Currencies Direct vs Revolut: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
Currencies Direct
4.6Currencies Direct is a UK-based FX specialist offering competitive exchange rates for large international transfers, with no transfer fees and dedicated account managers.
Revolut
4.7Revolut is a digital banking app offering international money transfers at interbank rates during market hours, along with a full suite of financial services.
Currencies Direct and Revolut are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. Currencies Direct, founded in 1996 and headquartered in London, UK, is best known for large transfers and business payments. Revolut, operating since 2015 from London, UK, focuses on transparent, low-cost transfers. This comparison uses real transfer data collected from both providers across 6 popular corridors to show you exactly which one offers better value for your specific needs. Our data shows the difference can be significant — on a £1,000 GBP → EUR transfer, Revolut delivers €14.48 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Currencies Direct vs Revolut across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Currencies Direct vs Revolut on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Currencies Direct | Revolut | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | — | ₹95,175.55 | N/A |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,141.42 | €1,155.90 | Revolut (+€14.48) |
| USD → PHP($500) | — | ₱30,610.16 | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | — | MX$17,177.14 | N/A |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | — | ₨185,827.02 | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | — | — | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Currencies Direct and Revolut
Currencies Direct vs Revolut: Feature comparison
| Feature | Currencies Direct | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 4.7/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | No transfer fees | Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.3% - 0.7% above mid-market | 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends |
| Transfer speed | 1-2 business days | Instant to 3 days |
| Supported countries | 200+ | 150+ |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 36+ |
| Max transfer | No limit | No limit |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Revolut Balance |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit | Bank Deposit, Revolut Account |
| Regulators | FCA, CNMV, BdP | FCA, ECB, FinCEN |
| Founded | 1996 | 2015 |
Pros and cons
Currencies Direct
Pros
- No transfer fees
- Competitive rates for large transfers
- Dedicated account managers
- Forward contracts and limit orders
Cons
- Not ideal for small transfers
- No cash pickup
- Bank transfer funding only
Revolut
Pros
- Interbank rates during market hours
- Free transfers between Revolut users
- Multi-currency account
- Virtual and physical cards
- Crypto and stock trading available
Cons
- Weekend markup of 0.5-1%
- Free tier has monthly limits
- Customer support can be slow
When to choose Currencies Direct vs Revolut
Choose Currencies Direct if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You want to lock in an exchange rate with a forward contract
- You need a business account for commercial payments
- You need wider country coverage (200+ vs 150+ countries)
Choose Revolut if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You need a multi-currency account to hold and convert balances
- You value user experience — Revolut is rated 4.7/5 on Trustpilot
- Revolut's strengths (Bank Deposit, Revolut Account) match your needs
Verdict: Currencies Direct or Revolut?
Cost winner: Revolut
Revolut wins on cost in 1 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on GBP → EUR (£1,000), the recipient gets €14.48 more with Revolut. Revolut achieves this through transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate.
Faster: Revolut
Revolut is generally faster, with transfers arriving in Instant to 3 days, compared to 1-2 business days for Currencies Direct.
Wider coverage: Currencies Direct
Currencies Direct has broader coverage with 200+ countries and 40+ currencies. Currencies Direct also offers Bank Deposit.
Bottom line
Overall, Revolut edges ahead for most users thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. That said, Currencies Direct is the better pick if you need large transfers and business payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Currencies Direct or Revolut cheaper for international transfers?
Based on our data, Revolut is generally cheaper across most corridors. Revolut charges Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% with a 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends exchange rate markup, while Currencies Direct charges No transfer fees with a 0.3% - 0.7% above mid-market markup. For example, on a £1,000 GBP → EUR transfer, Revolut delivers €14.48 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Currencies Direct or Revolut?
Currencies Direct typically completes transfers in 1-2 business days, while Revolut takes Instant to 3 days. Actual speed depends on the corridor, payment method, and delivery option you choose. Bank transfers tend to be slower than card-funded transfers, and bank deposits are generally faster than cash pickups.
Are Currencies Direct and Revolut safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Currencies Direct is regulated by FCA, CNMV, BdP and has a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. Revolut is regulated by FCA, ECB, FinCEN with a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Currencies Direct vs Revolut?
Currencies Direct has a maximum transfer of no published upper limit (minimum $100), while Revolut allows up to no published upper limit (minimum $1). Limits may vary by corridor, account verification level, and payment method. New accounts typically start with lower limits that increase over time.
Can I get cash pickup with Currencies Direct or Revolut?
Currencies Direct offers Bank Deposit. Revolut offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account. Neither provider offers cash pickup — both deliver to bank accounts only.
Should I use Currencies Direct or Revolut to send money internationally?
For most users, Revolut offers better overall value thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. However, Currencies Direct is the better choice if you need large transfers and business payments. The best provider for you depends on your corridor, transfer size, and whether you need features like Revolut Account.