Geegpay vs Wise

Ask any freelancer in Africa, and they’ll tell you the same thing: finding work isn’t always the hardest part. It’s getting paid. Many platforms that work effortlessly in Western countries simply don’t extend the same seamless experience to Africa. Many have faced the frustration of working with clients from the US, UK, or Europe, only to realize that getting paid is an entirely different battle. High fees, slow transfers, and limited withdrawal options make it difficult for African freelancers to access their hard-earned money.

For instance, Chike who is a Nigerian content writer just completed a project for a US-based client. The client is happy to pay via PayPal, but he quickly realizes that withdrawing from PayPal to a Nigerian bank is either impossible or ridiculously expensive. So, he turns to Payoneer, which offers you a USD account. Sounds great, right? But then he hits another roadblock—you can receive payments, but withdrawing those funds to your local bank in naira is another hurdle. The process is often slow, and transaction fees can eat into your earnings.

If you’re like Chike, you need to read our blog on Geegpay vs Payoneer to see why you should receive your payments directly with Geegpay.

Now, let’s look at a different scenario. Masai, a Kenyan software developer, just wrapped up a project for a UK-based client. Payment arrives via Wise, but withdrawing the funds to M-Pesa, a service he relies on for daily transactions, is another story. Sometimes, the withdrawal takes a while to arrive. Other times, it’s delayed or flagged for compliance checks, leaving him stuck without access to his money.

For years, Wise (formerly TransferWise) has been a popular choice for cross-border payments. However, for freelancers like Masai, the experience isn’t always smooth, especially when local payout options do not work as expected. This is because though Wise is a global platform, it was not built with the unique challenges of African freelancers in mind. Geegpay, on the other hand, was designed specifically to cater to Africans, ensuring they can get paid quickly, affordably, and with easy access to their funds. From fast local withdrawals and Free NGN deposits to virtual USD, GBP, and EUR accounts that integrate smoothly with African financial systems and allow you to send money to over 50 countries, including the UK and Europe at competitive rates, it provides a payment solution that truly works for people on the continent.

So, with this in mind, which platform is better for freelancers in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya? Before you answer, let’s do a proper dive deep into the experience of using Wise vs. Geegpay from an African freelancer’s perspective.

The Onboarding Experience On Geegpay vs Wise

One of the first things freelancers consider when choosing a payment platform is how easy it is to set up an account. Wise is available in over 160 countries, but for many Africans, the onboarding process can be frustrating. Users often have to submit extensive documentation, which can sometimes be rejected due to strict compliance rules. Some African freelancers have reported that their accounts were suddenly restricted or closed due to vague compliance reasons, leaving them stranded with pending payments. For instance, in November 2022, Wise suspended USD transfers to Nigeria, affecting freelancers who relied on the platform for international payments. A spokesperson for Wise stated, "Unfortunately, we're no longer able to support USD transfers to Nigeria. We're doing this because we're currently not able to offer our customers the service they'd expect from us."

Geegpay, on the other hand, is designed specifically for Africans. It understands that many freelancers may not have utility bills in their names or access to traditional banking infrastructure. Verification is straightforward, and once your account is approved, you can immediately start receiving payments without worrying about sudden account freezes.

‍Receiving Payments On Geegpay vs Wise

Receiving payments is where many African freelancers feel the difference between Wise and Geegpay. Wise provides multi-currency accounts, which allow users to receive payments in USD, GBP, and EUR. However, one major drawback is that some African users have reported payment delays or restrictions due to compliance issues. Additionally, clients paying freelancers via Wise may face limitations if their accounts are outside of supported regions.

Geegpay simplifies the process. With virtual USD, GBP, and EUR accounts, freelancers can receive payments from clients and international platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Deel without any issues and for Nigerian freelancers, your NGN deposits are completely FREE. Since Geegpay is tailored for African users, funds arrive quickly, and there’s no fear of unexpected restrictions blocking withdrawals. 

Withdrawing Money On Geegpay vs Wise

What truly sets Geegpay apart is its withdrawal options. This is where Wise often falls short for Africans. Wise allows users to convert and send money to local bank accounts, but it doesn't integrate deeply with African financial ecosystems. Some users have reported slow withdrawal times, and in some cases, Wise completely restricts withdrawals to local African banks.

Geegpay, however, ensures that freelancers can quickly access their money through various channels. Whether you want to withdraw to a Nigerian bank account, a Ghanaian mobile money wallet, or M-Pesa in Kenya, Geegpay makes it seamless. This means no waiting for days for funds to reflect and you as an African freelancer, can get paid and use your money almost instantly.

For Nigerians who rely on dollar cards for online transactions, Geegpay’s virtual dollar card makes payments easier and more accessible. Many Nigerian banks have placed restrictions on international spending, making it hard for freelancers to pay for essential tools like domain hosting, software subscriptions, Spotify or even Netflix. With Geegpay’s virtual card, freelancers can spend their earnings online without worrying about restrictions.

Transaction Fees On Geegpay vs Wise: Which One is More Affordable?

Wise is known for its transparency, and while its fees are competitive, they can still add up for African freelancers. Conversion fees range between 0.33% and 2%, and withdrawing funds to local African accounts often comes with additional charges.

Geegpay is built to minimise fees for African freelancers. Receiving USD payments costs 0.8% with a minimum of $1.5 for ACH & Wire and $10 for SWIFT, and conversion rates are highly competitive. Withdrawals to Nigerian local banks are free while Kenyan banks and Ghanaian mobile money services come with a fixed, predictable fee, ensuring freelancers keep more of what they earn.

Why Geegpay is the Better Choice for African Freelancers

Wise is a strong platform for global users, but as mentioned before, it wasn’t built with African freelancers in mind. Geegpay, on the other hand, understands the needs of freelancers in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. It provides fast payments, affordable fees, seamless local withdrawals, and virtual dollar cards to help freelancers manage their earnings effectively.

If you’re an African freelancer tired of payment delays, high fees, and account restrictions, Geegpay is the smarter choice. Sign up today and start receiving your payments with ease.

‍Ref: Wise USD Fees, Wise pricing, How much to receive SWIFT payment on Wise