I’m looking for apps similar to Revolut for managing money internationally. I need alternatives because for some reason I can’t access Revolut anymore—either they’re unavailable in my region or there’s some issue with my account. Any suggestions on comparable apps you trust for money transfers, currency exchange, or budgeting?
- Wise (Formerly TransferWise)
Homepage Link: wise.com- Pros:
- Ultra-low fees compared to traditional banks.
- Great exchange rates with no hidden markups.
- Easy integration for international business needs.
- Cons:
- Limited features compared to Revolut (no budgeting tools).
- Debit card availability depends on your country.
- Features:
- Hold and manage 50+ currencies in your digital account.
- Borderless account for receiving bank details in multiple countries.
- Instant transfers to fellow Wise users.
- User Reviews:
- Solid 4.5/5 rating on Trustpilot: Most users love the transparency in fees and exchange rates. A few complain about occasional delays in transfers.
- Verdict: If you prioritize currency exchange and international transfers over all else, Wise is an unbeatable choice. On the downside, it feels more like a money-transfer service than a full-fledged banking/replacement app.
- Pros:
- N26
Homepage Link: n26.com- Pros:
- A clean and intuitive banking experience.
- Free international ATM withdrawals with select plans.
- Built-in expense tracking and insights.
- Cons:
- Currently unavailable in some countries, like the U.S.
- Limited currency exchange compared to options like Wise.
- Features:
- Free to premium tier accounts, suiting different needs.
- Powerful mobile app with real-time activity updates.
- Sub-accounts (‘Spaces’) for saving and organizing money.
- User Reviews: Users love the slick design and no-frills functionality. However, occasional complaints about poor customer service and slow response times exist.
- Verdict: N26 strikes a good balance for those looking for a Revolut alternative that combines basic banking with money management features.
- Pros:
- Payoneer
Homepage Link: payoneer.com- Pros:
- Specially designed for freelancers and businesses receiving global payments.
- Supports receiving direct deposits from platforms like Upwork, Amazon, and Fiverr.
- Reliable and available globally.
- Cons:
- Not ideal for personal expense management.
- High fees for ATM withdrawals.
- Features:
- Multi-currency accounts with the ability to hold EUR, USD, GBP, and more.
- Payments to and from global clients seamlessly.
- Free transfers between Payoneer users.
- User Reviews: Payoneer is popular within the freelancing community, though complaints often revolve around its higher ATM fees and occasional account freezes for verification.
- Verdict: It’s not a perfect Revolut replacement but shines for professionals in the global gig economy needing payment solutions.
- Pros:
- Monzo
Homepage Link: monzo.com- Pros:
- Easy sign-up and UK-based banking features.
- Strong budgeting tools for everyday finance.
- Free abroad spending with no hidden fees.
- Cons:
- Currently restricted primarily to UK residents.
- Premium plans feel unnecessary unless you travel frequently.
- Features:
- Offers ‘Pots’ for savings.
- Easy instant syncing with mobile payments like Google Pay.
- Early salary payments option in supported regions.
- User Reviews: Users rave about its budgeting features and seamless integration, but non-UK users feel left out.
- Verdict: Monzo is an excellent option if you reside in its serviced locations, particularly for its daily money management tools.
- Pros:
- Skrill
Homepage Link: skrill.com- Pros:
- Good for fast global money transfers.
- Offers prepaid debit cards (with monthly fees, though).
- Cryptocurrency trading support.
- Cons:
- Limited banking-like capabilities (no expense tracking).
- High fees on withdrawals and currency exchanges.
- Features:
- Balance can be used to send funds globally.
- Prepaid virtual and physical cards available.
- Integration with gambling/gaming platforms for deposits.
- User Reviews: Generally well-regarded for international transfers, but the high fees draw complaints.
- Verdict: Skrill is best suited as a niche app for money transfers or if you dabble in cryptocurrency but can’t match Revolut’s features for daily banking.
- Pros:
- Curve
Homepage Link: curve.com- Pros:
- Combines all your debit/credit cards into one slick app/card.
- Fee-free foreign transactions on premium plans.
- ‘Go Back in Time’ feature lets you move purchases to another card retroactively.
- Cons:
- Requires pairing with existing accounts—no standalone banking.
- Limited free tier; benefits mostly on paid plans.
- Features:
- Real-time notifications across all linked cards.
- Cashback rewards with selected merchants.
- Curve Fronted for paying via other cards when restrictions apply.
- User Reviews: Extremely positive for consolidating cards and boosting simplicity, but complaints about not being bank replacement material.
- Verdict: A brilliant Revolut companion if you already have established bank accounts/cards. It’s effective, but keyword—companion.
- Pros:
- Starling Bank
Homepage Link: starlingbank.com- Pros:
- Award-winning online UK-based bank with free account options.
- No transaction or currency exchange fees abroad.
- Excellent savings tools.
- Cons:
- Not accessible outside a few regions (primarily UK).
- No debit card support in some countries.
- Features:
- Real-time insights into spending.
- Integration with numerous third-party apps via its marketplace.
- Easy international payments.
- User Reviews: Generally rated better than Monzo for stability and customer service, though still only UK-focused for now.
- Verdict: If you live in the UK, Starling Bank feels like Revolut’s closest competitor in its well-rounded offering.
- Pros:
- Venmo
Homepage Link: venmo.com- Pros:
- Extremely popular for peer-to-peer splitting of bills and expenses.
- User-friendly app with social feed functionality.
- No fees for standard bank account-linked transfers.
- Cons:
- Only supports USD and U.S.-based users.
- Does not emphasize international banking or transfers.
- Features:
- Split group transactions and bill payments with ease.
- Cash-back rewards available on its debit card.
- Speedy transfers to linked accounts (with instant options).
- User Reviews: Heralded for how practical and social-friendly it is, but users complain about lack of versatility for international purposes.
- Verdict: Perfect for casual friends or family money management but far from a Revolut competitor for global travelers.
- Pros:
- Bunq
Homepage Link: bunq.com- Pros:
- Eco-conscious banking with real-time environmental impact tracking.
- Multi-currency support.
- Neat saving features called Auto Save & ‘Freedom of Choice’ for bank investments.
- Cons:
- Expensive subscriptions for premium access.
- Fewer active integrations for business accounts.
- Features:
- Offers joint accounts with collaborative tools.
- Streamlined QR-based payment requests.
- Built-in IBAN generation for easy transfers.
- User Reviews: Most users highlight the fresh take on banking but balk at the high barrier of entry price-wise.
- Verdict: Ideal for conscious savers, but less user-friendly in terms of cost versus benefit against free competitors.
- Pros:
- Xoom (by PayPal)
Homepage Link: xoom.com- Pros:
- Fast and seamless international money transfers.
- Extensive network of countries and payout options.
- Owned by trusted PayPal brand.
- Cons:
- Limited functionality for anything beyond transfers.
- Poor exchange rates compared to Wise/Revolut alternatives.
- Features:
- Integration with PayPal for quick transfers.
- Allows sending funds for cash pickup in several regions.
- User Reviews: Mixed. Praised for its straightforward process but criticized for high fees in comparison to other apps.
- Verdict: Transfer-only focus makes it very situational. Great as a backup option for emergencies but won’t replace your daily Revolut-like activities.
- Pros:
Conclusion: Depending on your needs, Wise (for minimalist transfers), N26 (for balanced banking-tools), or Monzo (for expense tracking) will likely be your go-to. Would love to hear what worked for you!