Wise vs Revolut: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
Wise
4.3Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers transparent, low-cost international money transfers using the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markups.
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.
Wise and Revolut are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. Wise, founded in 2011 and headquartered in London, UK, is best known for transparent, low-cost transfers. 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, Wise delivers ₨1487.83 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Wise vs Revolut across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Wise vs Revolut on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Wise | Revolut | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹94,560.47 | ₹93,600.24 | Wise (+₹960.23) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,154.47 | €1,155.38 | Revolut (+€0.91) |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱30,256.79 | ₱30,096.33 | Wise (+₱160.46) |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,089.50 | MX$16,917.99 | Wise (+MX$171.51) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨186,044.06 | ₨184,556.23 | Wise (+₨1487.83) |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦270,524.77 | — | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Wise and Revolut
Wise vs Revolut: Feature comparison
| Feature | Wise | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.3/5 (Excellent) | 4.7/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | Variable fee from 0.41% | Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% |
| Exchange rate markup | 0% (mid-market rate) | 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends |
| Transfer speed | Instant to 2 days | Instant to 3 days |
| Supported countries | 80+ | 150+ |
| Supported currencies | 50+ | 36+ |
| Max transfer | $1,000,000 | No limit |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card, Apple Pay | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Revolut Balance |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Wise Account | Bank Deposit, Revolut Account |
| Regulators | FCA, FinCEN, ASIC | FCA, ECB, FinCEN |
| Founded | 2011 | 2015 |
Pros and cons
Wise
Pros
- Uses real mid-market exchange rate
- Transparent fee structure shown upfront
- Multi-currency account available
- Fast transfers to many countries
- Regulated in multiple jurisdictions
Cons
- Credit card payments have higher fees
- No cash pickup option
- Transfer limits may apply for new accounts
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 Wise vs Revolut
Choose Wise if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You need a business account for commercial payments
- Wise's strengths (Bank Deposit, Wise Account) match your needs
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 wider country coverage (150+ vs 80+ countries)
Verdict: Wise or Revolut?
Cost winner: Wise
Wise wins on cost in 4 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on USD → INR ($1,000), the recipient gets ₹960.23 more with Wise. Wise achieves this through transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate.
Speed: Similar delivery times
Both providers offer similar transfer speeds. Wise typically delivers in Instant to 2 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
Wise and Revolut serve different needs well. Wise is best for transparent, low-cost transfers, while Revolut excels at transparent, low-cost transfers. Your best choice depends on what matters most: cost, speed, coverage, or delivery options.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wise or Revolut cheaper for international transfers?
Based on our data, Wise is generally cheaper across most corridors. Wise charges Variable fee from 0.41% with a 0% (mid-market rate) 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, Wise delivers ₹960.23 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Wise or Revolut?
Wise typically completes transfers in Instant to 2 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 Wise and Revolut safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Wise is regulated by FCA, FinCEN, ASIC and has a 4.3/5 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 Wise vs Revolut?
Wise has a maximum transfer of $1,000,000 (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 Wise or Revolut?
Wise offers Bank Deposit, Wise Account. Revolut offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account. Neither provider offers cash pickup — both deliver to bank accounts only.
Should I use Wise or Revolut to send money internationally?
It depends on your priorities. Choose Wise for transparent, low-cost transfers, or Revolut for transparent, low-cost transfers. We recommend comparing rates for your specific transfer amount and corridor using our calculator above.