bunq vs Airwallex.
bunq (b87/100) and Airwallex (A77/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. bunq leads Airwallex 4-2.
| A Airwallex №14 · FCA 77 /100 | b bunq №02 · DNB 87 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 77 /100 | 87 /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 | Full bank DNB |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | €100,000 EU.DGS.NL |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 50 countries | 30 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | No |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.0 ★ 5k reviews | 4.2 ★ 22k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 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 bunq if…
Pick if you travel constantly and want unlimited free FX with a Dutch licence — €3.99/mo for the Easy Bank tier.
- Best for fees bunq won 1 of 4
- Best for protection bunq won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Airwallex won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Tied
bunq vs Airwallex — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Airwallex better than bunq?
Under our v3 methodology, bunq leads Airwallex 4–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Airwallex 77/100 vs bunq 87/100. bunq is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Airwallex or bunq cheaper?
Monthly fee — Airwallex: €0; bunq: €0. Card FX markup — Airwallex: 0.40%; bunq: Interbank. bunq 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 bunq?
Airwallex holds a Partner-bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. bunq holds a Full bank licence under DNB; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. bunq is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Airwallex and bunq?
Airwallex operates in 50 countries; bunq operates in 30 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.