Wise and Revolut are the two dominant multi-currency accounts for digital nomads. Both eliminate most traditional banking fees for international use, but they excel in different areas.
This head-to-head comparison breaks down exactly when to use each—and why most serious nomads carry both.
This comparison is part of our Digital Nomad Banking Guide. For comprehensive finance strategies, see our finance resources hub.
Quick Verdict
Wise vs Revolut Summary
Bottom line: Wise provides the most transparent pricing and best exchange rates for most transactions. Revolut offers more features in its premium tiers and better crypto integration. Most nomads benefit from having both.
Company Overview
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Founded in 2011 by Taavet Hinrikus and Kristo Käärmann, Wise started as an international transfer service and expanded into multi-currency accounts. They're known for radical transparency—publicly displaying their fees and using mid-market exchange rates.
Key facts:
- Headquarters: London (offices globally)
- Customers: 16 million+
- Licensed: FCA (UK), FinCEN (US), and regulators worldwide
- Primary focus: Transparent international money movement
Revolut
Founded in 2015 by Nikolay Storonsky and Vlad Yatsenko, Revolut positioned itself as a "financial super-app" with banking, crypto, trading, and lifestyle features. They've grown aggressively with feature-rich premium tiers.
Key facts:
- Headquarters: London
- Customers: 35 million+
- Licensed: Banking license in UK, Lithuania; various licenses globally
- Primary focus: All-in-one financial app
Feature Comparison
Multi-Currency Accounts
| Feature | Wise | Revolut | |---------|------|---------| | Currencies held | 50+ | 30+ | | Local bank details | US, UK, EU, AU, NZ, SG, CA | UK, EU, US (limited) | | Balance interest | Yes (some currencies) | Yes (paid tiers) | | Account opening | 1-2 days | Instant |
Winner: Wise (more currencies, better local bank details coverage)
Exchange Rates & Fees
| Feature | Wise | Revolut Standard | Revolut Premium | |---------|------|------------------|-----------------| | Exchange rate | Mid-market | Mid-market | Mid-market | | Conversion fee | 0.35-1% | Free to limit, then 0.5-1% | Higher limits | | Weekend markup | No | Yes (1%) | Yes (1%) | | Transparency | Fully disclosed | Less clear | Less clear |
Wise exchange approach:
- Always mid-market rate
- Small, transparent conversion fee (0.35-1% depending on currency pair)
- No hidden markups
- Same rates 24/7
Revolut exchange approach:
- Mid-market during market hours
- Weekend/off-hours markup (1%)
- Free exchanges up to monthly limit (varies by tier)
- Over limit: 0.5-1% fee
Winner: Wise (transparent, no weekend markups, predictable costs)
Card & Spending
| Feature | Wise | Revolut Standard | Revolut Premium | |---------|------|------------------|-----------------| | Physical card | $9 one-time | Free | Free | | Virtual cards | Yes | 1 | 5 | | Card freeze | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Apple/Google Pay | Yes | Yes | Yes | | ATM free limit | ~$200/month | $200/month | $400+/month | | ATM fee after | 1.75% | 2% | 2% | | Foreign transaction fee | None | None | None |
Winner: Tie (both work well for daily spending)
International Transfers
| Feature | Wise | Revolut | |---------|------|---------| | Transfer speed | 1-2 days typical | 1-3 days | | Fee transparency | Upfront, clear | Less clear | | Fee structure | % based, varies by route | Varies | | Recipient types | Bank accounts, mobile wallets | Bank accounts, Revolut users |
Typical transfer costs (sending $1,000 USD to EUR):
- Wise: ~$4-6 + mid-market rate
- Revolut: Free to other Revolut users, varies for external
Winner: Wise (better for regular international transfers, more transparent)
Local Bank Details
One of the most useful features for freelancers—receiving payments as "local" transfers.
Wise provides:
- US: ACH routing + account number
- UK: Sort code + account number
- EU: Belgian IBAN (SEPA)
- Australia: BSB + account number
- New Zealand: Bank details
- Singapore: Bank details
- Canada: Transit + account number
Revolut provides:
- UK: Sort code + account number
- EU: Lithuanian IBAN (SEPA)
- US: Routing + account (more limited)
Winner: Wise (significantly more countries, especially important for US freelancers)
Pricing Tiers
Wise Pricing
Wise keeps it simple—one tier with transparent fees:
| Feature | Cost | |---------|------| | Account | Free | | Physical card | $9 one-time | | Currency conversion | 0.35-1% | | ATM withdrawals | ~$200/month free | | International transfers | Varies by route | | Monthly fee | $0 |
Revolut Pricing
Revolut offers tiered plans with increasing benefits:
Standard (Free) | Feature | Included | |---------|----------| | Account | Free | | Card | Free | | Exchange limit | €1,000/month free | | ATM limit | €200/month | | Crypto trading | Yes (fees apply) |
Plus (€3.99/month) | Feature | Included | |---------|----------| | All Standard features | Yes | | Better support | Yes | | Some extra perks | Yes |
Premium (€8.99/month) | Feature | Included | |---------|----------| | Unlimited exchange | Except weekends | | ATM limit | €400/month | | Insurance | Travel, medical | | Lounge access | LoungeKey | | Virtual cards | 5 | | Concierge | Yes |
Metal (€15.99/month) | Feature | Included | |---------|----------| | Everything in Premium | Yes | | ATM limit | €800/month | | Metal card | Yes | | Cashback | 0.1-1% | | Better insurance | Yes |
Real-World Usage Scenarios
Scenario 1: US Freelancer Receiving International Payments
Situation: Receiving EUR payments from European clients.
Wise approach:
- Give client your Wise Belgian IBAN
- Client sends SEPA transfer (free/cheap for them)
- EUR arrives in your Wise balance
- Convert to USD when you want (0.35-0.5% fee)
- Transfer to US bank or spend directly
Revolut approach:
- Give client your Revolut Lithuanian IBAN
- Client sends SEPA transfer
- EUR arrives in Revolut
- Free conversion to USD up to monthly limit
- Transfer out or spend
Winner: Wise (better US bank detail integration, clearer fees)
Scenario 2: European Nomad Daily Spending in Asia
Situation: Living in Thailand, spending in THB daily.
Wise approach:
- Spend directly with Wise card
- Auto-conversion from EUR at mid-market + small fee
- Predictable, consistent pricing
Revolut approach:
- Spend with Revolut card
- Free conversion up to monthly limit
- After limit, 0.5-1% fee
- Watch out for weekend markups
Winner: Revolut (with Premium) if under exchange limits and avoiding weekends. Wise for simplicity and predictability.
Scenario 3: Emergency Cash Access
Situation: Need cash from ATM in rural area.
Wise:
- Up to ~$200/month fee-free
- After: 1.75% fee
- Works at most ATMs globally
Revolut:
- $200/month free (Standard), more on Premium
- After: 2% fee
- Works at most ATMs globally
Winner: Tie (both adequate; Charles Schwab beats both for ATM access)
Scenario 4: Crypto Integration
Situation: Want to buy/sell crypto and use proceeds for travel.
Wise: No crypto features
Revolut:
- Buy/sell major cryptocurrencies
- Convert to/from fiat
- Spend directly (converts when spending)
- Fees competitive with exchanges
Winner: Revolut (only option with crypto)
Regional Considerations
For US-Based Nomads
Wise is better because:
- Full US ACH bank details
- Easier integration with US financial system
- Better for receiving USD payments
- No geographic restrictions on features
Revolut limitations:
- US Revolut is different product from European version
- Fewer features than European Revolut
- FDIC insured (which is good) but different feature set
Recommendation: Wise as primary, Revolut as backup
For European Nomads
Revolut advantages:
- Full banking license in EU
- Better integration with European systems
- More features available in Europe
- Premium lounges more useful in Europe
Wise advantages:
- Still offers excellent exchange rates
- More currencies
- Better for non-EU transfers
Recommendation: Revolut Premium as primary, Wise for specific transfers
For UK Nomads
Both work well:
- Full features available
- Strong local banking integration
- Revolut and Wise both licensed
Recommendation: Revolut for ecosystem, Wise for transfers—have both
Premium Features Worth Paying For
Revolut Premium (€8.99/month) Value Analysis
| Feature | Standalone Value | Worth It? | |---------|------------------|-----------| | Unlimited exchange | Saves €10-20/month if heavy user | Yes for active traders | | Travel insurance | €50-100/year if purchased separately | Yes if you don't have coverage | | Lounge access (LoungeKey) | €20-30/visit | Yes if you fly frequently | | Priority support | Peace of mind | Moderate value | | Higher ATM limits | €4-8 saved per additional €200 | Minimal value |
Premium makes sense if: You exchange more than €1,000/month, fly frequently (lounges), or want travel insurance.
Premium ROI calculation:
- Cost: €8.99/month = €108/year
- Lounge visits (6/year × €25): €150
- Exchange savings (€2,000/month × 0.5%): €120/year
- Insurance replacement: €80/year
- Total value: €350+ for active users
Wise: No Premium Tier
Wise's model is pay-per-use with no subscription. For most users, this is actually cheaper despite paying per conversion.
Wise annual cost for typical nomad:
- Card: $9 (one-time)
- Exchange fees (€30,000/year × 0.4%): $120
- Total: ~$130/year
Security Comparison
Account Protection
| Feature | Wise | Revolut | |---------|------|---------| | 2FA | Yes | Yes | | Biometric login | Yes | Yes | | Card freeze | Yes | Yes | | Transaction alerts | Yes | Yes | | Disposable virtual cards | Limited | Yes (Premium) | | Regulatory protection | FCA, various | Banking licenses |
Deposit Protection
Wise: Holds funds in segregated accounts at partner banks. Protected under various schemes depending on currency.
Revolut (EU): Full banking license means €100,000 deposit protection under European Deposit Insurance Scheme.
Revolut (UK): UK banking license, FSCS protection up to £85,000.
Winner: Revolut (EU/UK) for regulatory protection due to banking license.
Pros and Cons Summary
Pros
- Most transparent pricing—no hidden fees ever
- Best exchange rates (true mid-market)
- More local bank details (US, UK, EU, AU, NZ, SG, CA)
- No monthly fees
- No weekend markups
- Simple, focused product
Cons
- Fewer features than Revolut
- No crypto integration
- No premium tier perks (lounges, insurance)
- ATM limits lower without fee
- No cashback or rewards
Pros
- More features (crypto, trading, budgeting)
- Premium tiers with real value (lounges, insurance)
- Free exchanges up to monthly limits
- Full banking license in EU/UK
- Better app with more tools
- Cashback on Metal tier
Cons
- Weekend exchange markups (1%)
- Limits on free exchanges
- Premium required for best features
- Less transparent fee structure
- US version has fewer features
- Over-limit fees can add up
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Recommendation
The Optimal Setup
For most digital nomads:
- Wise (Primary): Best exchange rates, local bank details, transparent fees
- Revolut (Secondary): Backup card, crypto access, Premium if features justify cost
- Charles Schwab (US citizens): Traditional bank with unlimited ATM rebates
Total cost: $0/month (or €9/month with Revolut Premium)
Decision Matrix
| If You... | Choose | |-----------|--------| | Want simplest, cheapest option | Wise only | | Are US-based | Wise + Schwab | | Are EU-based and want full features | Revolut Premium + Wise | | Trade crypto regularly | Revolut + Wise | | Value lounge access | Revolut Premium | | Send lots of international transfers | Wise | | Don't want to track limits | Wise (no limits, just fees) |
