Revolut vs Xoom (PayPal): 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.
Xoom (PayPal)
4.6Xoom, a PayPal service, offers fast international money transfers with options for bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile reload in 130+ countries.
Revolut and Xoom (PayPal) 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 large transfers and business payments. Xoom (PayPal), operating since 2001 from San Francisco, USA, focuses on cash pickup and global coverage. 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 USD → INR transfer, Xoom (PayPal) delivers ₹1124.89 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Revolut vs Xoom (PayPal) across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Revolut vs Xoom (PayPal) on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Revolut | Xoom (PayPal) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹94,227.93 | ₹95,352.82 | Xoom (PayPal) (+₹1124.89) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,139.68 | — | N/A |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱30,801.36 | — | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$16,666.42 | — | N/A |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨184,030.54 | — | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | — | ₦263,711.78 | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Revolut and Xoom (PayPal)
Revolut vs Xoom (PayPal): Feature comparison
| Feature | Revolut | Xoom (PayPal) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.7/5 (Excellent) | 4.6/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% | From $0 to $4.99 |
| Exchange rate markup | 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends | 1% - 3% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Instant to 3 days | Minutes to 3 days |
| Supported countries | 150+ | 130+ |
| Supported currencies | 36+ | 50+ |
| Max transfer | No limit | $50,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Revolut Balance | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Revolut Account | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Reload |
| Regulators | FCA, ECB, FinCEN | FinCEN |
| Founded | 2015 | 2001 |
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
Xoom (PayPal)
Pros
- Fast delivery to many countries
- Cash pickup widely available
- Mobile reload option
- Backed by PayPal
- No fees on some corridors
Cons
- Exchange rate includes markup
- Limited to personal transfers
- Not available in all countries for sending
When to choose Revolut vs Xoom (PayPal)
Choose Revolut if:
- You need to transfer large sums (Revolut has no upper limit)
- You need a multi-currency account to hold and convert balances
- You want low upfront fees (Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5%)
Choose Xoom (PayPal) if:
- Your recipient needs cash pickup instead of bank deposit
- You want low upfront fees (From $0 to $4.99)
- Speed is your top priority — transfers can arrive in minutes
Verdict: Revolut or Xoom (PayPal)?
Cost winner: Xoom (PayPal)
Xoom (PayPal) wins on cost in 1 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on USD → INR ($1,000), the recipient gets ₹1124.89 more with Xoom (PayPal). Xoom (PayPal) wins on the total, not on any one line: fee from $0 to $4.99, exchange rate 1% - 3% above mid-market. Revolut — fee free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5%, rate 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends — delivered less on these corridors once both were counted.
Speed: Similar delivery times
Both providers offer similar transfer speeds. Revolut typically delivers in Instant to 3 days, while Xoom (PayPal) takes Minutes to 3 days. The actual speed depends on the corridor and delivery method.
Coverage: Comparable reach
Both providers have comparable coverage. Revolut supports 150+ countries and 36+ currencies, while Xoom (PayPal) covers 130+ countries with 50+ currencies.
Bottom line
Overall, Xoom (PayPal) edges ahead for most users thanks to its extensive cash pickup network and multiple delivery options. That said, Revolut is the better pick if you need large transfers and business payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Revolut or Xoom (PayPal) cheaper for international transfers?
Based on our data, Xoom (PayPal) is generally cheaper across most corridors. Xoom (PayPal) charges From $0 to $4.99 with a 1% - 3% above mid-market exchange rate markup, while Revolut charges Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% with a 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends markup. For example, on a $1,000 USD → INR transfer, Xoom (PayPal) delivers ₹1124.89 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Revolut or Xoom (PayPal)?
Revolut typically completes transfers in Instant to 3 days, while Xoom (PayPal) takes Minutes 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 Revolut and Xoom (PayPal) 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. Xoom (PayPal) is regulated by FinCEN with a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Revolut vs Xoom (PayPal)?
Revolut has a maximum transfer of no published upper limit (minimum $1), while Xoom (PayPal) allows up to $50,000 (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 Xoom (PayPal)?
Revolut offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account. Xoom (PayPal) offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Reload. Xoom (PayPal) supports cash pickup for recipients without bank access.
Should I use Revolut or Xoom (PayPal) to send money internationally?
For most users, Xoom (PayPal) offers better overall value thanks to extensive cash pickup network and multiple delivery options. However, Revolut 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 Mobile Reload.