Software · head to head
Wise vs Banktivity
The short version
- Only Wise has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Wise exchange rate fees start at 0.31% plus corridor-specific transfer fees; Banktivity runs on macOS, iPhone and iPad only, with no Windows, Android or web version
- They diverge on capability: Wise covers International transfers, Banktivity covers Account tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Wise and Banktivity actually diverge.
| Attribute | Wise | Banktivity |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android | Mac, IOS |
| Founded | 2011 | 2007 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Wise
- International transfers
- Real exchange rates
- Multi-currency accounts
- Bill payments
- Cryptocurrency
- Web support
- Android support
Only in Banktivity
- Account tracking
- Bill management
- Investment tracking
- Budget forecasting
- Investment accounts
- Mac support
Both cover
- Bank accounts
- IOS support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Wise
- Budget Managementnot Banktivity
- Expense Trackingnot Banktivity
- Investment Trackingnot Banktivity
Banktivity
- Personal budgeting and money management on a Macnot Wise
- Investment and net worth trackingnot Wise
- Retirement planning projectionsnot Wise
- Connecting to over 14,000 financial institutionsnot Wise
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Wise
- Exchange rate fees start at 0.31% plus corridor-specific transfer fees
- Transfer speed dependent on destination country banking infrastructure
- No published documentation of maximum transfer limits
- Multi-currency account features may have regional restrictions
Banktivity
- Runs on macOS, iPhone and iPad only, with no Windows, Android or web version
- Pricing is not shown on the product page and sits behind a separate plans page
Pricing, plan by plan
Wise
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Wise review.
Banktivity
On request- Monthly$4.99/month
- Full feature access
- Cloud sync
- Annual$39.99/month
- All monthly features
- Discounted rate
Which should you pick?
Choose Wise if
- You need international transfers.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want real exchange rates.
Choose Banktivity if
- You need account tracking.
- You work on Mac, IOS.
- You also want bill management.
Questions people ask
- Is Wise or Banktivity better?
- Neither clearly leads. Wise starts at Free and Banktivity at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Wise or Banktivity?
- Wise has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Wise and On request for Banktivity.
- Does Wise or Banktivity run on more platforms?
- Wise runs on Web, IOS, Android. Banktivity runs on Mac, IOS.
- Can I use Wise for free?
- Yes. Wise has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Banktivity starts at On request.
- What is Wise best used for?
- Wise is most often used for budget management, expense tracking, investment tracking. Of those, budget management and expense tracking are not what Banktivity is typically brought in for.
- What can Wise do that Banktivity cannot?
- Wise covers International transfers, Real exchange rates, Multi-currency accounts, Bill payments. Banktivity covers Account tracking, Bill management, Investment tracking, Budget forecasting. Both handle Bank accounts, IOS support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Wise: What are Wise's transfer fees and exchange rates?
Wise uses mid-market exchange rates without hidden markups and charges a flat fee starting from 0.31% plus a currency transfer fee depending on the corridor. Volume discounts are available for larger transfers.
SourceWise: How long do international transfers take with Wise?
Transfers can arrive same-day within seconds according to Wise marketing materials, though actual timing depends on the destination country and banking infrastructure.
SourceWise: Is there a cost for a Wise account or monthly subscription?
Opening a Wise account is free with no monthly subscription. You only pay fees when you send money or convert currency.
SourceWise: Can I send money between Wise users for free?
Sending or receiving the same currency between Wise contacts is free. Converting to a different currency costs less than standard rates but is not free.
SourceWise: What security features does Wise offer?
Wise includes two-factor authentication for account protection, holds funds with established financial institutions, maintains 24/7 customer support, and has dedicated fraud and security teams.
SourceWise: How much money can I transfer with Wise?
Wise does not publicly specify transfer limits on the main site. Limits may vary by country, sender verification level, and corridor.
Source