OCTIS vs Airwallex vs Statrys for Hong Kong businesses
Two non-bank business accounts, both licensed Hong Kong money service operators. Here is where each costs less.
Last checked · 5 sources
Otty's short answer
Both accounts are free to open and neither is a bank. Airwallex is the wider platform: cards, a payment gateway, more currencies and free local transfers. Statrys publishes a lower FX rate (from 0.1%) and cheaper international transfers, and gives you an account manager. Pick Airwallex if you also sell online or issue cards. Pick Statrys if you mostly move money between currencies.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Airwallex | Statrys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | HK$0 (Explore); HK$499 Grow | HK$0 |
| Account opening fee | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | HK$0 | HK$0 |
| FX markup | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | From 0.2% | From 0.1% (major currencies) |
| Local HKD transfers | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Free | HK$5 to send HKD |
| SWIFT payment out | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | HK$120 to HK$200 | HK$85 (major currencies) |
| SWIFT payment in | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Not published | HK$60 |
| Currencies held | International multi-currency account via licensed partners | 20+ (Airwallex count) | 11 |
| Company cards | Corporate card via licensed partners | Unlimited, all plans | Virtual free; physical on request |
| Online payment gateway | Collecting payments via licensed partners | Yes, from 3.30% + HK$2.35 | Not listed on pricing page |
| Who can open | Hong Kong company, owners can live anywhere | Not published | HK, Singapore, BVI companies |
| HK licence | OCTIS is not licensed as a bank; partners are licensed | MSO 16-09-01929 | MSO 19-02-02726 |
| Opening time | Set up through licensed partners alongside your incorporation | As fast as 48 hours | 85% within 3 days (own figure) |
| Bank deposit protection | OCTIS is not a bank | No, not a bank | No, not a bank |
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you want the company, accounts, CRM and an international account through licensed partners handled by one team.
Airwallex
Choose Airwallex if you take card payments online, issue team cards or want free local transfers and a wide currency list.
Statrys
Choose Statrys if your main cost is FX and SWIFT, and you want a named account manager and optional bookkeeping from the same provider.
What the table does not show
Where the money goes: FX and transfers
Statrys publishes FX from 0.1% on major currencies and HK$85 to send a SWIFT payment in a major currency. Airwallex publishes FX from 0.2% and HK$120 to HK$200 per SWIFT payment, but local transfers cost nothing. If you pay suppliers by SWIFT in a few currencies, Statrys can be cheaper. If you pay many people locally or through local rails, Airwallex is cheaper. Both say further fees can apply, so check the full fee schedule. Statrys also lists a low-activity charge, reported at about HK$85 to HK$88, in some months with few outgoing payments.
What each account does beyond banking
Airwallex lists unlimited company cards on every plan, a hosted payment gateway, invoicing and an open API. Its paid plans (Grow at HK$499 per month, Accelerate from HK$2,499 per month) add lower rates and more spend users. Statrys is built as a simpler multi-currency account with a dedicated account manager. Its pricing page also sells accounting and company secretary services as separate packages. The pricing page does not list a payment gateway.
Licence and safety
Both companies are licensed by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department as money service operators: Airwallex under licence 16-09-01929 and Statrys under 19-02-02726. Neither is a bank, so balances are not covered by the bank Deposit Protection Scheme (up to HK$800,000 per depositor per bank). That is a trade-off for lower fees and faster onboarding. Keep your operating buffer in a licensed bank if you want that cover.
Where OCTIS fits
Whichever account you open, your books still need doing. OCTIS bookkeeping reconciles statements from either provider, and we also handle Hong Kong company incorporation, company secretary work, profits tax and audit by a Hong Kong CPA practice. OCTIS is not a bank, does not hold your money and has no partnership with any provider here. Ask about 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airwallex or Statrys cheaper in Hong Kong?
It depends on what you do. Statrys lists lower FX (from 0.1% against 0.2%) and a cheaper SWIFT payment in major currencies (HK$85 against HK$120 to HK$200). Airwallex makes local transfers free. Add up your own monthly mix of FX, SWIFT and local payments before choosing.
Is Statrys a bank?
No. Statrys is a licensed money service operator under the Customs and Excise Department, licence 19-02-02726. It is not a bank, so it is not covered by the HK$800,000 Deposit Protection Scheme that applies to licensed banks.
Is Airwallex licensed in Hong Kong?
Yes, Airwallex states it holds money service operator licence 16-09-01929 from the Customs and Excise Department. It says it is not a bank and that wallet balances are not a stored value facility. It does not appear on the HKMA register of stored value facility licensees.
Can I open both accounts?
Yes. Many companies use one for local collections and cards and the other for currency conversion and supplier payments. Each account has its own onboarding, and neither charges to open.
Which one is easier for overseas directors?
Statrys states it serves Hong Kong, Singapore and BVI companies and asks for passports or ID of all directors and shareholders. Airwallex does not publish eligibility on the pages we read. Both will run their own checks, so apply to confirm.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.