Wise vs Revolut
Compare Wise vs Revolut: fees, exchange rates, multi-currency accounts, transfer limits, and which is best for travelers, expats, and international transfers.
Quick Answer
Wise wins for straightforward international transfers — mid-market rate with transparent fees, no monthly limits, and dedicated transfer focus. Revolut wins for travelers and multi-currency lifestyle — 36+ currencies at interbank rates, but with monthly fair-use limits on the free plan (beyond which a 0.5% weekday / 1% weekend fee applies). Choose Wise for sending money abroad. Choose Revolut as an all-in-one financial app for travel and daily spending.
Wise
Multi-currency account and international transfer platform that always uses the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup. Send money to 160+ countries at the lowest total cost for most bank-to-bank transfers.
Pricing
Free
Key Features
- ✓Mid-market exchange rate with no markup — the same rate you see on Google, always
- ✓Transparent fees shown upfront before confirming any transfer
- ✓Multi-currency account — hold 40+ currencies simultaneously with local account details (IBAN, sort code, routing number) in 9 currencies
- ✓Wise debit card — spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate
- ✓74% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds for supported corridors
- ✓Wise Business — batch payments, API access, accounting integrations (QuickBooks, Xero)
Pros
- +Most transparent pricing in the category — fees shown upfront, no hidden markup on exchange rate, always uses mid-market rate
- +Best for cost-conscious senders — mid-market rate consistently delivers more to recipients vs competitors who markup the rate
- +Multi-currency account is genuinely useful — hold 40+ currencies, receive payments like a local in 9 currencies with own IBAN/account number
- +Fastest transfer speeds — 74% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds for supported corridors
- +Wise Business adds genuine SMB functionality — batch payments, API integration, QuickBooks/Xero sync
- +286,000+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.3 stars — largest and most verified track record in the category
- +Wise debit card lets you spend internationally without currency conversion fees
- +Regulated as an Electronic Money Institution in EU (NBB) and UK (FCA) — trusted by millions
Cons
- −No cash pickup option — bank account or mobile wallet only; not suitable if recipient needs physical cash
- −Fee varies by corridor and payment method — while transparent, the fee percentage is not always the lowest for every route
- −Identity verification required — KYC process can take time for new users
- −Some destination countries not supported — 160+ countries covers most but not all corridors
- −Business account setup can be slower than personal — requires additional documentation
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
Learn more →Revolut
Multi-currency account and super-app with 36+ currencies, trading, crypto, and transfers. Best for travelers.
Pricing
$9.99/mo
Key Features
- ✓Hold and exchange 36+ currencies at interbank rates directly from your phone
- ✓Built-in stock trading, cryptocurrency exchange, and commodities — all in one app
- ✓Disposable virtual cards for secure online shopping — one-time use card numbers
- ✓Spending analytics and budgeting tools with real-time transaction categorization
- ✓International transfers to 160+ countries with competitive exchange rates
- ✓Premium/Metal/Ultra plans add travel insurance, lounge access, and higher exchange limits
Pros
- +Most versatile financial super-app — combines banking, investing, crypto, and budgeting in one place
- +Excellent multi-currency support — 36+ currencies at interbank rates with fair usage limits on free tier
- +Disposable virtual cards are a genuine security feature unmatched by most competitors
- +Premium plans offer strong travel benefits — insurance, lounge access, cashback at competitive pricing
- +Business accounts with Xero and Slack integration are valuable for freelancers and small teams
- +Strong regulatory standing — licensed as a bank in the EU (Lithuania) and EMI in the UK (FCA)
Cons
- −Free plan has fair usage limits on fee-free exchange — 0.5% weekday / 1% weekend fee applies beyond limit
- −Not a full replacement for a traditional bank — no physical checks, limited cash deposit options
- −Customer support is primarily in-app chat — phone support limited to Premium plans and above
- −Some features (stock trading, crypto) are not available in all regions due to local regulations
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android
Learn more →Real-World Scenarios
You send money abroad regularly
You transfer money internationally every month — for family support, business payments, or personal expenses. You want the real exchange rate with transparent fees and no monthly caps.
You travel frequently and want multi-currency convenience
You spend in multiple currencies while traveling, want to hold balances in different currencies, and need a single app that handles spending, budgeting, and currency exchange.