Revolut vs Alipay
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Revolut | Alipay |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.4 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Best for | Travel spending and an all-in-one app | Everyday payments in China |
| Monthly fee | Free to ~$16.99/mo (Standard→Metal) | Free |
| Exchange rate | Mid-market weekdays; ~1% weekend on Standard | FX spread for inbound visitors |
| Send / receive | Free between Revolut users | Free P2P in China; ~0.1% balance-to-bank |
| Withdrawals | Free up to a monthly limit, then ~2% | ~0.1% to bank (China) |
| Card | Yes — virtual & physical debit; Metal on premium | No physical card; QR-code linking bank cards |
| Availability | 40+ markets; cards usable in 160+ countries | China-centric; many countries via partners |
| Currencies | 30+ in-app (spend in 120+) | CNY; FX via Tour Pass |
| Regulation | Bank of Lithuania (ECB), UK banking licence, FCA | People's Bank of China (PBOC); Ant Group |
| Founded | 2015 | 2004 |
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
Alipay
Alipay is one of China's two dominant payment super-apps, with over a billion users and QR-code acceptance across virtually all Chinese merchants, bundling payments, transfers, investing and lifestyle services. Foreign visitors can pay via the Tour Pass feature but face FX spreads and verification hurdles. Essential for spending in China but of limited use elsewhere.
Pros
- Over a billion users; ubiquitous in China
- Super-app: payments, transfers, investing, lifestyle
- QR payments accepted almost everywhere
Cons
- Primarily useful inside China
- Visitors face FX spreads & verification
- Heavy regulatory oversight of Ant Group
The bottom line
Overall, Revolut edges ahead with a score of 4.4 versus 4.2 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.