Airwallex vs Lili.
Airwallex (A77/100) and Lili (L73/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. Lili leads Airwallex 4-2.
| A Airwallex №14 · FCA 77 /100 | L Lili №26 · FDIC 73 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 77 /100 | 73 /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 | Partner-bank FDIC |
| Deposit guarantee Per depositor | €100,000 SG.SDIC | $250,000 US.FDIC |
| 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 | 4.7 ★ 1k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.6 ★ iOS 4.7 · 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 Lili if…
The 1099-native US neobank — Tax Bucket auto-set-aside, pre-filled Schedule C / 1065 / 1120-S, and a quarterly tax estimator built into business checking. Where Mercury targets venture-funded startups and Bluevine targets lower-mid-market SMBs, Lili targets the solopreneur and 1099 freelancer who needs banking + bookkeeping + tax in one app. Sponsor bank moved from Choice Financial Group to Sunrise Banks, N.A. in 2024-2025; FDIC pass-through to $3M via sweep network now available on all tiers including the free Core plan.
- Best for fees Lili won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Lili won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Airwallex won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Lili won 2 of 2
Airwallex vs Lili — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Airwallex better than Lili?
Under our v3 methodology, Lili leads Airwallex 4–2 across 12 dimensions. Composite scores: Airwallex 77/100 vs Lili 73/100. Lili is stronger overall, but the right pick depends on which row matters most to you — fees, protection, reach, or app quality.
Is Airwallex or Lili cheaper?
Monthly fee — Airwallex: €0; Lili: €0. Card FX markup — Airwallex: 0.40%; Lili: Interbank. Lili 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 Lili?
Airwallex holds a Partner-bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Lili holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Lili is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Airwallex and Lili?
Airwallex operates in 50 countries; Lili 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.