Revolut Review
Fast, app-first transfers for existing customers
Revolut is built around its own app and card, with free transfers between Revolut users and a paid plan structure for everyone else.
RevolutGood for
Revolut suits people who already use the app day-to-day for spending and budgeting and mostly send money to other Revolut users, since those transfers are near-instant and carry no fixed fee. It also works well for anyone willing to pay for a higher-tier plan in exchange for better exchange rates.
- Near-instant between two Revolut accounts
- Transfers sit next to everyday spending and budgeting tools
- No fixed fee on standard transfers
Not ideal if
If you're sending to someone without a Revolut account, want the lowest possible cost without paying a subscription, or need the recipient to collect cash in person, a dedicated money-transfer specialist is likely to serve you better.
- FX markup is higher than dedicated transfer specialists
- Best pricing requires a paid subscription tier
- No cash pickup option
How it works
Sending a transfer with Revolut starts in the app: you sign in, pick the amount and currency, and enter the recipient's details. If the recipient also holds a Revolut account, the money moves between accounts almost immediately, since no intermediary bank is involved. If they don't use Revolut, the funds are sent on to their regular bank account instead, which takes longer and is converted at Revolut's standard exchange rate, with any fees depending on your plan tier. Recipients can typically be saved for future transfers, and the whole process sits inside the same app used for everyday spending and budgeting.
Fees & costs
Standard Revolut transfers don't carry a fixed fee, so most of the cost comes from the exchange rate markup applied when converting currency rather than a separate line-item charge. Free account holders get a limited amount of fee-free currency exchange before that markup applies, while paid plan tiers come with higher or unlimited allowances and generally better rates. In practice, the real cost of a transfer depends heavily on which plan you're on: without a subscription, the FX markup tends to run higher than what dedicated transfer specialists charge, while upgrading to a paid tier can narrow that gap.
Is it safe?
Regulated money transfer providers are typically licensed by financial authorities in the countries they operate in, and are required to safeguard customer funds and follow anti-money-laundering rules. Before sending a significant amount with any provider, it's worth confirming it's licensed to operate in both your country and the recipient's, and checking how your money is protected while it's in transit.
Our verdict
Revolut is a strong choice if you're already using it for everyday spending, want transfers managed alongside your budgeting tools, and mostly pay other Revolut users, where transfers are instant and free. It's a weaker fit for occasional international senders who don't want to pay for a subscription to get competitive rates, or who need the recipient to pick up cash rather than receive funds into a bank account — in those cases, a transfer specialist focused solely on cross-border payments will typically cost less and offer more delivery options.
FAQ
Is it free to send money with Revolut?
Transfers between two Revolut accounts are free and near-instant. Sending to someone without a Revolut account, or exchanging currency beyond your plan's fee-free allowance, is priced using Revolut's exchange rate markup, which varies depending on your plan tier.
Do I need a paid plan to get decent exchange rates on Revolut?
Not necessarily, but free accounts have a more limited fee-free currency exchange allowance and face a higher markup once that's used up. Paid plan tiers generally come with larger allowances or better rates.
Can I use Revolut to send money to someone who doesn't have an account?
Yes. The funds are sent to their regular bank account instead of another Revolut account, though this takes longer than an instant Revolut-to-Revolut transfer.
Does Revolut offer cash pickup for the person receiving money?
No. Revolut pays out to a bank account or another Revolut account; it does not offer cash pickup locations.