5 Best Revolut alternatives: Which is the best for you?

Revolut describes itself as a financial super app. It offers digital banking, global spending, and money transfers with lower fees than many traditional banks. You can open an account in minutes through the mobile app and choose from three different plans, depending on the features you need.

But Revolut isn’t the right fit for everyone. Some users want simpler pricing, while others need more control when sending money abroad or managing multiple currencies.

This guide explores five of the best apps like Revolut, including Wise. You’ll see how each one works, what it costs, and how to find the right option for your personal or business finances. Alternatively, you can get a full review of Revolut here.

We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.

Learn more 🔎

Table of contents
What is Revolut and how does it work? Wise Skrill Chime PayPal N26 Frequently Asked Questions

What is Revolut and how does it work?

Revolut is a UK-based fintech company offering online banking through its app. Users can hold multiple currencies and send international transfers. The app also supports spending with a linked debit card and includes features like budgeting tools and cryptocurrency trading.

Users can open personal or business accounts, depending on their needs. Once signed up, you can add funds and make payments from the app. The company also offers virtual cards, subscription controls, and spending insights to help people manage their money from abroad.

Revolut is available in over 160 countries and regions, and has expanded rapidly in recent years.¹ But despite its popularity, it may not be the best fit for everyone. Some users look for a Revolut alternative that has lower fees, better customer support, or a simpler interface.

How Much Does Revolut Cost?

Revolut offers several account tiers, each with different features and monthly fees.

The plan you choose will affect the tools you get access to, as well as how much you’ll pay in fees over time. If you’re comparing Revolut fees with other providers, it’s worth paying close attention to the limits on free transfers and exchange rates.

Here’s a look at the core personal plans as of 2025:

Plan	Monthly fee²	Free ATM withdrawals³	Free currency conversions⁴	Currency exchange rates out-of-hours⁴	International transfer discounts⁵
Standard	$0	Up to $400/month, then 2% fee	Up to $1,000/month, then 0.5% fair usage fee	1% on weekends	—
Premium	$9.99	Up to $800/month, then 2% fee	Up to $10,000/month, then 0.5%	No weekend fee	20% off Standard transfer fees
Metal	$16.99	Up to $1,200/month, then 2% fee	Unlimited fee-free exchanges	No weekend fee	40% off Standard transfer fees

The free Standard plan can work for simple needs like occasional spending or basic budgeting. But if you travel often or make frequent cross-border payments, international transfer costs and exchange rate markups can start to add up.

That’s why many users start looking into apps similar to Revolut that offer transparent pricing or better support for international use. Let’s go over a few alternatives.

Wise

If you’re looking for a Revolut alternative that makes it easy to manage money across currencies, the Wise account could be a good fit. You can hold over 40 currencies and send money to more than 160 countries at the mid-market exchange rate.¹⁰

Personal users can get a Wise Multi-Currency card for everyday spending. At the same time, freelancers and businesses can use Wise to invoice clients abroad or pay international suppliers. Everything runs through Wise’s app or web dashboard.

Unlike many traditional providers or digital wallets, Wise shows you the full cost of every transfer before you hit send. There are no hidden fees(*), and your money is never marked up with inflated exchange rates.

Wise Pros & Cons

Not sure where you stand on the Revolut vs Wise debate? Check out these Wise pros and cons to help you choose.

Pros	Cons
Hold and convert 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate	You have to pay a small fee when you transfer money, though Wise is committed to further reducing them
Send money to 160+ countries with low, transparent fees	No option to deposit cash or visit a branch
Wise card works in 150+ countries and auto-converts at the best rate	Not available in all countries
Live chat support on phone or chat	—

💡 Did you know that Wise also offers a business account?

Some key features of Wise Business include:

Better visibility and organization of business finances for account reconciliations and audits Major local account details for a simple one-off fee to receive international payments with ease No monthly account fees or minimum balance requirements Receive payments from e-commerce platforms such as Amazon or via Stripe Create invoices using the free Wise invoice generator or invoice templates Accounting integrations, including a QuickBooks Bill Pay connection Batch payment options. Fast payment for up to 1,000 people

Discover the difference between
Wise Business vs Personal

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Skrill

Skrill is a digital wallet that lets you send and receive money and withdraw funds with a prepaid Visa card. You can hold multiple currencies, send money to bank accounts abroad, and transfer funds to other Skrill users.

It operates in 200 countries and supports more than 40 currencies.⁶ Skrill Money Transfer allows international payments to select destinations, and there’s also a loyalty program (KNECT) that rewards frequent use.

However, some fees can add up. Card-funded international transfers come with a 2.99% fee, and currency conversions carry a markup of up to 3.99%.⁷,⁸ There’s also a €5 monthly inactivity fee if your account goes unused for six months.⁹ These costs may be a drawback for people or businesses sending frequent international payments.

Skrill Pros & Cons

Not sure if Skrill is the right fit? Here’s a breakdown of the key pros and cons to help you weigh it against other options.

Pros	Cons
Fast international transfers to select countries	FX fees up to 3.99% on currency conversion
Loyalty program rewards frequent spending	€5 inactivity fee after 6 months of no use
Operates in 200 countries with 40+ supported currencies	Limited free features compared to other providers
Business accounts and merchant tools are available	Transfer fees vary depending on the funding method

💡 Learn more about Skrill in this full review. If you’re trying to decide between Skrill and PayPal, you can also get a side-by-side comparison on Skrill Vs PayPal here.

Chime

Chime is a US-based financial technology company that offers checking and savings accounts with no monthly fees. It partners with FDIC-insured banks and provides a linked debit card. Customers also get fee-free overdraft protection and access to over 60,000 ATMs.¹¹

For users in the US, Chime is a practical Revolut alternative. It offers no monthly fees, and tools like Credit Builder and automatic savings help support better money habits. At the time of writing, the high-yield savings account offers 1.25% APY, or up to 3.75% with Chime+ and a qualifying direct deposit.¹²

There’s no support for international transfers or multi-currency accounts, so it’s best suited for domestic users looking for low-fee day-to-day banking.

Chime Pros & Cons

Here are some pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for you. You can also learn more in our full Chime review.

Pros	Cons
No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements	No support for international transfers or multi-currency currencies
Access to 60,000+ fee-free ATMs across the US	$2.50 fee for out-of-network ATM withdrawals¹⁵
Credit Builder helps improve credit with no annual fee¹³	Cash deposits can involve third-party fees
Get paid up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit¹⁴	Features are only available to US residents
High-yield savings earn 1.25% APY, or 3.75% with Chime+	—

PayPal

PayPal remains one of the most established names in digital payments. What began as a simple way to pay for eBay purchases has grown into a full-featured platform offering personal and business accounts, peer-to-peer transfers, savings tools, and financing options.

Users can send and receive payments, then spend their balance using PayPal’s debit or prepaid cards. Purchases can be made in-store or online. The platform also offers “Pay in 4,” a short-term installment plan with no interest when payments are made on time.

In 2025, PayPal continues to expand its banking-style features. Users can opt into direct deposit and access high-yield savings through partner banks, with rates currently at 3.80% APY.¹⁶ All account activity is managed through the PayPal app.

PayPal Pros & Cons

New to PayPal? Check out these pros and cons and read more about what PayPal is and how it works here.

Pros	Cons
Trusted platform with global reach	2.9% fee for domestic payments made with a debit or credit card¹⁸
High-yield savings options available (3.80% APY)	5% fee for international money transfers (capped at $4.99)¹⁹
“Pay in 4” installment option with no interest	Currency conversion fees range from 3% to 4.5%¹⁹
Available in over 200 countries/regions and supports 25 currencies¹⁷	—

N26

Berlin-based N26 offers online and mobile banking to customers across much of Europe. Personal accounts come with a linked Mastercard debit card and no fees on foreign currency spending. The app also sends real-time alerts to help you track your money.

The bad news for US users is that N26 officially ended its US operations on January 18, 2022. Since then, the company has focused on expanding its European services.²⁰

If you’re based in Europe, N26 may be a strong Revolut alternative—especially if you’re looking for a provider with a full banking license, strong security, and low everyday fees.

N26 Pros & Cons

Let's have a look at the pros and potential cons of using N26 as your provider.

Pros	Cons
No fees on foreign currency spending with a debit card	Not available outside of Europe
Instant alerts for each transaction	1.7% fee for ATM withdrawals on the Standard plan²¹
Paid plans include travel insurance and savings perks	Monthly free ATM withdrawals are limited by account type
Direct deposit is available with early access to pay	No credit card options

💡 Learn more about how N26 and Revolut compare in this review. You can also get a full N26 review here.

Make low cost international transfers with Wise

A smart option if you’re sending money overseas: meet Wise.

Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app, and send money to 140+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

Wise always shows you the amount you’re paying and how much your recipient will get — and you can even compare against other providers on the Wise app or desktop site.

If another service is cheaper for your particular payment, you’ll be shown — so you can’t lose.

Get started with Wise

See how Wise compares with international bank transfers in our full guide

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

Frequently Asked Questions

Still deciding if Revolut is the right fit? Here are some common questions to help you compare options and make the best choice.

What is the best Revolut alternative in the US?

If you’re based in the US, Wise is one of the top Revolut alternatives for sending and receiving international payments with low, transparent fees. Chime is also a good option if you want domestic banking features like early direct deposit and credit-building tools.

Is Revolut available in the US?

Yes, Revolut operates in the US, though it has fewer features than its European version. Some tools, like crypto trading or certain budgeting options, may not be available. If you’re looking for a more complete feature set, apps like Wise or Chime may be better suited.

Are Revolut alternatives better for international transfers?

Some Revolut alternatives offer better pricing or more transparent fees for sending money abroad. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and shows all fees upfront. Skrill and PayPal also support global transfers, but have higher currency conversion costs.

What fees should I watch out for with digital banking apps?

Look out for monthly account fees, ATM withdrawal charges, inactivity fees, and currency conversion costs. Some apps also charge for express delivery or card use abroad. It’s smart to read through the fee schedule before opening an account.

Can I use more than one app like Revolut?

Yes. Many users combine different apps for different needs. One might be best for spending, another for saving, and a third for international payments. Just make sure you keep track of your balances and understand how each one works.

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Revolut is a popular choice for digital banking, but it isn’t the only one out there. Whether you need lower international transfer fees, better travel perks, or simpler account options, there’s likely a better fit depending on where you live and how you manage your money.

Wise is one of the most versatile Revolut alternatives, especially if you send or spend money abroad often. But each platform has its strengths. Use this guide to compare your options and choose the one that best matches your lifestyle and wallet.

Opening a Wise account is another option you can benefit from — it’s quick and simple to do it online with just a few clicks.

🚀 Get started with Wise

Sources:

Sources

1. Revolut – about
2. Revolut – pricing plans
3. Revolut – cash withdrawal and limit fees
4. Revolut – currency exchange fees and limits
5. Revolut – personal fees
6. Ppro – Skrill
7. Skrill – send money
8. Skrill – currency conversion
9. Skrill – fees
10. Wise – account
11. Chime – homepage
12. Chime – savings
13. Chime – credit builder
14. Chime – how we get you paid early
15. Chime – does Chime charge fees?
16. PayPal – savings
17. PayPal – availability
18. PayPal – digital wallet
19. PayPal – consumer fees
20. N26 – US operations
21. N26 – foreign transaction fee

Sources checked 08/01/2025