Revolut vs HSBC: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
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.
HSBC
3.8HSBC is a global bank offering international transfers between HSBC accounts worldwide. Premier and Global Money customers get preferential rates and fee-free transfers.
Revolut and HSBC are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. Revolut, founded in 2015 and headquartered in London, UK, is best known for transparent, low-cost transfers. HSBC, operating since 1865 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 €24.04 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Revolut vs HSBC across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Revolut vs HSBC on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Revolut | HSBC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹95,747.26 | — | N/A |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,153.60 | €1,129.56 | Revolut (+€24.04) |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱30,575.23 | — | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,209.66 | — | N/A |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | — | ₨173,507.66 | 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 Revolut and HSBC
Revolut vs HSBC: Feature comparison
| Feature | Revolut | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.7/5 (Excellent) | 3.8/5 (Good) |
| Fee structure | Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% | Free HSBC-to-HSBC, £4-£9 otherwise |
| Exchange rate markup | 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends | 0% (Premier) to 2.5% (standard) |
| Transfer speed | Instant to 3 days | Same day to 3 business days |
| Supported countries | 150+ | 200+ |
| Supported currencies | 36+ | 60+ |
| Max transfer | No limit | No limit |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Revolut Balance | Bank Transfer |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Revolut Account | Bank Deposit |
| Regulators | FCA, ECB, FinCEN | FCA, PRA, HKMA |
| Founded | 2015 | 1865 |
Pros and cons
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
HSBC
Pros
- Free transfers between HSBC accounts
- Global presence in 60+ countries
- Premier customers get preferential rates
- Same-day delivery for HSBC-to-HSBC
Cons
- Exchange rate markup for non-Premier
- Need HSBC account to send
- Fees apply for non-HSBC recipients
When to choose Revolut vs HSBC
Choose Revolut if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You value user experience — Revolut is rated 4.7/5 on Trustpilot
- Revolut's strengths (Bank Deposit, Revolut Account) match your needs
Choose HSBC if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You need wider country coverage (200+ vs 150+ countries)
- HSBC's strengths (Bank Deposit) match your needs
Verdict: Revolut or HSBC?
Cost winner: Revolut
Revolut wins on cost in 1 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on GBP → EUR (£1,000), the recipient gets €24.04 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 Same day to 3 business days for HSBC.
Wider coverage: HSBC
HSBC has broader coverage with 200+ countries and 60+ currencies. HSBC 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, HSBC is the better pick if you need transparent, low-cost transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Revolut or HSBC 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 HSBC charges Free HSBC-to-HSBC, £4-£9 otherwise with a 0% (Premier) to 2.5% (standard) markup. For example, on a £1,000 GBP → EUR transfer, Revolut delivers €24.04 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Revolut or HSBC?
Revolut typically completes transfers in Instant to 3 days, while HSBC takes Same day to 3 business 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 Revolut and HSBC safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Revolut is regulated by FCA, ECB, FinCEN and has a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating. HSBC is regulated by FCA, PRA, HKMA with a 3.8/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Revolut vs HSBC?
Revolut has a maximum transfer of no published upper limit (minimum $1), while HSBC 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 Revolut or HSBC?
Revolut offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account. HSBC offers Bank Deposit. Neither provider offers cash pickup — both deliver to bank accounts only.
Should I use Revolut or HSBC to send money internationally?
For most users, Revolut offers better overall value thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. However, HSBC is the better choice if you need transparent, low-cost transfers. The best provider for you depends on your corridor, transfer size, and whether you need features like Revolut Account.