Airwallex vs Penta.
Airwallex (A77/100) and Penta (P61/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Airwallex leads Penta 7-0.
| A Airwallex №14 · FCA 77 /100 | P Penta №49 · BaFin 61 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 77 /100 | 61 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €9 /mo |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 0.40% | 1.00% |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank FCA | Partner-bank BaFin |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | Safeguarded No DGS |
| 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 | 3.2 ★ 0k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.1 ★ iOS 4.2 · And 4.0 |
| 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 Penta if…
The German SME-focused partner-bank neobank with the deepest DATEV-first workflow in the category. Customer deposits sit at Solaris Bank AG (BaFin-licensed credit institution) with DGS pass-through cover — structurally distinct from EMI-licensed Tide / Finom / Anna / Holvi. The structural fit for German GmbH / UG companies needing DGS-protected operating cash plus DATEV / Lexoffice / sevDesk integration depth without Qonto's freelancer-tier UX baggage.
- Best for fees Airwallex won 2 of 4
- Best for protection Airwallex won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Airwallex won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Airwallex won 2 of 2
Airwallex vs Penta — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Airwallex better than Penta?
Under our v3 methodology, Airwallex leads Penta 7–0 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Airwallex 77/100 vs Penta 61/100. Airwallex is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Airwallex or Penta cheaper?
Monthly fee — Airwallex: €0; Penta: €9. Card FX markup — Airwallex: 0.40%; Penta: 1.00%. Airwallex 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, Airwallex or Penta?
Airwallex holds a Partner-bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Penta holds a Partner-bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Airwallex is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Airwallex and Penta?
Airwallex operates in 50 countries; Penta 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.