Compare
Side by side from each provider's own published terms: who can apply, what it costs, the accounts and cards, and how your money is held. Nobody pays to be listed, and Finzil doesn't rate providers.
Airwallex
E-money institution · UK business account
Global business account with local account details in 15 currencies, free local transfers, low-cost FX and Visa company cards. Accepts companies from 69 countries.
Equals Money
Payment institution · UK business account
UK business account with a multi-currency IBAN in 37 currencies, payments out in 60, and Mastercard expense cards with spending controls.
From the two provider profiles on Finzil, latest check 8 October 2026: each provider's own website, price list and terms.
The short answer
Side by side
A gap means the provider doesn't publish it; ask before you apply.
| The basics | Airwallex | Equals Money |
|---|---|---|
| Account | UK business account | UK business account |
| Provider type | E-money institution | Payment institution |
| Licence | E-money institution in the UK; also licensed in Australia, Canada, China and 9 more | Payment institution in the UK |
| Licensed company | Airwallex (UK) Ltd | Equals Money PLC |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Who can apply | Airwallex | Equals Money |
|---|---|---|
| Where the company is registered | 69 countries | Not published |
| Legal forms | Limited companies, Limited liability partnerships, Partnerships, Sole traders | Companies, Sole traders and freelancers, Charities |
| Businesses not supported | 15 kinds on its list | Not published |
| What it costs | Airwallex | Equals Money |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | from £0 | Not published |
| Setup fee | Free | Not published |
| Plans | Explore: £19 a month; Grow: £49 a month; Accelerate: custom | Business account: custom |
| Currency exchange | 0.5–1% | Not published |
| SEPA transfer out | Free | Not published |
| Faster Payments out | Free | Not published |
| SWIFT transfer out | £10 | Not published |
| Physical card | Free | £10 |
| Card spending abroad | 1% | 0–1.5% |
| Accounts and payments | Airwallex | Equals Money |
|---|---|---|
| Currencies | 24 | 37 |
| Local account details | GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, HKD, CNY, SGD, DKK, PLN, ILS, MXN, IDR, AED | Multi-currency IBAN |
| Payment networks | SEPA, SEPA Instant, Faster Payments, CHAPS, BACS, SWIFT, ACH, Fedwire | SEPA, Faster Payments, SWIFT |
| Cards | Virtual and physical Visa | Virtual and physical Mastercard |
| Opening and safety | Airwallex | Equals Money |
|---|---|---|
| Opening time | 3–5 days | 3–5 days |
| Open remotely | Yes | Yes |
| How money is held | Segregated accounts | Segregated accounts |
| TrustpilotThird-party score, shown for reference. Finzil doesn't rank providers by it. | 2.9 from 2,587 reviews | 4.5 from 444 reviews |
From the profiles
Strong points
Watch out for
Strong points
Watch out for
Our view
Finzil's own opinion, kept apart from the facts above.
Airwallex is one of the best-value accounts for an online or software business that collects and pays in many currencies: free local transfers, FX from 0.5% and free company cards. If you keep £10,000 a month moving through it, the entry plan costs nothing. Eligibility is strict by country, and support is by email only.
Equals Money works well for UK businesses that want one multi-currency IBAN and controlled expense cards for a team, and it takes sectors such as iGaming and digital assets seriously. Account and FX prices are quoted, not published, so get them in writing before you commit. It is a UK-centred product; companies from elsewhere should check eligibility first.
It depends on how you use the account. Monthly fee: Airwallex from £0, Equals Money not published. Currency exchange: Airwallex 0.5–1%, Equals Money not published. Transfers and cards are priced line by line in the table on this page, from each provider's own price list.
Neither is a bank. Airwallex is an e-money institution, licensed in the UK. Equals Money is a payment institution, licensed in the UK. Airwallex: segregated accounts. Equals Money: segregated accounts.
Airwallex: 69 countries. Equals Money: not published as a list. Each provider's profile on Finzil lists the countries in full.
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Read articleOne Finzil profile
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How this page is built: every row comes from the two provider profiles on Finzil, which are taken from each provider's own website, price list and terms (latest check 8 October 2026). Prices and rules change; check them with the provider before you apply. Meeting a provider's published rules does not mean it will approve a particular application. General information, not legal or financial advice.
