Business Making payments

Payoneer vs. WorldFirst: Which Payment Platform Wins in 2025?

Mike Renaldi

06.10.25

Read time 5 minutes

Payoneer supports payments in 70 currencies.¹ It offers local receiving accounts in major markets such as the U.S., U.K., EU, Japan and Australia.

Such flexibility benefits freelancers, e-commerce sellers and enterprises handling payouts or collections from multiple countries. You can withdraw funds to local bank accounts or use the platform to pay suppliers and service providers directly.

WorldFirst’s Multi-Currency Account covers more than 40 currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, JPY and CNH.² It allows businesses to hold balances, make payments and receive funds from marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, along with payment services such as PayPal and Stripe.

Local bank details are provided in multiple regions. So, they help sellers get paid in their customers’ preferred currency. Businesses can manage multiple accounts under a single login, which makes it easier to operate across regions without juggling separate credentials. We'll also discuss the Wise Business account. The global account that can help your company with all things cross-border.

Do you send and receive global payments?

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No minimum balance requirement and no monthly fees
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A Note on WorldFirst for US users

WorldFirst provides its services through Zyla to US accounts. Within this document, you will find information mostly about WorldFirst. However, we will provide a description of Zyla's fees in the table below.

Payoneer vs. WorldFirst/Zyla: Costs and Exchange Rate

While both Payoneer and WorldFirst offer free account setup and no monthly subscription fees, the details on transaction costs and currency conversions are different.

Feature/Fee	Payoneer	WorldFirst / Zyla
Account Maintenance	An annual account maintenance fee of $29.95 applies unless at least $2,000 flows into the account over a twelve-month period.	There are no monthly or annual fees. It's important to note, however, that US-based businesses access WorldFirst servies through their affiliate, Zyla. ⁵
Receiving Funds	If the sender is another Payoneer user, it’s free to receive payments. Outside that network, charges apply, up to 3.99% for credit card payments, 1% for ACH bank debit (U.S. only) and 3.99% + $0.49 when paid via PayPal in the U.S.	Marketplace collections and receiving payments through Zyla costs $0USD. Holding funds in multiple currencies through Zyla also costs $0.
Sending Payments	There’s no fee when you send money to another Payoneer account, though external transfers are charged at 3%.	Payments on Zyla cost as low as $1 per transactions to US bank accounts. Payments to Zyla accounts costs $0. Currency conversion fees vary but are up to 0.75%.⁴
Withdrawing Funds	Withdrawals to bank accounts can cost as much as 3% per transaction.	Withdrawals of funds to US bank account cost $1 per transaction and currency conversion fees add an additional percentage totaling up to another 0.75% of the amount withdrawn.⁴
Debit Card	An issuance fee of $29.95 is charged for the first debit card, with additional cards provided free.	No debit card is available for US users with Zyla.
Exchange Rate Markup	Exchange rate markups are applied but remain variable depending on the currency and market conditions.	It's up to 0.75%.⁴

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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Payoneer vs. WorldFirst: Features

Let's compare a few main features of both platforms.

Payment Gateway Integration

Both platforms cater to sellers operating on global marketplaces. Payoneer provides local currency account details that can be linked directly to marketplace seller accounts, allowing payments in the buyer’s currency. The setup works with major platforms.

WorldFirst extends similar functionality, as it supports payment collections from more than 130 marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, eBay, AliExpress and Stripe. Sellers can also download account verification letters from the dashboard. It's a useful addition for marketplaces that require proof of account ownership before releasing funds.

Zyla isn't a payment gateway but does offer a way to receive payments globally in multiple currencies and withdraw funds from 100+ global marketplaces.

International Reach

Payoneer works with high-profile clients such as Amazon and Google, which is a sign of its credibility in global transactions. Their worldwide office network supports both large-scale enterprise payouts and smaller cross-border transfers.

WorldFirst’s footprint includes dedicated dealers and offices across five continents. The company’s relationships with local banks further facilitate smoother cross-border transactions.

Zyla allows users to send global transfers while also holding funds in 10+ currencies: USD, CAD, AUD, HKD, SGD, and more.

Ease of Use

The user interface, combined with responsive support and transparent pricing, has helped both companies earn recognition in the international payments sector.

Payoneer users can access funds through a dedicated Mastercard. It offers faster access to money compared to standard bank transfers.

WorldFirst’s web platform and mobile app are designed for straightforward navigation. The platform also offers the convenience of wearable device compatibility.

Zyla offers an all-in-one solution where users also get free email, phone, and chat support.

Regulation and Compliance

Payoneer operates under multiple regulatory bodies, including the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in the U.S. The regulatory coverage supports their ability to serve clients across more than 200 countries and in roughly 150 currencies, which is sufficient for most businesses.

WorldFirst is also regulated by multiple organizations, such as the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In the U.S., WorldFirst is registered as a Money Service Business with FinCEN. Besides, the platform has also partnered with banks worldwide to support quick settlement times and competitive transfer costs.

Zyla funds are held with their trusted banking partners that are FDIC members.⁶

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Payoneer safer than WorldFirst for cross-border payments?

Both Payoneer and WorldFirst operate under strict regulatory oversight. Payoneer is licensed in multiple countries, including under ASIC in Australia, while WorldFirst is regulated by ASIC and registered with AUSTRAC. Each platform uses bank-level security and fraud prevention systems.

Can I link my Payoneer and WorldFirst accounts to multiple marketplaces at once?

Both Payoneer and WorldFirst allow you to connect multiple marketplace accounts. So, you can collect payments from different sales channels into a single multi-currency account.

Do Payoneer and WorldFirst provide integration with accounting software?

WorldFirst offers direct integration with Xero or NetSuite at no extra cost, which can help automate reconciliation and track payments in real time. Similarly, Payoneer has partnered with Xero and QuickBooks to automatically categorize and sync your transactions.

Can I use Payoneer or WorldFirst for personal transfers?

Payoneer and WorldFirst are primarily built for business use. Payoneer focuses on freelancers, contractors and companies receiving payments for services or sales, whereas WorldFirst is made for businesses managing supplier payments or marketplace earnings. While small personal transfers may work, these platforms aren’t designed for casual money sending between individuals.

Learn more about other similar providers to Payoneer:

Payoneer Comparisons
Paysera vs Payoneer
Payoneer vs Square
Payoneer vs Revolut
Payoneer vs Remitly
Payoneer vs Neteller

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.