What’s the best prepaid business card for international payments?
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The best prepaid business cards for international payments are WorldFirst, Equals Money, Airwallex, and Wise. The best fit for you will depend on the countries you’re operating in, the currencies you use, and whether you want individual or team cards.
Modern prepaid cards let you hold and spend in multiple currencies, assign cards to team members and track spending in real time. But different providers have very different offerings, especially when it comes to international usage.
We’ve rounded up some of the best prepaid business cards for international payments, comparing features, fees, and what makes each one stand out.
Prepaid cards for international business payments: Comparison
| Provider | WorldFirst | Equals Money | Airwallex | Wise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Name | World Card | Prepaid Business Card | Borderless Card | Wise Business Card |
| Best For | Paying and spending in multiple currencies with no FX fees | Managing large teams and high volumes | Scalable global spend with 0% FX fees | Transparent fees and real-time conversion |
| Card Cost | Free (up to 20 cards) | £10 per extra card | First 5 free; £5/user/month after | £45 setup; £3/user |
| Account Cost | Free | £25–£35/month (tiered) | Free with £10k balance or deposits | One-time setup fee only |
| Currencies Supported | Hold 20 currencies in a World Account; Spend in 150+ | Hold, send and spend in 38; access 140+ | Hold and spend in 40+ currencies | Hold/spend in 40+ currencies |
| FX Fees | 0% FX in 15 currencies; up to 1.5% for others | Free in 20 currencies; FX applies otherwise | 0% from wallet; interbank FX rates on conversion | 0% on held funds; from 0.43% when converting |
| Virtual/Physical Cards | Up to 20 physical cards | Up to 200 virtual, 50+ physical | Unlimited virtual cards | 1 physical, 3 virtual (at a time) |
| Standout Features | Real-time spend control; no FX on held balances; up to 1.2% unlimited cashback; Mastercard-powered | Unlimited users; team-level spend limits; Xero integration | Shared team cards; auto-FX; global dashboard | 0.5% cashback; strong accounting integrations; clear pricing |
1. World Card from WorldFirst
Best for: Paying and spending in multiple currencies with no FX fees
The World Card is a multi-currency card designed for international business use. Linked to your World Account, it lets you hold local balances in over 15 currencies and spend in 150+ currencies worldwide.
Spend directly from your held balances in supported currencies and you’ll pay no foreign exchange fees. For other currencies, WorldFirst offers competitive FX rates – and full transparency on costs.
You can also issue up to 20 free cards for your team, each with customisable limits. It’s a simple, scalable way to control business spending across markets.
Features:
- No FX fees when spending from 15 currency balances in your World Account
- Real-time controls and spend limits
- Free to issue up to 20 cards
- Mastercard-powered, accepted globally
- Earn up to 1.2% unlimited cashback on eligible business spend, paid monthly.
Fees summary:
- Card: Free (up to 20)
- Account: Free
- FX fees: 0% for 15 supported currencies; competitive rates or 1.5% markup for others
Ideal for businesses regularly transacting in foreign currencies, the World Card keeps costs down while giving you complete spend visibility.
Find out more: Multi-currency virtual cards: 5 top options for global businesses
2. Equals Money Prepaid Business Card
Best for: Businesses managing a large team or high volume of expenses
With Equals Money, you can issue dozens of cards to team members, set individual limits, and manage multi-currency spend from a single dashboard. It supports payments in 38 currencies and lets you create up to 200 virtual cards.
The platform also integrates with Xero, helping streamline reconciliation and expense tracking.
Features:
- Hold, send and spend in 38 currencies
- Spend in 190+ countries
- Unlimited free users and virtual cards
- Role-based permissions and controls
Fees summary:
- Monthly or annual account fees apply
- No cashback or rewards programme
If control, flexibility and user management are top of mind, Equals Money is a strong contender.
3. Airwallex Borderless Card
Best for: Streamlined global spend with zero foreign transaction fees
Airwallex’s Borderless Card makes it easy to issue virtual cards to your global workforce, spend in 40+ currencies, and avoid conversion fees when paying from held balances. If you don’t have the right currency, Airwallex auto-converts at competitive interbank rates.
There are no foreign card transaction fees, and the first five users are free.
Features:
- No FX fees when spending from your wallet
- Market-leading conversion rates
- Shared cards for teams and departments
- Real-time dashboard for spend visibility and control
Fees summary:
- No fees when spending from your wallet
- £5 a month for each user after first five users
- Free account if you hold £10,000+
It’s especially useful for startups and fast-scaling businesses with international operations.
4. Wise Business Card
Best for: Transparent fees and real-time conversions
Wise is known for its no-nonsense approach to international payments, and its business card is no exception. You’ll pay a one-time setup fee, then access low conversion rates and spend from your Wise multi-currency balance in 40+ currencies.
Each account includes one physical card and three virtual cards, with the option to add more users for a flat fee.
Features:
- Real-time conversion at interbank rates
- Integrated with Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent
- Only three virtual cards at a time
Downsides:
- 0.5% cashback on eligible spend
- No rewards beyond cashback
Wise is ideal for businesses that value simplicity, transparency and cost control.
Key features to look out for
Choosing the right prepaid business card isn’t just about who has the best branding or slickest app. It comes down to the features that actually move the needle for your business.
Here’s what to keep an eye on:
1. Costs
Look beyond the headline rate. Some cards are free to issue but charge for foreign transactions, ATM withdrawals or virtual card top-ups. Others have monthly fees but offer unlimited cards or 0% FX. Think about your typical usage and total cost over time.
What to check:
- FX fees (do you pay less when spending from held balances?)
- Card issuance or replacement fees
- Monthly or annual platform fees
- ATM or withdrawal charges
Read more: What’s the best way to send money overseas? 7 top options for businesses
2. Currencies
If you regularly pay in EUR, USD, GBP or CNH – or buy from multiple countries – multi-currency support is essential. The best cards let you hold and spend in the currencies you need, avoiding costly conversions.
What to check:
- How many currencies can you hold?
- Can you spend directly from local balances?
- Are currency conversions automatic—and at what rate?
3. Number of cards
Whether you’re a team of two or managing multiple departments, the ability to issue multiple cards (and set limits per user) helps streamline spending and avoid bottlenecks.
What to check:
- How many cards can you issue – physical and virtual?
- Are there limits on virtual cards or users?
- Can you control spending per card or team member?
Read more: What’s the best online bank with a virtual debit card? Your options
A note of caution
Prepaid cards aren’t always the right tool. If your business needs credit, overdrafts, or high-value supplier transfers, you may still need a traditional business account or specialist provider. Also, some prepaid cards charge fees for inactivity or ATM use, so read the fine print before you commit.
But if you’re looking to simplify and save on global payments, prepaid business cards offer a modern solution built for flexibility, control, and growth.
So, what’s the best option?
It depends on your needs:
- Paying in multiple currencies? Go with WorldFirst, Wise or Airwallex for real-rate conversions and lower fees.
- Team cards and role-based permissions? Equals Money and Airwallex offer scalable solutions.
- Simplicity and low cost? Wise’s flat fees and real-time FX make it easy to manage.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between a prepaid business card and a credit card?
A prepaid business card is pre-loaded with funds, you can only spend what’s available in the account, which helps control budgets and avoid overspending. Unlike a credit card, it doesn’t build credit or offer borrowing features like overdrafts.
2. Can I use a prepaid business card for payments in multiple currencies?
Yes, most modern prepaid cards are designed for international use. Look for providers that let you hold and spend in multiple currencies directly (like WorldFirst, Airwallex or Wise) to avoid unnecessary conversion fees.
3. Are there any hidden fees I should watch out for?
Some cards charge fees for ATM withdrawals, currency conversions, inactivity, or card issuance. It’s best to review the provider’s full fee breakdown before signing up, especially if you plan to spend across currencies or issue multiple cards.
4. Can I issue cards to my team members?
Most providers let you issue multiple physical or virtual cards, often with custom spending limits and permissions. Equals Money and Airwallex are particularly good for managing team spending at scale, while WorldFirst offers up to 20 cards free of charge.
5. Which prepaid card is best for minimising FX fees?
If you want to avoid foreign exchange fees, look for a card that lets you spend directly from held currency balances. WorldFirst, Airwallex, and Wise all offer low or zero FX fees when spending in supported currencies, helping you keep costs predictable and transparent.
Sources:
https://smallbusiness.co.uk/13-best-prepaid-business-cards-2592093/
https://www.merchantsavvy.co.uk/business-credit-cards/prepaid/
https://equalsmoney.com/expense-cards/prepaid-business-cards
Lawrence Bennett is UK Country Manager at WorldFirst. He brings 15+ years of experience across fintech, ventures and e-commerce.
Lawrence Bennett
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