Revolut vs Monese
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Revolut | Monese |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.4 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Best for | Travel spending and an all-in-one app | Opening an account without local credit history |
| Monthly fee | Free to ~$16.99/mo (Standard→Metal) | Free plan; paid plans available |
| Exchange rate | Mid-market weekdays; ~1% weekend on Standard | FX fee on free plan; lower on paid |
| Send / receive | Free between Revolut users | Free Monese-to-Monese |
| Withdrawals | Free up to a monthly limit, then ~2% | Monthly free cap, then fee |
| Card | Yes — virtual & physical debit; Metal on premium | Yes — debit card |
| Availability | 40+ markets; cards usable in 160+ countries | UK + EEA |
| Currencies | 30+ in-app (spend in 120+) | GBP, EUR, RON (hold others) |
| Regulation | Bank of Lithuania (ECB), UK banking licence, FCA | UK FCA; EEA e-money via partners |
| Founded | 2015 | 2015 |
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
Monese
Monese is a UK-based e-money app aimed at expats and newcomers, letting people open an account without a local credit history and hold several currencies. It is quick to set up and useful for the underbanked, though free-plan fees, its e-money (not full-bank) status and reported financial-stability concerns are worth weighing.
Pros
- Open an account with no local credit check
- Good for expats and newcomers
- Hold multiple currencies
Cons
- Free-plan FX and ATM fees add up
- The company has faced financial-stability concerns
- Not a full bank (e-money)
The bottom line
Overall, Revolut edges ahead with a score of 4.4 versus 3.2 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.