Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.

Review: Payoneer international payment services – March 2023

Both businesses and freelancers can take advantage of Payoneer to send money overseas.

This product is not currently available via Finder. Visit the provider's website directly, or compare other options.
Avatar

By

Rosie Russell

Updated

Fact checked

Our Verdict

Payoneer is great if you’re a freelancer or run a business as you can send money to global suppliers or remote workers as well as accept payments in local currencies.

Payoneer-to-Payoneer transfers are fee-free but setting up a transfer is not as simple as other services make it and you may need assistance from customer service. Payoneer adds a 2% markup to exchange rates and charges a number of fees that can make your transfer less appealing. Plus, if you don’t make a transfer at least every 12 months, you’ll be charged an annual inactivity fee.

What can I do with Payoneer?

  • Receive payments. You can send a payment request and receive payment to your Payoneer account. You can withdraw your funds at an ATM or transfer them directly to your bank account, which comes with a fee.
  • Make payments. You can send and receive payments between Payoneer accounts free of charge.
  • Send mass payments. You can make mass payments to your freelancers.
  • Automated payments. You can set up automated payments.
  • Escrow payments. You can make secure B2B transactions with Payoneer’s escrow payments.

Payoneer exchange rates and fees

While using Payoneer, you may be paid in one currency and withdraw the funds in another currency. In that case, you’ll pay a currency conversion fee of up to 2% above the mid-market rate.

Opening an account is free, but the fees vary depending on what service you’re after.

Make a Payment

Through Make a Payment, making and receiving payments as a Payoneer customer is free.

Global Payment Service

If you enrol in the Global Payment Service, Payoneer will give you receiving accounts for the following currencies:

  • USD US dollars
  • EUR Euros
  • GBP British pounds
  • JPY Japanese yen
  • AUD Australian dollars
  • CAD Canadian dollars
  • CNY Chinese yuan
This means businesses in these countries can pay you as if you had a local bank account. There are no fees to receive money in any of the above currencies except for US dollars, which can be anywhere between 0-1%.
Receive payments from customers

When you use the Billing Service to receive payments, you’ll pay different fees for payments made by credit card or eCheck.

  • Via credit card (all currencies): 3% fee
  • Via eCheck (USD): 1% fee
Marketplaces and networks

Marketplaces like Fiverr, Upwork and Airbnb set their own fees for withdrawing payments. You can find these rates on the platform where you work.

You’ll pay a different fee depending on whether you’re withdrawing the funds in the same currency or in a different currency.
  • Withdrawing money from your Payoneer account to a bank account in a different currency will cost you up to 2% above the mid-market rate.
  • If you’re moving money into your bank account in the same currency, you’ll pay $1.50 for the transaction.

If you’re a high earner, you may have lower fees.

What types of transfers does Payoneer accept?

You can send payments using the following methods:

  • Credit card
  • eCheck
  • Local bank transfer

Usually, the payee will receive the payment in their Payoneer account in under two hours. To withdraw funds from your Payoneer account, you can use the following:

  • Prepaid Mastercard from Payoneer
  • Local bank transfer

All these transactions will be processed online as Payoneer doesn’t have any physical branches.

Is Payoneer safe to use?

  • Security and regulation: Payoneer is regulated and compliant with multiple financial regulators around the world.
  • Established: 2005.
  • Number of customers: Four million* users.
  • Reviews: Trustpilot gives Payoneer a score of 9.2* out of 10, based on over 3,500 reviews.
*According to Payoneer and Trustpilot on 26 October 2018.

How does Payoneer make money?

Payoneer makes money off the percentage added onto the exchange rate as well as off the fees on certain services.

How to register an account

To use Payoneer, you’ll need to sign up for an account.

    • To make a payment, have your recipient’s Payoneer email address on hand and transfer funds within your account limits. Your transfer will be complete within two hours. To check on your transfer, click “Payments History” under the “Account Activity” tab.

    What is Payoneer’s background?

    Founded in 2005, Payoneer is a money-transfer system partnered with Mastercard and other companies that employ freelancers. This makes it a popular choice for businesses that often use contractors.

    Payoneer’s headquarters are in New York City in the US, but it has spread to over a dozen offices around the world. It currently supports over 200 countries and 150 currencies, with customer service available 24/7.

    In a nutshell

    Pros
    • Convenient pickup methods. With simple and quick bank transfers and the Payoneer Mastercard, Payoneer provides convenient, easy-to-understand ways to access your funds.
    • International acceptance. Payoneer supports sending and receiving funds to and from more than 200 countries.
    • Low domestic rates. It’s free to send and receive funds using Payoneer’s Make a Payment. For international transfers, you’ll pay a bit more.
    • Low minimum transfer amount. You only need to transfer $20 to use the Billing Service or $50 to use Make a Payment.
    Cons
    • Limited international transfers. Payoneer isn’t meant for international transfers that aren’t the result of making a purchase or billing for a service. You can’t load funds onto your Payoneer Mastercard and withdrawing funds across currencies carries fees.
    • High exchange rates. Payoneer takes an average cut of 2% above mid-market rates when converting currencies, which can be lower than some banks but is generally higher than other online services.
    • Limited access to Make a Payment. Not all Payoneer account holders can use Make a Payment. Typically, you’ll first need to receive funds from one of Payoneer’s partners or through Payoneer’s Global Payment Service.
    • Fees for receiving and withdrawing money. You may need to pay a fee for receiving money to your Payoneer account and for withdrawing money. Many money transfer services charge only for receiving or sending money, not both.

    How does Payoneer compare to other providers?

    Our table below shows you the exchange rate and fees of other money transfer specialists.

    Min. Transfer Amount Transfer Speed Online Transfer Fee Rate Amount Received Description CTA Details
    Remitly International Money Transfers
    		SGD 0 Same day SGD 4.99 0.744 USD
    7,437
    		 Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
    Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.     		Go to site Show details
    Exclusive: OFX (Ozforex) International Money Transfers
    		1 day SGD 0.00 0.749 USD
    7,494
    		 Exclusive offer: Discounted exchange rates for your first and ongoing transactions. $0 transfer fee.
    OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.     		Go to site Show details
    Send International Money Transfers
    		 SGD 250 1 day SGD 0.00 0.749 USD
    7,494
    		 Send guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. T&Cs apply.
    Send has fee-free transfers in 30+ currencies to over 200 countries.     		Go to site Show details
    Wise (TransferWise) International Money Transfers
    		SGD 1 1 - 2 days SGD 45.00 0.752 USD
    7,490
    		 Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies. Go to site Show details
    CurrencyFair International Money Transfers
    		SGD 5 1 - 2 days SGD 3.00 0.748 USD
    7,481
    		 Special offer: New customers get unlimited fee-free transfers for their first 3 months. T&Cs apply.
    CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.     		Go to site Show details
    SingX International Money Transfers
    		SGD 1 1 day SGD 43.00 0.752 USD
    7,491
    		 Pay no fees on your first two transfers, up to S$3000.
    SingX offers the real exchange rate every time you make a transfer and can help you send money across the world.     		Go to site Show details
    Instarem International Money Transfers
    		SGD 200 Within an hour SGD 50.00 0.746 USD
    7,426
    		 Use code FINDER to get SGD 20 off on first two transfers on a min transfer of SGD 500. Go to site Show details
    Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.

    Frequently asked questions

    Back to top

    More guides on Finder

    Ask Finder

    You are about to post a question on finder.com:

    • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
    • finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
    • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
    • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

    Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

    By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms.

    Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.
    Go to site