Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Airwallex vs Skrill
Airwallex
Skrill
Higher score in this comparison
Where Airwallex and Skrill differ
| Compare | AirwallexReviewVisitVisit | SkrillReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | Explore plan: $0 domestic (US/Canada) local transfer, $1-$7 per international local transfer, $15 SWIFT (SHA), $25 SWIFT (OUR) | Skrill to Skrill 2.99% (min EUR 0.50); Skrill Money Transfer by bank transfer zero fees; international transfer up to 4.99% incl. exchange rate mark-up |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% to 1%Lower | 4.99% |
| Delivery time | As little as 1 business day; 90%+ of transfers arrive same day | 24 - 72 hours |
| Payout methods | Bank | Bank, Card, WalletCovers more |
| Currencies | from 20 | 47 |
| Fee to send 1,000 | $1 | €0 |
| Licence type | Not confirmed | E money |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Skrill scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.6.
- Founded is lower at Skrill: 2001 vs 2015.
- Airwallex is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Airwallex is available in 65 more countries.
- Exchange rate markup is lower at Airwallex: 0.5% to 1% vs 4.99%.
- Payout methods: only Skrill offers Card, Wallet.
- Support channels: only Skrill offers Phone.
Our verdict on each
Airwallex
Airwallex Yield suits businesses that want idle operating cash to earn a variable rate without tying it up. The Hong Kong account charges a monthly fee of HKD 2,499 on top of a 2.18% to 3.83% rate, and the account is easy access, so the balance stays reachable.
Skrill
Skrill suits expats, travellers and businesses who want many currencies and no monthly charge, with the monthly fee at €0 and 47 currencies. The trade-off is the pace and cost of moving money: international transfers land in 24 - 72 hours and conversion costs 3.99% on top.
Score breakdown
| Area | Airwallex | Skrill |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8HigherA monthly fee of HKD 2,499 sits above the €449 highest fee in the comparison, offset by a HKD 0 minimum. | 8.7Cost is the weak side: 3.99% to convert, a fee set on the amount sent for transfers, and a mark-up of 4.99% on international ones. |
| Offer | 8.5 | 9.6HigherOffer is strong: 47 currencies, EU deposit protection of EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 and support on help centre, email and phone. |
| Trust | 8.5 | 8.9Higher |
Spending 1,000 abroad
Airwallex
5 to 10
0.5% to 1% of 1,000
Skrill
49.9
4.99% of 1,000
Airwallex comes out 44.9 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Sources behind this comparison
Airwallex
- airwallex.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Skrill
- skrill.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- euclid.eba.europa.eu: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Airwallex | Skrill |
|---|---|---|
| Business bank accounts | 2 of 563 | 7 of 563 |
| Money transfer services | 1 of 1564 | 4 of 1564 |
| Multi-currency accounts | 3 of 348 | 4 of 348 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Airwallex | Skrill |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Airwallex Capital Hong Kong Limited | Paysafe Payment Solutions Limited |
| Headquarters | Singapore | Ireland |
| Founded | 2015 | 2001Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Help centre, Email, PhoneCovers more |
Everyday accounts
| Fact | Airwallex | Skrill |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | HK$2,499 | €0 |
| Deposit protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 3.99% |
| Audience | Business | Expats, Travelers, BusinessCovers more |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | No monthly fee |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Airwallex | Skrill | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% to 1%below the median | 4.99%highest quarter | 0.64 |
| Currencies | from 20above the median | 47highest quarter | 6 |
Median across 497 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
Airwallex
Pros
- Airwallex Yield has no lock-up and no minimum balance, with returns added daily and a short settlement window on and off the balance
- A variable rate of 2.18% to 3.83% with a minimum deposit of HKD 0
- Exchange rate margins of 0.5% to 1% sit under the 2.08% upper quartile for money services here
Cons
- A monthly fee of HKD 2,499 sits well above the €449 highest fee among the business accounts compared
- Support runs on email and help centre only
- The rate is variable, so the return can move rather than being locked in for a term
Skrill
Pros
- The monthly fee is €0, the same as Starling Personal Account Debit Card at £0, so the wallet costs nothing to keep open.
- The stated audience covers expats, travelers and business, so expats, travellers and businesses are the groups the service is built around.
- 47 currencies sit in one wallet, well above the site median of 5.
Cons
- Currency conversion costs 3.99%, against 0% at AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito and 0.5% at XTB.
- An exchange rate mark-up of 4.99% can be added to international transfers on top of the fee.
- The currency conversion fee ranking puts it at 297 out of 312, so exchange is the weak spot.
Who each suits
Airwallex
Who it suits
- Businesses that keep spare cash in a easy access account and want a return without a lock-up
- Companies paying and collecting across borders, with from 20 currencies supported and margins of 0.5% to 1%
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for anyone after a card balance rate: AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito lists 21.59% and Plazo ES lists 24.19%, far above the 2.18% to 3.83% on business cash here
- Not for a consumer wallet: PayPal Colombia lists 3.3%, while this account is built for business customers with a HKD 2,499 monthly fee
Skrill
Who it suits
- Expats and travellers who need to hold and send money in several currencies, with 47 available.
- Businesses paying suppliers abroad that want no monthly charge, since the monthly fee is €0.
- People who want help on a stuck transfer, since support covers help centre, email and phone.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who convert money often, since AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito charges 0% to convert against 3.99% here.
- People hunting for the lowest exchange cost, who would find XTB's 0.5% conversion fee easier to weigh.
Current offers
Airwallex
Current offer
Bonus
Limited offer - business rewards with Airwallex AI: Up to HK$68,888
Hong Kong site offer banner linking to the 2026 Airwallex AI rewards campaign page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Skrill
Current offer
Bonus
Final Score: Up to EUR 10,000 every week
6 matches, 6 predictions; free to play; get all 6 right to win EUR 10,000; log in or register; T&Cs apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Airwallex | Skrill |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Bulgaria | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Cayman Islands | Yes | No |
| China | Yes | No |
| Costa Rica | Yes | No |
8 of 69 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Airwallex
What rate does the balance earn?+
Airwallex Yield pays a variable rate, currently 2.18% to 3.83%. The account kind is easy access, so the money is not tied to a term. Returns are added daily, and funds settle to and from Yield balances over a short settlement window.
Is there a minimum deposit or a lock-up?+
There is no lock-up and no minimum balance, and the stated minimum deposit is HKD 0. That makes the balance easy to try with a small sum and easy to top up or draw on. Cash moves to and from Yield balances across a short settlement window rather than on a fixed term.
Skrill
How much does it cost to keep a Skrill account?+
The monthly fee is €0 and the account is sold as no monthly fee, so holding the wallet costs nothing each month. A bank transfer through Skrill Money Transfer is free, while a transfer to another Skrill wallet takes a fee set on the amount sent and an international transfer can cost more.
What does it cost to change currency?+
Converting between currencies costs 3.99%, and an exchange rate mark-up of 4.99% can apply on international transfers on top. AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito lists 0% for conversion and XTB lists 0.5%, so a wallet holding a single currency costs far less to change.
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