Top six Melio alternatives and competitors (2026)

Key takeaways

• Melio's £16 flat fee for international payments and limited multi-currency support make it expensive for businesses with global operations, particularly when combined with FX conversion costs.

• The best Melio alternatives offer international payment capabilities, multi-currency accounts, card issuing, FX transparency, and scalable financial infrastructure beyond basic bill pay.

• Airwallex provides unified financial infrastructure across 200+ countries with zero monthly fees, multi-currency accounts, card issuing, and integrated spend management—eliminating the need for multiple financial tools.

If you're paying £16 per international payment through Melio, those fees add up fast. For a business making 50 international payments monthly, that's £9,600 annually just in transfer fees—before currency conversion costs. For many growing businesses, Melio's US-focused approach and limited functionality beyond bill pay create unnecessary friction and expense.

The right financial platform should support your business as it scales, not constrain it. Whether you're managing international suppliers, operating in multiple currencies, or need broader financial capabilities, there are alternatives that deliver more without costing more.

This guide compares the top Melio alternatives for 2026, helping you find a platform that matches your business's ambitions, not just its current bill-paying needs.

Top Melio alternatives in 2026

Below are six alternatives representing different strengths across the financial platform market. This cross-section illustrates what's available, though it's not exhaustive. Every business has unique requirements, and understanding yours helps identify the best fit.

Airwallex

Global financial infrastructure for growing businesses operating internationally. Beyond accounts payable and receivable, Airwallex provides multi-currency business accounts, FX services, spend management, card issuing, payment acceptance, and embedded finance.

Airwallex enables businesses to hold and transact in 30+ currencies, send local payments in 200+ countries, and issue cards with customisable limits—all from a single platform with zero monthly subscription fees. Companies like Truvi increased financial operations efficiency by 20% using Airwallex's spend management features, whilst Lenny Thomas, CEO of Petraveller, estimates his team saves 50 hours weekly thanks to the integrated platform.

→ Discover Airwallex's multi-currency business account features

Bill.com

Comprehensive financial services extending beyond AP and AR, including in-platform access to credit lines.

Wise Business

International transfers platform offering multi-currency accounts and team management capabilities.

Ramp

Financial platform with integrated travel booking and spend management features.

Payoneer

Internationally focused provider with online payment capabilities and workforce management services.

Tipalti

Financial platform powered by AI and automation for streamlining complex vendor management processes.

What is Melio?

Melio is a B2B payment platform specialising in bill payments and invoicing. The company claims to be "powering bill pay and invoicing for millions of businesses and their vendors".

Headquartered in New York and operating primarily in USD, Melio can send international payments to over 80 countries. In June 2025, Xero announced its acquisition of Melio, signalling the platform's continued focus on integrated accounts payable and receivable functionality.

Why look for a Melio alternative in 2026?

Melio's US focus creates the primary source of frustration for international businesses. Every payment outside the US incurs a flat £16 fee, plus currency exchange costs. For businesses with regular international transactions, these costs become prohibitive quickly.

Beyond international payment costs, several limitations prompt businesses to explore alternatives. Melio offers no multi-currency support, meaning you can't hold and manage balances in foreign currencies. The functionality remains limited to bill pay and invoicing, with no spend management or card issuing capabilities.

The B2B specialisation excludes eCommerce, retail, and many other business models. Embedded finance products remain confined to accounts payable and receivable, whilst negative reviews on Trustpilot reference inadequate phone support and refund processing issues.

What to look for in a Melio alternative

When evaluating payment and finance platforms, focus on these critical capabilities to narrow your options effectively.

International payments and multi-currency support

More than one in every ten UK businesses exports goods or services, whilst 312,555 businesses imported physical goods in 2023 alone. Modern businesses operate internationally, and financial infrastructure must reflect this reality.

Multi-currency accounts enable you to hold balances in foreign currencies, eliminating conversion fees on every transaction. For businesses managing cross-border payments, this capability is essential.

→ Learn how Airwallex business accounts support multi-currency operations

FX transparency and low transfer fees

The international nature of business means multiple currencies flow in and out constantly. Hidden FX margins and high transfer fees erode margins significantly. Look for transparent exchange rates and competitive international transfer costs.

Understanding the true cost of international payment gateways helps you compare providers accurately and identify hidden fees.

Card issuing and spend management

As businesses grow, so do expenses. Centralised spend management with card issuance capabilities and customisable limits keeps spending under control without creating administrative bottlenecks.

Modern platforms enable you to issue virtual and physical cards with granular spending controls, real-time visibility, and automated expense categorisation.

Accounting software integrations

Integration with accounting software should be standard, eliminating manual reconciliation and duplicate data entry. Without this, you're creating unnecessary administrative work.

Global payment acceptance and sending

Your money needs to move globally as easily as it moves locally. Payment acceptance and bill pay for international vendors and suppliers maximises profits, improves relationships, and smooths cash flow.

For B2B companies specifically, choosing the right B2B payment gateway ensures you can handle complex invoicing, multiple currencies, and high transaction values efficiently.

Scalable financial infrastructure

Bill paying is one component of business finance. The right platform provides comprehensive infrastructure covering spend management, payments, multi-currency accounts, and embedded finance—growing with your business rather than constraining it.

→ Explore Airwallex's complete business account solution

How to choose the best Melio alternative for your business

The market offers numerous alternatives beyond these six. Quickly narrow your options by asking the right questions about your business needs:

Calculate the proportion of payments (inbound and outbound) that are international. Work out your current currency conversion and FX costs. Assess whether you need only bill pay or whether features like company cards and business accounts would add value.

Identify the countries and regions where you're most active. Consider expansion plans and whether they include new geographies. Know how many entities your company operates, as this affects infrastructure requirements.

With this data, you'll have a clear shopping list. You'll understand your priorities—such as upcoming US expansion requiring USD AP/AR and spend management—and can select vendors meeting those criteria most effectively.

Why businesses choose Airwallex over Melio

Melio excels at accounts payable and receivable—a critical function for every business. Finding a tool that streamlines this process makes a substantial operational difference.

However, many growing businesses need financial technology extending far beyond bill payments and invoicing. For these businesses, Airwallex provides unified financial infrastructure for operating globally whilst appearing local.

Airwallex's multi-currency business accounts allow you to hold, manage, and transact in 30+ currencies without per-transaction fees for international payments. The platform's integrated spend management, card issuing, and payment acceptance capabilities mean you're not juggling multiple vendors to run your financial operations.

The cost savings are substantial. Where Melio charges £16 per international payment, Airwallex enables local payment processing in 200+ countries, eliminating these per-transaction fees entirely. For businesses sending 50 international payments monthly, this represents £9,600 in annual savings before considering FX margin improvements.

Growing businesses require holistic fintech solutions that scale with their ambitions, not constrain them to basic bill-paying functionality.

Airwallex: International transactions without the high FX fees

Melio serves a specific purpose well—its Xero acquisition proves that. However, its limitations become apparent for businesses with international complexity. Growing companies need robust financial infrastructure supporting multi-currency operations, spend management, card issuing, and scalable payment capabilities.

This guide has revealed the broader landscape of financial technology available. Whilst Melio handles bill pay adequately, alternatives like Airwallex offer comprehensive platforms supporting international growth without the per-transaction penalties and feature limitations.

Ready to upgrade your financial infrastructure? Open an Airwallex business account to access multi-currency accounts, local payment rails, and integrated spend management designed for growing businesses.

FAQs

How much does Melio charge for international payments?

Melio charges a flat £16 fee for every international payment, plus currency conversion costs. For businesses making regular international transfers, these fees accumulate quickly—50 international payments monthly equals £9,600 annually in fees alone, before considering FX margins.

What's the best alternative to Melio for international businesses?

Airwallex is the leading alternative for international businesses, offering multi-currency accounts in 30+ currencies, local payment processing in 200+ countries with no per-transaction fees, integrated card issuing, and comprehensive spend management—all with zero monthly subscription costs. This eliminates the £9,600+ annual fees businesses pay for 50 international payments through Melio.

Can I hold multiple currencies with Melio alternatives?

Yes. Platforms like Airwallex allow you to hold and manage balances in 30+ currencies within multi-currency business accounts. This eliminates the need for currency conversion on every transaction and allows you to pay suppliers in their local currency, reducing costs and improving payment speed.

Does Airwallex offer better pricing than Melio?

Yes. Airwallex charges zero monthly subscription fees and eliminates per-transaction fees for international payments through local payment rail access. Where Melio charges £16 per international payment, Airwallex processes these as local payments in 200+ countries at standard rates, saving businesses thousands of pounds annually whilst offering more features including card issuing, spend management, and multi-currency accounts.