Wise vs Payoneer vs Revolut: Which Saves You More on International Money Transfers?

Choosing the right international money transfer service can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars annually on cross-border payments. Wise delivers transparent mid-market exchange rates with fees starting at 0.41%, Payoneer specializes in marketplace payments and multi-currency receiving accounts for freelancers and e-commerce sellers, while Revolut provides subscription-based plans with generous free transfer allowances for businesses and frequent travelers. This detailed comparison examines real transfer costs, exchange rate markups, speed, supported countries, and hidden fees to help you select the most cost-effective service for your international payment needs.

Quick Facts Comparison

Feature	Wise	Payoneer	Revolut
Starting Transfer Fee	0.41%	1-3% + Exchange Rate Markup	$0 (with limits)
Exchange Rate	Mid-Market (Real Rate)	Up to 2% markup	Interbank Rate (with limits)
Best For	Cost-Conscious Transfers	Marketplace Sellers & Freelancers	Frequent Travelers & Businesses
Monthly/Annual Fee	$0	$0 (with activity requirement)	$0-$90/month
Supported Countries	160+	190+	48+
Receiving Accounts	10 currencies	9 currencies	Local details for GBP, EUR
Transfer Speed	Instant to 2 days	1-3 business days	Instant to 2 days
Inactivity Fee	None	$29.95/year (under $2,000 received)	None
Business Features	Multi-currency account, batch payments	Marketplace integration, mass payouts	Team cards, expense management
Currency Support	55+	150+	30+

Wise: Transparent Mid-Market Rates Without Hidden Markup

Wise operates as a true mid-market rate money transfer service used by over 16 million customers globally. The platform’s core strength lies in complete fee transparency.

Transfer fees start at just 0.41% of the sending amount for major currency pairs. The percentage varies by route and payment method. You see the exact fee before confirming any transaction. No surprises appear after money leaves your account.

The mid-market exchange rate makes Wise significantly cheaper than banks. This is the real exchange rate you find on Google or Reuters. Traditional banks add 3-5% markup hidden in their exchange rate. Wise uses the actual interbank rate with zero markup.

You can hold 55+ currencies in one Wise account simultaneously. Local account details exist for 10 major currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, NZD, SGD, CAD, HUF, TRY, and RON. Receive money like a local in these currencies without conversion fees.

The platform offers automatic discounts for high-volume senders. Transfer over $25,000 (or equivalent) in a month and you get up to 0.17% discount automatically. This applies to both single large transfers and cumulative monthly volumes. Running an online business means managing more than just payment transfers. Many businesses integrate Wise with accounting platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, or FreshBooks to automate expense tracking and reconciliation across multiple currencies.

Batch payments let you send up to 1,000 transfers at once. Business accounts pay a single combined fee. CSV upload speeds up the process significantly. This feature suits businesses paying multiple suppliers or contractors internationally.

Wise Business accounts support API integrations with major platforms. You can connect to Shopify, Amazon, Stripe, and 100+ other services. Automated currency conversion happens when you receive international payments.

The interest feature pays 3.14% APY on USD balances (as of current rates, subject to change). This applies to eligible personal and business accounts. Your money earns while waiting to transfer.

Wise Fee Structure

• Transfer fees: From 0.41% for major currencies, varies by route
• Receiving money: Free for ACH and local transfers, $6.11 for incoming wires
• Currency conversion: Mid-market rate with no markup
• Account maintenance: $0 monthly fee, no minimums
• High-volume discount: Automatic above $25,000 monthly volume

Payoneer: Marketplace Integration Specialist for Global Sellers

Payoneer serves 7 million users across 190+ countries with focus on e-commerce and freelance payments. The platform integrates directly with 2,000+ marketplaces and networks.

You get local receiving accounts in 9 major currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, CNY, MXN, and more. Amazon, eBay, Upwork, Fiverr, and Airbnb pay directly into these accounts. Consolidating marketplace earnings becomes simple.

The fee structure varies significantly by transaction type. Receiving payments from integrated marketplaces costs nothing. Getting paid by clients via credit card charges 3.99% plus potential fixed fees. ACH bank transfers from US clients cost 1%.

Currency conversion fees range from 0.5% to 2% above wholesale rates. The exact markup depends on currencies involved and transaction size. Payoneer doesn’t publish specific conversion rates publicly. You see the total cost when initiating transfers.

Withdrawing to your local bank account costs $1.50 for USD, EUR, and GBP up to $50,000 monthly. Transactions exceeding $50,000 in a calendar month pay 0.5% instead. Cross-currency withdrawals can cost up to 3% of the transaction amount.

The $29.95 annual fee applies if you receive less than $2,000 in a 12-month period. Active freelancers and sellers easily avoid this charge. The fee deducts automatically from your account balance. Freelancers using Payoneer benefit from pairing it with professional invoicing software like Wave, FreshBooks, or Invoice Ninja to create branded invoices and track client payments efficiently across different currencies.

Payoneer-to-Payoneer transfers between users cost $0-4 depending on same-country vs cross-border. Same country transfers in USD, EUR, or GBP cost a flat $4. Cross-border transfers charge up to 1% with $4 minimum.

The prepaid Mastercard comes with every account. You can spend in 150+ currencies directly from your balance. Card purchases in CAD, USD, EUR, and GBP have zero fees. Other currencies incur 3.5% conversion charges.

Mass payout capabilities support sending to 200 bank accounts simultaneously. This suits businesses paying international contractors or affiliates. The 1% fee applies with volume discounts available.

Payoneer Fee Breakdown

• Receiving from marketplaces: Free (varies by partner)
• Client credit card payments: 3.99% + potential $0.49
• Client ACH payments: 1% (US only)
• Withdrawals under $50K/month: $1.50 flat fee (USD/EUR/GBP)
• Withdrawals over $50K/month: 0.5% of amount
• Currency conversion: 0.5-2% markup
• Annual fee: $29.95 if under $2,000 received annually
• Payoneer-to-Payoneer: $0-4 depending on location

Revolut: Subscription Model With Free Transfer Allowances

Revolut Business operates on tiered subscription model serving 500,000+ business users. The platform targets companies needing multi-currency accounts with team expense controls.

Four pricing tiers exist: Basic ($0), Grow ($30), Scale ($90), and Enterprise (custom pricing). Each tier provides different free transfer allowances and features. Basic plan includes 10 free local transfers and limited international transfers at $5 each.

Currency exchange uses the interbank rate during market hours. Basic plan gets $1,000 monthly fee-free exchange at this rate. Exceeding this limit triggers 0.6% markup fee. Weekend exchanges add 1% extra for Standard customers (waived on Premium and Metal).

Grow plan increases allowances to 100 free local transfers, 5 free international transfers, and $10,000 monthly interbank exchange. This suits small businesses with moderate international activity. Price jumps to $30 monthly but includes metal card and advanced analytics.

Scale plan provides 1,000 free local transfers, 25 free international transfers, and $60,000 monthly interbank exchange for $90 monthly. Large businesses benefit from these generous limits. Two complementary metal cards included.

The platform supports 30+ currencies for sending, receiving, and exchanging. Local account details exist for GBP (sort code and account number) and EUR (IBAN). Other currencies use SWIFT for international transfers.

Revolut offers payment gateway services for online businesses. Accept card payments in 25+ currencies with settlement in original currency. Processing fees run 1.4% + fixed fee for European cards, higher for other regions.

Team spending controls shine with Revolut Business. Issue up to 200 virtual cards and 3 physical cards per team member. Set individual spending limits, merchant restrictions, and real-time notifications. Managing team expenses becomes simple. For agencies and businesses with distributed teams, combining Revolut with project management tools like ClickUp, Asana, or Monday helps coordinate projects while tracking expenses across different currencies and team members.

ATM withdrawal limits reach $3,000-10,000 daily depending on plan. Withdrawals within allowance cost nothing. Exceeding limits triggers 2% fee on overage amount.

Integrations connect with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, and major accounting platforms. Automated expense categorization and receipt matching save accounting time. E-commerce plugins work with Shopify and OpenCart.

Revolut Business Pricing

• Basic: $0/month with 10 local, limited international, $1K exchange
• Grow: $30/month with 100 local, 5 international, $10K exchange
• Scale: $90/month with 1,000 local, 25 international, $60K exchange
• Enterprise: Custom pricing with tailored allowances
• Overages: $5 per international transfer, 0.6% over exchange limit
• Weekend exchange: +1% markup (waived on Premium/Metal)

Real-World Transfer Cost Comparison

Transfer Amount	Route	Wise Total Cost	Payoneer Total Cost	Revolut Total Cost
$1,000	USD to EUR	$4.10 (0.41%)	$10-30 (1-3% + markup)	$0-5 (depending on plan)
$5,000	USD to GBP	$20.50 (0.41%)	$50-150 (1-3% + markup)	$0-5 (within allowance)
$10,000	USD to CAD	$41.00 (0.41%)	$100-300 (1-3% + markup)	$0-5 or $90 plan fee
$100	USD to INR	$1.75 (min fee)	$5-10	$5 (Basic plan)

Real costs depend on specific routes and payment methods. Wise consistently delivers lowest per-transaction costs. Payoneer varies significantly by source and destination. Revolut works best for users staying within monthly allowances.

Banks typically charge $25-45 wire fees plus 3-5% exchange rate markup. A $10,000 transfer costs $325-545 through traditional banks. Wise charges $41. Payoneer runs $100-300. Revolut costs $0-90 depending on plan usage.

Transfer Speed and Processing Times

Speed matters when sending urgent payments or taking advantage of favorable exchange rates. Platform processing times vary considerably.

Wise transfer speeds:

• Bank transfers: 1-2 business days for most routes
• Instant transfers: Available for select currency pairs
• ACH payments: Same or next business day
• SWIFT transfers: 2-3 business days

Over 70% of Wise transfers arrive instantly according to company data. The fastest routes include USD-EUR, GBP-EUR, and other major pairs. You see estimated delivery time before confirming transactions.

Payoneer processing times:

• Marketplace payments: Instant within Payoneer ecosystem
• Bank withdrawals: 1-3 business days
• Cross-border payments: 2-5 business days
• Same-currency transfers: Often same day

Payoneer-to-Payoneer transfers process instantly. The recipient sees money immediately in their account balance. Withdrawing to external bank accounts takes longer due to traditional banking systems.

Revolut transfer speeds:

• Local transfers: Instant to same day
• International transfers: 1-2 business days
• Between Revolut users: Instant
• SWIFT payments: 2-4 business days

Revolut emphasizes speed for users within their ecosystem. Transfers between Revolut accounts happen instantly regardless of currency or country. External transfers depend on receiving bank processing times.

Currency Support and Geographic Coverage

The number of supported currencies affects transfer flexibility and potential conversion costs. Each platform serves different geographic strengths.

Wise coverage:

• Supports 55+ currencies for holding and converting
• Transfers to 160+ countries globally
• Local account details in 10 currencies
• Strong coverage in Europe, Americas, Asia-Pacific

Wise excels at major currency corridors like USD-EUR, GBP-USD, AUD-NZD. Less common currency pairs still supported but may have higher fees. The platform maintains licenses in major markets including Singapore, Australia, EEA, UK, and US.

Payoneer reach:

• Operates in 190+ countries and territories
• Supports 150+ currencies for receiving and sending
• 9 major currency receiving accounts
• 2,000+ marketplace and network integrations

Payoneer’s marketplace focus provides unique advantages. Direct integrations with Amazon, eBay, Fiverr, Upwork, and others simplify payment collection. This integration depth exceeds competitors significantly. If you work with international clients who pay via marketplaces, understanding different payment processor options like Stripe, PayPal, and Square helps you choose the best combination of marketplace payments and direct billing methods.

Revolut availability:

• Available in 48+ countries currently
• Supports 30+ currencies for exchange and holding
• Local details for GBP and EUR only
• Growing presence in US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand

Revolut has the smallest geographic footprint among the three. The platform focuses on regulated expansion rather than rapid growth. Users in supported countries enjoy full features. Those outside face limited or no access.

Security, Regulation, and Account Safety

Financial security determines whether these services can be trusted with your money. Regulatory compliance varies by platform and region.

Wise security measures:

• FCA regulated in UK, similar licensing globally
• Two-factor authentication standard
• Biometric login on mobile apps
• 3D Secure for card transactions
• Segregated customer funds in major banks

Wise maintains strong regulatory standing across jurisdictions. Customer money sits in separate accounts from company operating funds. Bankruptcy wouldn’t affect customer balances directly. The platform never invests or lends customer money.

Payoneer protection:

• MiFID licensed in Europe
• FCA regulated in UK
• FDIC protection in US (through banking partners)
• SOC 2 Type II certified
• PCI DSS Level 1 compliant

Payoneer partners with regulated banks to provide services. US customers benefit from FDIC insurance on certain balances. The platform undergoes regular security audits. Two-step verification protects account access.

Revolut safeguards:

• Banking license in Lithuania (EU)
• FCA regulated (e-money institution) in UK
• FDIC insurance for US customers
• App-based security features
• Instant card freeze/unfreeze

Revolut operates under banking regulations in Europe. The Lithuanian banking license allows passporting across EU. UK operations run under e-money license. US business accounts carry FDIC protection through partner banks.

All three platforms protect customer funds adequately. Wise and Revolut segregate customer money. Payoneer uses bank partnerships. No platform has experienced major security breaches affecting customer funds.

Business Features and Integration Capabilities

Business users need more than simple transfers. Advanced features affect daily operational efficiency.

Wise Business advantages:

• Batch payments to 1,000 recipients
• API integrations with 100+ platforms
• Multi-user access with permission controls
• Accounting software sync (Xero, QuickBooks, etc.)
• Expense cards for team members

Wise Business shines for companies needing straightforward international payments. The API enables automated workflows. Batch payment features suit businesses paying multiple contractors or suppliers monthly. For service businesses tracking billable hours, pairing Wise transfers with time tracking applications like Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify ensures accurate invoicing and payment processing for international clients.

Payoneer business capabilities:

• Mass payout to 200 accounts simultaneously
• Marketplace billing integration
• Global payment request system
• Multi-user account management
• Detailed transaction reporting

Payoneer targets businesses heavily involved in e-commerce and marketplace selling. The platform’s billing integration with major marketplaces streamlines revenue collection. Mass payout features help affiliate networks and gig platforms distribute earnings efficiently.

Revolut Business strengths:

• Team expense management with card controls
• 200 virtual cards and 3 physical per member
• Real-time spending notifications
• Accounting platform integrations
• Payment gateway for e-commerce

Revolut excels at team spending control and expense tracking. The generous card issuance limits help distributed teams manage purchases independently. Real-time controls prevent overspending. Built-in analytics provide spending insights.

Customer Support Quality and Availability

Support quality matters when money gets stuck or questions arise. Response times and channel availability differ significantly.

Wise support:

• 24/7 chat support in multiple languages
• Phone support in select regions
• Comprehensive help center
• Active community forum
• Average response under 2 minutes

Wise provides strong support through primarily digital channels. The help center answers most common questions. Chat agents handle complex issues efficiently. Phone support exists but isn’t advertised prominently. Users report generally positive experiences.

Payoneer assistance:

• 24/7 multilingual support
• Live chat and phone (after login)
• Extensive help center
• AI-powered search assistant
• Dedicated account managers (high volume)

Payoneer support quality receives mixed reviews. Access to live support requires logging in first. High-volume users get dedicated managers. Standard users rely on chat and email tickets. Response times vary by region and issue complexity.

Revolut support:

• 24/7 in-app chat
• Help center in 30+ languages
• Card blocking hotline
• Dedicated managers (Enterprise only)
• Variable response quality reported

Revolut operates support entirely through their app and help center. No phone support exists for general issues. Enterprise customers receive dedicated account managers. User reviews mention inconsistent support quality. Simple queries resolve quickly but complex issues sometimes frustrate users.

Which International Money Transfer Service Should You Choose?

Your specific needs determine the optimal service. Consider transfer volume, frequency, destinations, and feature requirements carefully.

Choose Wise if you prioritize lowest per-transaction costs and complete fee transparency. The platform suits businesses and individuals sending regular international transfers. Transparent mid-market rates benefit high-volume senders. No monthly fees mean occasional users don’t pay for features they don’t use. API integrations help businesses automate payment workflows.

Select Payoneer when you receive payments from marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Upwork, or Fiverr. The direct integrations simplify payment collection significantly. Freelancers benefit from multi-currency receiving accounts. E-commerce sellers appreciate consolidated marketplace earnings. Mass payout features suit businesses paying many contractors internationally.

Pick Revolut for businesses needing team expense management alongside international transfers. Subscription model benefits frequent transferors staying within monthly allowances. Team card controls help manage distributed workforce spending. Real-time expense tracking appeals to companies wanting financial oversight. European businesses benefit from strong regional support.

Avoid Wise for marketplace payment collection where Payoneer offers direct integration. The platform lacks specialized e-commerce features. Transaction fees add up if sending many small transfers daily.

Skip Payoneer if you need absolute lowest costs per transfer. Exchange rate markups and varied fees create less predictable costs. Limited transparency around conversion rates frustrates some users. The $29.95 annual fee catches inactive users by surprise.

Don’t choose Revolut when operating outside their 48 supported countries. Monthly subscription fees waste money if you rarely transfer internationally. Basic plan limitations frustrate higher-volume users. Lack of phone support concerns businesses needing immediate assistance.

Test your choice with small initial transfers. All three platforms allow account creation without upfront fees. Send test transactions before committing large amounts. Compare actual costs against estimates. Each service offers money-back guarantees or dispute resolution for problem transfers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which service offers the cheapest international money transfers?

Wise typically delivers the lowest cost per transfer at 0.41% for major currency pairs using real mid-market exchange rates. Payoneer costs range from 1-3% plus currency conversion markups of 0.5-2%. Revolut can be cheapest for users staying within monthly plan allowances but charges $30-90 monthly subscription fees. For a $10,000 USD to EUR transfer, Wise costs around $41, Payoneer runs $100-300, and Revolut charges $0-90 depending on plan tier and usage.

Can I avoid the Payoneer $29.95 annual fee?

Yes, you avoid the annual fee by receiving at least $2,000 equivalent in payments during any 12-month period. Marketplace payments, client payments, and transfers from other Payoneer users all count toward this threshold. Active freelancers and sellers easily exceed this minimum through regular business activity. The fee only applies to inactive accounts with minimal payment volume. Payoneer waives the charge automatically once you meet the requirement.

How do exchange rates compare between these platforms?

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate (real interbank rate) with zero markup for all transfers. Payoneer applies 0.5-2% markup above wholesale rates depending on currency pair and transaction type. Revolut provides interbank rate during market hours within monthly allowances, then adds 0.6% markup for overages. Weekend Revolut exchanges add 1% extra for Standard users. Banks typically markup rates 3-5%, making all three platforms significantly better than traditional banking for currency conversion.

Which platform processes transfers fastest?

Transfer speed depends on specific route and payment method. Wise delivers 70%+ of transfers instantly for major currency pairs, with others completing in 1-2 business days. Payoneer-to-Payoneer transfers happen instantly, while external bank withdrawals take 1-3 business days. Revolut processes transfers between users instantly and external transfers in 1-2 business days. All three platforms significantly outpace traditional bank wires which often take 3-5 business days internationally.

Are business accounts free on these platforms?

Wise Business costs $0 monthly with no setup fees or minimums, charging only per-transaction fees. Payoneer Business has no monthly subscription but applies transaction fees and potential $29.95 annual fee without sufficient activity. Revolut Business operates on subscription model at $0 (Basic), $30 (Grow), or $90 (Scale) monthly, each with different transfer allowances. Wise suits occasional users wanting no recurring fees. Revolut benefits high-volume transferors whose usage exceeds free allowances, potentially saving money versus per-transaction costs on Wise.