Wise vs Revolut
Wise and Revolut both offer international money transfers at competitive rates, but they are fundamentally different products. Wise is a pure-play money transfer service built around the mid-market rate. Revolut is a full digital banking app that includes international transfers as one feature among many. The right choice depends on how often you transfer, how much, and whether you need an everyday spending account.
Wise
FX margin: ~0% (mid-market) · Typical fee: 0.4–1.5% · Delivery: 1–2 days
Strengths
- Mid-market rate always, no plan required
- No subscription fee
- Better for large or frequent transfers
- No weekend/bank holiday surcharges
Weaknesses
- No built-in spending card for everyday use
- No crypto features
- Slightly slower than Revolut for intra-European transfers
Revolut
FX margin: 0.5–2% (free plan); 0% within allowance (paid) · Typical fee: Varies by plan (£0–£16.99/month) · Delivery: Instant to 1 day
Strengths
- Instant transfers between Revolut users
- All-in-one spending and banking app
- Weekend FX fee waived on paid plans
- Competitive for frequent travellers
Weaknesses
- Free plan has monthly FX allowance limits (£1,000)
- Weekend surcharge of 0.5–2% on free plan
- Paid plans needed for best rates; cost adds up for irregular senders
Side-by-side: how much your recipient gets
| Corridor | You send | Wise | Revolut |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP → EUR (£500) | £500 | ~€583 | ~€578 (free) / ~€583 (paid) |
| USD → INR ($500) | $500 | ~₹46,300 | ~₹45,800 (free) / ~₹46,200 (paid) |
| EUR → PLN (€500) | €500 | ~PLN2,145 | ~PLN2,115 (free) / ~PLN2,140 (paid) |
Verdict
For international money transfers specifically, Wise is cheaper for most users — especially those who send large amounts or send irregularly. Revolut's paid plans are competitive but only make sense if you actively use the app for everyday spending and travel as well.
FAQs
Is Wise or Revolut better for sending money abroad?
For most people who send money internationally, Wise is the better choice — it always uses the mid-market rate with no plan required. Revolut on a free plan charges a 0.5–2% margin and applies a weekend surcharge. Revolut only beats Wise on price if you have a paid plan with a monthly allowance that covers your transfer.
Does Revolut charge fees for international transfers?
On a free plan, Revolut applies an exchange rate margin (typically 0.5–2%) and a weekend surcharge of 0.5–2% for transfers outside UK/EU business hours. On paid plans (£4.99–£16.99/month), you get a monthly allowance at mid-market rates — but you pay the monthly subscription regardless of whether you transfer.
Which is safer — Wise or Revolut?
Both are regulated financial institutions. Wise is authorised by the FCA (UK) and FinCEN (US). Revolut holds a European banking licence (Lithuania) and is FCA-authorised in the UK. Both safeguard customer funds through segregated accounts or deposit protection. Either is a safe choice for international transfers.
Can Revolut match Wise's exchange rate?
Revolut can match Wise's mid-market rate on paid plans, within your monthly allowance. On a free plan, Revolut applies a small margin (especially at weekends). For amounts above your Revolut plan allowance, Wise is typically cheaper.