Updated September 29, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Alpian vs PagBank
PagBank
Higher score in this comparison
Alpian
Alpian vs PagBank: the differences
| Compare | AlpianReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | PagBankReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | CHF 0 | R$0 to R$75 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.2%Lower | 5% |
| Transfer fee | Free in-zone, CHF 7 out-of-zone | Free (unlimited TED and Pix to any bank) |
| Currencies | 4 | Not confirmed |
| Local account details | IBAN | Not confirmed |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | R$0 |
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Key differences
- PagBank scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.7.
- Founded is lower at PagBank: 2006 vs 2019.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Alpian: 0.2% vs 5%.
- Support channels: only PagBank offers Phone, Help centre.
- Audience: only Alpian offers Expats, Travelers.
- Audience: only PagBank offers Business, Freelancer.
- Pricing model: only Alpian offers Low FX.
- Features: only PagBank offers Free ATM, No credit check.
Our verdict on each
Alpian
Alpian is built for expats and travelers who want a digital only account with a monthly fee of CHF 0 and a 0.2% conversion charge. The Swiss provider is supervised by FINMA, and the easy-access savings rate of 0.01% to 0.1% is modest for anyone building a large balance.
PagBank
PagBank suits Brazilian businesses and freelancers who want a free everyday account with instant Pix payouts and a savings option on the side.
Score breakdown
| Area | Alpian | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2HigherTransfers cost Free in-zone, CHF 7 out-of-zone and the minimum deposit is CHF 0, so running costs stay thin. | 8.6Cost score rests on BRL 0 to BRL 75 monthly charges, BRL 0 for cash withdrawals and 5% for card conversion. |
| Offer | 8.8Easy-access savings at a variable rate, credited monthly with no lock-in and no cap, inside a digital only service. | 9.2HigherOffer score rests on variable savings, Daily liquidity, redeem whenever you want and payouts to bank and wallet. |
| Trust | 8.2 | 8.8Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | Alpian | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 499 of 1420 | 28 of 1420 |
| Online banks | 156 of 402 | 11 of 402 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Alpian | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Expats, Travelers | Business, Freelancer |
| Pricing model | No monthly fee, Low FXCovers more | No monthly fee |
| Features | Digital only | Free ATM, Digital only, No credit checkCovers more |
| Legal entity | ALPIAN S.A. | PAGSEGURO INTERNET INSTITUIÇÃO DE PAGAMENTO S/A |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Brazil |
| Founded | 2019 | 2006Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat | Email, Phone, Help centre, ChatCovers more |
Savings
| Fact | Alpian | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 0.01% to 0.1% | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Variable | Variable |
| Minimum deposit | CHF 0 | R$1 |
| Access terms | Interest credited monthly, calculated annually; withdraw anytime without penalties, no lock-in, no maximum cap | Daily liquidity, redeem whenever you want |
| Account kind | Easy access | Easy access |
Money transfer
| Fact | Alpian | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery time | Not confirmed | Within minutes: cross-border payouts cleared in minutes to Pix or a PagBank account; Pix transfers instant 24/7 |
| Payout methods | Not confirmed | Bank, Wallet |
| Fee to send 1,000 | Not confirmed | R$0 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Alpian | PagBank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 0.2%below the median | 5%highest quarter | 0.5% |
| Currencies | 4below the median | Not confirmed | 5 |
Median across 536 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
Alpian
Pros
- Monthly fee of CHF 0, with a 0.2% charge on currency conversion.
- Interest credited monthly, withdrawals any time, no lock-in and no maximum cap on the balance.
- Regulated in Switzerland by FINMA, with iban details for local payments.
Cons
- Savings interest is modest at 0.01% to 0.1%, well under the 3% site median.
- The service is digital only, so there is no counter for anyone who prefers to deal with someone in person.
- Support runs on email and chat only, which is narrower than a phone line.
PagBank
Pros
- Transfers to any bank are Free (unlimited TED and Pix to any bank), which covers both Pix and TED.
- Cash access carries an allowance of BRL 0, so withdrawals do not add to the bill.
- Payouts reach bank and wallet, and cross-border money clears in minutes to Pix or a PagBank account.
Cons
- Currency conversion on the card costs 5%, which ranks 304 of 312 and sits above the site median of 0.5%.
- The service is digital-only, as free atm, digital only and no credit check shows, so it suits people comfortable running money from an app.
- Savings pay a variable rate, so returns can move.
Who each suits
Alpian
Who it suits
- Expats and travellers who need 4 currencies and iban details in one place.
- People who want savings without a lock-in, a balance cap or a minimum they have to hit.
- Holders who mostly move money in-zone, where transfers cost Free in-zone, CHF 7 out-of-zone.
Who should look elsewhere
- Skrill, for shoppers who want to pay straight from a wallet rather than hold savings.
- eToro, for people who also want to trade investments alongside the account.
- PayPal Colombia, for sellers who need a payee wallet for online payments.
PagBank
Who it suits
- Brazilian sole traders and small companies that bill and pay in Pix
- Freelancers who want an everyday account with an easy access CDB alongside
- Anyone happy to manage the account from a phone
Who should look elsewhere
- Skrill, if a wallet outside Brazil fits better: its monthly fee is €0
- Plazo ES, if a Spanish product suits you instead: its monthly fee is €0
- PayPal Colombia, if a wallet for cross-border online payments is the job: its monthly fee is $0
Current offers
PagBank
Current offer
Discount code
Taxa 0% para novos clientes (0% merchant rate on card readers): 0%
New customers of the Conta PJ PagBank; card reader without rental fee
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Moderninha ProFit com 90% off (Super Max): R$ 83,88 à vista (12x de R$ 6,99)
Super Max plan; promotional price valid under campaign terms
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Alpian | PagBank |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | No | Yes |
| Switzerland | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Alpian
What does it cost to keep the account?+
There is a monthly fee of CHF 0, so nothing is taken out each month for holding the account. Currency conversion costs 0.2%, and transfers cost Free in-zone, CHF 7 out-of-zone. The savings side carries a minimum deposit of CHF 0 and no monthly charge.
How much does Alpian charge to convert currency?+
Conversion costs 0.2%, a little under the 0.22% median for everyday accounts and well under the 2.08% figure across the site. You can hold 4 currencies in the same account, with iban details for local payments.
PagBank
What does PagBank charge to hold an account?+
The monthly fee runs BRL 0 to BRL 75, and the account is built around no monthly charge. PagBank ranks 1 of 500 on monthly fee across the site, the site median is €0, and the top of the site range reaches €449.
Are Pix and TED transfers really free?+
Transfers to any bank are Free (unlimited TED and Pix to any bank), and the Pix transfer charge is BRL 0. Pix is instant around the clock, and cross-border payouts clear in minutes to Pix or a PagBank account, with payouts landing on bank and wallet.
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PagBank
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