9 Aspire alternatives in Singapore (2026): Fees & features

Key Takeaways

• Aspire is a solid starting point for Singapore businesses, but it has limits, particularly on currency coverage, international transfer costs, and payment acceptance tools.

• The best alternative depends on your priorities: some providers are stronger on FX, others on spend management, and others on cross-border payments.

• Airwallex stands out for businesses that need multi-currency accounts, a payment gateway, and international transfers all in one platform. It has no monthly fee and can be set up fully online.

If you're searching for Aspire alternatives, you're likely outgrowing what Aspire currently offers — or looking for a better fit before you commit. Aspire works well for early-stage businesses, but as you start sending more international payments, holding more currencies, or accepting payments from overseas customers, the gaps start to show.

This guide covers nine alternatives to Aspire available to Singapore businesses. For each one, we've compared fees, multi-currency support, and key features so you can make a straightforward decision.

What to look for in an Aspire alternative

Switching business accounts is not a small decision. Before comparing providers, it helps to be clear on what matters most to your business. Here are the key factors to evaluate.

Multi-currency support

Aspire lets you hold funds in five currencies: SGD, USD, EUR, GBP, and IDR. If your business regularly deals in other currencies — AUD, JPY, CNY, or others — you'll want a provider that offers broader holding options.

Check both how many currencies you can hold and whether you get local account details (such as a US routing number or EU IBAN) for each one.

International transfer fees

Most providers charge in one of three ways: a flat SWIFT fee, a percentage-based FX markup, or both. Some offer free transfers via local payment rails, which is significantly cheaper than SWIFT for common corridors. Understand exactly what you'll pay per transfer before choosing.

FX conversion rates

Even small differences in FX markup add up quickly at scale. Look for providers that offer rates close to the mid-market rate, and check whether they disclose their markup clearly or bury it in the exchange rate.

Spend management tools

If you need corporate cards, expense tracking, or bill pay, check whether these are included in the base plan or locked behind a higher tier. Some providers offer strong spend management tools; others treat them as add-ons.

Payment acceptance

If you sell to customers online, you may need more than a business account. Only some providers offer a payment gateway or payment links — this is worth checking early if accepting payments is part of your setup.

Licensing and regulation

All providers operating in Singapore should be licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a Major Payment Institution or hold an equivalent licence. Verify this before opening an account.

Top 9 Aspire alternatives in Singapore

Before we get into the details on each provider, here's how they compare across the key features.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

1. Airwallex

Airwallex is a global financial platform built for businesses that operate across borders. You can open multi-currency accounts in 20+ currencies, send international transfers via local payment rails to 120+ countries at no extra charge, and accept payments from customers in 180+ countries through a built-in payment gateway. It also comes with Corporate cards, and there’s no monthly fee.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

2. Wise Business

Wise is a UK-based fintech with over 700,000 business customers globally.² It's well known for transparent FX pricing — transfers are made at or close to the mid-market rate, with fees shown upfront before you confirm.

You can hold and convert 40+ currencies in a single account and get local account details in multiple markets to receive payments like a local. There's no monthly fee, but Singapore businesses pay a one-time S$99 activation fee to unlock the full feature set.¹⁰ Corporate cards and integrations with Xero and QuickBooks are also available.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

3. Revolut Business

Revolut is a UK-founded fintech offering business accounts across multiple markets, including Singapore. You can hold and exchange 25+ currencies, issue team cards with spending controls, and manage expenses through the app.³

Revolut operates on a tiered pricing model — a free plan is available, but it comes with monthly limits on fee-free transfers and currency exchange. Higher tiers unlock more allowances and features.¹¹ Factor this in if your team makes frequent international payments, as costs can rise once you exceed your plan limits.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

4. YouBiz

YouBiz is a multi-currency business account developed by YouTrip, a Singapore-based fintech. You can open accounts in 8 currencies and make overseas transfers at competitive exchange rates with no hidden markups.⁴ Corporate cards are available with no annual fee, and the platform includes expense management and Xero integration. There's no monthly fee.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

5. Wallex

Wallex is a Singapore-based FX and payments platform focused on cross-border transfers. You can hold funds in 13+ currencies and send payments in 47+ currencies across Asia and beyond.¹⁶ Batch transfers support up to 200 recipients at a time.²⁰

Wallex is built around FX efficiency rather than full business banking — there are no corporate cards or payment gateway features — making it better suited to businesses whose primary need is moving money across borders at competitive rates.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

6. WorldFirst

WorldFirst is a cross-border payment platform founded in the UK in 2004 and acquired by Ant Group in 2019. It supports businesses with global transfers across 100+ currencies¹⁷ and is particularly strong for payments to China — including direct payments to Chinese suppliers and 1688 marketplace sellers. Multi-currency accounts are available in 20+ currencies,⁶ and there's no monthly fee.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

7. Volopay

Volopay is a Singapore-based spend management platform designed for businesses that need tight control over company spending. It combines multi-currency accounts, corporate cards, expense management, and bill pay in a single platform.⁷

Volopay is built around workflow automation — you can set approval flows, budget limits, and spending policies across teams. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; you'll need to contact Volopay directly for a quote.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

8. Payoneer

Payoneer is a US-based payments platform used by over 5 million customers worldwide.⁸ It's particularly popular with businesses that receive payments from international marketplaces — including Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr, and Airbnb — and with companies paying international contractors or suppliers.

You can receive payments in 70+ currencies and withdraw to your local bank account. There's no monthly fee for standard accounts.¹²

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

9. OCBC

OCBC is one of Singapore's largest banks, with a strong presence across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Indonesia, and China. Its Multi-Currency Business Account supports 13 currencies⁹ and comes with access to OCBC's full banking infrastructure, including trade finance, business loans, and relationship banking services.

There is a S$10 monthly fee, waived for Business Growth Account holders.¹³ As a licensed bank, OCBC is subject to more rigorous regulation than fintech providers, which some businesses may prefer.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

Why choose Airwallex over Aspire?

Aspire is a capable business account for early-stage companies. But as your business grows — more currencies, more markets, more payment volume — several of Aspire's limitations become harder to work around.

Here's a quick overview of where the two platforms differ most, before we dive into the details:

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 24 March 2026.

Multi-currency accounts

Aspire lets you hold funds in five currencies: SGD, USD, EUR, GBP, and IDR.¹ Airwallex gives you local account details in 20+ currencies — meaning you can receive payments in a currency, hold it, and pay it out without converting.

That alone can save meaningful money if you're regularly transacting in AUD, JPY, HKD, or other currencies outside Aspire's five.

International transfers

Airwallex sends payments via local payment rails to 120+ countries at no extra charge. This bypasses SWIFT entirely for most common corridors, which is both faster and cheaper. Aspire does not offer this: international transfers go through standard channels, which typically means higher fees and longer settlement times.

Payment gateway

If you sell to customers online, Airwallex has a built-in payment gateway that supports 160+ local payment methods across 180+ countries. Aspire does not offer a payment gateway. This is a significant gap if accepting online payments is part of your business model.

What questions should I ask when choosing between Aspire alternatives?

Use these questions to evaluate any provider before committing.

Account and currency support

• Which currencies can I open a business account in?

• Do I get local account details (e.g. a US routing number or EU IBAN) for each currency?

• Which countries can I send money to, and in which currencies?

Fees and pricing

• What is the monthly fee, and what does it include?

• What is the fee for international transfers — flat fee, FX markup, or both?

• What is the currency conversion rate, and how does it compare to the mid-market rate?

• Are there any fees that aren't clearly stated upfront?

Transfers and payments

• How long does an international transfer take?

• Does the provider use local payment rails or SWIFT for common corridors?

• Can I send batch payments, and how many recipients are supported?

Cards and spend management

• Are corporate cards available, and is there an annual fee?

• Does the platform include expense management and bill pay?

• Can I set spending limits and approval workflows for team members?

Payment acceptance

• Does the provider offer a payment gateway or payment links?

• Which payment methods and currencies can my customers pay in?

• Does it integrate with my eCommerce platform?

Platform and support

• Does it integrate with my accounting software (e.g. Xero, QuickBooks)?

• What customer support options are available, and during which hours?

• Is the provider licensed and regulated by the MAS?

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is Airwallex better than Aspire?

For businesses that send frequent international payments, hold multiple currencies, or accept payments online, Airwallex covers more ground than Aspire. It offers local account details in 20+ currencies, free transfers via local payment rails to 120+ countries and a built-in payment gateway. Aspire is a solid starting point for early-stage businesses, but has more limited currency support and no payment gateway.

Is Aspire free to use in Singapore?

Aspire has no monthly fee for its base account. However, fees apply for international transfers, currency conversion, and some other transactions. Check Aspire's official pricing page for the current fee schedule.

Does Aspire support international payments?

Yes. Aspire supports sending payments in 30+ currencies to recipients overseas. However, it does not offer free transfers via local payment rails, so international transfer fees apply depending on the destination and payment method.

Which Aspire alternative is best for eCommerce businesses in Singapore?

Airwallex is particularly well suited to eCommerce businesses. It offers a payment gateway that supports 160+ local payment methods across 180+ countries, integrations with major eCommerce platforms, and multi-currency accounts to receive and hold funds in the currencies your customers pay in.

What are the main limitations of Aspire?

Aspire works well for businesses in the early stages of growth, but a few limitations become more noticeable as you scale. The multi-currency account only supports five currencies — SGD, USD, EUR, GBP, and IDR — which is narrow compared to most alternatives on this list. There is no payment gateway, so if you need to accept payments from customers online, you'll need a separate solution. And international transfers don't use local payment rails, meaning fees apply for most cross-border payments.

Sources:

1. https://aspireapp.com/business-account

2. https://wise.com/sg/business/

3. https://www.revolut.com/en-SG/business/

4. https://www.you.co/biz/multi-currency-accounts/

5. https://www.wallex.asia/en-sg/business-solutions/multi-currency-wallets

6. https://www.worldfirst.com/sg/product/collect/

7. https://www.volopay.com/sg/

8. https://www.payoneer.com/solutions/small-business/

9. https://www.ocbc.com/business-banking/smes/accounts/multi-currency-business-account

10. https://wise.com/sg/business/

11. https://www.revolut.com/en-SG/business/

12. https://www.payoneer.com/solutions/small-business/

13. https://www.ocbc.com/business-banking/smes/accounts/multi-currency-business-account

14. https://aspireapp.com/corporate-card

15. https://aspireapp.com/global-payments

16. https://www.wallex.asia/en-sg/business-solutions/global-payments

17. https://www.worldfirst.com/sg/product/pay/pay-business-partners/

18. https://www.payoneer.com/solutions/small-business/

19. https://www.wallex.asia/en-sg/business-solutions/global-payments

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 / guarantees regarding content accuracy, completeness, or currency. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (201626561Z) is licensed as a Major Payment Institution and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.