Apple Pay vs Revolut
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Apple Pay | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best for | Contactless payments on Apple devices | Travel spending and an all-in-one app |
| Monthly fee | Free | Free to ~$16.99/mo (Standard→Metal) |
| Exchange rate | Uses your card's FX terms | Mid-market weekdays; ~1% weekend on Standard |
| Send / receive | Apple Cash P2P free; instant 1.7% | Free between Revolut users |
| Withdrawals | Standard Apple Cash free; instant 1.7% | Free up to a monthly limit, then ~2% |
| Card | No standalone card; tokenises existing cards | Yes — virtual & physical debit; Metal on premium |
| Availability | Apple Pay in 101 countries and regions (Apple list, 27 Oct 2026); Apple Cash US-only | 40+ markets; cards usable in 160+ countries |
| Currencies | Local card currency; Apple Cash USD | 30+ in-app (spend in 120+) |
| Regulation | Apple Cash via Green Dot Bank (US); rides card networks | Bank of Lithuania (ECB), UK banking licence, FCA |
| Founded | 2014 | 2015 |
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is the default contactless wallet for iPhone and Apple Watch users, offering fast, private, tokenized tap-to-pay available in 100+ countries and regions with no Apple fee. Apple Cash adds US-only peer-to-peer payments inside iMessage. Excellent for everyday spending within the Apple ecosystem but offers no standalone account or Android support.
Pros
- Seamless, secure contactless on iPhone/Watch
- Tokenization keeps real card numbers private
- Available in 100+ countries and regions
Cons
- Apple Cash P2P is US-only
- Locked to the Apple ecosystem
- Instant Apple Cash transfers cost 1.7%
Revolut
Revolut is a feature-packed money super-app combining multi-currency accounts, travel-friendly cards, crypto, stocks and budgeting in one place. Free plans offer mid-market FX on weekdays with monthly limits, while paid tiers remove weekend surcharges and add perks. Its breadth is unmatched, though support quality and weekend FX fees are common gripes.
Pros
- Mid-market FX on weekdays with generous free limits
- Budgeting, crypto, stocks, savings in one app
- Strong travel and multi-currency card
Cons
- Weekend FX surcharge and limits on free plans
- Best features locked behind paid tiers
- Support is chat-only and can be slow
The bottom line
Overall, Apple Pay edges ahead with a score of 4.4 versus 4.4 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.