Top 5 Payoneer Alternatives For Freelancers You Should Consider in 2025

We have all had our moments - fidgeting while waiting for payments to go through, crying about outrageous transfer charges, and sleepless nights anxious about payment safety.

Payoneer has been a reliable payment solution for freelancers over the years, making it easy to get paid by clients from all over the world.

But as the world of freelancing keeps evolving, some excellent Payoneer alternatives have cropped up, with better deals, faster payouts, and easier payment options.

So if you're up against Payoneer or simply curious about what else is out there, you've come to the right spot! This post will give you the inside scoop on the best 5 Payoneer alternatives for freelancers to consider in 2025.

From seriously cool borderless payment platforms to smart fintech options, we'll be covering the best of the best to get you paid quickly, safely, and with as little hassle as possible.

You Should Also Read Through: 10 Best Payment Platforms for Freelancers in Nigeria to Ease Your Life

Overview of Payoneer

Payoneer is a top-notch payment option catering to the needs of freelancers and remote workers across the world.

Services and Offerings

Payoneer allows individuals and businesses to send and receive payments across borders with minimal fees compared to traditional banks. 

Users can receive funds in multiple currencies, hold balances in different currencies, and transfer money to local bank accounts or Payoneer MasterCard debit cards. 

The platform supports payments from international marketplaces like Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr, and Airbnb.

A key feature of Payoneer is easy fund transfer, multiple currency accounts, and payment tracking as well as its ability to facilitate cross-border transactions seamlessly. 

Businesses and professionals can invoice clients globally and receive payments through bank transfers, credit cards, or other digital payment methods. Additionally, Payoneer offers working capital solutions and tax services to support business growth.

Advantages

1. Global Reach – Payoneer operates in over 200 countries and supports multiple currencies, making it a preferred choice for international payments.

2. Cost-Effective – The platform offers competitive fees compared to wire transfers and other financial institutions.

3. Multi-Currency Support – Users can hold and manage funds in different currencies, reducing currency conversion costs.

4. Marketplace Integration – Payoneer is widely used by freelancers and sellers on major global platforms.

5. Security and Compliance – It adheres to international financial regulations, ensuring safe transactions.

However, remembering other alternatives can help you make a better choice.

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Why Do Freelancers Need Payoneer Alternatives?

As a freelancer, you're aware of how annoying payment issues can be. Payoneer has been around for ages as a safe bet in the freelance world, but let's be realistic - it's not flawless.

For this reason, plenty of freelancers are searching for Payoneer alternatives for freelancers that could provide improved fees, quicker payouts, and more convenient payment terms.

So why do freelancers need Payoneer alternatives, then? Firstly, Payoneer's charges are very steep, especially when it comes to international payments. And don't even mention me about the exchange rates - those can be very unfavorable, as well.

And then there are Payoneer's payout periods, which are very slow and have you waiting for your well-earned money.

That's where Payoneer alternatives come in handy. These alternative payment platforms have all kinds of advantages that can simplify your life as a freelancer. From lower fees to faster payments, Payoneer alternatives can assist you in getting paid quickly and securely without breaking the bank.

So if you're tired of Payoneer's disadvantages, you might look elsewhere.

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What Makes a Good Payoneer Alternative?

So, what can be a good Payoneer alternative? As a freelancer, you'd probably want a payment system that's easy to work with, safe, and affordable. Consider the following:

• Low Fees: Well, let's face it - fees eat into your earnings. Look for a Payoneer alternative with low fees, especially for cross-border payments.
• Fast Payouts: Who doesn't love getting paid quickly? A good Payoneer alternative should offer fast payout times, so you can receive your hard-earned cash as quickly as possible.
• Flexible Payment Options: You work with clients from all over the world as a freelancer. Look for a Payoneer alternative that offers flexible payment options, such as multiple currencies and payment methods.
• World-Class Security: Security is number one when dealing with online payments. Find a Payoneer alternative that has excellent security features, including two-factor authentication and encryption.
• Easy to Use: You're busy running your business - you don't have time to waste with clunky payment platforms. Find an easy-to-use Payoneer alternative that has a clean interface and effortless setup process.
• Good Customer Support: Finally, look for a Payoneer alternative that has good customer support. You should be in a position to easily and instantly receive help when you have any questions or issues.

By following these things into consideration, you can select a Payoneer alternative that caters to your needs and provides you with swift and secure pay.

Also Read - 10 Best Payment Platforms for Freelancers in Nigeria to Ease Your Life

What are the Top 5 Payoneer Alternatives for Freelancers?

Below is a list of some of the most effective Payoneer's alternatives for freelancers:

1. PayPal

 

PayPal is one of the best Payoneer alternatives for freelancers. Its popularity goes over 400 million active subscribers, which justifies its fame in online payments. 

This means freelancers with clients all over the world can accept and send payments in dozens of currencies. Bills can be paid or money transferred to family or friends using this platform. 

The best part of it is that it is widely popular. Almost all clients and businesses accept PayPal, which can be a good reason for freelancers to use it. But this, in turn, makes the PayPal usage fee much higher, especially in international transfer.

Pro

• Wide acceptance: PayPal is accepted by most clients and businesses worldwide. 
• Easy to use: PayPal has a user-friendly interface that allows sending and receiving payments with ease. 
• Fast payouts: Normally, the payout takes just a minute or two before the amount is available for use. 

Cons

• High charges: There are high charges related to virtual money transfers or transactions. 
• Very limited: Though Paypal has very strict rules regarding payment, it has some limitations.

2. Wise

 

 

Wise is another alternative to Payoneer and having very low charges as well as super fast settlements, Wise (earlier TransferWise) is used by many people for sending and receiving multi-currency payments. 

Freelancers dealing with clients from different parts of the world would love Wise for its lowest cost.

It is well known that Wise is transparent in all its dealings because it mostly indicates the deductions and exchange rates.

Wise also enables one to transact either through bank, debit card, or credit card thus quickly and safely receiving pay.

Pros

• Low fees: Wise levies much lesser charges than PayPal, especially in terms of international transactions.
• Fast disbursals: Wise disburses really quickly, usually clearing funds in a matter of minutes.
• Flexible payment options: Wise lets you choose between various currencies and payment methods, including credit and debit card transactions. 

Cons

• Limited acceptance: A lot less widely used than PayPal, so this may restrict your use of it.
• Verification Process: Wise has a pretty stringent verification process which means you might wait for some time.

Read Also - Best Apps for Freelancers to Use For Daily Work in 2025

3. Airwallex

 

 

Airwallex provides an entire scrum of payment services for all businesses and freelancers. Airwallex saves its users from a lot of hassle by enabling payment in multiple currencies. This means it is a great tool for freelancers dealing with clients globally. 

Airwallex is proud of the low fees that the firm offers. It's great for freelancers because it has lower exchange rates and very low fees.

It supports payments by bank transfer, debit card, or credit cards that facilitate the speed of getting paid and do so in a secure way.

Pros 

• Low fees: Airwallex experiences low fees especially for international payment. 
• Flexible payment options: Airwallex has several currencies and payment methods. 
• Easy to use: The Airwallex portal has an easy-to-use interface for making and receiving payments. 

Cons

• Limited acceptance: Airwallex is less widely accepted than PayPal, making it less convenient for use. 
• Customer Support: The customer support is quite limited posing a challenge for problem resolution.

4. Stripe

 

 

Stripe is a widely-accepted payment platform for businesses and freelancers. With Stripe, payments can be sent and received in multiple currencies, thus providing flexibility for the freelancers who facilitate international transactions. 

The greatest feature of Stripe is its versatility. It encompasses credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfer modes of payment of its own fee implementation.

Stripe has evolved to offer certain forms of functionalities that fit the operational aspect of payment management. Invoice creation, payment tracking, reminders to clients on payments-all this can be executed through Stripe.

Pros

• Flexible payment options: Stripe includes multiple currencies and payment processing methods.
• Easy to use: Stripe allows for sending and receiving on its interface in a rather smooth and uncomplicated manner.
• Robust features: There has been a plethora of features from Stripe, which only ease things for you concerning payment management.

Cons

• Fees: Especially on international transactions, Stripe's fees do tend to hurt.
• Complicated: There are some complexities within Stripe, which can be challenging for freelancers who are just starting out with online payment processing.

5. Revolut

 

 

This is a digital banking system that has various payment alternatives for businesses and freelancers. Revolut allows you to send and receive payments in different currencies, making it a good option for freelancers working with international clients. 

Such a charming side of Revolut is the very low fees. Frees would be cheap here, with better foreign exchange rates compared to the transfers; hence the word "freelancer". 

Revolut also offers features to streamline your payment management. Invoice creations, payment tracking, and sending payment reminders to clients can all be accomplished through Revolut.

Pros

• Low fees: International transactions are predominately less charged by Revolut.
• Flexible payment options: Revolut offers various payment options in a multitude of currencies and payment means.
• Easy to use: A user-friendly interface of Revolut makes payment-sending-and-receiving easy.

Cons

• Restricted acceptance: This makes Revolut less practical, witnessing its inferior acceptance than PayPal.
• Customer support: Resolving an issue is bound to be unsuccessful, given limited support offered by Revolut.

Also Read - 13 Best Freelance Websites to Hire Top Freelancers in Nigeria (2024)

How Do Payoneer Alternatives Compare to Payoneer?

Payoneer can be compared against a wide variety of platforms that have their own unique features and advantages. Here's a simple comparison:

Fees

Payoneer charges 2% above the wholesale exchange rate in the case of transfer abroad, while others in the industry charge even less in fees:

• PayPal: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (domestic), 4.4% + a fixed fee (international)
• Wise: 0.5-1% above the wholesale exchange rate
• Airwallex: 0.5-1% above the wholesale exchange rate
• Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (domestic), 4.4% + a fixed fee (international)
• Revolut: 0.5-1% above the wholesale exchange rate

Payout Speed

Payouts are fast at Payoneer, as funds are usually available within a span of 2-5 business days. Alternatives also provide similar or faster payouts:

• PayPal: instant, using a card linked to PayPal in withdrawing cash; 1-3 business days with a bank transfer.
• Wise: 1-2 business days
• Payments by Airwallex: 1-2 business days
• Stripe: 2-5 business days
• Revolut: instant, with a Revolut debit card; 1-3 business days using bank transfer.

Payment Options

Payoneer offers an array of payment options, including bank transfer, debit, and credit cards. The alternatives are offering more or less the same range of options:

• PayPal: Bank transfer, debit, credit cards.
• Wise: Bank transfers, and debit cards.
• Airwallex: Bank transfer, debit cards.
• Stripe: Bank transfer, debit cards, and credit cards.
• Revolut: Bank transfer, debit cards.

Security

Payoneer and its competitors have strong security mechanisms, which include:

• Two-factor authentication
• Use of encryption
• Secure payment processing

Customer Support

Payoneer provides customer support via phone, email, and live chat. Also, the alternative companies have approximately the same customer support methods:

• PayPal: Phone, e-mail, live chat
• Wise: Phone, e-mail
• Airwallex: Phone, e-mail
• Stripe: Phone, e-mail, live chat
• Revolut: Phone, e-mail, live chat

It depends purely on the special needs and considerations of any customer to go ahead and decide on the best Payoneer alternative. Therefore, research should be done based on the specifics of each alternative by comparing its fees, payout speeds, payment options, security, and methods of support.

Also Read - How to Make More Money as a Freelancer in Nigeria: 7 Steps That Work

How Can Freelancers Choose the Best Payoneer Alternative?

To Choose the Best Payoneer Alternative for Freelancers, You will want to Consider:

1. Fees and Exchange Rates: Choose a service with a transparent pricing model and low fees, like Wise and Revolut, as these are considered lower than traditional companies like PayPal.
2. World Reach and Currencies: Ensure the app has many currencies and reach in the world for payment, as Tipalti stands with 196 countries and 120 currencies.
3. Versatile Payment Methods and Integrations: Look for platforms that allow different modes of payment, with high integration and compatibility with accounting software, like Stripe Connect and Wise.
4. Speed and Access: Select a platform having swift transaction processes, such as Mural Pay and Wise.
5. Unique Features: Certain platforms have added features beneficial to freelancers, i.e., virtual bank accounts (Grey) or business cards (Revolut). 

Ultimately, this is a decision based on your requirements and tastes.

Read Also - 20 Highest-Paying Freelance Jobs in Nigeria

Find Your Next Client on Expaat Without Payment Worries 

Being in a global marketplace, Expaat matches freelancers with clients across borders. The platform covers and takes care of every aspect, which leaves the freelancers free to work on their jobs. 

Expaat is a way of earning and saving much for freelancers on Payoneer alternatives whenever they're working. 

Expaat is an excellent channel through which one can get to the best clients, bringing high-paying projects to freelancers while simplifying their payment process.

FAQs 

Which alternative is good for freelancers working with global clients?

Wise is best for freelancers working with global clients as it offers multi-currency accounts along with competitive rates of exchange.

Is there a low-cost alternative to Payoneer?

Yes, Grey is a low-cost alternative that provides free U.S., U.K., and E.U. bank accounts with competitive exchange rates; hence it suits U.S.-based freelancers.

Are there any safety issues linked to the use of Payoneer alternatives?

Most Payoneer alternatives like Wise and PayPal have good security, employing encryption and two-factor authentication. However, checking each platform's particular security features is recommended.

Can freelancers use these alternatives for invoicing clients?

Yes, that said, many alternatives like Wise and PayPal are used for invoicing tools so that the freelancers can create and report professional invoices to their clients.

Can freelancers use these alternatives in sync with their accounting software?

Yes, many of these alternatives are integrated with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, easing the finance management task.

Conclusion 

Finding the best alternative means a lot for freelancers to Payoneer. By considering other platforms like PayPal, Wise, Airwallex, Stripe, and Revolut, freelancers can take lower fees, quicker payout times, and much flexibility. 

Whether ease of use, safety, or customer support is your reason for leaving Payoneer, a Payoneer alternative is right for you.

Be sure to invest some time to research, compare, and test these alternatives until one aligns perfectly with the nature of your freelance business someday in 2025.