Airwallex vs Aspire.
Airwallex (A77/100) and Aspire (A70/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. A close tie.
| A Airwallex №14 · FCA 77 /100 | A Aspire №37 · MAS 70 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 77 /100 | 70 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 0.40% | 0.30% |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank FCA | Partner-bank MAS |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | €100,000 SG.SDIC |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 50 countries | 8 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.0 ★ 5k reviews | 4.3 ★ 1k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
Pick Airwallex if…
The global multi-currency payments and operating-account platform with the broadest footprint in the SMB category — 23 currencies, local accounts in 10+ jurisdictions, local-account receiving in 60+ countries, multi-jurisdiction licensing (AU AFSL + MAS MPI + HKMA MSO + FCA EMI + US state money-transmitter), volume-based FX pricing, and issuing API for embedded card programmes. Structurally the most comprehensive cross-border AP / AR platform in the category, sitting between Wise Business (consumer-and-SMB cross-border) and Stripe (acquiring + payments) in the global-SMB stack. The embedded-finance API is the structural moat versus Aspire and Wise Business — marketplaces and SaaS platforms build payouts and card-issuing on Airwallex infrastructure rather than running multiple regional bank relationships.
Pick Aspire if…
The APAC-first multi-currency business-account platform for SaaS startups and e-commerce sellers — SG-HQ MAS Major Payment Institution with native multi-currency accounts (USD/SGD/EUR/GBP/IDR + HKD/AUD/IDR/MYR) plus local-currency receiving in 30+ countries and local account issuance in 6 jurisdictions (SG, HK, US, UK, EU, AU). Built for APAC startups taking USD revenue who need a SGD operating account without the friction of running Mercury (US) + a SG-bank relationship side-by-side. Stripe + Shopify + Xero integration depth makes Aspire the structural fit for SaaS / e-commerce / fintech operators in the region. MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution status is the structural anchor.
- Best for fees Aspire won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Tied
- Best for reach Airwallex won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Aspire won 1 of 2
Airwallex vs Aspire — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Airwallex better than Aspire?
Airwallex and Aspire are tied 2–2 across 12 dimensions under our v3 methodology. Composite scores: Airwallex 77/100 vs Aspire 70/100. The right pick depends on which dimension you weight most heavily.
Is Airwallex or Aspire cheaper?
Monthly fee — Airwallex: €0; Aspire: €0. Card FX markup — Airwallex: 0.40%; Aspire: 0.30%. Aspire wins more fee rows (1 of 4). See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, Airwallex or Aspire?
Airwallex holds a Partner-bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Aspire holds a Partner-bank licence under MAS; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Both score equally on regulatory protection rows.
Where can I use Airwallex and Aspire?
Airwallex operates in 50 countries; Aspire operates in 8 countries. Check each provider's signup page for the live country list — eligibility depends on residency, not just the licence footprint.
Want a 3- or 4-way comparison?
The dynamic compare picker handles up to four banks. Add this pair plus one or two more and we'll resolve every row.