Revolut vs PayPal
A side-by-side look at how these two wallets stack up — and which one wins for which job.
| Feature | Revolut | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.4 / 5 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Best for | Travel spending and an all-in-one app | Online shopping & buyer protection |
| Monthly fee | Free to ~$16.99/mo (Standard→Metal) | Free |
| Exchange rate | Mid-market weekdays; ~1% weekend on Standard | ~3–4% above wholesale rate |
| Send / receive | Free between Revolut users | Free friends/family same currency; goods & services fees apply |
| Withdrawals | Free up to a monthly limit, then ~2% | Free standard bank transfer; ~1% instant |
| Card | Yes — virtual & physical debit; Metal on premium | Limited (debit/credit in some markets, e.g. US) |
| Availability | 40+ markets; cards usable in 160+ countries | 200+ countries/regions |
| Currencies | 30+ in-app (spend in 120+) | 25 currencies |
| Regulation | Bank of Lithuania (ECB), UK banking licence, FCA | FinCEN (US), Luxembourg CSSF (EU) |
| Founded | 2015 | 1998 |
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
PayPal
PayPal is the most widely accepted online payment service, valued for its buyer protection and near-universal merchant coverage. Its convenience comes at a cost: currency conversion markups of roughly 3–4% and layered international fees make it expensive for cross-border transfers compared with dedicated specialists. Best suited to online shopping rather than low-cost money movement.
Pros
- Accepted by millions of merchants worldwide
- Strong buyer and seller protection
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- High currency conversion markup (~3–4%)
- International receiving fees add up
- Account freezes/holds reported by some users
The bottom line
Overall, Revolut edges ahead with a score of 4.4 versus 3.6 — but the right choice depends on your priorities. Check both against your own country and use case before deciding.