Wise vs Revolut (USA): Transfers & Travel in 2025
U.S.-based and choosing between Wise and Revolut? Here’s a clear, current comparison of fees, exchange rates, card/ATM rules, and travel perks—plus who each suits best.
Wise vs Revolut for the USA: money transfers & travel
TL;DR (at a glance)
• Best for international transfers: Wise — uses the mid-market rate and shows one, upfront fee; ACH is usually the cheapest pay-in. 
• Best for everyday travel perks (U.S.): Revolut Premium/Metal — bigger fee-free exchange allowances on weekdays, in-network ATM access via Allpoint (55k+ ATMs), and travel insurance on paid plans. (Standard plan has a 1% weekend FX fee.) 
Cheapest cash withdrawals:
• Wise (US card): 2 free ATM withdrawals/mo up to $100, then $1.50 + 2% above $100. ATM operator fees may apply. 
• Revolut (US): No fee at 55k+ in-network Allpoint ATMs; out-of-network monthly allowances vary by plan (Premium $800, Metal $1,200; then up to 2%). Weekend FX fees may still apply if conversion happens at the machine. 
Tip: Always choose to pay/withdraw in the local currency to avoid costly Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). Both Wise and Revolut recommend this. 
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What really drives your costs
Exchange rate policy
• Wise: converts at the mid-market rate (the rate you see on Google/Reuters) and adds a clearly shown service fee. 
• Revolut (US): uses its own Revolut rate sourced from market data feeds; fees/allowances depend on plan and time (weekend vs weekday). U.S. Standard plan has a 1% weekend markup (Fri 5pm–Sun 6pm ET). 
Transfer fees & speeds (U.S.)
• Wise: multiple pay-in methods (ACH, wire, card). ACH is typically lowest cost; 50% of transfers are instant and 90% arrive within 24 hours (varies by route). 
• Revolut (US): local USD bank transfers are generally free (wires $10); international transfers attract Revolut’s transfer fee and potential intermediary bank charges; between-Revolut user payments are instant and fee-free. 
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Side-by-side for U.S. customers
| Feature | Wise (USA) | Revolut (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate | Mid-market rate + transparent fee | Revolut rate; fees vary by plan & timing (weekends can add fees) |
| Weekday FX allowance | N/A (pay per conversion) | Standard: $1,000/mo fee-free; Premium: $10,000/mo; Metal: unlimited (weekdays) |
| Weekend FX markup | No weekend surcharge (same pricing 24/7) | Standard: 1% (Fri 5pm–Sun 6pm ET). Check in-app for paid tiers. |
| Domestic USD transfer | ACH & wires supported (fees shown upfront) | Local USD bank transfers typically $0; domestic wires $10 |
| International bank transfer | Low, upfront fee; mid-market rate | Fee applies (Standard legal: up to 5% or up to $10 for small transfers), plus possible intermediary fees |
| Receive USD | Full ACH & wire details (routing & account) in-app | Receive like any bank transfer; instant & fee-free between Revolut users |
| ATM access (USA) | 2 free withdrawals/mo up to $100; then $1.50 + 2% over $100 (operator fees may apply) | 55k+ Allpoint ATMs = no fee; out-of-network: Premium $800/mo, Metal $1,200/mo then up to 2% |
| Travel extras | — | Paid plans add perks (e.g., travel insurance; Allpoint access; other travel features) |
Rates are indicative only – compare live rates here.
Local banking details: receive like a local (no forced conversion)
Short answer:
• Wise (US customers): Yes — you get local account details in multiple currencies (incl. USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NZD, SGD, HUF) so payers can send via local rails and the money lands in that currency. (Some extras like RON/PLN/MYR/TRY exist with restrictions.)
• Revolut (US customers): Partly — you get USD local details (ACH & wire) and GBP local details (UK sort code + account). For EUR and most others, you’ll use SWIFT (IBAN), which still lands in that currency but isn’t a local transfer.
Tip: Always share currency-matched details (send EUR to EUR details, GBP to GBP, etc.) to avoid rejection or unwanted conversions.
| Currency | Wise | Revolut (US) |
|---|---|---|
| USD | Local ACH & wire details (own routing/account). ACH free to receive; domestic wires have a small fee. | Local ACH & wire details (own routing/account). Revolut doesn’t charge to receive; sender/intermediaries may. |
| GBP | Local UK sort code + account (receive in GBP via Faster Payments/BACS/CHAPS). | Local UK sort code + account available to US users (receive in GBP locally). |
| EUR | Local EUR (IBAN) — receive EUR to your EUR balance via SEPA without conversion. | SWIFT (IBAN) — receive EUR to your EUR balance (cross-border, not local). |
| AUD, CAD, NZD, SGD | Local account details available in each (receive locally in the same currency). | Use SWIFT details; funds arrive in that currency but via cross-border rails. |
| Other (e.g., CHF, JPY) | Receive via SWIFT to that currency balance (no auto-conversion). | Receive via SWIFT to that currency balance (no auto-conversion). |
Fees & quirks to know
• Wise: Receiving USD by ACH is free; domestic USD wires incur a small Wise fee. International SWIFT receipts can attract Wise fees and intermediary bank deductions.
• Revolut (US): Revolut doesn’t charge to receive bank transfers, but intermediary/ sending banks may deduct fees on SWIFT transfers.
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How fees bite in the real world
Card spend abroad:
• Wise: no foreign transaction fee; if Wise needs to convert, you pay a small, shown conversion fee at the mid-market rate. Avoid DCC at terminals. 
• Revolut: weekday exchanges within your plan’s allowance are fee-free; Standard pays +1% on weekends if an exchange occurs then. Always choose local currency to avoid DCC. 
Cash abroad:
• Wise: great for light cash users (≤$100/mo fee-free). Heavy ATM use can get pricey beyond that. 
• Revolut: strong if you stick to Allpoint in the U.S. and keep out-of-network withdrawals within your plan’s monthly allowance. 
Bank-to-bank transfers:
• Wise: excels for one-off or large international transfers thanks to mid-market rate and ACH pay-in. Many routes are instant/24h. 
• Revolut: best for Revolut-to-Revolut (instant, no transfer fee), or free local USD transfers; cross-border wires can face Revolut fees and intermediary bank deductions. 
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U.S.-specific “gotchas” to watch
• Weekend FX on Revolut Standard: If your card transaction or in-app exchange triggers conversion on Fri 5pm–Sun 6pm ET, expect +1%. Consider exchanging on weekdays beforehand. 
• ATM operator fees: Even when your provider charges $0, the ATM itself can add a surcharge. Look for Allpoint on Revolut, and decline DCC on both. 
• Wise ATM cap is low in the U.S.: Only $100/mo fee-free cash. Plan to pay by card where possible. 
• Transfer routing: With Wise, pay by ACH for lower fees; wires are faster but cost more. Revolut domestic USD wires cost $10. 
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Which should you choose?
Pick Wise if you mainly…
• care about the best FX rate (mid-market) and clear pricing.
• send international transfers (especially larger amounts) and can fund by ACH.
• don’t need frequent large ATM withdrawals. 
Pick Revolut (Premium/Metal) if you mainly…
• spend on the card a lot while traveling and can keep exchanges to weekdays within your tier’s allowance.
• want in-network ATM access in the U.S. and travel extras (insurance, etc.). 
Warning: Fees and allowances change. Always check the in-app fee preview before exchanging or sending money.
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FAQ
Does Wise let U.S. users receive USD like a local?
Yes. Wise provides ACH routing & account numbers (and wire/SWIFT details) so you can receive USD to your Wise balance. ACH receipts are free; wires incur a small fee. 
Are Revolut international transfers free in the U.S.?
No. Revolut applies fees to international/non-USD transfers on Standard (legal page cites up to 5% or up to $10 for small transfers, plus possible intermediary bank deductions). Local USD transfers are generally free; domestic wires are $10. 
Do Revolut paid plans remove weekend FX fees?
U.S. Standard explicitly lists a 1% weekend fee. Paid plan messaging/press vary by region—always check your app’s fee preview in the U.S. before exchanging on weekends. 
🔍 Quick Verdict
| Provider | Best For | Overall Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Real exchange rates, transparency | ⭐ Best all-rounder |
| Revolut | Frequent travellers, budgeting | 🏆 Best for advanced features & FX tools |
Sources: Wise mid-market & fees; Revolut U.S. plan/FX rules; Revolut ATM network & limits; Wise ATM policy; Revolut transfer fees and domestic wire fee; Wise ACH/wire & speed; Wise USD receiving details. 
Disclaimer: Please note any provider recommendations, currency forecasts or any opinions of our authors should not be taken as a reference to buy or sell any financial product.
