XE is famous for its exchange-rate data, and it advertises no transfer fee, which makes it look cheap. But XE makes its money on the exchange rate, adding a markup of about 0.75%, and that is where the real cost sits. Revolut charges only a small spread up to a monthly limit, then a fee on the excess.
On a $1,000 dollar-to-euro transfer on a weekday, Revolut on its free plan costs about $1.00, while XE costs about $7.50. The winner depends on the amount and the day of the week. The tables below use the current mid-market reference; Wise may use an account-holder API estimate, while other providers use stored published fee and markup models rather than live quotes.
- Inside Revolut's monthly limit on a weekday, Revolut is cheaper, since only its small spread applies.
- XE has no fee but a markup. Its cost lives in the exchange rate, about 0.75%, which you won't see as a line item.
- On weekends, the picture can flip. Revolut adds a weekend markup, which can push it above XE's steady rate.
- On larger sends, XE's flat markup adds up. Revolut's excess fee applies only above the limit, so it can stay cheaper on big transfers too.
How Revolut charges
This site's representative Revolut model uses a small spread on major pairs, a roughly US$1,450 Standard allowance, and 0.5% on the excess. It is a fallback scenario, not a universal plan: country-specific allowances, overage terms, paid-plan prices, and availability differ.
The table uses a weekday-style scenario and intentionally excludes weekend adjustments. Revolut allowances, overage fees, and out-of-market-hours pricing vary by country and plan; check the terms and remaining allowance shown in your app.
How XE charges
XE is best known as a source of exchange-rate data, but it also moves money. Its pitch is simple: no transfer fee on a standard bank-deposit send. The catch is that the cost lives in the exchange rate. XE adds a markup of about 0.75% on major pairs, and more on some exotic ones.
There is no fee to see, which is the appeal, but the markup is the price you pay. The upside is that XE's pricing is steady: no monthly limit, no weekend surcharge, just the same markup whenever you send.
Head to head, by amount
The ranking shifts with the amount and the day. Here is the same dollar-to-euro transfer at three sizes.
$1,000: Revolut's spread-only tier
Inside the limit, Revolut Standard sits at just its small spread (0.10%), below XE's 0.75% markup. On a weekday, Revolut is the cheaper here.
$5,000: the limit starts to bite
At $5,000, Standard has gone past its monthly limit, so Revolut charges 0.5% on the amount above it. XE's 0.75% applies to the whole amount. The two move closer together at this size.
$25,000: a big send
On a large send, Revolut's 0.5% excess fee applies to a big amount over the limit, while XE's 0.75% applies to the whole sum. The order can go either way depending on the exact figures, so check the modelled table at your size.
Who should pick what
Pick Revolut if you send small amounts on weekdays and can stay inside the monthly limit, or you already use Revolut as your everyday account. Inside the limit its small spread beats XE's markup, and the convenience of an all-in-one app is a bonus.
Pick XE if you want simple, steady pricing with no limit or weekend surcharge, or you send at odd hours. XE's markup is the same whenever you send, which can beat Revolut on a weekend or an awkward amount. It is also a trusted name for checking rates.
Check Interactive Brokers when a large conversion prepares cash for an investment, trade or hedge inside the brokerage. Its spot-currency commission can beat both providers by a wide margin at scale. Wise is simpler when you only want to pay another bank account.
Frequently asked questions
Is Revolut cheaper than XE?
Inside Revolut's monthly limit on a weekday, yes, since only its small spread applies. XE has no fee but adds a markup of about 0.75% to the exchange rate. On a weekend or above the limit, the picture can change, so check the modelled comparison at your size.
Does XE really charge no fee?
On a standard bank-deposit transfer, XE usually shows no separate fee. But it makes its money on the exchange rate, adding a markup of roughly 0.75% on major pairs. The cost is real; it is just hidden in the rate rather than shown as a charge.
Does Revolut charge extra on weekends?
It may. Revolut's out-of-market-hours pricing depends on your country and plan. These tables intentionally exclude weekend adjustments; check the in-app quote or wait until the next weekday. XE's actual customer rate also needs to be confirmed at checkout.
Are the fees shown here exact?
No. The table uses the current mid-market reference and, where available, a Wise account-holder API estimate. Other providers use stored published fee and markup models, not live quotes, so the results are modelled estimates for typical routes. XE's markup varies by currency, and Revolut's limits vary by region. Always confirm the final figure on the provider's own site before you transfer.
Cost figures are worked out from each provider's published fee structure applied to the current mid-market reference rate, modelled estimates for typical major-currency routes. XE's markup varies by currency; Revolut's fair-use limits and plan prices vary by region. The figures shown are representative. Always confirm the final quote on the provider's own site before you transfer. We may earn a commission from affiliate links at no extra cost to you; this never affects rankings. Nothing here is financial advice.
Sources: Revolut exchange fees (opens in a new tab), XE help centre (opens in a new tab), Wise pricing (opens in a new tab), IBKR spot-currency commissions (opens in a new tab), Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited Client Agreement for Carried Products (opens in a new tab), IBUK and IBLLC Client Agreement (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 August 2026.