear winner for businesses prioritizing cost optimization and supplier relationship management in their international payment strategy.

FAQ

What are the main hidden fees when paying overseas suppliers?

The main hidden costs include FX mark-ups (typically 1-4% above interbank rates), SWIFT routing fees ($15-50 per transfer), intermediary bank charges, and card processing fees. These can add €1,500+ to a €25,000 payment, making transparent pricing crucial for cost control.

How does Airwallex pricing compare to traditional banks for supplier payments?

Airwallex offers interbank FX rates with transparent fees, while traditional banks often hide 2-4% mark-ups in exchange rates. Their Explore plan is free with AUD $5k monthly deposits or AUD $10k balance, otherwise AUD $29/month. This can save businesses thousands on large supplier payments compared to bank wire transfers.

What are the key differences between Airwallex and Revolut Business for international payments?

Airwallex focuses on comprehensive business financial solutions with multi-currency accounts in 20+ currencies and free transfers to 120+ countries. Revolut Business offers competitive consumer-grade pricing but with more limited business features. Airwallex provides better SWIFT coverage (207 countries) and specialized supplier payment tools.

How can businesses avoid double currency conversion fees when paying suppliers?

Businesses can avoid double conversion by using multi-currency accounts that hold funds in the supplier's currency, eliminating the need to convert twice. Airwallex's system allows settlement in 14+ major currencies like-for-like, avoiding forced FX conversions that can cost 2-3% extra per transaction.

What impact do cross-border fees have on business operations?

Cross-border fees can significantly impact profit margins, especially for businesses with thin margins or high-volume international transactions. Hidden fees of 3-5% on supplier payments can erode profitability and make budgeting difficult. Transparent fee structures help businesses accurately forecast costs and maintain competitive pricing.

Are there specific advantages to using charge cards versus credit cards for supplier payments?

Charge cards typically offer higher spending limits and don't carry interest charges since balances must be paid in full monthly, making them suitable for large supplier payments. However, they may have higher annual fees and stricter approval requirements compared to credit cards, which offer more payment flexibility but with interest costs.

Citations

1. https://www.airwallex.com/au/pricing

2. https://www.airwallex.com/blog/may-release-notes-25

3. https://www.airwallex.com/ca/blog/charge-card-vs-credit-card

4. https://www.airwallex.com/ca/blog/cross-border-fees

5. https://www.airwallex.com/ca/blog/expense-management-software-tools

6. https://www.airwallex.com/ca/blog/payment-rails

7. https://www.airwallex.com/ca/blog/swift-bic-number-code

8. https://www.airwallex.com/ca/blog/travel-companies-save-on-cross-border-payments

9. https://www.airwallex.com/uk/business-account/global-accounts