Freelancers working across borders need more than just a bank account—they need a financial system that keeps pace with how they live and work. Traditional banking often falls short when you're sending invoices in euros, getting paid in dollars, and withdrawing cash in pesos. That’s where tools like Wise and Revolut come in.
Both platforms have positioned themselves as flexible, modern alternatives to conventional banks. They allow you to hold and move money in multiple currencies, withdraw cash abroad, and manage income from clients around the world. But while they share some overlap, Wise and Revolut take very different approaches to international finance.
This guide breaks down the differences between Wise and Revolut from the perspective of international freelancers. We’ll compare them across the categories that matter most—currency support, transfer fees, invoicing, spending, and business features—so you can decide which one aligns best with the way you work.
Who These Platforms Are Designed For
Wise and Revolut are both built to solve problems that traditional banks haven’t addressed—especially for people earning, spending, or traveling across borders. But they serve slightly different use cases, and understanding those differences can help freelancers choose the right one.
Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is focused on transparent, low-cost international money transfers. It’s designed for people who earn in one currency, pay bills in another, or need local bank details across multiple countries. Freelancers use Wise to invoice global clients, receive payments into local currency accounts, and convert income with minimal fees.
Revolut takes a broader approach. It combines banking features, budgeting tools, investment access, and currency exchange in one app. While originally aimed at travelers and personal users, Revolut now offers business and freelancer accounts with invoicing tools, multicurrency wallets, and integrated spending. It’s designed for those who want to manage both their freelance income and daily finances in one place.
In short, Wise is built around money movement. Revolut is built around all-in-one financial control. Freelancers who prioritize cost-effective transfers may lean toward Wise, while those who want a full-service banking app may prefer Revolut.
Currency Support and Multi-Currency Accounts
For international freelancers, holding and managing multiple currencies isn’t a bonus—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re invoicing U.S. clients while based in Europe or collecting payments in GBP while traveling through Southeast Asia, the ability to receive, hold, and convert funds smoothly can have a direct impact on your cash flow.
Wise supports over 40 currencies and provides local bank details in major markets including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, NZD, and SGD. These accounts let you receive payments as if you had a local bank, which is especially helpful when billing clients who prefer domestic transfers. Currency conversion within Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent, low fee added on top.
Revolut also offers access to multiple currencies within a single account. You can hold, spend, and convert more than 25 currencies, and exchange between them instantly inside the app. However, local bank details are more limited depending on your region and account type. For example, freelancers outside the UK or EU may find fewer local receiving options compared to Wise.
While both platforms offer multi-currency functionality, Wise has the edge when it comes to receiving payments like a local in more countries. Revolut is stronger for spending across currencies, especially when paired with its debit card and lifestyle features.
International Transfer Fees
For freelancers working across borders, transfer fees can quietly eat into earnings. The more often you convert currencies or receive international payments, the more important it becomes to understand exactly what you’re being charged—and when.
Wise is known for transparent, low-cost international transfers. It uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges a clearly stated fee based on the amount and currency route. There are no markups hidden in the exchange rate, and you’ll always see the fee before confirming the transfer. For freelancers receiving regular payments from global clients or converting income between currencies, this pricing model keeps costs predictable and easy to track.
Revolut offers currency exchange and international transfers as part of a tiered pricing system. Standard (free) accounts include limited fee-free exchange each month—currently up to €1,000. After that, a small margin is added to the exchange rate, especially on weekends or less common currencies. Paid tiers (Premium and Metal) offer higher or unlimited exchange limits and reduced fees, but come with monthly subscription costs.
For occasional conversions or lower-volume freelancers, Revolut’s free tier may be enough. But if you’re invoicing in multiple currencies on a regular basis, Wise often delivers more consistent value without requiring an upgrade.
Invoicing and Client Payments
Getting paid quickly and reliably is central to every freelancer’s workflow—especially when working with clients in different currencies. Both Wise and Revolut offer tools to make this process easier, but they differ in structure and accessibility.
Wise allows freelancers to generate invoices manually and share local bank details for client payments. Because you can hold balances in multiple currencies and receive funds via local bank transfers in the U.S., UK, EU, and several other regions, clients can pay you like a local—without incurring international transfer fees on their end. This makes it easier to get paid faster and with less friction, even without formal invoicing software.
Revolut offers invoicing tools through its freelancer and business accounts. You can generate branded invoices, accept payments via card or bank transfer, and get notified when funds arrive. These features are more fully developed in the paid plans and include options like payment links and integration with accounting platforms. However, support for local bank details is more limited outside of core currencies.
For international freelancers who want simplicity and broad currency compatibility, Wise offers a low-friction way to receive payments. If you prefer built-in invoicing tools and more client-facing features, Revolut may be more suitable—especially if you're using one of its paid tiers.
Cards, Spending, and ATM Access While Traveling
For international freelancers who work while moving between countries, everyday spending matters as much as invoicing. Access to a reliable debit card, favorable currency exchange rates, and low ATM withdrawal fees can directly affect your day-to-day costs abroad.
Wise offers a multi-currency debit card linked to your account. It automatically deducts from the correct currency balance if available, or converts at the mid-market rate with a small transparent fee. ATM withdrawals are free up to a limit (currently around $100/month), after which a small percentage fee applies. The Wise card is accepted anywhere Mastercard is used, and there are no markups on foreign purchases.
Revolut is designed with travelers in mind. Its debit card includes competitive exchange rates, automatic currency selection, and no foreign transaction fees within your monthly allowance. Depending on your plan, you’ll have different ATM withdrawal limits and perks—Standard accounts include up to €200/month in free withdrawals, while Premium and Metal plans offer higher thresholds and benefits like airport lounge access.
For freelancers traveling often or working remotely from different countries, both Wise and Revolut offer strong tools for daily spending. Wise is ideal for simplicity and consistent pricing. Revolut adds more lifestyle features and perks, especially if you’re using a paid plan.
Business Features and Tax Considerations
Freelancers operating across borders often need more than personal banking. Whether you're invoicing international clients, managing business expenses, or preparing for tax season, your financial tools need to support the realities of remote work.
Wise offers a dedicated business account that includes multi-currency support, local bank details, and access to bulk payment tools. You can receive payments in multiple currencies, convert income, and pay contractors or services abroad—all from the same interface. While it doesn’t include accounting tools natively, Wise integrates easily with platforms like Xero and QuickBooks. This works well for freelancers who operate as sole proprietors or small businesses with international income.
Revolut’s freelancer and business accounts offer a broader suite of tools, especially on paid plans. You can send and track invoices, issue virtual or physical cards for business expenses, and view categorized analytics on spending. Revolut also provides local account details in select currencies, but these are more limited compared to Wise. It includes some basic budgeting tools and integrates with accounting platforms, though not all features are available on the free tier.
For freelancers needing simple, reliable cross-border transfers and compliance support, Wise covers the essentials with minimal friction. If you’re looking for an all-in-one interface that combines spending insights, invoicing, and account-level control, Revolut offers more—but may require a paid plan to unlock its full potential.
Security, Support, and Regional Limitations
For international freelancers, choosing a financial platform isn’t just about features—it’s also about trust, accessibility, and knowing that help is available when you need it.
Both Wise and Revolut are fully regulated financial institutions. Wise is licensed in the UK and operates under financial regulations in the EU, U.S., Australia, and several other jurisdictions. Funds are held in segregated accounts, and two-factor authentication is standard. Revolut is similarly regulated, with banking licenses in multiple regions and additional protections for users in the EU and UK.
When it comes to customer support, Wise offers email-based service and a detailed help center. Support is generally reliable, but response times can vary. Revolut includes in-app chat support, though live access is limited on the free tier. Paid users receive faster support, and Premium/Metal plans include priority response.
Regional access is a key consideration. Wise is available in most countries and supports freelancers from over 160 regions. Revolut has more geographic restrictions—its full range of services is only available in the UK, EU, U.S., Australia, and a select list of other countries. If you're based outside these areas, some features may not be available or accounts may not be supported at all.
In terms of reliability and international reach, Wise is more consistent across borders. Revolut offers deeper features in supported regions but may be limited for freelancers based in less common jurisdictions.
Final Recommendation
Both Wise and Revolut offer powerful tools for international freelancers—but they serve slightly different needs.
Wise is best for freelancers who prioritize low-cost currency conversion, reliable international payments, and access to local bank details in multiple countries. If your workflow involves invoicing clients in different currencies, receiving payments across borders, or converting income regularly, Wise delivers consistent value with transparent pricing and wide global access.
Revolut is ideal for freelancers who want an all-in-one platform that combines business tools, personal banking, and lifestyle features. Its strength lies in daily usability—spending, budgeting, card perks, and quick transfers—especially if you’re based in a supported region and choose one of the paid plans.
For many international freelancers, the ideal setup may involve using both. Wise can manage incoming client payments and cross-currency transfers, while Revolut can serve as your primary spending and budgeting app while traveling.
Choose the platform that matches the way you work, not just where you work from.