Wise vs Airwallex: Compare features and fees

Find out how Wise’s features and fees compare to Airwallex’s.

With Airwallex, businesses can transfer funds to 200+ countries, more than the 70+ supported by Wise. Get wider global coverage and more features – including payment acceptance, spend management tools, and more.

Hero Banner Image

3 reasons why businesses choose Airwallex over Wise

Get wider global reach

Airwallex offers multi-currency accounts in 20+ currencies, compared to Wise’s 10+. Send money to 200+ countries, including 120+ using local payment rails, compared to 70+ with Wise.

Get paid in more ways

Both Wise and Airwallex offer payment links and invoices. But Airwallex also provides other payment solutions like low-code eCommerce plugins, hosted checkouts, and fully customisable APIs.

Manage expenses with more control

While Wise offers basic card controls, Airwallex helps businesses ‌track and control spend with end-to-end tools – from issuing business debit cards to setting spend limits and syncing with accounting software.

Reach more markets and gain full control over spend with Airwallex

The biggest difference between Airwallex and Wise is global reach and the number of features available. While both Airwallex and Wise let you set up local foreign currency accounts in 20+ countries, Airwallex lets you hold more currencies and pay out to more countries overall.
Businesses can get oversight and control over their global spend with Airwallex’s expense management tools, which are more comprehensive than Wise’s. Airwallex also gives you more ways to accept customer payments, and we do not charge you to grow your business funds with Yield.

Airwallex

Wise

Multi-currency accounts - Accept currencies

70+ countries

40+ countries

Local banking details

20+ countries

20+ countries

Global transfer coverage

200+ countries

70+ countries

Accept customer payments

Payment links, invoices, QR codes, eCommerce plugins, hosted checkout, and fully customisable payment APIs

Payment links, invoices, and QR codes

Expense management

Advanced card controls, mult-layer approval, multi-entity management, AI-powered automations

Basic card control and team approvals

Yield account

Included with your Airwallex plan

0.72% annual fee

Save on fees and FX with Airwallex

With Airwallex, you can send funds via local payment rails to 120+ countries and can create local banking details in 20+ countries for no setup fee. Compare fees and rates between Wise and Airwallex below.

Fees

Airwallex

Wise

Local banking detail setup fee

A$0

A$65

FX fees

0.5%–1% above interbank rates

Fees from 0.65% above interbank rates (varies by currency)

What local businesses are saying about Airwallex

Airwallex Testimony

"We were transacting large volumes and holding lots in the account. Wise sent an email to US saying they would shut our account down in two days if we don't provide details on this transaction. This was alarming to us.”

Daniel Ebbett

BlockBlueLight, CEO

Airwallex Testimony

“If you have staff, suppliers or customers overseas, then your business should be using Airwallex. It’s a fantastic product backed by a wonderful customer care team who will answer all your questions and ensure you get onboarded properly and know how to use the product.”

Dale Beaumont

Founder and CEO, Business Blueprint

Airwallex Testimony

"Before Airwallex, we were making unnecessarily expensive conversions. Our margins have easily increased by 3% simply by switching to Airwallex.”

Jake McKeon

Coconut Bowls, Founder

Airwallex Testimony

“Because of Airwallex, we’re enjoying significant cost savings and a more streamlined management of funds between different currencies, which is essential for our travel agency.”

Simon Russell

Authentic Vacations, CEO

Frequently asked questions about Wise features and fees

What alternative solutions to Wise are there?

There are several alternatives to Wise, including PayPal, Payoneer, Revolut, and HSBC. However, Airwallex stands out for its competitive pricing, global reach, multi-currency support, and end-to-end solutions including FX and transfers, spend management tools, and payment acceptance.

How much are Wise fees in Australia?

Wise typically charges a fixed fee plus variable fees starting from 0.4% per transfer for sending money abroad. Fees vary by currency and payment rails. Additional fees apply for FX conversions. Airwallex offers a competitive alternative with transparent and often lower fees, especially for businesses dealing with multiple currencies and regions.

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 does an Airwallex Business Account help businesses 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.

Sign up online, or get in touch with us today

*All comparisons and information reflect Airwallex’s own research using public documentation as of August 2025, and have not been independently validated. 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].