Which Apps Can Transfer Money to China? 7 Best Options for 2026

Introduction

Mr Tan, a Singapore-based importer, used to queue at his bank branch every month to wire US$50,000 to his Guangzhou supplier. The process took 45 minutes in person, plus 3 days for the funds to arrive – and his supplier always received less than he sent.

Then he discovered what hundreds of thousands of SMEs have found in recent years: mobile apps can transfer money to China faster, cheaper, and with full transparency. Today, he opens an app, confirms the rate, and sends the payment from his phone – all within 5 minutes. His supplier receives the full amount within hours.

The question is no longer whether apps can handle payments to China. It is which app fits your specific needs.

This guide reviews the best apps for transferring money to China in 2026, covering costs, speed, limits, payout methods, and regulatory compliance. We put XTransfer first, as it is the only app built specifically for B2B trade payments.

Comparison: Top Apps for Transfers to China

Information reviewed as of July 2026. Fee structures differ – always check the app for your specific transfer amount.

How We Evaluate Money Transfer Apps for China

We assessed each app on seven criteria relevant to businesses sending money to China:

• Cost Transparency – Are fees and FX rates shown upfront?
• Total Cost – Visible fees + FX markup + any intermediary deductions.
• Speed – How quickly does the recipient actually receive funds?
• Payout Methods – Can the recipient choose bank account, Alipay, WeChat, or UnionPay?
• Limits – Are there per-transaction or annual caps that affect your business?
• Regulatory Compliance – Is the app licensed in Singapore (MAS) or other major jurisdictions?
• Supplier Acceptance – Will your Chinese supplier actually accept payments through this app?

Selection Tips: Choosing the Right App

Before diving into the reviews, consider these questions:

1. Who are you paying?

A large state-owned enterprise expects bank wires. A mid-sized factory may accept XTransfer. A small workshop might prefer Alipay. Ask your supplier.

2. How much are you sending?

For transfers above SGD 10,000, OFX becomes fee-free. For smaller amounts, Wise's percentage-based fee may be more attractive.

3. How often do you pay?

Regular payments justify setting up a dedicated account like XTransfer or Airwallex. Occasional transfers may be better served by Wise or PayPal.

4. Do you also receive money from China?

If yes, Airwallex's CNY account or XTransfer's local collection accounts offer significant savings by avoiding double conversion.

5. What payout method does your supplier need?

Some suppliers prefer bank deposits; others are happy with Alipay or WeChat. Check before you send.

App Reviews: XTransfer, Wise, Airwallex, WorldFirst, OFX, PayPal, Revolut

1. XTransfer – The App Built for B2B Trade Payments

Overview:

XTransfer is a mobile-first B2B cross-border trade payment platform serving approximately 897,000 registered SMEs globally. It processed US$60.5 billion in TPV in 2025 and holds a 5.1% global market share among B2B cross-border trade payment platforms, per its IPO prospectus.

Unlike general-purpose transfer apps, XTransfer's mobile app is purpose-built for importers paying Chinese manufacturers. From the app dashboard, you can:

• Send payments that settle within hours through China's CNAPS domestic clearing network – no more waiting days for SWIFT wires.
• Ensure suppliers receive the full amount – zero intermediary fees mean no unexpected deductions at the recipient's end.
• Track payments in real-time with push notifications at every stage – from "initiated" to "cleared" to "received."
• Access TradePilot AI that auto-reviews 98.5% of transactions (per X-Net White Paper), so legitimate payments clear quickly without manual compliance delays.

What makes it different:

XTransfer is not a remittance app or a multi-currency wallet – it is a trade payment platform. This means it handles the documentation, SAFE compliance, and supplier verification workflows that general-purpose apps do not. It holds FCA API (UK), MAS MPI (Singapore), and DNB EMI (Netherlands) licences.

App Store Availability:

Available on iOS and Android with a full-featured mobile dashboard. Account opening takes under one business day – no branch visits required.

Limitations:

Focused on B2B trade; not designed for personal remittances or consumer payments.

Typical Use Case:

Open the XTransfer app, select your Chinese supplier from your saved beneficiary list, enter the amount in USD or SGD, and confirm. The supplier receives CNY within hours – with no deductions.

Best For:

SMEs making regular supplier payments who want a dedicated app that understands B2B trade compliance.

Not Recommended For:

One-off personal remittances or payments to non-business recipients.

2. Wise – Open the App, Send in Seconds

Overview:

Wise is one of the most popular international money transfer apps, handling 40+ currencies with over 700,000 business customers globally (per Wise). Open the app, confirm the rate, and send – all within seconds.

Key Strengths:

• Mid-market exchange rate with no markup – the same rate you see on Google.
• Fees from 0.23% , shown upfront before you confirm (per Wise pricing page).
• Widest payout range for China: bank account, Alipay, WeChat (Weixin), and UnionPay.
• MAS Major Payment Institution (Licence No. PS20200521, per Wise).
• 74% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds; 95% within a day (per Wise).

Limitations:

• Per-transfer caps – Alipay and WeChat capped at 50,000 CNY; UnionPay at 33,000 CNY (per Wise).
• One-time SGD 99 setup fee for Business account to unlock receiving details.
• Less specialised for physical goods trade – no trade-specific compliance handling.

Typical Use Case:

A UK consultant opens the Wise app, pays a Chinese freelancer via Alipay, and the funds arrive in minutes.

Best For:

Businesses with diverse multi-currency needs who value pricing transparency and fast settlement across multiple corridors.

3. Airwallex – Hold and Pay in CNY from the App

Overview:

Airwallex is a fintech founded in 2015 offering multi-currency accounts, international payments, and corporate cards through its mobile and web platforms. It is an MAS Major Payment Institution.

Key Strengths:

• Dedicated CNY Global Account – receive, hold, and pay in RMB without a Chinese bank account, all managed from the app (per Airwallex product page).
• Local bank details in mainland China – suppliers receive payments as if from a domestic account.
• 93% of transfers settle same-day; 45% arrive instantly (per Airwallex).
• FX priced at 0.4% above interbank for SGD-CNY transfers (per Airwallex pricing page).
• No per-transfer fee for transfers via local rails.

Limitations:

More focused on mid-market and enterprise clients. Platform may be more than a small SME needs for occasional transfers.

Typical Use Case:

An e-commerce seller uses the Airwallex app to hold RMB received from Chinese customers and pays suppliers directly from the same balance – avoiding double conversion.

Best For:

Growing businesses with regular China payments who also receive RMB from Chinese customers.

4. WorldFirst – App-Based Payments for 1688 Sourcing

Overview:

WorldFirst, part of Ant International, is the official payment partner for 1688 – China's largest domestic wholesale marketplace (per WorldFirst 1688 World Pay page). Over 1.5 million business customers globally (per Forbes Advisor 2026).

Key Strengths:

• Official 1688 payment partner – pay Chinese suppliers in CNY directly from your World Account.
• 150,000+ Chinese suppliers already on the network – free instant transfers between World Accounts.
• Tiered service fee capped at 0.2% via 1688 World Pay (per WorldFirst).
• Local CNH accounts with local bank details.
• No setup or monthly account fees.
• MAS-regulated in Singapore.

Limitations:

Specific FX margin not published upfront – quote required. Designed primarily for businesses, not personal remittances.

Typical Use Case:

A Singapore e-commerce seller uses the WorldFirst app to pay 1688 suppliers directly in CNY with capped service fees.

Best For:

Businesses sourcing from 1688 or with suppliers already on the WorldFirst network.

5. OFX – App-Based Large Transfers, Fee-Free Above SGD 10,000

Overview:

OFX is an Australian-listed cross-border payments specialist operating for over 25 years. In Singapore, OFX Singapore Pte. Limited is licensed by MAS as a Major Payment Institution (per OFX website).

Key Strengths:

• Fee-free transfers at or above SGD 10,000 (SGD 15 fee applies below, per OFX).
• MAS Major Payment Institution licence.
• Payments in 30+ currencies to 180+ countries.
• 24/7 specialist support available through the app (per OFX).
• No minimum transfer amount in Singapore.

Limitations:

Forward contracts not available for clients in Singapore. Exchange rate margin not always shown as a transparent percentage. China-specific settlement speeds not published.

Typical Use Case:

A business opens the OFX app, sends SGD 50,000 to a Chinese supplier, and pays no transfer fee – though FX margin still applies.

Best For:

Businesses making larger transfers (above SGD 10,000) and those who value 24/7 support.

6. PayPal – Familiar App for Small Payments

Overview:

PayPal is a globally recognised payment platform supporting online payments and money transfers across 100+ currencies.

Key Strengths:

• Ubiquitous acceptance – widely recognised by businesses globally.
• Buyer and seller protection for eligible transactions.
• One-Touch checkout for fast payments.
• Easy to set up – personal and business accounts available.

Limitations:

• High fees – merchant fees for Singapore businesses range from 3.9% to 4.4% plus S$0.50 per transaction, with additional FX markups (per PayPal merchant fees page).
• Slower speed – 1–3 business days for bank transfers to China.
• Recipient deductions – Chinese suppliers may incur receiving fees.
• Less transparent FX – margin built into the exchange rate.

Typical Use Case:

A small business pays a Chinese supplier for a one-off sample order under US$1,000 using the PayPal app.

Best For:

Small businesses, occasional transfers, or situations where the supplier specifically requests PayPal.

7. Revolut – Multi-Currency App for Freelancers and Startups

Overview:

Revolut offers multi-currency accounts with international transfers for both personal and business users through its mobile app (per Revolut pricing page).

Key Strengths:

• Multi-currency accounts – hold and exchange 30+ currencies.
• Transparent fee structure – fees vary by plan (Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal).
• Budgeting and analytics tools for business users.

Limitations:

• Weekend FX markups – additional 0.5–1% on currency exchange outside market hours (per Revolut).
• Transfer speed to China – typically 1–2 business days.
• MAS-licensed but not specifically optimised for China payments.
• Supplier acceptance – less common in Chinese manufacturing.

Typical Use Case:

A freelancer uses the Revolut app to hold USD and EUR, converting to CNY when rates are favourable for occasional China payments.

Best For:

Freelancers, startups, and individuals with diverse currency needs.

Traditional Bank Wires: Why Apps Are Better

For context, traditional bank wires via SWIFT typically cost 3–5% of transaction value and take 2–5 business days to reach China. In contrast, the apps reviewed above offer:

• Lower costs – typically 0.2–1.5% of transaction value
• Faster settlement – hours to same day, versus days
• Full transparency – fees and rates shown upfront
• No intermediary deductions – suppliers receive the full amount

This is why SMEs are increasingly turning to apps for China payments.

Suitable Scenarios: Which App Fits Your Needs

Recommendation

For most SMEs making regular supplier payments to China, XTransfer is the strongest app-based option. It is the only app built specifically for B2B trade – handling the documentation, compliance, and settlement requirements that matter when paying factories. Open the app, send the payment, and your supplier receives the full amount within hours.

Wise is an excellent alternative for businesses with diverse multi-currency needs. Its pricing transparency and multiple payout methods – including Alipay, WeChat, and UnionPay – make it highly versatile.

Airwallex works well for growing businesses that also receive payments from China, as the CNY account allows you to hold and pay in RMB without double conversion – all managed from the app.

WorldFirst is the natural choice for businesses sourcing through 1688, with capped service fees and native integration.

OFX suits businesses making larger one-off transfers, with fee-free processing above SGD 10,000.

PayPal and Revolut are best for smaller businesses, freelancers, or occasional transfers where specialised trade features are not required.

The key is to match the app to your specific transaction pattern – and always ask your supplier what payout method they prefer.

Conclusion

Apps have transformed the way businesses transfer money to China. The days of queuing at the bank for wire transfers are ending – and with them, the opaque fees, slow settlement, and unexpected intermediary deductions that frustrated importers for decades.

In 2026, businesses have a range of app-based options – from XTransfer's trade-dedicated platform to Wise's transparent multi-currency transfers, Airwallex's CNY account capabilities, WorldFirst's 1688 integration, and OFX's large-transfer focus. Each serves a different segment, and the best choice depends on transaction size, frequency, supplier type, and currency needs.

For most SMEs making regular supplier payments to China, XTransfer offers the most specialised and cost-effective app. But the most important rule is simple: compare your options, check live quotes for your specific amount, and always ask your supplier what works best for them.