Revolut card vs Wise card: Travel, Fees & Rates [2024]

Revolut card vs Wise card: Side by side

Both Revolut and Wise offer cards for personal and business customers in the US. This guide focuses on personal accounts and cards – features and fees for business cards may vary.

Let’s kick off this Revolut card vs Wise card review with a comparison of some of the key features of each, side by side:

As you can see, both the Revolut card and the Wise card can be very handy for anyone who wants a way to hold, exchange and spend in foreign currencies.

• Both offer a good exchange rate when converting funds, and both issue cards on major global networks for broad international usage.
• However, the specific features of each card are slightly different, so you may find one suits you better than the other.

This guide will unpick more about how the Revolut card works vs the Wise card, so you can see which suits your personal preferences best.

Pros and cons

Revolut vs Wise for travel abroad

Both the Revolut card and the Wise card have been optimized for international travel, which means they’re great options to help you spend and withdraw seamlessly and with low fees.

There are some similarities in the international features of Revolut vs Wise, but also a few differences. For example,

• with Revolut you may need to pay ongoing fees to get all the features you want
• with Wise has a one time card order fee, but no ongoing monthly or annual ost.

Currency exchange also works differently:

• Revolut has no fee up to a set plan limit, but then charges 0.5%.
• Wise charges a variable fee on all currency exchange, from 0.39%, and shows the costs for easy comparison.

The Verdict: Revolut or Wise card?

Ultimately, both the Revolut card and the Wise card are great options for anyone who travels a lot, or shops online in foreign currencies. Both accounts let you hold multiple currencies, with currency conversion that can work out cheap compared to other options on the market. There’s no fee to spend any currency you hold, so there’s no foreign transaction fee to add to your overseas spending.

The Revolut card might be a great low cost option if:

• You stick within the plan limits for the Standard plan – or you upgrade but make good use of the additional features offered for a monthly fee
• You convert currencies in banking hours only
• You don’t need to make too many ATM withdrawals out of network

On the other hand, the Wise card:

• Supports more currencies, which can be handy if you’re headed off the beaten track
• Has no monthly fees to pay and uses the mid-market rate on all conversion
• Comes with perks like local account details to get paid by others in 10 currencies

Which card is best for you will come down to your personal preferences and how you want to use your card and account.

What is the Revolut card and how does it work?

You can use a Revolut card to spend in person around the world, to shop online, and to make cash withdrawals. You’ll need to set up a Revolut account before you can get your card, and then you can add money in USD from your bank, to spend at home or abroad. You’ll be able to make contactless and mobile payments for convenience.

• Choose from 3 different account plans – the Standard plan has more basic features but no monthly fees, or upgrade with monthly charges to get more features
• Hold and exchange 25+ currencies, or let the card do the conversion to pay in 150+ countries
• Local in network ATM withdrawals have no fee, and you can make some no fee ATM out of network withdrawals monthly

Is Revolut good for international travel?

Yes. Revolut cards are linked to a digital account which you can use to hold and exchange foreign currencies, and allow you to tap and pay, or make withdrawals in 150+ countries.

• Revolut cards support 25+ currencies for holding and exchange
• No fee to spend a currency you hold
• Mid-market exchange rate to plan limit
• Some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly before charges begin

What is the Wise card and how does it work?

The Wise card is linked to a powerful digital multi-currency account. You can get a Wise card by registering a Wise account online or in the Wise app. Once you have your account set up – which can all be done right from your phone – you can order your card in a few steps. Accounts let you hold multiple currencies and also come with easy ways to get paid with others like a local, in 10 currencies, and options to send low cost international payments to 160+ countries.

Is Wise good for international travel?

Yes. Wise offers a flexible account which can hold, exchange, send, spend and receive many major global currencies. Plur you can spend in 150+ countries by simply letting the card’s autoconvert technology manage the exchange for you.

• Wise cards support 50+ currencies for holding and exchange
• No fee to spend a currency you hold
• Mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• Some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly before charges begin

Revolut vs Wise card: Fees

Both Revolut and Wise offer low cost ways to use your card at home and abroad. However, the fee structures aren’t exactly the same for both card options. Here’s a comparison of the Revolut card fees vs the Wise card fees to help you spot the differences:

*Information correct at the time of the research (02.05.2024)

Ultimately, both the Revolut card and the Wise card present good value, so which is best – or cheapest – for you may simply come down to how you’ll use your card.

Compare both options to see which suits your specific requirements.

Revolut vs Wise travel card: Exchange rates

How Revolut vs Wise work on exchange rates is a little different. Wise charges a low, transparent fee for all conversion. Revolut has some no fee weekday conversion for all account plans – fair usage fees and out of hours fees can apply depending on how you use your account for currency conversion.

Which card is cheaper for international travel?

Neither card is a clear winner on cost when spending in foreign currencies – it all comes down to how you’ll use it.

Revolut accounts have variable amounts of no fee cash withdrawals and currency exchange based on account tier, which might mean that it’s worth paying a monthly charge to get more no fee transactions if you’re a frequent traveler.

However, Revolut has an out of hours fee when converting currencies on the weekend – which means it may cost you an extra 1% whenever you exchange money to shop or spend on a Saturday or Sunday. That’s not ideal if you’ll be taking weekend breaks, or if you’re shopping online for leisure.

Wise has no monthly fee and offers the mid-market rate on currency conversion, with low fees, some fee free withdrawals every month, and supports 40+ currencies, which can also be helpful if you’re headed off the beaten path and want an account that’s more flexible on holding currencies.

Revolut vs Wise travel card: Where can you use them?

Both the Revolut and Wise card can be used more or less anywhere in the world. The primary exceptions are in countries which are subject to specific global sanctions. The list of these countries does change from time to time, but can be found on the provider’s website, or by reaching out to their support teams. Here’s a quick head to head summary of both cards for international use:

Revolut vs Wise travel card: How to use them overseas

Both Revolut and Wise can be used very broadly overseas. Here we’ll look at a step by step guide to order your card from your preferred provider, and get started.

How to use your Revolut card overseas

To get a Revout travel card you’ll need to register for a Revolut account, which you can do in the Revolut app. Once you have an account, add money in USD from your bank or using a debit or credit card. You’ll be able to start spending and make ATM withdrawals once your physical card arrives and is activated, anywhere that the network’s logo is displayed.

Here’s how to order your Revolut travel card:

• Log into your Revolut account in the app and go to the Cards tab
• Tap Get card, then Physical card
• Choose your card type which may include options to upgrade to a personalized card
• Create your PIN code
• Enter and check your address and submit the order

Once you have your physical card, activate it on the Revolut app by going to the Cards tab, tapping Activate card, and entering your Revolut card number.

How to use your Wise card overseas

Register your Wise account online or in the Wise app, and order your card easily once your account is verified. You can then start spending with your Wise virtual card, and start making ATM withdrawals once your physical card arrives by mail.

Before you can spend you need to add money to Wise which is easy to do in the app – and you’ll have to activate the physical card when it arrives to make withdrawals.

Here’s how to order a Wise card:

• Log into your Wise account in the app and go to the Cards tab
• Tap Get card, then follow the prompts to complete any required verification step
• Pay the 9 USD one time fee for your card
• Your physical card will be dispatched when you confirm your order

Activate your physical card on arrival by opening the Cards tab in the Wise app and following the prompts to enter the 6 digit code that’s on the letter sent with your card.

Are Revolut and Wise cards safe to use abroad?

Wise and Revolut are both safe, trusted and regulated providers with operations in the US and many other countries around the world. That means they’re overseen by a range of global bodies and are safe to use.

Revolut: manage your card in the Revolut app, freeze and unfreeze as needed, fully licensed provider in the US and wherever else it offers services. Learn more on Revolut Card Review.

Wise: manage your card in app, get instant transaction notifications, open an in app chat if you ever need help, fully regulated and licensed wherever it trades. Learn more on Wise Card Review.

Ease of use for travel

• Creating an account: Both providers let you open an account online and in-app
• Ordering a card: Both providers allow you to order a card online and in-app, for delivery
• Where can be used: Use both cards for spending and withdrawals, more or less anywhere in the world your card’s network is accepted
• Replacement: Free to get replacements for expiring cards with both providers
• Visa or Mastercard: Revolut and Wise issue cards on both Visa and Mastercard networks

Revolut card limits

You can set your own spending limits with Revolut. In addition, there are card deposit limits, but these are not disclosed. If you run into a limit which impacts how you can use your card, you’ll be notified in the app.

To set your own limits go into the Revolut app, look for the cards tab and then follow the prompts. You can also view the limits – and what’s left on them – in the app easily.

Wise card limits

Wise has limits for security which are set to default amounts by spend type, but which can be adjusted using the Wise app, to pre-set maximums. Here’s a rundown.

Conclusion: Which card is better, Revolut or Wise?

Revolut and Wise both offer digital account options which come with linked prepaid debit cards you can use at home and around the world. Because both accounts let you hold and exchange currencies with low or no fees, they can be great for international travel and when you shop online with retailers based overseas. Which is best for you will simply come down to the sorts of transactions you make often and your personal preferences.

The Revolut card is a strong pick if you’ll use it infrequently and can stick within the no fee transaction limits for the Standard plan – in this case you’ll find very few fees, but do watch out for fair usage and out of hours costs. Alternatively, you can upgrade to an account from Revolut with monthly fees but more no fee transactions.

Wise on the other hand has no monthly fee for its account, with some fee free ATM withdrawals monthly, and mid-market rate currency conversion. You’ll pay fees from 0.39% when you switch from one currency to another, and there are low, transparent charges when you exceed your monthly free ATM withdrawals too.

Compare both options to see which suits you.

FAQs – Revolut vs Wise travel card

What is the difference between Revolut and Wise cards?

Revolut and Wise both offer prepaid international debit cards linked to digital accounts. However, the features and fees of each card type are different so it’s worth comparing them both to see which works best for you.

If you’d like to compare other features of Wise and Revolut, this comparison can help: Wise vs Revolut

Is the Revolut card the same as the Wise card?

Both the Revolut card and the Wise card are prepaid debit cards linked to digital accounts. Cards from both providers are issued on either the Visa or Mastercard network and broadly accepted globally. However, they’re not the same. Revolut offers different account plans with their own features and fees, while Wise has one account to support 40+ currencies, with low charges whenever you transact. Compare both options to see which suits you.

Claire Millard

Author

Claire Millard

Fintech Content Writer

Claire Millard is a content and copywriter with a specialty in international finance. Her work has featured in The Times and The Telegraph, as well as industry magazines and leading personal finance blogs.

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Seyma Mektepli

Reviewer

Seyma Mektepli

Editor-in-chief

Seyma is an experienced content writer and editor-in-chief at Exiap, delivering informative articles on personal finance, and money transfers.

Read more

Last updated

May 31st, 2024