GoCardless vs. Airwallex | Full Comparison for US Businesses

When businesses weigh up GoCardless vs. Airwallex, they’re usually deciding between a specialist in recurring bank payments and a global financial platform. While both offer secure, modern ways to handle business transactions, their strengths and intended use cases are quite different. We'll also discuss the Wise Business account. The global account that can help your company with all things cross-border.

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A Quick Overview

GoCardless vs. Airwallex: Key Features

Understand the key features of GoCardless vs. Airwallex to better understand which platform fits a specific business model.

GoCardless

GoCardless was built around a clear focus: recurring bank payments.¹ It leverages direct debit networks in multiple countries and allows businesses to pull funds straight from customers’ bank accounts. This approach eliminates common issues with card payments, such as expiry dates and lost cards.

Notable features include:

• Automated recurring billing: Perfect for subscriptions, memberships, or regular installments.²
• Integrations with major software: Works seamlessly with Xero, QuickBooks, Zuora and many CRM and invoicing systems.³
• Simple dashboards: Businesses can view payment statuses, manage collections, and automate reminders without complexity.⁴

Ease of use is one of GoCardless’s biggest strengths. Most businesses can get set up in a few hours, and the user interface is intuitive even for non-technical staff. Customer service is provided via online resources, ticketed support, and account managers for larger clients.

Airwallex

Airwallex positions itself as an all-in-one financial infrastructure for companies with international ambitions. It provides tools not only for payments but also for global cash flow management.

Key features include:

• Multi-currency accounts: Businesses can open local accounts in many currencies without needing a physical presence in those countries.⁵
• Corporate and virtual cards: Teams can issue cards to employees for business expenses, with spending controls built in.⁶
• Batch payments: Ideal for companies paying global suppliers or contractors in bulk.⁷
• Competitive FX rates: Airwallex’s foreign exchange rates are often more favourable than traditional banks. The current rates are 0.5% above interbank rates for major currencies and 1% for other currencies.⁸
• API connectivity: Developers can build custom payment workflows and integrate financial processes directly into business systems.⁹

In terms of usability, Airwallex is more complex than GoCardless because it covers more functions. Once set up, it allows businesses to manage nearly every aspect of international finance in one place.

GoCardless vs. Airwallex: Fees

Cost is often the deciding factor in the GoCardless vs. Airwallex debate.

GoCardless Fees

GoCardless uses a transparent pricing model based on transaction percentages plus a small fixed fee. For example, a business might pay around 1% plus a few cents per transaction (rates vary by country and the chosen plan). Larger volumes may qualify for custom pricing. International transactions usually involve higher fees, as currency conversion or cross-border charges apply.¹⁰

GoCardless tends to remain predictable, which is helpful for businesses with recurring revenue streams that want to forecast costs accurately.

Airwallex Fees

Airwallex’s pricing is structured differently. The main costs include:

• The price of the chosen plan can go from $0 to customer pricing, depending on many factors.⁸
• FX margins, typically 0.5% to 1% above the interbank rate.⁸
• Fees for issuing or using corporate cards (though often lower than banks)⁸

For businesses handling large volumes of international payments, Airwallex can be significantly cheaper than traditional banking routes.

What are the benefits of GoCardless?

GoCardless provides a streamlined solution for subscription-based and B2B invoicing companies. Its main benefit is simplicity, since businesses can automate recurring payments without worrying about expired cards or missed charges.

• Reliable recurring payment collection via direct debit
• Lower failure rates compared to card payments
• Easy to use and fast to set up
• Integrates with leading accounting and billing tools
• Predictable transaction-based pricing

What are the benefits of Airwallex?

Airwallex gives growing businesses the ability to manage cross-border payments, FX, and expenses all under one platform. Its ability to open local accounts globally is especially valuable for e-commerce and digital businesses selling internationally.

• Handles numerous currencies and global transfers
• Offers corporate cards with spending controls
• Supports batch payments for suppliers
• Provides competitive FX rates
• Designed for international expansion

Which Is Best: GoCardless or Airwallex?

The decision between GoCardless vs. Airwallex depends on the business model and growth plans.

• Choose GoCardless if: Your business runs on subscriptions, memberships, or installments and you want a low-failure, predictable way to collect payments directly from bank accounts.
• Choose Airwallex if: You are expanding internationally, need to manage multiple currencies, or want a financial infrastructure that includes cards, FX, and batch payments.

Some businesses may even benefit from using both. In fact, the two providers have formed a partnership, enabling Airwallex customers to leverage GoCardless for recurring bank payments while still managing global accounts through Airwallex.

For smaller domestic businesses, GoCardless is likely the better fit. For ambitious, international companies, Airwallex delivers the breadth of features needed to scale globally.

Save Time and Money On Overseas Payments With Wise Business

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

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