Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Airwallex vs Wirex
Airwallex
Wirex
Higher score in this comparison
Where Airwallex and Wirex differ
| Compare | AirwallexReviewVisitVisit | WirexReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | £0 | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5% | 0%Lower |
| Cashback rate | 2% | 8%Higher |
| Currencies | 20 | 150Higher |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $400 |
| Custody | Not confirmed | Custodial |
Same on both: Card type (Debit), Card network (Visa).
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Key differences
- Wirex scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.0.
- Airwallex is licensed in 1 more country.
- Airwallex is available in 16 more countries.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Wirex: 0% vs 0.5%.
- Cashback rate is higher at Wirex: 8% vs 2%.
- Currencies is higher at Wirex: 150 vs 20.
- Features: only Wirex offers Crypto, Custodial.
Our verdict on each
Airwallex
Airwallex suits businesses that hold and spend across several currencies, pairing a £0 monthly fee with 20 currencies, virtual cards and support by phone. The trade-off sits in conversion, where fees run 0.5%, a step above the cheapest rate on a comparison of 259 brands.
Wirex
Wirex suits people who want crypto spending, travel money and cashback on one custodial Visa debit card. Costs are the draw: a monthly fee of $0 and a currency conversion fee of 0% place it at the front of the 259 brands compared on conversion costs.
Score breakdown
| Area | Airwallex | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Monthly fee of £0 ranks 1 of 419, while conversion fees of 0.5% sit at 115. | 9.4HigherMonthly fee of $0 and a currency conversion fee of 0% keep running costs at the floor. |
| Offer | 9.4Multi-currency, virtual cards and travel use are listed features, with cashback of 2% on spend. | 9.9HigherCashback of 8% and 150 currencies with crypto and virtual card options drive the offer. |
| Trust | 8.6 | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Airwallex | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Debit cards | 4 of 1336 | 17 of 1336 |
| Travel cards | 2 of 443 | 12 of 443 |
Where these facts come from
Airwallex
- airwallex.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- play.google.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- recordowl.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sgpbusiness.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- transferfees.io: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Wirex
- coincodecap.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- currencyexpert.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- budgetfitter.uk: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Airwallex | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Multi currency, Virtual card, Travel | Crypto, Custodial, Multi currency, Travel, Virtual cardCovers more |
| Audience | Business | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | Wirex Limited |
| Headquarters | Singapore | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2015 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre, Phone, Chat | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Airwallex | Wirex | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 0.5%below the median | 0%below the median | 1% |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $400highest quarter | $0 |
| Cashback rate | 2%at the median | 8%highest quarter | 2% |
| Currencies | 20above the median | 150highest quarter | 8 |
Median across 387 listed cards.
Pros and cons
Airwallex
Pros
- A monthly fee of £0 and a rank of 1 on 419 brands for this measure
- Accounts cover 20 currencies, so several balances can sit side by side
- Virtual cards and travel use are listed features, so staff spend and trips stay in the same place
Cons
- Conversion fees run 0.5%, so converting larger amounts costs more than at the cheapest rivals
- Cashback of 2% is small next to that conversion cost on cross-currency spend
- The account is aimed at business, so personal everyday spending sits outside its remit
Wirex
Pros
- Monthly fee of $0 on a standard Visa debit account
- Currency conversion fee of 0%, ranked 1 of 259 brands
- Cashback of 8% returned on everyday card spending
Cons
- The account is custodial, so balances sit with Wirex Limited rather than with you
- Free ATM withdrawals of $400 rank 8 of 115
Who each suits
Airwallex
Who it suits
- Businesses paying suppliers or contractors in other currencies
- Companies with staff travelling for work
- Startups keeping several currency balances side by side
Who should look elsewhere
- Single-currency spenders, who would get more from Wise
- Travellers wanting fee-free conversion, since fees run 0.5% here against 0.1% at Wise
- Households after a personal everyday card, where Varo Believe Secured Credit Card or Chime Card (Secured Visa Credit Card) fit better
Wirex
Who it suits
- Crypto holders who want to spend through a normal Visa debit card
- Travellers who convert several currencies at a low conversion fee
- Multi currency earners who want cashback and a virtual card
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want to hold their own keys, since the Wirex account is custodial
- Anyone wanting a plain current account: Starling Personal Account Debit Card charges £0
- Anyone who only needs a bank debit card: Wise charges a monthly fee of £0
Current offers
Wirex
Current offer
Bonus
Up to 8% Cashback on Card Spend - Wirex: Up to 8% cashback
Earnings subject to eligibility
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Airwallex | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| China | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Hong Kong | Yes | No |
| Israel | Yes | No |
| Japan | Yes | No |
8 of 17 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Airwallex
What does it cost to hold an Airwallex account?+
The monthly fee is £0, so keeping the account open adds no recurring cost, and Airwallex ranks 1 of 419 brands on this measure. Conversion is the charge that follows, and it is listed separately.
What is the currency conversion fee on Airwallex?+
Conversion fees run 0.5%, which sits above the cheapest conversion available, and Airwallex ranks 115 of 259 brands on this measure. Converting only when the trade rate is worth the fee keeps that cost under control.
Wirex
What does Wirex cost to hold each month?+
The monthly fee is $0 on the standard debit account, and Wirex ranks 1 of 419 brands compared on that measure. Costs are simple to state: the currency conversion fee is 0%, so there is little to add for everyday use.
What does Wirex charge to convert currency?+
The currency conversion fee is 0%, which places Wirex at 1 of 259 brands compared. Travellers moving between several of the 150 currencies held on the account can convert at that rate.