How do I compare dollar accounts fairly?

Look beyond the advertised fee: add IOF, the spread baked into the rate, fixed fees and settlement time. An account with "no FX fee" can cost more than one with an explicit fee and 0% IOF.

Why does IOF make such a difference?

IOF applies to FX operations and international cards and can reach 3.5% or more. Stablecoin-rail solutions like Ruvo keep 0% IOF, which changes the total cost significantly.

Are the fees in these comparisons always current?

Third-party fees change often. The values on these pages reflect public data from mid-2026; always confirm current fees on official sites before deciding.

Which account is best for a Brazilian freelancer?

It depends on your volume and priorities. For most freelancers who want to minimise IOF and use a card abroad, Ruvo is the strongest all-round option. For those already invested heavily in Nomad Invest at Tier 5 ($20k+), the tier rate can make Nomad competitive — though IOF of 1.1% still applies. Read the Nomad vs Ruvo page for the tier-by-tier maths.

Can I use more than one of these accounts at the same time?

Yes, and many people do. Common setups include receiving via Ruvo (0% IOF) and converting to reais when the rate is good, or receiving business payments through Higlobe for volume and using a Ruvo card for personal spending abroad. There is no rule against holding accounts with multiple platforms.

Do these comparisons cover personal (PF) and business (PJ) accounts?

Account type can affect fees and available features. Higlobe serves individuals and businesses; TechFX serves businesses receiving payments from abroad. Always compare the same transaction and account profile.

Comparisons

International account comparisons

ComparisonsGlobal accountUSDIOF

Wise, Nomad, Husky and Ruvo side by side: fees, IOF, FX and what each does best, no marketing, just the numbers.

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Why comparing dollar accounts starts with IOF

Most side-by-side comparisons focus on FX fees. For Brazilians moving money internationally, the dominant cost is often IOF — a federal tax that reaches 3.5% depending on the instrument and direction. A platform with slightly higher fees but zero IOF typically wins on total cost. Understanding which platforms charge IOF, and when, is the starting point for any honest comparison. The pages in this cluster show the full maths for each pair, including worked examples at real balances. Nomad vs Ruvo and Wise vs Ruvo are a good place to start.

IOF by platform and direction

Under Brazilian rules, FX IOF depends on the operation: around 3.5% on a foreign-currency current account and 1.1% on remittances meant for investment. On platforms like Nomad, incoming reais fall into these brackets depending on the operation. Ruvo works as a dollar account with 0% IOF: you receive, hold, and spend in dollars with no IOF, in either direction. To convert dollars back to reais, competitors still pass through the 0.38% IOF; with Ruvo it's 0%.

Holding dollars versus converting on arrival

The structural split across these platforms is whether you actually hold dollars. Husky routes international wire transfers through SWIFT and converts them to reais on arrival — you receive reais, not dollars. Nomad and Wise let you hold dollars but charge IOF when you fund the account with reais. Ruvo holds dollars in a US account under your control, with conversion available on demand at a flat rate. Read the Husky vs Ruvo comparison for a detailed breakdown of the receive-and-convert model.

When a flat rate beats a tier system

Nomad's FX conversion rate improves with your invested balance — from 2% at zero to 1% at Tier 5 (approximately $20,000 invested in Nomad Invest). At typical freelancer balances the rate sits at 1.5%–2%. Add the 1.1% IOF and the all-in cost is 2.6%–3.1% per conversion. Ruvo charges 0.5% flat with no minimum balance requirement. The full Nomad vs Ruvo page shows the break-even point at each tier and investment level.

B2B routing platforms: Higlobe and TechFX

Higlobe and TechFX advertise conversion percentages in the 0.2%–0.5% range, depending on the service. Compare the exchange rate and final amount received, as well as the features available for your account. Ruvo offers personal and business accounts, a card, Pix, and USDT or USDC transfers to compatible wallets. See Higlobe vs Ruvo and TechFX vs Ruvo.

How to pick the right comparison

Start with what you need to do: receive, convert, hold, or spend. Compare the costs and features available for your account type. If your business receives payments from abroad, also look at Higlobe and TechFX. Confirm the terms through official channels before choosing.

Wise vs Ruvo

IOF, FX and features in a direct comparison.

Nomad vs Ruvo

Who controls your dollars, and who charges IOF.

Is Nomad Pass worth it?

The real cost of each tier, and why Ruvo wins at all of them.

Husky vs Ruvo

Receive-and-convert vs a dollar account you control.

Higlobe vs Ruvo

A direct comparison of Higlobe and Ruvo.

TechFX vs Ruvo

B2B FX vs a complete account with 0% IOF.

What customers love about Ruvo

Hear how Ruvo transforms financial journeys

“

Saves money. The smartest option for CNPJs.

David Kang

Software Engineer, Turn.io

“

Ruvo simplifies our entire international financial workflow.

Joao Alvarenga

CEO, Antonnia AI

“

The best option for earning in USD.

Bruno Pazinato

Staff Engineer, Salsa

Frequently asked questions

Common questions when comparing international accounts.

Talk to support

Look beyond the advertised fee: add IOF, the spread baked into the rate, fixed fees and settlement time. An account with "no FX fee" can cost more than one with an explicit fee and 0% IOF.
IOF applies to FX operations and international cards and can reach 3.5% or more. Stablecoin-rail solutions like Ruvo keep 0% IOF, which changes the total cost significantly.
Third-party fees change often. The values on these pages reflect public data from mid-2026; always confirm current fees on official sites before deciding.
It depends on your volume and priorities. For most freelancers who want to minimise IOF and use a card abroad, Ruvo is the strongest all-round option. For those already invested heavily in Nomad Invest at Tier 5 ($20k+), the tier rate can make Nomad competitive — though IOF of 1.1% still applies. Read the Nomad vs Ruvo page for the tier-by-tier maths.
Yes, and many people do. Common setups include receiving via Ruvo (0% IOF) and converting to reais when the rate is good, or receiving business payments through Higlobe for volume and using a Ruvo card for personal spending abroad. There is no rule against holding accounts with multiple platforms.
Account type can affect fees and available features. Higlobe serves individuals and businesses; TechFX serves businesses receiving payments from abroad. Always compare the same transaction and account profile.

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