N26 vs Airwallex.
N26 (N85/100) 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. N26 leads Airwallex 7-1.
| A Airwallex №14 · FCA 77 /100 | N N26 №03 · BaFin 85 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 77 /100 | 85 /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 BaFin |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | €100,000 EU.DGS.DE |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 50 countries | 24 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | 400 coins |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.0 ★ 5k reviews | 4.1 ★ 130k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.6 ★ iOS 4.8 · 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 N26 if…
Pick if you want a German credit institution and a DE IBAN that every European employer recognises without question.
- Best for fees N26 won 1 of 4
- Best for protection N26 won 1 of 2
- Best for reach N26 won 2 of 3
- Best for ux N26 won 2 of 2
N26 vs Airwallex — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Airwallex better than N26?
Under our v3 methodology, N26 leads Airwallex 7–1 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Airwallex 77/100 vs N26 85/100. N26 is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Airwallex or N26 cheaper?
Monthly fee — Airwallex: €0; N26: €0. Card FX markup — Airwallex: 0.40%; N26: Interbank. N26 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 N26?
Airwallex holds a Partner-bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. N26 holds a Full bank licence under BaFin; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. N26 is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Airwallex and N26?
Airwallex operates in 50 countries; N26 operates in 24 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.