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Revolut Business and Airwallex are both global‑focused fintech platforms used by UK companies, but they’re designed for different types of international businesses.
Revolut Business positions itself as an all‑in‑one business finance platform, combining banking, cards, expenses, and FX under one roof. Airwallex is more narrowly focused on international payments and multi‑currency accounts.
This guide compares Airwallex and Revolut across features, fees, regulation, and which types of UK businesses each platform is best suited to.
Revolut vs Airwallex: At a Glance Comparison
Revolut | Airwallex | |
Account model | Licensed UK bank | E-Money Institution (EMI) |
Core focus | All‑in‑one finance | Global payments & FX |
Typical users | Startups, SMEs, scaling teams | International SMEs, e-commerce, global firms |
Monthly fees | Free and paid plans | Free and paid plans |
Multi‑currency | Yes | Yes |
Expense management | Advanced | Limited |
FSCS protection | Yes, up to £120,000 | No |
Business Bank Account Offers and Fees
What Revolut Business is Designed For
Revolut Business is designed to support fast‑growing and internationally active companies that want a single platform for banking, spending, and global payments.
It combines multi‑currency accounts with cards, expense controls, approvals, and integrations, making it particularly attractive to teams managing money across borders.
Key Characteristics of Revolut Business
Multi‑currency business accounts
Free and paid subscription plans
Physical and virtual business cards
Advanced expense management and approvals
Integrations with accounting and payroll tools
Available to sole traders and limited companies
Trade‑Offs to Consider
Monthly fees apply to most plans
FX allowances are capped on lower tiers
Pricing becomes more complex as usage grows
Revolut Business often suits companies that want structure and visibility across finances.
What Airwallex is Designed For
Airwallex is built for SMEs that move money internationally at scale. Its platform focuses on cross‑border payments, multi‑currency accounts, and competitive FX rates, rather than everyday UK banking features.
It’s widely used by e-commerce businesses, SaaS companies, and firms paying overseas suppliers or staff.
Key Characteristics of Airwallex
Hold and manage multiple currencies
Local account details in major markets
Competitive FX rates for international payments
Physical and virtual cards available
APIs and integrations for global payments
Available to UK limited companies and SMEs
Trade‑Offs to Consider
Not a fully licensed UK bank
No overdrafts or lending capability
Limited built‑in expense management
FSCS protection does not apply
Airwallex appeals to businesses that prioritise international reach and FX efficiency over traditional banking features.
How They Charge
Revolut Business Pricing
Free plan available with basic features
Paid plans unlock higher FX limits and tools
Monthly subscription pricing by tier
Charges apply for FX beyond allowances
Revolut’s pricing suits businesses that prefer bundled features.
Airwallex Pricing
No monthly fee on basic plans
FX and international payment fees apply
Paid plans unlock higher limits and premium features
Costs scale based on usage and volume
Airwallex’s pricing works well for companies making frequent or high‑value international payments.
Feature Comparison: Revolut vs Airwallex
Everyday Banking
Payments and transfers: Both support UK and international payments
Cards: Both offer physical and virtual business cards
Account access: Mobile apps with web dashboards
Expense Management
Revolut: Advanced expense tracking, approvals, and limits
Airwallex: Basic spend tracking, fewer controls
International Payments
Revolut: Strong FX tools with plan‑based allowances
Airwallex: Core focus on low‑cost global payments and FX
Accounting Integrations
Revolut: Integrates with accounting and payroll platforms
Airwallex: Integrates with accounting tools and e-commerce platforms
APIs and Automation
Revolut: API access on higher plans
Airwallex: Strong API offering for global payment automation
Regulation and Protection
Revolut and Airwallex operate under different regulatory models, which affect how customer funds are protected.
Revolut Business is provided by Revolut Bank UK Ltd, a fully licensed UK bank
Eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000
Funds benefit from full UK banking regulation
Some features may still operate under e‑money safeguarding
Airwallex operates as an E-Money Institution (EMI)
Customer funds are safeguarded, not FSCS‑protected
Money is held separately from Airwallex’s own funds
For businesses where FSCS protection is essential, Revolut Business offers stronger reassurance.
Who Should Consider Revolut Business?
Revolut may be a good fit if your company:
Wants an all‑in‑one platform
Needs expense management for teams
Operates internationally, but values structure
Prefers subscription‑based pricing
Wants FSCS protection
Who Should Consider Airwallex?
Airwallex may suit businesses that:
Make frequent international payments
Want strong FX rates and global reach
Operate with an e-commerce or SaaS model
Need API‑driven payment solutions
Don’t need traditional banking features
Alternatives to Revolut and Airwallex
You might want to explore other business account providers if your company:
Needs an overdraft or business loan
Handles large volumes of cash
Prefers standalone tools over subscriptions
In those cases, it’s worth comparing other UK providers until you find the right solution.
