Wise is an international money-transfer service and multi-currency account built around the mid-market exchange rate and a separate, visible fee. Individuals and businesses can send to bank accounts, hold currencies and use account or card features where available.
Reader rating
Reviewed by Klaus Thorup · 16 August 2026 · How we review providers
Is Wise a good choice?
One of the clearest choices for a bank-deposit transfer because the rate is not marked up and the fee is shown before payment. It is less suitable when the recipient needs a broad cash-pickup network.
Best for
- Bank-deposit transfers with a clearly separated exchange rate and fee
- People and businesses that receive, hold or spend in several currencies
- Users who want a route-specific price before creating the transfer
Wise pricing at a glance
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a fee that depends on the amount, currencies and payment method. A small-transfer minimum can apply, and the percentage varies by route.
This is a USD-to-EUR currency-conversion example. Your exact price may differ by country and by how you pay and receive the money.
Plans & monthly prices
Monthly prices are separate from the exchange result above. The notes below highlight what each plan adds beyond currency exchange.
Free account, no subscription.
About Wise
Wise launched as TransferWise in 2011 after its founders looked for a cheaper way to move money between pounds and euros. It later added a multi-currency account, card, business service and infrastructure for partner institutions before adopting the Wise name.
For the financial year ended March 2026, Wise reported 18.9 million active customers and USD 243.5 billion in cross-border volume. It also reported that 75% of global payments in its final quarter arrived in under 20 seconds, although an individual transfer can take longer.
How Wise pricing works
Wise shows the payment-method choices and their costs before confirmation. A guaranteed rate remains available only if Wise receives the required amount within the stated time.
Foreign card funding, international bank transfers and charges from banks involved in the payment can add costs in some cases. When available, the price above comes from Wise's quote service and reflects the selected currencies and amount.
A clear transfer quote before payment
Wise's public calculator places the recipient amount, fee, guaranteed-rate window and estimated arrival together before the transfer continues.
United States · USD to EUR · $1,000 example · Captured · View full size (opens in a new tab) · Wise US transfer calculator (opens in a new tab)
What else you get
Mid-market exchange rate
The currency conversion uses the market reference rate, with Wise's charge shown as a separate fee.
International account features
Eligible customers can hold currencies, receive through local account details and spend with a Wise card.
Personal and business use
Wise offers individual transfers, a business account and payment infrastructure used by other companies and banks.
Strengths and trade-offs
Reasons to choose Wise
- Clear separation between the exchange rate and Wise fee
- Route-specific pricing is available for many currency pairs
- Useful beyond one transfer for receiving, holding and spending supported currencies
Reasons to compare alternatives
- The fee changes with the currencies, amount and funding method
- Account details, cards and other features are not available in every country
- It does not offer the extensive walk-in cash network of the largest traditional money-transfer operators
Support and account checks
Wise starts with its Help Centre. Customers can log in to see personalised contact options, and its regional phone lines are open around the clock.
Wise normally verifies identity with a government-issued photo ID and may request proof of address or a selfie with the identity document. Wise says routine document review usually takes one to two working days.
Larger amounts can trigger a source-of-funds request, such as a bank statement, investment or savings certificate, or evidence of inheritance.
Verification timing and required documents depend on the amount, currencies, transfer history and country. Wise says additional transfer checks usually take two to ten working days and can occasionally take longer.
When to look elsewhere
Choose Ria, Western Union or WorldRemit when the recipient needs cash or mobile money. Compare TorFX for a large transfer with personal assistance, and Revolut when you already pay for a plan whose wider account benefits you use.
Large investment-related exchange?
For a large currency conversion that is part of genuine investing or trading in the account, compare Interactive Brokers first: its pricing can be difficult to beat. IBKR is a brokerage, not a stand-alone transfer service; use a transfer specialist for cash pickup or a direct payment to someone else.
What to know before you use Wise
The fastest or cheapest funding choice shown in a quote may not be available to every account in every country.
The Wise estimate reflects payment options commonly available to signed-in account holders; confirm the selected method after signing in.
A mid-market rate does not mean a free transfer: compare the separate Wise fee and the final recipient amount.
For an international bank transfer through the SWIFT network, check whether the recipient's bank or another bank involved in the payment can deduct a charge.
Sources
Reviewed 16 August 2026
- The Wise story (opens in a new tab)
- Wise FY2026 results (opens in a new tab)
- Wise transfer fees (opens in a new tab)
- Wise identity and larger-transfer checks (opens in a new tab)
- Wise customer support (opens in a new tab)
Wise vs the competition
These guides compare prices and practical product differences, so you can see which provider may suit you best.