OCTIS vs Airwallex vs WorldFirst for Malaysian businesses
Two multi-currency accounts for cross-border payments, and where each fits.
Last checked · 4 sources
Otty's short answer
Both charge no monthly fee. Airwallex publishes its FX margin (0.4% over interbank on major currencies) and offers free virtual and physical cards. WorldFirst is built around marketplace collections from 130+ platforms such as Amazon and Shopify but publishes no FX margin on its Malaysia page. Choose Airwallex for cost clarity and cards, WorldFirst for marketplace sellers.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISSdn Bhd + OCTIS | Airwallex | WorldFirst |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Priced from your bill; no separate account line to track | RM0 | RM0 |
| Account opening | Arranged through OCTIS | Free, online | Free, online |
| Minimum balance | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | None | None |
| FX margin | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | 0.4% majors, 1.0% others | Not published on MY page |
| SWIFT transfer | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | RM30 to RM90 | Not published on MY page |
| Local MYR transfers | Collect and send payments via licensed partners | Free | Not published |
| Currencies held | Multi-currency business account via licensed partners | 20+ local accounts | 20+ currencies |
| Marketplace collections | Collect payments via licensed partners | Not published | 130+ marketplaces |
| Company cards | Corporate card via licensed partners | Free, virtual and physical | Virtual World Card |
| Accounting link | Bookkeeping by OCTIS accountants in the same workspace | Xero, QuickBooks free | Xero |
| Multiple users | Team in one workspace | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Negara licence | Not a bank; accounts and FX via licensed partners | MSB, e-money issuer, acquirer | Class A MSB via affiliate AIMY |
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 · Sdn Bhd + OCTIS
Choose OCTIS if you want your Sdn Bhd, accounts and a multi-currency account via licensed partners, with CRM and workflow in one place.
Airwallex
Choose Airwallex if you want published FX pricing, free cards and accounting integrations.
WorldFirst
Choose WorldFirst if you sell on Amazon, Shopify or other marketplaces and want collections built in.
What the table does not show
Cost: what is published
Airwallex lists FX at 0.4% over interbank for 17 major currencies and 1.0% for all others, free local transfers and RM30 to RM90 for SWIFT. WorldFirst states no setup or monthly fees but its Malaysia page does not list an FX margin; it links to a separate business pricing page that could not be loaded when checked. A third-party reading of WorldFirst SWIFT pricing cites a promotional 0.5% and a regular 1.5%, which you should confirm with WorldFirst before relying on it.
Licensing
Airwallex (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. states it is licensed under the Money Services Business Act 2011, is an e-money issuer, and is a registered merchant acquirer under the Financial Services Act 2013. WorldFirst states that AIMY Merchant Services Sdn. Bhd., part of the same group, holds a Bank Negara Class A licence for money changing and remittance. Neither is a bank, and neither offers PIDM-protected deposits.
Who each suits
A Malaysian trading company paying suppliers in USD and CNY, with staff cards and Xero, will find Airwallex a tidy fit. An online seller whose money sits in Amazon or Shopify payouts will care more about WorldFirst's marketplace connections. Many sellers test both with a small first transfer.
Where OCTIS fits
Whichever account you open, your books still need doing. OCTIS bookkeeping reconciles statements from Airwallex, WorldFirst or a bank, and handles foreign-currency entries for tax filing. OCTIS is not a bank and has no partnership with either provider. Ask about 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airwallex or WorldFirst cheaper in Malaysia?
Airwallex publishes 0.4% over interbank on major currencies. WorldFirst does not publish an FX margin on its Malaysia page, so a like-for-like cost needs a quote. Test with the same USD amount and compare the rate to interbank on the day.
Are Airwallex and WorldFirst safe in Malaysia?
Both operate under Bank Negara Malaysia licences as money services businesses. They are not banks, so balances are not PIDM-protected deposits. Keep only what you need for payments in them.
Can I get a physical card from WorldFirst Malaysia?
A third-party comparison from November 2026 lists a virtual World Card only, with physical cards coming soon. Airwallex lists both virtual and physical corporate cards. Confirm with WorldFirst.
Which currencies can I hold?
Both list 20+ currencies. A third-party comparison says WorldFirst gives local receiving details in MYR and USD only, while Airwallex gives local details in 20+ currencies.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.