Revolut vs Wirex: Fees, Features, Cards & More (2023)

Adam Rozsa

Published: 22.12.22

5 minute read

If you’re considering getting an online and mobile account to hold multiple currencies and spend with a linked card, you may be trying to decide between Wirex vs Revolut.

Which comes out on top of the Revolut vs Wirex debate will depend on your personal preferences and the exact services you need - this guide covers all you need to know. And as a bonus, we’ll also touch on the Wise Account and card as an alternative if you’re looking for an account and card with an international focus.

Overview

Wirex and Revolut are quite different businesses, but they do offer some overlapping services.

Wirex¹ has over 5 million customers in 130 countries, with a focus on crypto services, and the Wirex Card² for traditional and cryptocurrency spending. There’s a Wirex reward scheme which means you can get a percentage back on card spending, and you can send free crypto payments to other Wirex customers easily, too.

Revolut³ also has a huge customer base and serves many global regions, including the US, with a broader suite of money management features and payment options compared to Wirex. Customers can choose between fee free standard accounts, or paid plans with more features - and can also get a Revolut card for easy spending and withdrawals, including fee free withdrawals at 55,000 locations in the US.

Pros & Cons

	Revolut	Wirex
Pros	Choose the account plan that suits your needs Fee free ATM withdrawals to plan limits Exchange between traditional currencies with the mid-market rate to plan limits	Accounts are free to open in the US Make crypto payments to friends for free Supports 37 cryptocurrencies, and a range of traditional currencies for card spending
Cons	A monthly fee applies to unlock all features Transaction and fair usage fees can apply Revolut accounts may not available in as many countries as Wirex	Fees apply to some transactions, including potential markups on currency exchange Options may be limited for fee free cash withdrawals Payments to other accounts not available in traditional currencies

Features

While Wirex and Revolut have some similar features, they also have a slightly different focus to each other.

Wirex is primarily about crypto services, with an additional Wirex Card which can be used to spend crypto and traditional currencies with no extra Wirex fees. Revolut offers more services set around saving, investing, budgeting and general money management, plus products covering insurance.

Which provider is best for you will depend on the services you need. Here’s a quick overview of some features offered by each:

Feature	Revolut	Wirex
Linked card for online and in person spending	Available	Available
ATM withdrawals	Available	Available
Transfers	To bank accounts and other Revolut users, in traditional currencies	To other Wirex users, in cryptocurrencies
Currency exchange	Fee-free to plan limits Fair use, out of hours and exotic currency fees may apply	Currency exchange may include a markup on the mid-market rate⁴
Cashback or rewards on spending	Available	Available
Insurance and payment protections	Available	Not available
Accounts for children	Available	Not available
Saving, investments and stock trading	Available	Not available

Cards

Both Revolut and Wirex offer linked cards which can be used for payments and withdrawals.

The Wirex Card can earn you up to 8% cryptoback - rewards issued in supported cryptocurrencies. Revolut has both standard cards and virtual cards, plus the exclusive Metal card for customers who upgrade to the highest paid tier of Revolut account.

Pricing and Fees

One important factor if you’re deciding between Revolut vs Wirex will be the costs and fees you’ll face with both.

Revolut accounts offer a broader range of features compared to Wirex, while Wirex has a more comprehensive coverage for crypto services. You’ll be able to find the full details of the options and costs on the provider websites or apps - below we’ve summarized the key fees where Wirex and Revolut services overlap - card use, currency exchange and payments.

Feature or service	Revolut⁵	Wirex⁷
Open account	Free	Free
Monthly fee	Free standard accounts, up to 16.99 USD/month for a Metal plan	Free
ATM withdrawals	Free in network ATM withdrawals at 55,000 locations International and out of network ATM withdrawals⁶: 1,200 USD/month fee free for a standard plan 2% fee after that	250 USD/month fee free 2% fee after that
Exchange rate	Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate to your plan limit	Currency exchange uses the Wirex rate
Payments	Send payments to other Revolut accounts for free Send up to 10 international payments/month fee free	Send crypto payments to other Wirex accounts for free⁸

Get a Wise Account today

Wirex and Revolut aren’t your only options. If you’re looking for a digital account which gives you flexible multi-currency options, check out the Wise Account and card as well.

Wise Accounts can be opened online or in the Wise app for free, and can hold 50+ traditional currencies, with local bank details for up to 10 currencies. You’ll also be able to order a linked international card for spending in 170+ countries - with the mid-market exchange rate every time.

Wise accounts have no monthly fees, no minimum balance and no hidden costs, making them a flexible option for anyone who loves to travel or spend online with international retailers.

Not sure? There’s also a Wise vs Revolut head-to-head comparison here if you want to learn more.

See how much you can save with Wise:

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing: Only Pay for What You Use for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.

Security

Whenever it comes to money, it’s important to check the provider you pick is reputable and has security measures in place to keep your account safe. Here’s what you need to know about Wirex vs Revolut security.

Is Wirex trustworthy?

Wirex USA Inc is regulated by FINCEN⁹ (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network), much like most money service businesses. Wirex also uses both automatic and manual enhanced security measures like secure log ins and policies designed with security in mind.

It’s worth noting that cryptocurrencies can be volatile - if you’re getting started with crypto, make sure you understand the risks in advance.

Is Revolut trustworthy?

Yes. Revolut is a regulated provider which operates around the world in a broad range of countries. It holds a European banking license, and in the US works with a variety of reputable banking partners to make sure customer funds are secure.

💡 Read more about how Revolut keeps customers safe, here.

Support

Revolut operates through an app, so the best way to get support is to log into your account and start a chat there with the customer service team. You can also call +18447443512 if you need to block or manage your Revolut Card and don’t have access to the app¹⁰.

Wirex has a customer contact form online which you can use to get help with any questions¹¹.

Wirex vs Revolut: Bottom line

Whether Wirex or Revolut wins for you will depend on what you’re looking for. Wirex has been built around cryptocurrency services, while Revolut has a broader package of services which includes some crypto alongside more mainstream banking options.

Compare both using this guide - and don’t forget to take a look at the Wise Account and card too. If you’re looking for an account and card to come with you when you travel, and to make international spending cheaper, Wise could be the perfect match for you.

Get a Wise Account today

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I transfer money from Wirex to Revolut?

You should be able to link your Wirex card to your Revolut account as a payment method, which will allow you to use your Wirex and Revolut accounts together. Exactly how this works depends on the regions in which both your Wirex and Revolut accounts are registered.

Which bank does Wirex use?

Wirex offers services in partnership with various banks, depending on where in the world you are and which services you access. In the US, for example, cardholder services are offered through Visa and Sutton Bank.

How do I get my money out of Wirex?

You can get your money out of Wirex by withdrawing to a USD bank account in your name¹², making cash withdrawals with your linked Wirex Card, or making crypto payments to other Wirex users.

Sources:

All sources checked on 22 December 2022

This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from TransferWise Limited or its affiliates. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.