When considering payment solutions, businesses and individuals often find themselves weighing the pros and cons of Airwallex and Mercado Pago. This article aims to provide a clear understanding of what each platform offers, compare their pricing and features, and help you determine which option best suits your needs.
A quick overview on Airwallex and Mercadopago
What is Airwallex?

Airwallex is a fintech company that provides a comprehensive financial platform for businesses to manage international payments, foreign exchange, and expense management. Founded in Melbourne in 2015 and now headquartered in San Francisco, Airwallex offers multi-currency accounts, corporate cards, and integrations with eCommerce platforms, enabling seamless cross-border transactions and financial operations.
Businesses engaged in international trade, eCommerce, and those requiring multi-currency transactions find Airwallex particularly beneficial. Key strengths include competitive exchange rates, the ability to hold and transact in multiple currencies, and integrations with various platforms, facilitating efficient global operations.
What is Mercadopago?

Mercado Pago is the financial technology arm of MercadoLibre, designed to facilitate seamless transactions within its ecosystem. It has expanded to offer a comprehensive digital payment platform, functioning as both a digital wallet and a payment processor for individuals and businesses across Latin America.
Users can store funds, make purchases, and transfer money, while businesses benefit from tools to accept payments online and in physical locations. Key strengths include its user-friendly interface and robust security measures, making it a versatile solution for various payment needs.
Pricing of Airwallex and Mercadopago
Airwallex does not publicly disclose its pricing or fee structure, requiring businesses to contact them directly for tailored quotes. This approach can be beneficial for companies needing customized solutions but may lack transparency for those seeking upfront cost information. Users have reported competitive exchange rates, which can be a significant advantage for businesses dealing with international transactions.
Mercado Pago also does not list detailed pricing on its website, necessitating direct contact for specific fee information. While this can provide personalized pricing, it may be less convenient for users wanting immediate cost details. Some users have noted that certain services incur relatively high fees, which could impact small businesses more significantly.
Neither product has a clear advantage in pricing transparency, as both require direct contact for detailed information.
Features of Airwallex and Mercadopago
Airwallex features
Airwallex offers a range of unique features that cater to the needs of businesses operating globally:
- Multi-Currency Accounts: Businesses can hold and transact in multiple currencies, simplifying international operations.
- High-Speed International Transfers: Enables quick and efficient cross-border payments, reducing transaction times.
- Corporate Cards: Provides businesses with corporate cards for streamlined expense management and control.
- Platform APIs for Embedded Finance: Offers APIs for seamless integration, allowing businesses to embed financial services directly into their platforms.
- Proprietary Local Payments Network: Facilitates cost-effective and transparent transactions by leveraging a local payments network, a feature that sets Airwallex apart from many competitors.
Mercadopago features
Mercado Pago offers a range of unique features that cater to both individual users and businesses:
- Cuenta digital: A 100% digital account that can be opened in minutes and allows users to manage their finances freely.
- Rendimientos: Investment options that offer potential returns on the money saved.
- Tarjeta prepaga Mastercard: A prepaid Mastercard that facilitates easy and secure transactions.
- Instant payment reception: Sellers can receive their money immediately after a sale.
- Cuenta +10 años: Special accounts designed for users aged 10 and above, a feature not commonly provided by other financial service platforms.
Comparing Airwallex, Mercadopago and OneSafe

Why choose one over the other?
- Why Choose Airwallex Over Mercado Pago: If your business operates internationally and requires efficient management of multi-currency transactions, Airwallex is the superior choice. Its competitive exchange rates and ability to hold and transact in multiple currencies make it ideal for global operations, unlike Mercado Pago, which is more regionally focused in Latin America.
- Why Choose Mercado Pago Over Airwallex: For businesses and individuals operating primarily within Latin America, Mercado Pago offers a more tailored solution. Its user-friendly interface, robust security measures, and comprehensive range of financial services, including online and in-person payments, make it a versatile and convenient option for regional transactions.
Considering OneSafe vs Airwallex and Mercadopago
- Why Choose OneSafe Over Airwallex and Mercado Pago: OneSafe stands out with its seamless USD to USDC conversion on Polygon, making it ideal for Web3 companies needing efficient payroll and expense management. Unlike Airwallex and Mercado Pago, OneSafe offers end-to-end solutions tailored for the digital asset space, including rapid account setup and exceptional customer support, ensuring reliability and security for crypto-based transactions.
What are the customers saying?
Airwallex reviews
Customer reviews of Airwallex highlight several recurring issues. Users frequently mention transactions being flagged and requiring extensive documentation, as well as a lack of direct communication channels and slow response times from customer support. Additionally, there are reports of payment holds and account closures without clear explanations. Check out more Airwallex reviews here.
Mercadopago reviews
Customer reviews of Mercado Pago highlight several recurring issues. Users frequently mention difficulties in accessing customer support and delays in resolving issues. Additionally, there are reports of relatively high fees for certain services, which some users find cost-prohibitive. Check out more Mercado Pago reviews here.
OneSafe reviews
Customer reviews of OneSafe highlight the platform's exceptional customer support, ease of payroll processing, and ability to simplify complex banking tasks for Web3 companies. Users consistently praise the seamless USD to USDC conversion on Polygon, which facilitates instant, borderless transactions, making it an optimal choice for businesses operating in the digital asset space.
Notable feedback includes:
- “OneSafe has the best customer support I've ever experienced from a bank.” - Amit Chu, Investments @ Celo Foundation
- “OneSafe is a game-changer. They solve so many headaches for our company. Finally a banking solution that gets it.” - Marco, CEO of Ensuro
Want to learn more? Check us out here.
Airwallex, Mercadopago, or OneSafe: Which is the best platform for you?
In conclusion, while Airwallex and Mercado Pago offer robust solutions for international and regional transactions respectively, we believe OneSafe stands out for its exceptional customer support and innovative features tailored for Web3 companies. Each platform has its strengths, but OneSafe's seamless USD to USDC conversion and efficient payroll management make it a compelling choice for businesses in the digital asset space. Ultimately, any of these platforms could meet your needs, but we recommend giving OneSafe a try for a truly modern banking experience.






