This article will cover one of the greatest payments systems of 2025: Airwallex vs. Stripe. We’ll analyze both systems to determine which one best suits a business for online payments, cross-border transactions, and managing finances.
This involves assessing important features, costs and ease of use. Each business will arrive at the best solution for their needs after understanding both systems.
What is Airwallex?
Airwallex began its journey in Hong Kong in 2015 and since then has grown to become one of the leading global fintech companies servicing all range of businesses with solutions to their cross border payments.
Airwallex has positioned itself to provide services aimed at the simplification of the complexities of cross border payment. Its customers enjoy the benefits of multis currency accounts, global money transfers and foreign exchange services at very competitive prices.
Businesses can manage international payments, track international expenses, generate virtual and physical payment cards, and pay expenses all through the Airwallex platform. Airwallex unique position to offer its services across borders has enabled it to become a partner to many businesses in Hong Kong and the rest of the world.
No border payments can be integrated to payment systems of e-commerce, payroll, and banking systems. Airwallex has made great strides in offering businesses the tools to manage their payments and balance their books while incorporating global payment systems.
What is Stripe?
Stripe is one of the top global fintech companies, and one of the best global companies in providing businesses with a complete suite of online payment processing services. Established in 2010 and located in San Francisco, Stripe services businesses of all sizes in accepting payments, billing, and subscription management safely and effectively.
Stripe’s systems are integrated with and accept payment through credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, and other currencies. This makes them great partners for businesses in the e-commerce, SaaS, and marketplace industries.
Stripe is a developer friendly company that offers comprehensive APIs for integration with websites, mobile apps, and other business systems.
Automation and financial reporting, invoicing, advanced fraud and tax interfacing, and tax automation are some of the additional modern features provided by Stripe. Companies looking for payment processing solutions that are dependable, innovative, and compatible worldwide choose Stripe, and for good reason.
Key Differences Between Airwallex vs Stripe
| Feature / Aspect | Airwallex | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015, Hong Kong | 2010, San Francisco, USA |
| Primary Focus | Cross-border payments and multi-currency accounts | Online payment processing and subscriptions |
| Supported Currencies | 50+ currencies | 135+ currencies |
| Global Reach | 130+ countries | 45+ countries |
| Payment Methods | Bank transfers, cards, virtual cards, e-wallets | Cards, digital wallets, ACH, Buy Now Pay Later |
| APIs & Integrations | Developer-friendly, integrates with accounting & ERP | Highly customizable APIs, strong e-commerce integration |
| Fees | Lower cross-border fees for businesses | Standard per-transaction fees; international fees may be higher |
| Security & Compliance | PCI DSS compliant, anti-fraud tools | PCI DSS compliant, advanced fraud detection (Radar) |
| Additional Features | Virtual/physical cards, expense management, FX tools | Invoicing, subscription management, financial reporting |
| Best For | Businesses with global operations and cross-border needs | Online businesses, SaaS, e-commerce, marketplaces |
Key Features Comparison
| Feature | Airwallex | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Global payments, multi-currency accounts, and financial operations | Online payment processing and developer tools |
| Currencies Supported | 50+ | 135+ |
| Local Payment Methods | 160+ (including Asia-specific methods like DOKU Wallet, Toss Pay, ShopeePay) | 100+ (including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, Afterpay) |
| Multi-Currency Wallet | Yes – allows settlement in multiple currencies without forced conversions or FX fees | No – funds are automatically converted upon receipt |
| Cross-Border Transfers | Low-cost international transfers with competitive FX rates | Higher fees for international transactions and currency conversion |
| Developer Tools | APIs for custom workflows and integrations | Robust APIs for seamless integration with various platforms |
| Invoicing & Billing | Invoice creation and management features | Advanced subscription billing and recurring payment solutions |
| Expense Management | Tools for managing and controlling business expenses | Limited expense management features |
| Fraud Protection | Basic fraud detection capabilities | Advanced fraud detection with tools like Radar |
| Customer Support | Dedicated, region-based support from day one | Premium support available at an additional cost |
| Ideal For | Businesses with global operations, freelancers, and startups | Developers, e-commerce platforms, and subscription-based businesses |
Pricing & Fees Comparison
Airwallex Pricing & Fees
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Account Fees | ₹0–₹29,000 (₹29/month in Australia; free with ₹5,000/month deposit or ₹10,000 balance) |
| Currency Conversion Fees | 0.5% for major currencies; 1% for others |
| International Transfers | ₹1,500–₹3,000 per transaction (e.g., SWIFT transfers) |
| Domestic Payments | Free for local transfers |
| Multi-Currency Cards | ₹1,500 per card per month; 2 free employee cards and 10 company cards on the ₹29,000/month plan |
| Subscription Management | 0.5% per successful card transaction |
| Receiving Payments | Free for local payments; 0.3% fee for incoming payments from non-linked accounts in certain regions |
Stripe Pricing & Fees
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Transaction Fees | 2.9% + ₹22 per online card transaction; 3.4% + ₹22 for manually entered cards; 4.4% + ₹22 for international cards |
| ACH Transfers | 0.8% per transaction, capped at ₹400 |
| Currency Conversion Fees | 1% per transaction |
| Chargeback Fees | ₹1,100 per dispute |
| Subscription Billing | 0.4% per invoice, capped at ₹1,100 |
| Instant Payouts | 1% of payout amount; minimum ₹35, maximum ₹7,000 |
| No Setup or Monthly Fees | Yes |
Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons Airwallex
Pros
Multi-Currency Wallets: Airwallex lets companies hold and settle with over 14 currencies which reduces the hassle and the fees of dealing with conversions.
Competitive FX Rates: Airwallex’s FX rates are generally 0.5%-1% above the interbank rates which are better than Stripe’s 1%-2% rates.
Global Payment Methods: Airwallex supports more than 160 local payment approaches, including prominent ones in Asia like DOKU Wallet, Toss Pay, and ShopeePay.
Comprehensive Financial Tools: Airwallex assembles financial services and provides a combined system with expense management, corporate cards and international transfer.
Dedicated Customer Support: Region-based support from day 1 which ensures businesses receive timely assistance.
Cons
Limited In-Person Payment Solutions: Airwallex does not provide POS systems for in-person transactions which could be a drawback for physical businesses.
Mobile App Limitations: Some customers have mentioned not receiving real time payment notification on the mobile app which could affect some time sensitive decisions.
Complex Onboarding for New Users: Some customers have described the KYC (Know Your Customer) and account verification processes as slow.
Not Suitable for Freelancers: Airwallex is designed for registered businesses and in the majority of nations, does not include sole proprietors or freelancers.
Pros and Cons Stripe
Pros
Developer-Friendly APIs: Stripe’s strong APIs lets businesses build their own payment solutions, which is great for businesses with a tech focus.
Extensive Payment Method Support: Includes a variety of payment methods such as credit and debit cards, digital wallets, and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services like Klarna and Afterpay.
Global Reach: Stripe is available in more than 195 countries which lets businesses get paid from customers all over the world.
Customizable Checkout Experience: Businesses can change the payment interface to align with their brand which improves the customer’s experience.
No Setup or Monthly Fees: Like Airwallex, Stripe does not have setup or monthly fees, catering to businesses of all sizes.
Cons
More Expensive Currency Conversion Fees: Stripe charges 1-2% for currency conversion while Airwallex charges 0.5-1%.
Reduced Multi-Currency Wallet Capabilities: Funds in foreign currencies will be converted without your consent; this complicates the management balance of cash flows and may result in additional fees.
Additional Fees for Support: Premium customer support is offered at an extra cost, which might be a problem for businesses that plan to request support often.
Problems With Stability: Account freezes, disputes, and other issues that some users have reported may result in a disruption of business activities.
Conclusion
Both Airwallex and Stripe are excellent options for payment services, but they target different types of businesses.
Airwallex is a strong choice for businesses focused on the international market because of the ability to efficiently handle global operations with the help of its multi-currency wallets, budget friendly foreign exchange services, and full suite of tools for cross-border payments.
For e-commerce businesses, Airwallex is great, but not as great as Stripe. Stripe stands out as a strong option for e-commerce, SaaS, and subscription companies because of its highly customizable checkout, great support for payment methods, and developer APIs.
Your selection should be based on your business goals: Airwallex for economically managing global finances and payments, or Stripe for easy and flexible online payment integration and processing.
FAQ
Which platform is better for international payments?
Airwallex is generally better for international payments due to its multi-currency wallets, competitive FX rates, and lower cross-border fees.
Can I use Stripe for multi-currency transactions?
Yes, Stripe supports multiple currencies, but incoming payments are automatically converted to your default currency, which may incur additional fees.
Does Airwallex support local payment methods?
Yes, Airwallex supports over 160 local payment methods, including popular Asian platforms like DOKU Wallet, Toss Pay, and ShopeePay.
Which platform is better for small businesses or startups?
Stripe is ideal for small businesses and startups that require easy online payment setup, subscription management, and customizable checkout solutions.
