The Best Online Currency Cost Calculators
Whether you're an individual transferring money abroad or a business managing international payments, understanding the true cost of currency conversion is crucial. Not all currency converters show you the full picture — especially when hidden fees, spreads, and markups are involved.
In this article, we review the best online currency cost calculators, starting with the most well-known and finishing with one built specifically for businesses who want clarity and control.
XE.com Currency Converter
Website: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
Best for: Quick mid-market rate lookups
XE has long been the go-to for checking live exchange rates. Its currency converter is fast, reliable, and includes data for over 130 currencies. However, XE's calculator:
Only shows mid-market rates, not the actual rate you’ll get Doesn’t show fees, spreads, or total cost Doesn’t offer business-focused features or savings insights
✅ Pros: Real-time data, good UX
❌ Cons: Not a cost calculator — lacks fee transparency
Wise (formerly TransferWise) Currency Calculator
Website: https://wise.com
Best for: Transparent personal transfers
Wise has built a reputation for transparent pricing. Its currency calculator shows the mid-market rate plus the fee you’ll pay — great for personal remittances or small business transfers.
While Wise does a better job than banks and brokers, it still:
Targets individuals or micro-businesses Doesn’t benchmark real market spreads Doesn't support multi-scenario cost comparisons or FX workflow automation
✅ Pros: Transparent pricing, easy to use
❌ Cons: Not tailored to SME currency strategies
Glyde FX Cost Calculator (Built for Business)
Website: https://www.glyde.money/compare-rates/
Best for: UK SMEs trading internationally
Unlike XE and Wise, Glyde’s FX Cost Calculator is designed to expose the true cost of currency exchange for SMEs — not just give you an estimate.
It works by:
Breaking down what your bank or broker is actually charging you Calculating hidden FX spreads + any additional markups Benchmarking your cost against real mid-market rates Giving you instant savings insights, without the sales calls
You simply enter:
- The amount you're sending
- The currencies involved
- Who you currently use (bank/broker)
The tool does the rest — using live data and benchmark spreads to tell you exactly what you’re paying and how much you could save by switching.
✅ Pros: Built for SMEs, spread detection, savings calculator
❌ Cons: Currently UK SME-focused, not yet consumer-facing
Why This Matters for Businesses Currency exchange isn't just about rates — it’s about transparency, control, and cost optimisation. XE gives you the rates. Wise gives you some clarity. But only Glyde helps SMEs uncover hidden costs and act on them.
If your business sends or receives foreign currency payments, understanding your FX exposure is the first step to eliminating waste and protecting margins.
Try Glyde’s FX Cost Calculator Ready to find out how much you're actually paying? https://www.glyde.money/compare-rates/
The world is full of currency converters. But very few go beyond just giving you a rate. For businesses, especially SMEs, that’s not enough.
Use XE to check rates. Use Wise for simple transfers. But if you want to cut FX costs, protect your bottom line, and get transparency, Glyde’s FX Cost Calculator is the one to trust.