How to use it
Enter what your client pays you in US dollars, and today's exchange rate. Use the mid-market rate, the one Google shows. The table is filled in with each service's usual fees for a freelancer receiving US dollars. Change any fee to match your own account.
The formula
You get = (payment × (1 − receiving fee) − fixed fee) × exchange rate × (1 − conversion markup)
The conversion markup is the hidden cost. It is how far the service's exchange rate sits below the mid-market rate. It often costs more than the fee you can see.
Example: a client pays US$1,000 and the rate is ₱58.
| Service | You get | Lost to fees |
|---|---|---|
| Wise (free ACH, ~0.6% to convert) | ₱57,652.00 | ₱348.00 |
| Payoneer (1% ACH, ~2% to convert) | ₱56,271.60 | ₱1,728.40 |
| PayPal (4.4% + $0.30, ~4% to convert) | ₱53,213.38 | ₱4,786.62 |
On this payment, Wise leaves you ₱4,438.62 more than PayPal.
Common questions
Where do the default fees come from?
From each service's published pricing as of September 2026:
- Wise: receiving USD by ACH is free. Converting to pesos costs about 0.4% to 0.6%, at the mid-market rate.
- Payoneer: 1% when a US client pays by ACH, 3% or more by card. Withdrawing to a local bank in another currency costs up to 2% over the mid-market rate. An account that receives under $2,000 in a year pays a $29.95 yearly fee.
- PayPal: 4.4% plus a fixed fee on international business payments, and about 3% to 4% over the base rate to convert.
Fees change, and differ by country and payment method. Check your own account.
Why does my client's payment method matter?
A client paying by card costs you more with every service, often 3% or more. Ask clients to pay by bank transfer (ACH) when you can.
Is Wise always cheapest?
For plain bank transfers from US clients, usually. Payoneer is often the easier choice for marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr, which pay out to it directly. PayPal is sometimes the only option a client offers.
Last checked: 2026-09-26