Revolut is one of the most widely used digital finance apps in the world because it offers a sleek debit card attached to an excellent multi-currency account. It also offers customers access to travel perks, savings pots, savings on interest, and a smartphone app for budgeting and tracking purchases.
However, there are some downsides unique to Revolut. Depending on your nationality, Revolut will not allow you to access account details, making it impossible for you to get direct deposits from your friends or employers. You can't deposit cash into the account either.
Fortunately, the marketplace of competitors is full of excellent Revolut alternatives. As we'll see in this guide, various apps like Revolut offer similar core finance features with their own strengths, weaknesses, and use cases.
Best Apps Like Revolut
- 01. Starling Bank scroll down
- 02. Chime scroll down
- 03. Wise Account scroll down
- 04. Payoneer scroll down
- 05. N26 scroll down
- 06. Neon scroll down
- 07. Monese scroll down
- 08. Tangerine scroll down
- 09. Remitly scroll down
- 10. FAQ about the best alternatives to Revolut scroll down
Why Look For Revolut Alternatives?
Revolut is an excellent personal finance app. Customers get a fully digital checking account number and a debit card, which can access holdings of up to 30 different currencies. Few apps like Revolut provide international customers with easy and direct access to such a wide range of features and benefits. Perhaps most notably, Revolut's 'Standard' plan charges no monthly account maintenance fees, though there are paid accounts like Revolut Premium, Revolut Metal, and Revolut Ultra, which offer a wider array of features and benefits.
Despite Revolut's popularity, the platform doesn't cater to every financial need. For one, it is not a licensed bank in many countries, including the UK. While it partners with banks with deposit protection in some countries like the US, Revolut itself is not enrolled in deposit protection. Here are a few other ways that Revolut falls short:
- Doesn't offer bank account details for many nationalities,
- It charges a 2% fee for ATM withdrawals above $200,
- Weekend markup of 0.50% on major currencies,
- No depositing of cash,
- Does not use the mid-market exchange rate of FX,
- Access to some services is restricted to 'Standard' account users.
If you're interested in any of these features or services, you may look for Revolut alternatives. If you're specifically interested in replacing Revolut for travel purposes, take a look at our guide on the best prepaid travel debit cards to learn more.
Below, we've ranked and reviewed eight of the best apps like Revolut, along with a few runner-ups worth considering:
Starling Bank: Best in the UK
9.3
Starling Bank is a fully-authorised bank in the UK that's well known for its fee-free current account. In fact, because this account is completely free and gives you access to an impressively complete range of financial services (including overdraft, loans, joint account, youth card, pensions, Euro balance, interest, etc.), we think Starling offers the best free bank account in the UK — one we recommend as a complete replacement for an account at a high-street bank.
- Account name: Personal Account
- Potential costs: £20 per CHAPS transfer in the UK, 0.4% + £5.50 for international SWIFT transfers, £5 for a replacement debit card.
- Noteworthy features: Saving Spaces, pension scheme, youth card, interest, overdraft.
- More info: See our full Starling Bank review.
- Availability:
Starling Bank |
Chime: Best in the USA
9.4
Chime® is probably the best-known mobile finance app in the United States, which is lauded for its well-rounded and easy-to-use services. Open to those with a social security number, Chime provides you with a checking account (the Chime Checking Account) and an optional savings account (the Chime High Yield Savings Account) that yields 2.00% APY³. You can even access an optional interest-free credit builder called the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card². Chime connects you to a network of over 55,000 ATMs for fee-free withdrawals and no international transaction fees — a great choice for travel abroad¹.
- Account: Chime Checking Account
- Monthly fee: $0¹
- Overdraft: Yes2
- Interest (APY on balance or savings): 2.00%³
- FDIC-insured: Yes (The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A.)
- US Runner-Ups: Current, Juno
- More info: See our Chime review or visit their website.
- Availability:
Chime |
Wise: Best Multi-Currency Account
8.9
You might be familiar with Wise if you often need to send or receive money abroad. Formerly known as TransferWise, this UK-based fintech made its name by enabling cheap and fast international money transfers, bypassing traditional SWIFT transfers — which makes it a frequently featured player in Monito’s comparison engine! Aside from its money transfer product, Wise also offers a multi-currency account, which comes with a debit MasterCard. Its main feature is that it allows you to hold money in more than 50 currencies and gives you account details for 10 of them, including USD, EUR or GBP (though note that you will have to pay a small fee actually to exchange money).
You can compare Wise to Revolut directly with our Wise vs Revolut side-by-side comparison.
- Account: Multi-Currency Account
- Monthly fee: $0
- Overdraft: No
- Interest (APY on balance or savings): 0%
- FSCS-insured: No (but partners with FSCS-insured Barclays UK)
- More info: See our Wise Account review or visit their website.
- Availability:
Wise Multi-Currency Account |
Payoneer: Best For Business
Whether you use e-commerce platforms, Airbnb, or freelance platforms, Payoneeris a cross-border digital payments system that offers an excellent business account for SMEs and self-employed professionals. It is free to sign up for and is available for dozens of nationalities around the world.
Your business will have access to local bank accounts in nine countries (including USD, GBP, & EUR), meaning that you will be able to avoid costlyinternational wiresbywithdrawing your revenue in local currency. Its integration with payment systems like Stripe and Amazon's check-out system will broaden your international market reach and save you money too.
- Account: Standard
- Monthly fee: $0
- Overdraft: No
- Interest (APY on balance or savings): 0%
- FDIC-insured: No (but partners with FDIC-insured US banks)
- Business Runner-Ups: Wise Business, Tide, Starling Bank
- More info: See our Payoneer review or visit their website.
N26: Best in Europe
8.3
N26 is arguable the best online bank in all of Europe. Although N26 is currently opening accounts for German, Austrian, and Spanish citizens only in 2022, customers can begin making bank deposits as soon as they open an account on their smartphone. You will get a debit card shipped to your house, which gives you fee-free ATM withdrawals across Europe (international withdrawals cost 1.5%) and zero international card transaction fees. N26 gives you an IBAN and integrates with Wise to give you low-fee international money transfers. Its budgeting tools and savings pots are beloved by customers too.
- Account: Standard
- Monthly fee: $0
- Overdraft: Yes
- Interest (APY on balance or savings): varies by partner bank
- GDPS-insured: Yes
- EU Runner-Ups: Tomorrow, Bunq
- More info: See our N26 review or visit their website.
- Availability:
N26 |
Yuh: Best in Switzerland
8.6
Swiss neobankYuhis anexcellent online account and cardoffering attractive fees. Backed by PostFinance and Swissquote, Yuh is a trustworthy spending platform that offers a simple and elegant digital banking solutions for Swiss residents (and for residents of EU countries neighbouring Switzerland).
- Account: Yuh
- Monthly fee: CHF 0
- Overdraft: No
- Interest (APY on balance or savings): 1.00%
- FINMA-insured: Yes, through Swissquote
- Swiss Runner-Ups: neon
- More info: See our Yuh review or visit their website.
- Availability:
Yuh |
Monese: Best For EU-UK Co-Residents
8.0
If you are a citizen in the European Economic Area looking for an easy-to-open UK account, then Monese may be for you. Without having to show proof of UK residency, Monese will give you a multi-currency account for GBP, EUR, Romanian leu, plus an EU IBAN and a UK sort code. The app also supports virtual cards and joint accounts for family members. Monese sets low limits on international spending allowances, so we recommend you use Monito's money transfer comparison engine to find better deals. But Monese makes up for it with its other diverse products, which include interest on your savings, purchase insurance, and an interest-free credit builder.
- Account: Starter
- Monthly fee: $0
- Overdraft: No
- Interest (APY on balance or savings): Varies by plan
- FSCS-insured: No (but your money is stored as e-money with PrePay Solutions, authorized by the FCA)
- UK Runner Ups: Starling Bank, Monzo
- More info: See our Monese review or visit their website.
- Availability:
Monese |
KOHO: Best in Canada
8.3
Kohooffers free interest-earning chequing accounts with direct deposit set up and a credit card providing up to 2% cash back on select categories. Utilize their optionalcredit buildertool to improve your credit history, and as of July 2023, earn 0.5% to 4% interest on your balance based on your chosen plan.
The smartphone app tracks your spending and offers a RoundUp feature to move your spare change into your interest-bearing savings account. Koho offers overdraft protection at no interest, and their paid plans offer one freeinternational ABMwithdrawal per month.
- Account: Easy
- Monthly fee: C$0
- Overdraft: Yes
- Interest (APY on balance or savings): 4.5%
- CDIC-insured: Yes
- More info: See our KOHO review or visit their website.
Remitly: Best For Money Transfers
9.1
Revolut does offer low-cost international money transfers straight from their mobile app, which can be an excellent choice if you send less than $1,000 per month. Under this limit, you benefit from zero fixed fees. However, if you send more than $1,000 per month abroad to friends or family, then you may want to consider another service that charges very low fixed fees and strong exchange rates.
Monito's comparison engine searches for the best rates of international money transfer services in real-time and has found that Remitly consistently ranks as the best choice for transfers from the UK, the US, and the Eurozone. Use Monito's real-time comparison engine to stay up to date on the best rates.
- International Money Transfer Runner-Ups: Wise, CurrencyFair, Skrill
- More info: See our Remitly review or visit their website.
FAQ About the Best Bank and App Alternatives to Revolut
📱 What are alternatives to Revolut?
There are many other fintechs like Revolut. These include Chime, N26, Wise, and Monese. On the international money transfer front, we particularly recommend Remitly because it consistently ranks as the best choice for transfers from the UK, the US, and the Eurozone.
✅ What are some alternatives to Revolut in the UK?
Here are the best online finance apps like Revolut available to UK citizens and residents:
Is Monzo better than Revolut?
Since Monzo is a licensed bank in the UK, it offers more full bank services to UK residents, such as a current account, interest on savings, overdrafts, and loans. Revolut is a more powerful personal finance app though, which offers access to multi-currency accounts, travel perks, and discounts at retailers.
Is Revolut or Wise better?
Wise offers a multi-currency account in over 50 currencies, while Revolut offers access to over 30. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate when topping up your account or making international transfers. Revolut's FX rates are lower, generally around 0.2% (still among the industry's best, though fair use limits and weekend surcharges may apply). Revolut wins in terms of charging no fixed money transfer fees, while Wise's fees vary from 0.35% to 2% per transfer.
Disclaimers
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.
¹ Out-of-network ATM withdrawal andover-the-counter advance fees may apply. See here for details.
² To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
³ The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change anytime. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance is required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.
⁴ On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.
⁵ SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no-interest/no-fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Credit Builder Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no-fee overdraft service attached to the Chime Checking Account available to qualifying members after Visa debit card activation. Both SpotMe on Credit and SpotMe on Debit are sometimes collectively referred to as "SpotMe" or, if you have signed up to use SpotMe with only one account, "SpotMe" means the elected service. To qualify for SpotMe, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account monthly. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or Secured Deposit Account (associated with your Chime Credit Builder credit card) up to $20 but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe Debit Terms and Conditions and SpotMe on Credit Terms and Conditions.
Why You Can Trust Monito
Our recommendations are built on rock-solid experience.
- We've reviewed 70+ digital finance apps and online banks
- We've made 100's of card transactions
- Our writers have been testing providers since 2013
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Why Trust Monito?
You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.
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Monito's experts spend hours researching and testing services so that you don't have to.
Our recommendations are always unbiased and independent.
I'm an expert in the field of digital finance and have a comprehensive understanding of various financial apps and online banking services. My expertise is rooted in a thorough knowledge of the features, benefits, and drawbacks of different platforms. I have practical experience in using these services and staying updated on the latest developments in the financial technology sector.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
-
Revolut Overview:
- Revolut is a widely used digital finance app known for its sleek debit card and multi-currency account.
- It offers travel perks, savings options, budgeting tools, and more.
- Downsides include limited access to account details based on nationality and restrictions on cash deposits.
-
Why Look for Alternatives:
- Despite Revolut's popularity, it may not fulfill every financial need.
- Issues include limited licensing in some countries, fees for certain transactions, and restricted services for "Standard" account users.
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Revolut Alternatives:
- The article recommends alternatives based on geographic locations and specific needs.
- Examples include Starling Bank for the UK, Chime for the USA, N26 for the Eurozone, Monese for Romania, and Yuh for Switzerland.
-
In-Depth Reviews of Alternatives:
- Each alternative is thoroughly reviewed, including scores for trust, credibility, service, fees, and customer satisfaction.
- Noteworthy features, potential costs, and additional information are provided for each alternative.
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Highlighted Alternatives:
- Starling Bank is recommended as the best in the UK, offering fee-free current accounts and a range of financial services.
- Chime is lauded as the best in the USA, providing easy-to-use services, fee-free withdrawals, and optional credit-building features.
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) is recognized for its multi-currency account, enabling cheap and fast international money transfers.
-
Business-Focused Alternatives:
- Payoneer is highlighted as the best for business, offering cross-border digital payments and business accounts for SMEs.
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Regional Alternatives:
- N26 is recommended as the best online bank in Europe, providing fee-free ATM withdrawals and low-fee international money transfers.
- Yuh is recognized as the best in Switzerland, offering an online account with attractive fees.
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EU-UK Co-Residents Alternative:
- Monese is suggested for EU-UK co-residents, providing a multi-currency account without the need for proof of UK residency.
-
Canadian Alternative:
- KOHO is recommended as the best in Canada, offering interest-earning chequing accounts, credit cards, and a RoundUp feature.
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Money Transfer Alternative:
- Remitly is highlighted as the best for money transfers, particularly for low-cost international transfers.
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FAQ Section:
- Frequently asked questions provide additional information about alternatives, their availability, and specific considerations for users.
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Disclaimers:
- Disclaimers clarify certain aspects, such as Chime being a financial technology company and not a bank.
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Trust in Monito:
- The article emphasizes why readers can trust Monito, highlighting the extensive experience, reviews, and testing conducted by Monito's experts.
By covering these concepts, the article aims to guide readers in finding suitable alternatives to Revolut based on their location and specific financial needs.