Airwallex vs Chime.
Airwallex (A77/100) and Chime (C74/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Chime leads Airwallex 3-2.
| A Airwallex №14 · FCA 77 /100 | C Chime №23 · FDIC 74 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 77 /100 | 74 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 0.40% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank FCA | Partner-bank FDIC |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | $250,000 US.FDIC |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 50 countries | 1 country |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.0 ★ 5k reviews | 4.0 ★ 25k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.8 ★ iOS 4.8 · And 4.7 |
| 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 Chime if…
Pick if you want a fee-free US daily-banking account with FDIC pass-through coverage and 60k fee-free ATMs.
- Best for fees Chime won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Chime won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Airwallex won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Chime won 1 of 2
Airwallex vs Chime — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Airwallex better than Chime?
Under our v3 methodology, Chime leads Airwallex 3–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Airwallex 77/100 vs Chime 74/100. Chime is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Airwallex or Chime cheaper?
Monthly fee — Airwallex: €0; Chime: €0. Card FX markup — Airwallex: 0.40%; Chime: Interbank. Chime 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 Chime?
Airwallex holds a Partner-bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Chime holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Chime is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Airwallex and Chime?
Airwallex operates in 50 countries; Chime operates in 1 country. 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.