Airwallex vs Stripe vs PayPal
Compare like-for-like settlement, 45+ payment methods, and multi-currency capabilities to find the best gateway for your WHMCS business
Neither Stripe nor PayPal offer this. Airwallex is the ONLY provider that lets you settle in your customer's currency without forced conversion.
Settle in 50+ currencies
Customer pays in EUR, you receive EUR. No forced conversion.
True multi-currency wallet
Hold and manage multiple currencies simultaneously
Optional conversion
Convert only when YOU choose, not when forced
Example savings on $10k international:
$0 FX fees
vs $150-400 with competitors
Forced conversion to base currency
International cards automatically converted at 1-2% fee
Limited multi-currency
Can display prices in multiple currencies but settles in base only
No choice on conversion
Automatic conversion fee applies regardless
Cost on $10k international:
$150 FX fees
1.5% average conversion
Highest forced conversion fees
3-4% automatic conversion on international payments
Limited currency options
Can hold some currencies but very limited compared to Airwallex
Mandatory conversion
No option to avoid the high FX fees
Cost on $10k international:
$350 FX fees
3.5% average conversion
Your Savings with Airwallex
At-a-glance comparison of key features across all three payment gateways
| Feature | Airwallex | Stripe | PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment Methods Total number of payment methods supported globally | 45+ methods | 100+ methods | ~20-30 methods |
| Multi-Currency Settlement Ability to settle in customer's currency without conversion | ✓ 50+ currencies (like-for-like) | ✗ Limited (forced conversion) | ✗ Limited (forced conversion) |
| FX Conversion Fees Foreign exchange fees on international transactions | 0% (no forced conversion) | 1-2% forced on international cards | 3-4% forced on international cards |
| Settlement Speed Time to receive funds in your account | ~Real-time to 1 day | 1-2 days (30 min instant available) | 1-3 days |
| Country Coverage Number of countries where you can accept payments | 180 countries | 46 countries | 200+ countries |
| Asia-Pacific Strength Support for Asia-Pacific payment methods and currencies | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Good | ⭐⭐⭐ Good |
| WHMCS Integration Quality and ease of WHMCS integration | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Official Module | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Official Module | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Official Module |
Key Takeaway
While Stripe leads in total payment methods (100+) and PayPal in country coverage (200+), Airwallex's unique like-for-like settlement capability can save you 1-4% on every international transaction - potentially thousands of dollars annually.
Deep dive into each category to understand the differences
Good News: All three payment gateways have excellent, official WHMCS modules with similar ease of integration. Your choice should be based on features, fees, and geographic coverage rather than integration difficulty.
Airwallex supports 45+ payment methods across multiple categories
See how fees add up with real-world scenarios
Annual Savings with Airwallex: $900 vs Stripe | $2,100 vs PayPal
Annual Savings with Airwallex: $3,600 vs Stripe | $8,400 vs PayPal
The Hidden Cost of FX Fees
These examples show conservative FX rates (1.5% for Stripe, 3.5% for PayPal). Actual rates can be higher. With Airwallex's like-for-like settlement, you eliminate these fees entirely on international transactions.
Note: All providers charge similar base transaction fees (2.9% + 30¢). The difference is in the FX conversion fees - where Airwallex saves you the most money.
Choose based on your business needs and customer base
You have international customers in multiple currencies
Like-for-like settlement means you save 1-4% on every international transaction by avoiding forced currency conversion.
You want to avoid FX conversion fees
Neither Stripe nor PayPal offer like-for-like settlement. Airwallex is unique in letting you hold and settle in 50+ currencies without forced conversion.
You need strong Asia-Pacific payment methods
Headquartered in Melbourne with excellent support for WeChat Pay, Alipay, and regional payment methods across APAC.
You serve customers in 180 countries
Broad geographic coverage with true multi-currency capabilities, not just presentment.
You value faster settlement
Real-time to 1-day settlement in multiple currencies, faster than Stripe or PayPal.
You need the maximum payment methods (100+)
Industry-leading 100+ payment methods including extensive BNPL options, local bank transfers, and emerging payment types.
You're primarily US/European focused
Excellent coverage in developed markets with strong local payment method support.
You want instant payout options
30-minute instant payouts available (for additional fee) if cash flow is critical.
You need simple domestic processing
If your customers are primarily domestic, the 1-2% FX fee won't apply to you.
You need the widest geographic reach (200+ countries)
PayPal operates in more countries than any competitor, though with limited currency options.
Brand recognition matters to your customers
PayPal is a household name with high consumer trust, especially among older demographics.
You're primarily domestic or willing to accept high FX fees
If your business is mostly domestic, PayPal works fine. But be aware of 3-4% FX fees on international transactions.
If you have ANY international customers, Airwallex's like-for-like settlement will save you money. The more international revenue you have, the more you save.
Mostly Domestic Customers?
Any gateway works - choose based on preference
10-50% International?
Airwallex recommended for FX savings
50%+ International?
Airwallex strongly recommended - save thousands annually
Asia-Pacific Focus?
Airwallex is the clear choice
For WHMCS users with international customers, Airwallex offers the most compelling value proposition through its unique like-for-like settlement capability.
Airwallex is the ONLY provider that offers like-for-like settlement with no forced currency conversion. This alone can save thousands of dollars annually.
💰 $900-$8,400+ per year (depending on volume)
Hold, manage, and settle in 50+ currencies simultaneously. Not just currency presentment - actual multi-currency settlement.
If you have customers in APAC, Airwallex offers superior payment method coverage and local expertise compared to Stripe or PayPal.
Real-time to 1-day settlement is faster than both Stripe (1-2 days) and PayPal (1-3 days).
Bottom Line: If you have international customers, Airwallex's like-for-like settlement will save you money. The more international revenue, the more you save. It's that simple.