Wise vs Revolut for International Freelancers in 2025
As remote work continues to dominate in 2025, freelancers rely on global payment platforms to send, receive, and manage money across currencies. Wise and Revolut have become two of the most popular choices — but they serve different needs.
Here’s a deep comparison to help freelancers decide which one to trust for international payments.
Overview: Wise vs Revolut
Both Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Revolut started as fintech disruptors offering fair exchange rates and low-cost international transfers.
In 2025, they’ve evolved into full-fledged financial ecosystems — Wise focusing on global money transfers, while Revolut emphasizes digital banking and lifestyle tools.
Core Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Wise | Revolut |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Global money transfers and multi-currency accounts | Personal banking, savings, and lifestyle payments |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 30+ |
| Exchange rate | Mid-market rate, transparent fees | Mid-market + markup (for weekends or limits) |
| Freelancer focus | Strong — designed for cross-border invoices | Moderate — better for personal or hybrid use |
| Business accounts | Yes — Wise Business | Yes — Revolut Business |
Wise for Freelancers
Wise remains a top pick for freelancers needing multi-currency flexibility. You can receive payments in USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and more as if you had a local bank account.
It’s also ideal for invoicing global clients directly, with clear fees (typically 0.35%–0.7% depending on the currency).
If you want to explore how Wise helps freelancers save on fees, sign up here for a free account and start receiving payments in multiple currencies instantly.
Revolut for Freelancers
Revolut is expanding into the freelancer and small-business segment with Revolut Business. It offers multi-currency wallets, corporate cards, and expense tracking.
However, Revolut’s weekend FX markup (0.5–2%) can make it slightly more expensive for cross-border transfers than Wise.
Fees Comparison
- Wise: transparent fees, no hidden FX markup.
- Revolut: free within monthly limits, markup beyond those limits or during weekends.
Security and Accessibility
Both Wise and Revolut are licensed in multiple jurisdictions and follow strict compliance rules.
Wise is regulated by the FCA (UK) and FinCEN (US), while Revolut operates as a digital bank in the EU. Both use two-factor authentication and encrypted transactions.
Which One to Choose?
For freelancers focused on international invoicing and cost efficiency, Wise remains the stronger choice.
For those who want a hybrid banking experience with budgeting, crypto, and lifestyle perks, Revolut may be better.
Best Setup for 2025
Many freelancers successfully use both platforms: Wise for business transactions and Revolut for personal spending or savings.
This way, you get the best exchange rates while enjoying Revolut’s advanced money management tools.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up via our Wise link — at no extra cost to you.
You might also like our article on Payoneer vs Wise for Freelancers 2025 — a detailed look at how these two leading platforms compare in real-world freelance use. [Insert internal link here]
