Revolut vs Wise: 2025 Full Comparison
Interested in how Wise (formerly TransferWise) vs Revolut measure up? This Revolut Vs Wise review is here to help.
We'll cover:
A full side by side feature comparison
Which provider is cheaper?
Which is faster?
Which is safer?
Which gets better customer reviews?
Summary: Both Revolut and Wise (formerly TransferWise) offer comprehensive card and account solutions to make it easier and cheaper to manage your money. Revolut offers several different account tiers which you can select to match your transaction needs, with or without monthly fees. Wise accounts have no ongoing costs, and offer multi-currency and international features to suit customers from the occasional user to frequent travellers, expats and others. Which is best for you may simply depend on how you need to transact.
Revolut vs Wise: side by side
Feature | Revolut | Wise |
---|---|---|
Send payments to | 150+ destinations | 140+ countries, 40+ currencies |
Currencies available for holding and exchange | Available for 30 currencies | Available for 40+ currencies |
Debit card available | Y | Y |
Spend with your card in | 150 currencies | 150+ countries |
Investments | Y | Y |
<18 accounts | Y | N |
Save and earn interest | Y | Y |
Fully licensed and regulated | Y | Y |
Open a business account | Y | Y |
Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
So, to summarise:
Both Revolut and Wise offer international accounts with linked cards
Revolut offers account options with or without monthly fees, all Wise personal accounts are free to open, but business customers may pay a one off charge when they set up their accounts
Wise supports more currencies for holding and exchange
Revolut offers other account features like accounts for kids - Wise does not
Both providers are fully regulated, and offer both personal and business services
Revolut account features cover a broad range of services, and higher tier accounts may get lots of perks like airport lounge access, and complimentary insurance. Wise is more focused on international transfers and currency exchange, and offers more account currency options than Revolut, too.
The important bits
Revolut | Wise | |
---|---|---|
Monthly account fees | 0 GBP - 45 GBP/month | Free |
Rates | Revolut exchange rate is available up to account limits, fair usage fees apply after that Out of hours fees may apply | Mid-market exchange rate with no markup |
Transfer fees | Variable fee depending on destination | Low fees, varies by destination |
Speed | Up to 2 days | 60%% of payments are instant* |
Service | Online, in app and by phone | Online, in app and by phone |
Safety | Safe to use, with industry level security features | Safe to use, with industry level security features |
Trustpilot rating | 257,000+ reviews. Score 4.3/5 – Excellent | 201,000+ reviews. Score 4.4/5 – Excellent |
*Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
*The speed of transaction claims depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions
Monthly account fees: Wise has no monthly account fee. Revolut customers can choose between accounts with and without monthly fees
Rates: Wise uses the mid-market rate for all currency conversion, whereas Revolut may charge out of hours or fair usage fees
International transfer fees: Both providers have variable fees which are based on the destination country
Speed: Both Revolut and Wise payments can be instant - delivery time depends on destination and the receiving bank's processes
Service: Both providers offer service in a range of languages, online, in-app and by phone
Safety: Both providers are safe to use and have automatic and manual security features in place
Reviews: Both providers score Excellent review ratings on Trustpilot
Pros and cons
Revolut | Wise |
---|---|
✅ Excellent range of account features | ✅ Mid-market exchange rates + low fees ✅ Hold and manage 40+ currencies |
❌ Monthly fees apply to some account tiers | ❌ Transfer fees vary by destination country |
The verdict: Which is better, Revolut or Wise?
Both Revolut and Wise (formerly TransferWise) offer personal account options which let you hold and exchange foreign currencies, and spend with a linked debit card. Which wins for you will depend on the specific services you need, and how often you'll use your account.
Revolut accounts are offered on 5 different tiers for UK personal customers, depending on the volume and type of transactions you're likely to make. That makes them great for customers who want to access extensive account features, and can stay within their account plan transaction limits.
On the other hand, Wise international accounts offer great features which are based around international payments and spending. Wise accounts are a strong choice for customers looking for an account with no monthly fees, with broader currency options and low, transparent transaction charges. The Wise account is more flexible when it comes to currencies, too - with 40+ currencies available.
Both Revolut and Wise offer accounts for businesses with rich feature sets for businesses dealing in multiple currencies.
About Revolut and Wise
Revolut was founded in 2015, and has over 50 million customers. Revolut accounts allow customers to hold and exchange 30 currencies, and spend with a linked debit card in 150 countries.
Revolut offers several different personal and business account options which come with varied fees and features to suit different customer needs.
Wise was launched as TransferWise back in 2011 as a low-cost international payment provider. These days, Wise has upwards of 12 million active customers, and also offers personal and business accounts to hold and manage currencies, accept payments and spend using a linked debit card.
With Wise you can send payments to 140+ countries, in 40+ currencies.
How do Revolut and Wise international payments work?
To use Revolut you'll need to set up an account online or in the app. There's no monthly fee for a standard account, or you can upgrade to an account tier with ongoing charges for more features.
Once you have an account you can make an international payment with Revolut by taking the following steps:
Log into your account or open the Revolut app
Tap Payments, then Transfers
Tap Send, New, and Add a bank recipient
Enter the bank transfer details for your recipient
Tap on the beneficiary, choose the currency you want to send and add the amount
Add a payment reference
Tap Continue to review your transfer details and estimated arrival time
To use Wise you'll need to create an account, and depending on the type of payment you want to make you might need to provide some ID for verification.
Once your account is up and running make payments online and in the Wise app:
Log into your account
Type in how much you want to transfer, or how much you need the recipient to get
Enter the recipient's details - bank account number or email
Check over the details
Fund your payment using a card or bank transfer
Confirm and your money will be on the move
Wise transfers are made through Wise's network of local bank accounts, so they arrive quickly and don't incur intermediary fees. When you want to pay for your transfer in pounds you'll send the money to Wise's local UK account. Then Wise will make a payment of the equivalent amount in your preferred currency, from their account in the destination country. No money actually moves across borders, so it can end up faster and cheaper than international payments arranged using SWIFT.
Revolut vs Wise fees
Revolut | Wise | |
---|---|---|
Account fees | No account opening free 0 GBP - 45 GBP monthly fees | No fee for personal customers to open an account, no ongoing fees |
International transfer fees | Variable fees based on the transfer details | Variable fees based on the transfer details |
Exchange rates | Revolut rate available on weekdays to plan limit, then a fair usage fee applies Weekend conversion may incur an additional fee of 0.5% or 1% depending on your plan | Mid-market rates |
Receiving money | Usually no Revolut fee to receive payments, but third party costs may apply | No fee to receive payments using local account details Variable fees for incoming SWIFT and Wire payments |
Debit card fees | No card order fee No fee to spend a currency you hold | 7 GBP card order fee for personal customers No fee to spend a currency you hold |
ATM cash withdrawal fees | No fee to plan limit, then 2% | No fee for 2 withdrawals to the value of 200 GBP, then 0.5 GBP + 1.75% |
Business account fees | No account opening free 10 GBP - 90 GBP monthly fees | 45 GBP account opening fee for business customers, no ongoing fees |
*Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
Revolut card vs Wise card fees
Revolut card | Wise card | |
---|---|---|
Card delivery fees | Delivery fee is displayed in the app when you order | No delivery fee |
Card subscription fees | Monthly account fees 0 GBP - 45 GBP apply; no specific card subscription fee | No card subscription fee - 7 GBP card order fee applies for personal customers |
Spending with the card | No fee to spend a currency you hold | No fee to spend a currency you hold |
Exchange rates | Revolut rate available on weekdays to plan limit, then a fair usage fee applies Weekend conversion may incur an additional fee of 0.5% or 1% depending on your plan | Mid-market rates |
ATM cash withdrawal fees | No fee to plan limit, then 2% | No fee for 2 withdrawals to the value of 200 GBP, then 0.5 GBP + 1.75% |
Replacing a card | 5 GBP | No fee to replace an expiring card 2.5 GBP otherwise |
Adding money to the card | Add money to your account with various different methods - some methods have no fees | Add money to your account with various different methods - some methods have no fees |
Virtual cards | Available | Available |
*Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
Revolut vs Wise exchange rates
The costs of currency exchange matter a lot when you're sending overseas payments or spending with your card as you travel. The approach Wise and Revolut take to currency conversion is quite different, so it's important to understand how they work so you can choose the right one for your needs.
With Revolut, depending on your account plan you will get some weekday no-fee currency exchange that uses the Revolut exchange rate. After that, fair usage fees apply. There are also some additional transaction costs for specific services like out of hours currency exchange. Out of hours fees cost 0.5% or 1% depending on your account plan, while fair usage fees can be a further 0.5%.
Wise uses the mid-market rate and splits out the costs of conversion for transparency. Conversion fees depend on the currency and start from 0.48%.
Revolut vs Wise international transfer limits
Wise account holders can send payments to limits set according to the currencies involved; Revolut transfers may have variable limits which are set according to the currency you need to send. Here's a summary:
Revolut limits | Wise limits |
---|---|
Limits vary by currency and are displayed in the app when you set up your transfer | For most currencies, Wise payments are either unlimited, or the limit is set high, in the region of 1 million GBP or the currency equivalent In some cases, additional limits may apply based on the payment method, or the specific currency in question. Learn more: Wise Limits |
*Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
Sending large amount transfers
If you need to send large amount transfers for yourself or your business, you'll need a provider which offers a safe, reliable and low cost service. Let's check out how Wise vs Revolut operate when sending a large payment overseas.
Wise high amount transfers
Wise gets cheaper for higher value transfers, whether that's a single payment, or a series of payments over a month which adds up to a high value. There's a progressive fee discount, which is automatically applied the more you send. If you ever need help with a high value transfer you can complete a form online or in your Wise app to get a call back from the Wise dedicated team for high value payments.
Wise sets the discount amount in GBP, but the discounts apply on the currency equivalent amount, no matter which currency you need to send. Here's a run down:
Transfer value (per month) | Wise variable fee discount |
---|---|
Up to 20,000 GBP or currency equivalent | No discount |
20,000 GBP to 300,000 GBP or currency equivalent | 0.1% |
300,000 GBP to 500,000 GBP or currency equivalent | 0.15% |
500,000 GBP to 1 million GBP or currency equivalent | 0.16% |
Over 1 million GBP or currency equivalent | 0.17% |
*Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
More information: How to send large amounts of money with Wise
Revolut high amount transfers
Revolut may not add their own limits on outgoing transfers, but their partner providers may have limits which apply. There are also a few currencies where Revolut has limits, which you'll see in the app. If you ever hit a Revolut payment limit, you'll be shown this in the app when you start to model your payment. You can then reach out to the Revolut support team if you need help to process your payment. Limits can not usually be changed, but you may be able to split your payment into several smaller transfers instead.
Revolut does not market fee discounts on high value payments - but you might want to check their options before you send just in case they can help with a better fee on a high value payment.
Revolut vs Wise card
Both Revolut and Wise offer international debit cards linked to their accounts. Revolut cards vary depending on the account tier you get, while Wise has the same card for all account customers.
Features: | Wise Card | Revolut card |
---|---|---|
International spending | Spend any currency you hold a balance in, with no additional fee Spend wherever the network is supported Auto-convert features switches to the currency you need with the lowest available fee | Spend any currency you hold a balance in, with no additional fee Spend wherever the network is supported |
Currency conversion | Mid-market rates | Revolut rate available on weekdays to plan limit, then a fair usage fee applies Weekend conversion may incur an additional fee of 0.5% or 1% depending on your plan |
ATM cash withdrawals | No fee for 2 withdrawals to the value of 200 GBP, then 0.5 GBP + 1.75%* | No fee to plan limit, then 2% |
Online purchases | Spend a currency you hold with no additional fee, or let the card convert for you with the lowest available fee | Spend a currency you hold with no additional fee, or let the card convert for you |
Virtual cards | Available | Available |
Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
*Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks
Revolut vs Wise card: Where can you use them?
Both the Revolut and Wise cards are issued on major global networks - either Visa or Mastercard - and can be used wherever the network is accepted. This offers coverage in 150+ countries for each provider. Just look out for the network logo when you pay.
More information: Wise card vs Revolut card for travel
Revolut and Wise account fees
Wise does not have an account opening fee, or any ongoing fees for personal customers. With Revolut, the account subscription service works a little bit differently. You can select from several different account plans depending on your preferences, with fees from 0 GBP to 45 GBP a month. Here's a breakdown of the important fees you need to know about.
Revolut Account | Wise Account | |
---|---|---|
Account opening fees | None | No fee for personal customers 45 GBP fee for business customers |
Subscription fees | Standard: No monthly fee Plus: 3.99 GBP/month Premium: 7.99 GBP/month Metal: 14.99 GBP/month Ultra: 45 GBP/month | No ongoing fees |
Exchange rates | Revolut rate available on weekdays to plan limit, then a fair usage fee applies Weekend conversion may incur an additional fee of 0.5% or 1% depending on your plan | Mid-market rates |
Holding money | No fee to hold 30+ currencies | No fee to hold 40+ currencies |
Account top-ups | Variable fees, including no fee options | Variable fees, including no fee options |
Receiving money | Usually no Revolut fee to receive payments, but third party costs may apply | No fee to receive payments using local account details Variable fees for incoming SWIFT and Wire payments |
*Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
Revolut and Wise international transfer fees
Both Revolut and Wise offer great value international transfers around the world. The way each provider structures their fees is a little different.
Revolut international transfers typically come with 2 potential fees - the transfer fee which varies by currency, and any relevant exchange fee. Transfer fees are shown in the app when you start to set up your payment - some account tiers get a discount on the fee, or even have this fee waived entirely. Aside from this, there may also be a currency conversion cost. This depends on the plan you have, how you've transacted that month, and whether you're converting in banking hours. All plans have some weekday currency exchange which uses the Revolut rate with no additional fee. However, once this is exhausted you may find additional fees apply, and there may also be an out of hours fee of 0.5% or 1% depending on your plan. This fee is waived for top tier accounts. Check your account terms and conditions carefully, as the fees here can be somewhat confusing to navigate.
Wise has a simple pricing scheme for international transfers, which you'll see in the app before you pay. The costs depend on the currency, value of payment and how you want to pay - and start from 0.48% with no other fees added to the rate used.
Revolut and Wise: which is cheaper?
Whether Revolut or Wise is cheaper for you will depend a lot on the details. Wise uses a simple pricing mechanic which doesn't rely on your specific account type. Instead you see the fees in the app with no costs added to the exchange rate, so you can compare them easily.
Revolut also shows you the fees which apply to your payment in the app before you transact, but the costs are worked out in a slightly more complicated fashion. Your final fee depends on the day, your account plan, the value of the transfer, and the currencies involved.
To see which is best for your specific payment you'll need to model it with each provider to get a detailed quote which you can then compare.
Revolut Vs Wise: which is faster for international payments?
How long an international payment with Revolut will take depends on where you're sending money to:
GBP payments can take a day
EUR payments can take from a few seconds to 2 working days
Other payment destinations can take up to 2 business days
Wise is a specialist in international transfers - which means they're usually fast. 60% of Wise payments get to their destination instantly, and most arrive in 24 hours. However, the exact delivery time will depend on where you're sending money to, and how you want to pay. You'll see an estimated arrival time when you set up your payment.
Revolut vs Wise: Payment methods
To fund a payment, or to add money to your balance you can usually use either a bank transfer or card with both Wise and Revolut. Other options are also available, and fees may vary according to the payment method you select. Here's a summary:
Wise - payment methods available | Revolut - payment methods available |
Bank transfer Debit/credit card Apple Pay or Google Pay Swift Wise account balance | Bank transfer Cash Debit/credit card Apple Pay or Google Pay |
Revolut vs Wise business
Features: | Wise Business | Revolut Business |
---|---|---|
Currencies | Hold 40+ currencies and send payments around the world | Hold and manage 25 currencies |
Account fees | 45 GBPone time set up fee for full account access, then no monthly charge | Variable monthly fees from 10 GBP - 90 GBP depending on the account selected |
Speed | 60% of payments are instant | Transfers can take 2 days to arrive |
Debit cards | Issue debit and expense cards | Issue debit and expense cards |
Receiving payments | Account details for 20+ currencies to get paid easily from around the world | Local receiving accounts, and SWIFT payment options available |
Business features | Cut admin time with BatchTransfer service API access | Take customer card payments Treasury services available for some account tiers |
Integrations | Integrate with QuickBooks or Xero accounting software | Integrate with QuickBooks, Free Agent or Xero accounting software Options for integrations with HR and productivity software also available |
Managing team | Give team members access and manage permissions centrally | Give team members access and manage permissions centrally |
Limits | Variable outgoing payment limits based on the currency Incoming payments are usually unlimited | Variable outgoing payment limits based on the currency Incoming payments are usually unlimited, with exceptions for some GBP and EUR payments |
*Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
*The speed of transaction claims depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions
Revolut vs Wise business fees
Revolut Business | Wise Business | |
---|---|---|
Business account fees | Variable monthly fees from 10 GBP - 90 GBP depending on the account selected | 45 GBPone time set up fee for full account access, then no monthly charge |
International business transfer fees | Variable fees based on the transfer details | Variable fees based on the transfer details |
Exchange rates | Revolut rate available on weekdays to plan limit, then a fair usage fee of 0.6% applies Weekend conversion may incur an additional fee of 1% | Mid-market rates |
Expense card fees | Cards available depend on the plan selected | No fee to order a card |
Receiving business payments | Revolut does not usually charge fees to receive payments but third party fees can apply | No fee to receive payments with local details Variable fees apply for incoming SWIFT payments |
*Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
Receiving money: Is it better to use Wise or Revolut?
Wise accounts offer local and SWIFT account details which you can use to receive incoming payments. In total you can receive 20+ currencies to Wise. There are usually no fees to receive payments using local account information, but SWIFT fees do apply, which vary by currency. Here are some of the fees for major currencies when you receive SWIFT or wire transfers to Wise:
Currency | Fee to receive to Wise via SWIFT or wire |
---|---|
CAD | 10 CAD |
USD | 6.11 USD |
GBP | 2.16 GBP |
*Details correct at time of research - 6th May 2025
Revolut offers ways to receive payments in a selection of different currencies, which may include both local and SWIFT account information. To see which currencies you can receive with your details, you'll need to look for the account details which are available to you in the Revolut app. There are no Revolut fees to receive payments from abroad with SWIFT, but there may be intermediary fees which are deducted as the transfer is processed, which can mean you get less than you expect.
Are they safe to use in the UK?
Yes. Wise and Revolut are both safe to use in the Uk with normal safety precautions. You'll need to protect your account with a strong password and enable 2 factor authentication, but you can be assured that both providers also work on your behalf to keep your account and your money safe. Security features in place include ways to freeze your card, view instant transaction notifications and get help 24/7 if you have any queries about your account.
Are they regulated in the UK?
Yes. Both providers are regulated in the UK.
Revolut is regulated in the UK by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and has a UK banking licence with restrictions from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) - this means it is working through the process to operate as a full bank.
Wise Payments Limited is authorised in the UK as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Revolut vs Wise customer service
Both Revolut and Wise recommend that you contact them using the in app chat feature if you ever need help. This will allow you to get self help information and then connect to an agent 24/7 if you need more support. Look for the chat button on the provider app after logging in.
Safety
Both Revolut and Wise use both smart technology and dedicated service teams to keep customer money safe. As both were built to operate digitally, features have been built into the apps to ensure you can manage your money securely, like 2 factor authentication, ways to freeze and unfreeze your card, and instant transaction notifications.
Ease of use
Revolut | Wise | |
---|---|---|
Creating an account | Create your account online or in app | Create your account online or in app |
Currency exchange | Mid-market rates | Revolut rates to plan limit - fair usage and out of hours fees may apply |
Making an international money transfer | Arrange your transfer online or in app | Arrange your transfer online or in app |
Payment methods | Add funds with a bank transfer, credit or debit card | Add funds with a bank transfer, credit or debit card |
Supported languages | 15 languages, plus multilingual support services | 20 languages, with multilingual customer support |
Minimum amounts | No minimum balance requirements | No minimum balance requirements |
Maximum amounts | Sending limits can vary by destination country, and based on your account type | Sending limits can vary by destination country, and based on your account type |
Supported currencies
Revolut account holders can hold and exchange 30 currencies, and send payments to 150 countries.
Wise accounts can handle 40+ currencies, and customers can send payments to over 140 countries.
Conclusion
Both Revolut and Wise have some interesting features which will suit different customer needs.
Revolut accounts come with different tiers which all have their own features and fees - this means you'll need to be careful to choose the best account tier for your transaction volumes. Stick within your allocation of no fee transactions to avoid excess use fees.
Wise international accounts offer features which are more heavily focused around international payments and spending. Accounts are free, with transparent costs for currency exchange and fee-paid transactions. Because there are no monthly fees you'll only ever pay for the services you use and value.
FAQs
What is the difference between Revolut and Wise?
Revolut and Wise both offer account services and international debit cards to hold, send, spend and exchange multiple currencies. However, the features and fees of each are different so it's worth comparing them both to see which works best for you.
Is Wise a Visa debit card?
Wise issues cards on both the Visa and Mastercard networks. Both Visa and Mastercard are broadly accepted globally, so you can use your Wise card in 150+ countries.
What type of card is a Revolut card?
The Revolut card is a prepaid Visa or Mastercard debit card linked to a digital Revolut account.