Top 7 Airwallex Alternatives for Freelancers and SMEs
Airwallex is one of the strongest options for digital-first businesses, but it’s not perfect for everyone.
If you’re a freelancer, marketplace seller, or working with currencies Airwallex doesn’t fully support, there are better choices.
Many look for alternatives because Airwallex lacks ATM access, doesn’t pay interest on balances, and isn’t available to sole traders.
Others find the platform too enterprise-focused or want features like forward contracts, simpler fee structures, or stronger local support in markets like Africa, India, or Hong Kong.
If you’ve faced similar challenges, keep reading as we go over top Airwallex alternatives and competitors.
Author
Artiom Pucinskij
3 minutes
May 16th, 2025
Disclosure
Top Airwallex Alternatives at a glance
Here are the top alternatives, and when they might be a better fit:
Wise Business - Best for international freelancers and small teams who want mid-market rates and access to 10+ local accounts.
Payoneer - Ideal for marketplace sellers and freelancers who need to get paid via platforms like Amazon, Upwork, or Fiverr.
Revolut Business - Good for startups and small businesses that want flexible plans and integrated banking features in one app.
OFX Business - Great for businesses sending large international transfers and looking for forward contracts.
Sokin - Strong for batch payments and holding 75+ currencies, especially for businesses dealing with Africa and Asia.
Multipass - Best for high-frequency, high-value payments to countries like India, Philippines, and Malaysia.
Statrys - A good fit for Hong Kong–based companies or businesses operating in Asia that want fast onboarding and low FX rates.
Why you might need an alternative to Airwallex
Airwallex is one of the most powerful platforms for digital-first businesses.
With support for 130+ currencies, local accounts in 12 regions, strong developer tools, and advanced expense controls, it’s a great fit for startups, SaaS companies, and global teams scaling across borders.
But it’s not the right choice for everyone.
You should look for an alternative if:
You’re a freelancer or sole trader since Airwallex generally requires a registered business
You need ATM access or in-person spending, as it is not available with Airwallex cards
You want to earn interest on idle funds (Wise and Sokin offer this, but Airwallex doesn’t)
You work with regions like Africa or the Middle East, where Airwallex has limited local support
You want forward contracts or FX hedging tools, which Airwallex does not offer
You prefer simpler pricing or live support because some find Airwallex too enterprise-focused or slow to respond.
We’ve found and used top Airwallex competitors that have the features Airwallex is lacking, and reviewed them below.
Before we go into detailed reviews, here's a quick comparison of how these alternatives compare to Airwallex:
Provider
When should you use it?
Key Strength vs Airwallex
Wise
Low-cost international transfers & travel spending
Mid-market exchange rate, better card support
Payoneer
Marketplace sellers & USD-based businesses
Deep marketplace integrations, USD/GBP card access
Revolut
All-in-one finance for startups & small teams
Flexible tiered plans, personal + business account tools
OFX Business
Large international payments & hedging needs
Forward contracts & unlimited transfer limits
Sokin
High-volume batch payments in many currencies
75+ currencies held, 5,000 batch limit, 0% transfer fees
Multipass
Business card access & local payment support in Asia
15 cards/account, local access in INR, PHP, etc.
Statrys
Businesses with APAC operations (especially Hong Kong)
Low FX margin (0.15%), strong HKD/CNY support
Wise Business
Wise
Wise is a great pick for freelancers and small teams who want simple, transparent pricing.
You get access to mid-market exchange rates, local account details in multiple countries, and the option to earn interest on your USD balance.
It's also one of the easiest options to set up and use.
Airwallex is better if you're managing a large team or need advanced tools like real-time spend controls, integrated payments, or multi-entity support.
Wise Business is good if…
Use Airwallex if…
Uses the mid-market rate for currency exchange, with low, transparent fees
Access to 10+ local account details, ideal for receiving payments from clients
Better for ATM withdrawals and in-person card usage (esp. USD, EUR, GBP)
Offers interest on balances (up to 4.85% in USD accounts)
Supports more currencies (130+) and more local accounts
Better suited to large teams with advanced expense and card management tools
Ideal for developers and scaling businesses thanks to embedded payments & API
Lower costs for high-volume transfers and integrated workflows
Revolut is a familiar choice for many UK and European businesses.
It blends business and personal finance, supports ATM access, and gives you perks like interest on balances if you're on a higher-tier plan.
It’s good if you’re a small team or freelancer wanting everything in one place.
Airwallex is better if you need more global infrastructure, broader currency support, and stronger tools for handling international operations at scale.
Revolut is good if…
Use Airwallex if…
Easy to start with a free plan and scale up if needed
Access to interest on balances (up to 3.51%) on Enterprise
Mobile app is sleek and consumer-friendly
Built-in spend controls for small teams and freelancers
Great if your business is UK- or EEA-based and you want ATM access
Lower and more predictable FX rates beyond plan limits
More global local account coverage (12 vs 2)
Stronger API and multi-entity support for scaling
Full marketplace integration (Amazon, Shopify, Shopee, etc.)
Designed for companies with global ops and cross-border workflows
OFX is ideal if you're making large international transfers and want access to forward contracts or currency risk tools.
The platform includes 24/7 phone support and unlimited transfer limits, which is great if you want a more hands-on, high-touch provider.
Airwallex is more flexible for daily operations, with expense tracking, card access, and integrations that make it a better fit for product-led or tech-driven teams.
OFX is good if…
Use Airwallex if…
Get access to forward contracts and FX strategy support
No payment size limits making it ideal for large international transfers
24/7 phone support with access to real account managers
Long-standing provider with strong regulatory background
Trusted partner for businesses needing hands-on guidance
Lower FX margins (starting from 0.5% vs 1.3%+)
Built-in virtual and physical cards for spend management
Better multi-currency account access (12 vs 7 currencies)
More integrations (QuickBooks, Shopify, Amazon, etc.)
Scalable API and embedded payments for product-led teams
Statrys is a solid pick for SMEs based in or closely tied to Hong Kong, offering a simple fee structure, excellent local support, and some of the lowest FX margins on the market (as low as 0.15%).
If you're receiving and sending funds in Asia (especially HKD, CNY, or SGD), it’s a practical choice with a straightforward mobile app and human-first customer service.
Airwallex is better suited to businesses scaling globally with more complex needs.
With deeper multi-currency infrastructure, full accounting integrations, API support, and batch payments, Airwallex caters more to startups and international teams that value automation, flexibility, and cost efficiency.
Statrys is good if…
Use Airwallex if…
Lower FX margin (as low as 0.15%) for Hong Kong-based accounts
No limits on transfers and simple same-day local payments
Responsive support with assigned account rep
Works well for freelancers and SMEs dealing with HKD, SGD, CNY
Lower FX margin (as low as 0.15%) for Hong Kong-based accounts
No limits on transfers and simple same-day local payments
Responsive support with assigned account rep
Works well for freelancers and SMEs dealing with HKD, SGD, CNY
Their flagship product, ibanq, provides multi-currency virtual IBAN accounts, enabling businesses to receive, hold, and send funds across borders, giving companies greater control over their global cash flow. Their mass payment functionality simplifies payroll and supplier payments, even across multiple currencies, ensuring businesses can process international payments in bulk without opening local currency accounts.
Our key measures when testing Wise Business for international business transfers were the product offering, cost, speed, safety and customer satisfaction. We've covered the key points in the table below and each element in more detail throughout the review.
Historically, Moneycorp is considered one of the biggest money transfer providers in the world. The company has over 45 years of history and launch in the USA in 2018. The company is headquartered in the UK but with offices in USA, Ireland, France, Romania, UAE, Hong Kong, Australia and Brazil.
Our key measures when testing OFX Business for international business transfers were the strength of the product offering, cost of service and transfers, speed, safety and customer satisfaction.
Xe Business offers strong all-round support for international business transfers. As part of our scoring process we have looked at product offering, cost, speed of transfers, safety and customer satisfaction.
Multipass offers a strong selection of multi-currency option. A setup fee and higher monthly fees than elsewhere are a little offputting when you consider exchange rates are higher than Airwallex, Wise Buiness and Revolut Business.
Globally Payoneer serves around 190 countries, gives access to local accounts in 9 and supports 70 currencies. Features within the account allow you to take advantage of payments, invoicing and bulk options in each location. Where Payoneer is stronger than the likes of Revolut Business or Wise Business, is that it is built for international companies - as opposed to being an offshoot of a personal offering. This sets them apart from other providers, alongside the likes of Airwallex, by offering a full international business solution.
When scoring Airwallex as an international business provider we factored in the product offering, speed of sending money, cost, safety measures in place and customer satisfaction.
Can I use Airwallex as a freelancer or sole trader?
Not easily. Airwallex typically requires you to be a registered business.
If you're a freelancer, Wise or Payoneer is a better choice.
Which provider has the best exchange rates?
Wise offers the mid-market rate with a low, transparent fee. Statrys is also competitive (as low as 0.15% for HK accounts) while Airwallex adds 0.5–1% on top of mid-market.
Who supports physical and virtual cards with ATM access?
Payoneer and Revolut offer both physical and virtual cards with ATM access.
Airwallex only offers cards for online use and no ATM withdrawals.
What’s the best alternative for batch payments?
Sokin supports batch payments of up to 5,000 at once. Multipass has no batch limits (just per-transaction caps).
Airwallex supports up to 1,000.
Can I earn interest on funds with any of these?
Yes. Wise offers up to 4.85% (USD), and Sokin has a wallet system that pays up to 3% on idle balances.
Which provider is best for working with marketplaces?
Payoneer is built around marketplace payouts, including Amazon, Etsy, Upwork, and more. Airwallex and Wise also support marketplace integrations, but Payoneer is the most comprehensive.
Help & FAQ
Get answers to the most common questions asked when sending money abroad. Covers costs, fees and the best way to compare.
Sokin is a standout option for global businesses needing batch payments and multi-currency support, with 75+ currencies, no per-transfer fees, and support for large payouts, it’s well-suited to companies operating across Africa, Asia, and emerging markets.
Currenxie is a solid option for businesses needing a virtual multi-currency account, especially for those based in Hong Kong. But depending on where and how you operate, it might not be the best fit.
Multipass is a solid platform for holding and sending money across currencies, especially with its multi-currency IBANs and regulated financial infrastructure.
With 6+ years of hands-on experience in international money transfer services, Artiom has tested and analyzed dozens of companies, services, and apps firsthand. From sending money between the UK, EU, US, JP, and ID, to helping friends and family transfer large amounts abroad, he combines deep personal experience with industry insight.
He has worked on content and product at MoneyTransfers.com since 2019, with a focus on FX rates, transfer apps & companies, and comparison tools. His work has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, Decrypt, PoundSterling, and more.
With 6+ years of hands-on experience in international money transfer services, Artiom has tested and analyzed dozens of companies, services, and apps firsthand. From sending money between the UK, EU, US, JP, and ID, to helping friends and family transfer large amounts abroad, he combines deep personal experience with industry insight.
He has worked on content and product at MoneyTransfers.com since 2019, with a focus on FX rates, transfer apps & companies, and comparison tools. His work has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, Decrypt, PoundSterling, and more.
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Their flagship product, ibanq, provides multi-currency virtual IBAN accounts, enabling businesses to receive, hold, and send funds across borders, giving companies greater control over their global cash flow. Their mass payment functionality simplifies payroll and supplier payments, even across multiple currencies, ensuring businesses can process international payments in bulk without opening local currency accounts.
Artiom PucinskijFebruary 11th, 2025
Our key measures when testing Wise Business for international business transfers were the product offering, cost, speed, safety and customer satisfaction. We've covered the key points in the table below and each element in more detail throughout the review.
Keith HodgesOctober 10th, 2024
Historically, Moneycorp is considered one of the biggest money transfer providers in the world. The company has over 45 years of history and launch in the USA in 2018. The company is headquartered in the UK but with offices in USA, Ireland, France, Romania, UAE, Hong Kong, Australia and Brazil.
Our key measures when testing OFX Business for international business transfers were the strength of the product offering, cost of service and transfers, speed, safety and customer satisfaction.
Like their personal offering, the Revolut Business offering is tiered - giving more access to features, the more you pay.
Xe Business offers strong all-round support for international business transfers. As part of our scoring process we have looked at product offering, cost, speed of transfers, safety and customer satisfaction.
Multipass offers a strong selection of multi-currency option. A setup fee and higher monthly fees than elsewhere are a little offputting when you consider exchange rates are higher than Airwallex, Wise Buiness and Revolut Business.
Globally Payoneer serves around 190 countries, gives access to local accounts in 9 and supports 70 currencies. Features within the account allow you to take advantage of payments, invoicing and bulk options in each location. Where Payoneer is stronger than the likes of Revolut Business or Wise Business, is that it is built for international companies - as opposed to being an offshoot of a personal offering. This sets them apart from other providers, alongside the likes of Airwallex, by offering a full international business solution.
When scoring Airwallex as an international business provider we factored in the product offering, speed of sending money, cost, safety measures in place and customer satisfaction.
