Revolut vs XE: 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.
XE
4.3XE is a trusted name in currency exchange, offering international money transfers with competitive rates and no transfer fees for most corridors.
Revolut and XE 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. XE, operating since 1993 from Newmarket, Canada, 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 $1,000 USD → INR transfer, XE delivers ₹824.65 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Revolut vs XE across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Revolut vs XE on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Revolut | XE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹92,841.83 | ₹93,666.48 | XE (+₹824.65) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,126.24 | €1,145.54 | XE (+€19.30) |
| USD → PHP($500) | — | — | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,067.83 | MX$17,113.36 | XE (+MX$45.53) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | — | — | 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 XE
Revolut vs XE: Feature comparison
| Feature | Revolut | XE |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.4/5 (Excellent) | 4.3/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | Free up to £1,000/month, then 0.5% | No transfer fees |
| Exchange rate markup | 0% weekdays, 0.5-1% weekends | 0.5% - 1.5% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Instant to 3 days | 1-4 business days |
| Supported countries | 150+ | 130+ |
| Supported currencies | 36+ | 130+ |
| Max transfer | No limit | $500,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Revolut Balance | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Revolut Account | Bank Deposit |
| Regulators | FCA, ECB, FinCEN | FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, FINTRAC |
| Founded | 2015 | 1993 |
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
XE
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
When to choose Revolut vs XE
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 a multi-currency account to hold and convert balances
Choose XE if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You want to lock in an exchange rate with a forward contract
- You need a business account for commercial payments
Verdict: Revolut or XE?
Cost winner: XE
XE wins on cost in 3 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on USD → INR ($1,000), the recipient gets ₹824.65 more with XE. XE 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 1-4 business days for XE.
Wider coverage: XE
XE has broader coverage with 130+ countries and 130+ currencies. XE also offers Bank Deposit.
Bottom line
Overall, XE 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 XE cheaper for international transfers?
Based on our data, XE is generally cheaper across most corridors. XE 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 delivers ₹824.65 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Revolut or XE?
Revolut typically completes transfers in Instant to 3 days, while XE takes 1-4 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 XE 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. XE is regulated by FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, FINTRAC with a 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Revolut vs XE?
Revolut has a maximum transfer of no published upper limit (minimum $1), while XE allows up to $500,000 (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 XE?
Revolut offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account. XE offers Bank Deposit. Neither provider offers cash pickup — both deliver to bank accounts only.
Should I use Revolut or XE to send money internationally?
For most users, XE 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 Revolut Account.