Why Hong Kong businesses choose Airwallex over Aspire
While traditional banks focus on local foundations, Airwallex connects you to the world. Open a multi-currency account fully online, eliminate international transaction fees, and streamline your global operations.
Airwallex holds 80+ international licences, and meets the highest international security standards and local regulatory requirements.
3 reasons why Airwallex is the modern alternative to Aspire
Eliminate international fees and accelerate cash flow
Bypass the SWIFT network and get access $0 transfer fees to 120+ countries or regions via our local payment rails.
Frictionless, fully digital onboarding
Skip the branch visits and paperwork. Complete your application entirely online and get approved in as little as 48 hours, so you can start trading immediately.
Accept payments from around the world
Improve checkout conversion with 160+ local payment methods, including FPS, WeChat Pay, and more. Settle like-for-like in 20+ currencies.
Compare Aspire and Airwallex features
Aspire is primarily built for expense management and SaaS-focused businesses, but its reliance on SWIFT for cross-border transfers, per-transaction fees, and limited online collection capabilities mean it may not scale efficiently as your global payment needs grow. Airwallex offers a specialised platform designed for cross-border cost efficiency, local payment reach, and operational speed.
Don't limit your business potential. Choose a partner built for growth.
An end-to-end platform engineered for global scale
Airwallex offers a comprehensive financial operating system designed to replace fragmented tools. Manage, send, and receive funds globally without unnecessary FX fees. whether you are paying suppliers or collecting from customers, our extensive network ensures your capital moves with maximum efficiency.
Join 200,000+ companies using Airwallex to simplify finance and fuel expansion.
See how our customers are finding Airwallex
“The 1% extra on every business travel expense used to add up. With Airwallex, I can skip those frustrating foreign transaction fees.”
Rachel Lim
Co-Founder, Love, Bonito
"Airwallex has been a game changer for all our banking needs. As a fast-growing startup, we need a scalable yet cost-efficient batch payment solution to pay our employees and vendors both inside and outside Hong Kong. Airwallex helps us save money on every bank transfer with their near-zero transaction fee and market-beating FX rates. We also use Airwallex’s multi-currency Visa cards for business travel expenses and SaaS subscriptions to avoid hidden bank fees that would otherwise have been difficult to spot. Would highly recommend other startups to get started with Airwallex!"
Henson Tsai
Founder, SleekFlow
“Through Airwallex, Jakewell can easily create Visa Corporate Cards for their team in minutes. Management can set spending limits and assign specific uses for each card to avoid misuse, while the team can quickly handle unexpected expenses. All transactions are automatically recorded, making the reconciliation process a breeze.”
Phyllis
Head of Digital Operations at Jakewell
"I’m so thankful that Airwallex exists! In Hong Kong, it's so hard to find financial service providers that are friendly to small businesses. Airwallex allows me to exchange currencies at really great rates, and the interface is very modern and easy to use compared to my bank. We save so much money with Airwallex! In just a few months, we've already saved more than HK$78,000 in unnecessary fees!"
Jennifer Chong
CEO, Linjer
“To ensure that marketing teams across each market have sufficient funds for daily operations, such as ad placements, KOL payments, and software subscriptions, Grams(28) conducts cross-border transfers on a daily basis. Through Airwallex, we can now easily create employee cards for various teams with just a few clicks.”
Benjamin
Founder of Grams(28)
“Importing the best wine and sake overseas always involve extra costs on transaction fee & FX fee. With Airwallex, we saved 100% of our overseas remittance cost and we could provide the best price for our customers.”
Tomy Wu
Co-Founder, MyiCellar
FAQs about upgrading from Aspire
What are the key differences in cross-border transfer fees between Airwallex and Aspire?
Airwallex routes payments through local networks to 120+ countries at zero transfer fee, with FX conversion rates as low as 0.2% above the interbank rate, and 93% of transactions arrive within the same day. Aspire relies on SWIFT for international transfers, charging USD $15 (SHA) or USD $30 (OUR) per transaction — costs that accumulate quickly for businesses making frequent cross-border payments.
Which platform is better suited for e-commerce businesses in Hong Kong?
Airwallex offers a comprehensive global collection solution supporting 160+ local payment methods, with direct integrations for major e-commerce platforms and same-currency settlement in 20+ currencies to minimise unnecessary FX conversion. Aspire's online collection capabilities are comparatively limited, with support for approximately 5 payment methods and no dedicated e-commerce platform integrations — making it less suited for businesses that rely heavily on online sales channels.
How do the corporate card fees compare between Airwallex and Aspire?
Airwallex corporate Visa cards carry a 0% foreign transaction fee, with unlimited cashback available on eligible spending categories, and both virtual and physical cards can be issued free of charge. Aspire corporate cards charge a 1.5% foreign exchange fee on overseas transactions, and while physical cards are free for the first card, subsequent cards incur a fee — making Airwallex the more cost-effective option for businesses with high international card spending.
This publication does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice from Airwallex, nor does it substitute seeking such advice, and makes no express or implied representations, warranties, or guarantees regarding content accuracy, completeness, or currentness. Product features, pricing and other details are subject to change.
Airwallex does not guarantee the continued accuracy of this information and is not responsible for any inaccuracies that may arise from such changes. This publication is not intended to be relied on for the purpose of making a decision about a financial product. Users are encouraged to conduct their own verification and seek their own advice.
With the Airwallex credit card, there is no revolving credit carried over – pay your statement balance in full at the end of each repayment period.