Aspire vs Wise.
Aspire (A70/100) and Wise (W68/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Wise leads Aspire 4-3.
| A Aspire №37 · MAS 70 /100 | W Wise №42 · FCA 68 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 70 /100 | 68 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 /mo |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 0.30% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | €200 /mo |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank MAS | E-money inst. FCA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | Safeguarded GB.FSCS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 8 countries | 160 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.3 ★ 1k reviews | 4.3 ★ 220k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.7 · And 4.2 |
| Read review → | Read review → | |
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.
Pick Wise if…
Pick if FX and multi-currency receiving accounts dominate your usage — not for stocks or crypto.
- Best for fees Wise won 2 of 4
- Best for protection Aspire won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Wise won 2 of 3
- Best for ux Aspire won 1 of 2
Aspire vs Wise — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Aspire better than Wise?
Under our v3 methodology, Wise leads Aspire 4–3 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Aspire 70/100 vs Wise 68/100. Wise is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Aspire or Wise cheaper?
Monthly fee — Aspire: €0; Wise: €0. Card FX markup — Aspire: 0.30%; Wise: Interbank. Wise wins more fee rows (2 of 4). See the Fees section of the matrix above for ATM caps and the rest.
Which is safer for deposits, Aspire or Wise?
Aspire holds a Partner-bank licence under MAS; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Wise holds a E-money inst. licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Aspire is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Aspire and Wise?
Aspire operates in 8 countries; Wise operates in 160 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.