If your business sends or receives money across borders, a traditional bank account is often the most expensive way to do it. Here’s how the three biggest multi-currency business account providers — Airwallex, Wise, and Revolut — actually compare in 2026.
| Feature | Airwallex | Wise | Revolut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Scaling businesses | Freelancers, simple transfers | All-in-one business banking |
| Pricing model | Free plan + FX markup ~0.5% | Pay-per-transfer, no subscription | Tiered plans: $0-$119+/month (US) |
| Currencies supported | 20+ held, 120+ transfer destinations | 40+ | 25+ |
| Payment gateway | Yes | No | No |
| Corporate cards | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Deposit protection | Varies by region | N/A (not a bank) | FSCS up to £120,000 (UK, as of 2026) |
Airwallex positions itself less as a bank alternative and more as a full financial operating system for global businesses — multi-currency accounts, a payment gateway with Shopify/WooCommerce integration, invoicing, and corporate cards with spend controls, all in one platform. Its free “Explore” plan covers most basic usage, with FX markups around 0.5% for major currencies.
This makes it the strongest pick if you’re not just moving money internationally, but also collecting payments from international customers, issuing employee cards, or need accounting integrations (Xero, QuickBooks) built in.
Read our full Airwallex review for a deeper breakdown, or see how it stacks up specifically against Wise.
Open an Airwallex Business Account →
Wise remains the standard for straightforward, transparent international transfers — no monthly subscription, low transfer fees (around 0.19%+ depending on currency), and pricing that’s easy to understand upfront. It doesn’t offer a full payment gateway or extensive business tooling, which is exactly why it works well for freelancers and small businesses that don’t need those extras.
Revolut Business has grown into a genuine banking alternative — as of March 2026, it holds a full UK banking license, meaning customer deposits now carry FSCS protection up to £120,000 (a meaningful upgrade from its earlier e-money institution status). In the US, it operates through regulated partners across four tiers: Basic ($0/month), Grow ($30/month), Scale ($119/month), and Enterprise (custom pricing) — though notably, US deposits don’t carry FDIC insurance the way a traditional US bank account would.
A few things worth knowing before choosing Revolut specifically:
Revolut’s genuine strength is the all-in-one app experience — currency accounts, team cards, expense tracking, and accounting sync in a single, well-reviewed interface (4.7/5 on Trustpilot from over 376,000 reviews).
Which is cheaper: Airwallex, Wise, or Revolut?
For low-volume simple transfers, Wise’s flat per-transfer pricing is usually the most predictable and cheapest. For high-volume businesses, Airwallex’s ~0.5% FX markup with a free base plan can work out more cost-effective than Revolut’s monthly subscription tiers.
Can I use more than one of these together?
Yes — many businesses do. A common pattern is Wise for simple ad-hoc transfers, paired with Airwallex or Revolut for ongoing multi-currency operations and card issuance.
Is Revolut Business safe?
As of March 2026, Revolut holds a full UK banking license, meaning UK deposits are FSCS-protected up to £120,000. In other regions, including the US, protections differ — always confirm current regulatory status for your specific country before relying on it.
Which is best for a Shopify or Amazon seller?
Airwallex’s built-in payment gateway and e-commerce platform integrations make it the most natural fit for sellers who need to both accept international customer payments and manage supplier payouts from one platform.
Compare and Open an Airwallex Account →
