Revolut review 2025: my honest take after 3+ years on the road

Quick verdict: is Revolut worth it in 2025?

I’m Emma, and I spend around 150–200 days per year outside my home country. Portugal in spring, Thailand in winter, random weeks in Spain, Poland, or wherever interesting work takes me. For the past three years, Revolut has been my main everyday banking app while I travel and run my online projects.

So here’s my honest verdict: Revolut is one of the best all-in-one online banking apps available today, especially if you move between countries, earn in different currencies, or just hate losing money to traditional bank fees. But it’s not perfect, and pretending otherwise would be unhelpful.

The numbers speak for themselves. Revolut now has over 65 million customers in 48+ countries. As of early 2025, it holds a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot and consistently scores 4.8–4.9 in app stores. That’s not an accident.

Revolut is ideal for travelers, digital nomads, freelancers, and anyone paid in multiple currencies. If you deal mostly in cash, need to deposit cheques, or want a bank with physical branches, you’ll probably want something else as your main account.

What is Revolut ?

Think of Revolut as an app-based financial platform that feels like a bank account but does a lot more than your typical high-street bank.

You download the app, sign up in a few minutes, and suddenly you have access to banking services, currency exchange, investment services, and travel tools all in one place. No branches. No paperwork. Just your phone.

Here are the quick facts: Revolut launched in 2015 in the United Kingdom, founded by two guys frustrated with getting ripped off on exchange rates while traveling. Fast forward to 2025, and Revolut operates in 48+ countries with 65 million customers.

Now, here’s where it gets slightly technical (but I’ll keep it simple). In parts of Europe, Revolut Bank UAB holds a full banking licence through Lithuania and is supervised by the European Central Bank. In the UK, Revolut Ltd has a UK banking licence in mobilisation as of July 2024, though it still primarily operates as an e money institution for now. In practice? The experience in the app looks the same whether you’re in Berlin or Birmingham.

What can you actually do in one app?

• Hold money in 30+ different currencies

• Pay with physical cards and virtual cards anywhere Visa and Mastercard are accepted

• Transfer money internationally at competitive rates

• Invest in stocks, crypto, and precious metals

• Get travel insurance and lounge access on certain plans

• Set up savings vaults and track your spending

Before Revolut, I juggled a UK bank, a European account, and a separate travel card. Now I do everything from one app. That shift alone has saved me hours of admin and hundreds in fees over the years.

Emma’s real-life experience using Revolut while traveling

Let me walk you through what using Revolut actually looks like when you’re constantly moving.

Between 2023 and 2025, I’ve spent extended time in Lisbon, Barcelona, Chiang Mai, Kraków, and a handful of other cities. My Revolut card has been my default wallet for nearly everything: cafes, groceries, co-working spaces, Ubers, online subscriptions for my business, and those random 2am airport snacks.

Here are some specific scenarios from my life:

Paying in local currency everywhere. Last October, I spent two weeks in Poland, then flew straight to Thailand. Within the same month, I paid in PLN, EUR (during a layover in Vienna), and THB. No stress, no currency confusion. Revolut just works.

Booking flights and hotels in different currencies. I booked a flight in USD, a hotel in EUR, and paid for a Thailand surf lesson in THB, all within the same week. My traditional bank would have charged me 2-3% on each transaction. Revolut? Basically nothing.

Using virtual cards for sketchy websites. When I book budget airlines or random tour companies I’ve never heard of, I use a single use virtual card. If my card details get stolen, I just delete that card and create a new one in seconds. This has saved me real headaches.

Splitting bills with friends abroad. When I meet up with other travelers or remote workers, we split dinners and Airbnbs through Revolut. If they also have Revolut, the money moves instantly with zero fees. If not, I can still transfer money to their bank account cheaply.

I also love the instant notifications. Every time I tap my card, my phone buzzes within a second. I know exactly what’s being charged and in which currency. When you’re traveling and worried about card fraud, that peace of mind matters.

But here’s an honest frustration: once, during a routine account check, Revolut asked me to verify my source of funds. It took about 48 hours to resolve, during which my account was limited. I was in Thailand at the time. It was stressful.

Despite that experience, I still use Revolut as my primary travel banking app. The benefits far outweigh the occasional bumps. I just make sure I’m never 100% dependent on any single bank when I’m abroad.

Plans, pricing & who each plan is best for

Revolut offers several tiers, and picking the right one depends on how much you travel and what features you actually need.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the main plans as of 2025 (prices may vary by country):

Standard (Free) – No monthly fee. You get a Revolut personal account, basic currency exchange limits, and access to the core app features. Best for occasional travelers who want to test Revolut without commitment.

Plus (~£3.99/month) – Adds extra perks like buyer protection, priority customer support, and a few lifestyle features. A good middle ground if you want slightly better service without paying much.

Premium (~£7.99/month) – This is where things get interesting for frequent travelers. You get higher fee-free currency exchange limits, better ATM withdrawal allowances, travel insurance, and access to airport lounge passes. If you travel more than 3-4 times per year, this tier often pays for itself.

Metal (~£14.99/month) – Higher limits on everything, cashback on card spending, a sleek metal card, and extra perks like device insurance. Best for heavy travelers and those who want premium features without thinking about limits.

Ultra (~£55/month) – The top tier, available in the European Economic Area. This includes massive exchange limits, extensive travel insurance, airport transfers, and other luxury perks. Only worth it if you’re constantly on the move or have significant balances.

I personally use the Premium plan. The travel insurance alone has been worth it—I actually used it when a flight was delayed by 8 hours in Madrid. The higher ATM limits and fee-free exchange allowances also make sense for my lifestyle.

Things to watch out for across all plans:

• Weekend FX markups apply when the currency markets are closed

• Some international transfers outside SEPA may have extra fees

• Card replacements can cost money unless you’re on higher tiers

• Feature availability varies by country

Multi-currency accounts & everyday spending abroad

One of Revolut’s biggest selling points is multi-currency accounts, and honestly, it’s what hooked me in the first place.

Imagine having one app with separate “pockets” for EUR, GBP, USD, PLN, THB, and a dozen other currencies. You can hold money in each, convert between them, and spend from whichever balance makes sense.

Here’s how I use this in practice:

Getting paid in multiple currencies. Some of my online clients pay in USD, others in EUR. Instead of losing money on conversions through my old bank, I receive payments directly into the right currency pocket and convert when rates are good.

Converting money before or during trips. Before heading to Portugal last year, I converted £800 to EUR on a Wednesday (weekday rates are better). A week later, I converted £400 to THB for Thailand. Both conversions took about 10 seconds in the app.

Spending directly in local currency. When I pay for coffee in Lisbon, Revolut charges my EUR balance. When I’m in Bangkok, it charges THB. No more confusion about which currency is being used.

This matters because traditional banks often give you terrible exchange rates when you pay abroad. You might lose 2-3% without even realizing it. With Revolut, you see the exact exchange rate before you confirm, and it’s usually close to the mid-market rate.

One important tip: always choose to pay in the local currency at card terminals. If the machine asks “Pay in GBP or EUR?”, always pick the local currency and let Revolut handle the conversion. Otherwise, you’ll get hit with dynamic currency conversion fees that can be brutal.

Fee-free limits work like this: on the Standard account, you can exchange a certain amount each month at the interbank rate. After that, a small percentage fee applies. Higher tiers give you bigger limits or unlimited fee-free exchange.

For ATM withdrawals, you get a free allowance per month (varies by plan). After that, there’s a small fee. My strategy: withdraw a bit more but less often, and avoid ATMs that add their own markup.

Payments, transfers & sending money internationally

Beyond everyday card spending, Revolut makes it genuinely easy to transfer money across borders.

There are three main types of payments to understand:

1. Card payments – Tap your Revolut card in shops or enter card details online. Works like any debit card.

2. Bank transfers – Send money to someone’s bank account using their IBAN or account number. This is how I pay rent, invoices, and larger amounts.

3. Revolut-to-Revolut transfers – If someone else has Revolut, you can send money instantly using their phone number or username. No fees, arrives in seconds.

Here’s how I use each:

When I’m renting an apartment in Lisbon, I pay the landlord via bank transfer in EUR. The money usually arrives the same day. When splitting a dinner with a friend who also uses Revolut, I just tap their name and send the amount instantly.

For my online business, I pay contractors in different countries. Last month, I paid a freelancer in Poland in PLN directly from my EUR balance. The app showed me the exact exchange rate and any fees before I confirmed. Clear, transparent, simple.

Why is Revolut strong for international payments?

• Uses competitive FX rates, especially on weekdays

• Often faster than traditional banks for cross-border transfers

• Fees are shown upfront before you send

• Works smoothly for both personal and business use

Some limitations to know:

• Exotic currency transfers or non-SEPA routes can be slower and sometimes have extra fees

• There’s a 1% FX markup on weekends (New York time) when markets are closed

• Free monthly limits apply on lower tiers

A quick how-to: open the app, tap “Send,” choose whether you’re paying a Revolut user or a bank account, enter the amount, review the rate and fees, and confirm. The whole process takes under a minute.

Cards, virtual cards & safety features that actually matter

Revolut offers both physical cards and virtual cards, and the combination is genuinely useful for anyone who travels or shops online.

Here’s how my setup works:

Physical card – I use this for everyday offline payments and ATM withdrawals. It works anywhere that accepts Visa or Mastercard. I can also add it to Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments from my phone.

Main virtual card – This lives in my app and I use it for regular online subscriptions: Netflix, Spotify, software for work, that kind of thing. If the card details ever get compromised, I can delete it and create a new one without affecting my physical card.

Single use virtual cards – These are brilliant for risky purchases. Booking a flight on a budget airline I’ve never heard of? Buying something from a random online shop? I create a disposable virtual card that changes after one use. If someone tries to charge it again, it simply won’t work.

Now, the safety features that actually matter when you’re abroad:

• Instant push notifications – Every single transaction triggers a notification within a second. If someone tries to use my card details without my knowledge, I’ll know immediately.

• One-tap freeze/unfreeze – Lost your wallet? Freeze the card instantly from the app. Found it? Unfreeze just as fast.

• Toggle controls – You can turn online payments, contactless, or magnetic stripe on or off. If you never use ATMs, disable ATM withdrawals. If you’re worried about online fraud, disable online payments when you’re not shopping.

• Transaction limits – Set per-transaction or monthly spending limits for extra control.

Here’s a real example: I once left my wallet at a cafe in Lisbon. Panicked, I immediately froze my Revolut card from my phone. Ten minutes later, the cafe called to say they’d found it. I unfroze the card and continued my day. Total downtime: zero.

Another time, I noticed a small suspicious transaction on one of my virtual cards. I deleted that card instantly, created a new one, and reported the issue in app. The whole thing took less than five minutes.

The app also uses biometric login (fingerprint or face recognition) and 3D Secure for online payments. Basically, random people can’t just charge your card—the app asks you to confirm.

Budgeting, analytics & managing money across countries

One underrated part of the app is how well it helps you understand where your money actually goes.

When you’re traveling between countries with different currencies and costs of living, it’s easy to lose track. Revolut solves this with built-in analytics and organization tools.

Savings vaults are separate spaces where you can set aside money for specific purposes. I have vaults for:

• Flights home

• Emergency fund

• Taxes for my online business

• New laptop fund

You can name them whatever you want and move money in or out with a tap.

Automatic round-ups are a nice touch. Every time I buy a €3.40 coffee, Revolut can round it up to €4 and automatically move that €0.60 into a savings vault. Small amounts add up over time without any effort.

Spending analytics show you exactly where your money goes each month:

• Category breakdowns (food, travel, shopping, bills)

• Per-country spending when you use multiple currencies

• Monthly trends so you can spot if you’re spending more than usual

This has been genuinely useful for my personal finance. Last year, I realized I was spending way more on eating out in Lisbon than I thought. Seeing the numbers made me adjust.

You can also set limits for specific categories and get alerts when you’re getting close. Before a trip, I often check my “month in review” to see how I’m doing and plan accordingly.

For anyone running online projects while traveling, you can use separate spaces to keep business and personal spending organized. I know exactly how much I’m spending on work tools versus personal lifestyle.

Investing in stocks, crypto, and precious metals through Revolut Account

Before I go further: this is not investment advice. Just my experience using Revolut’s investment services as a casual investor.

Revolut offers access to three main investment areas:

Stocks – You can buy shares in major US and European companies directly in the app. Fractional shares are available, so you can invest small amounts even in expensive stocks.

Cryptocurrencies – Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a range of other coins. You can buy, hold, and sell crypto without leaving the app.

Precious metals – Gold, silver, and sometimes platinum. Revolut lets you buy tiny amounts of metals as a hedge against currency volatility.

What I like about it:

• Everything is in one app, so I can see my cash, spending, and investments together

• The interface is simple and beginner-friendly

• Minimum amounts are very low, so you can experiment without risking much

• Some regions offer a robo advisor feature for hands-off investing

My personal use: I keep a small “fun” stock portfolio for long-term experiments. I also hold a very modest amount of Bitcoin and Ethereum, mostly just to learn how crypto works. During the volatile years of 2022-2023, I bought tiny amounts of gold through the app as a hedge.

What to be aware of:

• Trading can tempt impulsive behavior, especially with crypto

• Fees and spreads may not be the absolute lowest for serious traders

• Regulatory availability varies by country—not everyone will see the same options

• In some regions, you can’t withdraw crypto to an external wallet

Revolut Securities Europe UAB handles the investment side in Europe, but the exact entity depends on where you live. Always check the terms in your country before investing, especially regarding taxes.

How safe is Revolut? Regulation, security, and account freezes

This is the question everyone asks about Revolut, and it deserves an honest answer.

Regulatory status (in simple terms):

In much of the EU, Revolut Bank UAB operates under a full banking licence from Lithuania, supervised by the European Central Bank. This means customer deposits with Revolut in those countries are protected under EU deposit guarantee schemes.

In the United Kingdom, Revolut has a UK banking licence in mobilisation as of mid-2024. Until full authorisation, Revolut still primarily operates as an e money institution. Your money with Revolut is safeguarded in separate accounts, but it’s not yet covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or FSCS deposit protection in the same way a traditional bank would be.

In the US, Revolut partners with FDIC insured banks, so customer deposits held through Revolut there have federal protection up to the relevant limits.

The key point: protection depends on where you live and which Revolut entity holds your funds. The Revolut app complies with Electronic Money Regulations in the UK and banking regulations in Europe, but you should check the specifics for your country.

Security features you’ll actually use in the Revolut app:

• Biometric login (fingerprint or face) for Revolut

• Device-level security and PIN protection on Revolut

• 24/7 automated fraud monitoring by Revolut systems

• Instant card controls and freeze options within Revolut

Account freezes and controversies with Revolut:

I won’t pretend this isn’t a real concern when using Revolut. Revolut uses algorithms to detect suspicious transactions and flag potential money laundering. Sometimes these algorithms catch normal people.

If Revolut asks you to verify your income or source of funds, your account may be limited until you provide documents. This can take hours or days depending on the situation.

I’ve personally experienced one such Revolut check. It was resolved within 48 hours, but it was stressful. My strategy now: I always keep some backup money in another bank and never rely on any single app 100% when traveling, including Revolut.

Most Revolut customers use the app daily without any problems. But you should treat Revolut as a modern banking tool that can occasionally be cautious, not as a magic solution that never has friction.

Customer support: what it’s really like when things go wrong with Revolut

Let’s be real: Revolut customer support is probably Revolut’s weakest area, though it has improved over the years.

Support channels available with Revolut:

• 24/7 in app chat is the main option for all Revolut customers

• Priority support for Revolut Premium, Metal, and Ultra accounts

• Help center and FAQ resources in the Revolut app

• No phone support for most issues (common for neobanks like Revolut)

My positive experience with Revolut support:

I once had a duplicate card transaction where I was charged twice for the same purchase on my Revolut card. I reported it through Revolut in app chat, and the support team reversed it within a day. Quick, painless, done.

My frustrating experience with Revolut support:

During a busy weekend, I had a question about a Revolut transfer that seemed stuck. I waited in Revolut chat for over two hours before getting a response. The first few messages were clearly copy-paste answers that didn’t address my actual question. Eventually, I was escalated to someone who actually helped.

Wider reputation of Revolut support:

If you read Trustpilot and other review sites, you’ll see complaints about slow responses, especially for Revolut Standard (free) accounts. Issues involving Revolut compliance checks (anti-money laundering, fraud prevention) can take days or weeks to fully resolve.

Practical tips from my Revolut experience:

• Always keep an additional card or bank account as backup alongside Revolut

• When Revolut asks for documents, provide them promptly and clearly

• Use Revolut in app chat early if something looks off—don’t wait

• Paid Revolut tiers genuinely get faster support

The Revolut support isn’t perfect, but it’s manageable if you set realistic expectations and have a backup plan.

Pros and cons of Revolut (from a frequent traveler’s view)

After three years of daily use across dozens of countries, here’s my honest breakdown of Revolut:

Pros:

• Revolut is excellent for low-cost spending and withdrawals abroad compared to traditional local banks

• Revolut offers multi-currency accounts with real-time FX at great exchange rates

• Powerful budgeting tools and spending analytics in the Revolut app that work across countries

• Digital cards and single use digital cards provided by Revolut for safe online shopping

• Built-in investing (stocks, crypto, gold/silver) and extra perks like travel insurance through Revolut

• Strong Revolut app experience, fast onboarding, wide international acceptance

• Payments between Revolut customers are instant and free

• Works seamlessly with Apple Pay and Google Pay via Revolut

Cons:

• Revolut customer support can be slow or scripted, especially for free users

• Account checks and freezes happen—stressful if Revolut is your only bank

• Weekend FX markups and monthly limit restrictions on lower Revolut plans

• Limited traditional banking features in Revolut: no overdraft, no cash deposits, no cheque handling

• Regulatory protection with Revolut varies by country and can be confusing

• The way your money works in Revolut differs between the e money institution model and full banking licence

Which cons do I personally accept? I’ve learned to exchange money on weekdays, I chose a paid Revolut tier for better limits and support, and I always keep a backup bank account. These small adjustments make the occasional Revolut frustrations manageable.

Who Revolut is perfect for (and who should maybe skip it)

Let me be specific about who will love Revolut and who might want to look elsewhere instead of Revolut.

Perfect fit:

• Frequent travelers and digital nomads – If you spend weeks or months in different countries, Revolut’s multi-currency accounts and travel-friendly fees are hard to beat.

• Freelancers and online entrepreneurs – Getting paid in foreign currencies? Revolut lets you receive, hold, and convert funds without losing money to bad bank rates.

• People sending money abroad regularly – Whether you’re supporting family overseas or paying international contractors, Revolut offers competitive rates and low fees.

• Tech-comfortable users who don’t need branches – If you’re happy doing everything through an app like Revolut and don’t need in-person service, Revolut fits perfectly.

Might not love it:

• Cash-heavy users – If you regularly deposit cash or cheques, Revolut isn’t built for that. There are no branches, no cash deposit machines.

• People needing guaranteed local deposit protection – If Revolut doesn’t yet offer full banking protection in your region and that matters to you, a traditional bank might feel safer.

• Those who prefer in-person service – If you want to walk into a branch and talk to someone face-to-face, Revolut isn’t for you.

My personal choice: I still keep a traditional bank account in my home country for things like mortgage payments and long-term savings. But for daily spending, travel, and running my online business, I reach for Revolut first. It’s become my financial home base.

How to get started with Revolut (and why use my link)

If you’ve made it this far and want to try Revolut, I have a personal referral link you can use to sign up for Revolut.

Why use my Revolut link?

• It takes you directly to the correct sign-up page for your country on Revolut

• Sometimes there are welcome bonuses, free card delivery, or small cash rewards (offers change over time, so check what’s available when you sign up with Revolut)

• It’s the easiest way to get started with Revolut

The Revolut onboarding process is simple:

1. Download the Revolut app from your app store

2. Sign up with your personal info and verify your identity using your passport or ID on Revolut

3. Add your first funds via bank transfer or debit card to your Revolut account

4. Order your physical card (usually arrives within a few days)

My first-steps recommendations with Revolut:

• Create a savings vault in Revolut for something specific (emergency fund, travel fund, whatever)

• Set up a digital card in Revolut for online subscriptions

• Test a small card payment or transfer to see how everything works

• Explore the spending analytics in Revolut after your first few purchases

If you later decide Revolut isn’t for you, closing or downgrading your Revolut account is easy. No lock-in, no drama.

So here’s my invitation: try Revolut for your next trip. See how it feels to spend in local currencies without stress, to track your money across countries, and to have everything in one app.

After three years and hundreds of travel days, Revolut has become the financial home base I carry in my pocket. It might work for you too.

Sign up for Revolut using my link