Airwallex vs Wise.
Airwallex (A77/100) 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 Airwallex 5-3.
| A Airwallex №14 · FCA 77 /100 | W Wise №42 · FCA 68 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 77 /100 | 68 /100 |
| Fees | ||
| Monthly fee Cheapest paid tier (€0 if free) | €0 Free tier | €0 /mo |
| FX markup Debit card abroad | 0.40% | Interbank |
| Free FX / month EUR equivalent | €0 | €0 |
| Free ATM Before fee kicks in | — | €200 /mo |
| Protection | ||
| Banking licence Tier | Partner-bank FCA | E-money inst. FCA |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | Safeguarded GB.FSCS |
| Reach | ||
| Markets served Licensed jurisdictions | 50 countries | 160 countries |
| Crypto Coins available | No | No |
| Stocks & ETFs Self-directed | No | Yes |
| UX | ||
| Trustpilot Customer score | 4.0 ★ 5k 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 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 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 Airwallex won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Wise won 2 of 3
- Best for ux Tied
Airwallex vs Wise — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Airwallex better than Wise?
Under our v3 methodology, Wise leads Airwallex 5–3 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Airwallex 77/100 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 Airwallex or Wise cheaper?
Monthly fee — Airwallex: €0; Wise: €0. Card FX markup — Airwallex: 0.40%; 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, Airwallex or Wise?
Airwallex holds a Partner-bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Wise holds a E-money inst. licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: Safeguarded. Airwallex is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Airwallex and Wise?
Airwallex operates in 50 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.