Wise
Multi-currency account and card with transparent conversion pricing.
Last checked: 2026-06-22
- Travelers comparing FX costs
- Freelancers receiving and converting international payments
Review
Revolut
Revolut is a widely used money app offering multi-currency accounts, cards, international transfers, in-app crypto and travel features. Its free Standard plan covers most everyday needs, while paid tiers raise fair-usage and ATM allowances — but the headline interbank rate applies only within monthly limits, and consumer protection differs by market.
Last checked: 2026-06-22Overall: 5/5Fees: 5/5Travel: 4/5
Not financial advice
This is informational content, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check official terms, eligibility, limits and local reporting obligations before using any provider.
Best for
- One-app travel money with FX and extras
- Users who stay within free FX and ATM allowances
Avoid if
- Large conversions wanting no fair-usage fees
- Users needing bank-grade protection in every market
Summary verdict
- Multi-currency app, cards, transfers and in-app crypto with tiered plans.
- Plan tiers and fair-usage/ATM allowances vary by region; check the local Revolut pricing page for your residence.
- Keep at least one backup provider for critical trips or payouts.
Availability
Region-dependent
UK, EEA, US and many other countries; features and protection vary by region
Plans, fair-usage allowances, ATM limits and consumer protection vary by country.
Card and payments
- Type
- Virtual + physical
- Custody
- Not applicable
- KYC
- Required
- Apple Pay
- Yes
- Google Pay
- Yes
Watchout
- Consumer protection differs by market — Revolut holds an EU banking licence (deposit protection in the EU) but operates as an e-money institution in some markets, where funds are safeguarded rather than bank-deposit insured.
- In-app crypto is custodial; it is not the same as holding keys in a self-custody wallet.
Fees and limits
| Issue | Standard plan card free; express delivery or premium cards can cost more |
|---|---|
| Monthly | Standard plan free; Plus, Premium, Metal and Ultra tiers carry recurring fees |
| Annual | No annual fee on Standard; paid tiers billed monthly or yearly |
| FX | Interbank rate within a monthly fair-usage allowance (about 1,000 in base currency on Standard), then a fair-usage fee on the excess (≈1% in the UK/EU, 0.5% in the US); a 1% weekend markup can apply outside FX-market hours on some currencies |
| ATM | Free up to a monthly allowance (region and plan dependent, e.g. EUR 200 or USD 800), then about 2% |
| Spend | Revolut-to-Revolut transfers are free; external transfers vary by route, currency and plan |
| Limits | Fair-usage and ATM allowances scale with plan; spending limits are account-specific |
How it works
- Multi-currency account and card in supported countries
- Interbank-rate currency exchange within fair-usage limits
- In-app crypto, savings vaults, budgeting and travel eSIMs
Pros
- Free Standard plan covers most everyday needs
- Strong app with broad currency and feature coverage
Cons
- Interbank rate only within monthly fair-usage limits, then fees
- Weekend FX markup and plan-gated allowances add complexity
Risks / compliance notes
- Consumer protection differs by market — Revolut holds an EU banking licence (deposit protection in the EU) but operates as an e-money institution in some markets, where funds are safeguarded rather than bank-deposit insured.
- In-app crypto is custodial; it is not the same as holding keys in a self-custody wallet.
Official sources
Verified from official pages: Revolut pricing plans
Data confidence
- Source checked
- 2026-06-22
- Data confidence
- High
- Review status
- Fresh
- Plan tiers and fair-usage/ATM allowances vary by region; check the local Revolut pricing page for your residence.
Alternatives
5/5
N26
Licensed German mobile bank with fee-free card spending abroad and deposit protection.
Last checked: 2026-06-22
- EU residents who want a real bank with no-FX card spending
- People who value deposit protection over multi-currency holding
Deel
Global contractor-payment platform with multi-currency and USDC withdrawals.
Last checked: 2026-06-22
- Contractors whose clients already use Deel
- Remote workers who want a USDC payout option
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FAQ
Is Revolut free for spending abroad?
On the Standard plan you get the interbank rate up to a monthly fair-usage allowance and a fee-free ATM allowance; above those, a fair-usage FX fee and ATM fees apply, and a 1% markup can apply on weekends. Paid plans raise the allowances.
Is the cheapest transfer provider always best?
No. Reliability, corridor support, documentation and recovery options matter for important transfers.
Should freelancers keep a backup payout method?
Yes. Account reviews or corridor limits can interrupt cash flow even with legitimate payments.