Wise Business and Airwallex both let a company receive, hold, convert and pay in several currencies, but they are strongest at different jobs. Wise Business is usually easier when the main need is straightforward receiving, currency conversion and international bank payments. Airwallex is the broader finance platform when the same company also wants cards, expenses, bill approvals, payment acceptance, billing or API-led workflows.
For a US business converting dollars to euros, their headline currency cost can be close. Wise uses the mid-market rate and shows a variable fee. Its US Business page currently advertises sending and conversion from 0.23%, with the actual rate depending on the currencies and amount. Airwallex US lists 0.5% above interbank rates for major currencies and 1% for other currencies.
That does not make Wise the automatic winner. A company that avoids manual bill entry, combines card controls with accounting or collects customer payments in the same system may get more value from Airwallex even when one conversion costs slightly more.
Wise Business vs Airwallex at a glance
| Business decision | Wise Business | Airwallex |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Simple international receiving, conversion and bank payments | International accounts joined to finance operations |
| Personal accounts | Also offers a separate personal product | Business customers only |
| Currency conversion | Mid-market rate plus a visible variable fee | Markup over interbank rate, commonly 0.5% on majors and 1% on others in the markets checked |
| Receiving | Account details in supported currencies; local receipts can be free | Global Accounts with local details in 20+ currencies |
| Supplier payments | Individual and batch payments | Local and SWIFT transfers, batch payments, approvals and bill pay |
| Cards and expenses | Business cards, team access and accounting connections | Company and employee cards, policies, reimbursements and deeper approval tools |
| Payment acceptance | Selected payment features by market | Online checkout, payment links and local payment methods |
| Software | API, batch payments and accounting connections | API, accounting, bill, expense, billing and payment integrations |
If you are sending money personally, the decision is simple: compare Wise Personal with other consumer providers because Airwallex is not a personal transfer account. The rest of this guide focuses on a business choosing between Wise Business and Airwallex.
How the fees work
Wise Business fees
Wise does not add a margin to the mid-market rate. It shows the conversion or transfer fee separately before payment. The percentage changes by currency and can fall for eligible higher monthly volumes.
On the current US price page, registering is free and access to the full account details costs $31 once. Sending and conversion are advertised from 0.23%, not as a promise that every currency pair costs 0.23%. Receiving domestic non-wire payments in listed currencies is free, while receiving USD wire or SWIFT payments has a separate fixed fee.
The live figure above uses the site's Wise quote handling for this exact amount and currency pair. It can differ from the lowest starting percentage shown on a general pricing page.
Airwallex fees
Airwallex describes its currency price as an addition to interbank rates. The US, UK, European and Australian pages checked on 31 August 2026 all listed 0.5% for major currencies and 1% for other currencies. Custom or negotiated pricing can differ.
Airwallex US lists domestic USD and CAD transfers as free, local transfers to more than 120 countries and SWIFT transfers at $15 to $25. The receiving and payout rail matters. A local EUR payment can avoid a SWIFT charge, while a route that requires SWIFT can add a fixed cost and possible bank deductions.
The plan price depends on the country
Airwallex does not have one worldwide plan table. Use the pricing page for the country where the company is registered.
| Market checked | Airwallex Explore | Airwallex Grow | SWIFT price shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Free; up to 10 included Spend users | $12 per active user per month plus a platform fee based on team size | $15 to $25 |
| United Kingdom | £19 monthly, waived after a £10,000 monthly deposit or £10,000 minimum balance | £49 monthly | £10 to £20 |
| European pricing | €19 monthly, waived after a €10,000 monthly deposit or €10,000 minimum balance | €49 monthly | €10 to €20 |
| Australia | A$29 monthly, waived after A$5,000 monthly deposits or A$10,000 minimum balance | A$99 monthly | A$10 to A$30 |
Taxes, active-user charges, fair-use limits and product fees can sit beside the plan price. Wise prices also vary by the company's country. This table is a warning against importing a US conclusion into a UK, European or Australian business decision.
Cost comparison for a US business
These live tables compare the currency cost of USD to EUR. They do not assign a cash value to cards, software, approvals or payment acceptance, and they assume the Airwallex payout can use an eligible local route rather than SWIFT.
Converting $1,000
At this size, compare the final quote rather than relying on the general 0.5% Airwallex rate or Wise's “from” price. A fixed receiving or SWIFT charge can matter more on a small payment than it would at $10,000.
Converting $10,000
At $10,000, the percentage difference becomes more visible. Wise may be cheaper for the isolated conversion, while Airwallex may still be the better account if it replaces other finance work. Separate those two questions so software benefits do not hide an expensive payment and a small currency saving does not decide the entire operating system.
Our US business USD-to-EUR payment test puts the same decision beside more business providers and documents the assumed payout route.
Which is better for receiving foreign revenue?
Wise Business is attractive when a client or marketplace can pay through supported local account details and the company mainly wants to hold, convert or withdraw the balance. Its pricing is relatively easy to audit because the conversion fee is shown separately from the mid-market rate.
Airwallex becomes more interesting when receiving is connected to a wider sales flow. Its Global Accounts sit beside payment acceptance, payment links, billing and like-for-like settlement in supported currencies. A business can sometimes collect and spend the same currency without converting it at all. Avoiding an unnecessary conversion can save more than negotiating a slightly better rate.
Check how the customer will actually pay. A domestic account transfer, an incoming wire and a card payment are different products with different fees.
Which is better for paying suppliers?
Wise is usually the cleaner choice for a small team that prepares a payment, sees the fee and recipient amount, and sends it. Batch payments and accounting connections extend that workflow without turning Wise into a full accounts-payable system.
Airwallex is stronger when supplier payments need bill capture, several approvers, vendor controls, batch creation or API automation. Its case is particularly good when the destination qualifies for a free local transfer. If the payment uses SWIFT instead, add the listed transfer charge and consider possible bank deductions.
For one large conversion connected to genuine investing, trading or hedging, Interactive Brokers can also be worth pricing because its spot-currency commission is much lower than a normal business-payment markup. The company must be eligible for the brokerage and genuinely use it for investment or trading activity. It is not an accounts-payable replacement.
Which is better for cards and employee spending?
Wise Business cards can suit a small team that needs to spend held balances and keep card activity linked to the account. Availability and fees depend on the company's country.
Airwallex goes further into spend management. Its regional plans include different numbers of company or active spend users, card controls, expenses and reimbursement tools. Higher tiers add more approval and automation options. That is useful for a finance team, but it also means the total price is not just the exchange-rate markup.
Count the employees who will actively use cards, submit expenses, approve bills or make payments. A low base price can become less low once active-user charges are included.
Which is better for software and automation?
Both offer APIs and accounting connections. Wise works well when software needs to create recipients, quote conversions or automate payments without a large finance suite around them.
Airwallex is built around a wider set of connected jobs: receiving accounts, payment acceptance, cards, bills, expenses, billing and payouts. A company building its own checkout or managing several legal entities may value that breadth. A small importer making five bank payments a month may find it unnecessary.
The best test is a real month of activity. List incoming payments, conversions, supplier payouts, cards, active users and software connections. Price that month under both services rather than comparing one advertised percentage.
Who should choose Wise Business?
Wise Business is usually the better starting point when:
- the company mainly receives, converts and sends bank payments;
- transparent per-transaction pricing matters more than a larger finance platform;
- the finance team is small and needs fewer approval layers;
- a one-time setup price is preferable to a monthly plan; or
- the company also wants a familiar service for occasional personal transfers through a separate account.
Who should choose Airwallex?
Airwallex is usually the stronger fit when:
- the company collects and spends in several currencies;
- local accounts, payment acceptance and like-for-like settlement can reduce conversions;
- supplier payments need bills, batch files and approval chains;
- cards, expenses and accounting should sit in the same system; or
- the business needs deeper API or platform integration.
Read the full Airwallex review and fee guide for its background, regional pricing and account checks. The Wise review covers its personal and business products separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airwallex cheaper than Wise Business?
Not universally. For a US-dollar-to-euro conversion, Wise can be slightly cheaper in the site's current comparison. Airwallex may cost less on another route, under negotiated pricing or when a local payout avoids a separate charge. Compare the final amount and the whole payment path.
Does Airwallex charge transaction fees?
Yes. Airwallex US lists currency conversion at 0.5% above interbank rates for major currencies and 1% for others, domestic USD and CAD transfers as free, and SWIFT payments at $15 to $25. Payment acceptance, plans and active-user charges are separate.
Is Airwallex free?
The current US Explore plan has no base monthly charge and includes up to 10 Spend users, but transaction and product charges still apply. UK, European and Australian Explore plans have a monthly price that can be waived after stated deposit or balance thresholds.
Can a private individual use Airwallex?
Airwallex is a business product. A personal sender should compare Wise Personal, Revolut and transfer specialists that support the required destination and payout method.
Can a business use both?
Yes. A company might use Airwallex as its broader operating account and Wise for selected transfers, or use Wise for routine payments while Airwallex handles payment acceptance and spend controls. The extra account is worthwhile only if the saving or workflow benefit exceeds the added administration.
The live tables compare estimated currency cost for the stated USD-to-EUR transfer. They exclude plan fees, payment acceptance, active-user charges and SWIFT unless stated. Airwallex and Wise pricing varies by country, currencies, amount and product. Confirm the full price in the company's registered market before paying. We may earn a commission from affiliate links at no extra cost to you; this never affects rankings. Nothing here is financial advice.
Sources: Wise Business US pricing (opens in a new tab), Airwallex US pricing (opens in a new tab), Airwallex UK pricing (opens in a new tab), Airwallex European pricing (opens in a new tab), Airwallex Australia pricing (opens in a new tab). Sources accessed 31 August 2026.