bunq vs Revolut: Which Digital Bank Wins in 2025?

The neobank revolution has overhauled the way we handle money, led by European institutions like bunq and Revolut. The pair say they’re “better” than traditional banks, with the apps, the prices, and the promises to prove it. But what do we really get when we unbundle the offers? And what does an institution’s implementation of PSD2, the EU’s updated payment-services legislation, say about its promise to innovate? On both counts, bunq and Revolut have our attention. But only one of them is really worth yours in the end.

What’s an aspect of online banking that you prioritize above all else? Pace of innovation? Low fees? Security? Whatever it is, you can probably count on bunq or Revolut to make a big deal out of it.

Digital Bank Comparison Overview: bunq vs Revolut at a Glance

Attribute	bunq	Revolut
Trustpilot Rating	4.1/5 (17,278 reviews)	4.5/5 (215,120 reviews)
G2 Rating	Limited reviews	3.9/5 (18 reviews)
Monthly Fee	€0-18 (subscription tiers)	€0-45 (plan-based)
Supported Currencies	16	30+
ATM Withdrawals	2 free/month (basic plan)	Varies by plan
Deposit Protection	€100,000 (DGS)	€100,000
Target Market	Netherlands; Europe	45+ Global Nations

Revolut Review: Features, Fees, and Real User Experiences

Revolut boasts an impressive customer base of nearly 50 million people across the globe. But what’s the general sentiment of its users?

User Satisfaction and Trust

Our G2 research indicates that Revolut achieves a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars. This score comes from 18 verified reviews. Revolut clearly has some strengths, and its user-friendliness seems to be among the platform’s top draws; an analyst is quoted as saying it’s ‘suitable for all formats of financial transactions and a lifesaver when abroad in terms of currency conversion.’

“The application is very user friendly. It is also a very cost-effective way to transfer money overseas. It has perks like international ATM usage without any fees. For me, the best part is using the app. It means that I don’t have to carry loads of cash around with me and risk losing it.”

In contrast, Forbes notes that Trustpilot registers a much stronger score of 4.4/5 based on over 190,000 customer reviews as of April 2025, reflecting broader user satisfaction.

Real Reddit User Experiences

Reddit threads paint a more detailed picture. One Revolut user with a serious volume of transactions shared their experience:

“I’ve been with Revolut for over five years now. In just the past year, I’ve done over €400,000 in transactions. Some of them were as much as €50,000. I haven’t had any problems with it. Whether I use it for currency conversions, international money transfers, or receiving payments, it has functioned for me and has carried out the work that I expected of it.”

Nevertheless, the platform is subjected to intense criticism related to account freezing. A concerned individual has explained the issue on Reddit:

“The thing that makes me nervous is customer service. Consider this example: If the system identifies one of my transactions as potentially fraudulent, a bank teller calls me to ask for an explanation. They don’t just go right ahead and freeze my account on the spot. Not so with Revolut.”

The Customer Support Challenge

A number of people on Reddit have pointed out that Revolut’s customer service is their Achilles’ heel. The use of chatbots with artificial intelligence and the total absence of a phone line of any sort make for what is effectively a “customer self-service” operation, and are likely to infuriate human users who find themselves in desperate situations.

bunq Review: The Sustainable Banking Alternative

bunq refers to itself as the “Bank of The Free,” placing a lot of emphasis on being green and having apps that give users a lot of control. In that light, how do they perform? Are they really what they say they are?

Trust and Reliability Metrics

bunq consistently upholds a sturdy 4.1 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot from more than 17,000 users. Customers admire the neobank’s ecological orientation and app brimming with features.

Reddit Community Insights

Irish users on Reddit provide mixed feedback on bunq. A satisfied customer shared:

“I use Bunq as my primary financial institution, with multiple subaccounts and a savings account. For me, it’s just an incredible experience. Sure, it isn’t free, but I’d pay my monthly fee any day for all the features I get and the friendly user experience they offer.”

But in the Dutch media, questions about the CEO’s management style were already raised. One user on Reddit drew attention to workplace culture issues:

“There’s a fair amount of news in the Netherlands about the CEO being a bit of a long-and-bad-decision-making idiot. The Dutch workers have been getting hosed.”

Interest Rates and Savings Features

Bunq provides an attractive savings rate of 3.36%, though with a variety of threshold conditions that determine how much interest you can actually receive and when. The weekly interest payments are nice, but if you are based in Ireland, the tax man wants to get his hands on some of that with DIRT.

Online Banking Comparison: Core Features Head-to-Head

Currency Exchange and International Transfers

Revolut advantages:

• Supports more than 30 different currencies, whereas bunq only supports 16
• No weekend markup on transactions with major currencies (varies by plan)
• Real-time exchange rates

bunq advantages:

• Clear 0.5% conversion fee structure
• No sneaky weekend markups
• Based in Europe, strong European focus

Account Structure and Management

Revolut offers:

• Several account tiers (Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal, Ultra)
• Investment capabilities and savings vaults
• Budgeting features akin to personal finance management tools

bunq provides:

• A variety of sub-accounts for organizational purposes
• Savings accounts with better-than-average interest rates
• An instrument for tracking the environmental impact of your spending

Card Features and ATM Access

Both financial institutions grant a similar card experience with NFC-activated cards supporting Apple Pay and Google Pay. Revolut grants you more access to ATMs all over the world than bunq, which focuses on European coverage with 2 free withdrawals monthly on the free plan.

Best Digital Bank for Different User Types

For Digital Nomads and Travelers

Revolut clinches the title for frequent international travelers because of its:

• Better currency support (30+ vs 16)
• Global ATM network access
• Superior exchange rates for multiple currencies

For European Residents

bunq excels for EU-based users because of:

• Full European banking license from Dutch National Bank
• Local IBAN availability
• Strong regulatory compliance
• Sustainable banking focus

For Savings-Focused Users

bunq furnishes excellent savings functionalities:

• An interest rate of 3.36% (with conditions)
• Interest payments occurring with weekly regularity
• Environmental impact reporting framework
• Tools for multiple savings plans

Neobank Comparison: Innovation and Technology

API Access and Integrations

Innovation in banking APIs is led by bunq, giving developers massively more access to both data and operations in an account. Those capabilities amount to much better tools for third parties and custom financial instruments.

Security Features

Both financial institutions enforce:

• Dual authentication
• Use of biometrics for access
• Immediate transaction notification
• Ability to “freeze” a card when it’s lost or stolen

Still, bunq’s European banking license offers an additional layer of regulatory oversight compared with Revolut’s e-money license in some territories.

Future Roadmap and Sustainability

Bunq sets itself apart with environmental initiatives and permits its users to monitor the carbon footprint of their spending and offset their environmental impact. Revolut, on the other hand, concentrates on expanding its global reach and investment products.

The Verdict: bunq vs Revolut Final Recommendation

Deciding between bunq and Revolut hinges on your specific requirements and what you value most in these banking apps.

Opt for Revolut if you:

• Undertake international travel beyond Europe frequently
• Need extensive currency support (30+ currencies)
• Want investment features alongside banking
• Prefer a globally recognized brand
• Can accept potential customer service limitations

Opt for bunq if you:

• Keep your usual banking activities mostly within Europe
• Value environmental sustainability
• Want competitive savings interest rates
• Prefer transparent fee structures
• Need reliable customer support

The Reality Check

Reddit user discussions and reviews highlight the customer service problems that both challenger banks have with respect to account issues. As one experienced Revolut user wisely noted:

“I only make use of Revolut for saving a bit of money and for my trips abroad. I don’t—still wouldn’t—use it as my main money place.”

In a similar vein, the users of bunq recommend keeping ties to legacy banks alongside accounts at neobanks for security’s sake.

The smart way forward? Opt for either Revolut or bunq as a secondary account and make the most of their individual benefits. Revolut is fantastic for international travel, and bunq is quite handy for savings and efficient EU transactions. Hold on to your traditional bank account as the safe, reliable mainstay where you’ll do most of your financial business.

In 2025, both neobanks offer compelling features, but neither has fully replaced the reliability and comprehensive services of traditional banking institutions.

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