Looking for the best multi currency account for international money transfer and digital banking? Two names consistently top the list: Wise and Revolut. Both offer competitive alternatives to traditional banks, but which one actually delivers better value?
We’ve analyzed the latest 2025 data, real user reviews from Reddit, and conducted detailed fee comparisons to give you the definitive answer. Here’s everything you need to know about Wise vs Revolut.
International Money Transfer: Wise vs Revolut Head-to-Head
Transfer Fees Comparison
Wise keeps it simple with transparent, consistent pricing:
- Transfer fees start from 0.33%
- No variation based on timing or day of the week
- Same rates whether you transfer £100 or £100,000
- Up to £1 million transfer limit per transaction
Revolut uses a more complex fee structure:
- Free transfers for GBP to UK accounts and EUR SEPA transfers
- Variable fees depending on amount, currency, and destination
- 1% weekend surcharge on Standard plans (Friday 5pm – Sunday 6pm)
- Fair usage fees of 0.5-1% when exceeding monthly limits
“Revolut might not always have the best exchange (more often than not they do) but Wise charges a fee while Revolut is always free” – Reddit user rodrigojds
However, this Reddit comment overlooks the weekend markup and fair usage fees that can significantly impact total costs.
Exchange Rate Analysis
Here’s where the differences become crucial:
Wise:
- Uses the mid-market exchange rate 24/7
- No markups or hidden margins
- Real-time rate matching what you see on Google
Revolut:
- Mid-market rate Monday-Friday
- 1% markup on weekends (Standard/Plus plans)
- Premium, Metal, and Ultra plans avoid weekend fees
- 0.5-1% fair usage fee when exceeding monthly limits (£1,000 for Standard)
Real-world impact: A £5,000 weekend transfer from GBP to EUR would cost you an extra £50 with Revolut Standard vs. Wise.
Speed and Delivery Options
Wise transfer times:
- Instant or same-day on popular routes
- Up to 2 days for currency conversion
- Real-time tracking in app
Revolut transfer times:
- SEPA transfers: Seconds to minutes
- International transfers: 3-5 working days
- Revolut-to-Revolut: ~20 seconds
- Card transfers: Up to 30 minutes
Winner: Revolut for European transfers, Wise for global reach and consistency.
Multi Currency Account Features Comparison
Supported Currencies
- Wise: 40+ currencies
- Revolut: 30+ currencies
Account Management
Both platforms offer comprehensive mobile apps with:
- Real-time notifications
- Spending analytics
- Budget tracking
- Multiple account creation
Wise focuses purely on money management and transfers, while Revolut positions itself as a comprehensive financial ecosystem with additional features like:
- Cryptocurrency trading
- Stock investments
- Travel insurance
- Airport lounge access (paid plans)
Card Offerings and Benefits
Wise Card:
- One-time fee: £7 (physical) or £0 (virtual)
- Mid-market exchange rate for all purchases
- Works in 150+ countries
- Free spending if you hold the local currency
Revolut Cards:
- Standard: £4.99 delivery fee
- Premium/Metal: Personalised cards available
- Metal: Exclusive steel card design
- Ultra: Platinum card
Digital Banking Services: Beyond Money Transfers
Business Banking Solutions
Wise Business:
- Dedicated business features
- Local bank details in multiple countries
- Batch payments
- API integrations
- Volume discounts for large transfers
Revolut Business:
- Business accounts with banking features
- Expense management
- Corporate cards
- Accounting integrations
- Team management tools
Investment Options
Wise: Focuses solely on money transfer and currency management – no investment features.
Revolut: Comprehensive investment platform:
- Commission-free stock trading
- Cryptocurrency exchange
- Commodities trading
- ISA accounts (UK)
As one Reddit user noted: “Revolut for card payments, wise for local transfers” – highlighting how each serves different primary use cases.
Travel Money Card Benefits and Limitations
ATM Withdrawal Fees
| Provider | Free Monthly Limit | Fee After Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | £200 (max 2 withdrawals) | 1.75% + £0.50 |
| Revolut Standard | £200 (max 5 withdrawals) | 2% (min £1) |
International Usage
Wise advantages:
- No foreign transaction fees
- True mid-market rates for all purchases
- Works in 150+ countries
- Transparent fee structure
Revolut advantages:
- Higher free withdrawal allowance (5 vs 2 transactions)
- Better for frequent small ATM use
- European focus with excellent SEPA support
“Wise exchange rates are better. Wise fund transfers happen faster in my experience.” – Reddit user PrunePlatoon
User Experience and Customer Reviews Analysis
Reddit Community Feedback
Based on our analysis of recent Reddit discussions in r/digitalnomad and r/UKPersonalFinance:
Pro-Wise comments:
- “I’ve had a better experience with wise” – patricktherat
- “Wise is my daily driver” – bananabastard
- “Wise, better exchange rate also business and personal accounts available” – skattrd
Pro-Revolut comments:
- “Revolut 100% cheaper, instant more used, free to top up, credit cards”
- “Revolut (especially in Europe) is better for day to day” – ifcoffeewereblue
Common User Concerns
Account Suspensions: Both platforms face criticism for occasional account freezes, with users recommending keeping limited funds in either platform.
Customer Support: Wise generally receives better reviews for customer service responsiveness and clarity.
Pricing Structure: Fees and Costs Breakdown
Monthly Fees
| Plan | Wise | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £0 | £0 (Standard) |
| Premium | £0 | £7.99 (Premium) |
| Top Tier | £0 | £14.99 (Metal) / £45+ (Ultra) |
Hidden Fees Analysis
Wise:
- No monthly fees ever
- No weekend markups
- No fair usage fees
- Transparent fee calculator
Revolut:
- Weekend 1% markup (Standard/Plus)
- Fair usage fees above monthly limits
- Delivery fees for physical cards
- Premium features locked behind paid plans
Real user insight: “Revolut is a like semi scam when it comes to rates” – Reddit user CaptainDevops, reflecting frustration with hidden charges.
Security and Regulation Comparison
Licensing and Oversight
Wise:
- Regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (UK)
- Licensed in multiple jurisdictions globally
- Electronic money institution, not a bank
Revolut:
- UK banking license (becoming a full bank)
- Regulated by FCA
- European banking license via Lithuania
Data Protection Measures
Both platforms employ:
- Two-factor authentication
- Real-time fraud monitoring
- Encryption for all transactions
- Dedicated security teams
Insurance Coverage
Important: Neither platform offers FSCS protection (£85,000 deposit protection) as they’re not traditional banks. However, both use safeguarding – keeping customer money separate from company funds.
Final Verdict: Wise vs Revolut for Different User Types
Best for Frequent Travelers: Wise
- Why: True mid-market rates 24/7, no weekend markups, works in 150+ countries
- Best feature: Transparent pricing with no surprises
- Ideal for: Digital nomads, expats, anyone prioritizing exchange rates
Best for Business Users: Split Decision
- Wise Business: Better for international payments, local bank details, API integrations
- Revolut Business: Better for daily banking, expense management, team features
Best for Casual International Users: Revolut
- Why: Better for European-focused users, more banking-like features, good rates within fair usage limits
- Best feature: All-in-one financial app with investments and crypto
- Ideal for: UK/EU residents who want a primary digital bank
Best for Cost-Conscious Users: Wise
- Why: No monthly fees, no hidden charges, consistent pricing
- Best feature: What you see is what you pay
- Ideal for: Users who want predictable, low-cost international transfers
The Bottom Line
Choose Wise if:
- You prioritize the best exchange rates
- You transfer money internationally regularly
- You want transparent, predictable pricing
- You’re a digital nomad or frequent traveler
Choose Revolut if:
- You want an all-in-one digital banking experience
- You’re primarily Europe-focused
- You want investment and crypto features
- You don’t mind paying for premium features
Reddit consensus: “I use both, but Wise is my daily driver” perfectly captures the market reality – many users keep both accounts for different purposes.
The choice ultimately depends on your primary use case: international money transfer (Wise) vs. comprehensive digital banking (Revolut). For pure multi currency account functionality and foreign exchange rates, Wise maintains a clear advantage in 2025.
