Remitly vs Revolut: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared

Remitly
4.6Remitly specializes in personal international money transfers with a focus on remittances to developing countries, offering competitive rates and fast delivery.
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.
Remitly and Revolut are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. Remitly, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Seattle, USA, is best known for cash pickup and global coverage. 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 £500 GBP → PKR transfer, Remitly delivers ₨3428.26 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Remitly vs Revolut across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Remitly vs Revolut on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Remitly | Revolut | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹94,613.02 | ₹93,600.24 | Remitly (+₹1012.78) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,145.44 | €1,155.38 | Revolut (+€9.94) |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱29,375.75 | ₱30,096.33 | Revolut (+₱720.58) |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$16,902.42 | MX$16,917.99 | Revolut (+MX$15.57) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨187,984.49 | ₨184,556.23 | Remitly (+₨3428.26) |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦272,917.21 | — | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Remitly and Revolut
Remitly vs Revolut: Feature comparison
| Feature | Remitly | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 4.7/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer | Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market | 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to 3-5 days | Instant to 3 days |
| Supported countries | 100+ | 150+ |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 36+ |
| Max transfer | $10,000 | No limit |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Revolut Balance |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery | Bank Deposit, Revolut Account |
| Regulators | FinCEN, FCA | FCA, ECB, FinCEN |
| Founded | 2011 | 2015 |
Pros and cons
Remitly
Pros
- Express transfers arrive in minutes
- Cash pickup available in many countries
- Mobile money delivery option
- First transfer promotions often available
- Home delivery in select countries
Cons
- Rates less competitive for large transfers
- No multi-currency account
- Focused mainly on remittance corridors
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 Remitly vs Revolut
Choose Remitly if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- Your recipient needs cash pickup instead of bank deposit
- You want to send to a mobile money wallet (M-Pesa, GCash, etc.)
- You want zero transfer fees (From $0 to $3.99 per transfer)
- Speed is your top priority — transfers can arrive in minutes
Choose Revolut if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You need to transfer large sums (Revolut has no upper limit)
- You need a multi-currency account to hold and convert balances
- You need wider country coverage (150+ vs 100+ countries)
Verdict: Remitly or Revolut?
Cost winner: Revolut
Revolut wins on cost in 3 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on GBP → EUR (£1,000), the recipient gets €9.94 more with Revolut. Revolut achieves this through transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate.
Speed: Similar delivery times
Both providers offer similar transfer speeds. Remitly typically delivers in Minutes to 3-5 days, while Revolut takes Instant to 3 days. The actual speed depends on the corridor and delivery method.
Wider coverage: Revolut
Revolut has broader coverage with 150+ countries and 36+ currencies. Revolut also offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account.
Bottom line
Overall, Revolut edges ahead for most users thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. That said, Remitly is the better pick if you need cash pickup and global coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Remitly 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 Remitly charges From $0 to $3.99 per transfer with a 0.5% - 2% above mid-market markup. For example, on a $1,000 USD → INR transfer, Revolut delivers ₹1012.78 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Remitly or Revolut?
Remitly typically completes transfers in Minutes to 3-5 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 Remitly and Revolut safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Remitly is regulated by FinCEN, FCA 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 Remitly vs Revolut?
Remitly has a maximum transfer of $10,000 (minimum $1), 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 Remitly or Revolut?
Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. Revolut offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account. Remitly supports cash pickup, which is useful when recipients don't have a bank account.
Should I use Remitly 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, Remitly is the better choice if you need cash pickup and global coverage. The best provider for you depends on your corridor, transfer size, and whether you need features like Home Delivery.