Can a U.S. LLC Do Business in Another Country? Your Guide to Global Expansion
Discover if your LLC can operate internationally. Learn about the requirements and considerations for an LLC doing business in another country.
In today’s fast-paced digital economy, U.S. entrepreneurs need financial tools that are as agile and ambitious as their businesses. The days of relying solely on traditional banking are over, replaced by new platforms that promise speed, simplicity and lower costs. Among the most popular choices are the widely used Cash App Business account and the globally focused Wise Business account.
While both offer modern solutions for managing money, they are designed for fundamentally different types of businesses.
This article provides a clear, in-depth comparison to help you understand the core features, fee structures, and ideal use cases for each platform, empowering you to select the account that will best support your company’s growth.
| Discover Wise Business: Simplify Your International Finances |
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| Wise makes it easier to manage your business finances. You can manage everything from one app, there are no monthly fees, and international payments use the mid-market rate. It also integrates smoothly with accounting software to keep your operations running efficiently. |
| Find out more about Wise Business |
| Table of contents |
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To begin, a high-level comparison can help frame the key differences. The table below offers an at-a-glance look at their primary features, fees and the type of business each is best suited for.
| Cash App Business | Wise Business | |
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| Key features |
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| Main fees |
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| Great for |
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The true value of any financial tool lies in its specific features and how they integrate into your daily operations. Here, we’ll dive deeper into what each platform actually offers to a U.S. business owner.
The Cash App Business Account provides a bridge between peer-to-peer digital transfers and formal business banking. Business users can accept debit and credit card payments, issue payment requests to customers, and generate a transaction history that aligns with IRS reporting rules. A key feature is that Cash App auto-issues Form 1099-K when thresholds are reached for business payments.3
However, the features remain limited to a basic payments function. Business users pay 2.6% + $0.15 for each completed transaction from a customer and an additional 3% fee if using Tap to Pay on iPhone.1 There are no batch payroll features, no international account options, and reporting is minimal.
The Wise Business account is a cost-effective way for US businesses to send international transfers and get paid from abroad in multiple currencies. Conversions also take place at the mid-market exchange rate. This account adds features and tools that are helpful for business use. You can also get a Wise Multi-Currency card for business, and employee expense cards. These features make it easier to run your business, organize finances, cut costs, and get paid on time.
Wise Business also includes several additional features to benefit both US-based and international businesses:
Cash App Business Account: Best for very small U.S. businesses, contractors or freelancers needing easy customer payments without complex financial structures.
Wise Business: Designed for freelancers, startups, expats and small businesses with international contractors, suppliers, or clients that require low‑cost, transparent global transfers.
While both platforms move money, their core philosophies create significant distinctions that directly impact your business.
The key differences are in fees, features, and international reach.
Cash App charges 2.6% + $0.15 on each customer payment received, with 3% fees for Tap to Pay.1 Wise doesn’t charge for non-wire transactions, and offers international transactions from 0.41% with no hidden fees or exchange rate markups.
Cash App only works domestically (U.S. and limited UK support), while Wise operates in 140+ countries.
Cash App lacks payroll functionality, while Wise Business allows you to use BatchTransferto pay your customers, freelancers, employees and contractors abroad.4
For any business, a platform’s fee structure can significantly impact your bottom line, so a detailed cost comparison is essential to see how these differences play out in the real world.
| Cash App | Wise Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per transaction |
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| Monthly fees | N/A | N/A |
| International transfers | Not supported | Currency conversion from 0.57%, always at the mid-market rate2 |
| Debit card spending | N/A | Free |
| ATM withdrawals | N/A |
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| Holding foreign currencies | N/A | Free2 |
In practice, a U.S. business receiving dozens of domestic transactions may pay far more on Cash App due to the high percentage of processing fees. Conversely, a global small business can save substantially on payroll and supplier transfers using Wise, thanks to mid-market exchange rate. Wise Business also offers discounts when sending over $25,000.
Wise Business allows you to accept a range of payment methods, which include:
Cash App allows you to accept the following payment methods:
Keep in mind that accessibility remains limited to the U.S. market, with only partial U.K. presence.
After comparing features and costs, the choice often comes down to your business’s specific model. The best platform is the one that aligns with your customer base, team structure, and growth ambitions.
Cash App is best if your business is small, U.S.-only, and needs quick, simple ways to receive payments from customers.
Wise Business is best if your business has international ambitions, whether that’s making international payroll, paying global suppliers, or receiving overseas client payments cost‑effectively.
To make the decision even clearer, let’s look at some real-world scenarios where one platform is the obvious choice over the other.
Freelancers and remote workers - If you’re working as a freelancer or sole proprietor, you can use Wise Business to receive payments in multiple currencies. That way, you won’t get stung by high currency conversion fees, and you can separate and exchange currencies in one place.
Small and medium businesses - For smaller and medium-sized businesses, you can use Wise Business to pay international suppliers, contractors, and employees without paying the higher fees you’d associate with traditional banks.
E-commerce sellers - E-commerce sellers can use Wise Business to sell products internationally, holding and transferring money without excessive conversion fees.
Freelancer - Cash App can be used by freelancers in the U.S. who are only billing US-based clients.
Marketplace / roadside sellers - Cash App allows sellers to accept card or Tap to Pay transactions.
Microbusiness - Cash App can be useful for running a side hustle where convenience outweighs processing costs.
Wise Business can help you save big time on international payments.
Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in currencies.
Signing up to Wise Business allows access to BatchTransfer which you can use to pay up to 1000 invoices in one go. This is perfect for small businesses that are managing a global team, saving a ton of time and hassle when making payments.
Some key features of Wise Business include:
Mid-market rate: Get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees on international transfers
Global Account: Send money to countries and hold multiple currencies, all in one place. You can also get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local
Access to BatchTransfer: Pay up to 1000 invoices in one click. Save time, money, and stress when you make 1000 payments in one click with BatchTransfer payments. Access to BatchTransfer is free with a Wise Business account
Auto-conversions: Don't like the current currency exchange rate? Set your desired rate, and Wise sends the transfer the moment the rate is met
Free invoicing tool: Generate and send professional invoices
No minimum balance requirements or monthly fees: US-based businesses can open an account for free. Learn more about fees here
Yes, every payment into a Cash App Business Account is charged 2.6% + $0.15, and Tap to Pay transactions carry a 3% fee.1
Because business payments are classified as commercial transactions requiring processing fees, unlike peer-to-peer transfers.1
Go to Settings → Account Settings → “Close Account” and confirm via SMS/email. History is deleted on closure.1
A valid U.S. phone, verified SSN or EIN, linked debit/bank account, and verified identity.1
Yes, toggle your personal account to business in the settings.
No, Wise only charges for transactions at the time of transfer. Holding and spending balances are free.2
Sources:
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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