Hyperwallet vs. Airwallex: compare on fees, features, and benefits in the US
If your business relies on paying suppliers, contractors, or international employees, choosing the right global payments platform is essential for scaling efficiently and managing cross-border transactions. The best solution depends on whether you need a high-volume mass payout system or a fully integrated financial platform that handles payments and global money management.
Hyperwallet and Airwallex support global payouts and supplier payments, but their financial capabilities differ significantly. Hyperwallet specializes in mass disbursements, providing automated payout solutions with strong PayPal and digital wallet integrations. Airwallex, by contrast, offers a broader suite of financial tools, including embedded finance solutions, multi-currency accounts, and payment acceptance, making it a more comprehensive financial platform for businesses needing global money management.
Which platform is a better fit for your needs? Compare Hyperwallet and Airwallex regarding pricing, payout flexibility, and global reach to make an informed decision.
What is Hyperwallet?
Hyperwallet is a PayPal-owned payout platform designed for businesses that need to send mass disbursements globally. It supports payouts to ~90 countries using local rails but doesn't offer multi-currency global accounts. Companies can distribute funds via wallet-to-wallet transfers using PayPal or Venmo or leverage bank transfers and prepaid cards for enterprise clients.
While Hyperwallet provides tax reporting and payment tracking, its core functionality is built around batch payouts rather than full-scale treasury or finance management.
Hyperwallet is optimized for businesses that need large-scale disbursements and is commonly used by marketplaces, eCommerce platforms, gig economy businesses, online travel agencies, and insurance companies. It integrates seamlessly with the PayPal ecosystem, making it a strong choice for companies that rely on PayPal’s infrastructure.
What is Airwallex?
Airwallex is a global payments and financial platform designed for businesses that need to send, receive, hold, and spend funds at scale. Unlike Hyperwallet, which focuses on mass payouts, Airwallex provides an end-to-end financial infrastructure. It allows businesses to accept payments, hold multi-currency balances in a digital wallet, and seamlessly convert and send funds internationally.
Airwallex also enables embedded finance, allowing businesses to integrate financial services directly into their platforms. It offers customized solutions for wallet infrastructure, branded payment experiences, and pricing models.
With support for 60+ currencies and payments to 150+ countries, Airwallex uses local payment rails to reduce costs and speed up transfers. Businesses can issue corporate cards for global expenses, automate payouts and reconciliations, and manage multi-currency funds through its API.
By combining payment acceptance, multi-currency wallets, FX optimization, and global payouts, Airwallex is a complete financial platform rather than simply a payout provider. It supports industries including eCommerce, marketplaces, SaaS, professional services, logistics, travel, and financial services, helping businesses streamline international payments and financial operations.
Compare Hyperwallet vs. Airwallex
| Airwallex | Hyperwallet |
|---|---|---|
International payouts | ✅ Payouts to 150+ countries, with local rails in 120+ countries | ✅ Payouts to ~90 countries via local rails; supports 50+ currencies¹ Offers bank, card, and wallet payouts, some requiring additional recipient onboarding; PayPal/Venmo available in select markets² |
Settlement times (payouts) | Same-day settlement for ~90% of local payouts in 120+ markets | Typically, 1–3-day holds for local payouts in ~90 countries; up to 5 days elsewhere Instant payout options are PayPal, Venmo, and OCT³ |
Embedded finance capabilities and customized solutions | Fully customized financial products allow platforms to embed Airwallex’s infrastructure, offering branded financial services to users | Embedded solution for payouts only; limited customization options⁴ |
Monetization and markup flexibility for embedded finance | Allows businesses to set custom pricing strategies across FX and transaction fees via API | Primarily operates with standardized payout pricing, offering limited flexibility for fee customization⁵ |
Embedded payment gateway for SMEs and enterprises | ✅ | ❌ Payouts only; does not support payment acceptance⁵ |
API authentication | ✅ OAuth 2.0 (modern, token-based authentication, commonly used for API integrations) | ✅ HTTP Basic Authentication (simpler authentication method, relies on credentials per request)⁶ |
FX conversion fee | 0.5–1% above interbank rates (transparent pricing, publicly listed); FX fees apply to payments and payouts* | Not publicly disclosed (some reports show fees 2–3% above interbank rates, but this varies) |
Hold and transact in multiple currencies | ✅ Hold and manage funds in 20+ currencies, reducing unnecessary FX conversions and giving businesses more control over global payments | ❌ Wallet-based payouts in 28 currencies, but no ability to hold funds in a business account, meaning less flexibility for international transactions⁵ |
Corporate card issuing | ✅ Issue multi-currency cards in 40+ markets | ❌ No corporate card or business expense card services⁵ |
Expense management | ✅ Built-in expense management tools, including spending controls, approvals, and card tracking | ❌ No dedicated expense management tools (provides transaction tracking for payouts)⁵ |
*Additional payout fees may apply for embedded finance offerings
Find out how Hyperwallet compares to Airwallex.
Compare payment use cases between Hyperwallet and Airwallex
While both Hyperwallet and Airwallex facilitate global transactions, their payment approaches differ significantly. Hyperwallet is primarily designed for mass payouts, making it well-suited for businesses that need to disburse funds to contractors, freelancers, or vendors at scale. Airwallex, on the other hand, supports both payment acceptance and payouts, offering businesses a more comprehensive solution for handling customer payments, supplier payouts, and global transactions.
Airwallex supports embedded payment solutions, allowing platforms, SaaS businesses, and marketplaces to accept and disburse funds on their customers' behalf within their branded experience. By integrating local payment acceptance and automated payouts, companies can reduce reliance on third-party platforms and offer their customers a frictionless financial experience.
Hyperwallet may require international payees to sign up for PayPal or Venmo to receive funds via those wallets. For PayPal, payouts can also be sent to an unregistered email, allowing the recipient to sign up via a link to access their funds. Businesses should consider this when evaluating seamless payout experiences.
When to consider Hyperwallet’s payout capabilities
A rideshare or freelance marketplace that needs to pay gig workers instantly via PayPal or Venmo
An enterprise with a high volume of payouts looking for a solution integrated into the PayPal ecosystem
Businesses that don’t require payment acceptance but need a secure and scalable payout system with tax reporting
Companies that are already deeply embedded in PayPal’s infrastructure and prefer a PayPal-connected payout provider
When to consider Airwallex’s payment capabilities
A global SaaS company that needs to accept payments in multiple currencies and pay international suppliers without excessive FX fees
An online retailer or marketplace that wants to offer localized payment options while settling transactions efficiently in different currencies
A business with global operations that intends to hold funds, issue corporate cards, and automate financial workflows – all within a single platform
Platforms looking to monetize their financial infrastructure with Airwallex’s full mark-up capabilities, allowing for customizable pricing strategies across currencies
A business requires multiple onboarding options, including embedded finance solutions and ledger-based accounts for mass payout solutions
Compare Hyperwallet and Airwallex for global money management
Beyond payments, businesses often need tools to manage cash flow, optimize FX rates, and control expenses. While Hyperwallet is primarily a payout platform, Airwallex offers additional financial management capabilities.
Hyperwallet: payout-focused platform
Designed for high-volume payouts, particularly for businesses that need to send funds to contractors, freelancers, and vendors
Integrates with PayPal, making it a strong option for businesses that rely on PayPal for payouts
Offers basic tracking and reporting for disbursements
Lacks expense management, corporate cards, and multi-currency business accounts
Airwallex: a scalable financial management platform
Combines inbound and outbound payments, allowing businesses to accept payments, hold funds, and send payouts seamlessly
Supports embedded finance, enabling businesses to integrate branded financial products such as multi-currency wallets, payment processing, and customizable financial infrastructure
Includes expense management tools, such as spending limits, multi-layer approvals, and real-time transaction tracking
Enables businesses to issue corporate cards and integrate with accounting software for reconciliation
Uses OAuth 2.0 for API authentication, enhancing security by using access tokens instead of static credentials, making it more scalable and flexible for businesses managing multiple integrations or requiring granular access control
Final thoughts: why consider Airwallex vs. Hyperwallet?
Hyperwallet and Airwallex offer solutions for businesses managing international payments but cater to different needs.
Hyperwallet is best suited for businesses that only need to distribute payouts at scale, particularly within the PayPal ecosystem
Airwallex provides a more comprehensive solution, offering payment acceptance, multi-currency accounts, FX optimization, global expense management, and embedded finance capabilities
For businesses that need more than payouts, Airwallex delivers a centralized financial platform that helps companies accept payments, embed financial services, and scale their international operations efficiently.
Disclaimer: We wrote this article in Q1 2025. The information was based on our own online research, and we were not 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 every six months. If you would like to request an update, please contact us at [email protected].
Sources
1. https://docs.hyperwallet.com/content/transfer-methods/v1/bank-account
2. https://www.hyperwallet.com/enterprise-payouts/
3. https://docs.hyperwallet.com/content/transfer-methods/v1/bank-account/payout-experience
4. https://docs.hyperwallet.com/content/transfer-methods/v1/bank-account/payout-experience#embedded-payout-experience
5. https://www.hyperwallet.com/features/
6. https://docs.hyperwallet.com/content/api/v4/overview/accessing-the-api
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Erin is a business finance writer at Airwallex, where she creates content that helps businesses across the Americas navigate the complexities of finance and payments. With nearly a decade of experience in corporate communications and content strategy for B2B enterprises and developer-focused startups, Erin brings a deep understanding of the SaaS landscape. Through her focus on thought leadership and storytelling, she helps businesses address their financial challenges with clear and impactful content.
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