Airwallex vs Rapyd: Which is Better in 2025?

For businesses managing international payments, choosing the right cross-border platform can make or break efficiency and cost management. With multi-currency accounts, global transfers, and local payment methods becoming standard, the choice is more important than ever.

Airwallex and Rapyd are two leading players in this space, each catering to different business needs. The question is straightforward: do you prioritise transparent pricing and integrated workflows, or local payment flexibility and custom card solutions?

• Airwallex provides multi-currency accounts, competitive FX fees, and tools for managing payments across borders.
• Rapyd focuses on local payment acceptance, branded card issuance, and scalable APIs for businesses with complex cross-border operations.

In this guide, we’ll compare Airwallex and Rapyd side by side, covering:

✅ Account features and multi-currency support
✅ Fees and FX pricing
✅ Card options and limits
✅ Account eligibility and onboarding
✅ Customer support
✅ User reviews and feedback

By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which provider is best suited to your business.

Airwallex offers a multi-currency account supporting 20+ major currencies, making it a strong choice for businesses handling payments in mainstream markets. It enables sending and receiving funds across 180+ countries, with integrations into platforms like Xero, QuickBooks, and Shopify that appeal to companies managing cross-border finances and accounting together.

Rapyd, by contrast, supports over 120 currencies, giving businesses more flexibility when they need to transact in local or niche currencies. With the ability to send and receive funds in 190+ countries, Rapyd places more emphasis on connecting to local payment methods and rails. Its integrations include WooCommerce and Wix, making it attractive for ecommerce businesses looking to accept diverse local payments in addition to international transfers.

Both platforms provide SWIFT payments, real-time tracking, and broad integrations. The distinction lies in focus: Airwallex is positioned as a streamlined, multi-currency solution for businesses trading across core markets, while Rapyd is better suited for companies that require localised payment options to operate in multiple regions.

Airwallex presents a generally predictable fee structure: account opening is free, and monthly fees are either free or vary depending on subscription plans in different countries. It also publishes examples for local and international transfers by region. One caveat is receiving funds from non-linked accounts, which incurs a 0.3% fee not disclosed on the public pricing page but only visible in-platform, something that could catch first-time users off guard.

Rapyd, in contrast, applies a fixed monthly subscription fee of USD 99. It publishes some country-level detail, such as in Hong Kong, where FPS payments are free, non-FPS payments cost USD 15 or HKD 120, and an additional 1.5% applies if the sender’s currency differs from the base currency. However, fees outside these published examples remain less transparent, and businesses may need to onboard to understand the full cost structure.

Overall, Airwallex offers clearer visibility across multiple regions, while Rapyd provides structured pricing in select markets but is harder to evaluate globally. For accurate cost planning, both providers still require businesses to review region-specific fees once onboarded.

Airwallex’s card offering is built for businesses managing international spend. Companies can issue company and employee debit cards in physical or virtual formats, with 20+ base currencies supported. Card limits vary by jurisdiction — higher in markets like the US and capped elsewhere. A key strength is the 0% foreign transaction fee, though FX conversion applies when spending in non-held currencies. Cashback of up to 1–1.5% is available in select regions such as the US and Singapore. The main drawback is the lack of ATM withdrawals, which reduces flexibility for cash use.

Rapyd’s cards, by contrast, are tied directly to wallet balances in the country of registration. Both Mastercard® and Visa are supported, but issuance is typically limited to one corporate card plus a virtual account unless expanded through their card issuing API. Spending limits and ATM withdrawal fees are not disclosed publicly, and foreign transactions involve multiple cost layers: issuer fees, network charges, and a variable Rapyd fee. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for businesses to forecast card costs with certainty.

In short, Airwallex is more transparent and predictable for multi-currency corporate spend, while Rapyd offers more flexibility through ATM access and branded card issuance, though with less visibility on everyday costs.

Airwallex accepts most businesses engaged in trading goods or services and is available in over 50 countries, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Applications are submitted fully online and are typically approved within 1–3 business days, making it a fast option for companies that want to get started quickly.

Rapyd is open to a broad range of internationally focused businesses and operates in more than 60 countries, including key markets such as Hong Kong, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Its setup is also digital but involves more extensive KYB checks, which can extend approval times to as long as 30 days.

The key difference is speed versus scope: Airwallex generally provides quicker onboarding, while Rapyd offers wider market coverage at the cost of longer compliance reviews.

Airwallex provides support through a help centre, chatbot, email, and regional phone lines, with dedicated account managers available only on higher-tier plans. This works well for larger businesses that qualify, while smaller clients may need to rely on self-service or general channels. Support hours vary by region, which can limit access to real-time assistance outside local business hours.

Rapyd offers support via a portal, forum, email, and phone, with the addition of 24/7 online support. It does not specify whether dedicated account managers are included, and while round-the-clock availability is useful, the quality and speed of responses may differ between standard and online channels.

Airwallex reviews often highlight the role of dedicated account managers who provide fast and personalised support. Users also find the platform intuitive, with reliable transfer speeds. However, recurring complaints point to strict compliance checks, account freezes, and delays that create uncertainty when managing international payments.

Rapyd, by contrast, earns praise for its global reach. Many businesses note the wide variety of local payment methods and quick payouts as reasons they can expand into new markets with fewer hurdles. Yet, some users report hidden or unpredictable fees, settlement delays, and an interface that can feel cumbersome for routine tasks.

Overall, Airwallex is better suited to businesses that prioritise hands-on support and reliable account management, while Rapyd appeals to those whose growth depends on accepting diverse local payment options across multiple regions.

There isn’t a single “best” choice between Airwallex and Rapyd. The decision comes down to what matters most to your business, whether you prioritise predictable pricing and faster onboarding, or broader local payment coverage and custom solutions.

Below is a breakdown of when Airwallex or Rapyd might be the right choice for your business:

• Companies that value clearer pricing for local and SWIFT payments, with fewer surprises once onboarded
• SMEs and international businesses that rely on integrations with platforms like Xero, QuickBooks, and Shopify
• Enterprises willing to pay for higher-tier plans to access dedicated account managers
• Businesses seeking predictable FX costs and faster onboarding to manage global finances with less compliance friction

• Businesses that need access to local payment methods in over 190 countries and support for 120+ currencies
• Teams that require custom payment solutions, including branded debit cards via API
• Companies that prioritise scalability across diverse geographies, even if it means longer onboarding and less transparency around fees

If you’re weighing Airwallex and Rapyd for your business in Asia, Statrys is a reliable alternative for managing international payments.

Our multi-currency business accounts, corporate cards, and FX tools give you precise control over your transactions and currency conversions. Each account can hold 11 major currencies and supports sending and receiving payments in over 140 countries. Every client also benefits from a dedicated account manager, backed by a multilingual team covering seven languages.

We operate with full transparency. There are no hidden fees, all support channels are open regardless of account size, and our 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating shows that businesses trust us to handle their payments accurately and reliably.

Below is a summary of Statrys’ core features, designed to simplify cross-border business payments: