7 best BigPay alternatives in Malaysia (2026)

Key Takeaways:

• BigPay is a Malaysian digital wallet and prepaid card designed around everyday spending, payments and selected international transfers. It’s designed for personal use, not business use.

• The right alternative depends on your needs: Wise for multi-currency spending, Touch 'n Go eWallet for everyday payments, and Merchantrade Money for multi-currency spending and remittances.

• If you need to make business transfers, the 8 alternatives in this article aren’t a good fit; skip ahead to the last section to see what we recommend for businesses instead.

There's no shortage of BigPay alternatives in Malaysia, but the right one depends on why BigPay isn't working for you anymore.

Maybe you want better exchange rates. Maybe you need to send money to a country BigPay doesn't support. Or maybe you just want an account that can hold more than one currency.

In this guide, we’ll walk through eight alternatives for personal transfers.

If you're a business owner who needs to pay suppliers overseas, collect payments from international customers, or manage team expenses, skip to the last section.

What BigPay does (and doesn't do)

BigPay is a digital wallet and prepaid card service available in Malaysia. You open an account through the app, add funds in Malaysian ringgit, and can use the card for online and in-store purchases wherever it is accepted.

Here's what you can do with BigPay:

• Spend locally and abroad: use the card for online and in-store purchases, including overseas

• Send money internationally: transfer money to bank accounts in supported countries

• Pay local bills: settle selected bills directly through the app

• Split bills: split expenses with other BigPay users and request payments

• Track spending: view your transactions and spending activity in the app

• Access credit: eligible users can apply for BigPay Later, subject to the product's eligibility requirements

• Earn AirAsia points: eligible card spending can earn points through BigPay's AirAsia-linked rewards programme

Information in this section is based on BigPay’s official website as of 1 Oct 2026.

Note that BigPay is primarily a personal spending and payments product rather than a business banking platform.

If you’re looking for a business account, Airwallex is a good option: it lets you hold 20+ currencies, transfer to 200+ countries, and it has no monthly fees or setup fees.

Why people look for BigPay alternatives

BigPay is designed around everyday spending, payments and selected international transfers. It can suit someone who mainly spends in Malaysian ringgit, occasionally sends money overseas, and wants a digital wallet with a card.

However, businesses or individuals looking for broader multi-currency and international payment features may find some limitations:

Limited multi-currency functionality

BigPay's core wallet is denominated in Malaysian ringgit, rather than functioning like a multi-currency account where you can hold separate USD, SGD and other foreign-currency balances.

This means it isn't designed for users who want to hold foreign currencies in advance or regularly manage balances in multiple currencies.

International transfers are more limited

BigPay supports international transfers to selected destinations, rather than offering the same broad coverage as some dedicated international money-transfer providers. Transfer fees and exchange rates depend on the transaction and are shown in the app.

Not designed for international payment collection

BigPay is primarily a spending and payments product rather than a multi-currency account for receiving international business payments. If you regularly receive money from overseas clients or employers, you may need a provider with foreign-currency receiving accounts.

8 BigPay alternatives in Malaysia

All eight alternatives below are regulated in Malaysia and available to Malaysian residents. These are personal accounts that are for individual use only:

This information is based on publicly available information accessed on 1 Oct 2026. Information reflects Airwallex's own research and has not been independently verified.

Note: MoneyMatch offers a prepaid Mastercard through its employee salary and payment programme. Availability is tied to participating Malaysian employers, rather than being a standard card available to all MoneyMatch users.

Wise: Best for multi-currency spending and wide transfer reach

Wise is particularly suited to people who regularly move, receive or spend money in different currencies. Its main strength is combining international transfers, a multi-currency account and a linked debit card in one personal account.

It can work well for frequent travellers, people who receive money from overseas, and Malaysians who regularly send money abroad.

Features:

• Hold and manage 40+ currencies

• Send money to 140 countries

• Receive money with local account details for 20 currencies

• Wise debit card for spending in 150+ countries and territories

• Virtual card for online and in-store spending

• Convert currencies in the Wise app

• Malaysian account details for receiving MYR transfers

Information in this section is based on Wise’s official website as of 1 Oct 2026.

Touch 'n Go eWallet: Best for everyday local spending and remittances

Touch 'n Go eWallet is particularly suited to Malaysians who already use the app for everyday payments and want international transfers and overseas spending within the same ecosystem.

Its combination of local payments, travel features and remittance makes it more of an all-purpose Malaysian e-wallet than a dedicated multi-currency account.

Features:

• International remittances to 50+ countries

• Bank account, cash pickup and supported e-wallet payout options

• Touch 'n Go Visa Card for local and overseas spending

• Overseas QR payments in 50+ countries

• DuitNow QR payments

• Bill payments and other everyday transactions

• Other financial services through the TNG eWallet app

Information in this section is based on Touch n’ Go’s official website as of 1 Oct 2026.

Merchantrade Money: Best for multi-currency wallet and cash remittances

Merchantrade Money stands out for combining a multi-currency wallet and prepaid Visa card with Merchantrade's physical branch and agent network.

It is particularly suited to travellers who want to load foreign currencies before a trip, spend directly from those balances, and still have the option of in-person services. It also supports international remittances, making it useful beyond travel spending.

Features:

• Multi-currency wallet supporting up to 20 listed currencies

• Prepaid Visa card for online and in-store spending

• Lock in exchange rates when converting currencies

• Overseas spending from the corresponding currency wallet

• Cash withdrawals at Visa Plus ATMs worldwide

• Top up through online banking, branches and participating agents

• Remittances to 200+ countries and territories

Information in this section is based on Merchantrade’s official website as of 1 Oct 2026.

Instarem: Best for international money transfers and rewards

Instarem is particularly suited to people whose main need is sending money internationally rather than managing a multi-currency wallet or spending with a card.

Its transfer-focused service is useful for Malaysians who regularly send money to family, friends or overseas accounts, while its rewards programme gives frequent users another reason to use the platform.

Features:

• International transfers from Malaysia to 60+ countries

• Transfers to overseas bank accounts

• Exchange rates and applicable fees shown before confirmation

• Real-time transfer tracking

• InstaPoints rewards on eligible transfers

• Rate alerts

• FPX payments for Malaysian users

Information in this section is based on Instarem’s official website as of 1 Oct 2026.

MAE by Maybank: Best for Maybank customers who want banking in an app

MAE is Maybank's mobile banking app, making it particularly useful for customers who want everyday banking, payments and money-management tools in the same ecosystem as their Maybank accounts.

It is also an option for people who want to start using Maybank's digital services without immediately opening a full range of traditional banking products.

Features:

• Maybank account management and digital banking

• International money transfers to supported destinations

• Physical and virtual debit cards

• Bill payments and DuitNow transfers

• Savings goals and budgeting tools

• QR payments and mobile payments

• Access to Maybank's wider banking services

Information in this section is based on Maybank’s official website as of 1 Oct 2026.

GrabPay: Best for Grab ecosystem spending and local rewards

GrabPay is particularly suited to people who already use Grab regularly and want to handle everyday payments within the same app.

It is more focused on local spending and the wider Grab ecosystem than on international money management, so it works better as a local digital wallet than as a direct replacement for Revolut.

Features:

• Payments for Grab rides, food, groceries and other services

• DuitNow QR payments at participating merchants

• Bill payments and prepaid mobile top-ups

• Transfers to other users

• GrabRewards points on eligible transactions

• In-app wallet and payment management

• Integration with other Grab services

Information in this section is based on GrabPay’s official website as of 1 Oct 2026.

MoneyMatch: Best for transparent international transfers

MoneyMatch is particularly suited to Malaysians who mainly need to send money overseas rather than manage a multi-currency wallet or use a travel card.

Its focus on international transfers makes it relevant for people sending money to family, friends, overseas accounts or other recipients abroad. It also offers a separate business service for companies with international payment needs.

Features:

• International transfers to 110+ countries

• Bank, mobile wallet and cash-pickup delivery options, depending on destination

• Personal transfers through the MoneyMatch app

• Online e-KYC for Malaysian users

• Transfer tracking

• Web and mobile platforms

• Separate business transfer services

Information in this section is based on MoneyMatch’s official website as of 1 Oct 2026.

What Malaysian businesses should use instead

If you're using BigPay or another personal account for business payments, you'll likely need a business-specific account as your needs grow. Personal products generally don't provide features such as company accounts, multi-user access, approval workflows and batch payments.

That's where Airwallex comes in. It's licensed to provide remittance services in Malaysia and is designed for businesses managing cross-border payments.

Here's what you get with Airwallex:

• Global Accounts: open local currency accounts in 20+ currencies and collect payments from international customers in their local currency, in your company's name

• Competitive FX rates: FX is priced at 0.4% to 0.6% above interbank, saving you up to 80% on FX fees compared to traditional banks

• Transfers to 200+ countries: 94% of our transfers go through local rails with $0 transfer fees. 93% of transfers arrive on the same working day.

• Batch payments: Pay up to 1,000 recipients in one go, across different currencies and countries

You can open an Airwallex account fully online. There are no setup fees, no monthly fees, and no minimum balance requirements.

How to choose the right BigPay alternative

If you need a business account, the answer is straightforward: Airwallex. It's the only option on this page built for company payments, multi-currency collection, and team access.

For personal transfers, the right choice depends on what you actually use BigPay for — or what you wish it could do. Here's a quick guide:

Keep in mind that most Malaysians use more than one wallet. There's no rule that says you have to pick just one. A common setup is Touch 'n Go for everyday local spending, and Wise or Instarem when you need to send money overseas.

That way, you get the best of both without paying for features you don't use.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the best BigPay alternative in Malaysia?

There's no single best alternative: it depends on what you need. For business transfers, go with Airwallex. For personal transfers, Wise is a strong pick for multi-currency spending and wide international reach, and Touch 'n Go eWallet works best for everyday local use. Use the comparison table above to match your needs to the right provider.

Is BigPay safe to use in Malaysia?

BigPay is a licensed e-money issuer in Malaysia and operates under the country's regulatory requirements for electronic money services. However, BigPay is not a bank, so balances in its e-wallet are not covered by PIDM deposit insurance. This is different from a bank deposit, which may be eligible for deposit insurance subject to PIDM's applicable conditions.

Which e-wallet has the best exchange rate in Malaysia?

Wise consistently offers the most transparent exchange rate: it uses the mid-market rate with no markup, and shows you the full cost before you confirm.² Other providers, including BigPay and MAE by Maybank, use rates that may include a margin. The cheapest option on any given day depends on the destination, so it's worth comparing total received amounts across two or three providers before sending.

Can I use a BigPay alternative abroad?

Most alternatives on this list work overseas. Wise, Touch 'n Go, Merchantrade, and MAE all offer physical cards accepted at international merchants. Wise is the strongest option for frequent travellers because you can pre-load the currency you need and spend it without conversion fees. GrabPay, Instarem, and MoneyMatch are transfer-focused and are not designed for overseas card spending.

Which BigPay alternative is best for sending money internationally?

For businesses, Airwallex sends to 200+ countries. For personal transfers, Wise covers 140+ countries² with the mid-market rate. MoneyMatch covers 110+ countries⁶ with full costs shown upfront. Instarem is strong for ASEAN corridors and offers rewards on every transfer.⁴ Touch 'n Go eWallet covers 50+ countries³ with a flat fee, which suits larger transfers.

Sources:

1. https://wise.com/my/account/

2. https://www.tngdigital.com.my/gofinance/remittance/

3. https://mtradeasia.com/

4. https://www.instarem.com/en-my/

5. https://www.maybank2u.com.my/maybank2u/malaysia/en/personal/services/digital_banking/mae_by_maybank2u.page

6. https://www.grab.com/my/pay/

7. https://moneymatch.co/