The best business account for international payments, by payment type
International payments are four jobs: receiving, converting, paying out and keeping records. The best account is the one that is cheap at the job you do most. Seven compared.
- Published
- Updated
- Reading time
- 2 min read
A client in Texas pays a UK company's sterling account by SWIFT. The client's bank charges a wire fee, an intermediary bank may deduct its own fee on the way, the receiving bank converts at its own rate and charges an incoming fee. The invoice was 10,000 USD; the company is not sure what arrived until the statement comes.
The same payment into USD account details in the company's name arrives by ACH, in dollars, for the amount sent. That difference is why the best business account for international payments starts with how you receive.
Prices are from each provider's page, read in November 2026.
Seven accounts compared
| Receive | FX | Pay out | Stablecoins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise Business | Free domestic in 9 currencies | from 0.24% | Fee varies by currency | No |
| WorldFirst | Free | up to 0.50% | £0.27 to £23.00 | No |
| Airwallex | Free local collection | 0.5% majors | Local 120+ countries; SWIFT £10 to £20 | No |
| Revolut Business | Free local | 0.6% over allowance | Plan allowance, then £5 | No |
| Payoneer | 1% non-local | 0.50% | 1.2% to 4% with conversion | No |
| Payset | €2 local, €10 SWIFT | from 1% | 0.40% SEPA | Not for UK companies |
| Rivet | No fee on bank transfers | from 0.80% / 0.50% / 0.30% | $2 / $1 / $0.50 to 120+ countries | USDC, USDT |
Choose by your main job
Mostly receiving from clients abroad: local details in your company's name, no percentage on arrival. See how to receive international payments as a business.
Mostly converting: the lowest published FX at your volume. Wise for small amounts, a plan with a lower margin for large ones.
Mostly paying people in many countries: a fixed per-payout fee and bulk payouts. See bulk payments explained.
Paid or paying in stablecoins: an account that holds USDC and USDT next to fiat.
Where Rivet fits
Rivet covers all four jobs for registered companies. USD details in your company's name on the free Starter plan; EUR and GBP from Growth; CAD and HKD on Scale. No fee to receive a bank transfer. FX shown before you confirm and confirmed during onboarding. Payouts to 120+ countries at a fixed fee. USDC and USDT on every plan. Wise is cheaper if you only convert now and then, and WorldFirst is built for marketplace sellers. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold client funds. See pricing.
Questions people ask
What is the best business account for receiving international payments?
One that gives local account details in your company's name in the currencies your clients pay in, and does not take a percentage on arrival. WorldFirst, Wise, Airwallex and Rivet all do this for major currencies; Payoneer charges 1% for non-local currencies.
Is a bank or a fintech better for international payments?
For most small and mid-sized companies, a specialist account costs less and publishes its fees. Banks still suit companies that need credit, cash handling or a relationship across many products.
How do I compare FX costs?
Compare the total cost on the same amount at the same time: margin over the mid-market rate plus any fixed fee. Our guide to the mid-market rate explains how to read a quote.
Sources
William covers what happens once a company starts moving money: getting the business verified, paying contractors and suppliers abroad, and keeping card spend under control. William writes for the founder or finance lead who has to make it work this week, and links every rule cited to the text it comes from.
More from William Sunjo M. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
- international business account
- receive international payments
- business account comparison
