XE Money Transfer vs Revolut: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
XE Money Transfer
4.4XE is a trusted name in currency exchange, offering international money transfers with competitive rates and no transfer fees for most corridors.
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.
XE Money Transfer and Revolut are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. XE Money Transfer, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Newmarket, Canada, is best known for large transfers and business payments. Revolut, operating since 2015 from London, UK, focuses on large transfers and business payments. 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, XE Money Transfer delivers ₨1835.33 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: XE Money Transfer vs Revolut across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through XE Money Transfer vs Revolut on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | XE Money Transfer | Revolut | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹94,583.88 | ₹94,227.93 | XE Money Transfer (+₹355.95) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,141.37 | €1,139.68 | XE Money Transfer (+€1.69) |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱31,067.94 | ₱30,801.36 | XE Money Transfer (+₱266.58) |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$16,775.45 | MX$16,666.42 | XE Money Transfer (+MX$109.03) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨185,865.87 | ₨184,030.54 | XE Money Transfer (+₨1835.33) |
| USD → NGN($200) | — | — | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between XE Money Transfer and Revolut
XE Money Transfer vs Revolut: Feature comparison
| Feature | XE Money Transfer | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.4/5 (Excellent) | 4.7/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | No transfer fees | Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 1.5% above mid-market | 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends |
| Transfer speed | 1-4 business days | Instant to 3 days |
| Supported countries | 130+ | 150+ |
| Supported currencies | 130+ | 36+ |
| Max transfer | $500,000 | No limit |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Revolut Balance |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit | Bank Deposit, Revolut Account |
| Regulators | FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, FINTRAC | FCA, ECB, FinCEN |
| Founded | 1993 | 2015 |
Pros and cons
XE Money Transfer
Pros
- Well-known and trusted brand
- No transfer fees for most transfers
- Supports 130+ currencies
- Rate alerts available
- Excellent currency data and tools
Cons
- Exchange rates include a markup
- No cash pickup option
- Transfer speed can be slow
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 XE Money Transfer vs Revolut
Choose XE Money Transfer if:
- You want to lock in an exchange rate with a forward contract
- You need a business account for commercial payments
- XE Money Transfer's strengths (Bank Deposit) match your needs
Choose Revolut if:
- You prefer low or zero upfront transfer fees (Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5%) and are comparing the total received, not the rate alone
- You need to transfer large sums (Revolut has no upper limit)
- You need a multi-currency account to hold and convert balances
Verdict: XE Money Transfer or Revolut?
Cost winner: XE Money Transfer
XE Money Transfer wins on cost in 5 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on USD → INR ($1,000), the recipient gets ₹355.95 more with XE Money Transfer. XE Money Transfer wins on the total, not on any one line: fee no transfer fees, exchange rate 0.5% - 1.5% 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.
Faster: Revolut
Revolut is generally faster, with transfers arriving in Instant to 3 days, compared to 1-4 business days for XE Money Transfer.
Wider coverage: XE Money Transfer
XE Money Transfer has broader coverage with 130+ countries and 130+ currencies. XE Money Transfer also offers Bank Deposit.
Bottom line
Overall, XE Money Transfer edges ahead for most users thanks to its tools for locking in exchange rates with forward contracts. That said, Revolut is the better pick if you need large transfers and business payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is XE Money Transfer or Revolut cheaper for international transfers?
Based on our data, XE Money Transfer is generally cheaper across most corridors. XE Money Transfer charges No transfer fees with a 0.5% - 1.5% 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, XE Money Transfer delivers ₹355.95 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, XE Money Transfer or Revolut?
XE Money Transfer typically completes transfers in 1-4 business 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 XE Money Transfer and Revolut safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. XE Money Transfer is regulated by FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, FINTRAC and has a 4.4/5 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 XE Money Transfer vs Revolut?
XE Money Transfer has a maximum transfer of $500,000 (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 XE Money Transfer or Revolut?
XE Money Transfer offers Bank Deposit. Revolut offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account. Neither provider offers cash pickup — both deliver to bank accounts only.
Should I use XE Money Transfer or Revolut to send money internationally?
For most users, XE Money Transfer offers better overall value thanks to tools for locking in exchange rates with forward contracts. 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 Revolut Account.