Compare the 7 top multi-currency business accounts in the UK in 2025

By Emma BeardmorePublished on 19 February 20256 minutes
Business tipsGuides
Compare the 7 top multi-currency business accounts in the UK in 2025
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The world’s markets have never been so interconnected. 

A small business in Stoke-on-Trent can sell its products to customers in Toronto, or a winemaker in Provence can ship and export their vintage to the burgeoning middle-class in the Hong Kong market. And, in the world of SaaS and technology, a startup needs only to translate its user interface and it’s ready to sell overseas.

However, navigating the complexities of cross-border commerce can be challenging. Small businesses often face high transaction fees, currency conversion rates, and regulatory compliance. Despite these operational hurdles, businesses are expanding beyond their home shores: Global B2B cross-border payment flows are expected to increase from $39 trillion in 2023 to $56 trillion by 2030.

As a result, there’s no shortage of multi-currency account providers seeking to support cross-border commerce. In this guide, we’ll compare the top seven multi-currency business accounts on offer in the market today, highlighting how they address these common challenges.

What is a multi-currency business account?

Multi-currency business accounts offer a convenient way to manage company finances across borders, reducing currency conversion costs and simplifying international operations. 

Traditional banking solutions often struggle to meet the demands of modern cross-border commerce, leading to a surge in innovative multi-currency account options. With businesses seeking better ways to manage international payments, reduce foreign exchange fees, and streamline global operations, choosing the right multi-currency account has never been more important.

How do multi-currency business accounts work?

Multi-currency business accounts function by allowing companies to hold balances in various currencies simultaneously. When receiving international payments, funds can be kept in the original currency, avoiding immediate conversion fees. For outgoing payments, businesses can use existing balances in the required currency or convert funds at competitive rates. 

The system typically integrates with local payment rails and global banking networks, enabling faster, more cost-effective international transactions compared to traditional banking methods.

The top 7 multi-currency business accounts in the UK 2025

To save you time, we've compiled a list of our top multi-currency business accounts providers and their key details below, including:​

  • Airwallex is a comprehensive financial platform offering robust multi-currency capabilities across 23+ currencies with market-leading FX rates. Features include international payments to 180+ countries; virtual and physical Corporate Cards with 0% foreign transaction fees; automated bill payments, and full Expense Management. Payouts can be made to 150+ countries, with 120+ using local rails – 90% of which benefit from same-day delivery and competitive interbank rates across 60 currencies.

  • Rapyd is a fintech platform offering virtual accounts across 65+ currencies with custom pricing. The service processes transfers within 1–3 business days and supports collections in 100+ countries. Features include both virtual and physical cards, comprehensive Expense Management, bill pay capabilities, and online payment acceptance.

  • Wise is a London-headquartered fintech specialising in cross-border transactions, offering accounts in 40+ currencies with a one-time setup fee of £45. The platform enables collections in 30+ currencies, provides international transfers within 1–2 business days, and includes virtual and physical cards with a 1.75% international card fee. Local bank details are available in multiple countries.

  • Revolut is a digital banking platform providing multi-currency solutions across 30+ currencies, with tiered pricing plans from £0–79 monthly. The service includes same-day transfers for most currencies, virtual and physical cards with zero fees within plan allowances, comprehensive Expense Management, and bill payment capabilities. 

  • HSBC is a traditional global bank offering multi-currency accounts in 14 currencies with a £96+ annual fee. The bank provides international payments taking 1–4 business days, physical and virtual cards with 2.75% international fees, and expense management tools. Services include traditional banking support and trade finance solutions.

  • Payoneer is a global payment platform supporting seven currencies with no monthly fees and collections in 150+ countries. The service offers physical cards with 2% international fees, though virtual cards aren't available. Transfers typically complete in 1-3 business days, but Expense Management and bill pay features aren't included.

  • Starling is a digital UK bank providing accounts in three currencies (GBP, EUR, USD) with modest monthly fees of £2 for EUR and £5 for USD accounts. Starling offers free domestic transfers, 1–3-day international transfers, and both physical and virtual cards with 2.75% international fees. While providing expense management tools, online payment acceptance isn't available through Starling.

The top features to look for in multi-currency business accounts

When selecting a multi-currency account for your business, several key features can significantly impact your operational efficiency and bottom line.

  • Multi-currency capabilities and global coverage: consider the number of supported currencies and the availability of local bank details in key markets. Also consider payout coverage, especially if you need to adapt your supply chain quickly.

  • Cost-effectiveness across all operations: compare account fees, FX rates, and international transfer charges to understand the true cost of managing global finances.

  • Speed of implementation and integration: evaluate onboarding time and compatibility with existing systems to ensure a smooth transition and minimal business disruption.

  • Scalability for future growth: choose a solution offering comprehensive features like payment acceptance, Expense Management, and API integrations to support growth.

  • Real-time visibility and control: look for features offering instant transaction tracking, spending controls, and comprehensive reporting tools.

Operating overseas? Open a multi-currency Business Account in minutes.

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Compare multi-currency business accounts in the UK

See how different multi-currency business accounts providers compare across key features, helping you make an informed choice for your business.

Core functionality

Airwallex

Rapyd

Wise

HSBC (Global Wallet)

Payoneer

Revolut

Starling

Monthly fees

From £19 (or free*)

Custom pricing

£45 one-time fee

£96+ annual fee

£0

£0-79

£2 for EUR, £5 for USD

Account currencies

23+

65+

40+

14

7

30+

3

Collection currencies

180+

100+

30+

6

150+

25+

3

Domestic transfers fee

Free

Varies

£0.20

Free

Free

£0

£0

Pay out currency coverage

160+

120+

40+

130+

70+

150+

Unclear

FX fee

0.5-1%

Undisclosed

From 0.33% to 1.92%

Up to 3.5%

Up to 3%

0.6% outside plan allowance (also charge an additional 1% for exchanges outside market hours)12

0.4% + local fee

Average speed of transfer

90% same-day over 120+ local payment rails

1–3 business days

1–2 business days

1–4 business days

1–3 business days

Same day for most currencies

1–3 business days

*£0/month if you deposit at least £10k per month or hold a minimum balance of £10k

Enhanced functionality

Airwallex

Rapyd

Wise

HSBC

Payoneer

Revolut

Starling

Company and employee cards - physical

Company and employee cards - virtual

Foreign card transaction fees

0%

Varies

1.75%

2.75%

2%

0% within plan allowance

2.75%

Expense management

Bill Pay

Accept payments online (i.e. checkout integration)

Do I need a multi-currency business account?

A multi-currency business account can significantly streamline your financial operations if you're running a business that operates internationally or plans to expand globally. These accounts are particularly valuable if you regularly receive payments in multiple currencies, work with international suppliers, and want to avoid expensive currency conversion fees. 

For UK businesses engaged in eCommerce, having a multi-currency account means you can accept payments in customers' local currencies, improving conversion rates and reducing transaction costs. It's also essential if you're managing international teams or suppliers, as you can make payments efficiently from the corresponding currency without incurring multiple conversion fees. 

Even if your business currently operates primarily within the UK, a multi-currency account can provide valuable flexibility for future growth. It enables you to seize international opportunities quickly, whether that's responding to overseas customer demand or taking advantage of new supplier relationships. 

On top of that, these accounts often come with powerful features like real-time exchange rate monitoring and automated currency conversion, helping you make more informed decisions about when to convert funds and make international payments.

What do I need to set up a multi-currency business account?

Getting started with a multi-currency business account is straightforward, though requirements vary by provider. Here's what you typically need:

  • Business details

    • Company registration number

    • Certificate of incorporation

    • Registered business address

    • Nature of business

    • Expected transaction volumes

  • Personal identification

    • Valid government ID for all directors

    • Proof of address

    • Ownership structure details

  • Financial information

    • Business bank statements

    • Annual turnover details

    • Source of funds declaration

Many modern providers offer digital onboarding, allowing you to complete setup within minutes rather than the weeks traditional banks might require.

Collect, hold, and send multiple currencies with an Airwallex Business Account

Your Airwallex Business Account is designed for ease of use and the common challenges faced by fast-growing businesses. From within the Business Account dashboard you can easily create a Global Account with local bank details in 23+ currencies and 60+ countries.

See how you can send and receive money faster with multi-currency accounts from Airwallex. Get started with an account in minutes and enjoy streamlined transfers on local rails, convenient Payment Links and Plugins, and Bill Pay features to keep all of your business finances in one place.

Airwallex is regulated in all the markets we operate in, with 60+ licences and permits globally. In the UK, we’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Electronic Money Institution. Join the 100,000 businesses that trust us to process over US$100 billion in global payments volume.

Discover our complete Business Account.

Disclaimer: We wrote this article in Q1 2025. The information in this article is based on our own online research. Airwallex wasn't able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only and a reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. This research is reviewed annually. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. Airwallex (UK) Limited is authorised by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (‘EMRs’) (firm reference number 900876). If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Sources and references 

For more information on Airwallex, visit Airwallex Business Account and Airwallex pricing.

1 https://convera.com/docs/convera-fintech-2025-report.pdf 

2 https://www.airwallex.com/uk/business-account 

3 https://www.rapyd.net/products/pricing/ 

4 https://wise.com/gb/pricing/business 

5 https://www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/products/foreign-currency-account 

6 https://www.payoneer.com/accounts/

7 https://www.revolut.com/business/business-account-plans/ 

8 https://www.starlingbank.com/business-account/multi-currency/

9 https://www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/products/hsbc-global-wallet

10 https://www.gbm.hsbc.com/en-gb/products/fx-making-international-payments

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Emma Beardmore
Senior Associate, Brand and Content - EMEA

Emma supports all things brand at Airwallex, bringing her love of travel and storytelling to the role. She enjoys writing about how Airwallex empowers businesses to expand seamlessly across borders.

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