Virgin Money vs Wise: UK Comparison for businesses
Not sure whether to choose Virgin Money or Wise Business? Compare costs, global payment options, and business account features in this guide.
You might be wondering whether a mix of international payments, FX tools and relationship-led support fit the way your company actually operates. In that case, Monex can be a good option as a currency broker. They are not so much a simple self-serve account for every SME, but aimed more at businesses that want specialist help with cross-border payments, currency risk and treasury workflows.
This guide breaks down Monex Europe’s features, pricing style, transfer setup, support model and where Wise Business may be a simpler alternative for some UK businesses.
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Monex is a cross-border financial solutions platform for businesses, with 40+ years of FX experience, 130+ supported currencies and 70,000+ business clients globally.1 It combines international payments with multi-currency accounts, hedging tools and market analysis, which makes it broader than a basic transfer service.
| Feature | What to know |
|---|---|
| Best for | UK businesses with regular foreign payments, treasury needs or currency risk exposure |
| Core offer | International payments, collections, multi-currency accounts, hedging tools, bulk uploads and beneficiary management |
| Currency support | Businesses can send and receive money in 130+ currencies and hold 30+ currencies in multi-currency accounts.1,2 |
| Bulk payments | Monex has bulk upload tools which can process payroll, supplier and partner payments at scale.2 |
| FX tools | Spot trades, forwards, market orders and broader hedging strategies2,3 |
| Pricing visibility | Public headline pricing is limited, so most businesses will need to speak to a specialist |
| Service style | More relationship-led than app-led, with specialist guidance and market commentary built into the model |
| 💡 If you want a broader benchmark before choosing a provider, see: best international business bank accounts) |
|---|
Monex specialises in international business payments rather than everyday domestic banking. Businesses can send and receive money globally, use same-day or next-day settlement in most corridors, track payments, and manage global beneficiaries from one platform.2
That setup matters if your business pays overseas suppliers often, invoices in foreign currencies, or wants more visibility over payment workflows. Instead of treating FX as a side feature, Monex builds the account experience around it. In practice, that means payment timing and currency management sit closely together.
A common misconception is that Monex is only for very large corporations. It is clearly enterprise friendly, but the product logic can also suit smaller importers, exporters and firms with steady cross-border cash flows. The key question is whether you need specialist FX support, or whether a simpler provider would do the job.
Monex goes beyond transfers. It offers forward contracts, market orders, options, non-deliverable forwards, bulk uploads, beneficiary tools and market intelligence from its research desk.
This is where Monex starts to look different from a standard online payment account. If your business is exposed to FX swings, the platform is designed to help you decide not just how to pay, but when and under what rate strategy. That can be useful if you are budgeting future supplier costs or trying to protect profit margins on international contracts.
Monex also has 24/7 platform access, real-time FX rates, multi-user permissions and mobile access through its payment platforms.1 For finance teams that need approvals, reporting and specialist dealing support, that wider service layer could be a real advantage.
Keep in mind that forwards, options and other FX hedging instruments carry financial risk and may not suit every business. Their value depends on market movements and the structure you choose, so they should be assessed carefully before use.
When using services, Monex claims to have competitive rates, transparent pricing and no hidden fees, but it does not publish a simple UK fee structure for smaller business users.1,2
| Cost area | What you can confirm without dedicated support |
|---|---|
| Account opening fee | Not clear |
| Monthly maintenance fee | Monex’s multi-currency accounts have zero account maintenance fees.2 |
| Transfer fee | No clear standard public schedule found for typical UK business users |
| FX spread | There is no mention of public route by route FX spreads |
| Bulk payment pricing | Not clear |
| Quote process | Monex encourages businesses to talk to a specialist for tailored support and setup |
That does not mean Monex is automatically expensive. It does mean comparison takes more work. If your business values a dealer-style relationship, the quote process may be fine. If you prefer to compare providers quickly using a public pricing page, Monex may feel less straightforward.
Before signing up, ask for a full breakdown of FX spreads, payment fees, any setup costs, settlement options and whether pricing changes based on payment volume.
Whilst Wise Business isn't a currency broker, it is an Electronic Money Institution. You can enjoy flexible large transfer limits of up to 20 million GBP/EUR/USD and manage money in 40+ currencies. You can even set up exchange rate alerts to wait for the time and the rate that suits you. Convert currencies within Wise at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees starting from just 0.33%*.
This gives you full control over FX, and could help your business save money.
Monex’s global payments service supports 130+ currencies, same-day and next-day settlement in most corridors, and full payment tracking from initiation to receipt.2 It also offers market orders and forward contracts to help businesses manage future payment costs rather than just current spot conversions.2,3
This is different from a provider that mainly focuses on one-off transfers. If your business buys goods abroad regularly, a forward contract can help lock in a rate now for a future payment date, which can make budgeting easier if markets move against you.
As with any hedging product, forward contracts, options and similar tools can reduce uncertainty, but they also introduce commitment and market risk. They are not the same as a standard spot transfer, so businesses should understand the mechanics and costs before using them.
If your main goal is to compare the all-in cost of sending money overseas, you will still need live quotes on the exact currencies and routes you use. If you want a clearer reminder of how route choice affects cost and timing, see wire transfers vs bank transfers.
Monex has a score of 4.9 on Trustpilot using feedback from business clients, and that can be a useful starting point for your research.1
One thing worth knowing is that Monex strongly leans into relationship-led support. It encourages businesses to talk to a specialist, and it can be seen as an extension of your business rather than a purely self-serve tool.2 That may suit firms that want help with payment timing, FX decisions or bulk workflows.
The trade-off is that businesses looking for instant setup, public pricing and minimal human interaction may prefer a more self-serve provider.
Get expert support for your large transfer 📞
For some UK businesses, Wise Business may be easier to compare and use. Monex looks strongest when you want specialist FX support, treasury-style tools and a more relationship-led model. Wise provides transparent pricing, seamless international payments and local account details in major currencies - to trade as if you were a locally trading business.
For UK companies, opening Wise Business is a one time fee of £50 for full features, no monthly rolling costs. However, there is a free Essential plan to send transfers and utilise basic features. See the full Wise Business pricing page for current fees.
Wise Business also has a dedicated support service for large transfers, limits vary depending on the currency being moved. For example, GBP and EUR have a limit of 20 million per transfer. You can also send up to 20 million USD with a Wise USD local account details. Learn more about sending large amounts with Wise Business.
| 💸 On a £50k transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank 💸 |
|---|
With Wise Business, you can:
Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for your domestic and global needs.
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**Investments are not guaranteed, and your capital is at risk.
Wise is an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), so features like Interest and Stocks may be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For standard cash balances, we safeguard your funds to meet regulatory obligations.
In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets, the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 839689).
We do not provide investment advice, and taxes may apply. If unsure, seek qualified financial advice. Full fund information is available on our website.
UK businesses should check the live FCA register and Monex’s current UK legal disclosures before opening an account. More broadly, the FCA explains that non-bank payment providers use safeguarding, which is different from FSCS protection on bank deposits.5
Businesses often compare Monex with banks because Monex offers a more specialist FX and payments model. The difference in practice is that Monex puts much more emphasis on rate strategy, hedging and specialist dealing support, while many banks position FX as one part of a broader business banking relationship.
It can be, especially for importers, exporters and firms with regular currency exposure. But a smaller business that mainly wants transparent pricing and fast self-serve payments may prefer a provider with a lighter setup and more public fee visibility.
Sources:
Sources last checked: 10.07.2026
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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