Revolut vs. Wise: Which is the Best for International Money Transfers?
Did you know that the average bank charges 3-7% in hidden fees when you send money internationally? As global mobility increases and remote work becomes the norm, millions of people are searching for more affordable and transparent ways to move money across borders.
Enter Revolut and Wise (formerly TransferWise) – two fintech giants that have revolutionized international money transfers by offering significantly lower fees and better exchange rates than traditional banks. But which service truly delivers the best value for your specific transfer needs?
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll analyze how Revolut and Wise compete across crucial factors including fees, exchange rates, transfer speeds, supported currencies, and additional features. By the end, you’ll have all the information needed to choose the optimal service for your international transfer requirements in 2025.
Understanding the Contenders: Revolut vs Wise
Revolut: The All-in-One Financial Super App
Founded in 2015, Revolut began as a travel card offering excellent exchange rates but has rapidly evolved into a comprehensive financial platform with over 35 million customers worldwide. Beyond international transfers, Revolut offers banking services, cryptocurrency trading, investment options, insurance products, and more.
Revolut positions itself as the complete solution for managing your money globally with a tiered subscription model that provides increasing benefits at higher price points.
Wise: The Transfer Specialist
Launched in 2011 (originally as TransferWise), Wise was built specifically to solve the problem of expensive international transfers. With over 15 million customers, Wise has maintained a laser focus on its core mission: making international money movement as cheap, fast, and transparent as possible.
While Wise has expanded to offer multi-currency accounts and debit cards, its primary strength remains in cross-border transfers with a commitment to radical transparency about fees and exchange rates.
Fee Structure and Pricing Comparison
Transfer Fees: How Much Will You Pay?
Revolut Transfer Fees:
The fee structure varies significantly based on your subscription tier:
- Standard (Free):
- Free transfers to other Revolut users
- Up to £1,000/€1,000/$1,000 free currency exchange per month at interbank rates on weekdays
- 1% fee for exchanges above the monthly limit
- 0.5-1.5% weekend markup on all currency exchanges
- External transfers: £0.30-£3/€0.30-€3/$0.30-$3 depending on currency
- Premium (£6.99/€7.99/$9.99 monthly):
- Increases free exchange limit to £5,000/€5,000/$5,000 monthly
- Priority transfers with better rates
- No fee for most international transfers
- Metal (£12.99/€13.99/$16.99 monthly):
- Unlimited currency exchange at interbank rates on weekdays
- Further discounted rates on international transfers
- Additional perks like cashback and airport lounge access
Wise Transfer Fees:
Wise uses a transparent, two-part fee structure regardless of subscription status:
- Fixed fee: Typically $0.50-$1.50 depending on currency (covers the transaction cost)
- Variable fee: 0.35-0.85% of the transfer amount (varies by currency route)
- Total cost: Generally averages 0.4-0.7% of the transfer amount
- Wise Premium (optional at $10/month) doesn’t lower transfer fees but offers features like multiple account numbers and higher limits
Wise publishes its fee calculator openly, showing the exact breakdown between fixed fees and variable percentages for each currency route.
Exchange Rates: The Hidden Cost Factor
Revolut Exchange Rates:
- Interbank rates on weekdays for transfers within monthly limits
- 0.5-1.5% markup on weekends for all users
- Markup rates may apply to certain currencies (e.g., Thai Baht, Ukrainian Hryvnia)
- Exchange rates vary by subscription tier for larger amounts
Wise Exchange Rates:
- The mid-market rate (also called interbank rate) with no markup
- Same excellent rates regardless of transfer amount or subscription
- No weekend or holiday surcharges
- Complete transparency with rate locked in for a set period once transfer initiated
“The difference between advertised and actual costs for international transfers comes down to exchange rate markups, where many providers hide their biggest profits,” explains Sarah Thompson, foreign exchange analyst at Global Finance Review. “Wise has distinguished itself by eliminating this practice entirely.”
Transfer Speed Comparison
How quickly can you expect your money to arrive?
Revolut Transfer Times:
- Internal transfers (to other Revolut users): Instant
- Local currency transfers: Usually same-day
- International transfers:
- Major currencies: 1-2 business days
- Exotic currencies: 2-5 business days
- Premium/Metal users receive priority processing
- SWIFT transfers available for wider global reach but with longer delivery times
Wise Transfer Times:
- 80% of transfers arrive within 24 hours
- Many major routes deliver in seconds or minutes:
- GBP to EUR: ~80% delivered instantly
- USD to EUR: ~30% delivered instantly, majority within hours
- AUD to INR: Typically 1-2 business days
- Provides estimated delivery time before confirming transfer
- Offers both fast and low-cost delivery options on some routes
Both services typically deliver faster than traditional banks, but Wise has invested heavily in local banking infrastructure to increase the percentage of instant and same-day transfers.
Currency Support and Global Coverage
Supported Currencies and Destinations
Revolut Currency Support:
- Hold and exchange 30+ currencies in-app
- Send money to 120+ countries
- Direct debits in EUR, GBP, USD, AUD, and more
- Physical card payments in 150+ currencies with automatic conversion
- Some limitations on transfers to certain regions
Wise Currency Support:
- Hold 50+ currencies in multi-currency account
- Send money to 80+ countries
- Local account details for 10 currencies (USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, NZD, SGD, CAD, HUF, RON, TRY)
- Receive like a local in major currencies
- Better coverage for developing markets and exotic currencies
While Revolut offers broader general country coverage, Wise often provides more competitive rates for non-major currency pairs and better support for emerging market currencies.
Account Features and Usability
Multi-Currency Account Capabilities
Revolut Multi-Currency Features:
- All users get account details for GBP, EUR, USD, AUD
- Hold and manage 30+ currencies
- Virtual cards for online purchases
- Disposable virtual cards for enhanced security
- Integrated budgeting and analytics
- Bill splitting and social payments
- Junior accounts for children
- Business accounts with additional features
Wise Multi-Currency Features:
- Account details for 10 currencies to receive like a local
- Hold and manage 50+ currencies
- Interest on balances in certain currencies
- Business accounts with batch payments and accounting integration
- Clearer focus on transfer functionality with fewer peripheral features
- Direct debits in multiple currencies
- Open API for integration with other financial services
Card and Spending Features
Revolut Card Features:
- Physical and virtual debit cards
- Contactless payments and mobile wallets
- ATM withdrawals: Free up to £200/€200/$200 monthly (Standard plan), higher for paid plans
- Purchase protection on paid plans
- Cryptocurrency exchange and trading
- Commodities trading
- Travel benefits (lounge access, insurance on premium plans)
Wise Card Features:
- Multi-currency debit card spending with automatic currency conversion
- Lower ATM withdrawal fees (first £200 free monthly, then 1.75% fee)
- No monthly spending limits (subject to account verification)
- Apple Pay and Google Pay integration
- Auto-conversion using best available rate
- Simpler interface with fewer features but clearer focus
Security and Regulatory Compliance
Both services maintain high security standards, but with different regulatory approaches:
Revolut Security and Regulation:
- EU Banking License through Lithuania
- UK Electronic Money Institution license
- FDIC-insured partner banks in the US
- In-app security with biometric authentication
- Instant card freezing and transaction notifications
- Cryptocurrency services may operate under different regulatory frameworks
- Insurance on deposits varies by region
Wise Security and Regulation:
- Regulated in each operating jurisdiction (FCA in UK, FinCEN in US, etc.)
- Public company listed on London Stock Exchange
- Client funds segregated from operational money
- Regular security audits and encryption
- Consistently transparent about regulatory status
- Partner bank protection for deposited funds
- Two-factor authentication and advanced fraud monitoring
Both companies meet regulatory requirements in their operating territories, but Wise’s focused business model sometimes results in more straightforward compliance status.
Specialized User Scenarios
Best for Business Transfers
Revolut Business:
- Multiple team members with permission controls
- API access for automation
- Mass payment capabilities
- Integration with accounting software
- Business expense management
- Tiered subscription model with increasing features
- Combined personal and business functionality
Wise Business:
- Batch payments for up to 1,000 recipients
- Better rates for large volume transfers
- More transparent fee structure for accounting
- Open API for deep integration
- Multi-user access controls
- Simpler pricing with no subscription requirements
- Local account details in 10 currencies
Best for Frequent Travelers
Revolut for Travelers:
- No-fee ATM withdrawals up to monthly limits
- Spending in 150+ currencies
- Travel insurance on premium plans
- Airport lounge access with Metal plan
- Flight delay compensation
- Global express delivery of replacement cards
- Extensive travel perks ecosystem
Wise for Travelers:
- Consistently better exchange rates every day of the week
- No weekend markup fees
- Often lower ATM withdrawal fees worldwide
- Clearer transaction history for expense tracking
- No foreign transaction fees
User Experience and Customer Support
Mobile App Experience
Revolut App Features:
- 4.8/5 on App Store, 4.7/5 on Google Play
- Sleek interface with extensive functionality
- In-app chat support
- Analytics and budgeting tools
- Rewards and perks marketplace
- Cryptocurrency and investment platform
- Sometimes criticized for feature overload and complexity
Wise App Features:
- 4.8/5 on App Store, 4.6/5 on Google Play
- Clean, intuitive interface focused on transfers and accounts
- Transparent fee calculator
- Transfer tracking
- Simpler navigation with fewer features
- Calculator tools for comparing costs
Customer Support Accessibility
Revolut Customer Support:
- In-app chat support
- Email support
- Phone support for Premium and Metal customers only
- Community forum
- AI chatbot for common issues
- Mixed reviews on response times
- Support quality varies by subscription tier
Wise Customer Support:
- 24/7 chat support
- Email support
- Phone support in multiple languages
- Extensive help center
- No tiered support based on status
- Generally positive reviews for response quality
- Sometimes longer wait times during peak periods
“In our annual customer satisfaction survey of money transfer services, Wise consistently scores higher for customer support resolution quality, while Revolut users appreciate the broader range of self-service options,” notes Michael Carter, Customer Experience Director at Financial Services Review.
Real Costs: Practical Transfer Scenarios
Let’s compare the actual costs for three common transfer scenarios:
Scenario 1: Sending $1,000 USD to EUR
Revolut (Standard plan):
- Weekday: $5 transfer fee + 0% exchange rate markup = Approximately $5 total
- Weekend: $5 transfer fee + 1% exchange rate markup = Approximately $15 total
Wise:
- $4.70 fixed and variable fees + 0% exchange rate markup = $4.70 total (same weekday or weekend)
Scenario 2: Sending £5,000 GBP to AUD
Revolut (Standard plan):
- Weekday: £15 transfer fee + 0.3% over free limit markup = Approximately £27 total
- Weekend: £15 transfer fee + 1% exchange rate markup = Approximately £65 total
Wise:
- £18.40 fixed and variable fees + 0% exchange rate markup = £18.40 total (same weekday or weekend)
Scenario 3: Sending €10,000 EUR to USD
Revolut (Premium plan):
- Weekday: €0 transfer fee + 0.1% over limit markup = Approximately €10 total
- Weekend: €0 transfer fee + 0.5% exchange rate markup = Approximately €50 total
Wise:
- €30.90 fixed and variable fees + 0% exchange rate markup = €30.90 total (same weekday or weekend)
These scenarios illustrate that:
- For smaller transfers, costs are comparable with slight advantages to either service depending on timing
- For mid-size transfers, Wise is generally more economical on weekends
- For large transfers, Revolut Premium/Metal can be cheaper on weekdays, while Wise remains more consistent regardless of timing
Making Your Decision: Key Considerations
When choosing between Revolut and Wise, consider these key factors:
- Transfer frequency and timing: If you frequently need weekend transfers, Wise’s consistent pricing may save you more.
- Transfer amounts: For very large transfers on weekdays, Revolut’s Premium or Metal subscriptions might offer better value.
- Currency pairs: Wise typically offers better rates for exotic currency pairs and emerging markets.
- Additional financial needs: If you want a complete financial platform beyond just transfers, Revolut offers more integrated services.
- Business requirements: Consider which platform’s business features better align with your company’s international payment needs.
- Subscription comfort: Wise offers consistent service without requiring subscription upgrades, while Revolut’s best rates require monthly fees.
- Transparency preference: If knowing the exact fee structure matters to you, Wise provides clearer upfront information.
Conclusion
Both Revolut and Wise offer excellent alternatives to traditional banks for international money transfers, but they serve slightly different needs and priorities.
Choose Revolut if:
- You want an all-in-one financial platform beyond just transfers
- You primarily make transfers during weekdays and in major currencies
- You’re willing to pay for a subscription to access premium features
- You value additional services like cryptocurrency trading and travel perks
- You need integrated budgeting and financial management tools
Choose Wise if:
- Your primary focus is getting the best rates for international transfers
- You want consistent pricing regardless of day or time
- You prefer transparent fee structures without subscriptions
- You frequently transfer to or from non-major currencies
- You want local banking details in multiple currencies
For many users, the ideal solution might even involve using both services strategically – Revolut for daily spending and smaller transfers, and Wise for larger international transfers or those involving less common currencies.
Whatever your international money transfer needs, both Revolut and Wise offer substantially better value than traditional banks, often saving you 3-5% on each transaction while delivering faster service with better tracking and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Revolut and Wise available worldwide?
Neither service is truly global. Revolut is available in the EEA, UK, US, Australia, Singapore, Japan, and is expanding to other regions. Wise is available in more countries for transfers but has some regional restrictions on account creation. Both continue to expand their global presence.
Which service offers better protection for my money?
Both services segregate customer funds from operational money and work with regulated banks. Revolut has a European Banking License, while Wise is regulated in multiple jurisdictions. Protection mechanisms vary by country, so check the specific protections for your region.
Can I receive my salary into Revolut or Wise accounts?
Yes, both services provide local bank details that allow you to receive your salary like a local bank account in supported currencies. Wise offers local details for 10 currencies, while Revolut provides them for up to 4 major currencies.
Which service has lower ATM withdrawal fees?
For standard users, Revolut offers free withdrawals up to £200/€200/$200 monthly (then 2% fee), while Wise offers free withdrawals up to £200 monthly (then 1.75% fee). For frequent ATM users, Revolut’s premium tiers increase free withdrawal limits.
Can businesses use these services for payroll?
Yes, both offer business accounts with batch payment capabilities suitable for payroll. Wise Business provides better transparency for accounting, while Revolut Business offers more integrated financial management tools.
Do both services work with mobile wallets like Apple Pay?
Yes, both Revolut and Wise cards can be added to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other major mobile wallets for contactless payments.
