XE vs Revolut: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
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
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 and Revolut are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. XE, 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 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, XE delivers ₹824.65 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: XE vs Revolut across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through XE vs Revolut on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | XE | Revolut | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹93,666.48 | ₹92,841.83 | XE (+₹824.65) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,145.54 | €1,126.24 | XE (+€19.30) |
| USD → PHP($500) | — | — | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,113.36 | MX$17,067.83 | 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 XE and Revolut
XE vs Revolut: Feature comparison
| Feature | XE | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.3/5 (Excellent) | 4.4/5 (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
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 vs Revolut
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
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
Verdict: XE or Revolut?
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 XE or Revolut 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, XE or Revolut?
XE 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 and Revolut safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. XE is regulated by FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, FINTRAC and has a 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating. Revolut is regulated by FCA, ECB, FinCEN with a 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for XE vs Revolut?
XE 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 or Revolut?
XE offers Bank Deposit. Revolut offers Bank Deposit, Revolut Account. Neither provider offers cash pickup — both deliver to bank accounts only.
Should I use XE or Revolut 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.