Wise vs Revolut (2026): Fees, Safety & Crypto Compared

Wise and Revolut are the two names that come up in almost every conversation about moving money across borders, and they get compared constantly because they appear to do the same job. They don't. Wise is a specialist: it moves money between currencies at the mid-market rate with a transparent fee, and everything else it does supports that. Revolut is a financial super-app: a spending account with FX built in, plus stock trading, savings, budgeting — and one of the most-used cryptocurrency on-ramps in Europe.

Which one is "better" depends entirely on which job you are hiring it for. Here is how they compare in 2026 on the things that actually differ.

Wise vs Revolut at a glance

Core strength: Wise — international transfers at the mid-market rate. Revolut — everyday account with FX, investing and crypto built in.
Exchange rate: Wise uses the mid-market rate, always. Revolut offers the interbank rate within your plan's allowance, with a roughly 1% markup on weekends.
Pricing model: Wise is pay-per-transfer (from about 0.3%). Revolut runs a free tier plus paid plans (Plus, Premium, Metal, Ultra).
Multi-currency: Wise holds 40+ currencies with local account details in around ten of them. Revolut holds and exchanges 25+ currencies in-app.
Crypto: Wise — none. Revolut — buy, sell and hold 100+ tokens, plus the standalone Revolut X exchange.
Stock trading: Wise — none. Revolut — US and EU stocks, ETFs and commodities.
UK protection: Wise safeguards funds as an e-money institution (not FSCS). Revolut holds a UK banking licence with FSCS cover on cash up to £85,000 (crypto and investments excluded).

Fees and exchange rates: Wise wins on transparency

Wise's model has not changed since it launched: you always get the mid-market exchange rate — the one you see on Google — and pay a single upfront fee that averages around 0.3–0.6% depending on the currency pair and payment method. There are no plans, no allowances, and no weekend surcharges. For sending money abroad, especially larger amounts, this is consistently the cheapest and most predictable mainstream option.

Revolut's FX is free up to your plan's monthly allowance (£1,000 on the free tier), after which a fee of around 1% applies — and a roughly 1% markup applies on weekends when markets are closed, regardless of plan. Within allowance on a weekday, Revolut's rate is effectively as good as Wise's. The catch is that the pricing depends on when you exchange, how much you've already exchanged that month, and which of five subscription tiers you're on. Frequent movers of money end up paying for Premium or Metal to make the fees tolerable.

Multi-currency accounts: close, with different aims

Both let you hold and convert dozens of currencies. The difference is direction: Wise gives you genuine local account details — a US routing number, EU IBAN, UK sort code, Australian BSB and more — so you can be paid like a local in around ten currencies. That makes it the default choice for freelancers invoicing foreign clients and anyone living across two countries. Revolut's multi-currency account is oriented toward spending: instant in-app conversion and a card that automatically pays in the local currency wherever you are.

Crypto: the categorical difference

This is the simplest section of the comparison: Wise offers no cryptocurrency features at all, and has said repeatedly that it has no plans to. If crypto access matters to you, the choice is already made.

Revolut has been one of Europe's largest retail crypto on-ramps for years. The app supports buying, selling and holding 100+ tokens — from Bitcoin and Ethereum to a rotating list of altcoins — plus recurring buys, price alerts and staking on selected assets. For active traders, Revolut X, its standalone exchange, offers tighter spreads and a more conventional trading interface. UK users should note the in-app product's limits: spreads are wider than dedicated exchanges, token withdrawals to external wallets are supported only for some assets and tiers, and holdings are custodial.

If you are weighing Revolut against dedicated crypto platforms rather than against Wise, the trade-off is convenience versus control: a dedicated exchange gives deeper markets, lower fees and full wallet withdrawals — our exchange rankings compare the major venues — while Revolut wins on having everything in the app you already use. For quick price checks across the top 100 coins and 14 fiat currencies, the crypto converter covers live rates.

Safety and protection: read the small print

Revolut finally holds a full UK banking licence, which means GBP cash balances are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 — the same guarantee as a high-street bank. That protection covers cash only: investments have their own compensation regime, and crypto holdings have none. In the EU, Revolut operates under a Lithuanian banking licence with equivalent €100,000 deposit insurance.

Wise is an e-money institution, not a bank. Customer funds are safeguarded — held in segregated accounts at large banks or in liquid government assets — which protects your money if Wise itself fails, but it is not an FSCS deposit guarantee and pays no interest by default (Wise's interest-earning "Assets" feature is optional and invested, so its value can fall). For money in transit this distinction rarely matters; for parking large cash balances long-term, a licensed bank offers strictly stronger protection.

Business accounts

Both offer strong business products. Wise Business is the standout for companies paying international invoices or contractors: batch payments, mid-market FX, multi-currency account details and accounting integrations, all pay-as-you-go. Revolut Business bundles expense management, corporate cards, and — unusually — crypto exposure for companies on some plans, but its pricing is subscription-based and FX allowances apply. High-volume international payers generally come out ahead on Wise; domestic-first teams that want cards and spend controls often prefer Revolut.

Verdict: hire them for different jobs

Choose Wise if your priority is sending money across borders at the lowest predictable cost, getting paid in foreign currencies with local account details, or running international business payments. It does one thing and remains the best at it.

Choose Revolut if you want one app for everyday spending, travel, budgeting, some investing — and crypto. It is the only one of the two that touches digital assets, and its FSCS-protected UK accounts have closed the old safety gap for cash.

Plenty of people run both: Wise for transfers and receiving payments, Revolut for daily spending and market exposure. Since neither charges a monthly fee at the entry tier, the dual-account setup costs nothing but a second app icon.

Frequently asked questions

Is Wise cheaper than Revolut for international transfers?

Usually, yes — especially for larger amounts, on weekends, or once you exceed Revolut's monthly FX allowance. Within a weekday allowance, Revolut can match Wise on rate; the difference is that Wise's pricing is the same every time.

Can I buy Bitcoin on Wise or Revolut?

Only on Revolut. Wise has no crypto features. Revolut supports 100+ tokens in-app, with Bitcoin and Ethereum the most traded; withdrawal and staking options vary by asset, plan and country.

Is my money safe in Revolut and Wise?

Revolut UK cash is FSCS-protected up to £85,000 under its banking licence; crypto and investments are not covered. Wise safeguards customer funds in segregated accounts, which protects against Wise failing but is not a deposit guarantee scheme.

Which is better for travel?

Revolut, narrowly — the card, instant conversion and spending controls are built for it, and fee-free weekday FX within allowance covers typical holiday spending. Wise's card is also excellent and uses the mid-market rate with no weekend markup, so heavy weekend spenders may prefer it.

This article is for information only and is not financial advice. Crypto assets are unregulated in most jurisdictions, are not covered by investor compensation schemes, and can lose value rapidly. Product features, fees and protections were accurate at the time of writing and change frequently — check each provider's current terms.