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Airwallex VS Wise: Which Is Better for Businesses in Singapore? [2025]

2025-10-27

5 minute read

Airwallex vs Wise comparison graphic featuring two cards, one for Airwallex on the left in white and one for Wise on the right in green, representing a comparison between the two fintech companies.

Choosing between Airwallex and Wise in Singapore isn’t a popularity contest; it’s a fit test. This guide focuses on what owners and finance teams actually juggle day to day: opening a business account, moving money across borders, issuing cards to teammates, and getting help when something breaks. We’ll keep the verdicts plain, the tables tight, and the trade-offs obvious, so you can decide quickly without reading around the marketing.

A quick note on scope: pricing and availability can vary by currency and region, and both providers update features regularly. Where there are caveats, we flag them. And while Statrys competes in this space, this comparison aims to stay neutral so you can choose the service that best matches your needs.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate as of 16 September 2025. Details may change over time; please check the providers' websites for the most current information.

At a Glance

In a rush? Here’s the quick take to help you choose between Airwallex and Wise.

Choose Airwallex If:

  • You’re scaling into multiple countries and need to pay or collect in different currencies.
  • You run an ecommerce or online business handling large payment volumes.
  • You need advanced tools and team card options, and are comfortable paying monthly fees for them.

Pros of Airwallex

✅ Wide global coverage and strong integrations

✅ Scalable card options for team spending

✅No-code payment gateway

Cons of Airwallex

Monthly fees apply for advanced plans

❌ No ATM withdrawals

❌ No phone support in Singapore

Choose Wise If:

  • You prefer an account with no monthly fees.
  • You or your team travel often and need card access with ATM withdrawals.
  • You’d rather call than chat when issues arise.

Pros of Wise

✅ Support 25+ currencies with local account details in major markets.

✅ATM access.

✅ No monthly fees

Cons of Wise

❌ One-time setup fee

❌ Card options are more limited for larger teams

green book

Tip: Read our thorough review of Airwallex and Wise business accounts to learn more about each service provider.

Want Another Option?

Statrys is trusted by 5,000+ SMEs worldwide. Manage 11 currencies with FX fees starting from 0.1%. There is no setup cost or monthly fee.

Screenshot of the Statrys payment platform's business account dashboard.

Business Account Features Comparison

Features Airwallex Singapore Wise Singapore
Main Product Offering A platform offering access to multiple local accounts, with tools for payments and expense management. Multi-currency accounts with a primary focus on low-cost international transfers.
Supported Currencies in the Accounts 20+ currencies, including GBP, HKD, AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, JPY, NZD, SGD, and USD 25+ currencies, including GBP, AUD, CAD, EUR, HKD, HUF, MYR, NZD, PHP, RON, SGD, TRY, USD, JPY, and NOK.
Send Funds To 200+ countries (mix of local and SWIFT networks) To 160+ countries
Receive Funds From 180+ countries From 160+ countries
International Payments ✔️ ✔️
Support PayNow Beta phase ✔️
Payment Acceptance Tools Payment gateway and payment links Payment links, QR codes and invoices
Batch Payment ✔️ Up to 1,000 payees ✔️ Up to 1,000 payees
FX Features
Integration Xero, Sage, QuickBooks, NetSuite, Amazon, Lazada, Shopify, and more Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Amazon Payout, and more

If your Singapore business is scaling across multiple markets and needs advanced tools like marketplace integrations or a payment gateway, Airwallex is the better choice. If your focus is simply on sending or receiving international payments without added complexity, Wise is likely the better fit.

Business Account Fees Comparison

Fees Airwallex Singapore Wise Singapore
Account Opening Fee Free S$99
Account Monthly Fee Explore: Free – core account features
Grow: S$79 – all Explore features + multi-conditional approvals & HRIS sync
Accelerate: S$399 – all Grow features + unlimited cards & dedicated manager
Free – everything included
Receive Local Payments 0.6% for KRW and VND payments
0.3% for PHP payments

Free for others
Free for SGD, AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HUF, NZD, TRY, and USD payments
Send Local Payments Free Within Singapore: Free
To other countries: starting from 0.26%
Receive International Payments (SWIFT) 0.6% for KRW and VND payments
0.3% for PHP payments

Free for others
Depends on currency:
$6.11 for USD payments
£2.16 for GBP payments
€2.39 for EUR payments

For other currencies, please find details in Wise’s FAQ.
Send International Payments (SWIFT) S$20–35 Varies depending on amount, payment method, and exchange rate; final price shown before transfer
FX Rate Based on the interbank exchange rate Based on the mid-market exchange rate
FX Fee 0.4% above interbank rates for major currencies
0.6% for all others
Starting from 0.26%

If your business mainly pays overseas suppliers and values competitive FX with wide local payout coverage, Airwallex is attractive, especially with free local payments to 100+ countries. But if you regularly receive payments in KRW, VND, or PHP, the percentage-based inbound fees make Wise the cheaper and more predictable option.

green glasses with a book

Considering Wise? There are some key things you should know about the Wise business account before you get started!

Card Features and Fees

Card Features Airwallex Singapore Wise Singapore
Card Type Company card: Virtual Visa debit card

Employee card: Physical and virtual Visa debit card
Physical and virtual business debit cards issued on either Visa or Mastercard®
Card Base Currency 11 currencies 25+ currencies
Number of Cards Company cards:
Explore: max. 10
Grow: max. 50
Accelerate: Unlimited

Employee cards: Not specified
1 physical card per account holder, and up to 3 virtual cards per user
Payment Limit Default limit of $50,000 or equivalent (adjustable) Up to S$100,000 in 12 months
ATM Withdrawal ✔️
ATM Withdrawal Limit N/A Included in the payment limit
ATM Withdrawal Fee N/A Up to 2 free withdrawals up to allowance, then fees apply (e.g. 0.5 GBP + 1.75% over limit)
Foreign Transaction Fee No transaction fee No transaction fee
Monthly Card Fee Free up to 5 active users

Then S$5 per user/month
Free
Manage and Control Card in App ✔️ ✔️

If you need to issue multiple cards across a team and control spending at scale, Airwallex is stronger with higher limits and the option to add dozens of employee cards. But if your business requires cash access through ATMs or prefers a simple setup without monthly card fees, Wise would suit your business better.

Account Eligibility and Setup Comparison

Criteria Airwallex Singapore Wise Singapore
Business Type Eligibility All business types All business types
Country Eligibility Available in 50+ countries, including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the US, the UK, and Australia 70+ countries, including Canada, the UK, the US, and Switzerland
Registration Channel 100% online application via website 100% online application via website
Approval Time Within 3 business days Within 3 business days

Both Airwallex and Wise keep eligibility broad and the application process simple, making them equally accessible for Singapore businesses. The real decision comes down to other aspects rather than setup.

Customer Support

Support Type Airwallex Singapore Wise Singapore
Dedicated Account Manager Available only on the Accelerate plan
Communication Channels Help centre, contact form, email, chatbot, regional phone lines (China only) Help centre (for everyone)

Email, phone, in-app chat (for Wise Business account holders)
Singapore Phone Line +65 313 51147 (for Wise Business clients)

Additional carrier charges may apply
Working Hours Regional phone lines available during business hours (9:00–18:00 CST) 24/7 phone support

If you value a dedicated account manager, you will only find that with Airwallex’s Accelerate plan, which is for large companies or enterprises.

For SMEs and solopreneurs, Wise offers broader access, including a Singapore phone line with 24/7 support, which is helpful in urgent situations.

User Reviews & Ratings

Rating & Reviews Airwallex Wise
Trustpilot Score 3.6/5 (2,090 reviews) 4.4/5 (269,568 reviews)
Common Praise Helpful support team, competitive rates, and an easy-to-use platform. Fair exchange rates, reliable transfers, and a user-friendly app.
Common Complaints Unclear communication on pricing changes. Mixed reviews on customer service quality.

Wise’s higher score reflects broad user trust built on a large base of reviews. Airwallex’s rating is more mixed, but feedback consistently points to the usefulness of its business-focused features.

Alternative Option: Statrys

If you're an SME or solopreneur registered and incorporated in Hong Kong, Singapore, or the BVI, and you deal with international clients, Statrys can be another valuable option for your business.

Founded in 2019, Statrys is a payment service provider in Hong Kong, offering global payment solutions tailored to modern businesses, including:

  • Multi-currency business accounts supporting 11 major currencies.
  • Local payments in 12 currencies.
  • Competitive FX with spot orders with FX fees as low as 0.1%
  • A dedicated account manager for every account available via live chat, WhatsApp, and WeChat.

Open a Hong Kong Business Account With Statrys

Manage 11 major currencies with FX fees as low as 0.1%, plus dedicated support from your account manager.

Screenshot of the Statrys payment platform's business account dashboard.

FAQs

Is Airwallex comparable to Wise?

Yes, Airwallex and Wise both offer business accounts with features tailored to cross-border business needs. They both offer some similar features, such as multicurrency capability, business debit cards, a 0% fee for foreign transactions (though both have conversion fees applied.), and so on. However, they differ in details; for example, Airwallex advertises a more streamlined process for marketplace integration but lacks access to ATMs. Wise is more well-known to be a convenient choice for frequent business travellers. 

Which is better, Wise or Airwallex?

How are the business cards from Airwallex and Wise different?

Disclaimer

More info

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

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