Top 5 Revolut alternatives: compare fees, features & benefits

Key takeaways

• Alternatives to Revolut for businesses in Australia include Airwallex, Stripe, Payoneer, PayPal, and Wise.

• In terms of fees, domestic card processing ranges from 1.65% (Airwallex) to 2.90% (PayPal), while international fees vary from 3.40% to 3.90%

• Airwallex lets Australian businesses do more globally, with 21+ local foreign currency accounts, expense management, corporate cards and billing, and powerful FX to help you save.

As businesses grow, having the right financial platform is important for supporting your ambitions and streamlining operations. Revolut has been a familiar name in this space, but you might be wondering if it's the best fit for your business’ specific needs.

This article guides you through Revolut alternatives for businesses, helping you make an informed decision that supports your business's continued growth and success. We'll explore various options, comparing their features and benefits to help you find the best financial platform for your business.

What is Revolut?

Revolut, established in 2015, is a UK-based financial technology company offering digital financial services to consumers and businesses. As of 2025, it has 65 million personal customers and over 500,000 business customers globally¹.

Revolut can be a handy option for freelancers, gig workers, and micro businesses for domestic payments and simple foreign exchange and global payment needs. The budget pricing plans and debit cards make Revolut an affordable choice for sole traders who need to invoice international clients.

However, Revolut may be less equipped to meet the more complex cross-border financial needs of larger high-growth companies. Revolut charges monthly account fees for some plan allowances, and also charges transaction fees once plan allowances are exceeded.

How does Revolut work?

Revolut operates as a digital-first financial platform accessible through mobile and web apps. Businesses can open a Revolut Business account by registering online, verifying their company details, and selecting a plan tier (Basic, Grow, Scale, or Enterprise).

Once set up, you can hold balances in 25+ currencies, exchange funds at interbank rates (within monthly allowances), and make international transfers. Revolut issues prepaid Mastercard debit cards for team spending, which you can manage through the app with real-time notifications and spending controls.

The platform offers different monthly fee structures depending on your plan, with each tier providing specific allowances for currency exchanges, international transfers, and local transfers. Once you exceed your plan's allowances, additional fees apply per transaction. Revolut also integrates with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks for easier bookkeeping.

The top alternatives to Revolut 

The top alternatives to Revolut for businesses include Stripe, Airwallex, Payoneer, PayPal and Wise.

• Airwallex is a global financial technology company that offers a range of financial services, including online payment acceptance and processing (checkouts), international payments, multi-currency accounts, and corporate cards. Founded in Australia, we strive to simplify cross-border transactions for businesses of all sizes.

• Stripe is a financial services and software-as-a-service company that facilitates online payment processing for businesses of all sizes. It provides the infrastructure for accepting payments ‌and managing revenue.

• Payoneer is a financial services company that offers online money transfer and digital payment services. It provides businesses with cross-border payment solutions, enabling them to send and receive payments in multiple currencies through their global payment platform.

• PayPal is a payment gateway that's been established for 20 years. It enables eCommerce brands to facilitate payments from credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers.

• Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a financial technology company that provides international money transfer services to individuals and businesses. It offers multi-currency accounts to hold, convert funds, and make payments.

Compare the top 5 alternatives to Revolut

The top Revolut alternatives: key features and fees

Airwallex, Stripe, Payoneer, PayPal, and Wise are all alternatives to Revolut, but each have their own strengths. Our platform, Airwallex stands out from the rest with our end-to-end financial operations and global reach. It’s a strong option if you’re looking to scale your financial operations domestically or internationally. 

Below, we summarise the key features and fees of each Revolut alternative. For full product and fee information, including other charges, please visit each provider’s official website. 

Airwallex

Airwallex is a global payments solution that enables businesses to accept payments through 160+ local payment methods and accept currencies in over 70 countries. We offer easy, customisable integrations, multi-currency accounts for like-for-like currency settlement, and fast FX transfers (93% same day, 50% instant). Your business can open domestic and foreign currency accounts in 21 countries to bank like a local, and our platform provides competitive interbank FX and transfer solutions.

Our Yield product also allows businesses to earn competitive returns on any AUD and USD funds held in your account. Additional features like virtual cards, checkout solutions, accounts payable, and expense management make it ideal for ambitious growing businesses.

What fees does Airwallex charge?

Airwallex plans start at $29 per month for its Explore tier, but this fee can be avoided by holding a minimum of $10,000 in the account or depositing $5,000 per month. International transfers are free to over 120 countries and you’ll only pay 0.5% above interbank rates for major currencies, 1% for others.

Pros

• Get more than multi-currency support with ‌an all-in-one platform for your business financial operations, combining global finance tools, powerful APIs, a high-return Yield product, smart integrations, and expense and spend management

• Bank like a local by opening accounts in 21 currencies, accepting 70+ currencies, paying out to over 200 countries, and saving over 80% on your FX fees.

• Extensive global reach to convert, send, and hold funds

Cons

• No physical branches – digital only platform and service

• New updates and optimisations being released regularly, which may not suit the user habits of all consumers

• Physical POS system coming soon

Stripe 

Stripe is a financial technology company that provides businesses with infrastructure for offline and online payments. It offers a suite of payment processing APIs, letting businesses accept, manage, and reconcile online transactions. For brick-and-mortar stores, they offer a POS system to accept in-person payments. Stripe's tools and services support various payment methods and currencies, providing global reach. However, Stripe does not offer a multi-currency account to hold international funds, or expense management tools to assist with a full suite of financial operations. 

What fees does Stripe charge?

Stripe's payment processing fees in Australia are structured based on the type of transaction. For online card payments, the fee is 1.7% + A$0.30 per transaction for domestic cards, while international cards incur 3.5% + A$0.30 fee per transaction. Currency conversion adds up to 2% FX margin. Stripe charges a flat fee for payment terminals and there are no ongoing subscription fees for standard accounts.²

Pros

• Extensive analytics and reporting tools

• An easy-to-setup POS system for both physical and online stores

• Minimal subscription fees may make Stripe an accessible option

Cons

• Primarily a payments product, with no multi-currency accounts or corporate cards

• Users may need another platform to manage other financial operations

• Costly for international transactions, especially where currency conversion is involved

Payoneer 

Payoneer is a popular choice for freelancers and businesses due to its specialised focus on cross-border transactions. The platform offers an intuitive interface, supporting multiple payment methods such as bank transfers and debit/credit cards. Payoneer also provides a prepaid Mastercard at $29.95 annually, which can be used for online and in-store purchases. Whilst they offer payment processing services for marketplaces and platforms, fees are higher for international transfers, which may become costly. 

What fees does Payoneer charge?

Payoneer charges different fees to use the account, the Payoneer card, and payment and transfer methods. When your customers pay directly using a credit card, the fee is 3.20%+$0.49. Making payments from a Payoneer balance to a non-Payoneer user's bank account can cost up to 3% of the transaction amount, with a minimum fee. The Payoneer card has an annual fee of USD$29.95 and an annual account fee of USD$29.95 applies if your account receives less than USD$2,000 in a 12-month period. For transactions involving currency conversion, a fee of up to 3.5% may be charged.

Pros

• Supports multi-currency accounts and currency conversion 

• Serves both individuals and businesses

• Free transactions between Payoneer accounts

Cons

• Transfer limits of USD$15,000 per credit card transaction, which may be limiting for larger businesses 

• The commercial cards are only available for USD, EUR, GBP, or CAD balances

• Users may likely need another platform to manage other financial operations

PayPal 

PayPal supports a variety of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and PayPal balances. The platform also offers invoicing, subscription payments, and mobile payments. 

PayPal’s widespread acceptance makes it a convenient choice for both personal and business use. However, PayPal is likely to incur higher fees for business transactions, which in the long-term may affect a business’ bottom line. 

What fees does PayPal charge?

PayPal charges a standard rate for receiving domestic transactions – 2.90% plus a fixed fee based on the currency received (e.g., $A$0.30 for Australian dollars). An additional 1.00% fee applies for international transactions. PayPal also charges 2% for PayPal Payouts (capped at $A$1.25 domestically and $A$60.00 internationally for AUD transactions) and 3%–4.0% for currency conversions.

Pros 

• Wide-spread acceptance and various payment methods

• Suitable for physical and digital stores

• Offers buyer and seller protection

Cons

• Higher fees for international transactions

• Whilst it may be easy to use, there are limited customisations available 

• Doesn’t provide a multi-currency business account with local bank details (though you can hold multiple currency balances in PayPal).

Wise 

Wise is a UK-based financial technology company focused on simplifying global money transfers. It offers businesses multi-currency accounts where customers can accept and hold payments in nine currencies and transfer funds to over 70 countries. They also offer virtual debit cards, batch international transfers, and accounting software integrations. Whilst Wise services individuals and micro businesses, it may not be most suitable for growing businesses that require a single unified platform for all financial operations. 

What fees does Wise charge?

Australian businesses using Wise Business can expect to pay fees that vary by currency for services like sending money (from 0.63%) and converting money (from 0.63%). Receiving wire and Swift payments incurs a fixed fee (e.g., $6.11 USD, $2.16 GBP, or $2.39 EUR). ATM withdrawals over $350 AUD per month incur a fee of $1.50 AUD per withdrawal plus 1.75%.

Pros 

• Simple interface for individuals and businesses

• Offers virtual debit cards 

• Integrates with accounting software

Cons

• Relatively high fees per international transaction 

• Not cost-effective for larger number of transactions

• Does not offer advanced analytics or expense management tools

Airwallex vs Revolut: how do they compare for Australian businesses?

Airwallex is a good alternative to Revolut for growing Australian businesses, offering a comprehensive suite of financial solutions that can cater to their unique needs. With Airwallex, businesses can benefit from features such as multi-currency accounts, streamlined international payments, and integrated expense management tools, all designed to simplify financial operations and improve cash flow management. By leveraging these capabilities, Australian businesses can gain greater control over their finances and drive growth more effectively.

Why choose Airwallex as your Revolut alternative?

While both Airwallex and Revolut offer global payment services and multi-currency business accounts at good rates, there’s a clear distinction between the kind of business each platform works best for.

Revolut offers a good option for solopreneurs and startups moving some money abroad, as well as those dealing in crypto and stock investments. 

If you’re a scaling company expanding into new markets and targeting worldwide customers, Airwallex’s sophisticated multi-currency business account capabilities are designed to help you grow.

From holding balances globally to moving money instantly with real-time oversight, Airwallex’s features were developed to solve multi-currency transaction challenges. Airwallex also offers additional features such as Yield, payment gateways and advanced accounting integrations.

For businesses that are looking to grow globally without barriers, Airwallex is a clear winner. 

Frequently asked questions

Who is Revolut’s biggest competitor?

Revolut’s biggest competitor for business customers is Airwallex, with other alternatives such as Stripe, Payoneer, Wise and PayPal also offering viable business products to consider. 

Is Revolut regulated in Australia?

Yes, Revolut is regulated in Australia. Revolut holds an Australian Financial Services Licence and is regulated by ASIC to provide financial services.

Is Revolut good for business accounts?

Revolut can be a good choice for business accounts depending on what you're looking for. However, there are limitations to Revolut’s business account offering. Limitations include that there's no free account option and even with the third-highest tier, Scale, you can only exchange up to $75,000 per month. Revolut also does not offer businesses a way to earn returns on their business funds, which is offered by competitors such as Airwallex through our Yield product.

What is the best alternative to Revolut for Australian businesses?

Airwallex is the best alternative to Revolut for Australian businesses. We offer accounts in 21 countries, transact in 70+ currencies, and provide free local transfers to 120+ countries. Australian businesses benefit from our local presence, dedicated account managers for eligible businesses, and features specifically designed for growing companies like Yield (earn returns on AUD and USD balances), expense management, and corporate cards. You'll also save up to 80% on FX fees compared to traditional banks, with 93% of transactions arriving same day and 50% instantly.

Is Airwallex better than Revolut?

Airwallex is better than Revolut for scaling businesses that need comprehensive financial operations. While Revolut works well for solopreneurs and simple international payments, Airwallex offers more currencies (70+ vs 25), better global coverage (200+ payout countries vs 140+), and additional features like Yield returns on account balances. We also provide 0% international transaction fees when sending via local payment networks, whereas Revolut charges fees once you exceed monthly plan allowances. For Australian businesses, Airwallex's local presence and dedicated support make us a stronger choice.

What are the cheapest alternatives to Revolut?

The cheapest Revolut alternatives depend on your transaction volume and needs. Airwallex offers free local transfers to 120+ countries and 0% international transaction fees via local rails, making us the most cost-effective for high-volume international payments. Wise charges from 0.63% per transaction, which can be economical for occasional transfers but adds up with volume. PayPal charges 2.90–3.90% for transactions, making it one of the more expensive options. For businesses processing significant international payments, Airwallex typically offers the lowest total cost with savings up to 80% compared to traditional banks.

Which Revolut alternative has the lowest fees?

Airwallex has the lowest fees among Revolut alternatives for business payments. We charge 0% for international transfers via local payment networks (covering 120+ countries), 1.65% + $0.30 for domestic card payments, and 3.40% + $0.30 for international card payments. Our FX rates are 0.5% above interbank for major currencies and 1% for others. In comparison, Revolut charges transaction fees once you exceed plan allowances, Stripe charges 1.7% + A$0.30 domestic and 3.5% + A$0.30 international, while PayPal charges 2.90–3.90% per transaction. For businesses making regular international payments, Airwallex delivers the most cost savings.

Can I use Revolut alternatives for international payments?

Yes, all major Revolut alternatives support international payments. Airwallex specialises in cross-border payments with coverage to 200+ countries, 94% of transactions via local rails (not SWIFT), and 93% arriving same day. Wise focuses on international transfers to 70+ currencies, PayPal supports payments in 25+ currencies, and Stripe processes payments in 135+ currencies. However, Airwallex stands out for business international payments with free transfers to 120+ countries via local networks, like-for-like currency settlement in 20+ currencies, and the ability to open accounts in 21 countries to receive payments locally.

Sources 

• https://www.revolut.com/en-AU/about/

• https://stripe.com/au/pricing

• https://www.airwallex.com/au/pricing

• https://www.payoneer.com/about/pricing/

• https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees

• https://wise.com/au/pricing/business

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on our own online research. Airwallex was not able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only and a reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. This research is reviewed annually. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]].

The Airwallex Yield Liquidity Fund (Yield) is issued by K2 Asset Management Limited (K2) (ABN 95 085 445 094, AFSL No 244393), a wholly owned subsidiary of K2 Asset Management Holdings Limited. This information doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Services Guide (FSG) for Yield, available at www.airwallex.com.au/terms from Airwallex Capital Pty Ltd (ABN 37 609 653 312, AFSL No. 549026). All investments carry risk.