Revolut vs Wise 2026: Transfers, Fees & Features
Revolut
Multi-service fintech app offering payments, transfers, crypto, stocks, and insurance with tiered premium plans.
Digital nomads, crypto investors, frequent travelers, and users wanting an all-in-one fintech platform
Quick Answer
AI SummaryWise specializes in international money transfers with the best mid-market exchange rates and lower transfer fees, while Revolut is a broader fintech platform offering spending accounts, crypto, and travel features with competitive exchange rates but higher markups on certain transactions.
Read full verdictChoose Wise if your primary need is sending money internationally with minimal fees and true mid-market exchange rates—it's unbeatable for regular cross-border transfers. Choose Revolut if you want a multi-purpose fintech platform combining spending, savings, crypto investment, and travel features with acceptable (though not lowest) foreign exchange rates.
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Digital nomads, crypto investors, frequent travelers, and users wanting an all-in-one fintech platform
Choose Wise if
Best pickBusinesses, freelancers, expatriates, and individuals prioritizing cost-efficient international transfers
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Exchange Rate Markup:✓ Wise wins(Mid-market rate (0% markup) vs 0.5-2% markup on transfers)
- Transfer Fee (UK to EU):✓ Wise wins(£0.70 GBP flat vs $2.99-4.99 GBP)
- Account Types:✓ Revolut wins(Multi-currency spending + savings + crypto vs Multi-currency spending only (transfers focused))
Key Facts & Figures
20 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Revolut | Wise | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Revenue (Most Recent Year)(billion EUR/GBP) | €5.2 billion (2025) | Not publicly disclosed | — |
| Market Capitalization (March 2026)(USD Billion) | Private (Pre-IPO) | £9.16 billion | — |
| User Base Size(millions) | 52.5 million (2024) | Not publicly disclosed | — |
| Supported Currencies(count) | 70+ currencies | 150+ currencies (implied) | |
| Covered Countries/Corridors(count) | 160+ countries | 180+ corridors | |
| Year Founded(year) | 2011 | 2011 | |
| Exchange Rate Markup(%) | 0.5-2% | 0.4% | |
| Standard Transfer Fee (GBP)(GBP) | £2.99-4.99 | £0.70 | |
| Global User Base(millions) | 45+ million | 15+ million | |
| Multi-Currency Accounts(currencies) | 26 currencies | 12+ currencies | |
| ATM Withdrawal Fee (after free limit)(%) | 2% (after £200/month free) | Unlimited at 0% with Premium (£5/mo) | |
| Average Transfer Speed(business days) | 1-2 days | 1-2 days | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Tier)(USD) | €0 | €0 | |
| Exchange Rate Markup for Transfers(percent) | 1-2% | 0.4-0.7% | |
| Cryptocurrency Assets Available(count) | 50+ | 0 | |
| Supported Currencies(count) | 34 currencies | 50+ currencies | |
| Average Transfer Completion Time(business days) | 1-2 days (standard) | Same-day to next-day | |
| Merchant Acceptance(millions) | 0.3 million | 0.3 million | |
| Dispute Resolution Time(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Account Setup Time(minutes) | 5-10 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 0.5-2% markup on transfersExchange Rate MarkupMid-market rate (0% markup)(winner)
- $2.99-4.99 GBPTransfer Fee (UK to EU)£0.70 GBP flat(winner)
- Multi-currency spending + savings + crypto(winner)Account TypesMulti-currency spending only (transfers focused)
- Buy/sell/hold 100+ cryptocurrencies(winner)Crypto SupportNone
- 1-2 business daysSpeed (International Transfer)1-2 business days (varies by corridor)
- 35+ million (2024)(winner)Monthly Active Users12+ million (2024)
- £200/month free, then 2% feeSpending ATM Withdrawals (Fee-free limit)Varies by plan; Premium £5/month for unlimited(winner)
- Exchange Rate Markup
Revolut
0.5-2% markup on transfers
Wise
Mid-market rate (0% markup)(winner)
- Transfer Fee (UK to EU)
Revolut
$2.99-4.99 GBP
Wise
£0.70 GBP flat(winner)
- Account Types
Revolut
Multi-currency spending + savings + crypto(winner)
Wise
Multi-currency spending only (transfers focused)
- Crypto Support
Revolut
Buy/sell/hold 100+ cryptocurrencies(winner)
Wise
None
- Speed (International Transfer)
Revolut
1-2 business days
Wise
1-2 business days (varies by corridor)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Revolut | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Revenue (Most Recent Year)(billion EUR/GBP) | €5.2 billion (2025) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Market Capitalization (March 2026)(USD Billion) | Private (Pre-IPO) | £9.16 billion |
| User Base Size(millions) | 52.5 million (2024) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Supported Currencies(count) | 70+ currencies | 150+ currencies (implied)(winner) |
| Covered Countries/Corridors(count) | 160+ countries | 180+ corridors(winner) |
| Exchange Rate Markup(transparency level) | Competitive with markup | Real mid-market, no markup |
| Cryptocurrency Support | 100+ cryptocurrencies (buy/sell/hold) | None |
| Multi-Currency Accounts(currencies) | 26 currencies(winner) | 12+ currencies |
| Business Payment Features | Basic invoicing via Revolut Business app | IBAN accounts for salary/vendor payments |
Show 4 more attributesCryptocurrency Assets Available(count) 50+ 0 Supported Currencies(count) 34 currencies 50+ currencies Stock Trading Available(yes/no) Yes (10,000+ securities) No Multi-Currency Debit Card Available(yes/no) Yes (with markup) Yes (at mid-market rate) | ||
| Public Trading Status | Private (IPO planned) | Public (LSE: WISE) |
| Year Founded(year) | 2011 | 2011 |
| Exchange Rate Markup(%) | 0.5-2% | 0.4%(winner) |
| International Transfer Fee(USD) | $0-2.00 | — |
| Standard Transfer Fee (GBP)(GBP) | £2.99-4.99 | £0.70(winner) |
| ATM Withdrawal Fee (after free limit)(%) | 2% (after £200/month free) | Unlimited at 0% with Premium (£5/mo)(winner) |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Tier)(USD) | €0 | €0 |
| Global User Base(millions) | 45+ million(winner) | 15+ million |
| Average Transfer Speed(business days) | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Exchange Rate Markup for Transfers(percent) | 1-2% | 0.4-0.7%(winner) |
| Average Transfer Completion Time(business days) | 1-2 days (standard) | Same-day to next-day(winner) |
| Merchant Acceptance(millions) | 0.3 million | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 12 million | — |
| International Transfer Speed(business days) | Same-day to 2 business days | — |
| Dispute Resolution Time(days) | 30 days | — |
| Account Setup Time(minutes) | 5-10 minutes | — |
RevolutShow 4 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Revolut
Pros
Cons
Wise
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Wise is typically cheaper and more predictable for international transfers. Wise always uses the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent fee (0.4–1.5% depending on currency). Revolut's Standard tier offers mid-market rate transfers up to £1,000/month, then applies fees; it also adds a 1% markup on weekends when currency markets are closed. For large or frequent transfers, Wise's transparent fee structure usually wins; for occasional small transfers within Revolut's monthly limit, Revolut can be equivalent.
In the UK and EEA (European Economic Area), Revolut has a banking licence (issued 2021 in Lithuania for EEA; UK banking licence granted 2024). This means EEA/UK deposits are protected under European/UK deposit guarantee schemes (up to €100,000/£85,000). In other countries (US, Australia, etc.), Revolut operates as an e-money institution, not a bank — funds may be safeguarded but not covered by standard deposit insurance. Wise is not a bank anywhere; it is an authorised payment institution with safeguarding obligations.
Both offer account details for receiving payments. Wise Account provides local bank account details in 9+ currencies (GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, NZD, CAD, HUF, RON, SGD) — ideal for receiving international salary payments or freelance income. Revolut provides IBAN in the EEA and account details in other markets, but local US bank account details are available on all tiers. For receiving payments in multiple currencies without conversion: Wise is more mature and widely accepted.
Wise is generally stronger for business international payments. Wise Business offers transparent batch payments, API integration, invoice payment links, and local account details in multiple currencies — purpose-built for international operations. Revolut Business is also capable but positions itself more as an expense management and banking tool. For e-commerce, freelancer platforms, and businesses with international suppliers: Wise. For companies wanting integrated expense cards, accounting integrations, and business banking features: Revolut Business.
Yes — Revolut Standard (free) has limits: currency exchange at mid-market rate is capped at £1,000/month (beyond which a 0.5% fee applies); ATM withdrawals are free up to £200/month (then 2% fee); international transfers to bank accounts incur a small fee (from £0.30). A 1% markup also applies on weekend currency exchanges. Revolut Premium (£6.99/month) removes most limits. Wise has no monthly fee but charges a transparent fee on every transfer regardless of amount.
Expert Analysis: Revolut vs Wise
Revolut and Wise (formerly TransferWise) are two of the most widely used fintech platforms for international money transfers and multi-currency financial services — but their evolution has pushed them toward different target users and value propositions.
Wise, founded in 2011 and publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: WISE) since 2021, built its reputation on a single obsession: transparent, low-cost international money transfers using the mid-market exchange rate. In 2024, Wise processed over £118 billion in transfers across 40+ currencies, serving more than 13 million customers globally. Wise's fee structure is straightforward: a small percentage fee (typically 0.33–1.5% depending on currency corridor) plus a fixed component, with no hidden exchange rate markup. Wise Account (personal) and Wise Business provide multi-currency account details (local bank account numbers in 9+ currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD), enabling users to receive salary or payments locally without cross-border fees. For freelancers, remote workers, and small businesses with consistent international payment needs, Wise is frequently the lowest-cost option in head-to-head comparisons.
Revolut, founded in 2015 and headquartered in London (private, last valued at approximately $45 billion as of 2021), has evolved into a broader digital banking "super-app" with ambitions beyond money transfer. Revolut's product suite now includes currency exchange at interbank rates (with limits on free plans), debit card spending in 150+ currencies, savings vaults, stock trading (US and European equities), cryptocurrency trading, travel insurance, hotel booking, and more. Revolut offers banking licences in the UK and EEA (Revolut Bank UAB in Lithuania), providing deposit protection up to €100,000 for EU customers. Plans range from Standard (free) to Premium (£9.99/month) and Metal (£16.99/month), with higher tiers removing exchange limits and adding travel benefits.
Read 3 more paragraphsShow less
The core comparison: for pure international transfers and currency exchange with price transparency, Wise is consistently cheaper and more predictable. Wise's "no markup" policy means the rate shown is the rate used — no Saturday surcharges or dynamic rate padding. Revolut's Standard plan applies currency exchange fees on weekends (0.5–2% depending on currency), and its fair usage limit (£1,000/month at interbank rates for free plan) catches heavy transferrers. For users who stay within the Standard plan's limits and don't transfer large amounts on weekends, Revolut can be cost-competitive.
Where Revolut outperforms Wise: lifestyle and banking features. Revolut's in-app stock and crypto trading, budgeting tools, savings features, disposable virtual cards, and premium travel insurance (Metal plan) make it a more complete financial app for users who want everything in one place. Wise has added some features (interest on balances, debit card) but remains primarily a transfer-focused product.
The practical recommendation in 2026: use Wise if international money transfers and multi-currency invoicing are your primary need. Use Revolut if you want a full-featured digital bank with spending insights, investments, and travel perks alongside adequate (not cheapest) international transfers. Many users maintain both — Wise for significant transfers, Revolut as a travel card.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
- W
Revolut on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Multi-service fintech app offering payments, transfers, crypto, stocks, and insurance with tiered premium plans.
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Wise on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Fintech platform specializing in international money transfers with mid-market exchange rates and multi-currency accounts.
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