Airwallex vs Novo.
Airwallex (A77/100) and Novo (N72/100), scored on the same six pillars and compared row-by-row. Every cell is sourced from licence registers and live pricing pages, not opinion. A close tie.
| A Airwallex №14 · FCA 77 /100 | N Novo №28 · FDIC 72 /100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | ||
| Composite score Out of 100 | 77 /100 | 72 /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 | 3.0 ★ 1k reviews |
| App store iOS + Android avg | 4.5 ★ iOS 4.6 · And 4.4 | 4.7 ★ iOS 4.8 · 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 Novo if…
The integration-first US business neobank. Boost is the structural feature: Stripe and Square payouts arrive 1-2 business days earlier than at any competitor, which materially shifts cash-flow timing for e-commerce sellers and agencies invoicing on net-30. The third-party app marketplace (~11+ named integrations including Wise for cross-border) is deeper than Bluevine, Mercury, or Found, and Middlesex Federal Savings has been the continuous sponsor bank since launch — uncommon stability in BaaS. Trade-off: $250K single-bank FDIC ceiling (no sweep), no yield product, and weaker multi-user permissions than Relay.
- Best for fees Novo won 1 of 4
- Best for protection Novo won 1 of 2
- Best for reach Airwallex won 1 of 3
- Best for ux Tied
Airwallex vs Novo — FAQ
Quick answers to the four questions the search-bar asks most about a head-to-head.
Is Airwallex better than Novo?
Airwallex and Novo are tied 3–3 across 12 dimensions under our v3 methodology. Composite scores: Airwallex 77/100 vs Novo 72/100. The right pick depends on which dimension you weight most heavily.
Is Airwallex or Novo cheaper?
Monthly fee — Airwallex: €0; Novo: €0. Card FX markup — Airwallex: 0.40%; Novo: Interbank. Novo 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 Novo?
Airwallex holds a Partner-bank licence under FCA; deposit guarantee per depositor: €100,000. Novo holds a Partner-bank licence under FDIC; deposit guarantee per depositor: $250,000. Novo is the stronger pick on regulatory protection.
Where can I use Airwallex and Novo?
Airwallex operates in 50 countries; Novo 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.