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Cross-Border Payment Fee Comparison
If a client abroad is paying you, the headline "fee" is only part of what you lose. The exchange-rate markup is much harder to spot and takes the rest. Enter the payment and see what actually lands in your account with each service.
| Provider | Total cost | You receive | % lost |
|---|
Why the "low fee" account can still cost you the most
International payment services make money in two places: a visible fee and an often-invisible exchange-rate markup. A provider can advertise a low percentage fee, then apply an exchange rate a few percent worse than the real mid-market rate. On a $2,000 payment, a 3% hidden markup costs you $60, which is often more than the "fee" you were watching.
Mid-market rate is the number to check
The mid-market (or interbank) rate is the true exchange rate, the one you see on a search engine. Services that convert at mid-market and charge a clear fee are usually the cheapest for freelancers. Services that bake their margin into the exchange rate are the ones that cost more than they appear to. When you compare, ask each provider what rate it converts at and how far that is from mid-market.
Match the tool to the payment
- Multi-currency accounts let you hold the currency and convert when you choose, so you are never forced to convert at a bad moment. They are a good fit if you invoice in several currencies.
- Card payouts are convenient but often carry the highest combined cost. Check the markup before defaulting to them.
- Local bank transfer (the provider pays into your local account in your currency) is frequently the cheapest way to receive money.
Bill in your own currency when you can
If a client agrees to pay in your home currency, the conversion cost shifts to their side. It is not always possible, but it is worth asking, especially for ongoing work. Set that expectation in the invoice and the original quote.
A dedicated multi-currency account usually beats a general payment processor on cross-border fees. See our recommended cross-border payment tools →
Frequently asked questions
Are these the real current fees?
No. They are editable estimates that show how the comparison works. Providers change their pricing often, and it depends on your country and account. Put in the real numbers from your account for an accurate result.
What's an FX markup?
The gap between the exchange rate a provider gives you and the true mid-market rate. It is a hidden cost on top of any stated fee, and it is often the bigger of the two.
Which is cheapest overall?
It depends on the corridor (which currencies) and amount. Run your real numbers here. As a rule, providers that convert at mid-market with a transparent fee beat those that hide margin in the rate.