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Airwallex vs Aspire App: Account & Pricing [2024 Comparison]

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Airwallex

Aspire

Key Features

✔️ Local currency account in 13 locations with own account details.

✔️ Send local payments in over 45 currencies.

✔️ Unlimited debit corporate cards, which directly link to account balance.

✔️ Connect with various ecommerce platforms, including Shopify, Shopee, Amazon, and WooCommerce.

Key Features

✔️ Local currency accounts with their own account details in Singapore, Indonesia, the US, the UK, and the EU.

✔️ Send local payments in 19 currencies.

✔️ Accounting software integration, such as Xero and NetSuite.

Best For

Businesses requiring robust international financial operations, such as ecommerce businesses and businesses engaging in frequent cross-border transactions.

Best For

SMEs primarily based in or targeting Singapore, Indonesia, the US, EU, and UK markets, seeking a reliable financial partner with a cheaper pricing structure than traditional banks

Trustpilot rating

⭐⭐⭐ 3.8/5
Based on 1,035 reviews

Trustpilot rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6/5
Based on 61 reviews

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Airwallex Overview

Airwallex is a financial technology company that offers a cross-border payment platform for businesses. Founded in 2015, Airwallex aims to simplify international money transfers for businesses of all sizes. They provide a range of services, including multi-currency accounts, foreign exchange, and corporate cards.

  • Eligible countries: 52 countries and territories, such as Australia, the UK, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, the BVI, New Zealand, and more.
  • Eligible company type: Most entity types are eligible, including sole proprietorship and private limited companies.
  • Licences: Airwallex operates with various licenses across the countries where it operates, including an Australian Financial Services license within Australia, an Electronic Money Institution license within the UK, a Money Service Operator license in Hong Kong, and a Major Payment Institution license in Singapore.
  • Partner banks: JP Morgan, DBS, Standard Chartered, and more.
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Tip: Explore the full list of eligibility criteria in these key things to know before opening an Airwallex account.

Aspire App Overview

Aspire App is a financial platform designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Founded in 2018, the Aspire App aims to empower businesses with easy access to financial services tailored to their needs, such as virtual business accounts and virtual cards.

Their team comprises over 300 professionals working across 3 offices located in Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Aspire App serves more than 15,000 clients throughout Asia, providing them with the necessary support to help their businesses thrive.

  • Eligible countries: Australia, China, The Cook Islands, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
  • Eligible company type: Businesses of all types are welcome, excluding those involved in prohibited activities.
  • Licence: Exempted from holding a license in Singapore under the Payment Services Act (No.2 of 2019)
  • Partner bank: A tier-1 bank in Singapore.

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Business Account Features

Airwallex

Aspire

Supported Currencies in Business Accounts

22 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.

19 currencies, including AUD, CAD, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, INR, MXN, MYR, NOK, PHP, PLN, RON, SEK, USD and SGD.

Local Currency Accounts

13 locations: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Europe, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, 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

✔️

✔️

Primary Pros

  • Open local currency accounts in multiple major markets with unique account details.
  • Has an extensive payout network which can help save more on transfer and conversion fees.
  • Make spot and forward contracts at the rate based on the mid-market rate.
  • Support 4 major currencies to streamline international transfers
  • Local account details in Singapore, the US, the UK, and the EU to help businesses easily send and receive local payments.

Primary Cons

  • Features and fees vary based on the country your business is registered
  • Currently, they don’t provide FX tools to help businesses mitigate foreign exchange risk

Airwallex vs Aspire App Features Rating

Airwallex’s Features Rating is 4.5/5

Airwallex provides an array of features that are ideal for companies with global business operations. They provide extensive currency support for both business accounts and local payments. They also enable users to open local currency accounts in 13 different locations, streamlining international transfers and currency management for businesses.

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 grasp the available services and their costs fully. Given this consideration, we rate Airwallex’s features 4.5 out of 5.

Aspire App’s Features Rating is 3.8/5

Aspire App’s services are robust for startups and small businesses aiming to operate within Asia and use its supported currencies. However, its limitations in currency diversity and the lack of FX services constrain its utility for companies that engage in broader international commerce or require an advanced tool to manage foreign exchange risks. Therefore, when compared to Airwallex, we rate Aspire App’s features 3.8 out of 5.

Business Account Fees

Airwallex

Aspire

Account Opening 

Free

Free

Account Monthly Fee

Free

Free

Custom plan (for a company with over 100 employees)

Receive Local Payments

0.3% on each payment received

SGD, USD, GBP and EUR: Free

IDR: Free for up to 100 transactions per month.

Send Local Payments

Free

SGD, USD, GBP and EUR: Free

IDR: Rp 4,000

Receive International Payments (SWIFT)

0.3% on each payment received

SGD account: 0.4-1% fee USD account: USD 8

EUR account: EUR 10

GBP account: GBP 10

Send International Payments (SWIFT)

SGD 20 - 35

SGD account: Mid-market rate with a fee (via Wise network)

USD account: USD 30 (OUR fee type)

EUR account: EUR 20 (OUR fee type)

GBP account: GBP 20 (OUR fee type)

FX Conversion Fee

0.4% - 0.6%

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 Singapore. If your business is incorporated in a different location, it's important to consult the pricing page for relevant details.

Airwallex vs Aspire App Fees Rating 

Airwallex’s Account Fee Rating is 4.5/5

Airwallex's fee structure is highly competitive, especially with no account opening or monthly fees. The charges for sending international payments and FX conversion fees are within a reasonable range. Given these considerations, especially the low costs for most services, Airwallex’s fee rating is 4.5.

Aspire App’s Account Fee Rating is 4/5

Aspire App offers a compelling free structure for account opening and monthly maintenance. The variable fees for local and international transactions, including the competitive rates for FX conversions, cater well to SMEs.

However, businesses that carry out a high volume of international transactions may find the international payment fees and slightly higher FX conversion fees less favourable compared to Airwallex. Hence, we rate Aspire App’s fee 4 out of 5.

Card Features and Fees

Airwallex

Aspire

Business 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.

Supported Regions for Card

Most users can obtain corporate cards, except for businesses in New Zealand.

Businesses registered in Singapore and Indonesia (only virtual cards available)

Card Base Currency

Multiple, including USD, AUD, HKD, SGD, EUR, GBP, CAD, NZD,  JPY and CHF

SGD, USD, or IDR

Transaction Limit for Cards

USD 50,000 or equivalent (adjustable).

Virtual card: SGD 100,000 per transaction

Physical card: SGD 25,000 per transaction

Daily limit: SGD 250,000 per account

ATM Withdrawal 

✔️ (Outside Singapore only)

ATM Withdrawal Fee

Not applicable

SGD 5 per withdrawal

Card Fees

Free

  • SGD 0 for the first physical card of the user and for all virtual cards.
  • SGD 15 for each additional physical card.

Card FX Fee

Not specified

Up to 1.5%

Cashback Reward

✔️

✔️

Expense Management

SGD 5 per month per cardholder

Free

Primary Pros

  • Separate company and employee cards for designated purposes.
  • Multiple card-based currencies can help businesses save more on conversion fees. 
  • Unlimited virtual card for your team and can be assigned for specific purposes or merchants.

Primary Cons 

  • ATM cash withdrawals are not supported
  • Virtual cards are restricted to companies incorporated in Singapore and Indonesia.
  • Physical cards are only available for businesses incorporated in Singapore.

Airwallex vs Aspire App Card Rating

Airwallex’s Card Rating is 4/5

Airwallex offers both virtual and physical Visa debit cards, which are suitable for businesses operating internationally. Their cards also support multiple base currencies, which is particularly beneficial for managing currency conversion costs.

However, the lack of ATM withdrawal capability is a drawback for businesses needing cash access. The addition of an SGD 5 per month fee per cardholder for expense management slightly diminishes the attractiveness of their offering, especially for businesses managing a large number of cardholders.

Aspire App’s Card Rating is 4/5

Aspire App's services are regionally focused but offer strong benefits for businesses in Singapore and Indonesia. Virtual cards are exclusive to both countries, and only Singaporean companies can access physical cards. Despite these geographic limits, Aspire App remains a valuable choice in its operational areas.

Highlights include no charge for expense management, generous transaction limits, and the option for ATM withdrawals abroad for a small fee. With a card FX fee of up to 1.5%, Aspire balances costs with considerable perks.

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Customer Support

Airwallex

Aspire

Communication Channels

Help centre, contact form, phone

Live chat, FAQ pages, Query forms.

Working Hours

The US and Canada: 8:00 - 18:00 PDT / PST

China: 9:00 - 18:00 CST

(We could not find customer support hours in Singapore)

9:00 - 21:00 Singapore Time - Monday to Sunday

Airwallex vs Aspire App Customer Support Rating

Airwallex’s Customer Support Rating is 4/5

Airwallex offers a variety of support channels tailored to businesses looking for different levels of help. One potential limitation is that support hours are restricted to the standard business day. This might not align well with the needs of businesses operating across different time zones or those that require help outside these hours. Despite this, the provision of phone support and a dedicated help centre enhances Airwallex's support offerings, earning it a favourable assessment. 

Aspire App’s Customer Support Rating is 4.5/5

What stands out is the customer service's extended hours, which go beyond the typical workday and include weekends. This is especially beneficial for businesses that operate on Singapore Time or need assistance outside of standard hours. Although the lack of phone support might be seen as a drawback for those who prefer speaking directly, the combination of extended hours and the live chat option effectively addresses this concern, showcasing a customer support system that's both adaptable and attentive.

Alternative Solution: Statrys

If you have or plan to set up a business in Hong Kong, Singapore, or the BVI, we would like to introduce you to another local alternative - Statrys.

Founded in 2018, Statrys is a fintech company headquartered in Hong Kong with a Money Service Provider License. Statrys offers financial services that cater to the needs of modern SME businesses, including virtual multi-currency accounts, business cards with expense management, and FX service.

Moreover, Statrys provides personalised customer service with a multilingual team, ensuring that customers can always get the help they need.

Statrys Services

A summary of Statrys' services
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FAQs

What is the difference between Airwallex and Aspire App?

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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?

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How are the business cards from Airwallex and Wise different?

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Do both Airwallex and Aspire App provide business cards?

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Disclaimer

More info

Statrys competes directly with Airwallex and Aspire App in the payment industry, but we're committed to providing an unbiased, thorough review to help you make an informed choice. 

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