Wise vs Revolut for International Transfers (2026)

Wise or Revolut for sending money abroad? Choose Wise when the transfer itself is the job: it converts at the mid-market rate, shows its fee (from 0.24%) before you confirm, and charges per conversion rather than through a monthly allowance. Choose Revolut when transfers are part of a wider spending app: on its free UK Standard plan you can exchange up to £1,000 a month before a 1% fair usage fee applies, and paid plans raise or remove that limit. Wise and Revolut are separate companies, and you can move money between them like any other account. The details below come from each provider's own fee pages, read on 30 September 2026.

How We Compared Them

We focused on the four factors that decide the real cost and convenience of an international transfer: the exchange rate each platform gives you, the explicit fees on top, how fast the money arrives, and how clearly the total cost is shown before you confirm. We also considered the surrounding features — multi-currency accounts and card spending — because for many people a transfer tool is only one part of how they manage money abroad. For the bigger picture on living and banking internationally, see our best bank accounts for expats and best multi-currency accounts guides.

Exchange Rates and Fees

Wise uses "the real mid-market exchange rate" and says it never adds anything to the rate; instead it charges a conversion fee that its UK pricing page lists as "from 0.24%", varying by currency. Opening and holding money are free.

Revolut uses its own "Revolut exchange rate", which Revolut describes as a variable rate it sets, and may add an exchange fee that varies with what you are exchanging and when. On top of that, each plan has a monthly exchange limit. Revolut's UK Standard fees page lists:

• Standard: exchange limit of £1,000 per month, then a 1% fair usage fee on additional exchange
• Plus: exchange limit of £3,000 per month, then a 0.5% fair usage fee
• Premium, Metal and Ultra: no exchange limit and no fair usage fee

The limit counts money, crypto and commodity exchanges together. Revolut says it shows the rate, fee and total in the app before you exchange where possible.

Transfer Fees

Wise shows one total fee for each transfer before you send. Receiving money into Wise is free for domestic payments in major currencies; Swift payments carry a fee (for example 6.11 USD per USD wire and 2.16 GBP per GBP Swift payment, per its UK pricing page).

Revolut Standard makes instant transfers to other Revolut users, local payments and euro payments within SEPA free. For "all other international payments" a fee applies, calculated in real time and shown in the app before you pay; Revolut says its maximum fees are capped. An optional "Pay All Fees" feature charges a flat upfront fee so the recipient receives the full amount.

Speed

Wise: Wise states that 70% of its payments arrive in 20 seconds and 95% in under 24 hours. Your quote shows an estimated arrival time for the specific route.

Revolut: transfers to other Revolut users are instant. For external international transfers, the app shows the details before you confirm; timing depends on the route and the receiving bank.

Wise vs Revolut, Side by Side

Figures are from UK fee pages; other countries have their own pricing. Always check the live quote.

Is Revolut the Same as Wise?

No. They are separate, competing companies. Wise (formerly TransferWise) started as a money-transfer service and built its account around the mid-market rate. Revolut started as a spending app and card, and adds budgeting, savings, investing and travel features around currency exchange. Many people use both.

Can You Transfer Money from Revolut to Wise?

Yes. Both give you account details, so you can send money from Revolut to your Wise account details (or the other way round) as a normal bank transfer. The same fee rules apply as for any other payment: a local or SEPA transfer from Revolut Standard is free, while an international payment in another currency carries Revolut's international fee.

Real-World Scenarios

A freelancer in Portugal invoicing a US client wants to receive dollars, hold them, and convert on their own schedule — Wise's local receiving details and mid-market conversion fit this well. A traveller spending across a dozen countries in a year wants a card that handles FX and an app that does more than transfers — Revolut's multi-currency wallet suits that, as long as monthly exchange stays within the plan limit. A family sending a large sum home wants the most predictable total cost on a one-off transfer — Wise prices each conversion on its own, while a large conversion on Revolut Standard would pass the £1,000 limit and pay the 1% fair usage fee on the rest.

The lesson is that the "winner" changes with the job: receiving and holding foreign income, spending while travelling, or moving a specific large sum.

Business and Freelancer Use

For freelancers and small businesses, the choice often comes down to how you get paid. Wise Business provides account details in 22 currencies and the same visible conversion pricing — strong for invoicing international clients. Revolut Business adds card controls and an app-centric workflow. Our best neobanks for freelancers guide digs into this for independent workers, and businesses with larger volumes should also look at Airwallex and our global business account comparison.

Safety and Regulation

Both platforms are regulated, but protection depends on the entity and the product. Wise states that it is an authorised electronic money institution, not a bank, and that its ordinary e-money services in the UK are not covered by FSCS; it safeguards customer funds instead. Revolut's protection depends on which Revolut entity serves your country, so check what applies to your account. A multi-currency wallet is excellent for transacting, but long-term savings may be better held where you understand exactly how the deposit is insured. Our neobank safety guide explains how to check.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is comparing only the advertised fee and ignoring the exchange rate — a "low fee" with a marked-up rate can cost more than a slightly higher fee at the mid-market rate. Another is exceeding Revolut's monthly exchange limit without noticing the fair usage fee. And don't assume "instant" applies to every route — check the quoted delivery time before a time-sensitive transfer. For more charges to watch, see our hidden bank fees guide.

The Verdict

Choose Wise if you send large or regular amounts and want the mid-market rate with the fee shown up front, priced per conversion.

Choose Revolut if you want one app for spending abroad, your monthly exchange stays within your plan's limit, and you value the extra features.

Not sure which account fits you? Try the free bank finder, or read our Revolut vs Wise overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Wise or Revolut?

It depends on the amount. On Revolut Standard, exchange above £1,000 a month pays a 1% fair usage fee on top of any exchange fee; Wise charges a conversion fee from 0.24% per conversion. For large or one-off conversions, Wise is often more predictable. Compare the live quotes.

Does Wise really use the mid-market rate?

Yes. Wise says it uses the real mid-market exchange rate and never adds anything to the rate; its fee is charged separately and shown before you confirm.

Can you transfer money from Revolut to Wise?

Yes. Send money from Revolut to your Wise account details (or the reverse) as a normal bank transfer. Local and SEPA payments are free on Revolut Standard; other international payments carry a fee shown in the app.

Is Revolut the same as Wise?

No. They are separate companies with different models: Wise is built around mid-market transfers, Revolut around a spending app with plan-based exchange limits.

Which is best for a one-off large transfer?

Usually Wise, because each conversion is priced on its own and the total cost is shown before you send. On Revolut Standard, anything above £1,000 a month of exchange pays a 1% fair usage fee.

Are Wise and Revolut safe to keep money in?

Both are regulated, but Wise's UK e-money balances are safeguarded rather than FSCS-protected, and Revolut's protection depends on the entity serving your country. For large, long-term savings, confirm the specific protection first.

Step-by-step versions of these transfers are in the tutorials, including how to send money internationally for the least.

This is general information, not financial advice. Fees quoted are from Wise's and Revolut's UK fee pages read on 30 September 2026; they differ by country and change over time — check the live quote before you send.