Airwallex vs stc Bank.
Airwallex (A77/100) and stc Bank (s76/100), 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 stc Bank 4-3.
| A Airwallex №14 · FCA 77 /100 | s stc Bank №17 · SAMA 76 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 77 /100 | 76 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 Free tier |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 0.40% | 1.50% |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | — |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank FCA | Full bank SAMA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | €200,000 SA.SAMA-DPS |
| 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 | — |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.5 |
| 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 stc Bank if…
First SAMA-licensed digital full bank in Saudi Arabia (received bank licence 2023, originally launched as stc pay in 2017). Backed by Saudi Telecom (stc) — telecom-grade reach across the Kingdom. Multi-currency support and instant onboarding via Absher distinguish it from legacy KSA banks. SAMA Deposit Protection Fund cover.
- Best for fees Airwallex won 1 of 4
- Best for protection stc Bank won 2 of 2
- Best for reach Airwallex won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Tied
Airwallex vs stc Bank — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Airwallex better than stc Bank?
Under our v3 methodology, Airwallex leads stc Bank 4–3 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Airwallex 77/100 vs stc Bank 76/100. 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 stc Bank cheaper?
Monthly fee — Airwallex: €0; stc Bank: €0. Card FX markup — Airwallex: 0.40%; stc Bank: 1.50%. Airwallex 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 stc Bank?
Airwallex holds a Partner-bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. stc Bank holds a Full bank licence under SAMA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €200,000. stc Bank is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Airwallex and stc Bank?
Airwallex operates in 50 countries; stc Bank 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.