PayPal vs Revolut 2026: International Transfers, Fees & Rates

This is where the comparison becomes eye-opening.

PayPal charges a 5% fee for international personal transfers (minimum $0.99, maximum $4.99). It also applies a 3%–4% exchange rate markup above the mid-market rate. These costs combine: a $1,000 transfer costs $4.99 in fees plus the equivalent of $30–$40 in rate markup — a total cost of $35–$45.

Revolut Standard charges zero fee for currency exchange up to £1,000 per month and applies a 0% markup on weekdays during market hours. That same $1,000 transfer costs $0. On weekends, a 0.5%–1% markup applies ($5–$10 on $1,000).

For regular international transfers, Revolut is dramatically cheaper than PayPal.

Despite the higher cost, PayPal retains advantages in specific scenarios:

• The recipient doesn't have Revolut — PayPal has 400M+ active accounts globally. Sending to someone who already has PayPal is friction-free and often instant. Setting up Revolut for a one-time transfer recipient isn't always practical.
• Online marketplace payments — PayPal's buyer protection and merchant integrations make it the default for eBay, Etsy, and thousands of other platforms. Revolut is not accepted as a payment method on these platforms.
• Business invoicing — PayPal's invoicing, subscription billing, and merchant features are mature and widely accepted. Revolut Business exists but isn't as universally accepted.
• Send to PayPal balance only — If the recipient can only receive into PayPal (common in many regions), Revolut can't help.

Revolut uses the interbank rate (also called the mid-market or wholesale rate) on weekday market hours — the same rate major banks use when trading with each other. This is the best available retail rate.

PayPal applies a 3%–4% markup above the mid-market rate. On a $1,000 transfer, this means PayPal keeps $30–$40 as FX revenue before you've paid any transfer fee. On a $10,000 transfer, PayPal's markup alone costs $300–$400.

PayPal does not publish its exchange rate methodology or markup percentage. You have to check the rate at the time of transfer and compare it to the mid-market rate manually to understand the true cost.

Both PayPal and Revolut deliver to bank accounts and their respective platform accounts (PayPal balance / Revolut account).

PayPal is available in 200+ countries and 25 currencies — strong global reach. However, delivery is limited to PayPal account or bank withdrawal. No cash pickup, no mobile money.

Revolut supports 150+ countries and 36 currencies for transfers. Like PayPal, delivery is bank deposit or Revolut account only. Revolut's currency coverage (36 currencies) is broader than PayPal's (25 currencies).

Choose Revolut if:

• You transfer internationally and want to minimize costs
• You want a multi-currency account for ongoing use
• You or the recipient already has Revolut (instant, free transfers)
• You're within the Standard plan's £1,000/month free tier

Choose PayPal if:

• The recipient only has a PayPal account
• You need to pay for goods and want buyer protection
• You're using online marketplaces (eBay, Etsy, merchants)
• Convenience matters more than cost for a one-time transfer