Choosing the right business account can make a big difference for your business, but with so many options available, it’s not always easy to decide which one fits your needs. Whether you're considering a switch from Airwallex to Aspire, the reverse, or are still weighing both options, this article has you covered.
Picking up from our detailed reviews of Airwallex and Aspire App, this article focuses on how they compare in 2025, including key features, pricing, and user experience. Whether your priority is seamless cross-border payments, business expense management, or comprehensive payment solutions, you’ll gain the insights needed to choose the provider that best supports your business goals.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate as of 8 January 2025. Please note that these details are subject to change. We recommend checking with Airwallex and Aspire App for the latest information.
Airwallex vs Aspire App At a Glance
| Comparison | Expert Insight |
Features | Airwallex: Local accounts in 13 countries, Send local payments in 45+ currencies, advanced FX tools, and business API integrations.
| Airwallex Wins: Advanced global functionality with broader coverage and advanced tools. |
Fees | Airwallex: Lower FX fees (from 0.2%), HKD 120–200 for SWIFT payments, 0.3% fee on non-linked incoming payments.
| Best Fit: Airwallex for international transfers; Aspire for receiving local payments. |
Cards | Airwallex: Virtual and physical debit cards, Multi-currency support, No ATM withdrawals.
| Best Fit: Airwallex for multi-currency support; Aspire App for ATM access. |
Customer Support | Airwallex: Phone support in US, Canada, and China. Help Centre in English/Simplified Chinese, No live chat.
| Aspire App Wins: Extended support hours and greater accessibility. |
Business Account Features Comparison
| Airwallex | Aspire |
Supported Currencies in Business Accounts | Over 20 currencies, including HKD, AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD, DKK, CZK, HUF, MXN, NOK, PLN, RON, SEK, ZAR, CNY, IDR | 5 currencies, including SGD, IDR, USD, EUR and GBP. |
Supported Currencies for Local Payments | 49 currencies, such as AUD, CAD, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, USD, SGD, VND, MXN, and more. | 18 currencies, including AUD, CAD, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, INR, MYR, NOK, PHP, PLN, RON, SEK, USD and SGD. |
Local Currency Accounts | 13 locations: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Europe, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, UAE, UK and US. | 5 locations: Singapore, Indonesia, US, EU and UK. |
International Payments via SWIFT | ✔️ | ✔️ |
FX Services | Spot and forward service with FX rate based on the mid-market rate. | ❌ |
Accounting Software Integration | ✔️ | ✔️ |
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Primary Cons |
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Feature Comparison Analysis
Airwallex’s business account provides extensive global coverage, supporting over 20 major currencies. It allows local payments in 49 currencies and offers local account details in 13 countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, the UK, Denmark and Australia. Its advanced FX tools help businesses manage currency fluctuations, and API integrations streamline financial operations* *
However, the inconsistency in features and fees, depending on the country of registration, adds a layer of complexity. Businesses may need to undertake extra research to fully understand the available services and their costs.
On the other hand, Aspire App is a simple and effective solution for businesses operating in Singapore, Indonesia, the US, the UK, and Europe. It supports 5 currencies and local payment in 18 currencies, making it easy to manage finances.
While Aspire App integrates well with accounting and ecommerce platforms, its lack of FX tools and limited currency options make it less suitable for extensive global operations.* *
Statrys’ Verdict on Features: Airwallex Wins
Airwallex provides an extensive payment network, local accounts in major markets, FX tools to help mitigate exchange rate risk, and business APIs to minimise manual tasks and reduce errors. These features make it a great choice for companies with global operations or those planning to expand internationally.
Business Account Fees Comparison
Airwallex Hong Kong's pricing is in HKD, while Aspire's pricing is primarily in SGD. To make the comparison easier to understand, we’ve converted all amounts to USD where applicable.
| Airwallex | Aspire App |
Account Opening | Free | Free |
Account Monthly Fee | Free |
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Receive Local Payments | 0.3% on each deposit received. However, deposits from your linked bank accounts are free | Free |
Send Local Payments | Free | Free to send local payments within Singapore, the US, the UK, and the EU. Local payment within Indonesia: IDR 2,200 - 28,000 (or USD 0.13 - 1.71), depending on transfer systems |
Receive International Payments (SWIFT) | 0.3% on each deposit received. However, deposits from your linked bank accounts are free | SGD payment: Zero fee, but may be charged for conversions. USD, EUR, and GBP payment: USD 8 or equivalent/transfer |
Send International Payments (SWIFT) | HKD 120 - 200 (or USD 15 - 26) | SGD payment: Depending on Wise’s FX rate and fee. USD, EUR, and GBP payment: USD 30 or equivalent/transfer. |
FX Conversion Fee | From 0.2% | 0.4% - 1% |
FX Rate | Not explicitly stated. Based on various factors, including market conditions, liquidity, and prices from liquidity providers. | Couldn’t find the information. |
*The pricing structure for Airwallex is specific to businesses in Hong Kong. If your business is incorporated in a different location, it's important to consult the pricing page for relevant details.*
Fees Comparison Analysis
Airwallex is a good choice for businesses focused on sending payments internationally. It offers competitive FX conversion fees starting at 0.2% and fixed SWIFT fees for outbound payments, making international transfers affordable.
However, the 0.3% fee on incoming payments can eat into profits for businesses with frequent or high-volume inflows, making it less suitable for companies with substantial incoming transactions.*
Aspire App is a better fit for businesses that focus on receiving payments. It offers free incoming local transfers in Singapore, the US, the UK, and the EU, which makes it a cost-effective option for companies that regularly receive payments in these markets.
However, Aspire charges a USD 30 fee for sending international payments, and its conversion rates are slightly higher (0.4% - 1% fee). As a result, businesses that regularly send payments may find Aspire less competitive than Airwallex.*
Statrys’ Verdict on Fees: Draw
Airwallex provides better overall value for businesses prioritising international payments, while Aspire is a cost-effective solution for receiving domestic and international payments.
Card Features and Fees Comparison
| Airwallex | Aspire |
Card Type | Company card: Virtual Visa debit card Employee card: Physical and virtual Visa debit card | Physical and virtual Visa debit cards are compatible with Google and Apple Pay. |
Card Base Currency | AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, or USD. | SGD, USD IDR, or HKD |
Payment Limit | USD 50,000 or equivalent (adjustable). | Virtual card: SGD 100,000 per transaction (or USD 73,273) Physical card: SGD 25,000 per transaction (or USD 18,318) Daily limit: SGD 250,000 per account (or USD 183,184) |
ATM Withdrawal | ❌ | ✔️ (Outside Singapore only) |
ATM Withdrawal Limit | Not applicable | USD 500 per day |
ATM Withdrawal Fee | Not applicable | SGD 5 (or USD 3.7) per withdrawal |
Card Fees | Free |
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Card FX Fee | Not specified | Up to 1.5% |
Cashback Reward | ✔️ | ✔️ |
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Cards Comparison Analysis
Airwallex offers both virtual and physical Visa debit cards, which are designed for businesses operating internationally. Their cards support multiple base currencies, meaning users can issue cards in specific currencies like USD, GBP, or EUR to better manage currency conversion costs. Businesses can assign individual cards to team members, simplifying expense management and enhancing budget control.
For businesses in Canada and New Zealand, only virtual cards are available, but these still provide the same features, including team expense tracking. However, the lack of ATM withdrawal capability is a drawback for businesses needing cash access. The HKD 40 (or USD 5.14) monthly fee per cardholder for expense management could also be significant for businesses with larger teams.* *
Aspire offers card services tailored to businesses in Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. Companies in these countries can issue multiple virtual cards, allowing teams to track and control expenses effectively. Physical cards are limited to businesses in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Similar to Airwallex, Aspire App cards support transactions in 4 currencies, with each card tied to a specific base currency. Businesses benefit from free expense management, high transaction limits, and cash withdrawal capabilities at ATMs outside Singapore. However, the 1.5% foreign exchange fee on card transactions adds to the overall cost.*
Statrys’ Verdict on Cards: Draw
Airwallex is better for multi-currency use and managing international expenses, while Aspire is more practical for businesses needing ATM access and free expense management.
Customer Support
| Airwallex | Aspire |
Communication Channels | Help Centre (English & Simplified Chinese), Contact Form, Phone | Live chat, FAQ pages (English, Bahasa Indonesia, Simplified and Traditional Chinese), Query forms. |
Contact Number | Canada: +1 (855) 292-1315, China: +864 0086 63888 | Singapore: +65 3165 1500 |
Working Hours | The US and Canada: 8:00 - 18:00 (UTC-7) China: 9:00 - 18:00 (UTC+8) | 9:00 - 21:00 (UTC+8), Monday to Sunday. |
Customer Support Comparison Analysis
Airwallex offers phone support in the US, Canada, and China, along with a Help Centre in English and Simplified Chinese and a contact form for non-urgent queries. However, phone support is only available during standard business hours, and weekend availability is unclear, which might be inconvenient for businesses needing after-hours support.* *
On the other hand, the Aspire App offers phone support primarily for Singapore but compensates with extended working hours, including weekends. It also offers live chat and multilingual FAQ pages, including English, Bahasa Indonesia, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, making it more accessible for businesses that need help outside regular working hours.*
Statrys’ Verdict on Customer Support: Aspire App Wins
As issues can arise at any time, the Aspire App offers greater flexibility and responsiveness with its live chat, extended hours, and FAQ pages in four languages. These ensure companies can raise issues and receive support more quickly.
Alternative Solution: Statrys
If neither Airwallex nor Aspire App fits your business needs, Statrys is a viable alternative to consider.
Founded in 2019, Statrys is a Money Service Operator in Hong Kong that aims to simplify global payments for SMEs. With Statrys, you can hold money in 11 major currencies and make local payments in 12 currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, and SGD–all within a single account.
Statrys has clear and competitive pricing. For international payments, you pay HKD 60 for incoming transfers and HKD 85 for outgoing transfers. These fixed fees help you manage and reduce costs. You can request Mastercard® pre-paid cards, both physical and virtual, to make purchases and withdraw cash at ATMs worldwide.
Moreover, Statrys provides personalised and multilingual customer service through various channels to ensure your queries are answered quickly and effectively.
Below is a summary of Statrys’ service
![A summary of Statrys' services](https://images.prismic.io/statrys/Zo4-eB5LeNNTw-r-_Statrysservices.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
FAQs
What is the difference between Airwallex and Aspire App?
Airwallex is notable for its extensive international support, providing a wide range of currencies for business accounts and payments. On the other hand, Aspire App focuses more on the Southeast Asian (SEA) market, offering more straightforward offerings and supporting fewer currencies.
Is Airwallex better than the Aspire App?
Do both Airwallex and Aspire App provide business debit cards?
Disclaimer
Statrys competes directly with Airwallex and Aspire App in the Hong Kong payment industries, but we're committed to providing an unbiased, thorough review to help you make an informed choice.