WorldFirst World Account review for Singapore (2026): Features, fees, and limitations explained

Key takeaways:

• WorldFirst is best suited for businesses that mainly need FX and international transfers. 

• WorldFirst’s pricing looks competitive, but fees vary depending on how you send and receive funds. Exchange rate margins and transfer costs may inflate your total cost.

• Airwallex offers a broader, all-in-one business account for growing international businesses. Alongside FX and transfers, we provide local bank details, Corporate Cards, payment acceptance, and built-in Expense Management on one platform.

If your business deals with international payments, choosing the right cross-border partner matters more than ever. You need fast, reliable international payment services, clear pricing, and tools that don’t slow your team down as you grow. 

This review breaks down what the WorldFirst World Account does well, where it falls short, and why many small businesses eventually look for a more complete tool like Airwallex.

What is WorldFirst?

WorldFirst is a global international payment services provider that specialises in international money transfers and currency exchange. Founded in the UK, it is now part of the Ant Group and serves SMEs that operate across borders. 

With WorldFirst, businesses can open a World Account to hold and manage multiple currencies, send and receive funds internationally, and access local receiving accounts in selected markets. The platform is primarily designed for cross-border payments and FX, rather than as a full-service digital banking or financial management solution.

What are the key features of the WorldFirst World Account?

Here’s a quick look at what the WorldFirst World Account offers.

• Multi-currency account to hold and manage multiple foreign currencies

• Marketplace collection tools for online sellers on major eCommerce platforms

• Basic accounting software integrations to streamline payment processing

• Mass payout tools for bulk payments to vendors and contractors in various countries

Multi-currency account

With the WorldFirst World Account, you get a single multi-currency account that lets you receive funds in 20+ currencies¹. Instead of opening separate local bank accounts in different countries, you can keep balances in major currencies like USD, EUR and GBP inside one account.

You can receive payments from customers, marketplaces and platforms straight into these currency balances, then use the same funds to send money and make supplier payments. 

Marketplace collection

WorldFirst supports online sellers who need to receive payments from international marketplaces. If you sell on major eCommerce platforms such as Lazada, Shopee or TikTok Shop², you can route payouts into your WorldFirst World Account instead of a traditional bank account. 

Accounting software integrations

WorldFirst connects to a small set of accounting tools so you can streamline basic payment processing and reconciliation. If you use supported platforms like Xero³, you can sync transactions from your WorldFirst World Account into your ledger, instead of keying them in by hand. 

Mass international payouts

WorldFirst also supports mass international payouts, so you can send multiple supplier payments in one go instead of creating each international transfer manually. Simply upload your payee details and amounts, and WorldFirst will process the bulk payments for you. 

What are the WorldFirst World Account pricing & fees?

WorldFirst keeps headline account fees low, but you still pay on activity. Here’s an overview of WorldFirst’s fees.

The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 26 January 2026.

How do you open a WorldFirst World Account in Singapore?

You can open a WorldFirst World Account online. Here are the steps to follow: 

1. Go to the WorldFirst Singapore website and choose “Sign up” for a business.

2. Select Singapore as your country and enter your email and mobile number.

3. Choose your business type (company or sole trader) and create your login.

4. Fill in your business details (name, registration number, address, industry, expected turnover).

5. Add director and owner information, including identification and proof of address.

6. Describe how you’ll use your account (e.g. for international payments, supplier payments, or marketplace payouts).

7. Upload the requested documents and submit your application for review.

Is WorldFirst right for your business?

Like any financial platform, WorldFirst has its strengths and limitations. We’ve already looked at its features and benefits – now let’s compare them with its drawbacks to help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your business.

How does WorldFirst compare with Airwallex?

The WorldFirst World Account is strong on FX and international money transfers, but it’s fairly narrow outside those use cases. If you’re on WorldFirst, you’ll find it hard to run everything from one place as your business grows.

On the other hand, Airwallex offers a broader business account that brings multi-currency balances, FX and transfers, Corporate Cards, Expense Management, Bill Pay, and online payment acceptance together on one platform. You get everything WorldFirst does on cross‑border payments, plus the extra tools you need to scale global operations.

Here’s a simple side‑by‑side view:

Airwallex: The global financial platform built to scale with your business

Where WorldFirst focuses mainly on FX and international payments, Airwallex is built as an all‑in‑one solution for growing businesses. You don’t just get a multi-currency account with Airwallex – you get all the tools you need to run your financial operations from one place.

With an Airwallex Business Account, you can:

• Open one multi-currency account with local bank details in 20+ currencies

• Accept online payments via a built‑in payment gateway and checkout tools

• Issue physical and virtual Corporate Cards for your team

• Use built‑in Expense Management and Bill Pay instead of paying for separate tools

Because everything sits on a single platform, you can collect, hold, convert, and pay out funds without jumping between different providers. That makes it easier to control FX costs, track spend, and keep your books clean as you expand into new markets.

Love, Bonito used this setup to replace legacy bank accounts, cut cross‑border transfer costs, and get most of their international payouts to land on the same day.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is WorldFirst licensed in Singapore?

Yes, WorldFirst is licensed in Singapore as a major payment institution under the Payment Services Act. WorldFirst (Singapore) Merchant Services Pte. Ltd. is supervised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, which sets rules around safeguarding customer funds and managing international transactions.

What currencies can I hold in a WorldFirst multi-currency account?

You can hold and manage balances in over 10 major foreign currencies in your WorldFirst World Account. These typically include SGD, USD, EUR, GBP, AUD and other major currencies, so you can run a single multi-currency account instead of opening separate accounts in each market.

How do I make international payments with my WorldFirst World Account?

You make international payments from your WorldFirst World Account by setting up a transfer in the online dashboard and funding it from your existing currency balances. Choose the destination country and currency, review the exchange rate and other fees, then confirm the payment so WorldFirst can transfer money to your recipient’s bank account.

How long does a WorldFirst international transfer take to complete?

Most WorldFirst international transfers arrive within one to two business days, although timings can vary depending on the route, currency and receiving bank⁴. Some major corridors support same‑day payouts, while transfers to certain various countries or smaller banks may take a little longer.

Sources: 

1. https://www.worldfirst.com/sg

2. https://www.worldfirst.com/sg/product/collect/get-paid-by-marketplaces/

3. https://www.worldfirst.com/sg/xero-integration/

4. https://www.worldfirst.com/sg/help-support/faqs/

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.