Top ANEXT alternatives in Singapore (2026): Features, fees, and comparisons

What does ANEXT Bank offer SMEs

Incorporated in Singapore and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, ANEXT Bank operates as a digital wholesale subsidiary of Ant International. Since its June 2022 launch, the bank has provided digital financial services specifically for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The bank functions alongside Ant International's broader suite of digital payment and financial solutions to support merchant growth through technology-driven services.

Features of ANEXT bank

• ANEXT business account: A multi-currency account (SGD, USD, EUR, CNH) with no setup fees, no monthly fees, and no minimum balance requirements.
  
• Interest-bearing balances: Daily interest accrual on SGD, USD, and EUR balances to earn on idle business cash.
  
• Business loans: Unsecured financing up to SGD $500,000 with 24- to 48-hour approval and flexible "pay-per-use" or monthly repayment models.
  
• Remote onboarding: Fully digital setup allowing foreign business owners to open accounts without travelling to Singapore.
  
• Fixed deposits: Multi-currency fixed deposits starting from USD $5,000 with terms as short as one month.
  
• Embedded finance: Direct integration of banking services into e-commerce and supply chain platforms for streamlined workflow management.
  

Why businesses look for ANEXT Bank alternatives in 2026

• Evolving financial needs: As businesses grow, their financial needs naturally become more sophisticated, and some may seek platforms that offer additional tools, such as corporate cards, automated expense tracking, and advanced reporting features beyond core banking.
  
• Cross-border payments: Companies with frequent cross-border transactions may explore options that provide faster international transfers, broader currency support, or clearer foreign exchange visibility to manage costs more effectively.
  
• Integration with business tools: Many SMEs today prefer banking solutions that integrate smoothly with accounting software, payroll systems, and other operational tools to reduce manual reconciliation and save time.
  
• Cost efficiency as volumes grow: As transaction volumes increase, businesses often review fee structures and payment costs to ensure they remain competitive and aligned with their scaling operations.
  
• Unified financial management: Some firms seek bundled solutions that combine banking with spend management, budgeting controls, or treasury features to streamline financial oversight.
  

Quick comparison of ANEXT Bank alternatives in 2026

[Table:1]

Data as of March 2026. Note: Fees and features are subject to change. Confirm current rates directly with each provider before committing.

Best ANEXT bank alternatives for Singapore businesses in 2026

MariBank

MariBank is backed by Sea Group, the same parent behind Shopee and Garena. Licensed as a digital bank in 2020 by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, MariBank aims to fulfil the underserved banking needs of both retail and business consumers in Singapore. Unlike ANEXT Bank, MariBank serves both individual customers and businesses and is particularly relevant to businesses already operating within the Sea ecosystem.

MariBank account features

• Interest on balances: Earn 1% p.a. interest on your entire SGD balance, with interest credited daily to your account³.
  
• Free transfers: Pay staff and suppliers with zero fees on local FAST and PayNow transfers.
  
• Global remittance: Send money to over 40 destinations in 20 currencies with SGD $0 transfer fees (on promotion through June 2026) and competitive FX rates.
  
• Flexible financing: Access unsecured business loans up to SGD $200,000 via a revolving credit line (pay only when used) or up to SGD $500,000 via term loans.
  
• Shopee integration: Sellers enjoy exclusive benefits, including free daily withdrawals of their Shopee Seller Balance to improve cash flow.
  

Pricing: Open an account with SGD $0 setup fees, SGD $0 monthly maintenance, and no minimum balance or "fall-below" requirements.

Consideration: International transfer options and multi-currency features are more limited than those of some global fintech providers, and foreign exchange or overseas transfer fees depend on the destination. It also does not include advanced spend tools such as corporate cards or treasury functions, and connections to accounting software or APIs are relatively basic.

Green Link Digital Bank (GLDB)

Backed by the Greenland Group and Linklogis, Green Link Digital Bank (GLDB) is one of the few players in Singapore with a special digital wholesale banking licence from MAS⁴. Since opening its doors, GLDB has focused on helping small and medium businesses (SMEs) secure the funding they need, especially those in the middle of complex supply chains.

GLDB account features

• China trade experts: They are built for B2B trade, making them a great fit if your business moves goods in or out of China.
  
• Supply chain support: They use their tech to offer financing to manufacturers and traders who are often overlooked by big banks.
  
• Business loans: You can get working capital and loans specifically designed to keep your business running smoothly.
  
• Regulated and secure: They hold a full digital wholesale licence, which allows them to operate as a financial institution, and they follow the same strict Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) rules as other major banks.
  

Pricing: SGD $0 account fee. Foreign exchange transactions are charged at 1/12% per transaction, with a minimum fee of USD $40 and a maximum fee of USD $150.

Consideration: They don't do credit cards, travel perks, or personal savings. They stay focused on serious trade and commercial banking.

Revolut

It provides a digital-first platform designed for teams that need to manage global spending and foreign exchange risk. It operates on a tiered subscription model, allowing businesses to scale their plans based on transaction volume and feature needs.

Revolut features

• Smart FX: Access competitive rates with 0% fees up to your plan's allowance, with a flat 0.6% fee thereafter.
  
• Multi-currency support: Hold and exchange money in 35+ currencies to simplify international trade.
  
• Corporate cards: Issue physical and virtual cards for your team, with plan-dependent spending controls.
  
• Bulk payments: Streamline your payroll and vendor payments by sending up to 200 transfers per member.
  
• Software syncing: Connect directly with accounting tools such as Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent to keep your books up to date.
  

Pricing: Choose from plans ranging from SGD $0 to SGD $84 per month, depending on the size of your operations.

Consideration: Ongoing monthly charges may rise depending on the plan you choose. Support access varies by subscription level, and some features are limited to higher-tier plans.

Aspire

Aspire is a Singapore-based fintech company that offers an "all-in-one" finance platform designed specifically for local SMEs, startups, and solopreneurs. It is not a bank itself but provides a comprehensive operating system that integrates banking-style accounts with advanced expense management and payroll tools.

Aspire business account features

• Low FX fees: Access competitive foreign exchange rates starting from as low as 0.22%.
  
• Multi-currency support: Hold and manage 30+ currencies across 130+ countries, including major ones like SGD, USD, EUR, and GBP.
  
• Full Local integration: Use all Singapore payment rails, including PayNow, FAST, GIRO, and CPF, for seamless local operations.
  
• Corporate cards: Issue up to 200 physical or virtual corporate cards (with the Basic plan) as your team needs to manage company spending.
  
• Advanced expense management: Use built-in tools for tracking expenses, managing budgets, and automating your team's claims.
  
• Integrated payroll: Handle employee salaries and CPF payments directly through the platform.
  
• Deep software sync: Connect your account to a wide range of accounting software, including Xero, QuickBooks, SAP, NetSuite, and Deskera.
  

Pricing: The base plan starts at SGD $0, or upgrade to a premium plan for SGD $15/month to access more advanced features.

Consideration: Aspire does not offer lending products or deposit insurance. Some advanced features are only offered to the higher-tier plan, and its expense management tools may be less advanced than those of certain enterprise-focused platforms.

Airwallex

Airwallex is built on an API-focused infrastructure, which suits businesses looking to automate global payment workflows rather than manage them manually.

Airwallex account features

• Multi-currency accounts: Hold and transact in 50+ currencies, with local bank details available in selected major markets.
  
• FX fees: Currency conversion fees typically start from around 0.4%, depending on the currency pair and volume. No monthly account fee on standard plans.
  
• Payment gateway: Offers built-in online payment acceptance for cards and selected digital wallets.
  
• Physical and virtual cards: Issue company cards with individual spending controls.
  
• API access: Provides developer tools and documentation to support automation and system integrations.
  

Pricing: No monthly account fee on standard Singapore plans. International transfer and FX fees vary by corridor. Domestic FAST transfers in SGD are generally free.

Consideration: Airwallex does not provide full payroll processing capabilities, such as salary tax calculations, IRAS filings, or CPF contribution computations, so businesses may need to use separate payroll software for those processes.

Wise

Wise Business operates as an electronic money institution in Singapore rather than a traditional bank, focusing on cross-border infrastructure for startups and scale-ups. It is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a Major Payment Institution and specialises in mid-market exchange rates without hidden markups. The account is designed for businesses that need to pay and get paid in multiple currencies across 160 countries with transparent, upfront fees.

Wise Business account features

• One-time setup: Will need to pay a single SGD $99 fee⁵ to unlock full account features, with no monthly subscription or minimum balance requirements.
  
• Mid-market exchange rate: Currency conversions use the mid-market rate, with a clearly stated fee added separately.
  
• Transparent transfer fees: Charges vary by currency pair and are shown before you confirm the transfer.
  
• Multi-currency account: Hold and manage 40+ currencies, with local account details available in selected currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, SGD, NZD, HUF, and TRY.
  
• Batch payments: Send bulk transfers to multiple recipients in a single upload.
  
• Integrations and APIs: Connect with tools such as Xero and QuickBooks, and access APIs for workflow automation.
  

Pricing: No monthly subscription fee for Singapore business accounts. A one-time setup fee may apply depending on the country of registration. Transfer fees vary by currency route and are displayed upfront.

Consideration: Expense management features are relatively basic compared to some dedicated spend management platforms. Wise does not provide dedicated relationship managers, and support is mainly delivered through online help resources and chat-based channels.

Key factors to evaluate when choosing a business financial service provider in 2026

If you are planning to switch, review these areas carefully before you open a new account:

1. Review the FX pricing structure

Look closely at how the provider charges for currency conversion. Even small differences in FX rates can add up when your transaction volume increases.

Ask these questions:

• Do you get the mid-market rate, or is there a markup?
  
• Are there extra charges on weekends?
  
• Does pricing change based on monthly limits or tiers?
  
• Can you see the full fee before you confirm a transaction?
  

2. Look at the total cost, not just the monthly fee

Do not choose a provider only because it advertises an “SGD 0” plan.

Check the complete cost, including:

• Monthly subscription fees
  
• FX markup percentage
  
• Foreign transaction fees on cards
  
• International transfer charges
  
• ATM or cash withdrawal fees
  

3. Confirm local payment support

If you primarily operate in Singapore, make sure the account supports:

• PayNow
  
• FAST and GIRO
  
• CPF payments
  
• Salary processing
  
• Corporate tax payments
  

4. Assess expense management features

If your team is growing, you need strong controls and visibility.

Check whether the platform offers:

• Budget controls by team or project
  
• Approval workflows
  
• Virtual and physical cards
  
• Real time transaction visibility
  
• Receipt capture and reconciliation tools
  

5. Check scalability and global reach

As your business expands, your banking needs will change.

Make sure the platform can support:

• Higher transaction volumes
  
• Multi-currency holding accounts
  
• Local receiving details in key markets
  
• Batch payments and mass payouts
  
• API access for automation
  

6. Ensure accounting integration

Manual reconciliation increases errors and takes time. Automation reduces your finance workload.

Look for:

• Direct integration with Xero, QuickBooks, or your accounting system
  
• API connectivity
  
• Automatic data sync
  

7. Verify regulatory status and safeguards

Pricing matters, but security and regulation matter just as much.

Before you switch, confirm:

• Licensing status in Singapore or other locations where you operate
  
• How do they safeguard your (client) funds
  
• Whether deposit insurance applies
  
• Data security and compliance standards
  

How Aspire supports your growing business

Aspire offers a business account that brings payments, corporate cards, expense tracking, and local transfers into one platform. Depending on the plan, features may include:

• Zero monthly fee
  
• Pay employees, send salaries to international teams with competitive FX rates, and streamline payroll runs
  
• Corporate cards with spend controls
  
• Real-time expense visibility
  

If your goal is to streamline payments and manage finances through a single interface, Aspire’s business account may fit your requirements.

Open a free Aspire business account right away.

Frequently asked questions

Is ANEXT Bank safe and regulated?

Yes. ANEXT Bank is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a digital wholesale bank. It holds one of only a few digital banking licences issued by MAS in Singapore. It is a subsidiary of Ant International. As a digital wholesale bank, ANEXT primarily serves SMEs and business customers rather than individual or retail customers. For full regulatory details, refer to the MAS financial institutions directory.

How does ANEXT compare to MariBank?

ANEXT Bank and MariBank differ mainly in licence type and focus. ANEXT is a Digital Wholesale Bank. It serves only SMEs and corporate clients. It focuses on business accounts, multi-currency support, and SME financing, such as working capital. MariBank is a Digital Full Bank. It can serve both retail customers and businesses. It is positioned around simple, app-based banking with strong ecosystem integration, especially for e-commerce users. In short, ANEXT is more SME-focused, while MariBank has a broader, retail-inclusive model.

Do digital banks offer multi-currency accounts?

Singapore's digital banks, including ANEXT, MariBank, and GXS Bank, offer limited multi-currency functionality compared to dedicated fintech platforms. The digital banks are primarily SGD-focused, with limited support for holding or transacting in foreign currencies at scale.

When should an SME choose fintech over a bank?

For many businesses, fintech platforms can be a practical choice for day-to-day operations. Fintech providers often offer lower transaction costs, competitive FX rates, faster onboarding, and user-friendly digital interfaces. They also tend to integrate more smoothly with accounting software, reducing manual work. If you require credit lines, trade finance, or the added comfort of SDIC-insured deposits, traditional banks are typically better suited for those needs. That is why many SMEs adopt a balanced approach, using a bank for credit and formal banking requirements while relying on a fintech platform to manage payments and expenses more efficiently.