
International Transfer Fees: What You’re Actually Paying
Hidden fees in international money transfers can cost you hundreds of dollars per year. The headline exchange rate rarely tells the whole story.
Real Cost Comparison (USD 1,000 transfer)
| Provider | Fee | Exchange Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airwallex | $0 | Mid-market | $0 |
| Wise | $4.48 | Mid-market | $4.48 |
| Revolut | $0 | Mid-market* | $0* |
| Bank wire | $25-45 | 2-4% markup | $45-85 |
*Revolut adds markup on weekends and after free tier limits.
Winner for Business Accounts
Airwallex is the clear winner for business users who regularly send/receive international payments. Their multi-currency accounts let you hold and convert 30+ currencies at mid-market rates.
Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission if you open an Airwallex account via our link. This doesn’t affect our editorial assessment.
Full review with more transfer scenarios coming soon.