WorldFirst vs Wise Business: fees, currencies and who each suits
Both are cheap. WorldFirst is free to open and aimed at sellers and importers; Wise charges a small setup fee and converts from 0.24%. The difference is in what you do with the money.
- Published
- Updated
- Reading time
- 1 min read
Converting 10,000 USD costs about 24 USD on Wise Business at its starting rate of 0.24%. On WorldFirst it costs up to 50 USD at the standard rate of up to 0.50%, or 30 USD in your first six months at 0.30%. That is the gap most comparisons stop at. The rest of the price list matters more for many companies.
All figures are from the UK price lists of both providers, read in November 2026.
Side by side
| WorldFirst (UK) | Wise Business (UK) | |
|---|---|---|
| To open | Free | £50 for account details |
| Monthly fee | None | None |
| Collection currencies | 20+ | 22 |
| Marketplace payouts | Free, 130+ marketplaces | Supported, free to receive domestically |
| FX | up to 0.50% (0.30% first 6 months) | from 0.24% |
| Sending fee | £0.27 (SEPA) to £23.00 by currency | from 0.24%, varies by currency |
| Card | 25 virtual, 5 physical; no FX fee in 15 currencies | Free in held currencies |
| Regulator | FCA, FRN 900508 | FCA, FRN 900507 |
| Stablecoins | No | No |
Pick WorldFirst if
You sell on Amazon, eBay or other marketplaces and pay suppliers in China. Free collection, cheap supplier payments and CNH delivery within four business hours are what it is built for. The card's cashback helps if you spend heavily on ads and tools.
Pick Wise if
You convert often between major currencies and want the lowest published rate, or you receive domestic payments in nine currencies for free.
Pick neither if
You need USDC or USDT, or you are a US company. WorldFirst lists the US as served by an affiliate, and neither handles stablecoins. Rivet gives a registered company USD account details in its own name on the free Starter plan, and USDC and USDT on six networks, with EUR and GBP details from Growth. Scale converts from 0.30%, close to WorldFirst's introductory rate, with no six-month limit.
For the wider field, see WorldFirst alternatives and our guide to mid-market rates and FX markups. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold client funds.
Questions people ask
Is WorldFirst cheaper than Wise?
On conversion, usually not: Wise starts at 0.24% and WorldFirst's standard rate is up to 0.50%. WorldFirst is free to open while Wise charges £50 for account details in the UK, and WorldFirst's outbound payment fees are low. For a marketplace seller paying Chinese suppliers, WorldFirst often comes out ahead overall.
Can I use WorldFirst and Wise together?
Yes. Many sellers collect marketplace payouts in WorldFirst and use another account for clients, staff and subscriptions.
Which is better for paying suppliers in China?
WorldFirst, by design. It sends CNH to mainland China for £11.55 from USD within four business hours on its UK price list, and is part of Ant International.
Sources
Alexia compares the accounts, cards and payment tools companies weigh before they switch, and writes Rivet's market guides for founders in a specific country. Prices in Alexia's comparisons come from each provider's own pricing page on the date given in the article, rules come from the regulator or tax authority that sets them, and every source is listed at the end.
More from Alexia 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.
- worldfirst vs wise
- worldfirst
- wise business
- fx fees
- comparison
