Comparisons

Money Transfer Apps Compared: Wise, Revolut, Payoneer

Money transfer apps compared: Wise, Revolut and Payoneer on conversion fees, free ATM cash (Wise US: USD 250; Revolut UK: GBP 200, Sep 2026) and receiving.

Wise, Revolut or Payoneer: which one for which job

Wise suits travelers and expats who hold and convert several currencies: it supports 40+ currencies for the account and card, charges no foreign transaction fee and takes a conversion fee only when it converts (as of 21 Sep 2026). Revolut suits people who want one app for card spending and transfers and convert moderate amounts: it uses its own exchange rate, and the free UK Standard plan adds 1% above GBP 1,000 per rolling month, plus 1% at weekends where it applies (as of 26 Sep 2026). Payoneer suits freelancers paid by marketplaces and foreign clients: receiving in your local currency through a receiving account is free, other currencies cost 1% (minimum USD 1), and bank withdrawals cost 1.2% to 4% by country and currency (as of 26 Sep 2026).

Decision framework

  1. Match the provider to the job: Payoneer for receiving client and marketplace payouts, Wise for converting and sending between currencies, Revolut for everyday card spending and transfers between Revolut users, which are free (as of 26 Sep 2026). Accounts and cards for all three depend on your country of residence.
  2. Price conversion on your real monthly amount. Wise charges a conversion fee each time it converts (as of 21 Sep 2026). Revolut UK Standard adds 1% above GBP 1,000 per rolling month and 1% at weekends where it applies; Payoneer charges 0.5% to convert between balances and 1.2% to 4% when it converts on withdrawal (as of 26 Sep 2026).
  3. Price cash separately. Wise charges no fee up to USD 250 a calendar month, then USD 1.95 plus 1.95% per withdrawal (US pricing, as of 21 Sep 2026). Revolut UK Standard gives 5 withdrawals or GBP 200 per rolling month, whichever comes first, then 2% with a GBP 1 minimum (as of 26 Sep 2026).
  4. Add fixed costs. The Wise physical card costs USD 9 and the digital card is free (US pricing, as of 21 Sep 2026). Revolut UK plans run from the free Standard plan to Plus at GBP 3.99 and Ultra at GBP 55 a month; Payoneer charges a USD 29.95 account fee if you receive less than USD 6,000 in 12 months (as of 26 Sep 2026).
  5. Keep two providers open, so a compliance review at one does not hold up rent, tax or other bills.

Who this is best for

  • Freelancers paid through marketplaces or by foreign clients: Payoneer receiving accounts, free in your local currency (as of 26 Sep 2026).
  • Travelers and expats who hold and convert several currencies: Wise, with 40+ currencies for the account and card (as of 21 Sep 2026).
  • People who want one app for travel spending: Revolut, with a free Standard plan and paid UK plans from GBP 3.99 a month (as of 26 Sep 2026).
  • Friends and couples splitting costs: transfers between Revolut accounts are free (as of 26 Sep 2026).

When to avoid

  • Your trip needs a lot of cash: Wise’s fee-free allowance is USD 250 a month on US pricing (as of 21 Sep 2026), so carry a second card for withdrawals.
  • You convert large amounts or at weekends on Revolut Standard: above GBP 1,000 a month and at weekends a 1% fee applies (UK, as of 26 Sep 2026). Convert on weekdays or use Wise.
  • You want the Payoneer card mainly for travel spending: it carries a USD 29.95 annual fee and up to 3.5% card conversion (as of 26 Sep 2026). A Wise or Revolut card fits everyday travel spending better.
  • You hold a Thailand-registered Wise account and need cash in Thailand: the Thailand-linked Wise card has no domestic ATM withdrawals after the 2026 migration (as of 21 Sep 2026).
Wise

Multi-currency account, transfers and card for 40+ currencies.

Availability
Region-dependent. Accounts, cards and pricing depend on your country of residence
Monthly
No card subscription fee (US pricing, as of 21 Sep 2026)
FX
No foreign transaction fee; conversion fee applies when Wise converts currency
Limits
Card spending limits depend on the account and region. Thailand-registered personal accounts have rollout-stage limits: 800,000 THB a day for outward remittances, initially 30,000 THB a day for account payments/transfers, and no domestic ATM withdrawals with the Thailand-linked Wise card (as of 21 Sep 2026).

Best for

  • Travelers who spend in several currencies and want a clear conversion fee
  • Freelancers receiving and converting international payments

Cons

  • Card and account details vary by country
  • ATM allowance can be too small for cash-heavy trips
Last checked: Wise card fees
ReviewCheck terms
Revolut

Multi-currency app, cards, transfers and in-app crypto with tiered plans.

Availability
Region-dependent. UK, EEA, US and many other countries; features and protection vary by region
Monthly
Standard plan free; Plus, Premium, Metal and Ultra tiers carry recurring fees
FX
Own variable Revolut exchange rate. UK Standard: 1% above GBP 1,000 per rolling month, plus 1% weekend exchange fee where applicable; other plans and markets differ.
Limits
Fair-usage and ATM allowances scale with plan; spending limits are account-specific

Best for

  • Travelers wanting one app for cards, FX and extras
  • People who stay within the free FX and ATM allowances

Cons

  • Exchange fees and allowances depend on plan, timing and market
  • Card delivery and optional subscriptions can cost extra
Last checked: Revolut pricing plans
ReviewCheck terms
Payoneer

Global payout account and Mastercard for eligible freelancers and businesses.

Availability
Region-dependent. Region-dependent; account, card and route availability vary by country and account type
Monthly
No standard monthly subscription; regional annual plans, registration fees and a conditional annual account fee can apply
FX
Internal balance conversion is 0.5%; withdrawal conversion is 1.2%-4%; card conversion is up to 3.5% and no-conversion cross-border card use up to 1.8%
Limits
Card limits are set per account; you see yours in your Payoneer account

Best for

  • Freelancers using supported marketplaces
  • Businesses needing multi-currency payout operations

Cons

  • Fees differ by receiving route, withdrawal and card use
  • Eligibility, cards and receiving routes vary by country
Last checked: Payoneer pricing
ReviewCheck terms

How we evaluate

We compare fees, the countries each product serves, how well it works on the road and its main risks, using each provider’s own price and terms pages.

Related next steps

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FAQ

Wise or Revolut: which is better for travel?

Wise is better for regular or large conversions: it charges a conversion fee each time and no foreign transaction fee (as of 21 Sep 2026). Revolut is better if you stay inside the free UK Standard allowances: conversion at Revolut’s own rate with no added fee up to GBP 1,000 per rolling month on weekdays, and 5 ATM withdrawals or GBP 200 a month without a Revolut fee (as of 26 Sep 2026). Carrying both gives you a backup card.

Wise or Payoneer for freelancers?

Payoneer if you are paid through marketplaces and platforms: receiving in your local currency is free and other currencies cost 1% (minimum USD 1) (as of 26 Sep 2026). Wise if clients pay by bank transfer and you want to convert at Wise’s published conversion fee (as of 21 Sep 2026).

How much does it cost to withdraw cash abroad?

Wise (US pricing): no Wise fee up to USD 250 a calendar month, then USD 1.95 plus 1.95% per withdrawal (as of 21 Sep 2026). Revolut (UK Standard): 5 withdrawals or GBP 200 per rolling month free, then 2% with a GBP 1 minimum (as of 26 Sep 2026). Payoneer card: USD 3.15, EUR 2.50 or GBP 1.95 plus up to 1.8% or up to 3.5% depending on the transaction (as of 26 Sep 2026). The ATM operator can add its own fee.

Does Payoneer charge an annual fee?

Yes, in two cases. The USD 29.95 account fee applies when you receive less than USD 6,000 equivalent in any 12 consecutive months; it is waived in the first year of a paid annual plan. The Payoneer card has a separate USD 29.95 annual fee (as of 26 Sep 2026).

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Fees and terms change, so check the provider’s current price page before you sign up. How we compare