If you’ve used a digital finance app before, chances are you’ve come across some familiar names. These apps let you manage money, make payments, send transfers, and sometimes even trade currencies—all from your phone. They’ve become a go-to tool for individuals and businesses alike.
But what if you want something different? Maybe the features don’t match your needs. Maybe the fees are too high. Or maybe you’re just curious about what else is out there.
Whatever your reason, there are plenty of Revolut alternatives worth exploring. Let’s break down what to look for and how to find the right one for you.
Why Look for Revolut Alternatives?
Before diving into the options, let’s talk about why people search for Revolut alternatives in the first place.
You Want Lower Fees
Some users feel they’re paying too much for international transfers, currency exchange, or premium features they don’t fully use. Switching to a different platform can help reduce operational costs, especially for businesses with frequent international transactions.
If you’re a freelancer or a small business operating on thin margins, those transaction costs add up. Even saving a few percent on fees can significantly boost your bottom line over time.
And for businesses handling hundreds or thousands of monthly transactions, the savings from a lower fee structure can fund other parts of the business—marketing, product development, or customer service.
You Need Local Support
Depending on where you live or operate, customer service or local features may be limited. Some apps have stronger regional support, which makes them more reliable for day-to-day use. In countries where local banking systems are deeply integrated, this can be a game changer.
Businesses working with local partners or clients may benefit from features tailored to regional regulations and practices—something global players don’t always prioritise. Also, having a support team that understands local compliance rules can save hours of troubleshooting.
You Prefer Different Features
Maybe you want better budgeting tools, or real-time notifications. Maybe you want access to crypto trading or more automation. Or perhaps you’re looking for a more user-friendly interface. Each app has its strengths and weaknesses—so finding the right fit is key.
Feature-rich alternatives may offer enhanced analytics, team permissions, budgeting workflows, or deeper integrations. Some tools offer smart forecasting, recurring invoices, or built-in reconciliation. If you’re growing fast, these extras can be more than nice-to-have—they can be essential.
You Want a Business-Focused Solution
While some platforms offer personal finance tools with added business features, others are built specifically for merchants, freelancers, or startups. If you’re running a company or handling team expenses, finding a solution that matches your workflow matters.
You might need approval flows, expense tracking, tax handling, or integration with other tools like your CRM, payroll software, or inventory system. A tailored solution helps reduce manual work and avoids juggling multiple platforms to manage your finances.
What Does Revolut Offer?
Revolut started as a mobile-focused digital bank, aimed at users and businesses needing low-cost currency exchange. Its core product is a multi-currency account that helps users manage and convert money at competitive rates.
For businesses, Revolut offers a built-in payment gateway that allows transactions in 25+ currencies. That said, payments aren’t the platform’s main focus—it’s one part of a broader suite of business tools.
The platform supports a variety of payment options, including cards, digital wallets (like Revolut Pay), UK Faster Payments, and instant bank transfers. Businesses can also accept payments through no-code options like payment links, QR codes, and branded invoices.
Merchants can create customised invoices with built-in payment buttons and send bulk payments to up to 1,000 recipients. Revolut also offers simple integration tools for e-commerce—like plugins and a Merchant API—along with corporate cards for teams, complete with spend controls.
It’s a flexible option, especially for small businesses that need both banking and payment tools in one place. But it may fall short in some areas—especially if you want deeper control over payment processes, automation, or advanced reporting.
What to Watch Out For
Not all payment apps will suit your needs. Here are some red flags or deal-breakers to keep in mind:
Hidden Fees
Always check the fine print. Some platforms advertise free services but add fees for currency conversion, receiving international payments, or issuing refunds. These can erode your profits over time.
Also look for tiered pricing structures—some features may only be available on paid plans. Read the fee structure carefully and calculate based on your transaction volume and use case.
Limited Availability
Some services are only available in certain countries or regions. Make sure you can access all the features you need in your location. If you plan to expand, ensure your provider can support that growth.
This is especially important for cross-border e-commerce stores or freelancers with international clients.
Weak Customer Service
If you can’t get help when you need it, especially during critical transactions, it’s a major problem. Response time and availability should factor into your decision.
Look for platforms that offer live chat or phone support—not just bots and email forms. Also, check if support is offered in your local language and time zone.
Complex Interfaces
A good app should be easy to use. If it takes too long to find basic features or complete simple tasks, it’s probably not the right fit for your workflow.
Especially if you have team members managing finance, an intuitive interface can reduce training time and errors. Clean UX saves hours.
Key Features to Compare
When you’re exploring Revolut alternatives, there are a few practical features you’ll want to check. These aren’t just technical extras—they’ll directly affect how easy it is to run your business and serve your customers.
Card Payment Gateway
If you want to accept debit or credit cards online, this is essential. Some providers offer full card gateways, while others may lack card support entirely. Make sure the processor supports the card networks your customers use most.
A good gateway should also offer features like saved cards, recurring billing, and dispute handling.
Pay-by-Bank (Open Banking)
Pay-by-bank, or account-to-account payments, are becoming a preferred method for many businesses. They offer instant settlement, lower fees, and fewer chargebacks. Some platforms have it built-in, others don’t offer it at all.
Look for platforms that support multiple banks, provide real-time confirmation, and give access to transaction analytics. Pay-by-bank is especially powerful in Europe and the UK.
No-Code Payments
If you don’t have developers on hand, look for no-code tools like payment links and QR codes. These features allow you to start accepting payments quickly and easily, without writing a single line of code.
Some providers offer branded payment pages, recurring payment links, and email-ready invoices. These can be a great fit for freelancers or service businesses.
Payouts
Need to pay freelancers, vendors, or issue refunds? Make sure the provider supports outgoing payments. Some platforms make payouts easy with a simple dashboard or API, while others don’t offer them at all.
This feature is critical if you operate a marketplace or subscription service, where regular payouts are part of the workflow.
Batch Payments
For businesses that process multiple payments at once—like payroll or mass vendor payouts—batch payment support is key. Look for tools that let you upload a file or use an API to send money in bulk.
Also check whether you can schedule batch payments and view full audit logs. It’s a time saver for finance teams.
Card Issuing
Some providers offer the ability to issue virtual or physical cards for team spending. This is especially useful for managing subscriptions, travel expenses, or employee spending.
Advanced platforms let you set spending limits, freeze cards instantly, assign categories, and monitor usage in real-time.
Integrations
Check whether the platform integrates with your existing tools—like your website, e-commerce platform, or accounting software. Some offer plug-and-play plugins, while others require custom API work.
Pre-built integrations save time and reduce the risk of manual errors. Look for integrations with platforms you already use: Shopify, WooCommerce, QuickBooks, Xero, and others.
Multi-Currency Support
If you sell globally or work with international partners, make sure you can hold, receive, and send money in multiple currencies. Otherwise, you’ll face conversion fees and slower payments.
Some platforms let you set pricing in local currency and accept payment without forced conversion—this leads to better conversion rates.
Advanced Reporting
Clear financial reporting helps with everything from cash flow management to tax preparation. A good payment platform should give you clean, exportable data with insights into transaction trends, customer behaviour, and reconciliation.
Look for daily summaries, filters by payment type, and breakdowns by geography or customer segment. Some platforms even let you export data in real time or connect to BI tools.
Use Cases to Help You Decide
Here are a few examples of how different alternatives might suit different business needs:
- E-commerce businesses may need instant bank payments, a strong card gateway, and e-commerce integrations to speed up checkouts.
- Freelancers and contractors might benefit from no-code payment links, multi-currency support, and low fees for receiving funds from clients abroad.
- Startups could use corporate cards, open banking features, and batch payout tools to manage subscriptions and pay remote teams.
- Global sellers may prioritise currency flexibility, strong local payment coverage, and tools that automate compliance in different regions.
- Service-based businesses may prefer options with invoicing, recurring billing, and real-time payment tracking.
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- Monthly Finance Meeting Agenda
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- What Is a Profit and Loss Statement?
- How to Read & Interpret a Cash Flow Statement
- How to Read a Balance Sheet & Truly Understand It
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing a payment app. The right provider depends on what you actually need—whether that’s lower fees, specific features, or a smoother user experience.
Revolut works well for many, but it’s not the only option. There are plenty of other providers offering flexible payment flows, better local support, and features tailored to how your business operates.
Take the time to compare what matters: how you get paid, how you pay out, and how easy it is to do both. The best choice will save you time, money, and a few headaches along the way.
It’s not just about the features today—but what your business might need tomorrow. So choose a solution that can grow with you.
FAQs
1. What is a good alternative to Revolut for international payments?
A good alternative should offer low fees, real-time currency conversion, and support for multiple currencies. Look for platforms with strong global coverage and transparent pricing.
2. Can I find Revolut alternatives that support open banking?
Yes. Many newer providers focus on open banking features, including instant pay-by-bank options that bypass card networks.
3. Are there Revolut alternatives with better customer service?
Some users report slow or limited support with larger platforms. If customer service is a priority, look for providers that offer live chat, phone support, or dedicated account managers.
4. Do Revolut alternatives support recurring payments or subscriptions?
Many do. Be sure to check whether the platform supports recurring billing, automated invoicing, and flexible subscription management.
5. How do I choose the best payment app for my business?
Start by mapping your payment flow—how you collect and send money. Then compare providers based on features, fees, support, and ease of integration. The best fit is the one that aligns with your daily operations.
