Revolut vs Wise: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
Revolut
4.4Revolut is a digital banking app offering international money transfers at interbank rates during market hours, along with a full suite of financial services.
Wise
4.7Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers transparent, low-cost international money transfers using the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markups.
Revolut and Wise 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. Wise, operating since 2011 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 USD → INR transfer, Wise delivers ₹1058.48 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Revolut vs Wise across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Revolut vs Wise on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Revolut | Wise | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹92,841.83 | ₹93,900.31 | Wise (+₹1058.48) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,126.24 | €1,149.60 | Wise (+€23.36) |
| USD → PHP($500) | — | — | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,067.83 | MX$17,245.70 | Wise (+MX$177.87) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | — | — | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | — | ₦269,933.91 | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Revolut and Wise
Revolut vs Wise: Feature comparison
| Feature | Revolut | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.4/5 (Excellent) | 4.7/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% | Variable fee from 0.41% |
| Exchange rate markup | 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends | 0% (mid-market rate) |
| Transfer speed | Instant to 3 days | Instant to 2 days |
| Supported countries | 150+ | 80+ |
| Supported currencies | 36+ | 50+ |
| Max transfer | No limit | $1,000,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Revolut Balance | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card, Apple Pay |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Revolut Account | Bank Deposit, Wise Account |
| Regulators | FCA, ECB, FinCEN | FCA, FinCEN, ASIC |
| Founded | 2015 | 2011 |
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
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
When to choose Revolut vs Wise
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)
Choose Wise if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You need a business account for commercial payments
- You value user experience — Wise is rated 4.7/5 on Trustpilot
- Wise's strengths (Bank Deposit, Wise Account) match your needs
Verdict: Revolut or Wise?
Cost winner: Wise
Wise wins on cost in 3 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on USD → INR ($1,000), the recipient gets ₹1058.48 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. Revolut typically delivers in Instant to 3 days, while Wise takes Instant to 2 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, Wise edges ahead for most users thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. That said, Revolut is the better pick if you need transparent, low-cost transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Revolut or Wise 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 ₹1058.48 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Revolut or Wise?
Revolut typically completes transfers in Instant to 3 days, while Wise takes Instant to 2 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 Wise safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Revolut is regulated by FCA, ECB, FinCEN and has a 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating. Wise is regulated by FCA, FinCEN, ASIC 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 Revolut vs Wise?
Revolut has a maximum transfer of no published upper limit (minimum $1), while Wise allows up to $1,000,000 (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 Wise?
Revolut offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account. Wise offers Bank Deposit, Wise Account. Neither provider offers cash pickup — both deliver to bank accounts only.
Should I use Revolut or Wise to send money internationally?
For most users, Wise offers better overall value thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. However, Revolut 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 Wise Account.