Airwallex

Airwallex stands as a leading global payments platform designed to empower businesses in navigating international finance with ease. Trusted by over 150,000 companies worldwide, it offers a comprehensive suite of tools that streamline payments, manage expenses, and facilitate growth across borders. UK businesses, in particular, benefit from its focus on efficiency, helping them reduce costs and optimise operations in a competitive global market.

This platform is particularly suited for expanding enterprises that deal with multi-currency transactions and seek to avoid the pitfalls of traditional banking. By centralising financial activities, Airwallex enables teams to focus on core business strategies rather than administrative hurdles.

What is Airwallex?

Airwallex is a unified financial platform that provides end-to-end solutions for global payments and business finance. It allows companies to open local currency accounts in over 20 currencies, making it easier to receive funds without the complications of international wires. The platform’s engineering emphasises speed and security, ensuring that businesses can handle high-volume transactions with minimal friction.

At its core, Airwallex addresses the needs of growing organisations by integrating payments, spend management, and billing into one ecosystem. Whether scaling operations or building custom financial products, users gain access to interbank exchange rates and real-time tracking, which significantly lower costs compared to conventional methods. Founded with a vision for borderless commerce, Airwallex has become indispensable for UK-based exporters and importers alike.

The platform’s versatility extends to embedded finance, where marketplaces and software providers can leverage APIs to offer financial services directly within their applications. This not only enhances user experience but also opens new revenue streams for platform owners.

Key Features

• Global Business Accounts: Open accounts in 20+ currencies to collect payments locally and avoid conversion fees
• FX and Transfers: Execute fast transfers to 200+ countries using competitive interbank rates for cost savings
• Corporate Cards: Issue instant multi-currency cards with custom controls to manage team expenses effectively
• Payments Acceptance: Embed checkouts or use payment links to accept global payments without coding
• Billing Solutions: Generate invoices with 160+ local methods and handle subscriptions or usage-based billing
• Expense Management: Track spending, approve bills, and reimburse employees through an integrated dashboard
• Platform APIs: Build tailored financial tools with flexible APIs for seamless embedded finance
• Integrations: Connect effortlessly with accounting and e-commerce software for automated workflows

Benefits for Businesses

Businesses adopting Airwallex experience substantial cost reductions on international transactions, often saving up to 80% on FX fees compared to traditional banks. This efficiency translates into higher profit margins, allowing companies to reinvest in growth initiatives. Moreover, the platform’s real-time visibility into finances empowers better decision-making, reducing risks associated with currency fluctuations.

For UK organisations, Airwallex provides a competitive edge by localising global operations, such as receiving EUR or USD payments directly without intermediaries. Teams report improved productivity as manual reconciliation tasks diminish, freeing up time for strategic planning. Overall, the ROI is evident in faster cash flows and enhanced customer satisfaction through reliable payment experiences.

The scalability of Airwallex ensures it grows with the business, from startups handling initial exports to enterprises managing complex supply chains. This adaptability minimises disruptions during expansion phases.

Use Cases and Applications

In e-commerce, retailers expanding to Europe use Airwallex to accept payments in local currencies via Shopify integrations, boosting conversion rates by eliminating foreign transaction deterrents. A UK fashion brand, for instance, might issue corporate cards to suppliers abroad, tracking expenses in real-time to maintain budget control.

For tech platforms, the API-driven embedded finance allows marketplaces to offer seamless payouts to sellers worldwide. Consider a freelance network where admins use billing tools for subscription management, ensuring recurring revenue whilst providing usage-based options for flexible pricing.

Logistics firms leverage bill pay features to handle international invoices, approving payments across borders from one dashboard. These applications demonstrate how Airwallex transforms financial operations into strategic assets, supporting diverse industries like manufacturing and digital services.

Integration & Ecosystem

Airwallex’s ecosystem thrives on deep integrations with essential business software, enabling data synchronisation that eliminates silos. Connections to Xero and QuickBooks automate accounting entries, whilst e-commerce plugins for WooCommerce ensure payments flow directly into order management systems.

Businesses can extend functionality through Zapier for custom automations, linking Airwallex to CRM or HR tools. This interconnected approach fosters a cohesive workflow, where financial data informs broader operations, ultimately driving efficiency and informed strategies.

Pricing and Plans

Airwallex employs a flexible, usage-based pricing model that aligns costs with transaction volume, starting from as low as 0.3% per transfer with minimal setup fees. Core accounts are accessible without monthly subscriptions, making it attractive for variable-scale businesses. Volume discounts apply for high-usage scenarios, and enterprise customisation includes tailored rates and support.

Free trials allow testing of key features, whilst pay-as-you-go billing ensures predictability. UK users appreciate the transparency, with no hidden charges on FX conversions beyond competitive spreads.

Exclusive Savings on Airwallex

UK businesses looking to maximise value on Airwallex subscriptions can explore exclusive perks and discounts through PerkLedger. Our platform aggregates verified deals from finance providers, helping companies reduce software costs by up to 20%. Additionally, PerkLedger’s Discovery Rewards programme allows members to earn cashback on eligible purchases, turning routine financial tool investments into tangible savings opportunities. Access these benefits through our website, browser extension, or mobile app to stay updated on the latest Airwallex offers.

Getting Started with Airwallex

Beginning with Airwallex involves a straightforward onboarding process, starting with account registration and identity verification, typically completed within days. Businesses then configure global accounts and integrations, testing transfers in a sandbox environment to ensure smooth implementation. Support teams guide users through setup, customising features to match specific needs like multi-currency billing.

Post-launch, regular monitoring via the dashboard helps optimise usage, such as adjusting spend limits on corporate cards. For advanced users, API documentation aids in developing embedded solutions, whilst ongoing training resources ensure teams fully leverage the platform’s capabilities over time.

Many organisations find that within the first month, they achieve measurable efficiencies, such as quicker supplier payments or higher international sales. Committing to best practices, like regular reconciliations, maximises the platform’s potential and supports long-term financial health.