Wise vs Revolut vs PayPal International Transfers UK 2026
If you’re sending money abroad from the UK in 2026, you’ve got three main contenders to choose from. Wise, Revolut, and PayPal all offer international transfer services, but they work very differently and come with different costs. This guide compares them head to head so you can pick the right one for your needs. We’ll look at fees, exchange rates, speed, and which service actually wins for different types of transfers.
| Service | Starting Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | 0.41% of amount | Cheap international transfers |
| Revolut | Varies by tier | Multi-currency accounts |
| PayPal | 5% (min £0.99) | Quick casual transfers |
Wise: The Cheapest Option for Serious Transfers
Wise is built specifically for international money transfers, and it shows in the pricing. You’ll pay a fee starting at just 0.41% of the amount you send, plus a small fixed fee depending on the country. That’s significantly cheaper than PayPal’s 5% rate.
The real advantage of Wise is the exchange rate. It uses the mid-market rate, which is the real rate banks use between themselves. It doesn’t add markups on top, so you’re getting the genuine value for your money. If you’re sending £1,000, you’ll get closer to the actual amount in your destination currency.
Pros
- Lowest fees in the comparison (0.41% start)
- Mid-market exchange rates with no markups
- Fast transfers, often arrive same day
- Supports over 80 countries
- Transparent pricing upfront
Cons
- No cash withdrawal features like Revolut
- Designed purely for transfers, not spending
- Slower for very small amounts
- Less flashy interface than competitors
Who It Suits
Wise is perfect if you’re sending money regularly or in larger amounts. Freelancers getting paid overseas, expats supporting family, or anyone moving money between countries will save serious money here. If you’re sending £500 or more, Wise almost always beats the others.
Revolut: The All-In-One Wallet
Revolut is a mobile banking app that does everything from spending to transfers. It’s not purely focused on international transfers like Wise, but it handles them well. Your fees depend on which tier you choose, Standard, Plus, or Premium.
The attraction of Revolut is convenience. You get a card, can hold multiple currencies, and switch between them instantly. If you’re already using Revolut for everyday spending abroad, adding transfers makes sense. The exchange rates are reasonable but not as good as Wise.
Pros
- All-in-one app for spending and transfers
- Multi-currency account with instant switching
- Debit card included for spending abroad
- Premium tiers offer better exchange rates
- Good for frequent travellers
Cons
- Fees vary and can be higher than Wise
- Markup on currency conversion applies
- Requires subscription for best rates
- Not as transparent as Wise on costs
Who It Suits
Revolut works best if you travel a lot or use it as your main spending app abroad. Young professionals who want one app for everything will appreciate it. If you’re already paying for a Revolut subscription, the transfer feature adds value to what you’ve got.
PayPal: The Familiar Option
PayPal is the household name everyone knows. It’s simple, widely accepted, and works from your existing account. The catch is the cost. International transfers cost 5% with a minimum of £0.99 and maximum of £2.99.
PayPal adds markups to exchange rates on top of the percentage fee. This means you’re paying twice, effectively. It’s the most expensive of the three, but it’s also the fastest if you value speed over savings.
Pros
- Everyone’s heard of it and trusts it
- Already integrated into many accounts
- Very fast transfers, often instant
- Works with most online sellers
- Good buyer protection
Cons
- Most expensive option at 5% fee
- Additional currency conversion markups
- Poor exchange rates overall
- Fees can vary without warning
Who It Suits
PayPal is for people who value simplicity and convenience over cost. If you’re only transferring occasionally and small amounts, the fees won’t sting as much. It’s also good if you’re already using PayPal to sell or trade online.
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wise | Revolut | PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | 0.41% plus fixed | Varies by tier | 5% (min £0.99) |
| Exchange Rate | Mid-market, no markup | Markup applies | Markup applies |
| Speed | 1-2 business days | 2-3 business days | Instant to minutes |
| Countries Supported | 80+ countries | 50+ countries | 190+ countries |
| Debit Card | Available separately | Included in app | Not available |
| Multi-Currency | Yes, many currencies | Yes, very easy | Limited options |
| Account Setup | 5 minutes | 10 minutes | Already likely have one |
| Mobile App | Simple, clear | Full-featured | Familiar interface |
| Best for Small Transfers | No | Maybe | Yes |
| Best for Large Transfers | Yes, clear winner | Maybe | No |
Which One to Pick: Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Sending £1,000 to Europe
You’re sending £1,000 to a friend in France. With Wise, you’ll pay around £4.10 in fees and get the real exchange rate. Revolut charges vary but you’re looking at £10 to £15 depending on your tier and their markup. PayPal takes £50 in fees alone, making it painfully expensive.
Winner: Wise saves you £40 to £50 on this single transfer. It’s not even close.
Scenario 2: Regular Small Transfers Under £100
You’re sending £50 to a family member monthly in Australia. Wise has minimum fees that hurt on small amounts. Revolut is better for frequent small transfers. PayPal’s 5% fee equals £2.50, which stings but less than Wise’s fixed charges.
Winner: Revolut if you’re using it anyway, otherwise PayPal for pure convenience and lower relative cost.
Scenario 3: Need Money Urgently Today
You need to send £300 to the US right now, this hour. Wise takes 1-2 days. Revolut takes 2-3 days. PayPal can do it in minutes. Speed is everything here.
Winner: PayPal, even though it costs more. Sometimes time is worth the premium.
Scenario 4: Moving Abroad for a Year
You’re moving to Spain for work and need to manage money across two countries. Wise is great for transfers but limited as a spending tool. Revolut gives you everything in one app, a card to spend with, and the ability to hold euros. PayPal isn’t designed for this use case.
Winner: Revolut, because it’s a complete solution, not just for transfers.
Scenario 5: One-Off Business Payment to USA
You need to pay a US supplier £2,500 for goods. This is a serious amount where fees matter. Wise charges roughly £10 to £15 and gives you the best rate. Revolut might charge £20 to £30. PayPal would take £125.
Winner: Wise by a landslide. That’s £110 saved compared to PayPal.
Questions People Ask
Is Wise really cheaper than Revolut?
For most transfers over £500, yes. Wise uses the real mid-market rate with no hidden markups. Revolut adds a percentage markup that increases your costs. On a £1,000 transfer, you’ll typically save £10 to £20 using Wise. The difference grows with bigger amounts.
Can I use all three services if I want?
Absolutely. Many people use Wise for big transfers because it’s cheapest, keep Revolut for travel and everyday spending, and use PayPal for online sales or quick payments. There’s no rule saying you must pick just one. Your choice depends on what you’re doing on any given day.
Which is most secure?
All three are legitimate, regulated companies. Wise and Revolut are licensed money transmitters. PayPal is owned by a major corporation. From a security standpoint, they’re all solid. Revolut has had some fraud issues in the past, but they’ve improved. Wise has the best reputation for clean, secure transfers with no drama.
What if I need customer support?
PayPal has the most established customer service with phone lines and email. Wise has good in-app chat support and is getting better. Revolut’s support is in-app and can be slow to respond. If you need someone to pick up a phone, PayPal is your answer. For quick messaging, Wise is solid.
The Real Cost Comparison: An Example
Let’s put numbers on this. You’re sending £2,000 to Canada.
Wise charges 0.41% plus a fixed fee of around £1.50. You pay roughly £9.70 total. You get the mid-market rate, so if GBP to CAD is 1.74 today, you get almost exactly that rate.
Revolut charges differently by tier. On a Standard account, you might pay £15 to £20. You also get a rate slightly worse than mid-market, losing another £5 to £10 in value.
PayPal takes 5% (£100) plus applies their exchange rate markup, which costs another £15 to £20. You’re out £115 to £120.
For the same £2,000 transfer, you’re paying £9.70 with Wise, £20 to £35 with Revolut, and £115 to £120 with PayPal. Wise wins decisively.
Conclusion: One Clear Winner
Wise is the winner for international transfers from the UK in 2026. It’s the cheapest, most transparent, and best for anyone sending money abroad seriously. Its 0.41% fee plus fixed amount beats Revolut’s variable costs and destroys PayPal’s 5% plus markup structure.
That said, Wise isn’t perfect for everyone. If you travel constantly, Revolut’s all-in-one approach might make sense despite higher costs. If you need money moved in minutes and don’t care about fees, PayPal works. But for pure value and savings on international transfers, Wise is the obvious choice.
The data is clear. On a £1,000 transfer, Wise saves you £40 to £50 compared to PayPal. On £5,000, you’re saving £200 to £250. These aren’t tiny differences. If you’re sending money abroad regularly, switching to Wise will put real money back in your pocket.