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Airwallex vs PingPong: which is better for international payments in 2026?

  • Airwallex is a global banking platform, with 20+ currency accounts and corporate cards, but India is not a supported Global Account market
  • PingPong is built for Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers, with a 1% headline fee, but users report a hidden FX markup of 0.5% to 2%
  • Which one is better comes down to your priorities - fees, FIRA handling, and how your clients prefer to pay
Accept payment from 150+ countries
USD
Client pays
USD 100USD 100,000
1 USD = 85.00 INR
Live fx rate
You'll receiveINR
₹4,22,091
Airwallex
₹4,13,729
You lose:2.7%
PingPong
₹4,14,673
You lose:2.4%
100+ reviews
Trusted by 40,000+ businesses
Over $1B processed • Licensed by RBI
RBI PA-CB authorizedHDFC BankISO 27001 certifiedVisa

Airwallex vs PingPong: understanding the key differences

Both Airwallex and PingPong are well-known names for international payments, but they differ in who can use them from India, fees, export documentation like FIRA, GST compliance, settlement timelines, and support. Here is how they compare side by side.
FeaturesAirwallexpingpong
Transfer fees0.5-1% FX plus $10-30 SWIFT per transfer1% flat on withdrawal
Forex markup0.5-1% above interbank0.5% to 2% reported, not publicly disclosed
FIRANot confirmed as automaticFree, automatic for every transaction
eBRCNot confirmedNot publicly disclosed
GST-compliant invoiceNot availableNot available
Settlement time2-3 business days via SWIFTNext business day after withdrawal
Customer supportChat and email, global queueDashboard live chat and account manager, not India-based
Best suited forGlobal banking, corporate cards, treasuryAmazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers taking marketplace payouts

Airwallex vs PingPong: pricing and forex breakdown

Beyond the published fees, the real cost is what lands in your bank after fees, forex and GST. Move the slider to see what each one works out to, and how Skydo compares.
With Skydo, you receive₹8,47,091
Money transferUSD 10,000
$500$10K$100K$1M
Airwallex0.5-1% markup
₹8,29,464
Exchange rate84.15
Forex markup₹8,500
Transfer fee₹8,500
Fixed fee₹1,700
GST (18%)₹1,836
Total fees₹20,536
You receive₹8,29,464
pingpong0.5-2% markup
₹8,29,345
Exchange rate83.94
Forex markup₹10,625
Transfer fee₹8,500
Fixed fee₹0
GST (18%)₹1,530
Total fees₹20,655
You receive₹8,29,345

Airwallex vs PingPong: compliance, payment rails, and platform comparison

Airwallex
  • No confirmed automatic FIRA for India inward remittances
  • No automated eBRC, generate manually through DGFT
  • Invoicing tool does not produce GST-compliant invoices for India
  • No confirmed purpose-code handling published
  • SOFTEX and EDPMS handled separately
pingpong
  • Operates via an RBI-approved liaison office, not a licensed PA-CB
  • Free automatic FIRA on every transaction
  • eBRC support not publicly disclosed
  • GST-compliant invoicing not available
  • One broad purpose code assigned by default, so a payment can be recorded under the wrong category

Airwallex vs PingPong: which one is right for you

There is no single winner. The right pick depends on who pays you, how large your invoices are, and how much paperwork you can handle.
01Airwallex

Choose Airwallex if:

You want Airwallex's global banking breadth, and can absorb the plan fee plus SWIFT charges on top of your FX cost.
  • Business already using Airwallex for cards or payroll
  • New exporter wanting to start without an invite today
  • Team valuing one dashboard over India compliance
  • Company running multi-country treasury operations
02pingpong

Choose PingPong if:

You sell primarily on Amazon, Shopify or Etsy and want built-in marketplace integration.
  • You're comfortable with the hidden FX markup users report (0.5% to 2%)
  • Your payouts are small and frequent
  • You don't need eBRC or GST invoicing on the platform
  • You want direct payout integrations with Amazon, Walmart, Etsy and Shopify

Skydo: a better alternative to Airwallex and PingPong

FeaturesAirwallexpingpong
Settlement time2-3 days via SWIFTNext business day24 hours
Forex markup0.5-1%0.5-2% reportedZero, live rate
Transaction fee0.5-1% FX + $10-30 SWIFT1% flat$19 up to $2k, $29 up to $10k, 0.3% aboveBest
FIRANot confirmedFree, automaticFree, instant, per payment
eBRC and EDPMSNot confirmedNot publicly disclosedOne-click eBRC, EDPMS closure assistance
GST invoicingNot availableNot availableBuilt in, GST compliant
Customer supportGlobal queueLive chat, not India-basedIndia-based, on WhatsApp, call and email
Payment trackingLimitedDashboard trackingAuto tracked, remittance to bank deposit
RBI authorisationNo PA-CB confirmed (Singapore entity)Liaison office, not PA-CBFull PA-CB authorized
Losing money on each transfer but not sure how much?

See what our clients say about us

100+ reviews
Trusted by 40,000+ businesses
Shashank
“I'm looking for straightforward, transparent pricing. With most payment providers, it's hard to understand the actual fees and exchange rates, making it difficult to know what I'm really paying.”ShashankCEO, HCODE

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Airwallex or PingPong, for international payments in 2026?+
It comes down to how your clients pay you and how much compliance you want handled. Airwallex is a global banking platform with 20+ currency accounts and corporate cards, but India is not a supported Global Account market and payments route via SWIFT. PingPong is built for marketplace sellers with a flat 1% fee and free FIRA, though users report a hidden 0.5 to 2% FX markup. Airwallex suits global banking and treasury operations, while PingPong suits marketplace-led e-commerce sellers.
Is Airwallex cheaper than PingPong?+
Usually not. Airwallex charges a 0.5 to 1% FX spread plus $10-30 per SWIFT transfer, with plan fees on higher tiers, roughly 2.5 to 3.5% all in for Indian exporters. PingPong charges a flat 1% fee, with users reporting a further 0.5 to 2% hidden FX markup, roughly 1.5 to 3% all in. PingPong is generally cheaper, though what actually lands in your bank depends on invoice size.
Which provides better exchange rates, Airwallex or PingPong?+
Airwallex. Airwallex adds a 0.5 to 1% spread above interbank, while PingPong's forex rates are not publicly disclosed — users report a 0.5 to 2% markup built in.
Do Airwallex and PingPong provide FIRA for Indian exporters?+
Airwallex does not publicly confirm automatic FIRA for India inward remittances. PingPong generates a free FIRA automatically for every transaction. For GST refunds and export compliance an instant per-payment FIRA matters — Skydo issues one free with every payment.
Are Airwallex and PingPong RBI-approved for receiving payments in India?+
Airwallex onboards Indian businesses via its Singapore entity, with no RBI PA-CB authorisation publicly confirmed. PingPong operates via an RBI-approved liaison office, not a licensed PA-CB.
Is Airwallex or PingPong better for freelancers or businesses?+
Businesses already using Airwallex for cards, payroll or treasury lean towards Airwallex. Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers who want direct marketplace payout integrations lean towards PingPong.
Is there a better alternative to Airwallex and PingPong for receiving money in India?+
Skydo is built for Indian exporters and freelancers. It charges a flat fee ($19 up to $2k, $29 up to $10k, 0.3% above) that works out cheaper than a percentage fee as invoices grow, with zero forex markup, instant FIRA on every payment, one-click eBRC and EDPMS closure assistance, built-in GST-compliant invoicing, full RBI PA-CB authorisation, and India-based support.

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