Key Takeaways
- Wise offers tiered FX discounts based on the amount you send and convert.
- We estimate Wise’s effective rate is 0.34% for 800,000 EUR of monthly trading.
- At Payset, we aim to offer competitive rates with flexible qualifications.
- Here’s what you should consider when deciding which service is right for you.
How Wise’s Tiered FX Pricing Works
Wise is a popular cross-border transfer platform. Originally launched in 2011, it now serves over 15 million customers with its payment and currency conversion services.
Pricing is simple: Wise offers transparent, tiered pricing adjusted to the FX volume you send or convert. This is calculated as a discount on top of Wise’s standard rate.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean Wise offers your ideal pricing model. For high-volume businesses, Wise’s fees can add up due to variations on currency pairs, strict qualification periods, and discounts that apply only above the qualifying threshold.
Let’s look more closely at how Wise’s tiered pricing works and Payset measures up.
How Wise Calculates the Cost of an FX Conversion
Wise’s rates include two parts: standard fees based on the currencies you trade and a discount based on your monthly trading volume. Let’s look at each rate in detail.
Standard (Fixed and Variable) Fees
Wise’s standard currency conversion fees include a variable fee and a fixed fee, both of which depend on the currencies involved in the exchange.
As of August 12, 2026, Wise’s variable fees for EU customers ranged from 0.02% to 4.46% plus a fixed fee of up to 13.80 EUR, depending on the currency pair. For UK users, the range was the same, with a fixed fee of up to 12.03 GBP.
Wise also lists certain other fees that may apply, such as exchange rate volatility fees, cross-border fees, and same-currency fees for transfers without currency conversion.
The Tiered Discount
The above details only describe Wise’s starting rate. You may also receive a discount based on the FX volume that you send or convert over one calendar month.
As of August 2026, Wise’s discount tiers were as follows:
| Discount | Monthly Volume Needed to Qualify |
| 0% (standard fee) | <22,000 EUR |
| 0.10% | 22,000 – 325,000 EUR |
| 0.15% | 325,000 – 550,000 EUR |
| 0.16% | 550,000 – 1,100,000 EUR |
| 0.17% | 1,100,000+ EUR |
This means that you’ll start receiving Wise’s discount if you trade at least 22,000 EUR per month or a comparable amount in other currencies. Note that the discount applies progressively to the amount above each threshold or bracket.
What Do Wise Business Fees Cost at Scale?
So, what does Wise’s two-part pricing model come out to for a sample customer?
The exact rate varies, but our models show that Wise’s effective rate is about 0.34% for businesses with 800,000 EUR worth of EUR/USD volume per month. By comparison, Payset charges a flat 0.30% fee for the same volume.
That estimate is based on our Wise comparison page and calculated from June 2026 data. We suggest doing your own calculations to determine your personal costs: try Wise’s FX calculator or use Payset’s guide to calculating your current FX costs.
How Do You Qualify for Wise Discounts?
Your monthly volume mainly determines which Wise discount tier you qualify for, but there are some other requirements. Keep these rules in mind:
- Wise measures your qualifying volume over the calendar month: You must trade the qualifying amount within one calendar month. Wise resets its count of your completed transfers at the start of each month.
- Discounts apply above each threshold: You pay Wise’s standard fee on the initial portion you trade. Lower fees only apply to amounts above each threshold.
- Only currency conversions count: Same-currency transfers do not count toward meeting Wise’s volume discount threshold.
- Your profile currency isn’t the only currency that counts: Wise calculates your qualifying volume in your profile currency, but conversions in other currencies count toward your total qualifying volume.
- You must use supported pay-in currencies for the transfer: Wise lists EUR, GBP, USD, and 27 other eligible pay-in currencies.
- Business and personal volumes are counted separately: Wise counts your volume separately for each of these account types.
- Conversions must be completed: Transfers and conversions that are cancelled or not completed don’t count toward your volume.
What to Look for When Comparing Business FX Pricing
When you compare Wise to alternative FX providers, it’s important to understand that each one might determine qualifying conditions and discounted rates differently.
That means that some pricing models are better than others for your business depending on its trading and spending patterns. It’s not just about the advertised rate. It’s also about which pricing model meets your needs. Here’s what you should consider.
How Volume Is Measured Over Time
You should understand how each platform measures the qualifying period. As noted, Wise measures your volume over the calendar month and resets your volume monthly.
At Payset, by comparison, we measure your volume over a 90-day rolling window. You’re then guaranteed that tier of pricing for the next 30 days. These windows are measured daily and are not reset at the end of the month.
We believe our model offers a highly flexible qualification period, but it’s important to structure your trading around discounts no matter which provider you choose.
How Your Rate Applies to Each Bracket
When you use Wise, your discount only applies incrementally to the amount above each threshold bracket, not the portion before you meet the threshold.
At Payset, we apply a single flat fee to the entire transaction amount once the relevant tier is reached. Hit your tier — the rate applies to every dollar, not just the amount above the tier threshold.
Note that Wise and Payset’s thresholds begin at different amounts, meaning that you should look at your volumes and calculate which one is right for your situation.
Flat vs. Variable Pricing By Currency
Wise’s standard rates vary based on the currency pair involved in your trade. This also means that its discounted rates have different impacts on each currency pair.
By comparison, Payset has a flat rate that applies across all supported currency pairs. We believe this makes it easier to project FX costs. You don’t need to cross-reference currencies and discounts. We show you the rate you qualify for.
Understanding price variations between currencies is especially important if you’re working with uncommon currency pairs with potentially higher fees. However, it still matters in common setups, such as if you invoice in USD or sell on Amazon.
How Wise Compares to Payset
| Payset | Wise | |
| Tiered pricing | Yes, as a rate | Yes, as a discount |
| Fee at €800,000/month (EUR-USD) | Flat 0.30% on entire amount* | Effective rate ~0.34% after progressive bracket calculation** |
| Tier with lowest fees | 0.09% at €6M/90 days | 0.10% above £2M/month |
| One fee for all currency pairs | Yes | No – varies |
| Tiered rates apply to | Entire transaction amount, every trade | Only the volume above each bracket threshold |
| Volume measured over | 90-day rolling window | Calendar month |
| Discount duration | 30 days from qualification (even past end of month) | Resets at start of each calendar month |
| Built for | Recurring high-volume traders | Individuals, freelancers & businesses |
*At Payset’s Scale tier — applies to customers with €300k–€2M/month average trading volume over a 90-day rolling window.
**Modelled from Wise’s published EUR bracket discount table and EUR/USD base fee of 0.47% as of 23 June 2026, applied progressively across a fresh-month €800k EUR/USD trade.
FAQ
Are Wise Business’s tiered rates the cheapest option for high-volume FX?
Wise’s tiered rates may or may not be the cheapest option for high-volume FX conversions. It depends on the rate that you qualify for based on your volume.
How is Wise’s tiered FX pricing calculated and shown?
Wise’s tiered FX pricing is calculated based on the volume that you convert over one calendar month. It is presented as a discount and is applied progressively to amounts above each qualifying threshold on eligible transfers and conversions.
Do other factors affect my Wise FX rate?
Yes. Wise has fixed and variable fees that depend on the currency pair that you trade. Wise’s discount is applied after those starting fees.
Does 0% commission mean there are no fees?
No. 0% commission models often still carry embedded fees. Wise and Payset do not use a 0% commission model — both make fees transparent.
Why You Should Use Payset
At Payset, we offer rates that are competitive with Wise at key volume tiers, and our rate model is especially suited to high-volume businesses.
You’ll get integrated FX and payment tools in a single account with consistent rates across all FX pairs. Plus, you’ll enjoy discounts that rise with your trading: qualify based on your 90-day rolling volume and your rate is locked in for 30 days.
Use our calculator to see what you could save, or sign up now.
Pricing disclaimer: Wise’s fees and discounts vary by currency, transaction, payment method, volume and customer location, and may change over time. The Wise rates and effective-rate estimates shown here are based on publicly available information as of June-August 2026 and are illustrative only. Payset pricing is also subject to eligibility and applicable terms. Check the relevant provider’s current pricing before making a transaction.
