Updated October 17, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Skrill vs Wirex
Skrill
Wirex
Higher score in this comparison
Skrill vs Wirex: the differences
| Compare | SkrillReviewVisitVisit | WirexReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | €5 | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 3.99% | 0%Lower |
| Card type | Prepaid | Debit |
| Card network | Mastercard | Visa |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $400 |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 8% |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 150 |
Same on both: Custody (Custodial).
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Key differences
- Wirex scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.1.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Wirex: 0% vs 3.99%.
- Features: only Wirex offers Custodial, Travel.
Our verdict on each
Skrill
Skrill suits crypto holders who want a prepaid card and a virtual card on one multi-currency balance, and who are comfortable with a custodial provider holding the balance. The catch is cost: a €5 monthly charge and a 3.99% conversion fee, where prepaid rivals such as Bitpanda charge €0.
Wirex
Wirex suits people who want one balance for crypto and everyday spending, with a monthly fee of $0, a conversion fee of 0% and an FCA licence in the UK. Budget for trading fees of 1.5% to 2.5%, and know your holdings sit with Wirex rather than in your own wallet.
Score breakdown
| Area | Skrill | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.1 | 9.4HigherMonthly fee of $0 and a conversion fee of 0% keep everyday card running costs low, though trading fees run 1.5% to 2.5%. |
| Offer | Not confirmed | 9.6Card covers 35 coins and 150 currencies, with a cashback rate of 8% and virtual cards in the feature set. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.7 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Skrill | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto debit cards | 6 of 145 | 12 of 145 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Skrill | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 213800QBQVHWRBHJTA89 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C184986 | Not confirmed |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | FCA 902025 |
Where these facts come from
Skrill
- skrill.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Wirex
- currencyexpert.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coincodecap.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- budgetfitter.uk: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- news.bitcoin.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Skrill | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Virtual card, Multi currency | Crypto, Custodial, Multi currency, Travel, Virtual cardCovers more |
| Legal entity | Paysafe Payment Solutions Limited. | Wirex Limited |
| Headquarters | Ireland | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2014 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Chat, Help centre |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | Skrill | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | Not confirmed | 1.5% to 2.5% |
| Coins listed | Not confirmed | 35 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | FCA |
| Fiat deposit methods | Not confirmed | Card, Bank |
| Withdrawal fee | Not confirmed | Only gas fees |
| Exchange type | Not confirmed | Cex |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Skrill | Wirex | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 3.99%highest quarter | 0%below the median | 0.25% |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $400highest quarter | $0 |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 8%highest quarter | 2% |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 150above the median | 30 |
Median across 58 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Skrill
Pros
- Spending draws on a multi-currency balance, so holding and using several currencies sits in one place
- The card runs on mastercard, the network most prepaid rivals in this category also use
- A virtual card is offered alongside the physical one, which suits online-only spending
Cons
- A €5 charge applies, while prepaid alternatives such as Bitpanda and Monzo Flex carry €0 and £0
- The 3.99% currency conversion fee is well above the 1% median of the cards compared
- It ranks 228 of 237 on currency conversion fee, so converting often is costly here
Wirex
Pros
- No monthly fee, with the card ranking top of the field on that measure in 379 brands
- Currency conversion at 0%, first for that measure across 237 brands
- Covered by an FCA licence, reference 902025
Cons
- Trading fees of 1.5% to 2.5% sit well above the site median of 0.2%
- Coins covered, 35, trail the site median of 62
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, with no phone line
Who each suits
Skrill
Who it suits
- Crypto holders who want to spend from a multi-currency balance without opening a bank current account
- Anyone comfortable with a custodial provider holding the balance and with a prepaid card rather than a debit card
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want a free card: Monzo Flex, Wise and Bitpanda each list £0, £0 and €0
- Travellers who convert often, since the 3.99% conversion fee is heavy next to the 1% median
- Anyone who wants to hold their own keys, as custody is custodial
Wirex
Who it suits
- People who want crypto spending and card payments from one balance
- Travellers who convert and withdraw often, given the conversion fee of 0% and free ATM withdrawals of $400
- UK residents who want a regulated crypto debit card under an FCA licence
Who should look elsewhere
- Frequent traders, since fees of 1.5% to 2.5% sit far above the site median of 0.2%; Monzo Flex and Wise charge nothing monthly but carry no trading fees
- Coin collectors, as 35 covers fewer coins than the site median of 62
- Anyone wanting to hold keys themselves, since custody is custodial; Bitpanda also holds assets, so a self-custody wallet suits better
Current offers
Wirex
Current offer
Bonus
Up to 8% Cashback on Card Spend - Wirex: Up to 8% cashback
Earnings subject to eligibility
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Skrill | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Skrill
How much does the Skrill card cost to hold each month?+
The card carries a €5 charge. Prepaid rivals are often free: Monzo Flex lists £0, Wise lists £0 and Bitpanda lists €0. The €0 median across the cards compared is €0, so a free card is the norm in this field and this one is not.
What does it cost to convert currency on the Skrill card?+
Converting costs 3.99%, which is well above the 1% median of the cards compared. Skrill places 228 of 237 on that measure. A multi-currency balance is the practical way round it, since you can hold the currency you want to spend in rather than converting at the till.
Wirex
What does it cost to hold a Wirex card?+
The monthly fee is $0, so the card costs nothing to keep. Wirex places first of 379 brands on that measure. Converting currency is charged at 0%, and the real cost for traders is the trading fee of 1.5% to 2.5%.
What are Wirex trading fees?+
Trading fees run 1.5% to 2.5% on the exchange side of Wirex. That sits well above the site median of 0.2% and above the upper end of 0.8%. Buying and selling often will cost more here than on lower-fee venues.