Wise vs Revolut 2026: Real Fees for Expats

Wise or Revolut? It's the financial question most expats ask in the first month. They're both good. They're also built for different things. This is a head-to-head on fees, features, and what each one does better.

Living abroad means you want a card that works anywhere, cheap international transfers, and access to multiple currencies. I've used both across Europe and Asia. Here's what I learned.

Wise vs Revolut at a glance (2026)

What is Wise?

Wise started in 2011. Two Estonian expats, annoyed by bank fees, built something that used the real exchange rate (mid-market) and charged one clear fee on top. That was the whole pitch.

Today Wise has 16 million+ customers and moves over $12 billion a month. For sending money home, getting paid in a foreign currency, or juggling money across borders, it's the one most expats default to.

What Wise does well

• Multi-currency account - Hold and convert 40+ currencies
• Local bank details - Get account numbers in USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and more
• Mid-market exchange rate - Always the real rate, no markup ever
• Transparent fees - See exact cost before sending
• Wise debit card - Spend in any currency at the real rate
• Business accounts - Invoicing, batch payments, team cards

What is Revolut?

Revolut launched in 2015 as a financial super-app. It started with FX and has since added banking, crypto, stock trading, insurance, and mobile plans. It got a full EU banking licence in 2021.

45+ million customers globally. Popular with younger expats and nomads who like having everything in one app. Most of the good features sit behind a paid tier.

What Revolut does well

• Multi-currency account - Hold 30+ currencies
• Virtual cards - Disposable cards for online shopping
• Stock & crypto trading - Buy fractional shares and crypto
• Vaults & savings - Round-ups and goal-based saving
• Insurance - Travel, medical, phone protection
• Junior accounts - Accounts for children with parental controls

Fees, head to head

Fees are where these two really diverge. Different structures, different ideal customers.

International transfer fees

*Revolut free tier has monthly limits on fee-free exchanges ($1,000/month standard)

ATM withdrawal fees

• Wise: Free up to $100-350/month (depends on card type), then 1.75%
• Revolut Standard: Free up to $200/month, then 2%
• Revolut Premium: Free up to $400/month
• Revolut Metal: Unlimited free ATM withdrawals

Currency conversion

This is the biggest difference between them:

• Wise: Always uses mid-market rate + transparent fee (0.35-1.5% depending on currency pair)
• Revolut: Mid-market rate on weekdays, but adds 0.5-1% markup on weekends and for exotic currencies

The weekend markup is real. Travel a lot, spend on weekends, and Revolut's extra 0.5-1% starts to add up. Wise doesn't do that.

Card fees

Multi-currency accounts

Both give you a multi-currency account. The details matter.

Wise's version

• Hold 40+ currencies in one account
• Get local bank details for USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, NZD, SGD, CAD, HUF, TRY, RON
• Receive payments like a local - get paid in USD with US routing number, EUR with IBAN
• No monthly fee - all features included free
• Auto-convert incoming payments to your preferred currency
• Set rate alerts for currency movements

Revolut's version

• Hold 30+ currencies
• Get local bank details for EUR (IBAN) and GBP
• Limited local details for other currencies (use Revolut as intermediary)
• Free tier limited to $1,000/month fee-free exchange
• Salary advance feature (up to $500, select markets)
• Budgeting and analytics built into app

Why local bank details matter

Having a local account number is the thing that makes expat life easier. It means you can:

• Receive salary without international transfer fees
• Set up local direct debits
• Avoid employer paying wire fees
• Appear as a "local" to payroll systems

Wise wins this one. More local currencies, more account numbers. If you need to receive USD, AUD, or SGD, Wise is the answer.

Cards and perks

The Wise debit card

• Mastercard debit card (physical and virtual)
• Spend in any currency at the real exchange rate
• Auto-convert from held balance, or convert on the fly
• Apple Pay and Google Pay compatible
• Freeze/unfreeze instantly in app
• No premium tiers - everyone gets the same features

Revolut cards, by plan

Where each one works

Both work in most countries. What works where varies.

Where Wise works

• Full service: US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Japan, and 50+ more
• Send only: India, Brazil (receiving limited)
• Not available: Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Russia (sanctions)
• Local details: 10 currencies with account numbers

Where Revolut works

• Full service (banking): EU/EEA countries, UK
• Standard service: US, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Brazil
• Limited service: India (coming), some emerging markets
• Banking license: EU (deposit protection up to 100,000 EUR)

For European expats

Moving to Germany, Spain, or the Netherlands? Both work. Revolut's EU banking licence matters if you hold more than a small balance — your deposits are protected up to EUR 100,000.

Security and regulation

Both are well-regulated, in different ways.

How Wise is regulated

• FCA regulated (UK) as an Electronic Money Institution
• FinCEN registered (US) as a Money Services Business
• EU regulated through Belgian National Bank
• Customer funds held in segregated accounts (not lent out)
• Not a bank - no deposit insurance, but funds are safeguarded
• Public company (LSE listed) - financial transparency

How Revolut is regulated

• FCA regulated (UK) as an Electronic Money Institution
• ECB banking license (Lithuania) - full EU bank
• Deposit protection up to EUR 100,000 for EU customers
• US regulated through partner banks
• Seeking UK banking license (pending as of 2026)

Security features

Both take security seriously:

• Two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Biometric login (fingerprint, Face ID)
• Instant card freeze
• Transaction notifications
• Disposable virtual cards (Revolut excels here)
• Location-based security

Which one wins, by use case

For international transfers: Wise

Sending money internationally — to family, for property, or to receive freelance payments — is where Wise clearly wins:

• Always mid-market rate, no weekend markup
• Transparent fees shown upfront
• More local bank details (USD, AUD, etc.)
• Better for large transfers ($10,000+)
• No monthly limits on fee-free transfers

For daily spending abroad: Revolut

Travelling often or living as a nomad? Revolut Premium earns its fee:

• Travel insurance included with paid plans
• Higher ATM limits
• Medical insurance abroad
• Virtual cards for online security
• Built-in budgeting tools

For getting paid in foreign currency: Wise

Working remotely for a UK or US company from Europe? Wise, and it's not close:

• Get local USD/GBP account details
• Employer pays no international fees
• Convert to EUR at mid-market rate
• No monthly fee for this functionality

For savings and investing: Revolut

Revolut has more built-in tools for growing money:

• Stock trading (fractional shares)
• Crypto buying and holding
• Savings vaults with goals
• Round-up spare change
• Interest on savings (in some markets)

For a free plan: depends

• Wise free includes all core features - great for occasional use
• Revolut free is limited ($1,000/month exchange) - fine for light users
• For heavy users, Revolut Premium ($9.99/mo) vs Wise free is the real comparison

Specific expat scenarios

Moving to Germany for work

Moving to Berlin, local contract, paid in EUR:

• Recommendation: Open a German bank account (N26, local bank) for salary + Wise for sending money home
• Use Wise to transfer EUR to home currency at best rates
• Revolut useful as secondary for travel and daily spending

Nomad, multiple countries

You're bouncing between Barcelona, Lisbon, and Southeast Asia:

• Recommendation: Both - Wise for receiving payments, Revolut Premium for spending
• Get paid into Wise USD/GBP/EUR account
• Use Revolut for daily expenses (travel insurance, ATMs)

Freelancer with international clients

Clients paying in USD, EUR, and GBP:

• Recommendation: Wise Business
• Local accounts in each currency
• Clients pay like you're local (no wire fees)
• Convert and withdraw when rates are favorable

Sending money home to India

Monthly remittances:

• Recommendation: Wise
• Best rates for INR transfers
• Direct to Indian bank accounts
• Scheduled recurring transfers

The verdict: which to pick in 2026

Pick Wise if:

• You send/receive international transfers regularly
• You need local bank details in multiple currencies
• Transparent, predictable fees matter to you
• You don't want to pay monthly subscription fees
• You're running a freelance or small business
• Weekend currency conversion is common for you

Pick Revolut if:

• You travel frequently and want all-in-one app
• Travel insurance and perks are valuable to you
• You want to trade stocks and crypto in the same app
• You primarily spend in EUR/GBP
• You're okay with a monthly subscription for premium features
• Deposit insurance matters (EUR 100,000 in EU)

Or use both

Honestly? Most expats I know use both. Wise for transfers and salary. Revolut for daily spending. Nothing stops you from keeping both open — the free tiers on each are useful on their own.

My take

For 2026:

• Primary transfers and salary: Wise (unbeatable transparency)
• Daily spending and travel: Revolut Premium (best value with insurance)
• Budget conscious: Wise free plan covers most expat needs

Both have grown up. They're reliable, regulated, and genuinely better than a traditional bank for moving money across borders. The right pick depends on your situation — start with our salary calculator to see what you'll actually be managing in your new city.