Wise Business Account Reviews - 2025

Minami Ishii
Last updated
March 24, 2025

Wise, founded in London in 2011, is an international money transfer service. With over 16 million users worldwide, it provides a wide range of services beyond money transfers, such as multi-currency accounts.

Recently, Wise has also enabled the opening of business accounts in Japan. It is gaining popularity among freelancers and small businesses operating globally for business-related money transfers and payments, balance management in multiple currencies, and more.

In this article, we will thoroughly review Wise's business accounts. Read on to determine whether Wise is suitable for your business.

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Wise Business Account: Key Points

Let’s first take a look at an overview of Wise’s business account (business account).

Main Features of Wise Business Account

  • Domestic transfers or international transfers to over 160 countries

  • Receive transfers for free in 9 major currencies

  • Use the batch payment feature to process multiple transfers at once

  • Business debit card

  • Collect funds from platforms such as Shopify and Stripe

  • Flexibly set user access and permissions for the account

  • Integration with major accounting tools

  • Automate workflows using APIs

Benefits of Wise Business Account

  • Price: Account opening is free, and it can be used with low fees.

  • Speed: 45% of all transfers arrive instantly.

  • Convenience: Easily manage transfers individually or in batches.

  • Clarity: Clearly understand fees and time with the transfer simulator.

  • Business-Friendly Features: Packed with features that are useful for businesses.

Wise promotes low and transparent fees, making it much cheaper than traditional methods like banks and PayPal. With over 16 million users worldwide and registration with the Kanto Financial Bureau, it is a reliable service you can trust.

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What is a Wise Business Account?

A Wise Business Account is a service provided by Wise, an international money transfer provider, specifically designed for businesses and corporations. With this account, you can handle everything from paying salaries to employees, receiving funds, and managing cash flow internationally, all within a single account.

With Wise, you can send international transfers with low fees and the real exchange rate. This is ideal for businesses with international clients or partners, as well as global companies with employees around the world who need frequent international transfers and payments.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can do with a Wise business account.

Wise Business Payments

With a Wise Business Account, you can make commercial payments to over 70 countries domestically or internationally. For international transfers, low fees and the real exchange rate (mid-market rate) with no additional currency exchange fees apply, which can significantly reduce your costs.

You can choose to specify the amount you want to send or the amount the recipient should receive. With the simulation feature, you can clearly see the exact amount your recipient will get, making it easier to make accurate payments to clients or staff. This prevents any issues like “the amount wasn’t enough because fees were deducted.”

The transfer is made directly to the recipient's bank account, meaning they don’t need to have a Wise account (there’s no need to inform them that the payment is being made via Wise). As long as you have the recipient’s bank account information, you can complete the transfer online.

Go to Wise Business 🧳

Batch Payments

The Wise Business Account offers a batch payment feature, allowing you to send up to 1,000 payments at once. Simply upload a CSV file with the recipient details, and with just a few clicks, you can pay employee salaries or settle invoices.

There are no additional fees for using the batch payment service.

Wise API

With a Wise Business Account, you can use the powerful Wise API to:

  • Collect recipient information

  • Execute payments

  • Track and adjust payments

These workflows can be automated without additional charges, and the API can be integrated with other accounting tools for free.

Wise Multi-Currency Account and Business Debit Card

With a Wise Business Account, you can open a multi-currency account, just like a personal account, and hold funds in over 40 different currencies. This allows you to send and receive money, use a card, and exchange currencies easily.

Additionally, for 10 major currencies (GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, NZD, CAD, HUF, SGD, TRY), you can obtain local account details by paying a one-time fee of 3,000 yen. This enables you to send and receive funds as if they were domestic transfers. You can also use this account information to collect funds from platforms such as Shopify and Stripe.

For expense management, the Wise business debit card is convenient. You can either pay in foreign currency directly or convert it with a lower fee compared to regular debit cards. This is particularly useful for businesses that frequently travel abroad or import goods from overseas.

User and Permission Settings

With a Wise Business Account, you can add users and freely configure permissions for each one.

  • Viewer: Can view the account and download statements.

  • Employee: Can use the Wise debit card within the set amount and check their own spending.

  • Payer: Can set up payments (actual payments require approval from the payment manager) and download statements.

  • Payment Manager: Can execute payments, manage transfers, and exchange currencies.

  • Administrator: Has access to all functions and can manage users.

Integration with Accounting Tools

Wise accounts also integrate with accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks. This means that money spent or received via Wise can be seamlessly accounted for in your accounting software, reducing the hassle of expense management—an extremely useful feature.

How to Use a Wise Business Account

Wise can be used easily online. Here’s how to make a transfer using Wise:

  1. Log in to your account.

  2. Specify the amount you want to send or the amount the recipient should receive.

  3. Choose the purpose of the transfer.

  4. Enter the recipient’s information (bank account details or email address).

  5. Select the deposit method (bank transfer or card).

  6. Review and confirm the details.

That’s it! The transfer process is complete.

For more detailed instructions on how to make a transfer, you can check this page.

Create a Wise Business Account and Make a Transfer 🌏

Deposit Methods

With Wise, you can deposit funds using the following methods:

  • Bank Transfer

  • Debit Card

  • Apple Pay or Google Pay

Be aware that fees may vary slightly depending on the deposit method. The most cost-effective and common method is via bank transfer. Please note that deposits via credit card are not supported in Japanese yen.

Payment Methods

Money sent via Wise is generally deposited directly into the recipient’s bank account. However, depending on the country or region, other methods of transfer may be available.

How to Open a Wise Business Account

Opening a Wise Business Account can be done easily online.

  1. Click "Sign Up" on the Wise Business page.

  2. Register an account using your email address, Facebook, Google, or Apple account.

  3. Enter your business information, such as your name and address, following the instructions.

  4. Upload proof of identity documents.

  5. Once your identity is verified, you can start transferring money.

For sole proprietors, the business owner must open the account, and for other corporations, the representative director must open the account.

Documents Required for Identity Verification

  • For Sole Proprietors: The business owner must first register a personal account, then enter the business information.

  • Photo ID of the business owner

  • Selfie photo

  • My Number-related documents

  • Business name, address, industry, and business details

  • For Other Corporations (e.g., Joint Stock Companies, Limited Companies, LLCs, etc.): The representative director must open a personal account first and then register business information. The required documents are:

  • Photo ID of the representative director

  • Selfie photo of the representative director

  • Business name, company type, company number, business details, company address, and shareholder information (name, date of birth, address of beneficial owners)

  • A certificate of registered matters (issued within the last 6 months)

  • Email address of the representative director

For more details on the identity verification process for business accounts, click here.

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Time Required for Identity Verification

Identity verification typically takes up to 10 days. Once verification is complete, you can freely make transfers and receive funds. You will be notified of the results via email.

Differences Between Wise Business and Personal Accounts

Wise offers both business and personal accounts. While features like real exchange rate transfers, multi-currency accounts, and debit cards are available for both, there are some key differences.

  • Business Accounts: Tailored to meet business needs, including features such as API integration with accounting software, batch payments, and access control settings for efficient cash flow management.

  • Personal Accounts: Primarily designed for personal use, offering simple features with reasonable fees for overseas transfers and currency exchange.

The business account is particularly well-suited for companies looking to streamline operations, especially for overseas transactions or employee payments.

For more detailed information, check out the differences between Wise Business and Personal Accounts.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Wise Business Accounts

Wise business accounts offer many services that are convenient for international transactions, but there are also features that cannot be used since Wise is not a bank. Let's carefully review the advantages and disadvantages of a Wise business account.

Benefits of Wise Business AccountDrawbacks of Wise Business Account
✅ Account registration & monthly fees are free❌ Wise is not a bank, so not all banking functions are available
✅ Multi-currency account for managing multiple currencies simultaneously❌ Cash transactions cannot be made
✅ Obtain local account details for 10 target currencies to receive international transfers for free❌ A 3,000 yen fee is charged when obtaining local account details for the first time
✅ Issue a business debit card❌ The account has a maximum balance limit of up to the equivalent of 1 million yen
✅ Bulk payment feature allowing up to 1,000 payments to be processed at once❌ No loan or financing services are offered
✅ API integration with accounting software for automatic payroll and payment processing❌ There are no branches; transactions are conducted online, via app, or by phone
✅ Multi-user access with role-based authorization settings

Wise Business Account Fees

Opening a Wise business account is free of charge. After registration, there are no subscription or monthly fees. Additional service fees are as follows:

ServiceFee
Account RegistrationFree
International TransfersFrom 0.68 (varies by currency)
Sending between Wise Accounts (same currency)Free
Debit Card Issuance¥640
ATM WithdrawalsFree up to ¥30,000 per month (2 withdrawals), then 1.75% + ¥70 per withdrawal
Currency ConversionFrom 0.33% (varies by currency)
Holding Balance in Over 40 CurrenciesFree
Local Account Information (AUD, CAD, NZD, EUR, GBP, HUF, RON, SGD, TRY, USD)¥3,000 (one-time)
Receiving (excluding SWIFT transfers)Free
SWIFT Transfers (USD)$6.11 USD
SWIFT Transfers (CAD)$10 CAD
Receiving for 21 CurrenciesFree

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Wise Exchange Rate

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate, which is the actual exchange rate without any added fees. This is the same rate you would find on Google or other currency converters.

In contrast, many banks and money transfer providers add a hidden currency exchange fee to the rates, which can make international transfers more expensive. With Wise, the exchange rate is always transparent, making it easy to know exactly what you're paying for.

High-Value Transfers with Wise Business Account

Wise handles over ¥1.6 trillion in transfers monthly and is trusted by over 16 million users. Funds are stored in separate banks from the company's funds, ensuring robust security measures. While Wise is not a bank, it provides the same level of security expected of financial institutions.

On March 12, 2024, Wise received approval from Japan's Financial Services Agency as a Type 1 Fund Transfer Service Provider. The previous transfer limit of ¥1 million was significantly increased, allowing transfers up to ¥150 million in a single transaction.

Wise Transfer Time

Bank international transfers generally take several days to a week for funds to reach the recipient. In contrast, about 45% of Wise transfers are delivered instantly.

The time it takes for a transfer to be delivered depends on the recipient’s country, currency, transfer amount, and deposit method (credit card or bank transfer), but Wise offers a much faster alternative for those looking to send money quickly.

Security of Wise Business Accounts

When it comes to handling business funds, security is a primary concern when using Wise.

Wise Payments Japan, Inc. is registered as a Type 2 Fund Transfer Service Provider (License No. 00040) with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau. Although it is not a bank, Wise operates with the same level of security as financial institutions.

Additionally, to prevent fraud and unauthorized activities, Wise utilizes the latest technology to provide 24/7 monitoring. Rigorous identity verification processes are also implemented to help prevent criminal activity.

Wise is a publicly listed company with over 5,500 employees and more than 16 million customers. It handles ¥1.6 trillion in transfers monthly, demonstrating its trustworthiness globally. Wise has been offering services in Japan since 2016.

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Wise Supported Currencies

Wise supports over 40 currencies and allows transfers to more than 160 countries and regions worldwide.

The list of supported currencies is constantly expanding. You can check for the latest updates here. Additionally, business transactions may have currency-specific limits, so it’s important to confirm these in advance.

Summary

In this guide, we've provided a detailed explanation of Wise's business accounts.

Wise’s business account offers a range of convenient services for sole proprietors and corporations, such as international payments, bulk payroll processing, free receipt of payments in 9 major currencies, and administrative permissions for additional users.

Wise business accounts can be opened for free, with no monthly fees. Most features are free to use, making it an ideal solution for sole proprietors and businesses that frequently deal with international clients, employees, or suppliers.

For companies that engage in a lot of international transactions, we recommend considering Wise business accounts.

Go to Wise Business 🧳

General advice: The information on this site is of a general nature only. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. You should look at your own personal situation and requirements before making any financial decisions. We compare currency exchange and money transfer services in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. We only display reputable companies which we have researched and approved.