If you’re based in Australia or New Zealand and looking to send money overseas, OrbitRemit and Wise are two of the most commonly compared options — and for good reason. Both are transparent about fees, both are regulated, and both offer strong alternatives to sending through a bank. But they work differently, serve different use cases, and come with different strengths.
This comparison covers what each provider actually offers in 2026, so you can make a clear, informed decision based on your specific needs.
Quick Comparison: OrbitRemit vs Wise at a Glance
| Feature | OrbitRemit | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Wellington, New Zealand | London, United Kingdom |
| Send from Australia | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Send from New Zealand | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Countries supported | 50+ | 160+ |
| Currencies supported | 25+ | 40+ |
| Minimum transfer | Varies by corridor | AUD $1 |
| Fee structure | Flat fee per transfer | Percentage-based (from ~0.33%) + small fixed fee |
| Exchange rate | Competitive market rate | Mid-market rate — no markup |
| Fee-free threshold | AUD/NZD $10,000+ | No fee-free threshold — fees apply to all transfers |
| Delivery options | Bank deposit, mobile wallets (GCash, GrabPay, PayMaya, Coins.ph), cash pickup | Bank deposit; GCash, Maya, GrabPay and other Philippine e-wallets; no cash pickup |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to same business day | ~50% instant; 90%+ within 24 hours |
| Multi-currency account | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — hold 40+ currencies |
| Debit card | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — Wise card, spend in 150+ countries |
| Forward contracts | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Rewards programme | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Trustpilot rating | Excellent — 33,000+ reviews, 4.8/5 | Great — 289,000+ reviews, 4.3/5 |
| Regulation (AU) | ASIC-regulated; AUSTRAC registered (AFSL: 470646) | ASIC-regulated; AUSTRAC registered (AFSL: 513764) |
| Regulation (NZ) | DIA-supervised money remitter (FSP7721) | DIA-supervised for AML purposes (not licensed by NZ regulator) |
| Mobile app | ✅ iOS & Android | ✅ iOS & Android |
| Business transfers | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes — dedicated Wise Business account |
About OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand. It is purpose-built for migrant communities sending money to family and friends across Asia-Pacific, and is one of the few international money transfer services genuinely home-grown to the Australia–New Zealand region.
From Australia and New Zealand, OrbitRemit supports transfers to 50+ countries. Its strongest corridors include the Philippines, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan.
Regulation in Australia: OrbitRemit is regulated by ASIC and registered with AUSTRAC as a money remitter. AFSL number: 470646. AUSTRAC registration: 100439420.
Regulation in New Zealand: OrbitRemit is supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) as a licensed money remitter. FSPR registration: FSP7721.
Source: orbitremit.com/about
About Wise
Wise was founded in 2011 in London as TransferWise by Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus, two Estonians frustrated by the hidden costs of sending money between countries. It rebranded to Wise in 2021. Today Wise serves over 16 million customers globally, supporting transfers to 160+ countries in 40+ currencies.
Wise is built around a core principle: using the mid-market exchange rate — the rate you see on Google — with no markup, charging only a small transparent fee on top. Beyond money transfers, Wise also offers a multi-currency account, a Wise debit card usable in 150+ countries, and a business account.
Regulation in Australia: Wise Australia Pty Ltd is regulated by ASIC and holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL: 513764). It is also registered with AUSTRAC.
Regulation in New Zealand: Wise Payments Ltd operates as a foreign entity in New Zealand. It is not licensed by a New Zealand financial services regulator, but is supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) for anti-money laundering purposes.
Source: wise.com/help — regulation
Fees and Exchange Rates
This is the most important section for most senders — and the area where OrbitRemit and Wise take fundamentally different approaches.
OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit charges flat fees per transfer, shown upfront before you confirm. Fee amounts vary by destination and delivery method.
- First transfer: $0 fee + promotional rate (new customers; terms apply)
- Transfers of AUD/NZD $10,000 or more: fee-free
- All other transfers: flat fee (typically AUD/NZD $0–$6 depending on corridor)
OrbitRemit applies a competitive market rate. The flat fee structure means costs don’t scale with transfer size — making OrbitRemit particularly cost-effective for mid-to-large transfers where a percentage-based fee would otherwise become expensive.
Source: orbitremit.com
Wise
Wise charges a percentage-based fee starting from approximately 0.33%, plus a small fixed fee that varies by currency. All fees are shown upfront before you confirm — there are no hidden costs or exchange rate markups.
Crucially, Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate — no markup is added to the rate itself. This is genuinely different from most providers, including banks, which typically embed a margin of 2%–5% in their exchange rate while advertising “zero fees.”
Because Wise’s fee is percentage-based, costs scale with the transfer amount. On smaller transfers, the percentage fee can be very low in absolute terms. On larger transfers, the absolute cost increases proportionally.
Payment methods from Australia: Bank transfer, debit card, credit card, PayID, Wise account balance.
Payment methods from New Zealand: Bank transfer, POLi, debit/credit card, Wise account balance.
Source: wise.com/au/pricing
Which fee model is better for you?
This depends on transfer size and corridor:
- Small transfers (under AUD $500): Wise’s low percentage fee is typically competitive. OrbitRemit’s flat fee may represent a higher proportion of a small transfer.
- Mid-sized transfers (AUD $500–$10,000): Compare both — OrbitRemit’s flat fee plus its market rate vs Wise’s percentage fee plus mid-market rate. Use each provider’s calculator to see the exact amount your recipient receives.
- Large transfers (AUD $10,000+): OrbitRemit is fee-free above AUD $10,000. Wise’s percentage fee continues to apply at all amounts. For very large transfers, OrbitRemit’s fee-free threshold is a significant advantage.
Delivery Options
OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit supports multiple delivery methods:
- Mobile wallets — GCash, PayMaya, GrabPay, Coins.ph (Philippines); supported in other corridors where available
- Bank deposit — to major banks in destination countries; typically same business day
- Cash pickup — 5,000+ locations in the Philippines; available in selected other corridors
Wise
Wise primarily delivers via bank deposit for transfers sent from Australia and New Zealand. Direct delivery to GCash or other mobile wallets from AUD or NZD is not currently available through Wise. Recipients must have a bank account.
What this means in practice: If your recipient uses GCash, GrabPay, PayMaya, Coins.ph — or needs cash pickup — OrbitRemit is the better fit. If bank deposit to a wide range of countries is what you need, both providers serve this well.
Transfer Speed
OrbitRemit
- Mobile wallet transfers (e.g. GCash): typically within minutes
- Cash pickup: typically within 1–2 hours
- Bank deposit: typically same business day
Source: orbitremit.com/philippines
Wise
Wise is one of the fastest providers in the market. Wise states that over 70% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds, and over 95% arrive within 24 hours. Transfer speed varies by currency corridor and payment method — paying by debit/credit card is typically faster than bank transfer.
Source: wise.com
Multi-Currency Account and Wise Card — Wise Only
One area where Wise is clearly differentiated from OrbitRemit is its broader financial platform, which OrbitRemit does not currently offer:
Multi-currency account — Hold balances in 40+ currencies in one account. Useful for people who receive income in multiple currencies, travel frequently, or want to convert when the rate is favourable rather than at the time of sending.
Wise debit card — Spend in 150+ countries at the mid-market rate, with free ATM withdrawals up to AUD $350 per month (limits vary). Available to Australian and New Zealand customers.
Local account details — Get AUD, USD, GBP, EUR and other currency account details to receive payments like a local. Useful for freelancers and businesses getting paid by international clients.
These features make Wise a broader financial tool beyond just international transfers — particularly valuable for frequent travellers, digital nomads, and businesses managing multiple currencies.
Source: wise.com/au
Countries and Corridors
OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit supports 50+ destination countries with a strong focus on Asia-Pacific remittance corridors. Key destinations from Australia and New Zealand include:
Philippines, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, the UK, Canada, and more.
Full destination list: orbitremit.com/destinations
Wise
Wise supports transfers to 160+ countries in 40+ currencies, with broad global coverage across developed and developing markets. If you need to send to a country outside OrbitRemit’s 50+ corridors, Wise is likely to cover it.
Source: wise.com/au
Regulation — An Important Nuance for New Zealand Senders
Both providers are accessible from New Zealand, but their regulatory status differs:
OrbitRemit is supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) as a licensed money remitter in New Zealand (FSP7721) — this is the specific regulatory framework for money transfer services in NZ.
Wise operates in New Zealand as a foreign entity. Wise Payments Ltd is not licensed by a New Zealand financial services regulator, but is supervised by the DIA for anti-money laundering purposes.
Both providers are regulated by ASIC in Australia with full Australian Financial Services Licences.
Source: wise.com/help — regulation | orbitremit.com
Business Transfers
OrbitRemit supports business transfers alongside personal transfers for selected corridors, with higher transfer limits for business accounts. Check orbitremit.com for the corridors where business transfers are currently available.
Wise Business is a fully featured business account supporting 40+ currencies, batch payments, local account details in 23+ countries, accounting software integration (Xero, QuickBooks), and a business debit card. It is well suited to businesses receiving international payments, managing multi-currency expenses, or paying overseas contractors and suppliers regularly.
Sources: orbitremit.com | wise.com/au/business
Customer Reviews
OrbitRemit holds a Trustpilot Excellent rating of 4.8/5 based on over 33,000 reviews. It also holds a ProductReview.com.au Top Rated badge for 2025 and 2026, and was awarded WeMoney Best for Value 2025.
Wise holds a Trustpilot Great rating of 4.3/5 based on over 289,000 reviews — the largest review count of any money transfer provider on Trustpilot. Positive reviews consistently highlight transparent fees, fast transfers and ease of use. Negative reviews typically relate to compliance-related account reviews and identity verification requirements.
Sources: au.trustpilot.com/review/orbitremit.com | trustpilot.com/review/wise.com
Which Provider Is Right for You?
OrbitRemit and Wise serve genuinely different sender profiles. The right choice depends on where you’re sending, how much, how your recipient needs to receive the money, and whether you need broader financial features beyond a simple transfer.
OrbitRemit may suit you if:
- You’re sending to Asia-Pacific corridors — Philippines, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and more
- Your recipient needs GCash, GrabPay, PayMaya or Coins.ph delivery
- Your recipient needs cash pickup
- You’re sending AUD/NZD $10,000 or more and want fee-free transfers
- You want a provider with ANZ roots and a strong local reputation
- You want flat, predictable fees regardless of transfer size
Wise may suit you if:
- You want the mid-market exchange rate with no markup on the currency conversion
- You send to countries outside OrbitRemit’s 50+ corridors
- You want a multi-currency account to hold, convert and spend in 40+ currencies
- You want a Wise debit card for spending abroad
- You’re a business receiving international payments or managing multi-currency finances
- You’re sending smaller amounts where Wise’s low percentage fee is competitive
Always compare the total amount your recipient will receive — including both the fee and the exchange rate — before confirming any transfer. Both providers show this upfront before you confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wise use the mid-market exchange rate?
Yes. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate — the same rate shown on Google — with no markup. Instead, Wise charges a small transparent percentage fee plus a fixed fee, both shown upfront before you confirm.
Does OrbitRemit use the mid-market rate?
OrbitRemit applies a competitive market rate to transfers. Like most specialist transfer providers (excluding Wise), OrbitRemit’s rate includes a margin. All fees and rates are shown upfront before you confirm — there are no hidden charges.
Can I send money to GCash from Australia or New Zealand?
Yes — both OrbitRemit and Wise support GCash delivery to the Philippines. OrbitRemit supports direct GCash transfers with a flat fee. Wise also supports GCash, Maya, GrabPay and other Philippine e-wallets as payout options. Always compare the total amount your recipient receives before choosing.
Which is cheaper — OrbitRemit or Wise?
It depends on the corridor and transfer amount. For transfers of AUD $10,000 or more, OrbitRemit is fee-free, which is a significant advantage. For smaller transfers, Wise’s low percentage fee and mid-market rate may result in your recipient receiving more — but this varies by corridor. Always use each provider’s calculator to compare the exact amount your recipient will receive.
Is Wise regulated in New Zealand?
Wise Payments Ltd operates in New Zealand as a foreign entity. It is not licensed by a New Zealand financial services regulator, but is supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) for anti-money laundering purposes. Wise is fully ASIC-regulated in Australia (AFSL: 513764).
Is OrbitRemit regulated in New Zealand?
Yes. OrbitRemit is supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) as a licensed money remitter in New Zealand. FSPR registration: FSP7721.
Does Wise have a minimum transfer amount?
Wise accepts transfers from as little as AUD $1. OrbitRemit does not state a minimum transfer amount.
Does Wise offer cash pickup?
No. Wise delivers to bank accounts only. For cash pickup, OrbitRemit supports 5,000+ cash pickup locations in the Philippines and selected other corridors.
Sources: orbitremit.com | wise.com/au | wise.com/help — regulation
Send Money from Australia or New Zealand with OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit has been helping Australians and New Zealanders send money overseas since 2008. With transparent flat fees, multiple delivery options including GCash and cash pickup, fee-free transfers above AUD/NZD $10,000, and a Trustpilot Excellent rating from over 33,000 reviews, OrbitRemit is a trusted choice for the Asia-Pacific corridors that matter most.
- Regulated by ASIC in Australia (AFSL: 470646) | DIA-supervised in New Zealand (FSP7721)
- Flat fees shown upfront before you confirm
- Mobile wallets, bank deposit and cash pickup supported
- Fee-free transfers above AUD/NZD $10,000
- Rated Excellent on Trustpilot — 4.8/5 from over 33,000 reviews
- WeMoney Best for Value 2025 and WeMoney Excellent Rates & Fees 2025 | ProductReview.com.au Top Rated Money Transfer Services 2025 & 2026
Rates, fees and product features are subject to change. Always verify current terms directly with each provider before making a transfer. This post was last updated May 2026.
Sources: orbitremit.com | wise.com/au | wise.com/au/pricing | wise.com/help — regulation | finder.com.au — Wise review | thecurrencyshop.com.au — Wise review
